Genealogy and family history of our Whitsett family of Lauderdale County, Alabama

Our Whitsett Family Groups And Timeline

Genealogy work the Whiteside Family Association (WFA), sent to me before his death in 2011, by WFA acting Treasurer Warren E. Whiteside of Odessa, Delaware, indicates that Thomas Whiteside was the father of Moses Whiteside and William Whiteside of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.  Unfortunately, evidence for this is scarce, thus I include it here only as speculation.  Thomas was probably born in Ulster northern Ireland during the late 17th century.  It is unknown if he remained in Ireland or accompanied his sons to Pennsylvania.  The usual port of entry at the time was New Castle, then part of Pennsylvania, now in Delaware, and migrating to nearby Chester County, Pennsylvania.  This family of Whitesides then settled in Lancaster County, as did many others of the Whiteside clann.  Perhaps some day this can be documented.  

Besides Warren Whiteside, with whom I corresponded frequently on Whiteside and Whitsett genealogy, I want to acknowledge the tremendous help and collaboration with William R. Whiteside of Cottage Hills, Illinois, with whom I corresponded frequently during my research on the Whiteside and Whitsett families.  Without his suggestions and help evaluating documents and ideas, I could never have gone as deeply or thoroughly as I did.  Thank you Bill.

Thomas Whiteside was posited by Dr. Don Whiteside (see William Whiteside below) as the father of one of Pennsylvania Whiteside families, including William Whiteside, husband of Elizabeth Stockton.  Unfortunately, none of his charts provide us with any documentation to support this assumption.

Whiteside Family Association (WFA) yDNA results for Whitsett and Whitsitt families who are documented descendants of the Lauderdale County, Alabama Whitsett family indicate descent from William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton of Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina.  My wife Carolyn Sue (Whitsett) is also a descendant of that family.  These yDNA tests, and that of a male first cousin of my wife, indicate that the Fort Smith, Arkansas Whitsett family members are the descendants of William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton, who died in Rutherford County, North Carolina.  I cannot verify the DNA results, the comparisons, or the conclusions reached.  However, if true, the DNA evidence supports the idea that Adam Whitsett who died in Lauderdale County, Alabama was the descendant, probably the grandson, of William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton.

The Whiteside Family Association is the archive for the papers of Donald "Don" Whiteside, PhD, (1931-1993) of Donald Whiteside And Associates, Inc., Ontario, Canada. Dr. Don Whiteside created family numbers to help keep track of the many branches of Whitesides.  He assigned the family numbers 1000 and 9000 to the descendants of William and Elizabeth (Stockton) Whiteside, which may indicate some uncertainty in his mind as to the ancestry of this branch of Whitesides.  Some of these charts seem to be in conflict with one and another, because they were not intended (I believe) to represent a finished work.

Most of what we think we know of William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton is speculation, based on family traditions and genealogy claims with little solid evidence to back them up.  That includes my own listed below.  While we have documentary evidence for their existence, how it all fits together is mostly guess work.  There are no 18th century birth certificates, marriage documents, obituaries or death certificates that would allow us to proclaim that we know these things with certainty.  Such is the problem with ancient ledgends and traditions.  I have heard it said, quite correctly, that everything is wrong until proven true, meaning that what we accept as true must be supported by evidence.  But, we must not let that hinder us from considering hypotheses that are unproven; we should welcome those who think "outside the box", then search for the evidence that supports or disproves the hypothesis.  So, please consider this a "thinking outside the box" exercise.

GENERATION 1

According to Don Whiteside papers, William Whiteside had thirteen children, born in Augusta or Albemarle County, Virginia.^[8,14]

The identity of the wife of William Whiteside (c1710-1777, PA, VA, NC), as Elizabeth Stockton, raises some questions. She was certainly his wife, but the question arises, was she his first and only, or was William married previously?  Elizabeth is first mentioned in the Virginia records in September 1769 in the sale of 181 acres to Adam Dean.  No actual marriage record has been found. The date of their marriage has been assumed to be about 1740, without evidence, apparently based on the dates of births of William's children.  However, in August, 1756, Mary Whiteside sues in the Augusta County Court for "separate maintenance" from her husband William Whiteside because, "she was ill used by husband William Whiteside".  The court dismissed her case because of allegations that her relatives had stirred up trouble between them, and that they had threatened to kill William. No records have been found to show that they separated or divorced, but there are no other records to tell us for certain who this couple was.  In April 1763, a law suit brought in the Augusta County Court by Rhoda Dogget, wife of Richard Dogget, against Wm. Whiteside, states, "The following articles due by Anne Thompson, widow, now your [William Whiteside] wife".  There is no evidence to explain who the Augusta County William Whiteside is.  Our William was in Albemarle, formed from parts of Augusta County, by 1744, but the wives mentioned in these documents could have resided apart from William in what remained Augusta County.  Or, perhaps, Augusta County may have been the nearest court with jurisdiction for surrounding areas.  There are numerous records of Davis Stockton and his relatives in Albemarle County, and I wonder if William and Elizabeth might have married in the Roanoke area after Albemarle County was formed from Augusta and Goochland.

Below are several sources, mostly based on family tradition without specific documentation to support the narrative, about the familly of William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton, daughter of Davis and Sarah Stockton.  I do not have copies of these articles.

The Whiteside Book, Clarence Cannon (1957), page 9, "William Whiteside was born about 1710 ... in Ulster, Ireland and immigrated before his marriage to America. It is possible that he accompanied his father as he was at that time still in his teens, and at least one brother and probably other members of his father's family came at the same time. If so, his father settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania and remained there."

Echoes of Their Voices, Carl Baldwin (1978), page 146, "The patriarch of the Whiteside family in America, William Whiteside, was born in 1710 in Ulster, either in County Antrim or County Armagh, Ireland....William and an older brother, Thomas, got out early. When they landed in America and exactly where are not known."

Penelope Van Dyke Johnson Allen, Genealogy of a Branch of the Johnson family and connections, revised and continued, Helen Betts Miller, Chattanooga, TN (1967) - page 447, "The tradition is that our William came with brothers from Ireland, all of whom settled in the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania, from whence William Whiteside moved to Mechum's River in Virginia, then in Goochland County but a part of Albemarle in 1744." - p.378 "The family tradition is that William Whiteside was one of eleven brothers, two of whom, Thomas and Moses, also moved South after residing in Pennsylvania. Abraham and John, thought to be two other brothers--Abraham remained in Pennsylvania, his descendants living around Lancaster and John Whiteside was one of the earliest residents of western North Carolina." - page 378, "The family tradition is that William Whiteside was one of eleven brothers, two of whom, Thomas and Moses, also moved South after residing in Pennsylvania. Abraham and John, thought to be two other brothers--Abraham remained in Pennsylvania, his descendants living around Lancaster and John Whiteside was one of the earliest residents of western North Carolina."

"Our Whiteside Family, from Ulster, Northern Ireland to Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas", Lawson Whiteside and Fay Allen Whiteside, (1983), "William Whiteside (first generation) was born about 1710 in Ulster, Northern Ireland. He came to America landing, probably, at the Quaker Settlement at Burlington, West Jersey, on the river but above Philadelphia. Soon he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Stockton, daughter of Davis Stockton. With the Ulster Scot pioneers he moved to the west, beyond Lancaster, and found work. Other members of his family were there. Until Indian troubles and the opening of the valleys of Virginia to the south, life here was not too bad. With others, including Betsy's father (Davis) and his brother (Thomas), William and Betsy moved to land in Goochland County, Virginia, which was to become Albemarle County in 1744".

The Whiteside Family, Family of Thomas J. Whiteside 1797-1874 and Nancy Harman (1989), page iv, "The Whitesides who settled in North America came first to Delaware, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. ... One family who came to the United States from Ireland were Thomas [born c1685, died c1764, in Augusta County, Virginia] ... and his brother William Whiteside (Rutherford County, North Carolina). From the fragmentary information available at this writing it appears Thomas had children who were already married with children when they arrived in Pennsylvania about 1735. William married in about 1740 to Elizabeth (Stockton) a daughter of David [Davis] and Sarah Stockton, and then both Thomas and William, with the Stockton family, migrated to Goochland County, Virginia in 1741 which later became Albemarle County."

"William Whiteside, b. c1710, Co. Armagh?, Northern Ireland, d c October 1777, Whiteside Settlement, Golden Valley Township, Rutherford Co., NC. Farmer. Served (Sept. 1758) in the French and Indian Wars in VA. William and his brother Thomas, and perhaps his parents, emigrated to the area of Chester and Lancaster Cos. PA c 1735. William, and later his brother Thomas, migrated to the South Fork of Mechum's Creek, Goochland Co. (later became Albemarle Co.) VA. l740, and then, c 1767 to Amherst and Augusta Cos. VA and by 1772 to Tryon Co. (later became Rutherford Co.) NC. Married c 1740, Albemarle Co. Va. Elizabeth (Stockton), b c 1715, Eng. or PA, d c 1795 Ruther- ford Co. NC, d/o Davis and (1) Sarah Stockton".^[14]

GENERATION 2

Who was the father of Adam Whitsett, born about 1785, and died February 17, 1825 in Lauderdale County, Alabama?  Based on yDNA tests results analyzed by the Whiteside Family Association, of Whitsett descendants of the Lauderdale County family, our Arkansas family is supposedly the descendant of William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton of Rutherford County, North Carolina.  My assumption is that their descent is through their son, Adam W. Whiteside because he was in the right place, Maury County, Tennessee, and time, 1820-1830, and no other Whiteside male as nearly fits the criteria to be the ancestor as does Adam Whiteside of Maury County, Tennessee.

