Descendants of William Whitfield* and Mary Towler*

Hubert Whitfield* and Effie Barnett*

The Spelling of a Name

Whitfield or Whitefield, to “e” or not to “e”. Over the years I have seen several discussions as to why there is or is not an “e” in Whitfield. While in some later generations, a branch of the family may have chosen to add or remove the “e”, this was clearly not the case with William and likely not the case with his children. It is important to recognize that most people in Colonial America could not read or write. This is clearly the case with William. Therefore, he was not deciding whether to use the “e” or not. In several documents that William had to sign or “make his mark,” sometimes the “e” is used and sometimes it is not. In a court record in which both Mary and William are named, the “e” is used with William’s name but not with Mary’s.1 According to Robb “…there was no such thing as “correct” spelling, especially of unfamiliar words, such as surnames not familiar in the locality. Literate, and even educated people, spelled unfamiliar words the way they heard them… .”2 Therefore, the way one pronounced their name could influence the spelling. Of course, it depended on the person who was writing the document and their own spelling influences and knowledge. In the one signed document I have seen from William and Mary’s, son George, he could clearly write, and he signed his name using the “e”.3 The text of the document, which was written by someone else has Whitfield spelled without the “e”. William and Mary’s, son James, also signed his marriage bond. His signature is without the “e”.4 In their book, A Dictionary of Surnames, Hanks and Hodges tells us that Whitfield has its origin in England, and the name comes from various places. For example, Derbyshire, Kent, Northants, and Northumberland. It is from the Old English, “hwit,” which translates to White + feld. “Feld” in Old English means pasture or open country, and “White” comes from the chalky soil of the area. Hanks and Hodges also show a variation in the spelling with the “e,” (Whitefield) in such places as Lancashire and the Isle of Wight.5

The Whitfields of Person County

Today there are a number of Whitfields who live in Person County, North Carolina. It is my belief that most, if not all these Whitfields are descended from William Whitfield and Mary Towler. Many of the

Whitfields of Person County can be traced back to their two oldest documented sons, George and James. In the 1790 census, there is a John Whitfield in Granville County. He appears in later census records, and by 1850 there are a number of Whitfields in Granville County. However, there is no known connection between the Whitfields of Person County and the Whitfields of Granville County. In the 1810 census, there are two Whitfields in Orange County, one of which, is listed as William and the other is listed as W. Whitfield. There is also a William Whitfield in Caswell County. Both the W. Whitfield and the Caswell County William are in the age range of William and Mary’s son William. Also, in the 1810 census, there are three Whitfields in Person County. These Are George, James Towler and John. John is discussed later as a likely son of William and Mary.

I can document my Whitfield line back, four generations, to Elizabeth "Bettie" Burch* and George Whitfield*. There is circumstantial evidence that shows that George is the son of William Whitfield and Mary Towler and I had long believed this to be the case. First and foremost, based on “The Douglas Register,” we know that William and Mary’s oldest son was named George. “The Douglas Register” is a “…record of Births, Marriages and Deaths…as kept by the Rev. William Douglas, from 1750 to 1797…” which was transcribed and edited by W. Mac. Jones.6 We know that George is in the age range of the son of William and Mary. We also know that William and family, including their second son James Towler Whitfield are living in Person County or nearby counties. Over the years, I have gotten several matches on Ancestry DNA that matched me with known descendants of James Towler Whitfield. This supports the circumstantial evidence but because Ancestry uses autosomal DNA test, it is not conclusive. However, a Y-chromosome tests from Family Tree DNA confirms that I have a common ancestor with documented descendants of William Whitfield.7 This DNA results along with the circumstantial evidence confirms (in my mind) that I am descended from William Whitfield* and Mary Towler.*

At least one document, the marriage bond of George Whitfield shows that Whitfields were in Person County, North Carolina, or the nearby area in the early 1790’s.8 This bond is dated 1793. Other documents that show Whitfields in the area are the marriage bond of James Towler Whitfield, dated 1798 and the marriage bond of Polly (Mary) Whitfield dated in1800.9 10 The 1800 census shows William and family in Orange County.11

