John Davidson (Jerre) LITTON

Other Events:

• _UID: 7931EB973BDD476182BA0842939B64CCD0B7

Notes:

1910 Washington Co.VA Census states Donaldson had 4 children, 2 alive in 1910.

1920 Washington Co..VA Census, Donaldson is 63, Laura is 61, living with them is their grandson, Charles Johnson, age 3.

John married Laura Jane FARMER 1881. [Group Sheet]

1. Willie Sylvia LITTON was born 12 Feb 1882, Hayters Gap, VA; died 8 Apr 1964, Abingdon, VA.
2. Maggie Mary LITTON was born 15 Dec 1883, Washington Co. VA ; died 15 Aug 1893, Washington Co. VA.
3. Lydia Olivia LITTON was born 16 Jun 1890, Washington Co. VA; died 23 Jul 1893, Washington Co. VA.

Other Events:

• _UID: 76685D2E79484D5F9862D723F7CFBAD822BD

Notes:

Born at Litton Hill, Elk Garden, Washington Co. VA.

John was the only child of Soloman C. Litton and Catherine Yontz.  Both parents died young and he lived with his grandfather who died in 1853.

Was 17 years old when he married.

Aug 30, 1849..Washington Co.VA Deed Book 20..1850-1852...John W. Litton, Lydia, wife, James D. Litton & Margaret, wife, Martin D. Snyder, and Sarah, wife, heirs at law of Sarah Litton, formerly Sarah Fullen, who was one of the heirs of James Fullen, dec. and also Hiram Fullen and Hannah, his wife, another of heirs of James Fullen, Sr., dec. all of Russell Co. Virginia one and Whitley Fullen, other $200. 2 tracts of land by NFHR.  Ack 23 Dec 1850.

From family stories handed down, John was a gambler and kept race horses. It is told the Litton Plantation was a good place to raise hell on weekends.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 Census
Name: John W Litton
Age: 21
Birth Year: abt 1829
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 54, Russell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Family Number: 85
Household Members:
Name Age
John W Litton 21
Lydia E Litton 22
Louisa C Litton 3
Moses W Litton 2

1860 Census
Name: John W Sitton [John W Litton]
Age: 30
Birth Year: abt 1830
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Washington, Virginia
Post Office: Abingdon
Family Number: 63
Household Members:
Name Age
John W Litton 30
Lydia Litton 33
Lavica Litton 14
Moses Litton 12
Lafayette Litton 10
Lilburn Litton 8
Donaldson Litton 4

CIVIL WAR RECORDS

National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, online Name: John W. Litton
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Virginia
Regiment: Washington County, Virginia Militia
Film Number: M382 roll 34

Name: John W. Litton
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Virginia
Regiment: 16th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry
Company: A
Rank In: Private
Rank Out: Private
Film Number: M382 roll 34
Enlisting 05 Aug 1862 at Abingdon, VA

Family stories having him joining the US Army after the war ended and supposedly dying in the Mountain Meadow Indian Massacre in 1867 Utah. This was the story told by his son, Lilburn to cover the fact that he may have deserted his family. This story is documented in "Russell County, Virginia: History Revealed Through Biographical and Genealogical Sketches of Its Ancestors" M. Secrist, Lulu Press, Inc, Feb 18, 2013.

However, the massacre took place in 1857. The Mountain Meadows Association has the following information showing he was not a victim of the is massacre.

http://www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/john_w__linton.htm

The MMA investigates every person who is believed to have died in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. According to a family tradition, John Whitely Litton died in a "Mormon Indian Massacre in Utah", in 1867. Although the Mountain Meadows Massacre took place in 1857, stories usually get some facts wrong, and he was investigated as a possible victim.

John Whitely Litton was the son of John S. Litton and Catherine Younce, born 5 March 1830 in Elk Grove, Russell County, Virginia. He married Lydia Eva Whitaker on 14 May 1845 in Russell County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Moses Whitaker and Polly Bowman. In the 1850 census, they are enumerated in Russell County, Virginia, and in the 1860 census they are enumerated in the Western District of Washington County, Virginia. Lydia (Whitaker) Litton is enumerated as a widow in both the 1870 and 1880 census for Washington County, Virginia. These census records indicate that Litton probably died sometime between 1860 and 1870, and not before 1860, which would have been the case if he was a victim of the Mountain Meadows Massacre in September 1857.

John W. Litton was in Wade's Regiment, Local Defense (Washington County VA Militia), in April 1862, before he enlisted in the Confederate Army. Litton served the Confederacy during the Civil War, in Company A (originally Stevenson's Company, Ferguson's Battalion) of the 16th Virginia Calvary. This Company was primarily made up of men from Russell County, Virginia. John W. Litton was a wagon master in the Civil War. Most Confederate records from Virginia were burned in Richmond, however a copy of a Company Muster roll for 31 October 1863 to 1 April 1864 shows he enlisted 5 August 1862 at Lebanon, VA. for a period of 3 years. He was signed in by Capt. Stevenson. He appears on a Receipt Roll for pay on 31 December 1863. He was paid $.25 for service from 1 August 1863 to 31 December 1863. These records indicate that Litton was still alive in at the end of December in 1863. There is no record of Litton's wife filing for a widow's pension.

Lydia (Whitaker) and John W. Litton had seven children. The two youngest children were Clementine Catherine Litton, born in September 1861, and Mary Cordelia Litton, born 31 March 1865. The birth of Litton's youngest daughter indicates that he was living in 1864. The census records, military records, and birth date of his youngest daughter, prove that he was not a victim of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Another family story states that when he returned from the Civil War, he didn't like the reconstruction, so he enlisted in U.S. Army and was sent to Utah, where he died as an Indian fighter. A different story said that he settled in Texas and married again. He was rumored to have several children and was living in Campbell County, Texas. [Note: There is no Campbell Co. TX. There is the town of Campbell in Hunt Co. TX] No evidence, that would support either story, has been found.

In Lydia (Whitaker) Litton's father's will of 31 March 1874, proved 22 November 1875, Moses Whitaker left her land, and other property, and further stated that the "devise to Lydia E. Litton, dau., are not to be liable for any debts due for any one from her husband, John Litton, if he is now alive." When and where John Whitely Litton died remains a mystery. It is evident, from her father's Will, that as late as 1874, Litton's wife did not know what happened to her husband. She never remarried, and Lydia Eva (Whitaker) Litton died 14 May 1901 and is buried in the Hayter Cemetery in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.

