Robert White Sr. (1743 - 1843)

Born 9 Jan 1743 in Roanoke River area, old Brunswick County, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 20 Nov 1843 at age 100 in Padgetts Creek, Union County, South Carolina, United States

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Biography

Robert White Sr. performed Patriotic Service in North Carolina in the American Revolution.

Robert White Sr. is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A213453.

Robert White Sr was a Revolutionary War Veteran, per his Obituary. In which it states he served for six years.

On May 13, 1875 his grandson Thomas Warren White, did an interview in Cartersville GA with the "Standard and Express" (Page 3), which he states "...his grandfather was a Vigorous Veteran and a Blacksmith..." letter also talked about his 100th birthday. ^[1]

Robert White Sr was born near the Roanoke River VA, and lived a time along the Tar River NC, and is in Union Co SC by 1788. According to a 1871 letter by his grandson Isaac Murphy. The TAR River began eastern Caswell Co NC (Pre-1791), later Person Co NC, right up against Granville NC border, where Robert's father-in-law was living in 1778, Tar River flowed near the part of Granville (Goshen Dist. 1778), where Wm Whitehead lived. In 1743 this area of Virginia, Robt was born was, old Brunswick Co VA, not necessarily, the county of today, old Burnswick covered a large portion of the VA/NC border in 1743, including parts of the Roanoke River, which had a major presence in the newly formed, Mecklenburg Co VA, an area that Robert Sr may have been born in 1743.

Robt Sr was living in Caswell District of Caswell Co NC, just south of Pittsylvania & Halifax Co, on the VA border, and south of the Dan River portion that dipped into NC, with his Father-in-law Wm Whitehead, at least from 1781 to 1787. The Dan River, flowed back into Halifax Co VA, merging with the Staunton River in Mecklenburg Co VA, then both into the continuing Roanoke River VA. Old Caswell Co NC was just south of Pittsylvania & Halifax Co VA, both once part of old Brunswick Co VA., Mecklenburg was east of Halifax, with Granville NC just south below the border from Halifax & Mecklenburg Co VA. Robert and father-in-law are both on the Caswell Co Tax Poll, Robt from 1781-1787, the 1786 NC Census, indicates they lived 2 households from each other. ^{[citation needed]}

Robert had owned 342 acres on Hogan's Creek, this land was not recorded in Deed or Grant books, this was common, when one received land in an inheritance or was given the land by friend or family, they were suppose to have it recorded, but many times they did not, however, you still had to pay the poll tax on the land, there is no record of this property being sold, living me to believe, it may have been returned (abandoned) to the original owner, when Robert departed in 1788, could also be a case of 'homesteading on unclaimed or unused lands'. Robert was a Blacksmith, his children to young to farm, owned no slaves, a job in heavy demand in the old communities & war time. on the 1783 tax list for Caswell, indicates Robert had 3 horses and 13 Cattle, his land total fluctuated over the tax years in CC. Hogan's Creek, emptied into the Dan River, his father-in-law, Wm. Whitehead had over 1100 acres of land on the same Creek, according to the 1782 Tax List, his lands are recorded, in Deeds and Grants books, he also had lands on Moon's Creek, east of Hogan's Creek, it also emptied into the Dan River.

A Robert White appears as a witness, on a land deed, of a Richard Jones, on the north of the Dan River, in 1775, Halifax Co VA, north of Caswell Co NC. 1779 a John Dennis Sr, of Halifax Co VA, Will's his 'Smith Tools' to his son John Jr, and states 'that the tools are now being cared for by Robert White, now in the Carolina's' John Dennis was a master Blacksmith and Silversmith (Gunsmith).

Robert's father-in-law, Wm Whitehead, prior to Caswell Co, may be the William that lived in Goshen District Granville Co NC 1778, east of pre-1791, Caswell, and south of Halifax and Mecklenburg Co. VA. This Wm lived near the TAR River NC, that ran through Granville, if in fact, he was there from 1771-1778 (tax), then it would be possible that our Robert White could have Married Milly, in abt 1775, at her fathers home or church, further, raises the possibility that Robert also lived a time in Granville?, more research may determine this for fact. There was a Robert White just north of Wm Whitehead in Granville, in County line district 1778. We have not determined if this is our Robert, both were on the border with pre1791 Caswell Co NC. Robert was probably away, at War from 1775 to 1781, and re- joined the family on Hogan's creek in 1781, in Caswell Co, after his discharge, wouldn't that be perfect... (Robt. served 6 years in the Rev. War, per Obituary)

The 1786 Census of Caswell Co NC, show his household with 1 male aged 21-60 yrs (Robt Sr=1, 3 males under 20, (Wm, Robt Jr, Stephen), 4 females of all ages, (Milly his wife, daughters Susan and Jane, and 1 unknown, and no slaves. As they lived 2 households from Milly's father, Wm Whitehead, the one unknown female may be a sister of Milly's? Son John died before this census, and daughter Jane died after this 1786 census, all we know is these two died as young children, exactly when is unknown. Note that the census is listed as the 1784-1787 NC Census, but Caswell's was taken in 1786.

