The family of James Whitsett and Margaret Howell of Greene County, Alabama

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Generation 5

JAMES WHITSETT AND MARGARET HOWELL OF GREEN COUNTY, ALABAMA
James Whitsitt and his brother Lawrence Whitsitt left Tennessee and settled in Greene Co., AL (now Hale Co.) near Havanna, AL. Eventually Lawrence Whitsitt, who never married, brought his aged parents, John and Sarah (Thompson) Whitsitt to live with him on his plantation. After Lawrence died in September 1836, his estate was settled and his heirs, the surviving children and grand children of his brother James Whitsett, were listed. census of Greene County
Name 7. WHITSETT, James5 (John4, John3, William2, Samuel1)
Sex   Male
Father: 4. WHITSETT, John4
Mother:   Sarah Thompson
Spouse:   Margaret Howell - based on claims by descendants; her given name is documented as Margaret; her surname is supported by the names of her children.
Birth:   1770 Feb 21, Orange Co., NC
Death:   1843 Sep 15, Green [Hale] Co., Alabama
Marriage:   Abt. 1793, Sumner Co., TN
Children:   James Whitsett and Margaret Howell had 9 children.
  i. WHITSETT, Sarah H., b. abt. 1797, m. Absolem C. Harden on Aug. 3, 1825 in Green Co., AL; no other information. [15]
14. ii. WHITSETT, John Childress, b. 1801 in Sumner Co., TN, d. 14 Sept. 1860, Gainesville, Sumter Co., AL
15. iii. WHITSETT, Keziah, b. 1803 [Sumner Co.] TN, d. March 8, 1884, Noxubee Co., MS; m. Allan McDonald July 9, 1823 in Green Co., AL
16. iv. WHITSETT, Howell W., b. 1810, TN, d. aft. 1853 in Kemper Co., MS; m. Nancy [?]
17. v. WHITSETT, Joel Childress, b. abt. 1814, TN; m. Mary Walker Winston, April 5, 1834, Sumpter Co., AL
18. vi. WHITSETT, Ann N., b. abt. 1811, TN, m. Absolem Harden, 03 Aug 1825, Greene Co., AL [15]
19. vii. WHITSETT, James Thompson, b. Jan. 1, 1816, TN, d. May 11, 1857, Kemper Co., MS; m. Elizabeth Winston, Dec. 18, 1839, Sumpter Co., AL
20. viii. WHITSETT, Joseph Thompson, b. Dec. 1, 1818, Green Co., AL, d. March 12, 1866, Marion, Perry Co., AL; m. (1) Elizabeth J. Huckabee, Feb. 22, 1842, Green Co.; m. (2) Eliza Peck, March 31, 1857, Green Co., AL [15,16]
  ix. WHITSETT, William H., b. 1823 in Green Co.; no other information.
     
