| SPOUSE | CHILDREN | |||
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Amelia "Milly" Allen m. Feb 22, 1772 SC b. Aug 26, 1747 VA d. 1805 ?Chesterfield District SC |
Mary b. by Nov 1774 SC d. 1857 Chesterfield District, SC |
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The immigrant history of the White, Holloway and Loving familes is a mystery.
They may have known each other in Virginia. The forenames of all three families
indicate their early immigrant ancestors came over to Virginia, which included
what became the Carolinas, and not the Northern Colonies. A
Study of Forenames
compares the forenames of Roanoke Island and Puritan New England.
Roanoke Island, near the present
North Carolina and Virginia border, was a settlement founded by a John White,
that supposedly vanished by the time White returned to it from England. The ancestry
of John White is not known but ship lists of arrivals to the Island contain persons
named White and Taylor. Recently (in 2015), evidence has been unearthed that
indicates that Roanoke Island settlers may have survived and moved inland. |
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Father James was most likely named for James Taylor (1635-1698), a wealthy and powerful
leader of King & Queen County, who owned land next to his grandfather,
Thomas White. On Oct 20, 1689 Taylor was involved
in a land patent of 209 acres in St. Stephen's Parish, "on the North side of
Mattapony River, beginning below James Taylor's plantation, ... to Thomas White's." |
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Dedication of Memorial Tablet to James Taylor,
June 6, 1933 at the King and Queen County courthouse. |
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King and Queen County Virginia was formed in 1691 from New Kent County.
Map of Virginia about 1676
shows the location of New Kent County between the York and James Rivers. |
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There are court records that survived from King & Queen County Virginia that
show that the Poe and White families lived in the part that became Caroline County
in 1758. In 1732 and 1733, a John Pickett was involved in trespass suits with
James and Benjamin Poe, probably Elizabeth's sister and the son of
Samuel Poe. Caroline County Virginia was formed
in 1727 (see present day map
for location), from northern and western parts of King and Queen, King William
and Essex counties, about the same time James and Elizabeth Poe were married. |
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Parents James Taylor White and Elizabeth Powe homesteaded 217 acres Jun 26, 1749
on Gourd Vine Fork, Hazel River of Thornton's line, in Culpepper Co. Virginia,
according to Northern Neck Grants. |
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Caroline County Virginia was formed in 1728 from northern and western parts of
King and Queen, King William and Essex counties.
See map of Eastern Virginia in early 1700s.
See present day map
for location of Caroline County, and
present day map
for location of Essex County. |
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Culpeper County Virginia was formed in 1748
(see present day map
for location), and was bounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. The
Rappahannock River forms one of its eastern boundaries. |
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1725 English Map of South Carolina
Province showing location of Craven County and the Pee Dee (Peede) River
flowing into the Winyah Bay (spelled "Weenya Bay" above map's identification).
Map of SC Parishes in
1760 showing location of Craven County. |
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Modern Map of South Carolina
Counties showing the 18th Century Parishes. Welch Neck and Cashaway
Neck were in St. David Parish. Prince George Parish was to the South and included
the Pee Dee River basin from Lynches Creek down to Winyah Bay. Map taken from
DMK Heritage (website). |
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About 1752 brother William married Sophia Davenport. Brother James married
Jerushka Davenport (1744?-1785?). Sophia and Jerushka were daughters of
Thomas Davenport (1711-1809). |
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In Mar and Nov of 1757, father James Taylor White was granted 300 acres in Peedee SC and
150 acres in Williamsburg Township, respectively.
[SC Archives, Columbia SC, Aug 1971, Council Journal No 26, p. 67, 79.
Referenced in Gifford White, James Taylor White of Virginia and ..., p.37]. |
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On Sep 19, 1758, Reuben White was granted 150 acres in Craven Co. SC. Another 200
acres was granted to him in Apr 1762. On Sep 22, 1767, the plat of a "tract of land
or plantation" containing 250 acres "laid out unto Reuben White" is described as
being on the head of Polks Swamp on the SW side of the Great Pee Dee River.
[SC Archives website, Columbia SC, vol 10, p. 165]. |
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The land granted in SC is in what was once Craven County, one of the three original
parts of the English colony of "Carolana". By 1760, the White family was attending the
Cashaway Baptist Church near the Pee Dee River just east of present-day Darlington SC. |
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In 1760, brother James is mentioned in the records of the Cashaway Baptist church: On "Sat 25 Oct 1760 ... Mr. James White for excess drinking be suspended from this church until satisfaction be given... 20 June 1767 .. on Cashaway Neck on Pee Dee in Craven County. The names of all the members... Elizabeth White .. gone." Sister Jane was married in or before 1760, and Elizabeth married five years later. |
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Historical Marker of the Cashaway Baptist Church built in 1758, and located
at the eastern end of the bridge over a bend of the Great Pee Dee River.