© 2013 A.C. Wallner for the Mountain Meadows Association. All rights reserved

There may be records of him in Texas around 1880.

Died:
Info from shannonsimpson@comcast.net.

John married Lydia Eva WHITAKER 14 May 1845, Elk Garden, Russell Co. VA. Lydia (daughter of Moses X. WHITAKER and Mary (Polly) BOWMAN) was born 24 Jun 1830, Washington, Co. VA; died 31 May 1901, Washington Co. VA; was buried , Hayter Cemetery, Washington Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: A79891316F7140ABA9E16E0C8419EFA80475

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 Census
Name: Lydia E Litton
Age: 22
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: District 54, Russell, Virginia
Gender: Female
Family Number: 85
Household Members:
Name Age
John W Litton 21
Lydia E Litton 22
Louisa C Litton 3
Moses W Litton 2

1860 Census
Name: Lydia Sitton [Lydia Litton]
Age: 33
Birth Year: abt 1827
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Washington, Virginia
Post Office: Abingdon
Family Number: 63
Household Members:
Name Age
John W Litton 30
Lydia Litton 33
Lavica Litton 14
Moses Litton 12
Lafayette Litton 10
Lilburn Litton 8
Donaldson Litton4

1870 Census
Name: L E Liten [L E Litton]
Age in 1870: 42
Birth Year: abt 1828
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Division 3, Washington, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Post Office: Abingdon
Household Members:
Name Age
L E Litton 42
Moses Litton 22
Lilburn Litton 17
Dolison Litton 14
Clemetime Litton 9
Cordelia Litton 5

1880 Census
Name: Lydia A. Littin [Litton]
Age: 51
Birth Year: abt 1829
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Saltville, Washington, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Occupation: Keeping House
Household Members:
Name Age
Lydia A. Litton 51
Moses W. Litton 31
Lilburn Litton 26
Donelson Litton 22
Clementine Litton 19
Mollie Litton 15
Rachel Woodward 70 [boarder]
Thomas Grady 21 [boarder]
William Johnson 22 [boarder]
James Leonard 32 [boarder, huckster] born Ireland

1900 Census
Name: Liddie E Lytton
Birth Date: Jun 1829
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Saltville, Washington, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother: number of living children: 7
Mother: How many children: 8
Occupation: Farmer
Months not employed: 0
Can Read: No
Can Write: No
Can Speak English: Yes
House Owned or Rented: R
Farm or House: F
Household Members:
Name Age
Liddie E Lytton 70
Rebecca Welch 67 [housekeeper]
Caraline Mcreylolds 38 [boarder, school teacher]
James Mcreylolds 44 [boarder, day labor]
 
Moses Whitaker left in his will land to Lydia with the notation "The land was not to be in the hands of John Litton - if he was alive" -. He wasn't.  From family stories handed down, John Whitley Litton III was a gambler and kept race horses. It is told the Litton Plantation was a good place to raise hell on weekends.

Family stories having John joining the US Army after the war ended and supposedly dying in the Mountain Meadow Indian Massacre in 1867 Utah. This was the story told by his son, Lilburn to cover the fact that he may have deserted his family. This story is documented in "Russell County, Virginia: History Revealed Through Biographical and Genealogical Sketches of Its Ancestors" M. Secrist, Lulu Press, Inc, Feb 18, 2013.

However, the massacre took place in 1857. The Mountain Meadows Association has the following information showing he was not a victim of the is massacre.

http://www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/john_w__linton.htm

The MMA investigates every person who is believed to have died in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. According to a family tradition, John Whitely Litton died in a "Mormon Indian Massacre in Utah", in 1867. Although the Mountain Meadows Massacre took place in 1857, stories usually get some facts wrong, and he was investigated as a possible victim.

John Whitely Litton was the son of John S. Litton and Catherine Younce, born 5 March 1830 in Elk Grove, Russell County, Virginia. He married Lydia Eva Whitaker on 14 May 1845 in Russell County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Moses Whitaker and Polly Bowman. In the 1850 census, they are enumerated in Russell County, Virginia, and in the 1860 census they are enumerated in the Western District of Washington County, Virginia. Lydia (Whitaker) Litton is enumerated as a widow in both the 1870 and 1880 census for Washington County, Virginia. These census records indicate that Litton probably died sometime between 1860 and 1870, and not before 1860, which would have been the case if he was a victim of the Mountain Meadows Massacre in September 1857.

John W. Litton was in Wade's Regiment, Local Defense (Washington County VA Militia), in April 1862, before he enlisted in the Confederate Army. Litton served the Confederacy during the Civil War, in Company A (originally Stevenson's Company, Ferguson's Battalion) of the 16th Virginia Calvary. This Company was primarily made up of men from Russell County, Virginia. John W. Litton was a wagon master in the Civil War. Most Confederate records from Virginia were burned in Richmond, however a copy of a Company Muster roll for 31 October 1863 to 1 April 1864 shows he enlisted 5 August 1862 at Lebanon, VA. for a period of 3 years. He was signed in by Capt. Stevenson. He appears on a Receipt Roll for pay on 31 December 1863. He was paid $.25 for service from 1 August 1863 to 31 December 1863. These records indicate that Litton was still alive in at the end of December in 1863. There is no record of Litton's wife filing for a widow's pension.

Lydia (Whitaker) and John W. Litton had seven children. The two youngest children were Clementine Catherine Litton, born in September 1861, and Mary Cordelia Litton, born 31 March 1865. The birth of Litton's youngest daughter indicates that he was living in 1864. The census records, military records, and birth date of his youngest daughter, prove that he was not a victim of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Another family story states that when he returned from the Civil War, he didn't like the reconstruction, so he enlisted in U.S. Army and was sent to Utah, where he died as an Indian fighter. A different story said that he settled in Texas and married again. He was rumored to have several children and was living in Campbell County, Texas. [Note: There is no Campbell Co. TX. There is the town of Campbell in Hunt Co. TX] No evidence, that would support either story, has been found.