Marriage Bond of George Whitfield and Elizabeth Burch

The Whitfield Story

Much of the information about William and Mary comes from secondary and tertiary sources. However, from documents, such as court records, tax lists, census records, and pension files we can glean some of the possibilities. According to one of the tertiary sources, the Whitfields of Person County “descended from one of three brothers who came from England landed at Norfolk, Va. moved to Edgecombe County, later Orange County, now (or near) Person County.”12 This possibility will be discussed later; however, it is important to understand that the names, numbers, and shapes of North Carolina Counties have changed over the years. In 1741 the area now known as Person County was a part of the newly formed Edgecombe County. In 1746 Edgecombe was divided in Granville County which included the area now known as Person County. Orange County was formed in 1752 from parts of Johnston, Bladen, and Granville including the area that is now Person County. In 1777 part of Orange was divided into Caswell County, which included the area, which is now Person County. Person County was formed in 1792 when Caswell County was divided. It is likely, that when

William and his family come to this area of North Carolina, Person County did not yet exist.

Most of the facts we know about William and Mary comes from “The Douglas Register” and William’s pension application. As one begins to research this family it is important to understand that there is more than one William Whitfield and many researchers have conflated the two families. DNA tests show that the descendants of William Whitfield who married Elizabeth Goodman are not related to the descendants of William Whitfield and Mary Towler.13

We can glean from “The Douglas Register” that William and Mary were in Goochland, County, Virginia as early as 1772. We know from the register that they were married in Goochland on December 14, 1772.14 Based on William’s declaration, while applying for his Revolutionary War Pension, we know that William and Mary had twelve children.15 Four of these children, presumably the oldest, are documented in the register. “The Douglas Register” includes the births and baptism dates of these children. George* was born on Sept. 20, 1773, and baptized on October 17, 1773.16 James Towler was born on May 17, 1777, and baptized on June 22, 1777.17 Mary was born on March 21, 1782, and baptized on July 21, 1782.18 William was born on August 4, 1783 and baptized on April 17, 1784.19 We do not know for certain that these are the only children born before 1784. There are almost four years between George and James and around five years between James and Mary. Therefore, it is possible that other children were born in this period and for some reason were not registered in the Douglas Register.

As stated earlier, family history states that the family descends from three brothers who came from England and landed at Norfolk Va. In this family story, it is not clear whether it was William or an earlier generation who came from England. While I believe family history can be an important source and should not be

William and Mary in Goochland

Marriage Bond James Towler Whitfield red

Marriage Bond of James Tolwer Whitfield and Susannah Menchew

ignored, we must also realize that these histories get conflated with other stories over generations. However, these stories can often give us clues to the actual history. Thus far, I have found no evidence of three brothers coming from England to Norfolk Va. This, of course, does not mean it did not happen. However, until evidence is found it should not be considered as fact. An example of how family stories can be incorrect or at least parts of it can be incorrect, can be seen in one of the marriage stories of James Towler Whitfield. I have seen several versions of this story, but one version says that “James Towler Whitefield’s father died, and they settled up his estate. James took his part of the money and came to Roxborough, N. C., Person County on horseback.”20 We know that James’ father, William was not dead as documented in the 1800 census as well as William’s pension records and other documents. The story goes on to describe how James went to the Little River community in Orange County looking for a wife. After Susannah Minchew agreed to marry him, they went back to his house where she slept upstairs, and he slept down. As the story goes, they when to Leasburg, Caswell County the next morning and got married.21 This too does not ring true. We know that their marriage bond, which is dated December 2, 1798, is in Person County.22 Richard Minchew is also listed on the bond, which makes it unlikely that they meet one day and were married the next. The story also states that they were married on January 4, 1798. This is almost a month after the date of the marriage bond.23

In addition to the family history stating that three brothers came to Virginia, it also says that William and his family moved first to Edgecombe County, and later to Orange and Person County, N.C.24 This is another instance where there is no proof. As one looks at the facts it seems unlikely that William ever moved to Edgecombe County. The first record we have of William and Mary is in 1772 when they are married. We know they are still in Goochland in 1784 because their son William was christened in April of that year as documented in “The Douglas Register.”25 Williams's presence in Goochland is also documented in the 1782, 1783, and 1784 tax records for Goochland. In the tax record for 1782 (the name is smudged but I believe it is William) he is taxed for one slave, one horse, and one cow.26 In 1783 and 1784 he was taxed for one slave, two horses, and two cows.27 28 I have not found William in any Goochland tax records for later years.

