John Hancock Whitaker, III

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John Hancock Whitaker III VVETERAN
BIRTH
1783
Pitt County, North Carolina, USA
DEATH
1867 (aged 83–84)
Madison County, Alabama, USA
BURIAL
Whitaker Cemetery
Nebo, Madison County, Alabama, USA
MEMORIAL ID
156761018 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 0
FLOWERS 2
Son of John Whitaker Jr. and his first wife, called Priscilla in family histories.
John Whitaker III married first Vina Jackson who died in Tennessee in 1832.
Soldier of the War of 1812.
He moved with his second wife Delilah to Madison County, Alabama, in 1855 to live near his stepmother Susan Graham Whitaker and a number of siblings.
Many descendants give his name as John Hancock Whitaker or Whittaker and also John Whitaker III.
Past family researchers have said he was an elder half-brother of John Whitaker (b.1798 Pitt Co., NC, d.c1869 Tishomingo Co, MS) who married Catherine Bishop. Some of their descendants call him John "Winnford" Whitaker apparently for his mother's name, Winnie, though that was not his name. His half-brother William Whitaker (son of Susan Graham Whitaker) stated in an interview before his death that his brother John Whitaker was living in Corinth, Mississippi. Corinth was in Tishomingo County at that period, now Alcorn County.
Some past family researchers have said that John Whitaker Jr. had THREE wives rather than two, and that there were sons named John by all Three: 1st wife ("Priscilla," for lack of a verified name), Winnie (or Winneford/Winnifred), and Susan Graham (see The Higdon-Whitaker Family by Bettina Pearson Higdon).
This may be correct or may be merely researchers trying to force pieces of evidence to fit.
Blanche Whitaker Jernigan, author of A Family History: Whitaker, Clouse, Finley (1993), wrote: "John Whitaker was born ca 1783 to John and Winney Whitacre. He came to the mountains near what is now Monterey, TN with his family about 1800. He settled in the 9th Civil District of what was then Overton County, TN (after 1854, Putnam County, TN). He served in the War of 1812 four months as a private in the 3 Tenn. Militia, Capt. David Williams' Co., Col. Stephen Copeland’s regiment. Each non—commissioned officer, as well as each private, traveled 330 miles, marching to Camp Johnson, where they were mustered in, and from Fayetteville, where discharged, to their residence in Monroe, Overton Co., TN. He received 36 dollars and 19 cents for his service. John sold his land near Monterey to his son Jefferson and moved to New Hope, AL about 1851 or earlier. Here he applied for a Bounty Land Grant under the Bounty Land Act of 1855, and received it. He was then 72 years old. His father, the elder John Whitacre, was living in New Hope. They are both buried in the Whitaker Cemetery in AL."

John "Winnford" Whitaker (b.1798 Pitt Co., NC, d. Tishomingo Co, MS) who married Catherine Bishop has been thought by researchers to be the son of John Whitaker Jr. and his wife Winnie, and a younger half-brother of John Whitaker III, and they have called him "John Winford" for that reason (ref., Higdon).
Oct. 15, 1867 Madison Co., AL.: Wherry Whitaker was appointed executor to estate of John Whitaker deceased. Wherry Whitaker (1800-1894) was said to be the son of Priscilla Whitaker Keel so he would be a nephew of this John Whitaker if the family tree is correct. The land sale shows this is John Whitaker (1783-1867).

John Whitaker III and Vina Jackson's son James Madison Whittaker (1821-1855) was the father of Alfred Nelson Whitaker who married Susie Whitaker/Whiteaker, daughter of Elias Lee Whitaker, son of David Whitaker/Whiteaker (1793-1854) and Nancy Elizabeth Lott who moved from N.C. to White County, Tennessee before moving to Missouri.

Descendants qualify for membership:
First Families of Putnam County, Tennessee (Upper Cumberland Genealogical Association)
Daughters of the American Revolution
Sons of the American Revolutoin

John Whitaker was born ca 1783 to John and Winney Whitacre. He came to the mountains near what is now Monterey, TN with his family about 1800. He settled in the 9th Civil District of what was then Overton County, TN (after 1854, Putnam County, TN). He served in the War of 1812 four months as a private in the 3 Tenn. Militia, Capt. David Williams' Co., Col. Stephen Copeland’s regiment. Each non—commissioned officer, as well as each private, traveled 330 miles, marching to Camp Johnson, where they were musted in, and from Fayetteville, where discharged, to their residence in Monroe, Overton Co., TN. He received 36 dollars and 19 cents for his service. John sold his land near Monterey to his son Jefferson and moved to New Hope, AL about 1851 or earlier. Here he applied for a Bounty Land Grant under the Bounty Land Act of 1855, and received it. He was then 72 years old. His father, the elder John Whitacre, was living in New Hope. They are both buried in the Whitaker Cemetery In AL.