We have pretty good evidence that our Whitsett family is descended from Adam Whitsett (ca1795-1825) of Lauderdale County.  He came to the Waterloo area of Lauderdale County, Alabama in 1824, from Tennessee and died there shortly after.  I have found no good evidence that any of the several Whiteside families found in Maury County, TN in 1820 or 1830 ever shortened their surname to Whitsett.  However, the eldest known male of that branch, Wilson Whitsett is listed as Wilson Whiteside in at least one document.  On the 1820 U.S. Census of Maury County is a William Whitsitt for whom we have no other information.

Below is the evidence for Adam W. Whiteside, son of William and Elizabeth Stockton, and their broader family. Please remember, the connection to our family is mostly speculation.

Two children, son and daughter (not named), probably born in Rutherford County, North Carolina; order of birth is unknown; he supposedly left his two children with his brother.  Rather than a brother, I believe he left them with his nephew, William F. Whiteside, son of his brother Davis; the metrics do not fit with any of his other brothers, but do fit well with nephew William Franklin Whiteside/Whitsett).

U.S. Census, Morgan Dist., Rutherford Co., N.C. pg. 152.^[16]
Adam Whitesides: Males - ages 16-25 (1), 26-44 (1); Females (0). [I believe the one male is Adam Whitsett who died in Lauderdale County in 1824].
Thomas Whitesides: Males - under 10 (1), 10-15 (2), 45 and over (1); Females - under 10 (2). 10-15 (1). 45 and over (1).
William F. Whitesides: Males - under 10 (2), 26-44 (1); Females - 16-25 (1).

U.S. Census, Maury County, Tennessee (age groups are from-thru).^[22]
pg. 58, Addam Whitesids: [the male age 16-25 may be Adam Whitsett who went to Lauderdale County, Alabama in 1824; the other children were probably the children of Elizabeth, the widow Spruell].
Males - under 10 (2), 10-15 (1), 16-17 (1), 16-25 (1), 45 and over (1); Females - under 10 (2), 10-15 (1), 26-44 (1).
pg. 63,
Jonathan Whitesids: Males - 26-44 (1); Females - 26-44 (1).
pg. 64,
William Whitesids: Males - 45 over (1); Females - 45 and over (1).
William Whitesids: Males - under 10 (2), 26-44 (1); Females - 26-44 (1).
John Whitesids: Males - 26-44 (1); Females - 10-15 (1), 26-44 (1).
Robbart Whitesids: Males - under 10 (4), 26-44 (1); Females - under 10 (1), 26-44 (1).
pg. 112, Columbia, Maury Co.,
Abraham Whitesids: Males - under 10 (2), 26-44 (1); Females - 10-15 (1), 10-15 (1), 26-44 (1).

Williamsport, Maury Co.
pg. 124,
Hugh Whitesids: Males - under 10 (2), 26-44 (1); Females - under 10 (2), 26-44 (1).
pg. 129,
Abram Whitesids: Males - 26-44 (2), 45 and over (1); Females - under 10 (3), 10-15 (1), 26-44 (1); 2 engaged in manufacturing.
pg. 130,
Samuel Whitesides: Males - under 10 (3), 10-15 (2), 26-44 (1); Females - under 10 (1), 10-15 (1), 26-44 (1).
Thomas Whitesides: Males - 10-15 (2), 16-25 (1), 45 and over (1); Females - 16-25 (1), 45 and over (2); 1 slave.

GENERATION 3

The family tradition expressed by Jesse James Whitsett, son of John Whitsett (1821-ca1855) of Tennessee and Phillips County, Arkansas, to his nephew states that the Whitsett family came to Alabama from Giles County, Tennessee. The only record of any Whiteside or Whitsett family in Giles County is on the 1830 U.S. Census: William Whiteside is listed as a male between 60 and 70 years of age; in the household are two boys of the right age to be Joseph (Josiah) and John. These two boys are not in the household of Benjamin Price in Lauderdale County on the 1830 census of Lauderdale County. I believe the Giles County tradition comes from the fact that John and Joseph were raised, at least partially, in Giles County most likely by an uncle, William Whiteside, the brother of Adam.

We have very little documentation for Adam Whitsett before his estate sale in February, 1825 near Waterloo, Lauderdale County, Alabama.  The assumption that he was the son of Adam W. Whiteside who died in Maury County, Tennessee after 1820 and before 1830 is based solely on the WFA yDNA analysis that suggests he (as the documented ancestor of our Arkansas Whitsett family) was descended from William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton of North Carolina.  The is some evidence that he was originally from North Carolina (based on the place of birth of Wilson, his eldest child), and came to Alabama from Giles (probably Maury) County, Tennessee.  A slim piece of evidence that his father was Adam W. Whiteside is pure speculation largely based on his given name "Adam" and the yDNA of a cousin that I cannot now verify.

The is a William Whitsitt on the 1820 U.S. Census in Maury County, Tennessee, but he appears to be much too young to be Adam Whitsett's father.  I have been unable to find any evidence to tie him directly to Adam, but it is likely he was related somehow.  The only Whiteside or Whitsett in Giles County, Tennessee on the 1830 census that I believe was almost certainly connected to the Lauderdale County Whitsett family, was William Whiteside. In his household are two male children age 5 thru 9, and 10 thru 14; this could be Adam's son John, age 9, and possibly Josiah "Joe", whose age was about 15 or 16.  Without names this only speculation. Neither John nor Joe can be accounted for in 1830 Lauderdale County.  The only link is the family tradition that the boys came to Lauderdale County from Giles County.

The names of Adam's children is based mostly on census data in Lauderdale County.

Much information about the Lauderdale County, Alabama Whitsetts was derived from a letter dated November 17, 1929 from Jessie James Whitsett of Durant, Oklahoma to his nephew James Edward Whitsett, Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. Jessie James Whitsett was the son of John Whitsett. A photocopy of this typewritten letter was sent to me by his descendant Maida Whitten of Shawnee, Kansas many years ago.^[25]

"Your grandfather, John Whitsett, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters. Wilson Whitsett, the oldest, Isaac Whitsett, the second, Joe Whitsett, the third and John Whitsett, the fourth and youngest, born in 1828. Do not know any dates. Their Farther and Mother came from Virginia to Jiles [Giles] County, Tennessee, and died there when the children were small and no dates were kept of anything. They were all adopted by one man and wife, a Mr. Ben Price, brought to Lauderdale County, Alabama, and raised there and lived and died there around Waterloo, except Father. He died in Pope County, Arkansas, when I was 6 years old. Your Father was 6 months old. There was one Brother, the oldest one never adopted, he being old enough to take care of himself and went to Georgia and raised up a family of boys there, all being railroad men. I saw a man who knew them after they were all middle aged men. Jim, this is all I know about our direct people. Doctor Whitsett, of Fort Worth, has a biography of the Whitsetts, 330 years old. If he is still living, he is 55 or 60 years old. Please give me the outcome of this. Your effectionate uncle, J. J. W." [I have never been able to identify this "Doctor Whitsett".

Handwritten note by James Edward Whitsett (nephew of Jesse J. Whitsett).^[25]
J.E. Whitsett
Jno Whitsett my grandfather
Wilson Whitsett - 4 Brothers
Isaac Whitsett
Joe Whitsett

Jno Whitsett had three Children.
James J.
Joseph W. (my father)
John (who died young)
Wilson Whitswett had 10 children
Cammie Whitsett
Will ''
Kate ''
Mattie ''
Jane ''
Joe Whitsett had two children
John W.
Lizzie - married a Lucas
Isaac Whitsett had two children
Phil W.
Wallace W. - Killed by a Yankee at Wright Ala

Census, Maury County, Tenn., pp 58, 64-65 (no Whitesides or Whitsetts in Giles Co. in 1820).^[26]
Addam Whitesids,
Males under 10 (2); aged 10 thru 15 (1); 16 thru 17 (1); 16-25 (1); 45 and over (1) -
Females: under 10 (2); 10 thru 15 (1); 16 thru 25 (1).
Fits well with Lauderdale County family male children's ages -
Joe age 6, b. 1814,
Isaac age 8, b. 1812; 
Wilson age 12, b. 1808;
male age abt. 16 (oldest brother who supposedly went to Georgia).
females under 10, b. after 1810 (2)
Nancy, b. about 1806
female, b. between 1806-1795

Other Whiteside families in Maury County on the 1820 census:
William Whiteset, 1 male 45 or over; 1 female 45 or over
William Whitesids, 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 16-25
John Whiteside, 1 male 26-44, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-45
Robert Whiteside, 4 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, 1 female under 10, 1 female 26-44

