<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: georgia,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>ISRAEL S.N. RITCH</b></span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>The Beginning</b></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>1850</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The family of Israel S.N. Ritch (1817-1858+) arrived at Biloxi, Mississippi in the late 1840s.&nbsp; Israel S.N. Ritch, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and his wife, Priscilla Pebukst (1816-1905), of Norfolk, Virginia, settled here, probably coming from Alabama.&nbsp; They acquired their first land in the village of Biloxi, almost an acre, on Lameuse Street, in October 1848, from Arne Bernard, the son-in-law of Robert Delauney.&nbsp; Mr. Ritch paid $280 for the tract.&nbsp; For the next 124 years, a member of the Ritch family would reside on the original family homestead at 211 Lameuse Street. (HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 5, p. 118)&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">From Federal Census data, local journals, and funeral home records, it can be ascertained with a high degree of certitude that Mrs. Priscilla Ritch had been married previously, probably in North Carolina, to Thomas E. James.&nbsp; At Biloxi, in 1850, Israel S.N. Ritch made his livelihood as a carpenter, an occupation that he would pursue until his demise.&nbsp; In addition to their baby, Joseph Ritch (1849-1860+), there were three adolescents, all shown as Alabama natives, but probably born in North Carolina: Mary F. James (1838-1850+), Elizabeth C. James Miller Mohan (1838-1914), and Thomas James (1842-1860+), residing in the Ritch household.&nbsp; The family has real estate valued at $500. (Guice, 1972, p. 41)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<h1 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">The Property of Priscilla Ritch</font></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In March 1851, Priscilla Ritch made an affidavit to the County Clerk declaring her separate property from her husbands.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 5, pp. 491-492)&nbsp; She listed the following real property:</span></span></h1>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>1860</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">By 1860, it appears that Israel Ritch has passed on.&nbsp; The widow, Priscilla Ritch, is head of the household and owns real estate valued at $300.&nbsp; She has given birth to James Monroe Ritch (1852-1919) at Biloxi, and Jacob M. Ritch (1858-1876), in Louisiana, probably New Orleans.&nbsp; Others living with Mrs. Ritch are Joseph Ritch (1849-1860+), Thomas (James) Ritch (1842-1860+), and Elizabeth James Miller (1838-1914).(Guice, 1981, p. 10)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Elizabeth James Miller had married Joseph Miller in June 1859, at Harrison County, Mississippi. (Guice, 1981 p. 10)</span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>1870</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In 1870, Priscilla Ritch is keeping house and owns real estate valued at $400.&nbsp;&nbsp; Her sons, James Monroe Ritch and Jacob Ritch, are living with her.&nbsp; Also in the under the Ritch roof is the Black family of Kentucky born, Henry Lewis (1834-1870+), which includes: Kitty Lewis (1856-1870+), Nancy Lewis (1867-1870+), and Elizabeth Lewis (b. 1870).(Guice, 1981, p. 21)&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>1880</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In 1880, Priscilla Ritch is living in Biloxi with her son, James Monroe Ritch, who is a laborer.(Carvin, 1981, p. 42)</span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>1900</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">P. Ritch 12/1816, Va. Va. Va. Seventeen children-two alive&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 14px;">Elizabeth C. Mohan March 1838, Alabama, Ga., Va.&nbsp; Seven children- 2 alive.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span><span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Children of Israel Ritch and Priscilla Ritch</span></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>I<em>.</em>&nbsp; Joseph Ritch (1849-1860+)</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Joseph Ritch was born at Biloxi, Mississippi.&nbsp; No further information.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>II<em>.</em>&nbsp; James Monroe Ritch (1852-1919)</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">James Monroe Ritch was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on June 22, 1852.&nbsp; There is a high probability that he had an illegitimate child, James Rich (1879-1912) with&nbsp; Josephine Taltavull.&nbsp; (Bradford-O&rsquo;Keefe Bk. 3, p. 227)&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">ames Monroe Ritch married Mary Ann Flanagan (1853-1934) at New Orleans on December 24, 1884.&nbsp; She was born October 23, 1853, at New Orleans, the daughter of two Irish immigrants, James Flanagan and ? Walsh.&nbsp; The Ritch family moved to Biloxi after the wedding.(<i>The Daily Herald, June 25, 1934, p. 5 and&nbsp;</i>Bradford-O&rsquo;Keefe Bk. 21, p. 248)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The children of James Monroe Ritch and Mary Ann Flanagan were: John Martin Ritch (1886-1930), Thomas Enoch Joseph Ritch (1889-1947), Mary Alma Ritch (1890-1964), and Priscilla Ritch (1893-1972).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">James Monroe Ritch was a member of the Biloxi Elks Lodge.&nbsp; Was buried in the Old Biloxi Cemetery under the auspices of the Methodist Church.(<i>The Daily Herald, August 7, 1919, p. 4 and August 11, 1919, p. 4)</i></span></span></p>
<h4 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(50, 150, 3); font-size: 12pt;">
	&nbsp;</h4>
<h4 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(50, 150, 3); font-size: 12pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The Children of James Monroe Ritch and Mary Ann Flanagan Ritch</font></span></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</font></span></span></p>