The marker is on Cashua Ferry Road (State Highway 34) east of Darlington SC.
View south of the river from the bridge in Sep 2015. |
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Reuben and brother William and their father, along with brother-in-law
John Holloway,
and brother-in-law William Loving were members
of a SC militia defeated at Marr's Bluff SC, at the hands of Regulators, on Jul 25, 1768.
William White was wounded, losing use of his right arm so that he could not
continue his trade as a cooper (barrel maker).
Excerpt
from the book The South Carolina Regulators by Richard Maxwell Brown
gives a background and summary of the incident. |
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In "Charles-Town", the incident at Marr's Bluff prompted the legislature to
"lay before the public" information about these Regulators; specifically, that those
headed by Gideon Gibson were "rogue" bandits, not to be confused with the "honest"
Regulators. The following was recorded there later in the year 1768: "If we are to credit the despositions [sic] of George Thomson, William Loving, James White, Stephen Sebastian, Godfrey Kersay, John Holloway, Reuben White and William White produced to us by Robert Weaver, Esq. of Marr's Bluff, the conduct of Gideon Gibson was not misrepresented in this paper of the 16th of August last, unless by the omission of sone aggravating circumstances" [Warren, p. 372]. |
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August 15, 1770 petition by brother
William White seeking government relief for him and his family.
That year, Reuben apparently bought William's land in St. David's parish,
Craven Co. SC so that William could pay off his debts. William is in jail for
debt in Cheraws SC in 1774. He later turns his life completely around in NC
by the end of the century (see below). |
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While in South Carolina, the White family was not sympathetic to the American
Revolution and left a trail of litigation in the state. The family moved to
what is now Burke Co NC, then split with some members moving to Natchez Territory
(now Mississippi) and the rest remaining in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.
The split appears to have occurred after son Reuben was killed by Indians in 1776
at Pleasant Gardens NC and Patriots won the Battle of King's Mountain in Oct 1780.
James and son William opted for the patriot side and stayed in NC. During
the American Revolution, Mississippi and Louisiana districts were havens for
Loyalists. |
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Feb 22, 1772 in SC, Reuben married Amelia "Milly" Allen, the daughter of
Erasmus Withers Allen (1712-1787?) and
Sarah Streshley. The service was performed by Rev. Evan Pugh who just a week
later married Mary White, daughter of brother William, to George Hickman. |
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Reuben and Milly had a daughter Mary. Before he was killed,
Reuben had left his wife. In a
sworn deposition before Thomas Powe in SC on Jan 5, 1778, a Thomas McCall said
that he asked Reuben why he left his wife. Reuben told him that "she was a very
good Woman, but that she was not agreeable to his humor and that he would not
confine himself to any Woman that would not" [Gifford E. White, "Documents on
Estate of Reuben White", pp. 4-5]. |
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On Dec 13, 1773 Reuben recorded a Deed of Gift
in Craven Co. SC to sister-in-law Sophia White,
wife of William, that was filed in SC in 1777 after Reuben was killed. By 1777 the entire
White family had moved to the newly created Burke Co. NC. [Gifford White]. |
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From 1772 until 1881, the following land transactions involving the White family
occurred in the Pee Dee River area of Craven County in chronological order: Sep 17, 1772 - James Taylor White, 300 acres Craven on south side of Swift Creek, adjacent to lands of William Standard, George Kings, and land laid out for William White; District Surveyor: John Henderson. Plat Book v. 21:426. Oct 10, 1772 - James White, 200 acres Craven County Polk swamp, adjacent to John Baxter and John Hollowy [sic] and vacant land; District Surveyor: Thos. Powe. Plat Book v. 21:424. Dec 10, 1772 Reuben White, 600 acres Craven in fork of Little Pee Dee and Drownding Creek on Bell Swamp: District Surveyor: John McCall. Plat Book v. 21:431. Jun 14, 1773 - Reuben White, 500 acres Craven on North side of Little Pedee adjacent to Hugh Thompson. District Surveyor: Thos. Powe. Plat Book v. 21:431. Oct 9, 1881 - Reuben White, 300 acres Craven on the Beaver dam, waters of Jeffereys Creek adjacent to John Ward, Connels land, Reuben White and vacant land. District Surveyor: Thos. Powe. Plat Book v. 21:433. [Note that a possible relative of James Taylor White's wife, Elizabeth Powe is listed as the District Surveyor on several of these records.] |
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In Jun 1774, brother William was jailed at the Long Bluff Gaol in Cheraws SC for
unpaid debt to James Gordon. Reuben paid off the bond and the debt to release him. |
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There is a record of Reuben being in Globe NC (near John's River) as early as 1772.
