History of Wilkerson County, Georgia
The Whitehurst Family
The Whitehurst name is an old and honorable one. The history of the coat of arms of the family records that three brothers fought with honor with English in the Cursades.
The early settlers of the Whitehurst family who came to America established themselves in Virginia and North Carolina. Charles Whitehurst and his wife Elizabeth were the first of the family settle in Wilkinson
County, Georgia. They came from North Carolina.They bought a large tract of land seventeen and a half miles from Macon, Georgia, near the line of Jones County and extending into that County. Here they established the family homested which is still in possession of their descendants.
Charles and Elizabeth Whitehurst had four sons and two daughters: Josiah Irwin, Charles C., Howell Little, Easther, Jachan, and James Standley. Josiah Irwin bought from the other heirs their interests in his father's estate. Charles moved to Houston County, Howell, to Bibb County,
and James went to Texas, Easther married a Mr. Bass, and after his death, she married Mr.` Edmondson, Jachan married Isaac C. West.
Joshia Irwin, son of Charles and Elizabeth, was born October 17.1802. He lived his entire life in Wilkinson County. He was a successful planter. August 5, 1824, he married Thulia Ann Wilkinson. She was born October 15, 1806. To Josiah Irwin and Thulia Ann Whitehurst were born eleven children: Morgan L., Wilkinson Mayberry, John L., Georgia Ann, Missouri Ann, Thomas C., Charles L., Josiah Irwin.
Josiah Irwin Whitehurst, Sr. died August 21, 1875; Thulia Ann Whitehurst died February 23, 1881.Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst
Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst, second son of Josiah Irwin and Thulia Ann Whitehurst, was born July 27, 1826. Although he did not have University training, his education was sufficient to make him a good Latin scholar. October 18, 1855, he married Nancy Averette Bryan, daughter of James Averette and Kathrine Rix Bryan, of Houston County, Georgia. She was born April 26 1834. She received her education in the old college at Culloden, Georgia. This college was afterwards moved to Forsyth, Georgia and named the Monroe Female College, now Bessie Tift College. She graduated with first honor in her class. Soon after their marriage they build their home on their plantation on "The Ridge", two and a half miles from Gordon, Georgia.
Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst was a man of energy, integrity, enterprise adn thrift, and had a vision that helped him to succeed in most trying times. Sherman on "the march to the sea" encamped around his home, officers making their headquarters there. They left everything desolate. But like so many other at the time, Mayberry Whitehurst urged himself to the greatest effort and adapted himself as quickly as possible to the changed circumstances. He soon had his plantation in order. His garden produced the best vegetables; his orchard, the finest fruits. H established a store of general merchandise in Gordon, Georgia, with such sucess that he made frequent visits to New York to buy goods. He built a cotton warehouse and became a successful cotton merchant. He was interested in the political welfare of his country. He represented his district in the Senate, 1859-60. He served as Judge of the Inferir Court of Wilkinson County, from January 10, 1861 to 1869.
At the close of the war, he built and equipped, entirely at this own expense, a large school building of two stories, known as "Whitehurst Academy". For two years, he and his wife taught this school; then because of increasing demands from his other business, he engaged other teachers to take their places. Here came not only the children of the county, but those yound men and women who had been deprived of an education by the war. A music teacher was secured and his wife's piano was used for instruction in music. A Sabbath School was organized for religious instruction. Not onl did the yound people receive a common school education but many were prepated for the Junior class at college. "Whitehurst Academy" became the center of culture and learning in that section.
Wilkinson Mayberry and Nancy Averette Whitehurst had eight children: an infant that died very young; Julia Pauline, married Daniel Greenberry Lee; Thulia Katherine, married James Dowdell Myrick; Willa Dixie, married Henry Walton Bridger; Laura Josephine, married Allen Robert Rozar; Mississippi Bryan, died in childhood; Cincinnatus, married Kate Smith; Zullicoffer, married Minnie Edge.
Wilkinson Mayberry Whitehurst died July 30, 1878, at his home on "The Ridge" in Wilkinson County, Georgia. Nancy Averette Whitehurst died November 10, 1904.