<h3 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 179, 245); font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;John Martin Rich (1886-1930)</font></span></span></h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Born at Biloxi, Mississippi on June 24, 1886.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>Thomas Enoch Joseph Rich (1889-1947)</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Enoch Ritch was born at Biloxi, Mississippi on March 11, 1889.&nbsp; Graduated from Biloxi High School and earned a scholarship to Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia.&nbsp; Ritch served as a private in the U.S. Army with the 6<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;Division of the 53<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;Infantry in WWI.&nbsp; He relocated to Michigan after WWI.&nbsp; He expired at Douglas, Michigan on August 14, 1947.&nbsp; Buried Ritch family plot Old Biloxi Cemetery.(<i>The Daily Herald, August ?, 1947, p. 6)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">Mary Alma Ritch (1890-1964)</font></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Mary Alma Ritch was born September 29, 1890, at Biloxi, Mississippi.&nbsp; Attended a summer normal at Chicago in August 1919.&nbsp; In August 1950, she and her sister, Prisicilla, attended the reading institute at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville.&nbsp; Also the Peabody Demonstration School for workshops and classes.&nbsp; From Nashville, they visited Asheville North Carolina and South Carolina.(The Daily Herald, August 15, 1950, p. 9)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Mary Alma Ritch died on&nbsp;April 14, 1964.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	&nbsp;</h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The 1898 Back Bay (Main Street) School</span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GOOD LAND PLAT OF North Main Street of July 1893.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 29, pp. 340-341)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Located on the west side of Main Street between Bradford Street and Bayview Avenue.&nbsp; In August 1893, W.F. Gorenflo was adjudicated two parcels of land on Main Street by the Chancery Court of Harrison County, Mississippi.&nbsp; The future Back Bay school site was situated on the tract, which was described as: 550 feet north-south on the west side of Main Street and 76 feet east-west, bounded on the north and west by the Estate of F. Moran, on the south by Gaspard Didier, and on the west by Main Street. (HARCO, Ms. Minute Bk. 4, p. 529)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The land for the Back Bay school was donated by William F. Gorenflo (1844-1932).&nbsp; The building was erected with funds provided by William K.M. Dukate (1852-1916) and donated to the City on September 6, 1898.&nbsp; A school in this section of Biloxi was desperately needed and sincerely appreciated by the Back Bay residents.(<i>The Biloxi Daily Herald, September 7, 1898, p. 4)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In early October 1898, Mrs. S. Booth was the first teacher assigned to the Back Bay school.&nbsp; The new furniture for the structure had not arrived and old seats were temporarily installed in school.(<i>The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 2, 1898, p. 8)&nbsp;&nbsp;</i>Attendance at the commencement of the school in October 1898, was forty-seven students.(<i>The Biloxi Daily Herald, October 5, 1898, p. 8)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The City of Biloxi sold the Back Bay Ward school to Bishop R.O. Gerow, Bishop of the Natchez Diocese, for $250 in August 1929.&nbsp; In the deed the structure is described as &ldquo;The Gorenflo School&rdquo;.&nbsp; The sale included all fixtures, attachments, pluming, lighting, etc.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 182, pp. 510-511)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In September 1926, prior to the sale, the Roman Catholic Parish of St. John&rsquo;s commenced utilizing the building for a parochial school.&nbsp; It was staffed by the Sisters of Mercy from their Reynoir Street convent.&nbsp; This marked the fourth Roman Catholic school in Biloxi, as the Sacred heart School and Academy, Our Mother of Sorrows, and St. Michael&rsquo;s had opened previously.&nbsp; A fifth, St. Theresa&rsquo;s, was to be built shortly.(<i>The Daily Herald, August 28, 1926, p. 2)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;<b>1910</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Miss Alma Ritch began her teaching career in September 1910, at the Back Bay School.&nbsp; She was one of four new instructors in the Biloxi School System.&nbsp; Her salary was $40 per month.&nbsp; Miss Ritch taught first and second grade.&nbsp; At this time, Miss Winnie Gorenflo was the Principal.&nbsp; Miss Ethel Dismukes, the other instructor, taught art.(<i>The Daily Herald, September 9, 1910, p. 4)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;<b>1915</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In September 1915, faculty consisted of Miss Katie Henley, principal, and Miss Alma Ritch, Ione Dulion, and Caroline Gilbert.(<i>The Daily Herald, September 3, 1915, p. 1)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;<b>1921</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In September 1921, faculty consisted of Miss Alma Ritch, principal, Miss Priscilla Ritch, Miss Grace Hightower, Miss Ione Dulion, and Miss Veronica Lacaze.(<i>The Daily Herald, September 12, 1921, p. 1)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h3 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 179, 245); font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">The Gorenflo School</font></span></span></h3>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The approximate 6.5 acres that would become the site of the 1924 Gorenflo School on Lameuse Street was once the John Comstock Bradford (1855-1928) homestead.