Mary (Polly) HAYTER

Female 1808 - 1882  (74 years)


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  • Name Mary (Polly) HAYTER 
    Born 27 Oct 1808  Washington Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    _UID A07F969929F54657BD3C4BA3AEEDFEA22B42 
    Died 11 Dec 1882  Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Whiteaker Cemetery, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • CENSUS RECORDS

      1850 US Census
      Name: Mary Whitiker [Mary Whiteaker]
      Age: 42
      Birth Year: abt 1808
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1850: Polk, Oregon Territory
      Gender: Female
      Family Number: 121
      Household Members:
      Benj Whitiker 55
      Mary Whitiker 42
      David Whitiker 25
      William Whitiker 24
      Ellen Whitiker 18
      Joseph Whitiker 15
      Benjn Whitiker 12
      Maria Whitiker 9
      Washington Whitiker 7
      Mary Whitiker 4
      Baby Whitiker 9 months

      1860 Census
      Name: Mary Whitaker
      Age in 1860: 53
      Birth Year: abt 1807
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1860: Independence, Polk, Oregon
      Gender: Female
      Post Office: Independence
      Household Members:
      B Whitaker 63
      Mary Whitaker 53
      I R Whitaker 23
      G W Whitaker 17
      Mary Whitaker 13

      1870 Census
      Name: Mary Whitcher [Mary Whiteaker]
      Age in 1870: 63
      Birth Year: abt 1807
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1870: Monmouth, Polk, Oregon
      Race: White
      Gender: Female
      Post Office: Monmouth
      Household Members:
      Benjamin Whitcher 73
      Mary Whitcher 63
      George Whitcher 26


      The family moved to Russell County, Virginia before 1826.

      OBITIUARY

      Obituary (published in a paper in about 1882)

      "Never having noticed anything relative to the death of "Old Mrs. Whiteaker" in the papers, I thought it due to herself and her friends that something of her domestic history should be given publicity, while yet some of her old pioneer associates still survive her, and some of whom regarded her with that high esteem which respected worth always merits. This thought was suggested by my wife, who in years past has been the recipient of Mrs. Whiteaker's unbounded hospitality, and who frequently recalls to mind one incident in early life, when that hospitality was most generously extended, and most thankfully accepted. The remembrance of those pioneer days can never be obliterated from the memory, either by time or circumstances. Let the pioneer retrospect the past; call to mind his early associates, and attempt to number his survivors. He will find but few living of the many with whom he was familiar in those early days, and with whom he felt a degree of intimacy amounting almost to that of consanguinity.

      In 1852, now about thirty years ago, my wife and self, with our two little ones, were coming from Yamhill, when we were caught in a very heavy rain storm. We were in an open wagon and pretty well drenched when we stopped at Mr. Whiteaker's house. Driving up to the fence, we were met by Mr. Whiteaker, who in loud tones exclaimed: "Hello! What the devil are you doing here? Get out of the wagon and come in the house; you are as wet as the devil." Well, we did as requested, and soon a blazing fire restored warmth to our chilled frames. Mrs. Whiteaker took my wife in charge, and she was quickly clothed in habiliments more congenial to the female sex than a water-saturated piece of calico. And now, after the lapse of thirty years, the kindly feelings manifested upon that occasion by Mr. and Mrs. Whiteaker are remembered by us with the most lively emotions of respect and regard; and more, not only the kindness and hospitality manifested upon that occasion entitled them to our highest regard, but during many years thereafter we received many manifestations of their kindly disposition towards us, that makes the remembrance thereof pleasing reminiscences of the past. But today where are they? Gone to that mysterious realm from which there is not return, and to which we are all hastening.

      Mr. Whiteaker was a man of very jovial and merry disposition. Upon one occasion ex-Gov. Whiteaker called upon him and made inquires to ...whether or not there was any relationship between them. Mr. Whiteaker remarked: "I do not claim kin with every scalawag that comes along, but as you are a pretty good looking man, and appear to have some sense, if you can show that we are kin, I'll acknowledge the corn." This was many years ago, and it occurs to my mind as one of the many incidents that go to show the natural tendencies of his disposition, for upon many occasions have his sallies of wit caused much merriment. For his associates: yet, withal, he was a man of strict integrity, of unbounded hospitality, and his rule was to do as he would be done by. How often do the hearts of the old settlers, when calling to mind the struggles and toils incident to pioneer life, bound with a fresh impulse at the remembrances of the social equality, the generous dispositions and disinterested sympathy which characterized them in the intercourse with each other. Almost isolated from civilized life, bound together in a common destiny, each felt the other a warmer friendship that is much of the characteristic of society of the present day. The onward march of time is fast removing from the scenes of active life the "Old Pioneers." Soon the last one will have obeyed the dreaded summons, and the recollection of their hardy toil and struggles in the advancement of civilization will be but a matter of history.

