James S. WHITAKER, Sr.

Male 1790 - 1856  (66 years)


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  • Name James S. WHITAKER 
    Suffix Sr. 
    Born 1790  Lincoln Co. NC Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Male 
    _UID A83A2F134419468ABAD03F571343A52E9A82 
    Died Feb 1856  Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    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 Webb and Elizabeth Whitaker who did not marry."

      Born c 1787/1790..[60 years old in 1850 WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA Census

      James processed and sold salt from his property on the Elk Horn Branch of the North Fork of the Holston River, three miles east of Saltville. Apparently Alexander inherited the farm. James, Sr.'s land extended toward other Whitaker property which included Broadford to Big Tumbling, a stream cascading down from Laurel Bed Lake to end up in the town of Saltville. Professor J. Williams of Emory and Henry College, said the Whitakers operated a barge from Smyth Co. VA to Kingsport, TN carrying salt.

      CENSUS RECORDS

      1810 Census Washington Co. VA has 1 male 16-25 (presumably James) living beside Richard Whitaker.

      1840 United States Federal Census
      Name: James Whitaker
      Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Smyth, Virginia
      Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
      Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
      Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
      Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
      Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
      Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
      Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
      Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
      Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
      Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2
      Persons Employed in Agriculture: 4
      Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
      Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
      Total Free White Persons: 11
      Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 11

      1850 United States Federal Census
      Name: James Whitaker
      Age: 60
      Birth Year: abt 1790
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Home in 1850: District 60, Smyth, Virginia
      Gender: Male
      Family Number: 347
      Occupation: Farmer
      Household Members:
      James Whitaker 60
      Elizabeth Whitaker 56
      Alexander Whitaker 25 [student]
      Jane Whitaker 22
      Jeremiah Whitaker 20 [laborer]
      Joseph Whitaker 17 [laborer]
      Susannah Whitaker 15
      Elizabeth Whitaker 14
      Thomas Whitaker 11

      PROPERTY RECORDS AND TAX LISTS

      Washington Co, VA Personal Property Tax Lists 1782-1840  James Whitaker first shows up in the 1810 Tax List.  He is listed each year through 1832.  [Note: It was about this time he purchased property in Smyth Co., VA.]

      Aug 15, 1816 WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA Deed Book 6, page 363, Index p 312.. Deed was made selling to James Whitacre from James Dolen, Jr, both of Washington Co.VA for $250. "and which I purchased from William Mitchell and which was conveyed to me by Robert Whitley by indenture, bearing date of 3 August 1804, being in Washington Co.VA adjoining the land of Charles Scott, Jacob Lyon and Mrs. Elizabeth Russell and supposed to contain 100 acres." proven 15 April 1817.

      Sept 12, 1834 Smyth Co., VA Deed Book 1, page 334 Deed between William C. Preston of the state of South Carolina and James Whitaker of Smyth Co., VA for $800. conveying to James Whitaker 245 acres on the North Fork of Holston River, part of the land once sold and conveyed to Elizabeth Russell to Jacob Lyon. Recorded June 16, 1835.

      May 15, 1838 Recorded Smyth Co., VA Land Grant Book. James Whitaker and Solomon McReynolds by virtue of part of a land office exchange treasury warrant for 20,000 acres No 2622, dated Dec 19, 1832, which warrant was obtained in exchange for Warrant No 1089 and issued to John McKettera Jan 3, 1795 enters 420 acres of land in Smyth Co. on Beaver Creek, a branch of the North Fork of the Holston River adjoining a 1600 acre survey made in the name of William King on the east; a 425 acre survey in the name of the Robert Preston on the south and southwest; a 100 acre survey made in the name of William King and the lands of Issac Poston on the north.

      1840 ..James Whitaker named executor of Richard Whitaker's will. He and his son-in-law, John P. Ayres were at the sale of personal property of Richard Whitaker, Jr. [Will Book 8, page 194/195.]

      Sept 28, 1841 Smyth Co, VA Deed Book 3, page 134..An indenture made bet. John Scott of the first part and James Whitaker, Jr of the second part and James Whitaker, Sr of the third part. Whereas the said John Scott is justly indebted to the said James Whitaker, the sum of $100. to be paid Jan 1, 1842, the same being for two hundred bushels of salt, the said John is willing and desirous to secure. Debt is paid with one black horse, 3 years old, one rifle gun and crop of corn & oats. [Recorded Smyth Co. Virginia.]

      Sept 19, 1846 Deed Book 5, page 62, Smyth Co., VA. James Whitaker and Elizabeth deeded land to John P. Ayers on the North Fork of the Holston River, dated 21 July 1848.