&nbsp; He acquired this parcel from his mother, Burrisa Jane Elder Bradford (1830-1917), for $200, in February 1898.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 37, p. 475)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In June 1923, J.C. Bradford conveyed his large Lameuse Street tract to the Trustees of the Biloxi City Schools, W.F. Gorenflo (1844-1932), W.J. Grant (1875-1932), Elbert L. Dukate, Susan Snell Tonsmeire (1879-1953), and Lille Bourdon Devitt (1884-1951), for $10,000.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 138, pp. 466-467)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;Here in 1923-1924, a school building designed by architect Carl E. Matthes (1896-1972) was erected.&nbsp; Called Back Bay Elementary School.&nbsp; Its area of educational responsibility included: All north of the L&amp;N Railroad from Caillavet to Lee Street, including the east side of Caillavet and the west side of Lee; north of Division bounded by Caillavet and Seal.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">The First School Year</font></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">When classes commenced in early September 1924, the faculty consisted of Miss Alma Ritch, principal and 1<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;grade; Miss Evelyn McShane, 1<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;grade; Miss Pricilla Ritch, 2<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;and 3<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;grades; Miss Lizette Mackie, 3<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;and 4<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades; Miss Irma L. Harvey (1898-1965), 4<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;and 5<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades; Miss Veronica LaCaze, English, geography, spelling, 6<sup>th</sup>, 7<sup>th</sup>, and 8<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades; Miss Inez Rich, arithmetic, history, writing, 6<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;, 7<sup>th</sup>, and 8<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades.(<i>The Daily Herald, September 9, 1924, p. 3)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>1925</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Faculty-Miss Alma Ritch, principal, 1<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;grade; Evelyn McShane, 1<sup>st</sup>&nbsp;and 2<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;grade; Prisicilla Ritch, 2<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;and 3<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;grades; Lizette Mackie, 3<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;and 4<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades; Veronica LaCaze, penmanship, spelling, physical education, and music for the 6<sup>th</sup>, 7<sup>th</sup>, and 8<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades; Mrs. H.H. Roof, arithmetic, geography, hygiene, and civics for the 6<sup>th</sup>, 7<sup>th</sup>, and 8<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades; Mary Will Dent, English and history for the 6<sup>th</sup>, 7<sup>th</sup>, and 8<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;grades.(<i>The Daily Herald, August 31, 1925, p. 3)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">Priscilla Ritch (1893-1972)</font></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Priscilla Ritch was&nbsp;<strong>b</strong>orn April 9, 1893, at Biloxi, Mississippi.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In July 1912, she and Florence Holley attended the summer normal at Wiggins, Mississippi.<i>(The Daily Herald, July 16, 1912, p. 8)</i></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;Attended a summer normal at Chicago in 1919.&nbsp; <font face="Times New Roman" size="3">In August 1950, she and her sister, Prisicilla, attended the reading institute at George Peabody College for Teachers in Nashville. Also the Peabody Demonstration School for workshops and classes. From Nashville, they visited Asheville North Carolina and South Carolina.(The Daily Herald, August 15, 1950, p. 9)</font></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Miss Priscilla Ritch died on&nbsp;October 18, 1972</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Will</font></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Miss Ritch wrote her will on August 6, 1971.&nbsp; It was filed for probate on October 20, 1972 with Albert Mallard and W.J. Wadlington as co-executors.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h1 class="rtecenter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(6, 111, 165); font-family: arial; font-size: 14pt;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">Land Sale</font></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">In February 1974, Albert Mallard sold the Biloxi Development Commission-Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Biloxi, the Ritch homestead at 211 and 213 Lameuse Street, for $41,000.&nbsp; The lots had 60 feet on Lameuse Street and 170 feet westward.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 46, pp. 266-267)&nbsp; Another lot in the same area was vended by Mallard also to the Biloxi Development Commission.(HARCO, Ms. Land Deed Bk. 46, p. 268)</span></span></p>
<p class="rtecenter" style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: &quot;times new roman&quot;, times, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>III.&nbsp; Jacob M. Ritch (1858-1876)</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jacob M. Ritch died in 1876.&nbsp; Buried in the Old Biloxi Cemetery.&nbsp; No further information.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;<b>REFERENCES:</b></span></span></p>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(136, 137, 138); font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">
