Moffitt Reunion of 1943

KATING, MOFFITT

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/2/2021 at 08:40:20

Moffitt Reunion Sunday; Descendants Of Early Jasper County Settlers
When the Moffitt family converges Sunday at Fred Maytag park for the annual reunion, descendants of some of the early settlers of Jasper county will meet.
It was in 1852 that the two Moffitt brothers, Stephen and Swan, and their families left Winchester, Ind., by oxen teams to locate in Iowa. On Oct. 18, of that year they forded the Mississippi River, then without a bridge, entering this state to locate in Jasper county just ten years after the territory was opened for settlement as provided by treaty with the Indians. The Stephen Moffitt family located three miles west of Newton, the original homesite being at the top of what is now known as “Moffitt Hill.” The homestead land which has never passed from the hands of the family, is now farmed by Cecil Moffitt.
There are two theories as to the origin of the Moffitt family and name: the first is that the family tree dates from the Moffitts of the present town of Moffat, Scotland. The second theory advanced by earlier family records is that the clan originated in Italy, as the spread of Christian religion advanced, migrated to France and Normandy, then to England with William the Conqueror and on to Scotland. The earliest date the name is mentioned in the family tradition is in 1864 when the Norman Knight Moffette entered England with William the Conqueror. Although different spellings of the name are recorded, the Moffitts of the present name are direct descendants of the original stock.
After leaving England they came to America to locate in South Carolina, later moving northward into Indiana from where the two brothers migrated to Iowa.
Any persons known to be descendants of the Moffitt clan are invited to attend the picnic Sunday.
Those desiring further information are asked to call Mrs. T. J. Kating.
Source: Newton (IA) Daily News; July 27, 1943, page 2