John III is believed to have moved to Tennessee between 1800 and 1808, and settled in the area now known as Monterey.

His land was platted June 9, 1893, by the Cumberland Mountain Coal and Lumber Co., with permission granted by Wilbert Whitaker's "Uncle Jesse" {Thomas Jefferson, son of John III}. The lumber company started selling the land, and eventually Whittaker lost it. "Whole country around here for miles belonged to John III. Uncle Jack (sic) loved music ... needed a piano ... swapped 600 acre tract (of timberland) in Stamps Holler for a second-hand piano." {Hollow is pronounced "holler" by most of the local folks, especially of Wilbert's generation. A hollow is a ravine like depression that is formed by the slopes of two or more mountains or range of mountains.}
He was drafted and served as a Private. in the 3rd Regiment of the West Tennessee Militia. Captain David Williams was the Company Commander and Colonel Steven Copeland was the Regiment Commander. His place of residence was listed as Overton County, Tennessee. Dillard records discharge date as 4 JUN 1814.

War of 1812 Bounty-land Application and Records sent to Livingston, Tennessee cite;
residency in Overton County, Tennessee, on 24 June 1851; residency in Madison County, Alabama, between 1855 - 1856.

He purchased this land from Henry W. Sibley.
The 1850 census reads: Whitecar, John 67, farmer, b. NC; Whitecar, Delila 46, b. TN; Tudor, Henderson 16, b. TN; Whitecar, Nancy 16, b. TN.

Dwelling house #81. Census reads: "Whitaker, John, 75 MW b. NC; Whitaker, Delila, 52 FW b. TN; Whitaker, Minerva, 9 FW b. TN". Compare this to the 1850 census to see the surname spelling changes. Also note that John only aged 8 years in 10 years; Delila aged just 6 years in 10 years and Minerva appeared on the record.

NOTE - Whitaker name is recorded as Whittaker, Whitaker, and Whitacre

1. John fought in the war of 1812
2. Dates from tombstone
3. In Overton, TN census 1820, 1830, 1850
4. Land grant Madison Co., Al 6/12/1855
5. John brought his wife and son (TJ) from NC to TN. 8 or 10 other men came with him and they settled in Standing Stone (Monterey, TN) area. He was one of the first settlers in this part of hte Cumberland Plateau. The men who came with John settled in the valley to farm. The Whittakers were hunters, so they stuck to the higher country.

John III arrived in the Standing Stone Area around 1809. During the War of 1812, he served a four month tour with the West Tennesse Militia Infantry. John entered into the service as a private on January 28, 1814, and served in Col. Stephen Copeland's regiment for a term of four months. He was paid $8 per month plus $2.86 subsistance pay and received $36.19 mustering out pay when he was discharged June 4, 1814.

John and his first wife Dellia, lived on the Walton Road about two miles northwest of present day Monterey, near property owned by James Clark.
The Federal Government passed a bounty law on Sept 8., 1850, giving land grants to certain officers and soldiers. This may be why John III left Standing Stone to acquire land for free anywhere in the United Strates. In order to receive this bounty land, John III had to file his discharge papers, or as in his case, file an affidavit or declaration stating that he had lost or misplaced his discharge. It had been 36 years since he was a private in the War of 1812. A declaration was filed at the Overton County courthouse on June 6, 1851.

John III sold his home in 1853 and moved to Alabama. A land grant dated June 12, 1855, shows that John Whittaker III received 40 acres of land in Madison County Alabama for his service in the War of 1812.