Robt Sr arrived in Union Co SC between 1787 & 1788, (then Old 96th District). They were both received at the Padgett's Creek Baptist Church in Cross Keys Union County South Carolina, Oct 25, 1788, by letter, this means they had attended another church before this one and were in good standing with their prior church.

Robert's first land purchase 1789, was from John Layton, in Union Co, 175 acres, on the north side of the Tyger River, as spelled in those days, land was located in the Cross Keys area of Union co, his neighbors were the Murphy's and Bobo's (1825 map), both families his children married into.

We learned that in 1814, that Robert had land on Cane Creek, (195 acres), in Laurens Co SC, where his Father-in-law, also had owned land, Cane Creek empties in to Saluda River. Robert sold this land in 1814, with son Wm White and son-in-law Lewis Rhodes as witnesses, sold this land to Charter Nichols, the estate Admin. for our William Whitehead, who died in 1805. The 1814 land might lead us to believe, Robert first lived on this land before Union co, but this could also be land left to Robert's Wife Milly Whitehead White, who died in 1807, her father died 1805. Another explanation for this land would have been recorded in the records of old 96th district, which were kept in Abbeville Co SC, but a Court House Fire in 1875 destroyed most all of the old 96th records. .

William Whitehead's Will stipulated that when 2nd wife Margaret remarried or died, that Estate was then to be equally divided among all of his children from both marriages. Since Milly died in 1807, Robert White would be the rightful heir to receive her portion of the Estate. This leads us to believe that 2nd Wife of Wm Whitehead either remarried or died about 1813/1814, and as there are no Deeds or Grants for our Robert White receiving 195 acres on Cain Creek where his father-in-law lived and had his lands, I believe this land Robt White sold in 1814, with his son Wm & son-in-law Lewis Rhodes witnessed, was land the Estate of Wm Whitehead distributed to him in 1813 or 1814. I am trying to recheck the estate records to see if there is an estate entry record for this transaction. work in progress. Margaret Whitehead is not on the 1810, 1820 census. May have remarried and moved away, or died.

Robert White Sr 1st married, Mildred Whitehead (abt 1775), dau of William Whitehead, formerly of Granville Co's NC, Caswell Co NC, and now of Lauren's Co SC. Wm's Will (original will of Wm Whitehead "Not the transcripts, all of them have serious errors!"), show Milly as Milla White, as her sisters were also named by their husbands surnames.

Robert White Sr married 2nd: Elizabeth (last name not known) bet. 1807/1810, they had no children together. We estimate (from census) that she was born between 1760/1770, her death was recorded at the Cedar Spring Baptist Church minutes in Spartanburg Co SC, as Dec 27, 1840. Unfortunately, we do not know anything about her life, prior to marrying Robert Sr. There were many Elizabeth's and with their nicks names, at the Padgett's Creek, I have not determined which Elizabeth, Eliza, Betsey might be Robert's 2nd Wife. , Some have suggested that it might be a Elizabeth Howard, widowed, she was in and out of the Padgett's, several times in conflict with other members, in 1812, an Elizabeth White was received at the Lower Fairforest Baptist Church in Union co SC, Robert White was a member since 1809, at this church. Betsey Howard was restored to membership, also, in 1812, at the Padgett's? Basically, we do not know.

The burial site of Mildred & Elizabeth is unknown, we suspect Milly may be buried, at the Padgett's, there are many unmarked field stones, as was the tradition of the times, and this may be why Robert Sr wanted to be buried, at the same cemetery, with the wife that bore his children.

The Parents & Siblings of Robert White Sr are still unknown. Male Y-DNA connections, (with other surnames) seem to have New Kent/Louisa and Hanover Co VA, in common. The migration trail called the 'Fall Line' ran through Hanover Co VA, and down through Old & New Brunswick Co VA, & NC, the area Robert was born in 1743, thus, his parents may have taken this path south? Settling 'Near the Roanoke River VA"...

Robert and Milly attended the Padgett's Crk Baptist Church from 1788, then the Lower Fairforest Baptist Church, from 1809 tol 1829, also in Union Co SC, where he was the first charter memeber. The Lower Fairforest was once a branch or meeting house of the Padgett's Creek church. In 1829, after the death of Robt's first born child, William, Robt. Sr now in his 80's, and 2nd wife Elizabeth, moved just west across the county line into, Spartanburg Co SC, where his son Robert White Jr lived, and many relatives & grand children. Robert and Elizabeth, became members of the Cedar Springs Baptist Church, in 1829, in Spartanburg, until his death in 1843. His death is recorded, in the church minutes.