Adam Whitsett's Estate (this tells us who some of Adam's neighbors were).^[23]
[pg 124]
an Inventory of the Estate of Adam Whitsitt (plow share, 2 axes, handsaw & drawing knife, one Frow [froe, a carpenter's square], several of old irons, 95 pounds of cotton, one hoe, a book and rasors, one pot and hooks, 2 beds and (bedroom) furniture, a spinning wheel; a pot rack, 3 chains, a cow and yearling, a couple of other small items. Total value $72.37. Inventory made by James Berry, Simon Williams and John Martin on 17 February 1825.
[pg 125]
State of Alabama Lauderdale County ..
Personally came before me one Dan Williams an acting Justice of the peace for said county Simon Williams, James Berry senior - and John Martin; and was duly qualified as appraisor of the Estate of Adam Whitsett deceased - Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of February 1825 [signed] Dan Williams J.P.
Record of 26th of April 1825
Inventory of the sale of the Estate of Adam Whitsett dec'd February 17, 1825
(Those who purchased items were)
Wilson Whitsett 1 book and rasor;
Benjamin Price 1 bed and furniture, 2 fresons and hooks (tools used for logging);
Phillip Bryant 1 Barshar plow, 1 cow and yearling;
James Moore 2 axes, handsaw and drawing knife;
Michael Long one lot of irons, oven hooks, 3 chains;
David Williams sundry small items;
Thos. Webb, 95 pounds seed cotton;
Artimus Parker 1 hoe;
Daniel Phillips large pot and hooks;
William Smith 1 bed and furniture;
John Martin 1 spinning wheel, set of gags(?), 5 bushels of corn;
___
I do certify that the foregoing contains a correct return of the Estate of Adam Whitsett deceased this 17th of February 1825
Sworn before me this 4th of March 1825 B.Price adm.
W.W. Lauard[?]clerk
Recorded 26 of April 1825.^[23]

U.S. Census, Giles County, Tennessee.^[27]
pg. 172, William Whitesides (two boys in the household who might have been sons of Adam Whitsett).
Wm. Whitesides: Males - 5-9 (1), 10-14 (1), 60-69 (1); Females - 20-29 (1), 40-49 (1).
possibly Whitsett boys John, b. abt. 1821, age about 9, Joe, b. abt. 1814, age about 15-16.

U.S. Census, Lauderdale County, Alabama.^[28]
pg. 204 (this is the Rev. William Whitsitt, Cumberland Presbyterian minister of N.C. and Jean Harden family, later of Memphis).
Wm. Whitset: Males - ages 5-9 (1), 10-14 (1), 15-19 (1), 50-59 (1); Females - under 5 (1), 5-9 (1), 15-19 (1), 40-49 (1).
pg. 215
Ben Price: Males - 15-19 (1), 40-49 (1); Females - under 5 (1), 40-49 (1).
Wilson Whiteside: Males - 20-29 (1); Females - 15-19 (1).

The Rev. William Whitsitt was born in 1780, Orange Co., NC to Samuel Whitsett and Mary Stockard.  He was the grandson of John Whiteside (c1712. Ireland-1786, Orange Co., NC). His brothers were James Stockard Whitsett (1775-1836), John (ca1780-aft.1850), Moses Green Whitsitt (1792-1834), the latter born in Virginia and died in Cherokee Co., GA.  Rev. William Whitsitt married Jean Harden on 12 Aug. 1803, in Orange County, NC. In April 1829 he purchased a home on credit in Florence, Lauderdale Co., AL.  His name appears as the minister performing a few marriages in Lauderdae County.  He appears on the 1830 U.S. Census, Lauderdale Co., page 204.  By 1834, he and his family had moved to Shelby County near Memphis. His son, John P.H. Whitsett sold the lot in Florence, Lauderdale Co. to Thomas Crow on 30 Jan. 1834. The couple followed William's brother James Whitsett to Memphis, where he became the pastor of the first Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Shelby County. He died there in 1855.  Jean Harden Whitsitt lived in Memphis until she died in 1876.^[29]

1820 U.S. Census, Maury County, Tenn., pp. 58, Addam Whitesids (ages here are from-thru, not from-to; the 1820 census is confusing with the two age categories 16 thru 17, and 16 thru 25; are some of the persons in these two categories the same? Since Adam Whiteside only had a son and daughter, and likely old enough not to be in the household, the children are probably those of his 2nd wife Elizabeth Spruell):
Males: Under 10 (2); ages 10-15 (1), 16-17 (1), 16-25 (1), 45 and over (1); Females: under 10 (2), 10-15 (1), 16-26 (1)

Also in Maury County in 1820: William Whiteset, William Whitesids, John Whiteside, Robert Whiteside.

Wilson Whitsett was the oldest of the Lauderdale County, Alabama Whitsett children.  His place of birth on various censuses from 1850-1870 list it variously as South Carolina, Kentucky and North Carolina.  Kentucky was probably given because he was (unofficially) adopted by Ben and Jane Price of Waterloo after the death of his father, Adam Whitsett, in 1825.  South Carolina (S.C.) was probably a census taker's error and should have been North Carolina (N.C.).  Wilson was a prosperous farmer and he owned a large number of acres on Second Creek north of Waterloo.

North Carolina.

Letter dated November 17, 1929.^[25]
from Jessie James Whitsett, Durant, Oklahoma to his nephew, James Edward Whitsett, (Weatherford, Parker County, Texas - Jessie James Whitsett was the son of John Whitsett. A photocopy of this typewritten letter was sent to me by his descendant Maida Whitten of Shawnee, Kansas about 2008).
"Your grandfather, John Whitsett, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters. Wilson Whitsett, the oldest, Isaac Whitsett, the second, Joe Whitsett, the third and John Whitsett, the fourth and youngest, born in 1828. Do not know any dates. Their Farther and Mother came from Virginia to Jiles [Giles] County, Tennessee, and died there when the children were small and no dates were kept of anything. They were all adopted by one man and wife, a Mr. Ben Price, brought to Lauderdale County, Alabama, and raised there and lived and died there around Waterloo, except Father. He died in Pope County, Arkansas, when I was 6 years old. Your Father was 6 months old. There was one Brother, the oldest one never adopted, he being old enough to take care of himself and went to Georgia and raised up a family of boys there, all being railroad men. I saw a man who knew them after they were all middle aged men.
Jim, this is all I know about our direct people. Doctor Whitsett, of Fort Worth, has a biography of the Whitsetts, 330 years old. If he is still living, he is 55 or 60 years old. Please give me the outcome of this.
Your effectionate uncle,
J. J. W."

Handwritten note by James Edward Whitsett (nephew of Jesse J. Whitsett).
--
Wilson Whitsett had 10 children
Cammie Whitsett
Will ''
Kate ''
Mattie ''
Jane ''
Joe Whitsett had two children
John W.

ROUSSEAU BIOGRAPHIES by Inez Jane Dennis (1965).^[47]
"John Harvey Rousseau was born abound 1828 in Bordeaux, France. He emigrated to this country, arriving in Virginia at the age of seventeen, accompanied by an older brother whom he callesd Sandy. By 1856 Harvey had settled in Lauderdale County, Alabama at Waterloo, a thriving center of river shipping on the Tennessee River. He was a carpenter by trade and made his own tools out of iron and wood.
"On January 20, 1857 he was married in Lauderdale County to Camilla Minerva Whitsett. Cammie, or Cam, Whitsett was a small woman-not over 5 feet, 3 inches-with a short oval face and a fair complexion. She had blue eyes, a small straight nose and dark hair - probably auburn. Cammie was born in 1840, one of the eleven children of Elizabeth B. Price and Wilson Whitsett, who were married in 1830 in Lauderdale County where they lived the rest of their lives. Elizabeth was born in Kentucky around 1812, the daughter of Benjamin and Jane Eliza Price, who were born in Kentucky and South Carolina respectively. Benjamin and Jane died in Lauderdale County in 1852; he was 67 and she was 65. They are buried in what is presently called the old Whitten Cemetery. This old cemetery-now abandoned-is located on a hill on the Wilson Whitsett property that was bought after his death by a nephew. Wilson Whitsett was one of the early settlers and cultivators of Lauderdale County. At the time of his death in 1878 he owned a farm of 824 acres on the hill above Second Creek and about three miles northeast of Waterloo."
pg. 6 -
"The first child of Cam and Harvey Rousseau, Charles Lee, was born in Lauderdale County in the early spring of 1858..."
"Cam and Harvey were the parents of five more children, all of whom were born near Waterloo in Lauderdale County. They were: Sterling Brice [Price?] (Sterl), born 1863; Jones William (Brew), born 1866; Edward, born 1870; Kate born about 1874; and Wilson Whitsett (Whitt), born 1877."
pg. 11 -
"... She reminisced about her parents, Elizabeth and Wilson Whitsett... Elizabeth died around 1859 [1879?] ... Harvey had built many of the houses in and around Waterloo, including one at Wright where Cam's sister Jane settled after her marriage. Jane, the oldest of the Whitsett children, smoked a clay pipe. Cammie had six other sisters and three brothers. The oldest brother, Ben, and three of the sisters, Nancy, Molly and Florence, died in Alabama before 1878. The remaining sisters and one of the brothers were married. One sister, Sally Webb, lived in Greene County [Arkansas] at Lorado; one, Kate Williams, had moved to Texas and the other, Harriett Young, was still in Alabama. The married brother, Isaac Jones, ran a saw and grist mill in White County, Arkansas ... The single brother, Willie Shaner, stayed in Greene County with Cam for several long periods then went to Texas and from there back to Alabama."