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91. John Sheridan "Jackie" WHITEHURST
Notes by William F. Russell
John Sheridan Whitehurst was called "Uncle Jackie. His first wife was Mary Collins. The place of marriage is not known. She died in childbirth of their only child, Mary Whitehurst. This daughter grew to womanhood, married Buck Holland in Georgia and was the mother of a large family. One of the grandsons, Logan McClain lived in Statesboro, Georgia at one time.
Not much is known of his second wife, Mary Griffin, called "Aunt Polly". She was born in South Carolina in 1800 and died at Boca Chica Island, Monroe County, Florida. It has been reported she was tall with dark hair and eyes. Some of the older members of the family said she was of Indian Blood. She is buried at Boca Chica Island, Monroe County, Florida but her grave is unmarked.According to his tombstone inscription, was born June 23, 1783.
His first wife was Mary Collins, but I have never learned where this marriage took place. She died at the birth of their only child, Mary Whitehurst. This daughter grew to womanhood, married Buck Holland in Georgia and is reported to have been the mother of a large family, but all I have been able to learn regarding this family is to the effect that one of her grandsons, Logan McClain, lived at one time in Statesboro, Georgia.
Very little has been learned regarding his second wife, Mary Griffin, (or Alderman) called "Aunt Polly". She is reported to have been tall and slender with dark hair and eyes, and one of the older members of the family claim that she was of Indian descent. The U. S. Census records of Hamilton County, Florida, 1830 lists her "over 30 and under 40". The Hillsborough County, Florida, 1860, lists her "age 60, place of birth South Carolina". She was living at this time with her granddaughter Mary Frances Brownlow (Mrs. W. B. White). She died on Boca Chica Island, Monroe County, Florida, 1865 at the home of her grandson William Edward Erastus McClellan, and is buried there, Her grave is unmarked and the exact location is not known.
John Sheridan Whitehurst is found to have lived in various parts of Georgia before entering Florida. Madison, Morgan County, Georgia Deed Book 1, page 58 records his witnessing on September 26, 1807, a dded transferring land in the 15th District of Baldwin County, Georgia, and an affidavit was made in Tattnall County, January 16, 1808 by one John Biggs to the effect that he saw John Sheridan Whitehurst witness the above. This affadavit was registered June 9, 1908 at Madison,on Morgan County Deed Books from Tattnall County, Georgia. Page 62, Deed Book 1, Morgan County, Georgia records John Whitehurst as a witness to receipt signed by Needham Walker.
Georgia Military Records, 1779-1839, Page 287 show that John Whitehurst served as a private in Lieutenant William Cooley's Company, Georgia Militia, during the war of 1812, and was at Fort McIntosh, Telfair County, Georgia from September 5, 1813 to September 15, 1813.
He moved his family from Georgia into Florida some time between 1826 and 1830 but the exact date has not been determined. The U. S. Census, Hamilton County, Florida, 1830, lists him "Over 50 and under 60", his wife "over 30 and under 40", and his children "1 male over 10 and under 15", 1 male over 5 and under 10", "2 males under 5", "1 female over 10 and under 15", and "1 Female under 5". The U. S. Census Hillsborough County, Florida, 1860, lists him "age 81, place of birth North Carolina, Occupation Farmer". At this time he was living in the house hold of J. N. Garrison.
I have never been able to learn just when he and his family left Hamilton County, Florida (The present site of Jasper, Florida) but they were among the first settlers of what is now Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida.
They settled sometime before the "hurricane" about 1848 to the part of Hillsborough County which is now Pinellas.
My aunt, Sarah Matilda Russel (Mrs. Richard Wallace Knowles) has a photograph of John Sheridan Whitehurst, which is the only one in exsistence as far as I have been able to learn.