Robert White Sr. & Mildred White's Children:

1. William White - m. Elizabeth Boatman.
2. John White - died young 1778.
3. Susanna White - m.Sion Murphy III.
4. Jane White - died young abt. 1786/87.
5. Robert White - m.1.M Cooper 2.S Norman
6. Stephen White - m.Nancy Betterton
7. Mary White - m.Lewis Bobo Rhodes
8. Tillman White - m.Sally Rhodes
9. Elizabeth White m.Soloman Bobo Jr
10. Mildred White - m.John Bullington
11. Elias White - m.Anne B. Gibbs
12. Ben F White - m.Thurza M. Golightly

The first Six children, were born in North Carolina, possibly in Granville and/or Caswell Co NC?, the rest all born in Cross Keys Union Co SC. Caswell Co NC was once part of Orange Co NC until 1777. To Speculate, William, John & Susan may have been born in Granville Co NC?, 1781 Robert Sr now in Caswell, Jane, Robert Jr, Stephen, born in Caswell Co SC, and we can verify, from Census that Mary, Tillman, Elizabeth, Mildred Jr, Elias and Benjamin were all born in Union Co SC. First 6 born NC, to be safe...

All the children married spouses from Union Co SC except Ben whose his wife is from Spartanburg.

About the children; William married Elizabeth Boatman, Wm died in Union Co, wife in Spartanburg, Susan married Sion Murphy III, died in Union Co, Robert Jr 1st married Mary Cooper then Susan Norman, all died in Spartanburg Co SC, Stephen married Nancy Betterton, ended up in Texas 1836, both died in Houston Co TX, Mary married Lewis Bobo Rhodes, moved to Richmond Co GA, where they lived the rest of their lives, Tillman married Sarah "Sally" Rhodes, and moved to Georgia, where he was said to have died (Isaac Murphy Letter), Mildred married John Bullington, they moved to Lauderdale Co AL, where he died, Milly, remained a widow, ended up in Saline Co IL, where she died, Elias married Anne Gibbs, moved to Redwater Bowie Co TX, where they both died and finally, Benjamin married Thurza Golightly, from Spartanburg, ended up in Harris and DeKalb Co GA, where they both died.

Robert White Sr's Obituary gives a death date of 20 Nov 1843, it also says he served in the Revolutionary war for 6 years - Quote: "...his family suffered from the depredations of the tories..." Other documents say he died on the 21st, Bible records and Church Minutes. [See attached photo copy of Obituary]

Robert White Sr was a devoted Baptist for 75 years.

He was a Blacksmith by trade, and farmer, some of his documents refer to him as, 'Robert White, BS'. He would have been classed as a Colonial Blacksmith, training usually took 6 or 7 years, many times indentured to a master blacksmith, at a young age, with 4 years as a journeyman, before one could establish their own business. This might explain his late marriage to Milly, at age 33, life spans were shorter in those days, 33 was considered old. Blacksmith's had the same stature as a doctor today, was a good living.

In a interview with the Grandson of Robt Sr, Thomas Warren White or "T Warren", son of Robt Jr, printed in the Cartersville GA 'Standard & Express' May 13, 1875 p.3, Warren talked about his father and grandfather Robt Sr, will quote only Sr's part:

"...Mr. White's grandfather was also a vigorous veteran. He was a blacksmith, and on his 100th birthday took a pick in his hand, walked a mile to a shop and worked a piece of steel on its point. He returned home (on foot) with the pick, and throwing it upon the ground remarked "there, who of you can do that when you are a century old?" We doubt if there are many as vigorous old gentlemen..."

Note: This newspaper , 'Standard and Express', above, came into business Dec 1871, and sold out Dec 1875, to become 'Cartersville Express', under new ownership, under C.H.C. Willingham. This article is on micro film at "Georgia Newspaper Project University Libraries at Athens GA', May 13, 1875, Page 3, Col 2.

Research Notes

• References to White's parents (Robert & Elizabeth ?) are unsourced.

Sources

1. ↑ Cartersville, GA "Standard and Express" May 13, 1875, (Page 3)

• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed May 20, 2019), "Record of Robert White, Jr.", Ancestor # A213453.
• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVVF-SG3Q : 13 December 2015), Robert White, 1843; Burial, Cross Keys, Union, South Carolina, United States of America, Padgetts Creek Baptist Church Cemetery; citing record ID 12229095, Find a Grave
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12229095/robert-white : accessed 28 August 2021), memorial page for Robert White Sr. (9 Jan 1743–21 Nov 1843), Find a Grave Memorial ID 12229095, citing Padgetts Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Cross Keys, Union County, South Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Mike White (contributor 47543185) .