Census, Dist. 1, Lauderdale County, Alabama, pp. 251,252.^[38]
Dwelling 289
Wilson Whitsett, age 40, Farmer, born in S.C. (should be N.C., see 1860 census)
Elizabeth, age 38, born in Ky.
Benjamin, age 17, "Asst"[?], born in Ala.
Margaret, age 13, born in Ala.
Camby, age 12, born in Ala.
Sarah, age 8, born in Ala.
Harriet, age 6, born in Ala.
Isac (sic), age 3, born in Ala.
Benjamin Price, age 65, Hog Feeder, born in KY.
Jane Eliza, age 63, born in S.C.

Dwelling 299
Thomas Simpson, age 59, occupation "Bts Farmer", born in S.C.
Polly Ann, age 40, born in Ky.
Christopher, age 21, occupation "Asst" [Assistant?] born in Tenn.
Jane, age 18, born in Ala.
(other Simpson siblings listed, but none are children of Christopher and Jane)

Census, Western Division, Lauderdale Co., Ala. pg. 42; P.O. Waterloo.^[39]
Dwelling 307
Christopher Simpson, age 32, Farmer, born in Miss.
Jane, age 30, born in Ala.
Rachel, age 6, born in Ala. [all children born in Alabama]
Margaret, age 4
Benjamin, age 7 months.

Pg. 46, Dwelling 337
Wilson Whitsett, age 51, Farming, born in N.Carolina.
Elizabeth, age 46, born in Kentucky
Harriet, age 15, born in Ala.
Isaac, age 12, born in Ala.
Florence, age 9, born in Ala.
Catherine, age 7, born in Ala.
Wilson, age 4, born in Ala. [probably William Shanner Whitsett]
Edward Patterson, age 19, teaching, born in Tenn.

pg. 58, Dwelling 435
Thomas Webb, age 19, Farming, born in Miss.
Sarah, age 18, born in Miss. [wrong]
Leutisha, age 12, born in Miss.

Tax List, Lauderdale Co., Wilson Whitsett, 840 acres, Tax $6.72, Male inhabitants between 18 and 50 years of age - 1.^[49]

Alabama State Census, Lauderdale County, Township 1, Range 15 (age categories are from-thru).
Wilson Whitsett: Males - under 10 (1), 10-20 (1), over 20 (1); Females - under 10 (2), 10-20 (1), over 20 (1).^[50]

Census, Township 1 R 15 W, Lauderdale Co., Ala., pg. 475.^[40]
Dwelling 1640
Winston Whitsell, age 61, Farmer, born in N.C.
Elisabeth, age 56, Keeping House, born in Ky.
Harriet, age 24, born in Ala.
Jones, age 22, Farmer, born in Ala.
Florence, age 18, born in Ala.
Catherine, age 15, born in Ala.
Wilson, age 13, born in Ala. [probably William Shanner Whitsett]
Dwelling 1641
Jane Simpson, age 31, Keeping house, born in Ala.
Ann, age 14, born in Ala.
Elizabeth, age 12, born in Ala.
Benjamin, age 10, born in Ala.
Alaxey, age 7, born in Ala.
Lola, age 5, born in Ala.

Census, Beat 12, Lauderdale Co., Ala.^[41]
Pg. 10, Dwelling 1
Thomas J. Webb, age 38, Farmer, b. Miss., father b. Ala. mother b. Georgia
Sarah P., age 37, wife, Keeping house, b. Ala. father b. Tenn. mother b. Kentucky
Luther C., age 18, son, Works on Farm, b. Ala. Father b. Miss. mother b. Ala.
Bailey D., age 10, son, Student, b. Ala.
Arthur B., age (5?), son, b. Ala.
Thomas W., age 3, son, b. Ala.
Mallata, age 66, mother, b. Georgia, parents b. Georgia.

Pg. 17, Dwelling 9
Jane Simpson, age 49, Keeping House, born in Ala., father b. Tenn., mother b. Kentucky
Margaret E., age 22, daughter, At Home, b. Ala. parents b. Ala.
Marie, age 18, daughter, At Home, b. Ala. parents b. Ala.
Viola, age 13, daughter, At Home, b. Ala. parents b. Ala.
Benjamin, age 20, son, Works on Farm, b. Ala. parents b. Ala.

Isaac Whitsett was the direct ancestor of our Fort Smith and Van Buren, Arkansas Whitsett family.  His story is a one of tragedy.  Of his seven known children, only two survived beyond the Civil War, Owen and Phillip.  His son, Corporal William Wallace Whitsett, a Confederate war veteran, was shot and killed by Union soldiers in late 1864 a few miles east of his home while coming home on leave from his unit, probably because of his Confederate uniform.  Son Philip deserted the Confederate army in May 1864 after fighting in some of the worst battles of the war; he may have been attempting to come home because several of his younger siblings had died.  Unfortunately, Philip was captured by while attempting to make it home and sent to the Union Army prisoner of war camp in Nashville.  He was held until February 4, 1865, released after swearing an oath to remain north of the Ohio River.  The war ended in April 1865 and it is likely he did not make it back to Alabama until after his father had died in June, only two months after the end of the war, and at the relatively young age of 43.  Pillip and Owen were the last of Isaac's living sons, and they both died before 1871.  His only surviving descendant was his grandson, William Isaac Whitsett.

[Verbatim copy, no corrections]

Durant, Okla.^[83]
Nov. 17, 1929

Mr. J.E. Whitsett.
Dear Nephew:

Got you letter yesterday.  Glad to hear from you.  Your Grandfather, John Whitsett, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters.  Wilson Whitsett, the oldest; Isaac Whitsett, the second.  Joe Whitsett, the third and John Whitsett the fourth and youngest, born in 1828.  Do not know any dates.  Their Father and Mother came from Virginia to Jiles County, Tennessee, and died there when the children were small and no dates were kept of anything.  They were all adopted by one man and wife, a Mr. Ben Price, brought to Lauderdale County, Alabama, and raised there and lived and died there around Waterloo, except Father.  He died in Pope County, Arkansas, when I was 6 years old.  Your Father was 6 months old.  There was one Brother, the oldest one never adopted, he being old enough to take care of himself, and went to Georgia and raisesd up a family of boys there, all being railroad men.  I saw a man who knew them after they were all middle aged men.

Jime, this is all I know about our direct people.  Doctor Whitsestt, of Fort Worth, has a biography of the Whitsetts, 330 years old.  If he is still living, he is 55 or 60 years old.  Please give me the outcome of this.

Your effectionate uncle,

J.J.W.

[attached handwritten note]
J.E. Whitsett
Jno. Whitsett my grandfather
4 Brothers
Wilson Whitsett
Isaac Whisett
Joe Whitsett

Jno Whitsett had three children
James J.
Joseph W. (my father)
John (who died young)

Wilson Whitsett had 10 children
Cammie Whitsett
Will
Kate
Mallie
Jane

Joe Whitsett had two children
John W.
Lizzie - married a Lucas

Isaac Whitsestt had two children
Phil W.
Wallace W. Killed by a yankee at Wright Ala

U.S. Census, Dist. 1, Lauderdale Co., Alabama, pg. 276, Dwelling 634.^[55]
Isaac Whitsett, age 38, Farmer, born in Tenn.
Elizabeth, age 34, born in Tenn.
[all children born in Alabama]
William, age 14, born in Ala.
James, age 12
Philip, age 10
John, age 8
Samuel, age 4
Isaac, age 2
John Gilder, age 17, "Asst" (assistant), place of birth unknown

U.S. Census, Western Division, Lauderdale Co., Ala., pg. 57 (159).^[56]
Dwelling 427
William Whitsett, age 22, Farming, b. Ala.
Mary, age 22, b. Ala.
William, age 11 months, b. Ala.
Dwelling 428
Isaac Whitsett, age 46, Farming, b. Tennessee
Bettie, age 43, b. Tennessee
Philip, age 17, b. Ala.
James [Isaac], age 12, b. Ala.
Owen, age 9, b. Ala.