In Lydia (Whitaker) Litton's father's will of 31 March 1874, proved 22 November 1875, Moses Whitaker left her land, and other property, and further stated that the "devise to Lydia E. Litton, dau., are not to be liable for any debts due for any one from her husband, John Litton, if he is now alive." When and where John Whitely Litton died remains a mystery. It is evident, from her father's Will, that as late as 1874, Litton's wife did not know what happened to her husband. She never remarried, and Lydia Eva (Whitaker) Litton died 14 May 1901 and is buried in the Hayter Cemetery in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.

© 2013 A.C. Wallner for the Mountain Meadows Association. All rights reserved

There may be records of him in Texas around 1880.

BURIAL 

She is buried Hayter/Litton Cemeter in Poor Valley, VA. Her tombstone is shared with her father, Moses.  One side says 'father' with name and information and the other side states 'daughter'. 

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=46430990

Other Events:

• _UID: 6415F8863A884C09BF32F94F241196D1E329

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1830 Census
Name: Solomon Litton
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Russell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 7
Total Free White Persons: 13
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 13

1840 Census
Name Solomon Litton
Home in 1840 (City, County, State) Russell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59 1
Free White Persons - Males - 90 thru 99 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19 2
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29 2
Free White Persons - Females - 50 thru 59 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture 3
Free White Persons - Under 20 4
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49 2
Total Free White Persons 9
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves 9

Buried:
Grave location:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=82722222

Solomon married Catherine YONTS. Catherine (daughter of William YONTS and Margaret BENTLEY) was born 26 Jan 1803, Abingdon, Washington Co. VA; died 15 Sep 1846, Russell Co. VA; was buried , Litton Hill Cemetery, Elk Garden, Russell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: AFF462A61AA14583866BD7B08DC3AA47E725

Notes:

Information from Shannonsimpson@comcast.net.

Buried:
Grave location:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=82722733&ref=acom

Other Events:

• _UID: 2538EFF61BB54D74896391A55C88F54D1B24

Notes:

Benjamin Whitaker reported in the above report that he was from a family of nine [9] children. Five sons and four daughters. Other research by John Weldon Whiteaker states the Bible of Absalom Rufus Whitaker, son of Moses Whitaker lists in his handwriting "My grandfather, Richard Whitaker had 11 boys and three girls - Giles, Aaron, John, James, Moses, Benjamin and Thomas. [7 named] and Rachel[Catherine] who married Adam Fudge, Mary [Polly] who married Harry Webb4 and Elizabeth Whitaker who did not marry."

Nov 25, 1814 WCV [Deed Bk 6, page 21; page 319 in DB index] Richard Whitechor [Whitaker] and his son, Moses purchased two [2] tracts of land belonging to Charles Thurman and his wife, Barbara, all of Washington Co. VA for $600. containing 113 acres, patent bearing date of 10 Sept 1787 and 50 acres, patent bearing date of 5 Nov 1798, lying on both sides of the North Fork of the Holston River.  The 113 acres begins at a beech tree in an island corner to John Lee and crossing the river and a corner to John Lee on the south side of Little Mountain. p.6

Moses and his father bought the first 113 acres which lay on both sides of the North Fork of the Holston River a few miles from Hayters Gap near present-day Tumbling Creek.

CENSUS U S 1820 Washington cty VA next page as father Richard & James, same page as Aaron.

May 15, 1839...Chancery Execution Book A, Page 182, Moses Whitaker and wife and others VS Samuel Bowman and others over the estate of Mary's father Esaias Bowman. This cause came on the 15th day of May 1839 to be heard upon the bill, the answer of Uriah Bowman and the verdict of the jury rendered upon the issues to ascertain whether the paper in the bill mentioned is the last will and testament of Esaias Bowman, deceased, and was argued by counsel, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that the specifications and conditional order has been returned executed on Samuel Bowman, Benjamin Bowman, Esaias Bowman and Aaron Bowman more than four months before the commencement of this term, and they still failing to appear and answer, the bill as to them is taken as confessed..and it also appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that the order of publication, awarded at the rules in the Clerk's office against the defendants, Absalom Bowman and George Washington Bowman, has been duly posted and published, and they still failing to appear and answer, the bill as to the, is taken for confessed..and Wm. S. Logan, Sheriff of Washington County, to whom the estate of Esaias Bowman, deceased, with the bill annexed, was committed to be administered having consented that this cause might be heard and determined at this term..it is therefore adjudged, ordered and decreed, that the paper in the bill mentioned purporting to be the last will and testament of Esaias Bowman, deceased, and which bears date on 24 Aug of 1837, and which was admitted to record in the county court of Washington County on 23 day of Oct 1837, is the true last will and testament of Esaias Bowman, deceased, and therefore, it is further ordered and decreed the plaintiffs ill be dismissed and that the defendants recover their costs by them about their defense in this behalf expended.
 
May 17, 1839..Chancery Execution Book A, page 14, Samuel, Benjamin, Uriah, Absalom, Aaron and George W. Bowman VS Moses Whitaker and Polly, wife, and Sheldon Thompson and Anny, his wife.  Decree May 1839 for $56.63 defending suit in chancery. Levied forthcoming bond taken and forfeited.

Nov 23, 1846..page 4  Minute Book 8, WASHINGTON CO. VA Moses Whitaker appointed overseer of road leading to Russell County, VA through Hayters Gap.

Aug 13, 1850 Washington Co. VA Census  67th Dist. HH 453/453  Moses Whitaker,55, Farmer, born NC, Polly, 51, born TN, Anne, 32, Wm, 28, Calvin, 26, Lydia, 24, Moses, 19, Rufus, 17, Julia, 14, Adaline, 11.

Oct 9, 1852 Deed Book 21, WASHINGTON CO. VA  Page 240/41..James C. Hayter, Tabitha, wife, one and Moses Whitaker, other..$40.00 land both sides NFHR; 95 acres, formerly belonging to James Fuller, Sr. dec. which by death willed to his children and heirs, 9 of them. Tabitha is one. 27 Dec 1852.

Moses purchased land with his father, Richard from Charles Thurman and his wife, Barbara. In 1855, Moses purchased 200 acres of land from Andrew J. Hayter, Washington County, Virginia. Deed Book 22, page 345.  This land in Poor Valley, on the south side of Clinch Mountain to the top of Piney (Little Mountain). This was land Andrew Hayter and his wife  Talitha Fullen had inherited from her father, James Fullen, Sr.