Notes: 1. 1789 Dec 15, James Whitsetts is bondsman for marriage of his sister Sibella Whitsetts and Alexander Walker, Sumner County, Tenn. (James was 19 years old and of legal age at the time of this bond). [12]
  2. 1790 Feb. 23, Will of Simpson Hart names relatives: Nathaniel Hart, father; Kiziah Thompson, sister; Lawrence Thompson, brother-in-law and his children; Richard Lawrence Thompson; Sarah Fanny Thompson; Nathaniel Hart Thompson; China Burton Thompson; Azariah Thompson; Will witnessed by N. Phillips, James Whitsett, Hugh Tennon, John Whitsett. [1]
  3. 1791 July 28, will of Alexander Robinson appoints Azeriah Thompson sole executor, witnessed by James Whitsett and Thomas Tennon [7]
  4. 1792 July - John Whitsett witness to deed from Isaac Shelby to James Whitsett, Sumner Co. (This may be the same as the 1793 deed below). [13]
  5. 1793 - Deed from Isaac Shelby to James Whitsett, Sumner Co., 340 acres (I do not have an abstract of this deed). [13]
  6. 1797 April 1, a return (receipt) for rations for a detachment of infantry under the command of Lieutenant James Whitsitt in the service of the United States [for the period of April 1st-8th]; the detachment consisted of one Lt. and 29 non commissioned officers. We have no way of knowing if this is James Whitsitt of Davidson Co. or James Whitsett of Sumner Co. [9]
  7. 1794 Dec 26, James Whittsit Ensign with Isaac Walton Lieutenant, Regiment of Infantry, Sumner County. [11]
  8. 1797 June 6, Sumner Co., Tennessee Deed Book 1, pg. 440; James Whitsett deed to the heirs of Azerah [Azeriah] Thompson, deceased sells for $200 a tract of 100 acres on Madisons Creek, Sumner Co., Tenn. [4]
  9. 1799 Sep 30, John Whitsitt, James Whitsitt, Laurence Whitsitt, Joel Childress, Josiah Perry and Armistead Rogers are among more than 100 residencts of Sumner Co., Tenn. who signed a petition against the division of Sumner County. [5]
  10. 1803 Aug 10, James Whitsett among the signers of a petition to form Rutherford Co. (Rutherford Co. was formed from parts of Sumner and Davidson Counties) [14]
  11. 1803 Aug 13, Rutherford Co., Tenn., James Whitsett witness to deed of Samuel McBride to William Hope for a female slave. [14]
  12. 1805 Mar 23, James Whitsett and others appointed by Rutherford Co. Court as Commissioners to lay off land on both sides of Stewart's Creek for the heirs of Colonel Sam'l Mosbey. [14]
  13. 1806 Sep 01, James Whitsetts of Rutherford County, Tennessee sells to brother Lawrence Whitsett of Sumner County for $2000, 340 acres on the main fork of Madison Creek, Sumner County, part of a preemption (original) 640 acres granted to Isaac Shelby; witnessed by Robert A. Williamson and Joseph T. Whitsetts; this land does not include the 100 acrers James previously sold to the heirs of Azariah Thompson (Joseph T. Whitsett was the son of James; Rutherford County was formed from Davidson and Williamson Counties in 1803) [6]
  14. 1806 Nov 26, John Whitsett and James Whitsett witness the will of Robert Patton in Sumner County. [1]
  15. 1812 Dec 7, Rutherford County, the heirs of John Bower of Georgia deed to James Whitsitt for $1280, 320 acres on Stewart's Creek, a branch of Stones River. [14]
  16. 1812 Dec 10 to 1813 Apr 27, Pvt. James Whitsitte appears on the company muster (pay) rolls of Capt. Blackman Coleman's Troop of Calvalry, Col. John Coffee's Regiment of Volunteers; he is paid 40 cents per day for 139 days for his horse; although these records do not clarify if this is James Whitsett of Sumner and Rutherford County, son of John and Sarah Thompson Whitsett it seems likely given that biographical sketches of the Rev. James Whitsitt, son of William and Jane Menees Whitsitt of Davidson Co. makes no mention of his service during the War of 1812. [8]
  17. 1813 Nov 4, James Whitsett makes a deed of gift to the Baptist Church on Stewart's Creek, Rutherford Co. for one acre for their meeting house. [14]
  18. 1815 Nov 18, Henry Potter of Wake Co., NC for $324 mades a deed to James Whitsett as a settlement of the dispute over ownership. Potters claim was based on a North Carolina grant to James Massey, an heir to Thomas Massey of 108 acres on Stewart's Creek, Rutherford Co., Tennessee. James Whitsett claims ownership because of a conveyance from Thomas Massey to John Howell dated 27 Aug. 1791. Although this document does not say so, John Howell is probably a relative of Margaret Howell, wife of James Whitsett. [14]
  19. 1816 July 18, James Whitsett of Rutherford Co., Tenn. sells to James Anderson of Rutherford Co. for $280, a tract of 82 acres on both east sides of Stewart's Creek. The description of the boundries of the tract name Moseby's boundry, (See note 12.), John Howells east boundry. [14]
  20. 1817 June 24, John Bowers takes possession of 320 acres of land granted by North Carolina to John Bowers, heir of Moses Bowers by an act of [the Tennessee] Assembly the 18 July 1806 term. James Whitsett claims the land because of a conveyance by John Howell (did this spur Jame to move to Alabama with brother Lawrence?) [14]
  21. 1818 Jan 22, James Whitsett of Rutherford County sells to Henry H. Marabell for $4000, 320 acres on Stewart's Creek, a branch of Stones River, with one acre reserved for the Baptist meeting house; witnessed by James B. Walker. [14]
  22. 1818 June 9, James Whitsett disolves a partnership in the mercantile business Whitsett and Edwards of Rutherford County by mutual consent; the bond of James B. Edwards, John Edwards, and William Bennett absolve Whitsett and his heirs of any debts from the business. [14]
  23. 1818, James and Lawrence Whitsett came from Tenn. and settled near today's town of Havanna, Greene (now Hale) Co., AL [2,3]
  24. 1819 June 14, James Whitsett sells to Henry H. Marake 320 acres in Rutherford County, witnessed by James B. Walker. [15]
  25. 1820, Jan 14, Green County, Alabama, James Whitstt land patent T19N R5E S23 SE1/4, Lawrence Whitsett land patent T19N R5E S23 NE1/4 (now Hale Co. near Havana, Ala.) [2,3]
    1825 Sep 20, James Whitsett buys land from Beaufort Seale, Greene County, Alabama, DB B-93 [3]
    1829 May 25, James Whitsett and wife Margaret sell to Allen McDonald property in Greene Co., AL (this is an extract with no description of property) [19]
    1838 March, James Whitsett is named as the brother of Lawrence Whitsett, deceased on 9 Sep 1836, in the Greene Co., Alabama petition of John J. Rogers, nephew of Lawrence Whitsett, to the Judge of the County and Orphans Court of Greene County, to force administrators Elias C. Field and Robert Williamson to distribute the estate to the heirs. The petition names all the siblings of Lawrence Whitsett [17]
    1840 Census, Greene Co., AL, pg. 21 Jas. Whitsett, 1 male 15-20, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 70-80; two lines above is Absolem Harden
    1841 July 1, "You will please pay Joseph T. Whitsett the remaining part of my interest in estate of Lawrence Whitsett, deceased, my brother," signed James Whitsett. [18]
     
