Alexander Whaley (abt. 1789 - 1863)

Born about 1789 in South Carolina

Descendants

Died 1863 at about age 74 in Greenfield, Poinsett, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

The earliest records I've seen for Alexander Whaley are his 1812 marriage to Ruth McAnally in Roane County, Tennessee and his service in the War of 1812. I've not seen any deed or tax records for him or any other Whaleys in Roane County.

Alexander Whaley was born circa 1790 to Alexander Jr. Whaley and Abigail Leverich. On 10 Sept 1812 at age 22 he married Ruth J McAnally. In 1830 at age 40, Alexander and Ruth moved to Blount County Alabama. In 1833 at age 43, he married Margaret Ann Elizabeth Hays and in 1840 he and Margaret moved to Sevier, Tennessee until 1850 when they moved to Greenfield, Poinsett, Arkansas. No divorce records were ever found. Family legend says he simply left Ruth and secretly married Margaret, who was a young neighbor. Evidence seems to point to this since Ruth was able to apply for and draw a pension of $8 per month from his war service.

Military Service: War of 1812, Capt. Nelson's Co., Brown's Regiment, East Tennessee Volunteers; Fifer

Alexander Whaley's War of 1812 service record from The National Archives, lists him as having fought in Brown's Regiment, East Tennessee Volunteers as a Fifer. His wife Ruth's pension record lists his service as Capt. Nelson's Company, Tennessee Militia. Interestingly enough, Bartlett McAnally, who is believed to be the brother of Alexander's wife Ruth McAnally, was also a Fifer. In addition, there were three other Whaleys who are recorded as having fought for eastern Tennessee. There was a William Whaley fought in the 5th Regiment (Booth's) and was also a Fifer. A John Whaley also fought in the 5th Regiment and is listed as a Private. A Misleton [Middleton?] Whaley fought in 3rd Regiment (Johnson's) and is listed as a Private. Were William, John, and Middleton Whaley related to Alexander Whaley? On the surface, it is difficult to say. However, the first possible clue that one might notice is that Alexander and William Whaley, as well as Bartlett McAnally, are all listed as Fifers in the War of 1812. John Whaley having fought in the same regiment as William might also suggest a familial tie.

1850 US Federal Census^[1]

Name Age
A Whaley 61
Margarett Whaley 36
M B Whaley 16
Susan Whaley 13
R P Whaley 10
A J Whaley 6
E A Whaley 4
W A Whaley 0

Research Notes

There were a William and a Middleton Whaley who lived in Sevier Co., TN. I do not know if these three individuals are the same as the John, William, and Misleton Whaley who fought in the War of 1812. William and Middleton Whaley both lived until 1850. William gives his age then as 65 and his place of birth as South Carolina. Middleton Whaley gives his age as 50, probably incorrect if he was the same individual that fought in the war, and his place of birth unknown. The same page that lists Middleton Whaley, also lists an Aaron Whaley, 22 years old, born in Tennessee. This might very well be a son of Middleton Whaley. I followed him forward in time to the 1880 Census to see what he would give as the birthplace of his father. Aaron Whaley lists the birthplace for both his parents as South Carolina. Therefore, we have a William and a Middleton Whaley in Sevier Co., TN, with at least one and possibly both having been born in South Carolina.

There was a John Whaley who lived in Rhea Co., TN. Rhea is a neighboring county to Roane county, which is the earliest known residence of Alexander Whaley. This John Whaley lived until 1850 and gives his birthplace on both the 1850 and 1860 Censuses as Kentucky, also his age give a date of birth around 1800. This may not be the same John Whaley who fought in the war of 1812. Whether or not related to Alexander? I do not know.

Alexander Whaley moved with his family to Blount County Tennessee by about 1820. He appears on the 1830 Census in Blount but then disappears after that. Originally, I took this to mean that he had died. However, after further searches on the internet, especially on the message boards, I found that there is general agreement among his descendants that Alexander Whaley met another woman sometime after 1830 and left with her, first back to Tennesse and then to Arkansas. Alexander's wife Ruth did receive a pension from Alexander's service in the War of 1812, so if the story was true, they were never divorced and Alexander may have never been legally married to the other woman. I checked the Censuses and found an Alexander Whaley in Poinsett County, Arkansas in 1840 and 1850. The 1850 Census lists him as 61 years old and born in South Carolina. Also listed is Margaret Whaley, 36 years old and also born in South Carolina. The children are mostly listed by initials, however, upon further digging, I found the name of his oldest child the most interesting, Middleton B. Whaley. If this Alexander Whaley is the same person that was married to Ruth McAnally and lived in Blount Co., AL, and I think it very likely based on the strong oral tradition, then it would also appear that this Alexander Whaley was most probably related to the Middleton and William Whaley who lived in Sevier Co., Tennessee, who also fought in the War of 1812 and who were also born in South Carolina.

Sources

1. ↑ 1850 US Federal Census; Census Place: Greenfield, Poinsett, Arkansas; Roll: 29; Page: 219a

• Tennessee, compiled marriages. Alexander Whaley and Ruth McAnally, 10 Sep 1812, Roane, Tennessee
• 1830 US Federal Census; Census Place: Blount, Alabama; Series: M19; Roll: 1; Page: 8; Family History Library Film: 0002328
• Whaley, Alexander b 1790 tombstone
• Alexander Whaley War of 1812 Marker.
• War of 1812- Service - Alexander Whaley
• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/72027249/person/272233801244/facts
• Find-a-Grave memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69386242/alexander-whaley