	&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(136, 137, 138); font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">Books</font></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Earnest A. Carvin,&nbsp;<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Harrison County, Mississippi 1880 Census</span></b>, (Mississippi Coast History &amp; Genealogical Society: Biloxi, Mississippi-1981)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Julia C. Guice, et al,&nbsp;<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Harrison County, Mississippi Marriages</span></b>&nbsp;(1841-1899), (City of Biloxi, Mississippi-19??).</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;Julia C. Guice et al,&nbsp;<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Harrison County, Mississippi 1850 Census</span></b>, (Mississippi Coast History &amp; Genealogical Society: Biloxi, Mississippi-1972)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;Julia C. Guice et al,&nbsp;<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Harrison County, Mississippi 1870 Census</span>,&nbsp;</b>(Community Development Department of the City of Biloxi, Mississippi: 1981)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Julia C. Guice et al,&nbsp;<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Harrison County, Mississippi&nbsp; 1860 Census</span>,&nbsp;</b>(Community Development Department of the City of Biloxi, Mississippi: 1982)</span></span></p>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(136, 137, 138); font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">
	&nbsp;</h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">W.W.A. Smith,&nbsp;<b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Biloxi City Directory</span></b>, Volume I, 1905, (The Biloxi Daily Herald Printry: Biloxi, Mississippi-1905)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(136, 137, 138); font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000">Chancery Court Records</font></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 615,&nbsp;<b>&ldquo;W.F. Gorenflo v. Gaspard Didier et al&rdquo;</b>, August 1893.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;The Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Cause No. 1934,&nbsp;<b>&ldquo;The Estate of Prisicilla Ritch&rdquo;</b>, 1905.</span></span></p>
<h2 align="left" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(136, 137, 138); font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;<font color="#000000"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Harrison County, Mississippi Chancery Court Will Book 3,&nbsp;</span>&ldquo;The Will of Priscilla Ritch&rdquo;<span style="font-weight: normal;">, February 1905,&nbsp; p. 68</span></font></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Harrison County, Mississippi 2<sup>nd</sup>&nbsp;Judicial District Chancery Court Cause No. 2753,&nbsp;<b>&ldquo;The Estate of Priscilla Ritch&rdquo;</b>, October 1972.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	&nbsp;</p>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; color: rgb(136, 137, 138); font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><font color="#000000" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Journals</font></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;<i>The Biloxi Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Biloxi&rsquo;s Public School&rdquo;</b>, September 7, 1898.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Biloxi Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Teachers Assigned&rdquo;</b>, October 2, 1898.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Biloxi Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Public Schools&rdquo;</b>, October 5, 1898.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Biloxi Schools Open September 12&rdquo;</b>, September 3, 1910.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Biloxi Schools Will Open Monday&rdquo;</b>, September 9, 1910.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Local News Paragraph of Interest&rdquo;</b>, July 16, 1912.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;James Ritch Dead&rdquo;</b>, December 23, 1912.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Mrs. Mohan Drops Dead On Street&rdquo;</b>, November 17, 1914.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;List of Teachers for City Schools of Biloxi is Out&rdquo;</b>, September 3, 1915, p. 1.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Antoine-Rich Marriage&rdquo;</b>, September 17, 1918.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Biloxi Landmark Passes Away&rdquo;,&nbsp;</b>August 7, 1919.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Ritch Buried&rdquo;</b>, August 11, 1919.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Public School Assignments&rdquo;</b>, September 9, 1924.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;School Work Begins Again&rdquo;</b>, August 31, 1925.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Biloxi Has New School&rdquo;</b>, August 28, 1926.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Martin Ritch Buried&rdquo;</b>, August 15, 1930.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,</i><b>&nbsp;&ldquo;Mrs. Mary Ann Ritch Dies&rdquo;</b>, June 25, 1934.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Thomas E.J. Ritch Dies&rdquo;</b>, August&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; , 1947.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>The Daily Herald</em>, <strong>&quot;Misses Ritch return&quot;</strong>, August 15, 1950.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Retired School Principal Is Taken By Death&rdquo;</b>, April 14, 1964.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Daily Herald,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Miss Priscilla Ritch&rdquo;</b>, October 19, 1972.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px;">
	<span style="font-family: times new roman,times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><i>The Pascagoula Democrat-Star,&nbsp;</i><b>&ldquo;Local Paragraphs&rdquo;&nbsp;</b>(Mohan), May 14, 1880.</span></span></p>