March 28, 1855 Deed Book 22, page 345 Andrew Hayter and Sally (Woodward) wife, to Moses Whitaker, $1,095...land in Poor Valley willed to him by Esau Hayter, father and mother Sarah Elizabeth Allison.

Sept 16, 1858..WASHINGTON CO. VA DB 24..Moses Whitaker and Calvin Whitaker $40.00, both sides of NFHR, 95 acres about, being a tract of land which formerly belonged to James Fullen, Sr., deceased..descended to his children and heirs, 9 of them..Land conveyed to Moses Whitaker by James C. Hayter and Tebitha, wife Oct 27, 1852. 16 Sept 1858 adm. to record.

1860 WASHINGTON CO. VA Census..HH #62.. Moses, 61, Polly, 55, Rufus, 25, Elizabeth, 20, Caroline, 4, Jane 8 months. They are living next door to daughter, Lydia Whitaker Litton.

The Whitakers lived on his property and farmed until his death on September 14, 1875. He is buried in a cemetery on his property, now called the Hayter-Litton Cemetery near Hayters Gap, Virginia. His stone is marked Moses Whitaker, "Father."  Next to Moses is buried his daughter, Lydia E. Whitaker Litton.  Her stone reads Lydia E. Litton, daughter.

March 31, 1871 Will written - Nov 1875,,WASHINGTON CO. VA Will Book 19, page 3..Will of Moses Whitaker:
 
Daughter, Lydia E. Litton to get land purchased from Andrew J. Hayter.  The land is not to be under control of Mr. Litton if he is still alive.  (Mr. Litton was a soldier and died in Utah and did not return.)
 
Deceased daughter, Julina O. Ferrell, her children who are my grandchildren; Moses and Arkansas P. and William Ferrell, a tract of land on the North Fork Holston River near David Worley's homeplace.
 
Daughter, E. A. Davenport, wife of Henry Davenport, lands on south side of Clinch Mountain purchased by me from W.Y.C. White and $400.00.

Son, Calvin, $300.00.

Granddaughter, Ellen, wife of David Worley, $100.00.
 
Granddaughter, Helen Woodward, wife of Newton, $100.00.

Granddaughter, Julina O. Webb, wife of Newton Webb, $100.00.
 
Children of my son, Moses Whitaker, Jr and his wife, Ann, now living in Washington County, Arkansas, $300.00.
 
Absolum Rufus Whitaker, my son, $100.00 All he gets of my estate. This was written in large letters and underlined.
Daughter, Lydia E. Litton, son, Calvin, and the three children of my son, Moses and his wife, Ann, now living in Arkansas what ever I am entitled to as heir of my deceased son, William, who died in the state of Illinois.  This be equally divided among them.

Lydia, Calvin and the children of Moses to have all my personal property to be divided equally.

Clementine Litton to have a bay mare called "Sal".
 
Written March 31, 1871, signed Moses X. Whitaker. Witness: Alexander Little, Branson Little, A. Little, Teste H. Davenport, W. J. Henderson. Securities for Bond $4000.00..James C. Hope, David Worley and F. N. Webb.
 
Dec 4, 1875.Sale bill of personal property of Moses Whitaker. Appraisement of the Personal property of dec...1 red cow, 1 Dun cow, 1 red & white cow and calf, 2 calves, 7 head of hogs, 1 cupboard, 2 iron kettles, 1 churn and lard can, 2 steel traps, 1 half bushel, pitcher, wash tin cup, 1 falling leaf table, 1 bureau, 1 clock and 1 book, 24 stacks of hay, two off south and half on southern, 2 bed steads at 3 each, 1 old still, 1 broad axe and old irons., 6 Windsor chairs, 2 split bottom chairs, 1 old kettle and oven, 1 old anvil, 1 small falling leaf table, 1 cupboard, 1 pot trumble, Fire dogs, 1 old vise and 17 Harrow teeth. Henry Davenport, Adm of Appraisement; Witnessed by Andrew J. Taylor, Branson Little and John C. Johnson.

Calvin Whitaker bought the chairs (all 8 of them), Lydia Litton, bought 1 bedstead, 1 old still, among other things; a Mrs. Akers bought the kettle and oven.

18 May 1876..WASHINGTON CO. VA..In the Clerk's office of this County Court of Washington County, the foregoing Appraisement of the personal property of Moses Whitaker, dec. was delivered and admitted to record.
 
Henry Davenport, Administrator of will for Moses Whitaker..In account with the estate. To amount in hands of Administrator $284.63..By amount paid L. Baugh on fees..$21.25 leaving balance of $263.38. Received from Margaret Burke debt $27.00. Paid $67.78 to attorneys, White & Buckanan for A.S. Gregg, guardian of C.H. and E.J. Whitaker. Paid attorneys $135.55 for William Whitaker. Paid $119.89 to Daniel Trigg, Trustee of William K. Heiskell. Paid $25.00 to Leonidas Baugh for claims & fees. Paid Lydia Litton and Calvin Whitaker 1/3 of amount received from Margaret Burke. Leaving a balance to the estate of $75.54.

Who is Margaret Burke? Could this have been a sister to Moses Whitaker? 

Also this estate received money from a lawsuit...from Campbell and Trigg, attorneys on debt vs H. C. Gibbons and White..$1300.00; amount received from same debt $588.81; amount received from Sheriff on same debt..$340.00. The people named in Moses Whitaker's will were paid..S.N. Honaker, Trustee for Julia O. Webb, $40.00; David Worley and wife, Newton Woodward and wife were each paid $50.00.

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=WHIT&GSfn=M&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=48&GScntry=4&GSsr=81&GRid=46430950&

Moses married Mary (Polly) BOWMAN. Mary (daughter of Esias BOWMAN and Ann Cawood) was born Abt 1805, TN; died 10 Feb 1870, Washington Co. VA; was buried , Esaias Bowman's Farm, Washington Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 51D04029439F4799A1AE4C2D040A5439AF77

Notes:

Buried at Bowman Farm Cemetery on her father's farm on the Holston River, Washington Co. VA below the big bridge on Logan's Road.  The cemetery was overgrown and lost for years, but appears to have been found in the 1980's.

Had a son who appears in the 1820 WASHINGTON CO. VA Census, probably died before 1830.