      In the death of Mrs. Whiteaker the ranks of the pioneers number one less of that noble band of women who braved the dangers of the wilderness with a heroic devotion to life's duties, worthy a remembrance in the hearts of all who survive her. There is naught in the remembrance of her domestic life but what should bring consolation to all her surviving friends and relatives.

      Mrs. Whiteaker was born in Washington County, Virginia, in 1808. Her maiden name was Mary B. Hayter, she married to Benjamin Whiteaker in1823. They went to Illinois in 1836, where they resided about eleven years. They then came to the conclusion that they would cross the plains to Oregon. In 1848 they bade adieu to friends and started on the perilous trip with sanguine hopes, that with patience and perseverance they would reach the goal of their desires and build upon them up a happy home, where peace, plenty and contentment might bless them through life's pilgrimage. In October,1848, they settled in Polk County where they made a continued residence up to the time of their death, known and respected by all their neighbors as kind , genial, and hospitable in all life's associations.

      On the 1st day of December, 1882, Mrs. Whiteaker yielded up her spirit, to God who gave it, serenely and calmly, with the precious hope of ascending. ... She leaves seven children, to whom she leaves the priceless legacy of an honored name, and whose memory will be long cherished by all who knew her, for to have known her was to have formed a deep-seated friendship, and her friendship was indeed a boon, as was indicated by the warmth of her heart and a generosity that was without limit. She is gone and we are left to linger for yet a brief hour before we join the vanished numbers of the pioneers that were."

      BURIAL

      Burial: Whiteaker Cem, Independence, Oregon
      The Whiteaker Cemetery is located on the Bengamin Whiteaker D.L.C.in Township 8S, Range 5W, Section 11. It is a private family cemetery about .01 of an acre in size. All known burials are related to the Whiteaker family. It is about three miles northwest of Monmouth, Polk,County, Oregon. The cemetery has been abandoned to nature. It was last read by Addie Dyal Rickey in 1973.

      Tombstone Inscription:
      Mary B., wife of Benjamin Whiteaker
      Died Dec. 1, 1882
      Aged 74y 1m 15d [1]
    Person ID I847  Master File
    Last Modified 14 Apr 2015 

    Father Esau HAYTER,   b. 20 Feb 1764,   d. Abt 1826  (Age 61 years) 
    Mother Sarah Elizabeth ALLISON,   b. ca 1771/72 
    Family ID F438  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Benjamin WHITEAKER,   b. Aug 1796, Lincoln Co. NC Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Jul 1873, Independence, Polk Co., OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 76 years) 
    Married 18 Sep 1823  Washington, Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Children 
     1. David Jesse WHITEAKER,   b. 29 Oct 1824, Washington Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Oct 1902, Independence, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 77 years)
     2. William H. WHITEAKER,   b. Abt 1826, Russell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 9 Sep 1865, Independence, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 39 years)
    +3. Rachel WHITEAKER,   b. 17 Jul 1828, Russell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Jun 1901, Walla Walla Co. WA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years)
    +4. Ellen (Eleanor) S. WHITEAKER,   b. 03 Nov 1832, Russell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Mar 1906, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years)
    +5. Joseph R. WHITEAKER,   b. 3 Nov 1835, Russell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Feb 1883, Walla Walla Co. WA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 47 years)
    +6. Benjamin Franklin WHITEAKER, Jr.,   b. 28 May 1838, Inlet Grove, Lee Co. IL Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Aug 1912, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years)
    +7. Mariah (Maria) WHITEAKER,   b. 16 Nov 1840, Lee Co. IL Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Feb 1904, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co. CA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years)
     8. George Washington WHITEAKER,   b. 21 Jul 1842, Lee Co. IL Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Apr 1909, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years)
     9. Mary W. WHITEAKER,   b. 4 Oct 1846, Lee Co. IL Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jun 1864, Polk Co. OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 17 years)
     10. Lucy Ann WHITEAKER,   b. 5 Oct 1851, OR Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Jul 1856, OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 4 years)
     11. Amanda WHITEAKER,   b. 27 Apr 1853, OR Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Jul 1856, OR Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
    Family ID F130  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Sources 
    1. [S25] Descendants of Richard Whitaker, Jr. and Rachel Bentley, Joye Boardman.