      Washington Co, VA Personal Property Tax Lists 1782-1840 - James Whitaker is listed 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813,1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829 1830, 1831, 1832. [Ref: Jack Hockett]

      MARRIAGE RECORDS

      James married his second wife, Nancy McReynolds on Dec 15, 1832 in Smyth Co., VA Nancy McReynolds, born c 1804 [Smyth Co. Marriage Index 1832-1853 Book A, page 1]  

      James married his third wife, Elizabeth Johonson on Feb 24, 1843 in Smyth Co., VA [MR Book A, page 18]

      WILL AND ESTATE

      At the time of his death he was living on the Elkhorn Branch of the North Fork of the Holston River in Smyth Co., a few miles east of Saltville, in Rich Valley. 

      His will is dated Aug 4, 1854, with Codicil #1, dated Dec 7, 1854 and Codicil #2, dated Jan 18, 1856.

      Children named in his will probated 19 Feb. 1856, recorded in Will Book 2, pp. 9-12, Smyth Co., VA, were Alexander, John, James, Jeremiah, Joseph, Thomas C., Polly, Jane, Elizabeth, and Susannah. Feb 19, 1856. In his will another child is listed: Rachie D. Johnston, who is probably a daughter of third wife, Elizabeth from a previous marriage.

      March 29, 1856, Book 2, page 60, Smyth co., VA  Sale Bill of James Whitaker's estate is dated Mar 29, 1856 and the Appraisement dated May 21, 1856. Sale Bill Recorded May 21, 1856 in Will Book 2, page 664, Smyth Co., VA. [Ref: Family and Court Records of Washington and Smyth Co.,  VA.  Research by Joseph E. Williams, Emory, VA and Census records of WASHINGTON COUNTY, VA.

      It is possible James, Jr. sold his share of the land and moved to Tazewell Co. VA.

      Where James, Sr. and Elizabeth Johnson Whitaker are buried are not known at this time., [1, 2, 3]
    Person ID I117  Master File
    Last Modified 26 Apr 2014 

    Father Richard WHITAKER,   b. Abt 1752, Frederick Co. MD Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Oct 1838, Washington, Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 86 years) 
    Mother Rachel BENTLEY,   b. 1750, Frederick Co. MD Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1810, Washington Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age < 60 years) 
    Married Abt 1782  North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Family ID F52  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Elizabeth PARSLEY,   b. Abt 1790, Saltville, Washington Co., VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jul 1832, Washington, Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 42 years) 
    Married 6 Feb 1810  Washington, Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    • Virginia Marriages, 1740-1850
      Groom Name: James Whiteacre
      Bride Name: Betsy Parcely
      Marriage Date: 6 Feb 1810
      County: Washington
      State: Virginia
      Source: Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Bountiful, UT, USA: Precision Indexing Publishers.
    Children 
    +1. John WHITAKER,   b. 1811, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
    +2. James S. WHITAKER, Jr.,   b. Abt 1815, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1863, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 48 years)
     3. Mary Rachel WHITAKER,   b. 11 Nov 1818, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Mar 1881, Willis, TX Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 62 years)
     4. Alexander WHITEAKER,   b. 1823, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1878, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 55 years)
     5. Jeremiah (Jerry) WHITEAKER,   b. Jun 1825, Saltville, Smyth Co., VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Dec 1905, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 80 years)
     6. Jane WHITEAKER,   b. 13 Jan 1827, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Jul 1897, Knoxville, Knox Co. TN Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)
    Last Modified 27 Jul 2012 
    Family ID F53  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Nancy MCREYNOLDS,   b. 1804,   d. 22 Mar 1840  (Age 36 years) 
    Married 15 Dec 1832  Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 5
    Children 
     1. Joseph Franklin WHITAKER,   b. 1833, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Sep 1865, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 32 years)
     2. Susanna WHITAKER,   b. Abt 1835, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
     3. Martha Elizabeth WHITAKER,   b. 25 May 1836, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1910, Washington Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years)
     4. Thomas C. WHITAKER,   b. 16 Jan 1838, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location
    Family ID F54  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Elizabeth JOHNSON,   b. Abt 1791, Washington, Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 May 1853, Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 62 years) 
    Married 24 Feb 1843  Smyth Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 5
    Children 
     1. Rebecca WHITAKER
    Family ID F55  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

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

    2. [S15] Nancy A. Nash Material, 1997.

    3. [S21] Emory & Henry University, Joseph E. Williams.

    4. [S27] Thomas Bentley of Frederick County Maryland and Old Rowan County, NC. and His Descendants, James W. Miller, Jr., (Self published, web 2006).

    5. [S10] Smyth County, Virginia Marriage Licenses 1832-1850.