Sources: 1 Edythe Whitley, Sumner County, Tennessee Will Books 1 and 2, Abstracts 1779-1823 * 1823-1842, Published by Edythe Whitley Genealogist and Historian, Nashville, Tenn. (1956).
  2 GREENE COUNTY, ALABAMA RECORDS, Compiled by Mrs. S. M. Marshall, edited by Elizabeth Wood Thomas, Willo Publishing Co., Tuscaloose, Alabama (1960-61)
  3 Ann W. Rea, Bangor, ME, (1985), research notes, family of John Whitsett and Sarah Thompson, and their sons and families of Greene Co., AL - Snedecor, 1855-1856, Directory of Greene County, Alabama; Greene Co., Ala. Tract Book, Patents #3089, #1879
  4 Sumner County, Deed Book 1, pg. 440, James Whitsett to the heirs of Azeriah Thompson, 6 June 1797; photo copy of deed.
  5 PETITIONERS OF SUMNER COUNTY, TENNESSEE, copied by Ruth H. Duncan, Director of Research, Ansearching News, July 1960, Vol VII, #3
  6 Sumner County Tennessee Deeds, Book 4, pp. 123-124, James Whitsetts of Rutherford Co. to Lawrence Whitsett of Sumner Co., 340a. on fork of Madison Creek.
  7 Edythe Whitley, Sumner County, Tennessee Will Abstracts, pg. 3, Will of Alexander Robinson, wit. James Whitsett, Thomas Tennon
  8 Tennessee - Service Index to 1812 Veterans, National Archives, Washington D.C., microfilm publication, Records of War of 1812; Coffee's Reg., James Whitset (his name is written as Whitsett, Whitsitte and Whitset on the service record cards).
  9 Tennessee Historical Society, Misc. files, Roll No. 67818, Book 16,pg. 1735 [photocopy]; Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, TN.
  10 Dr. William Heth Whitsitt, "Annals of a Scotch-Irish Family: The Whitsitt's of Nashville, Tennessee" (American Historical Magazine, Vol. IX, Nashville, Tennessee, 1904); letter from Mr. Sarah Polk of Nashville, TN to Dr. Whitsitt, answering his inquiry as to her ancestors, Sept. 16, 1890; mentions a sister to her mother Elizabeth (Whitsett) Childress, a Mrs. Walton.
  11 Carter, Clarence Edwin, "The Territorial Papers of The United States, 1790-1796", Vol. IV, The Territory South of The River Ohio, USGPO, Washington, D.C. (1936); pg. 464
  12 ANSEARCHIN' NEWS, Vol. 15, no. 3, July-Sept. 1968, Marriage Records of Sumner Co., Tenn., 1787-1838, (from loose bonds and licenses in the office of the County Clerk of Sumner County).
  13 Jane Grey Buchannan research notes, Sumner Co., Tenn. Grantee Index, Isaac Shelby to James Whitsett, NCG Book 1, pg 409 [NCG - North Carolina Grants]; Sumner County Court Minutes, 1788-1805, (1986)
  14 Jane Grey Buchannan research notes, Rutherford County, Tennessee (1986); Deed Book A-5,22; DB H-456; DB K-370; DB K-391; DB L-32; DB L-236; DB M-121; DB Q-70.
  15 Greene County, AL Marriages (1823-1860), Copyright (c) 1994 Automated Archives, Inc.
  16 Research notes, Joseph Whitsitt Strickland, Birmingham, AL (2003)
  17 Petition of John J. Rogers, Lawrence Whitsett estate,Greene County, Alabama Orphans Court Book [?], photocopy sent to me by Susan Young, Ashland, OR (Ms. Young did not notate record Book, page)
  18 Greene County, Alabama Orphans Court, Book H, pg. 219, 1 July 1841
  19 Pauline Jones Grandrud, ALABAMA RECORDS, Greene County, Alabama, DB C-433, James Whitsett to Allen McDonald, May 25, 1829
     

