Rev. David Preston Ritchey was born in Blount County, Tn. Feb. 11, 1808 and died in this place June 21, 1891 being at the time of death 83 years 4 months and 10 days old. He was married to his first wife, Miss Stacy Brown in Marion County, Tn about the year 1829, and moved to this county in January 1831, and up to the time of his death, Sunday morning, 10:30 o'clock, he lived in this and adjoining counties. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed this occupation for the support of his family as long as he was able to work. About the years 1837-38 he was licensed and ordained to preach the gospel by the McMinnville Presbytery of the C.P. Church, from which time he faithfully discharged his duty as a preacher, giving to the church all the time he could spare from his shop. How well he performed his duty and the faithful manner in which he preached the gospel in his plain and simple way in many parts of this and adjoining counties is better known to some of the older citizens who often heard him. For several years he was unable to work or preach, being feeble in body and mind. He had been patiently waiting for many years to be called to his reward. This world and its cares had lost their charms to him. The religion he had preached so many years to others was sufficient for him. Whenever his mind was clear enough he always expressed himself as ready and anxious to be called home. As above stated he died Sunday morning, peacefully, without a struggle and his spirit returned to the God who gave it. On Monday at 1:00 he was buried by the side of his first wife in the cemetery at the Armstrong meeting house, near Irving College.
[Source: Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tennessee), June 27, 1891, page 1]

The Rev. D. P. Ritchey departed this life at McMinnville, Tennessee, in the home of his son, Dr. J. B. Ritchey, June 21, 1891. He was eighty-three years, four months, and ten days old. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. G. T. Stainback, and the burial occurred at Armstrong church, near Irving College, in Warren county. The aged servant of God passed away in great calmness and peace, receiving many affectionate ministrations from hands that were prompted by loving hearts. The life of Brother Ritchey was one of consistent piety, fidelity, and usefulness. He was a co-laborer and friend of the Rev. Joseph Crawford, and they were in their day men of earnest devotion and abundant labors which were fruitful of great good.

The writer of this had the privilege of being a personal friend, and frequent visitor in the home of Brother Ritchey for several years, and it is a most pleasant duty to record here the high appreciation in which he is held and shall ever be held by one who loved to grasp his hand in meeting and realize his blessing in parting. Brother Ritchey was one of that earnest class of persons whose lives reflect the sincerity of their convictions, and manifest their purity of purpose. One always felt better and more gentle in spirit by communion with Brother Ritchey. His spiritual nature was always turned toward God, and there was therefore heavenly light and life in it. He was a humble man, and did not put that estimate on himself which those who knew him well placed on him. Morally and spiritually his standing was very high, and this is the highest standard of life. To have known and associated with such a man is to have a memory of excellence in character which is a profound pleasure to an appreciative mind.

Brother Ritchey left a wife who had been exceedingly tender and faithful through many years, and with them had lived long a sister of hers, whose devotion to the dear old people was something to be mentioned and recorded here with pleasure. The children of Brother Ritchey were by a former marriage, and it is pleasing that all of them are on their way to that blessed home where parents and children will not be parted again. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth' yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, July 16, 1891, page 4]

1854
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - Lebanon Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1854, page 89]

1856
D. Richey, Altamont, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, page 61]

1857
D. Richey, Altamont, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1857, page 71]

1868
D. P. Richey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, page 105]

1869
D. J. Richey [sic] - McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 84]

1870
D. P. Richey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, page 79]

1871
D. P. Richey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 79]

1872
D. P. Richey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 124]

1873
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 101]

1874
D. P. Richey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 100]

1875
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 81]

1876
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876, page 91]

1877
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 86]

1878
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, page 94]

1879
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1879, page 90]

1880
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page 117]

1881
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1881, page 89]

1882
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, page 119]

1883
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, page 128]

1884
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 117]

1885
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 132]

1886
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1886, page 161]

1887
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, page 158]

1888
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 170]

1889
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, page 178]

1890
D. P. Ritchey, McMinnville, Tenn.
Minister - McMinnville Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 125]

1891
Name: D. P. Ritchey
Presbytery: McMinnville
Time of Death: June 21, 1891
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 38]