Reuben entered Captain Charles McDowell's NC Militia in 1776 and was killed at Pleasant
Gardens (then in Rowan Co. NC near Old Fort) in October of that year. |
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Reuben amassed 3,000 acres of land in Craven Co. SC that he sold in 1775. |
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The NC Pension Statement for service
from 1776 to 1779 made by Leroy Taylor in Sep 1832 described volunteering in the NC
Militia and marching Oct 1776 to "the head of the Catawba River, a place called
Pleasant Gardens" where he was "appointed by Col. [Charles] McDowell to command
the company after the death of his Captain, Reuben White" before they arrived there
[M.L. Vineyard, p.195]. |
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Map of Western
Carolinas during the Revolution shows location where Reuben died at the head
of the Catawba River (Old Fort), home of Col. Charles McDowell (Quaker Meadows),
the Burke Co. Courthouse not built until 1785, and the John's Creek (River) all
along the Catawba River [Map from Draper, Lyman C., King's Mountain and its Heroes,
1881]. |
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North Carolina Counties at beginning
of 1775 and at beginning of 1780
showing the creation of Burke Co. in 1777. |
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On Feb 6, 1777 at the Rowan Co. NC Court, Erasmus Allen and James Blair are
securities for William & Milly White on bond of 1000 pounds when they qualify as
administrators of the deceased Reuben White. On May 9, 1777, a bench warrant is
issued against William White, administrator of Reuben White, to account with
next court. "Ordered that James Chapman be jointed with Miley White and Wm
White in Adminr: of the Estate of Reubin White deceased... in sum of 6000 pounds."
The court orders Esq. Charles McDowell or Esq. Matthew Sharpe of Burke Co. NC
"examine John White, Thomas Whitson, Joseph Dobson, William Faris & James
Levenport about the will of deceased Reubin White" [Rowan Co. NC Court Records] |
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Thomas Powe gave a sworn statement
on May 8, 1777 before the Rowan Co. NC Court of Sessions saying that to the best
of his knowledge, Reuben left SC in the "latter end of the year 1775"
[Gifford E. White, "Documents on Estate of Reuben White, pp. 1-2]. |
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A William Dewitt, possibly
Capt. William Dewitt, militiaman and special
juror for the Cheraws District, characterized him as "a dishonest man". In 1777,
a warrant was issued in Burke Co. NC for William White because he failed to provide
security for his late brother Reuben's estate. |
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On Aug 20, 1777, at the house of Col. Charles McDowell
at Quaker Meadows, Alexander Cole made oath that he had witnessed along with
George Hickman, "Reuben White sign seal and deliver the deed of ten negroes &
sundry other items as his own free & voluntary act & deed for the uses & purposes
mentioned" from Reuben White to the wife and children of William White. This was
done in the presence of Reuben's widow, her father Erasmus Allen and a "great many
other persons" [Vineyard, p. 96]. |
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In 1779, Betty White, the daughter of brother William, married Parmenus Taylor
(1760-1827) in Burke Co. NC. He was a younger brother of Leroy Taylor who was in
the same militia company as Reuben when he was killed in Oct 1776. |
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On Aug 20, 1777, after Reuben White's death in 1776, a sworn statement acknowledged
a deed of gift dated Dec 13, 1773 by Reuben to William's wife Sophia. It lists
their children at that time in SC as being Mary Hickman, Phoebe, Sarah, Betsy,
Taylor, Ann, Cary, Anthony, Thomas and Reuben. |
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John White, son of Reuben White's uncle William White, operated one of the earliest
mills in Burke County, NC before the Revolution. It was located on White's Mill
Creek, a branch of Lower Creek which runs from Lenoir to the Catawba River,
east of Morganton.
History of the mill. |
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On Feb 5, 1778 at the Rowan Co. NC Court, Milly White received bond of 4000 pounds
as the guardian of Mary White, "minor of Reuben White" [Gifford E. White,
"Documents on Estate of Reuben White, p. 3]. |
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Brother William served as Justice of the Peace in Burke Co. from 1782 to 1790.