U.S. Census, Schedule 2, Slave inhabitants, Western Division, Lauderdale Co., Ala.^[57]
Isaac Whitsett slaves
1 age 35, Female, Black ... 1 slave house
1 age 20, F, Mulatto
1 age 13, F, Black
1 age 3, F, Black
1 age 3 mos., Male, Mulatto
(Isaac is the only Whitsett slave owner in Lauderdale County)

Lauderdale County, Probate Court (Book C, pg. 385), Isaac Whitsetts Estate.^[58]
"P.W. Whitsett having filed a petition alledging that Isaac Whitsett late of said county died on or about the 14th of June 1865 intestate seized and possessed of lands and personal property to the probable value of Twenty five Hundred Dollars and that said decedant left the following heirs, to wit - Elizabeth Whitsett the widow of said decedant, P.W. Whitsett the petitioner & Owen Whitsett children of the decedant, Isaac Whitsett son of W.W. Whitsett dec'd & grandson of decedant all residing in Lauderdale County, Ala. and that he was a suitable person to administer such estate and on this day presented to the Court his bond in the sum of Five thousand Dollars with P.H. Cunningham and Wilson Whitsett as securities, said bond being approved It is ordered by the Court that letters of administration issue to P.W. Whitsett on the Estate of Isaac Whitsett Dec'd.

P.H. Cunningham, R.H. Rawlings & Thos. McCorkle are appointed appraisers for the purpose of appraising the personal property belonging to the estate of Isaac Whitsett Dec'd."

Isaac Whitsett relatives on the Lauderdale County Tax List, Males 18-50 years.^[63]
Waterloo
Simpson, Jane 140 acres, tax $1.40 [daughter of Wilson Whitsett}
Whitsett, Wilson 840 acres, tax $6.72
Whitsett, P.W. [Phillip] Adm. [administrator to estate of] I. [William Isaac] 220 acres, tax $7.70
Whitsett, Elizabeth paid tax on personal property [widow of Isaac]
Spains
Whitsett, Joseph 169 acres, tax $2.63.

Alabama State Census, Lauderdale County. [age categories given here are from-thru, not from-to as on the census return].^[64]
Wilson Whitsett: Males - under 10 (1), 10-19 (1), 50-59 (1); Females - 10-19 (2), 20-29 (1), 40-49 (1).
Elizabeth Whitsett: Males - 10-19 (1), 20-29 (1); Females - 40-49 (1). [widow of Isaac Whitsett].
Wm. Hopson: Males - 10-19 (1), 20-29 (2), 50-59 (1); Females - 10-19 (2), 20-29 (1), 50-59 (1). [father of Mary Ann Hobson-Whitsett].
J. Whitsett: Males - under 10 (1), 50-59 (1); Females - 40-49 (1).  [Josiah "Joe" Whitsett].

1870, United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., Provo, UT.
Lauderdale County,
T1R16W, pg. 234, Wm Hopson household, pg. 237, Joe and Kissiah Whitsit;
T2R14W, P.O. Waterloo, pp. 245,246; J.M. & Kizziah Whitsett, William & Margaret Lucas;
T2R13W, P.O. Gravelly Springs, pg. 195, Tobe Whitsit, black, in household of Alex Carroll;
T2R14W, P.O. Waterloo, pg. 219, Sallie Whitsit, black.

Josiah Whitsett, sometime named in documents as Joseph or Joe Whitsett, was the brother of Isaac.  After Isaac died, his only surviving children were Philip and Owen, both of whom died about 1870.  Philip was the administrator of his father's estate until his death probably in December 1870, when Josiah took over as administrator and the guardian of Isaac's grandson William Isaac (listed in documents as Isaac Jr. and the son of William Wallace Whitsett and Mary Ann Hopson, and our Whitsett ancestor who came to Arkansas).  Josiah could write his name, but otherwise was functionally illiterate.  Because of that he was probably taken advantage of while trying to manage the estate of his brother and the interests of his young nephew; lawyer James Witherspoon, who was involved in the settlement of Isaac's estate, was notorious in Lauderdale County for corruption (I was told this by another researcher of Lauderdale County records).  Josiah was married at least twice, first to a woman whose given name was Kizziah but whose maiden name I have been unable to learn.  Kizziah apparently died, probably in Lauderdale County, between 1870 and 1880.  In 1880 in his household was Margaret Gracy and her son William Gracy.  She was probably the widow of Eli Gracy, who died in Tishominto County, Mississippi in 1880.  She was a housekeeper in Josiah's household in June 1880, along with her son William Gracy, age 5 (born in Tennessee).  Some researchers claim Margaret's maiden name was Long, but I cannot find her marriage records before she married Joseph Whitsett in March 1881.  Margaret Whitsett is listed on the 1889 Lauderdale County tax list; Josiah or Joseph Whitsett is listed, indicating Josiah had died. In September 1891 Margaret married E.G. Long (a cousin?) in Lauderdale County.  We do not have any 1890 records to help narrow down the time of Josiah's death.  Joseph Whitsett is on the 1840 U.S. Census in Phillips County, Big Springs Township, whom I believe is our Josiah. His sister, Nancy, was also in Phillips County in 1840.  J. Whitsett household is listed on the 1840 Lauderdale County census, most likely Joseph. I believe he came to Lauderdale County from Arkansas in 1840, but this is difficult to prove.  He is not listed on the 1850 census in Arkansas, Mississippi, or Tennessee.

ELIZABETH MARGARET WHITSETT, b. abt. 1835, probably in Lauderdale County, d. bef. 1878; m. 1 Sep. 1858, WILLIAM G. LUCAS, Lauderdale County, Alabama. Children:

i. JOSIAH LUCAS, b. Feb. 1860, Ala., d. (?);
ii. CALLIE LUCAS, b. abt. 1864, Alabama;
iii. ELIZABETH "LIZZIE" LUCAS, b. abt. 1865, Ala.;
iv. DANIEL LUCAS, b. Oct. 1868, Ala., d. ?, m. abt. 1888, RHODA L. (maiden name unknown), several children;
v. HUGH A. LUCAS, b. June 1873, d. ?, m. SARAH A. (maiden name unknown), at least two daughters;

JOHN WILLIAM WHITSETT, b. 15 Feb. 1837, Alabama, d. 20 Dec. 1899, Lauderdale Co., Ala., m. 11 Aug. 1856, NANCY P. PARKER (b. 18 Feb. 1838, d. 14 Mar. 1908, Lauderdale Co); Children:

i. WILLIAM JOSEPH WHITSETT, b. July 1858, Lauderdale Co., d. 1936, Shelby Co., Tenn., m. ABT. 1882, AMANDA EVALINE THREAT (b. Sep. 1857, Ala., d. 11 Feb. 1929, Shelby Co., Tenn.), two children, Owen Boyce and Clara O. Whitsett.
ii. JOSEPH MADISON WHITSETT (b. abt. 1860, Ala., d. ?).
iii. WASHINGTON WHITSETT, b. Feb. 1863, Tenn., died abt. 1912, Oklahoma, m. abt. 1886, JOSIE E. WHITTEN (b. Apr. 1869, Tenn., d. aft. 1920), five children: i. Johnnie F., ii. Pearl L., iii. Lee Owen, iv. C. McKinley, v. Johnson Whitsett.

i. Nellie May, b. abt. 1907 in Ala.;
ii. Otto, b. 20 Mar. 1909, Lauderdale Co., d. 30 Mar. 1978, Butte Co., Calif., m. RUTH JEWEL DENNO in Ark., three children.
iii. Audra, b. abt. 1911, Ala.
iv. Amie Madgie, b. abt. 1913, Ala.
v. Richard Lee, b. abt. 1916, Ala.
vi. Lorene, b. abt. 1920, Tenn.
vii. Joe, b. abt. 1923, Tenn.
viii. June, b. abt. 1925, Arkansas
ix. Mary Margaret, b. abt. 1928, Arkansas

(edited copy - see Isaac Whitsett above for full text).^[83]

Durant, Okla.
Nov. 17, 1929

Mr. J.E. Whitsett.
Dear Nephew:

... Your Grandfather, John Whitsett, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters.  Wilson Whitsett, the oldest; Isaac Whitsett, the second.  Joe Whitsett, the third and John Whitsett the fourth and youngest, born in 1828. ... Their Father and Mother came from Virginia to Jiles County, Tennessee, and died there when the children were small ...

Your effectionate uncle,

J.J.W.

[attached handwritten note]
J.E. Whitsett
Jno. Whitsett my grandfather
4 Brothers
Wilson Whitsett
Isaac Whisett
Joe Whitsett

Jno Whitsett had three children
James J.
Joseph W. (my father)
John (who died young)

Wilson Whitsett had 10 children
Cammie Whitsett
Will
Kate
Mallie
Jane

Joe Whitsett had two children
John W.
Lizzie - married a Lucas

Isaac Whitsestt had two children
Phil W.
Wallace W. Killed by a yankee at Wright Ala

U.S. Census, Lauderdale County, Alabama, page 12, (age categories here are from-thru).^[75]
J. Whitsett: Males - under 5 (1), 15-19 (1), 20-29 (1); Females - 20-29 (1).
(Males - John William, age 3, unknown, 15-19, Joseph, age 26; Females - (two daughters missing), Kizziah, age 24.