1860 census
Name: Jno Whitaker
Age in 1860: 75
Birth Year: abt 1785
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1860: South Eastern Division, Madison, Alabama
Gender: Male
Post Office: New Hope
Value of real estate: View Image
Household Members: Name Age
Jno Whitaker 75 Farmer value of real estate $500 value of personal estate $500 cannot read or write
Delila Whitaker 50 cannot read or write
Minerva Whitaker 9

John’s children were:

1. Nathaniel, b. Cd 1813, m. 1)Susan ___, lived In Jackson Co., TN.

When John moved to Al Nathaniel moved also. He then m. 2)Mrs. Rebecca
Stanley, and moved to Marshall Co., AL. His children were: A. Elizabeth, b. ca 1834

B. Nelly b, ca 1838
C. Madison, b. ca 1839 D. Clayburn, b. ca 1841 E. Jefferson, b. ca 1843 F. James b. ca 1843
C. Catherine, b. ca 1849 H. Elizah, b. 1851

II, Thomas Jefferson, b. 18 Dec. 1818, d. 30 Nov. 1900, m. Nancy Dillard Clark.

They are both buried in Whitaker Cemetery, Monterey, TN. Their children:
A. James (Jack) b. 16 Mar. 1843, d. 26 Dec. 1922, m. Nancy
Elmyra Bagwell.
A.
Margaret Emeline, b. 6 Apr. 1845, d. 7 Nov. 1913, m.
David Alexander Buckner.

B.
Alcy, b. 25 Aug. 1848, d. 4 May 1923.

C.
Elizabeth, b. 26 Feb. 1850, d. 28 June 1871, m. Daniel

Buckner.

E. Martha, b. ca 1853, m. Eli Neal
F. George, b. ca 1856, m. Nellie Jane Ray. G. Nancy, b. 1859
H. Haleyan, b. ca 1862, m. Louis Swofford.

III. James, b 10 Mar. 1821, d. 1855, New Hope, AL, m. Nancy Henry, daughter of

John and Susannah Henry. James is buried in the Whitaker Cemetery in AL.
Their children:
A. John Harrison, b. 29 Nov. 1840, 15 May 1922. m.

l)Catherine Miller Home, and had three children. John Harrison served in the Civil War and was known for his sharpshooting abilities with a rifle. The children of John Harrison and Catherine were:

1. John Morgan, b. 17 Jan. 1877, d. 7 June 1962, m. Lorittie Whitaker, dau or William and Elzira Jane Nash Whitaker. He m. 2)Alice Green.

(Children of John Harrison & Lorittie Whitaker)
a. Henry Peyton, b. 30 Nov. 1902, d. 1 Mar. 1971, m.

Nelly Clouse, dau of Rollis Bevy and Pearlie Lee Finley Clouse, 25 Apr. 1927. Their children:
1. Henry Thomas Whitaker, b. 24 June 1928, m. Dixie

Austin,
12 Feb. 1955. Their children:
a. Mary Nell, b. 11 Dec. 1955
b. Henry Thomas, Jr., b. 18 Sep. 1958 c. Richard Morgan, b. 30 Sep. 1959
d. Dixie Ann, b. 2 Feb. 1970
1.
Arvel Leonard, b. 29 Sep. 1929, m. Mary Hodge

2.
Blanche Willidene, b. 20 Sep. 1932, m. Floyd Levi

Jernigan,
18 Mar. 1954.
a. Floyd Levi Jernigan, Jr., b. 21 Nov. 1955, in.
Margaret Jenkins Hudson.

1. Holly Erin Jernigan, b. 9 Aug. 1980

3.
Wanda Cliffene, b. 27 June 1935, m. Joseph

Palladlno, 19 July
19 58.
a. Joseph Kenneth, b. 30 Nov. 1959 b. Leonard, b. 19 Aug 1964

a.
Mary Belle

b.
Bertha Laney, b. 8 Apr. 1901, d. 2 Apr. 1980, m. John

Grant

c.
Rosey Jane, b. 29 June 1904, m. Roy Kirby

d.
Ollie Della, b. 28 NoV. 1905, m. William Vinson

e.
Callie Elizabeth, b. 8 July 1907, m. Hubert Jackson

f.
David Harrison, b. 8 Jan. 1909, d. 25 Dec. 1959

g.
Ruby Lee, b. 15 June 1910, d. 26 Apr. 1974, m. Harvey

Mansell

h.
Arh Edward, b. 8 Aug. 1912, d. 19 Sep. 1936

j. Harvey Paul, b. 8 June, 1916, m. Mildred Murphy

k. Gracey Ellen, b. 29 Dec. 1914, m. Sam Bullock
l. Walter Thomas, b. 22 June 1918, d. 22 Feb. 1986, m.
Gladys Jackson
1.
Elizabeth, b. 8 June 1880, 17 Dec. 1967, m. Alfred Welch

2.
Walter Monroe, b. 23 Sep. 1896, d. 6 Apr. 1963 in. Lou
Ella Rando1ph

3.
Tyra Rolone, b. 30 Sep. 1882, d. 5 Sen. 1973, m. 1)Lizzie

Pearson;
2)Zeffie King.