William can be found in other documents of Goochland Virginia. These documents not only add to the evidence of William’s presence in Goochland in this time period but some of them give clues to possible members of Mary’s family. A court record dated September 1780, states, “William Whitefield comes into Court and makes oath that John Toler decd, died without any Will as far as he knows or believes, and on his motion[, a] certificate is granted him for obtaining

Letters of Administration…”29 30 and in October 1781, “William Whitfield is appd Guardian to Keziah & Fanny [may be Tanny] Toler Orphans of Jno. Toler Decd.”31 William also appears in a court record for April 1784.32 In June Court of 1784 “William Whitfield is

July Court 1784

appointed Surveyor of the Road in the room of Major Hamcoeke with the usual gang.”33 It appears the term surveyor is more of an overseer. Nathaniel Mason Pawlett explains the colonial roads system in Virginia.

The establishment and maintenance of public roads was an important function of the County Court during the colonial period in Virginia. Each road was opened and maintained by an Overseer or Surveyor of the Roads charged with this responsibility and appointed by the Gentlemen Justices. He was usually assigned all the “Labouring Male Titheables” living on or near the road for this purpose.34

In July 1784, William Whitfield is the plaintiff against John Williams, which is about a debt owed to William and states, “[t]his day came as well the plaintiff by his attorney…” and continues “John acknowledged that [he] owed William three pounds ten shillings and 8 pence.” 35 A court document dated September 1784, states that “Sarah Toler comes into Court and makes choice of William Whitfield for her guardian who enters into Bond according to Law with John Lovell his Security in penalty of one hundred pounds.”36

The Move to North Carolina

Although we have no record of when William and his family left Goochland; based on what we know from the tax records and court documents, they are still in Goochland in September of 1784. From what we can glean from the Goochland tax and court records it seems likely that they left sometime between late 1784 and 1785. With the various responsibilities William took on in the summer of 1784 and with fall on the way, it seems unlikely they left Goochland in the latter part of 1784. Whether the Whitfields moved first to Edgecombe County (as family history states) or not, George’s marriage bond shows that they were in the Person County area no later than 1793. They were probably in the area before 1793 and therefore, less likely that they moved to Edgecombe County first. Most likely when they came to the area, they were in Orange County. In fact, it is likely that Person County did not exist when they came to the area. William is listed in the 1800 census for Orange County.37 Both William and Mary can be found in the Wheelers Baptist Church Minute Books. Mary is listed in the membership list and William is mentioned in several entries. He is first mentioned in February of 1797. The entry is captioned, ”Quarterly Meeting 2nd Saturday in Feb’y, 1797.” The entry states, "[i]nqed for grievance and an accusation was brought against Bro Wm Whitefield concerning his having said one thing to Bro Daniel Dorm & Sworn to the reverse before a Justice of Peace relative to a matter between him & Robt Humphries."38 This matter is again discussed in the March meeting but without resolution. In a meeting in February 1799, William is again mentioned. It states, "[i]nqd for grievance & Brother William Whitefield stood forward and acknowledged himself guilty of Drinking to an excess some time ago & appeared sensible of the evil which was satisfactory to the Church."39

William is also mentioned again in August of 1799, in which Brother Price says that William had transgressed in warranting him and he is grieved. William claims he was also grieved. The church decides that they are both guilty. Brother Price admitted his conduct, however, Brother Whitfield did not and was censured until the next meeting. In the September meeting, William was on a journey and therefore, his case was postponed. In November, the matter concerning Brother Whitfield was again postponed. In the December meeting, the matter of William is again addressed. The entry states, “[t]he reference concerning Wm Whitefield is determined he thus still refuses to hear the church or to come to it & is therefore excomd

as a heathan [sic] or publican.”40

Wheelers Baptist Church Minute Books

on account of transgression that fell out between him & Bro Price & as he returned & gave satisfaction & previous thereto each party was reconciled he is again restored to fellowship & union with the Church."41

In August 1803 Brother Whitfield accuses Brother Wilkerson of not acting in a Christian manner. In 1805 William Whitfield is listed as a subscriber and in February 1806 Wm Whitfield is elected to a committee. He is mentioned in September and October 1807 and in August, September, and October 1808. In February 1809 the entry states, "Grievance inquired for Bro. Whitfield inform the church that there was a report in circulation about his using ill words but he denies the fact. It was laid over till next meeting till we can get more information."42

In the March meeting, this issue was addressed, however, it is at the bottom of the page and the resolution is missing or unreadable. In November of 1809, Brother Whitfield is accused of getting angry and fighting. In December 1809, Brother Whitfield said that he had been fighting with James Jones and he used profane language. He was also accused of having some hogs with his mark that were claimed by Mr. Hawkins. In January 1810 William did not appear and sent word that he would not come. He was excommunicated, the entry reads, “he is no more with us.”43 This appears to be the last time William is mentioned in the church records.