May 15, 1839...Chancery Execution Book A, Page 182, Moses Whitaker and wife and others VS Samuel Bowman and others over the estate of Mary's father Esaias Bowman. This cause came on the 15th day of May 1839 to be heard upon the bill, the answer of Uriah Bowman and the verdict of the jury rendered upon the issues to ascertain whether the paper in the bill mentioned is the last will and testament of Esaias Bowman, deceased, and was argued by counsel, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that the specifications and conditional order has been returned executed on Samuel Bowman, Benjamin Bowman, Esaias Bowman and Aaron Bowman more than four months before the commencement of this term, and they still failing to appear and answer, the bill as to them is taken as confessed..and it also appearing to the satisfaction of the court, that the order of publication, awarded at the rules in the Clerk's office against the defendants, Absalom Bowman and George Washington Bowman, has been duly posted and published, and they still failing to appear and answer, the bill as to the, is taken for confessed..and Wm. S. Logan, Sheriff of Washington County, to whom the estate of Esaias Bowman, deceased, with the bill annexed, was committed to be administered having consented that this cause might be heard and determined at this term..it is therefore adjudged, ordered and decreed, that the paper in the bill mentioned purporting to be the last will and testament of Esaias Bowman, deceased, and which bears date on 24 Aug of 1837, and which was admitted to record in the county court of Washington County on 23 day of Oct 1837, is the true last will and testament of Esaias Bowman, deceased, and therefore, it is further ordered and decreed the plaintiffs ill be dismissed and that the defendants recover their costs by them about their defense in this behalf expended.


Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Whiteaker&GSiman=1&GScnty=2893&GRid=105311837&

Other Events:

• _UID: B337D375A6A84FF499C0E6B448C8C889170F

Notes:

Margaret Bentley married William Yonts; their Lincoln County, North Carolina, marriage bond dated 25 September 1794. Bondsman for the marriage was Christian Eaker.

On 1 September 1795 the widow Hannah Bentley and her son, Daniel, sold to George Savage and Catherine Bollinger the plantation on which Hannah lived.

1 September 1795. Hannah Bentley & Daniel Bentley of Lincoln County to George Savage & Catherine Bollinger, both of Lincoln County, for 20 pounds, a tract of land that Thomas Bentley bought of Thomas Welch in Lincoln County on the waters of Indian Creek on the south side of the creek, it being the plantation she [Hannah Bentley] now lives on. It being the land [25 acres] that was accepted [excepted] in the deed that Daniel Bentley made to Jacob Bollinger [doesn't give boundaries] Signed: Hannah Bentley (her mark), Daniel Bentley. Witnesses: Benj. Moore, Richard Whiteakker, William Yonts. Lincoln Co., NC, Deed Book 18, page 146.

Buried:
Grave location:
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=YO&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=19&GScntry=4&GSsr=681&GRid=35823614&

William married Margaret BENTLEY 25 Sep 1794, Lincoln Co. NC. Margaret (daughter of Thomas BENTLEY and Hannah) was born Abt 1765, Frederick Co. MD; died Abt 1829, Letcher Co. KY. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 232519E3B1C94523866DA0F66BEABA4604F9

Notes:

Margaret Bentley, their daughter married William Yonts. [From the Jacob Bollinger papers]

Margaret Bentley married William Yonts; their Lincoln County, North Carolina, marriage bond dated 25 September 1794. Bondsman for the marriage was Christian Eaker.

On 1 April 1793 Hannah Bentley sold all her earthly goods to her daughter Margaret Bentley.

To all People to whom these Presents shall come, I, Hannah Bentley, of Lincoln County in the State of North Carolina and on the first day April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three send greeting know ye that I, Hannah Bentley for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I bear and have unto my daughter Mergert Bentley and also for other causes and considerations met hereunto moving have given and granted and by these presents do give grant & confirm unto the said Mergret Bentley all my goods & chattels my land & plantation my debts plate, jewels working tools one negro man named Saul and all my other substance whatsoever moveable & immoveable of what kind Nature & Quality soever the same are and in what place or places. Soever the same shall be found as well as in my custody of possessions as in the possession or hands power & custody of any other person or persons whatsoever, or all those goods & chattels land & plantation, debts and all the other aforesaid premises unto the said Margaret Bentley her heirs Executors & admrs [administrators] to her and their own proper use forever and I the said Hannah Bentley all & singular the aforesaid goods & chattels & premises to the said Margaret Bentley her executors admrs I assign against all persons & do warrant and do forever defend and by these presents. In witness thereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal the day & year first above written.

Test. Francis McNemar Hannah (her mark) Bentley

Lydia (her mark) McNemar

Lincoln County April Sessions 1793) The within deed was proved in open court by the oath of Francis McNemar and ordered to be registered. Witness: Jo Dickson Cle [Clerk]

Lincoln Co., NC, Deed Book 16 page 371.

Notes:

Married:
North Carolina State Archives. North Carolina County Marriage Indexes. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Name: Margaret Bently
Spouse: William Yonce
Marriage Date: 25 Sep 1794
Marriage State: North Carolina

Other Events:

• _UID: CDFDA936E78348BFA469B23A8407826B8B7C

Notes:

Richard Whitaker of North Carolina and Washington County, Virginia by Joye Boardman

The significant portion of the information on Richard Whitaker and Rachel Bentley's descendants comes from Joye Boardman's book which is out of print. She kindly provided me her material via email with permission to post on this website.

"For a time it was thought Richard Whitaker, born 1752, was a son of Richard,Sr. and wife, Elizabeth Cary of Halifax Co., NC. After careful and extended research from many different sources,this Richard is not a son of the Halifax County Whitakers. It is possible he is a relative of the large Whitaker family from Virginia and North Carolina but that must be researched further." 

David Whitaker, son of Benjamin and grandson of Richard, tells in the History of Oregon, page 886, that "Grandfather Richard Whiteaker emigrated from Wales previous to the Revolution and settled in North Carolina, where he married Rachel Bentley and reared a family of five sons and four daughters. He was a participant in the Revolutionary war and lived to be eighty-two years of age."

Richard may be the son of either Mark Whitaker or James Whitaker whose adjoining plantations lay southeast of the Bentley plantation on Bear Creek.