4.
Ollie Von, b. 21 Nov. 1884, d. 17 May 1975.

5.
Kelley, b. 18 Nov. 1884, d. 4 Feb. 1894.

6.
Calvin Haston, b. 15 Jan. 1890, d. June 1967, m. Emma

Henry.

7.
Sina Belle, b. 22 July 1886, d. 11 July 1964, m. Modesty

Ford

9. Amy, b. 11 Aug. 1892, d. 11 July 1964, m. Joe Ford
A.
Ligard Jefferson, b. 15 Feb. 1843, d. 10 Apr. 1932, m. Rhoda Frances Byrne.

Their children:
1. Demps Corner, m. Judah Huddleston 2. James, m. Lou Roberson
3. Sue, m. Winburn Elrod
4. Sonora
5. Hennie, m. Corner McBroom
6. Mary Jane, m. William Huddleston 7. Ocie, m. Marley Watts
8. Cleor, m. Young Watts
9. Joe, m. Eliza Allison

B.
James Wesley, b. 1845, m. Becky C. ______

D. Alfred Nelson Whitaker, b. 17 Jan. 1847, d. 22 Aug. 1907, m.

1)Cather— the Whitaker, dau of Elias Lee and Elizabeth Huddleston Whitaker; and
2)Mary Buttern. His children were: (No. 7- No. 9 by Mary Buttern)

1. Verney, m. Champ Buttern
2. Tom, m. Cynthia Burrern
3. Francis, m. Joe Henry
4. Joseph Hunter, m. Lola Etta Roberson 5. Lewis W., m. Crety Henry

6. Avo, m. Lidge Henry
7. Fountain, m. Laura Henry 8. Dempsey, m. Irene Mitters 9. Rose. m. John Robinson
A.
Susan (Sookie), b. 1850

B.
William Nathan, b. 1852, m. Frances Ford. Their children

were:
1. Jimmy, b. 1874, d. 1597
2. Julie Ann, b. 1876, d. 1897
3. Joe, b. 1878, m. Bell Robinson
4. Nancy B., b. 1881, m. George McCormack 5. Bessie R., b. 1883, m. Reeler Bohannon

6. Okley b. 1886, m. Aldora Collins
7. Bennie, b. 1889, m. Ova McCormack In 1913 8. Coolie, b. 1891, m. John McCormack
9. MelvIn, b. 1894, m. Cathie Lee

C. Joseph Wailer, b. 10 Mar. 1855, d. 1 Aug. 1931, m. Leah Robinson, dau

of Preston and Jane Jackson Robinson. Their children: 1. James Preston, b. 15 Apr. 1880, d. 3 July 1919, m.
Lee Ann Poteet
1.
George Jefferson (Bud), b. 13 Nov. 1881. d. 30 Oct.
____, m. Rhoda Davis

2.
Van Caugh, b. 20 Nov. 1883, d. Dec. 1948, m. Lou Harp

3.
Nancy Jane, b. 31 Aug. 1883, d. 16 May 1962, m. David

Roberson

S. Callie, b. 18 Jan. 1888
1.
Ova L., b. 24 Nov. 1889, d. 3 Nov. 1962, m. Lee

Grimsley

2.
Ethel C., b. 8 Aug. 1891, d. 10 Apr. 1960, m. Effie

Garrison

3.
Josie, b. 13 Aug. 1893, d. 20 Nov. 1949,m. Thomas

Welch

4.
Alice A., b. 1 Feb. 1895, d. 16 Feb. 1896

5.
Fannie E.

6.
Mary Ellen, b. 22 June, 1901, d. 13 June 1928, m.
William Homer Selby

12. Mintie D., b. 7 Dec. 1896, m. Tilford Moore
I.
Permelia Enunaline (Mede), b. 10 May 1826, d. 12 Mar. 1881, m. Elisha N.

Henry. Their children:
A. Taylor, b. 1848
B. George W., b. ca 1849
C. Jasper N., b. ca 1850
D. John, b. 3 Jan. 1851, d. 2 Feb. 1881, m. Hilly A.