Generation 6

Listed below are the offspring of James and Margaret Howell Whitsett, their spouses, and their children. I have not attempted to trace the linage of this families beyond what is shown here. I hope there is enough information for any descendants of these individuals have the data they need to further their own research.
Name 9. WHITSETT, Sarah H.6, (James5 John4, John3, William2, Samuel1) [1,2,3]
Sex   Male
Father 8. WHITSETT, James5
Mother:   Margaret Howell
Spouse:   Absolem Hardin [1,2,3]
Birth:   abt. 1797 (Sumner Co.?) Tennessee
Death:   between 1860-1870, probably Kemper Co., Mississippi (the Harden family appears not to be on the 1870 Census)
Marriage:   03 Aug 1825, Greene Co., Alabama [3]
Children:   Known children of Sarah and Absolem Hardin according to the 1850 & 1860 U.S. Census of Greene Co., Alabama and Kemper Co., Mississippi
  i. HARDEN, James W. b. abt. 1828, Greene Co., Alabama [1]
  ii. HARDEN, Margaret Ann, b. abt. 1830, Greene Co., Alabama [1]
  ii. HARDEN, Mark, b. abt. 1832, Greene Co., Alabama [1,2]
  iii. HARDEN, John C., b. abt. 1834, Greene Co., Alabama [1]
  iv. HARDEN, William H., b. abt. 1836, Greene Co., Alabama [1,2]
  v. HARDEN, Joel C., b. abt. 1838, Greene Co., Alabama [1]
  vi. HARDEN, Absolem C., b. abt. 1840, Greene Co., Alabama [1,2]
     
Sources 1 1850 Census, Greene County, Alabama, pg. 257, family 190, line 20, Absolem and Sarah Harden Family
  2 1860 Census, Scooba, Kemper Co., Mississippi, pg. 79, family 547, line 17, Absolem and Sarah Harden family
  3 Greene County, Alabama Court Records, Deeds, Marriages and Orphan Court Records, Vol. 17, pg. 50: Greene County Marriage Book A pg. 33 - Harden Absolem C. and Sarah H. Whitsett, Married by consent of parents, 3 Aug. 1825.
     
     
Name 10. WHITSETT, John Childress6, (James5 John4, John3, William2, Samuel1) of Greene County and Sumpter County, Alabama
Sex   Male
Father 8. WHITSETT, James5
Mother:   Margaret Howell
Spouse:  

(1) Martha K. Bliss
(2) Mary C. Jackson

Birth:   abt. 1801 (Sumner Co.?) Tennessee
Death:   14 Sept. 1860, Gainesville, Sumter Co., AL
Marriage:  

(1) 3 July 1839, Sumter County, Alabama [5]
(2) 4 July 1848, Sumter County, Alabama [5]

Children:   Known children
  i. WHITSITT, William J., b. Aug. 1849, Alabama [2,3,6]
  ii. WHITSETT, Hessie StClair (fem) b. 1852, Alabama, m. C. D. Woodruff, Nov. 11, 1872, Sumter Co., Al [4,5]
  ii. WHITSETT, Sallie J., b. 1855, Alabama [4]
     
     
     
     
     
Sources 1 1850 Census, Greene County, Alabama, pp. 100-101, Slave Schedules, John C. Whitsett
  2 1850 Census, Sumpter County, Alabama, pg. 289, family 505, line 6, John and Mary Whitsitt family
  3 Newspaper Abstracts From THE HALCYON, Greensborough, Alabama, Vol. 34, 15 Sep. 1829 - Deed from Richard Ingee to John C. Whitsett.
  4 1860 Census, Sumter County, Gainesville, Alabama, pg. 18, family 151, line 34, John C. Whitsett family
  5 Marriage Index: Alabama 1800-1900, Family Archive CD # 248, Sumter County, Alabama, John C. Whitsett, Hessie C. Whitsett
  6 1900 Census Soundex, Sumter Co., Ala., ED103, Sheet 20, William J. Whitsitt family