U.S. Census, Phillips County, Big Creek Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, page 62.^[76]
Joseph Whitsett: Males - under 5 (1), 20-29 (1); Females - under 5 (1), 5-9 (1), 20-29 (1).
(Males - John William, age 3, Joseph, age 26; Females - unknown under 5, Elizabeth Margaret, age about 5, Kizziah, age 24)

U.S. Census, Western Division, Lauderdale County, Alabama, pp. 55,67.^[66]
Dwelling 412
William Lucas, age 43, Farming, b. Tenn.
Elizabeth, age 25, b. Ala.
Thomas, age 18, Farming, b. Ala.
William, age 16, b. Ala.
Marinda, age 12, b. Ala.
Cynthia, age 8, b. Ala.
Issac, age 6, b. Ala.
Josiah, age 5 months, b. Ala.

Dwelling 516
John Whitsett, age 23, Farming, b. Ala.
Nancy, age 23, b. Ala.
Joseph, age 1, b. Ala.

Dwelling 517
Josiah Whitsett, age 46, Farming, b. Tenn.
Kiziah, age 46, b. Tenn.

Lauderdale County, Spains Township, Tax List.^[80]
Joseph Whitsett, 169 acres, taxed $2.63.

1866 Alabama Census, Lauderdale County, pg. 30.^[81]
J. Whitsett: Males - under 10 (1), 50-59 (1); Females - 40-49 (1).

U.S. Census, Lauderdale Co., Ala., PO Waterloo, pg. 237 (this census raises the possibility that there were two "Joe" Whitsetts in Lauderdale Co, although I do not believe there were).^[68]
T1R16W, pg. 237, Dwelling 1751.
Joe Whitsit, age 60, No Occupation, b. in N.C.
Kissiah, age 60, Keeping House, b. in N.C.
Madison, age 10, b. in N.C.

T2R14W, pg. 245, Dwelling 1813. (Josiah Lucan and Owen Whitsett prove this is definitely the guardian of our William Isaac Whitsett)
J.M. Whitsit, age 56, Farmer, b. in Tenn.
Kissiah, age 56, Keeping House, b. in Tenn.
Josiah Lucas, age 11, Farm Hand, b. Ala.
Owen Whitsit, age 19, Farm Hand, b. Ala.

Margaret Whitsett on the tax list, Waterloo, Lauderdale Co., Ala. (probably now the widow of Josiah "Joe" Whitsett.^[74]

1889 Tax List Index, Waterloo, List No. 12:
J.J. Whitsett, page 280.
John W. Whitsett, page 280 (probably John William, son of Josiah and Kizziah).
W.M. Whitsett, page 280.
J.W. Whitsett, Jr., page 281.
Margaret Whitsett, page 281 (probably widow of Josiah Whitsett).
J.W. Whitsett, page 281.
J.T. Whitsett, page 281.

Nancy Whitsett's relationship to the Whitsett families of Lauderdale County, Alabama is uncertain; however, she was in roughly the same area in Arkansas during the same time frame as Joseph (Josiah), and later, John and Cynthia Whitsett. Her place of birth was reported Tennessee on the 1850 census when she was living in Phillips County, Arkansas, and as Kentucky on the 1870 census of Monroe County, Arkansas, the only two census records she appears in.  The Whitsett brothers of Lauderdale County, except for Wilson, were born Tennessee.  Nancy married Joab Langston in 1844 in Arkansas, but daughter Rachel was born in Tennessee in 1842.  If true it is likely she was born out of wedlock before Nancy Whitsett and Joab Langston were married; not an uncommon occurance in sparsely populated settlements where clergy rarely visited.  We have no record of Nancy's death, but it likely occurred in Monroe County, Arkansas between 1870 and 1880.  The last record we have of her is the 1870 census of Monroe County, Arkansas.  Her spouse, Joab Langston died after Dec. 1, 1849, and before Oct. 1850, in Monroe County.  His percise date of birth is from a Langston family tree on Ancestry, but has no source citation.  The marriage record of Nancy Whitsett and Joab Langston gives his age as 38 on April 2, 1844, making his date of birth about 1806.

(Letter from Jesse James Whitsett to his nephew James Edward Whitsett - See Isaac Whitsett above for complete text).^[84]
Durant, Okla.
Nov. 17, 1929
Mr. J.E. Whitsett.
Dear Nephew:
Got you letter yesterday.  Glad to hear from you.  Your Grandfather, John Whitsett, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters...
Your effectionate uncle,
J.J.W.

U.S. Census, White River Township, Izard County, Arkansas, page 184.
Nancy Langston: Males - 15-19 (1); Females - 50-59 (1) [this is not Nancy Whitsett Langston]

(Nancy Whitsett was in Phillips Co., Ark. in 1840, but does not appear on the census, which would be true if she were residing in the household of a male relative.  She was about 24 in 1840; could the female, aged 20-29 be Nancy, and the girl aged 5-9 be her step-daughter Elizabeth?).

U.S. Census, Big Creek Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, page 62.^[95]
Joseph Whitsett: Males - under 5 (1), 20-29 (1); Females - under 5 (1), 5-9 (1), 20-29 (1).

Marriage, Nancy Whitsett and Joab Langston, Phillips County, Arkansas.^[85]
Nancy Whitsett, age 28, born abt. 1816, residence, Phillips Co., Arkansas
Spouse Joab Langston, age 38, residence, Phillips Co., Arkansas

(Typed transcript of original document):
State of Arkansas, County of Phillips - I do hereby certify that the rites of matrimony were on the 30th day of March A.D. 1844 duly solemnized by me the undersigned and ordained clergyman of the Baptist agreeable to the forms and ceremonies of said Church between Joab Langston aged thirty eight years and Nancy Whitset aged twenty eight years, both citizens of the county of Phillips and state of Arkansas and that my credentials were duly recorded in Marriage record book (B) page 154 on the 29th day of August A.D. 1842 in the office of the Clerk and Ex Officio Recorder of Phillips aforesaid. John A. Baker, Minister of the Baptist Church of Christ.

State of Arkansas - ss, County of Phillips - I Lorenzo D. Maddox, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex Officio Record a true copy of the original certificate filed in my office for record on the 29th of June A.D. 1844 and recorded this 2nd day of April A.D. 1846. - L.D. Maddox, Clerk & Ex Officio Recorder.

(Nancy Whitsett-Langston came to Phillips County, Ark. about 1843, according to the dates and places of birth of her children; Rachel and Lucinda were born before the marriage to Joab Langston raising the question, was she married before she came to Arkansas, to whom, and even if her maiden name was indeed Whitsett, or was she married to a Whitsett in Tennessee).

U.S. Census, Big Creek Township, Phillips County, Arkansas, page 146, Dwelling 52.^[86]
Nancy Lancston [sic], age 35, b. Tenn. [born about 1816]
Rachel, age 8, b. Tenn. [born about 1842]
Lucinda, age 7, b. Ark. [evidence that Nancy came to Arkansas from Tennessee about 1843, she married Joab Langston in March 1844]
Malinda, age 5, b. Ark.
Joseph, age 4, b. Ark.
Susan, age 3, b. Ark.
Joab, age 2, b. Ark.

U.S. Census, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Arkansas, P.O. Lawrenceville, pg. 45.^[87]
Dwelling 302
Andrew J. Walker, age 23, Farming, b. in Ark.
Isaac W. Downs, age 22, Farming, b. Miss.
Margaret A. Downs, age 17, b. Ark.
Malinda Walker, age 16, b. Ark.
Wm. Borin, age 10, b. Ark.
Patience Borin, ae 49, b. Illinois.

Dwelling 303
Green B. Walker, age 30, Farming, b. Illinois.
Elizabeth, age 25, b. Illinois.
Axe, age 7, Female, b. Ark.
Lucinda, age 4, b. Ark.
Franklin, age 1, b. Ark.

U.S. Census, Duncan, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Arkansas, P.O. Duncan, Ark.^[89]
Page 12.
Dwelling  119
Walker, Jackson, age 32, Farmer, b. Ark.
Melinda, age 25, Keeping House, b. Ark.
Nancy, age 6, b. Ark.
Benjamin, age 4, b. Ark.
Langston, Nancy, age 55, b. KY.

Dwelling 121
Walker, GB, age 39, Farmer, b. Ky.
Elizabeth, age 36, Keeping House, b. Ill. (Mary Elizabeth Langston, step-daughter to Nancy Whitsett, daughter of Joab and unknown spouse).
Axy, age 16, Female, at school, b. Ark.
Lucinda, age 13, at school, b. Ark.
Melia, age 7, b. Ark.
Joseph, age 5, b. Ark.

Page 14.
Dwelling 136
Joseph Langston, age 22, Farming, b. Arkansas, married in May 1870.
Amanda, age 19, Keeping House, b. Miss., married in May 1870.

Dwelling 138
Richard Walker, age 23, Farmer, b. Ark.
Nancy, age 19, Keeping House, b. Ark. (Nancy Catherine Langston).
Jsaphene [Josephine], age 4, b. Ark.
Loura [Laura], age 5 mo. b. Ark.