Cheryl Duke's notes: The evidence is pointing in this direction for several reasons. No immigration record has been located o his coming from Wales, nor is there any record of his being an indentured servant.

Given the patterns of families and neighbors migrating from one location to another,it was unusual for a man without any ties to come into an area and be readily accepted. Especially to marry into an extended family like the Bentley's. Also, a person needed to have farming and survival skills to settle on the frontier. Coming from Wales and settling in the wilderness, a person would need friends or family to help in the process of adjustment. With the Whitaker's and the Bentley's both being from counties in Maryland that were close to each other, there would probably be a comfort and connection that would make it easier to establish communication and being neighborly.

So it is more likely that Richard is the son of James Whitaker, as the name Mark doesn't appear in the names of his son or his descendants. On the other hand, Mark Whitaker Jr.'s offspring do continue its use. Only DNA evidence will ultimately confirm what written records do not.

Continuation of Joye Boardman's research

NORTH CAROLINA COURT AND LAND RECORDS

The Rowan County North Carolina Court Minutes dated 8 Aug 1778 list those persons who "refused of neglected" to take the Oath of Allegiance to the state. Included in the list for Capt. Lyon's District is the name Daniel Bentley, and the names of Bentleys neighbors: Mesheck Davis, John Willcockson, Snr., Mark Whitacre, Adam Hall Snr., Samuel Willcoxson and Israel Willcoxson being also on the list.

From Civil Action Papers, Lincoln Co., NC Richard Whitaker vs Michael Buff. In same papers, Whitakers on a 1782 List of Rowan County property owners, summoned with regard to confiscation of their property: Alexander, Henry, James, Jiles, Richard. See Rowan County Register August 1988 by Jo White Linn.

A list dated 3 November 1782 details the names of men living in Capt. Pearson's Company who were summoned by William Butler, constable, to show why their property should not be confiscated. Included in the 1782 list are the names of Anthony Pealor [Peeler], John Wilcockson, Danul [Daniel] Lewis, and "Richard Whitaker Runaway." "Runaway" simply meant the individual was no longer in the area. This was Richard Whitaker's case as he moved with Thomas Bentley's family in 1782 to Lincoln County, North Carolina, having married Thomas Bentley's daughter, Rachel Bentley.

Note from Cheryl Duke: It appears the families were victims of claim jumping, In 1777, a confiscation act was passed during during the Revolutionary War, seizing the lands of Lord Granville for the state of North Carolina. Settlers on Granville lands had to reapply for a new state land grant to their farms, and many lost everything to claim jumpers. Also on this list were John, Henry, Alexander and James Whitaker, along with Jiles Whitaker listed as a runaway (meaning he was no longer in the area).

Rowan County, North Carolina Tax Lists 1757-1800 Annotated Transcriptions, by Jo White Linn, 1995, Preface pp. xi - xv. "Because Rowan County lay within the Granville Proprietary and because the Granville Land Office snapped shut in 1763 and never reopened, there was no way for a person to gain title to vacant land for the fifteen year period until the State Land Office opened in 1778. Because many of the settlers who flooded into the area during the period could not gain title to land, their names do not appear in the deed records and cannot readily be confirmed by other records."

"Conscientious objectors, such as Quakers, Moravians, Menonists, and Dunkers, and those who refused to swear allegiance to the State were charged a three fold tax." Mark Whitaker was listed on the list of those not taking the oath of allegiance, so if the family was percieved as being Loyalists or Tories, then they paid in money and enmity from Patriot neighbors.

In 1782 Thomas, his wife Hannah, and some of the children moved to the Indian Creek area of eastern Lincoln County, North Carolina. Accompanying Thomas and Hannah were Daniel and Nancy (Lewis) Bentley; Meshack Davis, who had married Thomas and Hannah's daughter Lydia about 1774 in Rowan County; Richard Whiteaker, and his wife Rachel Bentley; and Thomas and Hannah's daughter, Margaret, who would later marry William Yonts in Lincoln Co. NC.

Rachel's sister Mary married Aaron Freeman according to the Rowan County records. "Freeman, Aaron to Mary Bently, 17 dec 1769, Bentamin Bently, bondsman, Thomas Frohock, wit consent from Thos. Bently for his daugher Mary, 17 dec 1769, Benjamin Bently, James Freeman, wit."

Richard Whitaker was a very good friend of Aaron Freeman, and they named their sons Aaron, Benjamin & Thomas.

On 1 September 1795 the widow Hannah Bentley and her son, Daniel, sold to George Savage and Catherine Bollinger the plantation on which Hannah lived.

1 September 1795. Hannah Bentley & Daniel Bentley of Lincoln County to George Savage & Catherine Bollinger, both of Lincoln County, for 20 pounds, a tract of land that Thomas Bentley bought of Thomas Welch in Lincoln County on the waters of Indian Creek on the south side of the creek, it being the plantation she [Hannah Bentley] now lives on. It being the land [25 acres] that was accepted [excepted] in the deed that Daniel Bentley made to Jacob Bollinger [doesn't give boundaries] Signed: Hannah Bentley (her mark), Daniel Bentley. Witnesses: Benj. Moore, Richard Whiteakker, William Yonts. Lincoln Co., NC, Deed Book 18, page 146.

Richard and wife, Rachel, moved to Washington County, Virginia, from the Lincoln County area of North Carolina. This is where Richard resided until his death on 18 October 1838.

WASHINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA RECORDS

Richard Whitaker came into Washington County, Virginia from North Carolina sometime around 1796.  [Ref: Washington County, VA Personal Property Tax Lists 1782-1840].  Listed are Giles Whiteacre and Richard Whiteacre. Richard Whitiker  is listed with various spelling of the name from 1796 until his death. The 1810 Index to the Census of Virginia lists Richard Whitaker living next door to James Whitaker.  Isaac Whitaker is listed under a different household.
 
It can only be conjectured as to why Richard and his sons came into Washington County, Virginia; perhaps they were attracted to the salt deposits on the North Fork of the Holston River.  They evidently had means as they purchased land shortly after coming in the County. Dr. Joseph E. Williams, Professor at Emory & Henry College suggested they perhaps came for the salt at Saltville, VA.

Benjamin Whitaker  stated he had 5 brothers and 4 sisters. Absalom Rufus Whitaker, grandson of Richard named seven brothers and three sisters in his Bible.  Why the others were not named remains a mystery. They could have been older or died as youngsters. 