Other records show William and family members in the area. One of these is a deed dated December 3, 1799, in which, William purchased from James Embank for the sum of twenty-five pounds ____ and ____ about 50 acres on a branch of the Bushy Fork in Person County.44 According to this document, William is living in Person County. William also purchases land on March 1, 1807. Based on this record we know that William is living in Orange County but the land he is buying is in Person County but on the Orange County line. This parcel, which he buys from Thomas W. Price contains about 25 acres and William paid 10 pounds. His son, James, and daughter-in-law Susannah were witnesses.45 In addition to these documents, there is James’s marriage bond dated Dec. 2, 1798, and a marriage bond dated Jun. 21, 1800, in Orange Co. for Polly Whitfield and John Rimmer in which William Whitfield was bondsman.46 47

The Edgecombe County story may have come from some early researchers' work. There is a William Whitfield in Edgecombe County in the 1790 census, however, the number of people and ages in the household does not fit what we think we know about William and Mary’s family at that time.48 Perhaps we will never know for sure if they moved to Edgecombe County or came directly to Orange County. However, based on documents, we know four locations where William Whitfield can be placed. and two in which Mary can be placed. The first location is in Goochland County, Virginia, where both William and Mary can be documented. The second location where they both documented is in Orange County, North Carolina, or at least the area. The third location where William can be documented is the Pendleton District of South Carolina, and finally in Shelby County, Alabama. Of course, we do not know if Alabama was the intended destination when they left Goochland. But it is likely that it was not the plan, considering the number of years it took to get to Alabama and that only part of the family went there. However, Orange County, North Carolina, and Pendleton, South Carolina would have been along one of the main routes to Shelby County, Alabama. Although we do not know the route they took; the likely route would have been the Upper Road. The Upper Road was constructed between 1748 and 1760. It started in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and ran through Goochland County and into Granville County and Orange County, North Carolina. It ran through the important towns of Hillsboro, Salisbury, and Charlotte, North Carolina. After Charlotte, the Upper Road overlapped with other earlier routes. Some South Carolina counties the Upper Roads passed through were Spartanburg, Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee. In North and South Carolina, I-85 is approximately the same route as the Upper Road.49

From about the Virginia-North Carolina border to Charlotte, North Carolina the Upper Road follows the older route known as The Great Trading Path also called the Occaneechi Path.50 This route started at what is now Petersburg, Va., and ran southwestward to present-day Clarksville, Virginia. The trail continued southwest into North Carolina where it crossed the Tar River near Oxford and later crossed the Roanoke River near the North Carolina-Virginia line at Moniseep Ford. The route then ran toward Charlotte crossing Flat River north of Durham.51 The Great Trading Path was not suitable for wagon travel, but the construction of the Upper Road made wagon travel possible along this route.

At the time William came to South Carolina the modern-day counties of Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee made up the Pendleton District.52 The Upper Road would have taken William through the Pendleton District.

In April 1801 William is received back into the Church. The entry states, "[a]s heretofore Wm Whitfield was excommunicated

William's Revolutionary War Record

On November 25, 1829, William gave an oath to the Court of Record for St. Clair County, Alabama. This oath can be found in the court minute book for 1828-1845.53 A copy is also part of his pension file held by the National Archives.54 According to this declaration, William Whitfield was born in January 1751. He was a private in the Virginia Continental Line during the Revolutionary War. In his declaration to the Court, William stated that,

he the said William Whitefield enlisted for the term of one year on the 16th day of February 1778 in the State of Virginia Goochland County, in the company commanded by Captain Morris, who marched us out to Valley Forge, at which place the command of the company was taken by Captain Curtis Kendall, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richard Parker in the line of the State of Virginia on Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the 16th day of February 1779 when he was discharged from the service at Middlebrook in the State of New Jersey… .55

