To the Ritchie/Richie family members -- if you do not see a family member's inf. listed. Email me with the member's infomation to be added
His parents were born in slavery and the Ritchie name was taken by Levi who was owned by Lewis Ritchie and later his daughter...Nancy Ritchie Smith. (See Slave Records). Birth records researched thus fr reveals only two children born to Levi and Mary Ritchie. They are Lillie Vernon Born Sept, 1876 and a male not named born Dec, 1878 (could possibly be Tom or his brothers).
No information is available on Tom's birth. From family stories Tom told are memories that he had as a young boy, living in a small house outside the big house, where he had to walk miles from one farm to the next trading the owner.
Tom married Lillie Scott and had eight children, John, Robert, Thomas, James, Virgie, Roscoe, twins, Virginia and Finetta. His wife Lillie died after childbirth of the twins on August 26, 1913. The twins were born August 20, 1913. Grandma and Virgie helped take care of the family after Lillie's death. Family stories tell that Lillie was a catholic and other catholic families in the areas helped the family with food, clothes during their tragedy.
Tom worked various jobs as farm / house work and numerous other odd jobs. He worked for Les Samuels' shop in Deatsville and a funeral home or cemetery where he was a grave digger. Later in his life he moved to Louisville where he lived with his sons John and Roscoe., Tom was a happy, carefree person who enjoyed having a good time. He was very fond of children and always had little treats for them - candy or nickels. He worked various odd jobs in Louisville, mostly cleaning up shops. He worked at the Blossom Florist in the highlands with delivery and cleaning up.
Walking miles at a time to get where he wanted probably contributed to his good health. He spend many hours telling stories and making people laugh during his latter years. He also liked to work around in the garden on his son John's farm. He departed this life on December 20, 1955 at John's home. Two of his children are still living, Virgie Maddox, (Bards town) and Roscoe, (Louisville).