1810 Federal Census Washington Co., VA. Richard Whitaker is listed with 1 free white male, 10-16 [Thomas}, 2 males 16-26 [Benjamin & Moses], 1 male, 45 or older, [himself], 2 free white females under 10, [Mary & Elizabeth], 1 female, 10-16, [Catherine], 1 female 26-45, [Rachel]

Nov 25, 1814 Washington Co VA [Deed Bk 6, page 21; page 319 in DB index]  Richard Whitechor  [Whitaker] and his son, Moses  purchased two [2] tracts of land belonging to Charles Thurman and his wife, Barbara, all of Washington Co VA for $600. containing 113 acres, patent bearing date of 10 Sept 1787 and 50 acres, patent bearing date of 5 Nov 1798, lying on both sides of the North Fork of the Holston River. The 113 acres begins at a beech tree in an island corner to John Lee and crossing the river and a corner to John Lee on the south side of Little Mountain. p.6

1815 SW VA Tax Assessments : Julius Davenport, one farm on the North Fork Holston River joining Richard Whitarker.

1820 Census
Name: Rickard Whitecar [Richard Whitaker]
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Washington, Virginia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Free Colored Persons - Males - 14 thru 25: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 1
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Free Colored Persons: 1
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 6

1822 Washington County VA:  Richard and John Whitaker  witnessed the will of Rev. Isaac Chapman in 1822, the year Chapman died.  Richard went bond to settle his estate which was settled in 1825.

1824  Washington County VA Deed Book 8, 1822..25, pages 300/301  between John Logan, one and William S. & John Logan, Richard Whitaker, William Apperson, Jacob Morrell, Trustees of Maiden Springs Meeting House and lot-land and tract conveyed to John Logan to Henry's corner Jan 1804.  Recorded 20 July 1824.

1830 Census
Name: Richard Whitaker
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Washington, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 70 thru 79: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 2
Free Colored Persons - Males - 10 thru 23: 2
Free Colored Persons - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Free Colored Persons - Males - 36 thru 54: 2
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23: 3
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 23
Slaves - Males - 36 thru 54: 8
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 5
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35: 2
Slaves - Females - 36 thru 54: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 43
Total Free Colored Persons: 5
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 55

WILL

Will Book, page 158 WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA dated Jan 13, 1834, probated May 25, 1840.... My wife, Elizabeth to have 1/3 of the land the rest of her natural life. [Elizabeth Blair Chapman married Richard in 1829 and was in his household in 1830 CV Census]
 
My three grandchildren, Ruth E. Whitaker, Mahala Whitaker and James G. Whitaker to receive the other 2/3 of said estate. [NOTE: These three grandchildren were children of his daughter Elizabeth Whitaker who did not marry.  See 1830/1840 WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA Census] p7
 
At my wife's death, the plantation is to be sold and equally divided among my three grandchildren.
 
My son, Moses, to get $1.00
 
My son, Benjamin, the $40.00 which I owe him.
 
I appoint James Whitaker my Exor.
 
Signed: Richard Whitaker  Witnesses: David Campbell, Michael S. Fleenor and John L. Taylor, Bond $1000. Security by N. Snead.

REFERENCES

The following are the references from Joye Boardman's book Richard Whitaker of North Carolina and Washington County, Virginia along with contributions from fellow Whitaker researchers and related families.

Washington County, Virginia Birth, Death, Marriage, Deed Records

1810 Index to Washington Co.Virginia Census

1810 Federal Census

Washington County, Virginia Census.

Hayter/Litton Cemetery, Washington Co.VA.

Washington Co., VA Death Register

Obiturary: Hettie Woodward, Chess F. Woodward, and Dorothy Woodward Montgomery.

Dorothy Ann Callahan Serber, Damascus, VA...Information of Callahan family.

Reserach on Callahan Family by D. B. Callahan, Saltville, VA.

Marriage Records, Smyth Co., VA.

Camp Chase, Ohio Register, Death Record, Grave # 1581.

Russell County, Virginia Census, Birth Records

Washington County, Virginia Wills

Research: On Richard Whitaker and James Whitaker by Joseph E. Williams, Emory, VA.

Marriage Records Washington Co., Virginia

Research by Thomas Colley, Hancerville, AL

Research by Jack Hockett, St. David's, PA

Marriage record research by Linda Gilley, Bristol, TN.

Research by Joye Boardman, Palm Coast, FL

Research by Charles Nelson, Alexandria, VA

Poston Research, Jack Hockett, Thomas Colley

Whitaker Cemetery, Independence, Oregon..Stones copied in 1973 by Mrs. James L. Dyal.

Pinckney's Map of Lee County, Illinois

Williamette Valley Genealogical Society

State Library, Salem, Oregon

The Oregon Argus, Oregon City, Oregon

Frank T. Gilbert, Historical Sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia and Garfield Counties.

Hiram Ogden's Description of the Trip across the Plains (2700 Miles).

County Court House, Walla Walla, WA

Polk Co Census, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1889, 1900, 1910.

Oregon Donation Land Claims Book 1, 1241 Book V, #1241

Pacific Christian Advocate Newspaper

History of Willamette Valley, 1885   by H. O. Long

Photographs sent by Bette Hardinge, Palmdale, California

History of Oregon

Lyman's History of Walla Walla County, Vol 1, Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.

Walla Walla, WA Court record,

Polk Co., Oregon Marriage Records

Probate Records, Walla County, WA.

1870 Washington Territory, Waitsburg Township Census

Birth, Marriage, Death Records, Wills Washington Co.VA; Russell Co., VA.

Research by Betty Hardinge, a great-great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Whitaker. Bette died in Florida in 1994 from a heart attack.

J. Gareth Pearson - Information on Benjamin Whitaker line.

Research sent to me on Martha Ann Snodgrass by Mildred Elaine Wilburn Spencer, Houston, Texas.
 

Updated all along Corrections and Additions send to:
Joye Boardman
396 445-8343
7 Waldron Place
Palm Coast, Florida 32164
 

Birth:
Other possibilities are Wales according to his grandson.

Name:
In legal documents he spelled his name Whiteaker.