U.S. Census, Arkansas.^[90]

Monroe County, ED-208 (very bad handwriting and spelling by census taker)
Duncan Township
page 11,
Dwelling 95
R.R. Walker, age 35, b. Ark., parents b. Ill.
Nancy C., age 30, wife, Keeps House, b. Ark., parents b. Ill. (incorrect if her parents were Nancy and Joab Whitsett).
Josiphene(?), age 13, daughter, b. Ark.
Joseph R., age 8, son, b. Ark.
Manda J., age 3, daughter, b. Ark.
(also, 3 unrelated individuals)

Monroe County, ED-209
Jackson Township
page 20.
Dwelling 1 (lines 30-34)
Beny Walker, age 51, b. Ky, parents b. Ky.
Lizabeth, age 48, wife, b. Ill., father b. Ky.
Axie, age 23, daughter, b. Ark.
Melia, age 16, b. Ark.
Joe, age 14, son, b. Ark.
Dwelling 4 (lines 39-44)
Joe Lanston, age 32, b. Ark (POB of parents blank)
Emily, age 24, wife, b. Miss. father b. Ala., mother b. Miss.
Hallie, age 6, daughter, b. Ark.
Webster, age 6, son, b. Ark.
Lillie, age 6 mo., b. Ark.
Rob Chisom(?), age 19, brother-in-law, b. Miss, father b. Ala., mother b. Miss.

Boone County, ED-20
Jefferson Township
Page 25.
Dwelling 165
William Bullock, age 34, b.Mo. father b. Germany, mother b. in Miss.
Lucinda, age 35, Wife, b. Ark., father b. "Can't tell", mother b. Ill.
Andrew J., age 7, Son, b. Ark.
Linnie B., age 1, daughter, b. Ark.
Page 32.
Dwelling 221
Andrew Walker, age 42, b. Ark., father b. Tenn., mother b. Ky.
Malinda, age 36, wife, b. Ark. father b. Ga., mother b. Ky.
Nancy J., age 17, daughter, b. Ark.
Benjamin, age 13, son, b. Ark.
Lily, age 9, daughter, b. Ark.
Fanny, age 9, daughter, b. Ark.

Death of Nancy C. "Nan" Langston Walker, Holly Grove, Monroe County, Arkansas, Birth 1850, Arkansas, Death Holly Grove, burial Franks Cemetery, Holly Grove.^[98]

"Nancy was born sometime in 1850 near Holly Grove, in Monroe County, Arkansas. Her parents were Nancy Whitsett and Joab Langston, who were married March 30, 1844 in Phillips county, Arkansas.  According to his probate records, Joab died January 20, 1849.  Nancy Whitsett Langston was Administrator of his estate which is recorded in Phillips county, Arkansas Probate Book B, Page 183.  Nancy Whitsett Langston, died December 15, 1872.  Green Berry Walker was the Administrator of her estate as recorded in Monroe county, Arkansas in Probate Book B, Page 286.  Nancy Langston Walker's siblings were: Mary Elizabeth "Tump" (Whitsett or Langston) Walker, wife of Green Berry Walker... (she) was born circa 1835 in Illinois.  Melinda Langston was born circa 1845. She married Andrew Jackson Walker, brother to Green Berry Walker, May 13, 1860 in Monroe county, Arkansas..."

U.S. Census, Arkansas.^[93]
Monroe County, Montgomery Township, ED-70, Sheet 7A.
Dwelling 122.
Joseph W. Langston, Head, born Dec. 1848, age 51, married 30 years, b. Ark., father b. SC, mother b. IN.
Belle C., Wife, b. Feb. 1860, age 40, married 12 years, mother of 7, 6 living, b. TN, parents b. TN.
Arthur G., Son, b. Apr. 1882, age 18, b. Ark., father b. TN, mother b. Ark.
Jas. G.B., Son, b. Feb. 1892, age 8, b. Ark.
Unis H., Daughter, b. Sept. 1894, age 5, b. Ark.
Barney Mc., Son, b. April 1896, age 4, b. Ark.
Minie B., Daughter, b. April 1898, age 2, b. Ark.
Winnie L., Daughter, b. April 1898, age 2, b. Ark.
Sallie A., Daughter, b. March 1900, age 2 mo., b. Ark.
Walker, Becker, niece, b. June 1882, age 17, b. Ark.
Ben F., nephew, b. May 1867, age 33, single, b. Ark.
(one boarder)

Marion County, Franklin Township, ED-81, Sheet 4A.
Dwelling 55
Lucinda Walker, Head, b. Feb. 1845, age 55, Widow, mother of 5, all living, b. Ark., father b. Arkansas, mother b. Unk., read and write? No.
Marie A., Daughter, b. Feb. 1872, age 28, single, b. Texas, father b. Tenn., mother b. Ark., read or write? No.
Elmer, Grandson, b. July 1897, age 2, b. Ark., father b. Texas, mother b. unknown (POB of father and mother reversed?)

"Lucinda Langston was born about 1846, probably in Monroe County, Arkansas to Joab and Nancy Whitsett Langston.  She had sisters Mrs. Richard R. Walker (Nancy C.), Mrs. Andrew Jackson Walker (Malinda), Mrs. Green Berry Walker (Mary Elizabeth "Tump", and a brother, Joseph William Langston. Tompstones for Lucinda and her husband, William G. Bullock have not been found, however the Civil War pension records for William G. Bullock indicate they were buried in Oak Grove cemetery at Moro."

1880 U.S. Census, Arkansas, Monroe County:
ED-208, pg. 11, Duncan Township, Dwelling 95, R.R. and Nancy C. Walker;
ED-209, pg. 20, Jackson Twp., Dwelling 1 (line 30-34), Beny and Lizabeth Walker, Dwelling 4 (lines 39-44), Joe and Emily Lanston;
ED-20, Boone Co: Jefferson Twp., pg. 25, Dwelling 165, William and Lucinda Bullock; pg. 32, Dwelling 221, Andrew and Malinda Walker.

1900, U.S. Census, Arkansas:
Monroe County, Montgomery Township, ED-70, Sheet 7A, Dwelling 122, Joseph W. Langston household;
Marion County, Franklin Township, ED-81, Sheet 4A, Dwellin 55, Lucinda Walker household.

There is very little information about John Whitsett.  His relationship to the Lauderdale County Whitsett family, and his children are from the 1929 note and letter from Jesse James Whitsett to his nephew.  It appears he died in Phillips County, Arkansas about 1855. The only record of him is the 1850 census taken in Spring Creek Township, Phillips County, Arkansas.  This fact seems to tie him to Nancy Whitsett who was probably his sister, and who lived in Phillips and Monroe counties.  After his death, his wife Cynthia Mary Ann (Tankersley) came to Lauderdale County, Alabama, where I believe she was born. She remarried to Ephraim Reed in Lauderdale County and had several children with him.  There was probably a son that is not mentioned in Jesse James Whitsett's letter to his nephew, that of Jame W. Whitsett, who shows up in the 1880 census in Lauderdale Co. near where Cynthia was living at the time; I have found no other records of him.

JESSE JAMES WHITSETT, b. 30 Jan. 1850, Phillips Co., Arkansas, d. abt. Dec. 1834, Floyd Co., Texas; m. 27 Feb. 1871, Wright, Lauderdale Co., Ala., MARGARET M. PICKENS (b. 25 Oct. 1825, Tenn., d. 5 Aug. 1908, Chillicothe, Hardman Co., Texas).

Children:

i. John Leroy, b. 24 May 1872, Lauderdale Co., Ala., d. 25 Apr. 1928, Durant, OK, m. 1896, Quinnie Weatherford, Bell Co., TX.
ii. Ernest P., b. 1875, Waterloo, Ala., d. 1846, Boone Co., Ark., m. Beulah Ethel Mills, five children.
iii. Charles W., b. 13 Feb. 1878, Lauderdale Co., Ala., d. 14 Dec. 1932, TX, m. Georgia Sills.
iv. Jesse J., b. 14 May 1882, Lauderdale Co., d. 11 Nov. 1961, Tulsa, OK, m. 1907, Bell Co., Tx., Minnie E. Goodnight.
v. William W., b. 31 Aug. 1884, Lauderdale Co, d. 1963, Tx., m. Clara May Alexandria, Tx.
vi. Martha E., b. 1889, Lauderdale Co., d. 1974, Rockwall, Texas.

JOSEPH WILSON WHITSETT, b. 9 May 1854, Phillips Co., Ark?, d. 15 Jan. 1925, Knox Co., Tx; m. 22 Dec. 1875, Lauderdale Co., Ala., IDA MAY WRIGHT (b. 24 Jan. 1859, Nashville, Tenn., d. 18 Sep. 1896, Parker Co., Tx.)

Children:

i. Mina E., b. 17 Nov. 1876, Lauderdale Co., d. 10 July 1907, Parker Co., Tx.
ii. James Edward, b. 3 July 1879, Waterloo, Ala., d. 25 Apr. 1967, Weatherford, Tx., m. Belle Z. Guerry, two children.
iii. Beda May, b. 12 Dec. 1881, Waterloo, Ala., d. 29 Apr. 1931, Fort Worth, Tx.

