Reuben White (abt. 1772 - aft. 1850)

Born about 1772 in Craven Co, South Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy (Stone) White — married 1794 in Burke, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died after 1850 after about age 78 in Bradley, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Because of courthouse fires in Burke County, NC and Bradley County, TN and a house fire at William White's home in 1801, there are no records of Reuben's birth, marriage or death. He has been difficult to trace, due to the fact that there were 4 other men named Reuben White in the early Burke County records. After many years and several different researchers analyzing and comparing notes, he has been identified. Here is his story. The first record pertaining to Reuben was in the 1773 DEED OF GIFT from his uncle REUBEN WHITE to SOPHIA WHITE AND HER CHILDREN. ( Please read Davenport 1022 and White 9314 biographies). Reuben was William and Sophia's tenth child, born in St. David's Parish, Craven County, SC about 1772. When he was a toddler, his parents and extended family moved to Burke County, NC. The family lived at the fork of John's River and Mulberry Creek , now in the town of Collettsville in Caldwell County. In the first US Census of 1790, Reuben was enumerated as a young man living in his parents' house in the 5th Company of Burke County. Sometime around 1795, he married Nancy Stone, the daughter of Elijah Stone of Mulberry Creek. The only record of this marriage comes from the journal of Elijah Moore Parks, Nancy's nephew. Elijah made a detailed list of all his family members, who they married, where they lived, and when and where they died. His entry for his aunt Nancy was " Nancy White, wife of Reubin lived and died in Tenn." This was written in 1852, so we know Nancy had died before then. On Jan. 7, 1799 the N.C. Secretary of State issued a land grant #3573 for 80 acres in Burke County,on a branch on the S.E. side of Mulberry Creek adjoining Joseph Puett, to Reuben White. 1800 Census shows Reuben and Nancy living with 2 children. Reuben and Nancy had 3 sons, and perhaps a daughter. ( unaccounted for female on a census) The 1805 Burke County Tax List shows Reuben as owning 100 acres, 2 polls. In 1810 the census shows Reuben living in the vicinity of Mulberry Creek. In 1813 Nancy's father, Elijah Stone, died. Oct 25, 1814 A deed from William White to Reuben White for 350 acres was recorded in October Court in Burke County. proved by Charles Collett. Jan. 1815 A deed from Reuben's brother, Thomas White, to Charles Collett was proven in court by William Puett. Thomas had moved to Tennessee, leaving Reuben as the last son at home to care for his aging parents. 21 Feb 1817 Reuben sells to David Davis 200 acres on Beaver Dam Creek, adj. William Davis and James Davis, part of a 600 acre tract bought from John Sanders. October Court 1817 Deed from Reuben White to William Puett for 235 acres was proved by Charles Collett. April Court 1818 Deed from Reuben White to Charles Collett for 160 acres dated Mar. 9, 1818 was proved by William Penley. In July of 1818, Reuben's father William White died. The July court minutes were full of entries pertaining to his estate. His will was read and an inventory was ordered. Reuben and his sons apparently inherited the plantation, but it appears that they my have had to sell it to pay the other heirs or debts of Old William. In 1820 the estate inventory was returned and settlements began. Reuben and his son William were enumerated as householders in the 1820 Burke County census. Nov. 24, 1824 Reuben, William, and Elijah White made a deed of sale to' 'James ''''Murphy'for 966 acres, formerly known as "the White Place". The deed was proven in Jan. 1825 court by Charles Collett. Reuben had moved to McMinn County, Tennessee with Nancy's relatives. (Jesse Moore, Jesse Boone, Marvel Coffey and others.) Reuben did not have an easy time making a living in Tennessee. He went into debt and put his slaves up for collateral on loans several times. Possibly for Elijah. McMinn County TN Deed Books A&B p. 104 Indenture 7 Apr 1827 Elijah White to Reuben White, both of McMinn, (DB B, pp15-16) for $500. 160 acres in Hiwassee Dist. witnessed by John Hayes and Willis White. p.156 State of TN. , grant #392 in consideration of an entry in the entry taker's office of Hiawassee Dist. of #641 2 Aug. 1824 by John McElcue, assigned to Elijah White, was granted to said White 160 acres R1 west of Meridian, ts 5, sec.15... Apr 4 , 1827. p.156. On July9 1826 Elijah White sold to Isaac W. Fiffe the above named grant (Elijah got into trouble with the law. He left and went to Kentucky) p. 156 On 10 Oct. 1829 Isaac Brock sold it to Willis White p.218 Indenture 7--- 1828 Ruben White to Samuel Blackburn, all of McMinn, for $400., sold 100 acres (description of the same farm location as above) registered June 1830. Deed Book C p. 80 Indenture 2 Jan 1833 Reuben White and Charles Thornton both of McMinn. Whereas White has filed a bill in equity court in McMinn against John Dearman to have negro woman Sarah and her children Melinda and Amy delivered up to him upon payment of certain claims against said negro...Thornton to pay White's debts and have the negroes (DB C pp134-135) p.412 Indenture 4 Dec 1827 Reuben White to John McQuallen for $75., 60 acres in McMinn. Wit . by Elijah White. On June 4 1835 ack. by Reuben White in person. Deed Book D p.38 For $900 I hereby relinquish to Willis White of McMinn ...title to negroes which...by virtue of sale executed by Reuben White to me... to wit: Sarah, Melinda, '''''''''''''''Amy, Peggy, and David (the child of Sarah, 'born since the bill of sale) James Getty witnessed by JWM Brazeale and Charles T. Thornton p.39 I, Reuben White of McMinn, sell to Willis White of same, the following negroes, Sarah, Peggy, and David... 28 Oct 1835 p.40 For $800. We, Reuben White and Willis White of McMinn sell to David Chase of same the slaves Melinda, 12, and Amy, 10. on Oct 28 1835. Both personally acknowledge. 1840 US Census Bradley County, TN Reuben White (with Nancy and Willis) 1850 US Census Bradley County, TN Reuben White 1860 US Census Bradley County , TN. pages missing where Reuben's neighborhood was. Willis White on slave schedule with 3 slaves.

Sources

White, Gifford E. JAMES TAYLOR WHITE OF VIRGINIA self published 1984 NORTH CAROLINA SECRETARY OF STATE LAND GRANTS ABSTRACTS OF COURT MINUTES OF BURKE COUNTY NC transcribed from microfilm by Nancy Carr Royce US CENSUS, BURKE COUNTY, NC years 1790-1830 US CENSUS, MCMINN COUNTY, TN years 1830-1840 US CENSUS, BRADLEY COUNTY, TN. years 1850-1860 MCMINN COUNTY, TN DEED BOOKS A,B,& C transcribed from LDS film #830195 by Nancy Carr Royce MCMINN COUNTY, TN DEED BOOK D transcribed from LDS microfilm #830199 by Nancy Carr Royce

Sources