Francis T. White (abt. 1818 - 1884)

Ancestors Descendants

Biography

The focus of much of my research has been Francis T. White, over the last several years. I am desperately craving any connections above him. There are many sources listed below, and I have many more dozens on file. My original best guess at Francis' parents was Thomas White and Dorothy R. White. Since initially writing this bio, I've now translated many of the documents I brought back from Mathews Civil Records archives. One of these records is a lawsuit naming Francis T. White as a party. The document describes how one, John White, passed away, and one, Thomas E. Sale, is appealing to the court for reparations due to the death of John White. Originally, I believed John White may have been Francis' father. However, the fact that Francis owes White & Sale money from a transaction does not tie him biologically to John. White & Sale recorded many liens against individuals, and Francis just happened to be one of them.

Full Text Translation of the Writ: To the honorable Jarvis M. Jeffris, Judge of the Circuit Court of Mathews County. Humbly complaining showeth unto your Honor your Orator Thomas E. Sale, surviving partner of himself and John White, late merchants and partners in trade under the firm and style of White & Sale, the following case - That at the May term of the county, court of said county - 1872, the said John White and Thomas E. Sale, merchants and partners as aforesaid, recovered a judgement against one Francis T. White for the sum of $100 - with interest therein from January 1st, 1863, till paid + costs - That said Judgement was duly docketed in the clerk's office of said county on the 22nd day of May 1872 - That a writ of Fieri facias sued out in said judgement has been returned "no effects" - An abstract thereof is herewith filed and prayed to be taken as a part of this bill. That at the time of the rendition of said judgement, and at this time, the said Francis T. White was (MISSING LINE) -ment, and the suing out the said writ of Fieri facias, the said John White has departed this life - and that your Orator, surviving partner as aforesaid, has no recourse for the satisfaction of said debt, except the enforcement of the lien of said judgment upon the land of the said Francis T. White - In tender consideration whereof, and for as much as your Orator is without remedy, he prays that the said Francis T. White may be made a party defendant to this bill, with proper words to charge him as such; that he may be compelled to answer the same an oath etc: that all necessary and proper accounts may be taken to the XXX that your Orator may receive satisfaction of said debt; and if necessary that the said tract of land may be sold for that purpose: that a summons may issue; and that your Orator may receive such other and further relief as is consistent with equity, and as in duty bound, he will ever pray, etc. - G. Taylor Garnett

Further research into this revealed there is a John White living in Mathews, and according to the death index, passing away in 1871 of "old age". This could be the reason for Francis leaving Mathews, and moving his family to Baltimore between 1871-1874. However, I now believe Francis' father to be someone else.

Mathews County Death Index

Mathews County Death Index, Original showing Old Age as cause

We find Francis in Mathews County, Virginia as early as 1840 in the census.^[1] He's roughly 21 years old and single. Francis is enumerated just below someone named Dorothy R. White, and above George A. White. This grouping is what caused me to believe, originally, that Dorothy was Francis' mother; and she may in-fact, be. (Census in references.)

The best evidence of Francis' father now stems from a chancery dispute between various parties including his mother, Dorothy R. White, who is administratrix to William White (dec). Ultimately, we don't know the result of the lawsuit, but we still have the link from Dorothy to William.

Chancery Dispute, William White, Dorothy R. White, Hudgins, Gayle, Armistead

After much research, and figuring out who each person in the dispute is linked to, I see connections to the Armisteads, Reades, and Buckners, which makes sense. It appears that William White is Dorothy's husband, and as a result, he would be the father of Francis T. White. Although this is not definitively proven. My only hope of proving anything is to find someone out there who is related to Franics' brothers or sisters, and perhaps piecing the puzzle together.

By the time the 1950 census rolls around^[2], Francis is married to Rebecca Parrott, and has a young son, John William White. (image below referencing the 1849 bond posted by Richard Marchant as a qualified guardian to Rebecca.) Rebecca is just months away from turning 21, the legal age where parental acquiescence for marriage is no longer required. Therefore, we see Richard Marchant stepping in as guardian for legal transference of Rebecca to Francis.

Francis T. White, marriage bann, Rebecca Parrott

Francis owned property on Mobjack bay. The parcel today would encompass the entire peninsula where the Mobjack Bay Marina is located.

Property on Mobjack Back owned by Francis T. White

He also owned property near the courthouse; an old hotel/tavern in downtown Mathews, known as the "Old Tavern Property". I believe this was also called Hotel Mathews at one point and prior to that, possibly Benson's Motel. A 1845 article in the Richmond Enquirer states the Benson Motel was directly across the street from the Mathews Courthouse; which today would be the White Dog Bistro.

Property located in downtown Mathews, owned by Francis T. White

Deed showing the Old Tavern Property, Mathews County, VA, owned by Francis T. White

It also appears that he owned property on what was referred to as Glebe or Gleabe Land.

Table of Tracts of Land, Mathews, Virginia 1861

Francis is living in Mathews during the civil war. It does not appear that he joins any army to fight, likely due to his age. His son, John is also only 12 years old in 1861, and too young to fight. Francis is recorded as taking the position of surveyor during the civil war from Gabriel Miller, due to his being in service to the Confederate cause.

1857 Francis T. White named Surveyor

Francis is also named Captain of the local patrol party in charge of keeping slaves from leaving their respective properties.

1857 Francis T. White named Captain of Patrol

Around 1874, the family leaves Mathews and moves to Baltimore, Maryland.^[3] They come in contact with a lady by the name of Letitia Elzey, whom at the time owned a boarding house at 40 N. Calvert.^[4] It appears that Francis and Rebecca help to run this operation for a time. Having been previous hotel owners, it makes sense. Francis eventually takes over management of the Peabody House (of the famed Peabody Institute) on the corner of St. Paul and Center Street. In the 1880 census, many names which are familiar to Mathews County are residing at the Peabody House.^[5] Bohannon, Hudgins, Foster, and Williams.

Just prior to Francis' death, the Peabody House changes hands. Francis is doing odd jobs, and even quoted as being a bar tender the year of his death in 1884.^[6] In a bill of sale (of sorts), Francis makes John the executor of his estate.

Bill of Sale, Francis T. White to John W. White

John, whom marries Ann Jane (Jennie) Aldrich in Norfolk, moves back to Mathews around 1882 to continue the sale of family property with Ann Jane.

John W. White marriage certificate to Ann Jane Aldrich

After 10 years in Baltimore as an Inn Keeper, Francis passes away. His body is carried back to Mathews County. Where he is buried, I still do not know, although John is buried at the Trinity Church cemetery according to his obituary, although after traveling to Mathews during Autumn of 2018, I could not locate John's grave; nor could I locate the grave of Francis.

Bill of Sale, Francis T. White to John W. White

Sources

1. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YY8-SMWQ?cc=1786457&wc=31SV-7MC%3A1588670024%2C1588670537%2C1588665902
2. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6S77-8NF?cc=1401638&wc=95R7-S5J%3A1031351901%2C1032663201%2C1032663202
3. ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989
4. ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989
5. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYB8-DGW?cc=1417683&wc=QZ2W-QYH%3A1589405538%2C1589405536%2C1589398323%2C1589395156
6. ↑ U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989

• Mathews County Civil Records Department, Title and Land Divisions Book 1
• Mathews County Civil Records Department, Maps and Plats, Book 1
• Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 (Beta) [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.