About 1787, William became the
guardian of nephew George Holloway as orphan.
He also became a leader of the Methodist community.
His plantation, Mulberry Grove, was located where the Mulberry Creek flows
into the John's River at what is now Collettsville, Caldwell Co, NC. Father James
Taylor White is believed to have died there, at his son's home, by 1790. |
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Widow Milly married Alexander Craig Nov 8, 1789 in Chesterfield District SC and
had a daughter Margaret Caroline Craig who married John Chapman (1780-1858) on
Feb 22, 1810. In the 1800 Census for Chesterfield District SC,
page 101b line 12, on
Aug 4, 1800 the household headed by Alexander Craig counted 1 white male over 45,
and 5 females: 2 females over 45 [Milly and ?], 1 female under age 10, 1 under
age 16, and 1 under age 26 [daughter Margaret Craig]. Also 16 slaves were counted. |
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Chesterfield Co. SC was part of the Cheraws District until 1785 when the
Chesterfield District was created. In 1865, the District became Chesterfield Co.
(see present day map
of Chesterfield Co. for location). |
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Daughter Mary White married Charles Evans and then James Blakeney.
In the 1850 Census for Chesterfield District SC,
page 138a, enumerated
on Nov 8, 1850, Mary Blakeney was 76 years old, born in SC. |
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In the 1790 Burke Co.
NC Census for 5th Company, "Wm White Senr" is listed as a
head of household of 9 members: 5 males aged 16 and up (William Sr., Anthony, Thomas, Reuben, and ?Taylor), 2 males under age 16 (?Samuel,?William Jr.), 2 females (wife Sophia, Ann?), and 12 slaves. |
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Present day map shows Collettsville, Mulberry Creek and John's River.
Holloway Mountain is further east on Route 90. |
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Brother William died in Jul 1818 in Burke Co. NC as the patriarch of the White family.
His obituary described him as a man of "almost unrivalled memory and integrity".
From the Burke Co., N.C. Court Minutes, "William White, decsd. July 1818,
July 1820 Will pr. by oath of Robt. M. Murrell." [Gifford White p. 74]. |
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SOURCES: Cashaway Baptist Church Record Book, 1756-1778, Cashaway Neck, Craven Co. SC. Clark, Walter, State Records of North Carolina Vol XVII 1781-1785, Broadfoot Publishing, Wilmington NC, 1994, pp. 287-8, 294. Draper, Lynam C., King's Mountain and its Heroes: History of the Battle of King's Mountain, Cincinnati OH, 1881. Genealogical Register, vol. VIII, No. 3, Sep 1961. Genealogical Society of Rowan Co. NC, "Erasmus Allen Will, 1787, NC", Journal Of The Genealogical Society Of Rowan County, North Carolina, Salisbury NC, 1999. Huggins, Edith Warren, comp., Burke County, North Carolina Land Records and More Important Miscellaneous Records, vol. II, Southern Historical Press, Easley SC, p. 125. Northern Neck Grants, Virginia State Archives, Book G. Poe, Allan, "The Records, From Virginia to Old Burke Co. N.C.", publ. in Pre-Revolutionary Plat Books, SC Archives Dept., vol. 21, pp 424-433. SC Archives Dept., Misc. Records, vol. SS, Columbia SC, pp 169-171. USGenWeb Archives Census Project, 1800 Burke Co., NC Federal Census, transcribed by Dorna Chambers, 1999, pp. 767-768. U.S. 1790 Census, Burke Co. NC, website. Vineyard, M.L. & E.M.Wiseman, Wm Wiseman & the Davenports, Pioneers Of Old Burke County, North Carolina, v.2, Franklin NC, 1997, pp. 254-256, 258. Virginia Land Patents, Book 8, p. 16. Warren, Mary Bondurant, Citizens and Immigrants - South Carolina, 1768, abstracted from contemporary records, Heritage Papers, Danielsville GA, 1980, pp. 353, 372. White, Gifford E., "James White and John White", Wm Wiseman & the Davenports, Pioneers Of Old Burke County, North Carolina, v.2, by M.L.Vineyard & E.M.Wiseman, Franklin NC, 1997, pp. 86-96, 107-112. White, Gifford E., James Taylor White of Virginia and some of his descendants into Texas, Austin, TX, Apr 1982. White, Gifford E., "Documents on Estate of Reuben White", typed transcriptions of court records at NC Archives, received by Lisabeth Holloway from Michael F. Gibbons, Feb 1989, 5 pages. |
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