Based on available records we know that William enlisted in the 9th Virginia Regiment of Foot. The 9th was created in 1776 and included men from Accomac, Northampton, Goochland, Albemarle, and Augusta counties.56 Although William enlisted on February 16, he does not appear on a Muster or Pay Rolls until May. According to The Valley Forge Muster Roll Project, the 9th entered Valley Forge with the 5th and 1st.57 In September of 1778, the 9th was absorbed into the 1st Virginia Regiment of Foot.58 From the Compiled Service Records, we know a few other places William was while serving in the army. In July 1778 he was in Brunswick, and in August and September he was in White Plains. By October 1778, he was at West Point.59 It is important to understand that the Compiled Service Records are not original documents and could be flawed. In the 1890s the War Department began these complied records to centralize the records of men who were not in the Regular Army and whose service was in the federal interest. This included the Continental Army and some state units during the Revolutionary War and continued through some post-Revolutionary conflicts. The abstractions on these cards come from several sources including muster rolls, pay vouchers, returns as well as other records.60 In one of these records captioned “A Muster Roll of 9th Virginia Regiment of Foot in the Service of the United States Commanded by Lieut Col Burgess Ball for the Month of May 1778,” William Whitefield is listed.61 Although there was more than one William Whitefield who served in the War, if we look at this and other records, it matches what William of Goochland stated in his pension application. This record shows that he enlisted on February 16, 1778. Also listed in this roll are Captain Morris and Captain Kendall, who are also mentioned in the pension file.62 In a muster roll for June 1778, for the 9th Virginia, in which William is also listed, indicates that they were in Brunswick on July 5.63 In the August muster roll for the 9th Virginia, William’s enlistment date is again listed. This roll shows that they were in White Plains.64 Another record captioned, “A Muster Roll for the 9th Virginia Regiment of Foot Commanded by Lieut. Col. Burges Ball for the month of Sept. 1778,” William is again listed, as is Morris and Kendall. According to this roll, they were at West Point on October 1, 1778.65 In a Return for the 9th Virginia on September 8, 1778, William is listed, and it states that he is on guard, and again his enlistment date is listed as February 17, 1778.66 In a record captioned “Pay Roll of Captain Custis Kendall Company of the 1st Virginia Regiment of Foot in the Service of the United States. Commanded by Colol. Richd Parker for the Month of October 1778,” William Whitefield is again listed.67 Col. Parker is also mentioned in William’s pension application. William also appears on the payroll records for the 9th in June, July, August, and September 1788, and the 1st Virginia for November 1778.68 69 70 71 72

To be continued

George Whitfield

George married Lucy Ann Clayton*. Lucy Ann was the daughter of Martin Clayton* and Nancy Hudgins*. George and Lucy Ann had the following children. James William married Katie Hicks. Mollie Lou married Prophus Clayton. Henry Walker married Mattie Jane Murdock. Hubert Martin* was born on Sept. 23, 1878. Nannie Sue married James Jasper Hall. George Johnson married Opie Huff. George died on Apr. 30, 1934 and Lucy Ann died on Mar. 30, 1918.

Hubert Martin married Effie Temple Barnett* on Mar. 9, 1907. Effie is the daughter of Lillie Griffith* and Samuel Barnett*. Hubert and Effie had seven children. Effie died on Jan. 15. 1925 (age thirty-seven her mother died at the age of twenty-six when Effie was three and her grandmother died at the age of thirty) and Hubert died on Oct. 16, 1944. They are buried in the Clayton-Long Cemetery near Whitt Town along with Hubert’s parents George and Lucy, and grandparents Martin Clayton and Nancy Hudgins and several of their children.

George* married Elizabeth (Bettie) Burch* marriage bond dated 25 Oct. 1793. The children of George and Elizabeth and the husbands of the daughters are well documented in several documents held in the North Carolina State Archives and in deed books held in the Register of Deed Office in Person Co. From one of these documents, we know that George died in 1826. Their children were: Lucy Ann who married Richard Broach, marriage bond dated 17 Dec 1812; Lewis who married Martha Bumpus; James, Edon Abel, Sarah (Sally) married Michail Waterfield; Elizabeth who married Abil Burch; Mary (Polly) who married Lewis Rimmer (very likely her 1st cousin). George most likely married Elizabeth Burch (There is a marriage bond for George Whitefield and Elizabeth Burch dated 30 Sept. 1833, Lewis Whitefield bondsman), Margaret “Peggy” who married Archibald Burch the 16 Dec. 1840. .