Richard married Rachel BENTLEY Abt 1782, North Carolina. Rachel (daughter of Thomas BENTLEY and Hannah) was born 1750, Frederick Co. MD; died Bef 1810, Washington Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: BD7EAB91C23A465891ED380F485F1AA53C07

Notes:

It is believed Rachel is also a daughter, due to Richard Whitaker signing as witness to the Bentley land deed.

About 1782 Rachel Bentley married Richard Whitaker while her parents were yet living on Bear Creek in the Forks of the Yadkin.

Rachael Bentley married Richard Whitaker. No record of this marriage has been found either in North or South Carolina, however the proof of their marriage comes from a statement made by their son, Benjamin Whitaker, taken from "The History of Oregon", where he states his parents were Richard Whitaker and Rachel Bentley. In later years, a great-great granddaughter stated Richard and Rachel were married in North Carolina about 1781. Recent research shows the marriage date is probably much earlier as the older sons would have been born by ca 1774. In this same report, Benjamin Whitaker states he was born in North Carolina.

In 1782 Thomas, his wife Hannah, and some of the children moved to the Indian Creek area of eastern Lincoln County, North Carolina. Accompanying Thomas and Hannah were Daniel and Nancy (Lewis) Bentley; Meshack Davis, who had married Thomas and Hannahâ's daughter Lydia about 1774 in Rowan County; Richard Whiteaker, and his wife Rachel Bentley; and Thomas and Hannah's daughter, Margaret, who would later marry William Yonts in Lincoln Co. NC.

Other Events:

• _UID: 8267C9137DB24CF7AB14DE5C44F5B9F1137D

Notes:

DNA testing of his descendants confirm that Esias was a free man of color based on the sub-Saharan (African) markers.

Most African Americans free in Virginia and nearby states in the colonial period were descended from relationships between indentured servants or free persons, and African or African-American indentured servants, free or slave. This reflected the fluid nature of relationships among the working classes before slave rules were made strict.

Paul Heinegg, Free African Americans in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware and Maryland, 1999-2005, Baltimore, Maryland: Clearfield, 2005, found that 80 percent of the people listed as "other" or "free Negroes" and "free people of color" in North Carolina in censuses from 1790-1810 were descended from African Americans free in Virginia during the colonial period. In 1822 Virginia, a person was considered legally white with up to one-fourth African ancestry (equivalent to one grandparent) Anyone interested in the origins of free African Americans should study his work, some of which is freely available online.

http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/

Many free African Americans, along with European-American neighbors, migrated to frontier areas of Virginia, North Carolina, and then further west. Such families sometimes settled in insular groups and were the origin of some isolated settlements, which have long claimed or were said to be of Native American or Portuguese ancestry.

In the 18th, 19th and early 20th-centuries, some Americans of mixed European and African ancestry claimed Mediterranean, Arab or Native American heritage to explain skin color and features differing from northern Europeans.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, most free people went by appearance. If they looked white, were accepted by neighbors and fulfilled community obligations, they were absorbed into white or European-American society.

However, at the start of the 20th century in Virginia, Walter Ashby Plecker, the first registrar of Virginia's Bureau of Vital Statistics from 1912-1946, drafted and lobbied for the passage of the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. It institutionalized the one drop rule, meaning any person with "one drop of black blood" was considered black. It recognized only two races, "white" and "colored" (black). This did away with the existing law, which had classified persons as white who had one-sixteenth (equivalent to one great-great-grandparent) or less black ancestry.

Because Plecker believed there were few "real" Indians left, as they had intermarried over time with other ethnic groups, he thought "colored" people were attempting to pass as "Indian." He ordered state agencies to reclassify most citizens' claiming American Indian identity as "colored," although many groups of Virginia Indians had continued in their cultural identity, practices and communities.

Plecker's policies had a devastating effect on those with Native American or mixed race ancestry. If they couldn't "pass" for white then they were considered black. No diversity allowed until the 1960's.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR SERVICE

Esaias Bowman fought at the Battle of King's Mountain in the Revolutionary War. He was one of five men of color fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain. The others were Andrew Ferguson, Primes (no last name), Ismael Titus, and John Broddy.

COURT RECORDS

He was a slave-owner. On November 9, 1814, a court document states that he had seven slaves: "Seasor, Tiller, Hannah, William, Jerry, Ruth and Joseph". In 1826, he mortgaged Hannah to one David Campbell for $130.92.

Washington County, VA Slave Importations, Washington County, VA Will Book 4 Pg. 110 [Extracted & Transcribed by Billy Markland]

A Statement of Negroes brought into this State by Isaiah Bowman moveing [sic] from the State of Tennessee viz,

Seasor a Negro man about six feet high & about 30 years of age of a dark complexion, also Tiller his wife about five feet five inches high & about 25 years of age dark complexion, Also four children Hannah a girl Eight years of age of a dark complexion, Also William a boy about six years of age of a dark complexion, Also Jerry a boy about four years of age of a dark complexion, Also Ruth a girl of about two years of age dark complexion, And Joseph a Negro man about Eighteen years of age and of a dark complexion and about five feet six inches high.

[Esaias?] Bowman

Washington Co. Va. Court Minutes Vol 2, p. 214 Moses WHITACRE for benefit of Isaiah Bowman plt. vs. John RUNNELS. Money owed from Dec. 1819.

Washington Co. VA Estray Book 1, 1813-1860, p. 107: estray steer shewn to us by HIRAM FLEENOR; white steer with red speck;¦ $4 18 Dec 1832. /s/ ESAIAS BOWMAN

WILL AND PROBATE

In his will of August 24, 1837, he freed all of his slaves upon his death, which at that time included Teller ("age about 56"), Jerry ("about 27 next Sept 3"), Ruth ("age 34 next Mar 6"), and Agnes Dinah ("age 21 May next 27").

WASHINGTON CO. Va. Chancery Order Bk. A 1831-47
p. 32 May 1843 Moses Whitaker and wife and some others say living children of ESIAS BOWMAN, deceased divided estate without dividing for dead children?s decedents.

p. 182 Moses Whitaker and wife and others vs. Samuel BOWMAN and others. p. 182 Will to be filed as last will and test. of Esaias BOWMAN, dec.

Esias married Ann Cawood. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 0723F602DC2F488AA2051E044215FBE8022A

Notes:

Name:
Also spelled Keywood.