Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Alta Jesse BAILY
Alta Baily Bittle, 103, of Pocopson died peacefully on Dec. 11 at the Pocopson Home.
She was the wife of the late Delmont Kirk Bittle, who died in 1975 and with whom she shared 42 years of marriage.
Born in Posopson, she was the daughter of the late Ida Barnard and Abram Williamson Baily.
Mrs. Bittle graduated from West Chester High School in 1924 before going on to attain her teaching certificate from West Chester Normal School. She taught in the West Chester, Unionville, Kennett and Downingtown schools and retired in 1971.
A tenth generation Quaker and birthright member of Birmingham Friends Meeting, she served as superintendent of that First-day school for five years and clerk of the Preparative Meeting from 1938 until it became Birmingham Monthly Meeting in 1956. She continued as clerk for yet another year while also serving as assistant clerk with Concord Quarterly Meeting for awhile.
Shortly after her retirement, she completed writing "A History of Pocopson Township" at the request of the township planning commission. Although never copyrighted, the rights of her manuscript belong to the township where copies still can be obtained.
During her retirement years, she remained an active member of Brandywine Grange No. 60, which still stands as a private residence at Sconnelltown. In the 88 years of her membership, she served in the positions of secretary, treasurer and program chairperson enjoying the companionship of many friends who like herself had been raised in the agricultural era of this county. Other memberships were in Birmingham Forum, Lesserton Garden Club, Homemaker's Club and West Chester Century Club.
Well into her 90s, she continued to be interested in family genealogy, local politics, antiquing as well as overseeing the maintenance of the 52-acre farm she and her husband Delmont named The Altamont and had made their home in 1947. She continued to reside there until the fall of 2002.
She is survived by her daughter, Alta Bittle Hoffman and husband Harold V. Hoffman of Pocopson Township; her son Delmont Kirk Bittle Jr. and wife of Sheila D. Bittle of Newlin Township; five grandchildren, Kirk V. Hoffman of Downingtown, Kenneth F. Hoffman of Glen Mills, Megan D. Bittle and Jason W. Bittle, both of Newlin Township; her sister, Suellen L. Wood of West Chester.
She was predeceased by siblings In accordance with her wishes, a simple graveside service was held at Birmingham-Lafayette cemetery Dec. 18 with family and friends.
Contributions may be made to Kennett Underground Railroad Center, P O. Box 202, Kennett Square, PA, 19348. This center is soon to be located in the home of her great-grandparents, Eusebius and Sarah Painter Barnard. The Barnard House is located directly across from the Pocopson Home. The Pocopson Township supervisors recently acquired this property from the county and have expressed intent to rent half of it to the KURC to be used as a museum for the public.
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