________
E. James Vinet, b. 5 Jan. 1854, d. 27 May 1931, m. Margaret
Whitaker, dau of Elias Lee and Elizabeth Huddleston

Whitaker
F. Joseph, b. 10 Mar. 1855, d. 3 Nov. 1935, m. Senie

C. Mary Ann, b. 9 Jan. 1857, d. 10 Feb. 1929, m. Crocket C.

Conley
H. Mattson Columbus, b. 3 Dec. 1863, d. 27 June 1919, m. A.

Z. (Levisa) Robinson
i. Lidgard J. (or F), b. 1863, d. ca. 1893 J. L. Dillard, b. ca 1867
II.Sally
III.Eliza

have read that Alcy's father Thomas Jefferson Whitaker died in 1900 in Monterey, Putnam Co, TN, but is buried in the Whitaker family cemetery in Madison Co., AL. I'm wondering if that is correct, since it would seem more logical to bury him in the Whitaker family Cemetery in Putnam Co. where he died. The cemetery in Madison Co. is on his grandfather John Whitaker Jr.'s farm, which has been in the family since at least 1820 and is still owned by Whitakers today. It's located off of Oran Whitaker Road near Mt. Nebo, northeast of New Hope.

John Whitaker Jr., born c1761 in Pitt Co., N.C., son of John and Mary (Williams) Whitaker, was a Revolutionary War soldier. He and his son John III came to Putnam Co., TN early and were both there in the records for a couple of years, according to a history of Putnam Co. cited in the family book, the Keel-Whitaker Family by P.B. Keel & Harold Glenn Whitaker. Ida Mae Whitaker, whose family inherited the farm in Madison Co., wrote the family history in 1925 after interviewing her 85-year-old aunt and other relatives, and Ida also said that John Jr. moved on to Mulberry, Lincoln Co., TN., near his cousins John ("Pegleg") and Mark (who married Katie Boone) for a couple of years before moving to Alabama about 1820. John Whitaker III remained in Putnam County, TN., though, and apparently is buried in the Whitaker cemetery there, though others list him as buried in the family cemetery in Madison Co., AL. I'm not sure which is correct. Some descendants of John III list his name as John Hancock Whitaker III, but I have never seen Hancock as the name of his father (my ancestor) or grandfather. And only John III (born 1783) was born after the famous signature on the Declaration of Independence, so it would raise other interesting questions if the earlier two generations were named John Hancock Whitaker. John Hancock Whitaker or John III's son Thomas Jefferson Whitaker (or Whittaker), who also died there in Putnam in 1900 is the one said to be buried at the Whitaker cemetery in Madison County (unless the person who wrote that is just mistaken). According to information given me by a Whtiaker researcher, Thomas J. Whitaker's daughter Alcy Whitaker married Daniel Boone Buckner (b. 1847), a brother of Susannah Buckner b. 1853 who married Calvin Bohannan. But Alcy Whitaker Buckner's daughter Susanne Buckner born 1875 is the one who married Joe Woody. So if that's correct, you would be a Whitaker descendant after all. There are a number of Whitaker & Buckner connections in Putnam Co., TN. susanne & Joe Woody's children were Floyd, Lonzo, and Hack, and possibly more. All I know is what someone else wrote about these people are they are not very close relatives of mine, only second and third cousins of my ancestors, so you may know better than I.

Notify Administrator about this message? Followups: Re: whitakers of Putnam Co., TN & Pitt Co., N.C. Mary Yamada 8/31/09 Re: whitakers of Putnam Co., TN & Pitt Co., N.C. Carol Key 1/16/06

John was born c. 1783 in Pitt County, North Carolina and died in 1869 in New Hope, Madison County, Alabama. John and some family members left Monterey for Madison County, Alabama after he received a land grant of 40 acres on June 12, 1855 for his service to the United States during the War of 1812. John Whittaker was drafted into the service on January 28, 1814 as a private in the West Tennessee Militia under the command of Col. Stephen Copeland. He was discharged some 4 1/2 months later on June 14, 1814. 

John and his 1st wife Vina Jackson Whittaker were some of the earliest settlers to the Upper Cumberland area known as Standing Stone. They settled land on the Walton Road about 2 miles north and west of present day Monterey, Tennessee. It was said they owned land for miles. A nearby neighbor was James Clark who was a huge landowner himself. John's son Thomas Jefferson Whittaker would later marry Nancy Dillard Clark the daughter of James Clark.