[Verbatim copy, no corrections]

Durant, Okla.^[100]
Nov. 17, 1929

Mr. J.E. Whitsett.
Dear Nephew:

Got you letter yesterday.  Glad to hear from you.  Your Grandfather, John Whitsett, the youngest of four brothers and two sisters.  Wilson Whitsett, the oldest; Isaac Whitsett, the second.  Joe Whitsett, the third and John Whitsett the fourth and youngest, born in 1828.  Do not know any dates.  Their Father and Mother came from Virginia to Jiles County, Tennessee, and died there when the children were small and no dates were kept of anything.  They were all adopted by one man and wife, a Mr. Ben Price, brought to Lauderdale County, Alabama, and raised there and lived and died there around Waterloo, except Father.  He died in Pope County, Arkansas, when I was 6 years old.  Your Father was 6 months old.  There was one Brother, the oldest one never adopted, he being old enough to take care of himself, and went to Georgia and raisesd up a family of boys there, all being railroad men.  I saw a man who knew them after they were all middle aged men.

Jim, this is all I know about our direct people.  Doctor Whitsestt, of Fort Worth, has a biography of the Whitsetts, 330 years old.  If he is still living, he is 55 or 60 years old.  Please give me the outcome of this. [probably Dr. Lee M. Whitsett (1861-1939) of Fort Worth, age 58, from Georgia, son of Joseph Green Whitsett and Sarah Elizabeth Green, grandson of Moses Green Whitsett and Nancy Thompson Bird; the only doctor with the surname of Whitsett in Texas]

Your effectionate uncle,

J.J.W.

[attached handwritten note]
J.E. Whitsett
Jno. Whitsett my grandfather
4 Brothers
Wilson Whitsett
Isaac Whisett
Joe Whitsett

Jno Whitsett had three children
James J.
Joseph W. (my father)
John (who died young)

Wilson Whitsett had 10 children
Cammie Whitsett
Will
Kate
Mallie
Jane

Joe Whitsett had two children
John W.
Lizzie - married a Lucas

Isaac Whitsestt had two children
Phil W.
Wallace W. Killed by a yankee at Wright Ala

U.S. Census, Lauderdale County, Alabama, pp. 16,17, Beats 12 & 11.^[104]
Dwelling 3
Ephraim Reed, age 58, Farmer, b. N.C., parents born N.C.
Cinthia, age 55, Wife, Keeping House, b. Tenn., parents b. Virginia.
Dwelling 4
Reed Francis M., Male, age 20, Farmer, b. Ala., father b. N.C., mother b. Tenn.
Mary E., age 22, Wife, age 22, Keeping House, b. Ala., parents b. Ala.
Tankersley, John, age 60, Uncle, Works on farm, b. Tenn. parents b. Virginia (brother of Cynthia).

Dwelling 7
James W. Whitsett, age 30, Farmer, b. Ark., parents b. Tenn. (a close relative to John and Cynthia Whitsett?)
Malinda J., age 34, Wife, Keeping House, b. Tenn. parents b. Tenn.
John L., age 8, son, b. Ala.
Francis P., age 6, son, b. Ala.
Charlie H., age 2, son, b. Ala.

GENERATION 5

William Wallace Whitsett, born in 1836, was the only child of Isaac Whitsett and Elizabeth Wilson that survived to have any descendants. In November, 1856, he married Mary Ann Hopson, the daughter of William Hopson of Lauderdale County. Their only child, William Isacc Whitsett was born in September, 1859. William Wallace Whitsett joined the Confederate Army in Memphis, Tennessee in 1861, and saw action with Col. William D. Robison's 2nd Regiment in Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. He was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga (Georgia) in September 1863, and was sent to the hospital in Atlanta.  On 23 October, 1863 he was discharged from the hospital, issued a new uniform, and rejoined his unit.  He was last paid in October 1864, and apparently discharged.  He was shot and killed by "Yankees", probably because he was still in his Confederate uniform, near Wright, Alabama, as he was traveling home.

U.S. Census, Tenn. River, District No. 1, Lauderdale County, Alabama.^[108]
(notation at top, "Tenn River" indicating the census was taken on the banks of the Tennessee River).
Page 276.
Dwelling 634.
Isaac Whitsett, age 38, Farmer, b. Tenn.
Elizabeth, age 34, b. Tenn.
William, age 14, b. Ala., Attended School within the year [William Wallace Whitsett].
James, age 12, b. Ala., Attended School within the year.
Philip, age 10, b. Ala.
John, age 8, b. Ala.
Samuel, age 4, b. Ala.
Isaac, age 2, b. Ala.
John Gilden, age 17, Assistant, b. unknown.

Page 278
Dwelling 657
Wm. Hopson, age 37, Boatman, b. Tenn.
Jane, age 35, b. Tenn.
Jasper, age 17, Boatman, b. Tenn.
Mary, age 13, b. Tenn. [Mary Ann, future wife of William Wallace Whitsett]
Carter, age 10, b. Ala.
Thomas, age 8, b. Ala.
John, age 6, b. Ala.
Sarah, age 2, b. Ala.
Wm. Winfrey, age 34, Boatman, b. unknown.
Robt. Shelton, age 22, Boatman, b. Tenn.
Dwelling 658
Harold Hopson, age 32, Hunter, b. Tenn.
Mahaldy, age 21, Female, b. Tenn.
Richard, age 2, b. Tenn.

Page 278
Dwelling 661
Wm. Shelton, age 60, Physician, b. Tenn.
Nancy, age 30, b. Tenn.
Sarah, age 2, b. Tenn.

Pages 278-279 (notation at top of page 279, "Panther Creek" and at bottom "This creek the same from which it takes its name").
Dwelling 669
Thos. Hopson, age 35, Laborer, b. Tenn.
Catherine Hopson, age 23, b. Tenn.
Richard, age 7, b. Ala.
Elizabeth, age 5, b. Ala.
Thomas, age 3, b. Ala.
Frances, age 1, Female, b. Ala.

"Whitsett To Hopson - State of Alabama Lauderdale County. To any Judge, Minister of the Gospel or Justice of the Peace legally authorized You are hereby authoried and Required to solemnize the Rites of Matrimony, between William W. Whitsett and Mary Ann Hopson, agreeably to the statue in such case made and provided; and a due,return make to the Office of Probate for the County aforesaid. Given under my hand this 17th day of November in the Year of our Lord, 1856. [signed] W.T. Hawkins, P. Judge - Executed by me this November the 19th day 1856. [signed] Thos. H. Reynolds, J.P."

U.S. Census, Western Division, Lauderdale County, Alabama, P.O. Waterloo.^[110]

Page 57
Dwelling 427
William Whitsett, age 22, Farming, b. Ala.
Mary, age 22, b. Ala.
William, age 11 mos., b. Ala. (William Isaac Whitsett).
Dwelling 428
Isaac Witsett, age 46, Farming, b. Tennessee.
Bettie, age 43, b. Tennessee.
Phillip, age 17, b. Ala.
James, age 12, b. Ala.
Owen, age 9, b. Ala.

Page 69
Dwelling 533
William Hopson, age 47, Boatman, b. Tenn.
Jane, age 46, b. Tenn.
Carter, age 19, Farming, b. Ala.
Thomas, age 17, Farming, b. Ala.
Franklin, age 14, b. Ala.
Isabella, age 11, b. Ala.
Martha, age 9, b. Ala.

2 Regiment Tennessee Infantry moved by rail from Richmond to Camp Mercer on the Fredericksburg Argricultural Fairgrounds, Virginia.

Phillip W. Whitsett, age 18, enlists in Company G., 9th Regiment, Lauderdale Rifles at Oakland, Lauderdale County, Alabama. ^[112,113]
(William Wallace Whitsett's younger brother, sons of Isaac and Elizabeth Whitsett).

William Whitsett's regiment's first time under file, Aquia Creek, Virginia, in support of Confederate batteries in an engagement with Union warships; the battle was inconclusive with only 1 killed and 1 wounded on the Confederate side and no Union casualties.

After the battle, the regiment was ordered to Fredericksburg on an expedition down the Rappahanock River, resulting in the capture of the Union mail packet Saint Nicholas, the Halifax laden with coffee, and the Mary of Virginia carrying ice.

Battle of Murfreesboro (Stones River), 2 Regiment Tennessee Infantry lost 4 men killed and 59 wounded.

U.S. Land Grant, Certificate 15277, to William Hopson, Senior of Lauderdale County, Alabama, full payment made at General Land Office at Huntsville by William Hopson, Senior, the North East qquarter of the South West quarter of section 35 in township 1, range 15 West in the District of lands subject to sale at Huntsville Alabama containing 40 acres and four hundredths of an acre, purchased by William Hopson, Senior ... [signed] 1 April 1852, President Millard Freemore.

U.S. Land Grant, Certificate 29040, to William Hopson, of Lauderdale County, Alabama, full payment made at General Land Office at Huntsville by William Hopson, North West quarter of the South East quarter of Section 33, Township 1, of Range 15 West in the District of lands subject to sale at Huntsville Alabama containing 40 acres and four hundredths of an acre, purchased by William Hopson, ... [signed] President James Buchanan.

GENERATION 6

William Isaac Whitsett, usually refered to as Isaac Whitsett, Jr. (junior to his grandfather, Isaac Whitsett) ...

GENERATION 7

GENERATION 8

GENERATION 9

GENERATION 10

Ronald N. Wall

Modified: 4 September 2025