Notes Prepared by Gail Whitehurst Hughes
John Sheridan Whitehurst (Uncle Jackie) was born June 23, 1793 in Beauford County, North Carolina. His first wife was Mary Collins, but I do not know where this marriage took place. She died at the birth of their only child, Mary Whitehurst. This daughter grew wo womanhood, married Buck Hollan and was the mother of a large family. One of the grandsons, Logan McClain lived in Statesboro, Georgia at one time. Not much is lnown of his second wife Mary (Polly) Griffin (she was called Aunt Polly). She was born in South Carolina in 1800 and died in 1865 at boca Chica Island, Monroe County, Florida. It has been reported she was tall with dark hair and eyes and some of the older members of the family said she was Indian blood. She is buried at Boca Chica, Monroe County, Florida but her grave is unmarked. John Sheridan Whitehurst died October,8, 1878 and is buried in Curlew Cemetery. Ozona, Florida.
Mary Collins Whitehurst died in childbirth.
Mary Collins, mother of Mary Whitehurst, first wife of Simon Whitehurst, died in childbirth. Mary married Buck Holland and is reported to have reared a large family. The only descendant known was a Grandson, Logan McClain of Statesboro, Georgia.
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Unmarried. Lost at sea when returning home from the Mexican war.
Russell's work states Levi Whitehurt died at the home of his borther,
Robert John Whitehurst in Anona, Florida but in his works there is not a child listed by this name (Page missing). He is buried north of the old home of Jefferson Thomas Lowe. Levi married a widow but they separated. There were no children.
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Notes by William F. Russell
Many of the Wall and Sutton descendants are living in Florida and some of the Suttons have married back into the Whitehurst family.
The U. S. Census, Benton (Now Hernando) County, Florida records that she was living in Melendez Settlement at the time of the enumeration December 3, 1950. All her children had evidently married and established homes of their own at that time. Both she and her second husband, Shaddrack Sutton were listed "age 64, place of birth, North Carolina".
His occupation was stated as "Farmer".Living with them at this time were Daniel Hayes, age 17, born Georgia, James A Laing, age 9, born Alabama, Jincy Whitehurst, age 9, born Florida, Joseph B. Whitehurst, age 1, born Florida.
It seems that she was the grandmother or Great Aunt of these children but I have been unable to identify any of them.
Notes by Gail Whitehurst Hughes
Susannah Whitehurst (Aunt Sukey) was born in 1786 in Beauford County, North Carolina. She married the first tiem to Perry Wall and in 1818 she married Shaddrack Sutton who was born in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1786. In the U. S. Census Benton (Hernando) County, florida records that she was living in "Melindez Settlement" at the time of enumeration of December 3, 1850 and all her children had evidently married. Living with her and Shaddrach Sutton were: Daniel Hayes, 17 born in Georgia, James A. Laing, 9 born in Alabama, Jency Whitehurst, 9 born in Florida, Joseph B. Whitehurst, 1 born in Florida. It seems she was the grandmother or great aunt of these children.
John Wall, Sr. is listed in Huxford as living in Liberty, County, Georgia from 1755 - 1795. Also, list that John Wall, Jr. married Susan Whitehurst in 1805, daughter of Simon Whitehurst.
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SHA
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Notes by William F. Russell
Reported to have been the youngest son of Simon Whitehurst.
He is also reported to have been the family historian but it has been impossible to locate any papers which he may have compiled on teh subject. Could they be found there is no doubt much valuable information would be gained regarding the ancestry of the family and its movements in America.
The U. S. Census, Hamilton County, Flirida, 1830 lists him "over 40 and under 50", his wife "over 30 and under 40", his children "2 males over 10 and under 15", "2 males under 5", "3 females over 5 and under 10", "1 female under 5".
The U. S. Census, Benton (now Hernando) County, Florida enumerted Notes by William Francisco Lafayette Russell
November 30, 1850 lists as living in "Anntaliga Settlement, age 67, occupation, farmer. His wife listed as "Jerry" (Should have been Jincey),
age 54, born Geogia. His children then living at home were as follows:
1. Asbury C. Whitehust, age 22.
2. Berryan D. Whitehurst, age 19
3. Maberry Whitehurst, age 15
4. Martha Whitehurst, age 9The U. S. Census, Hillsborough County, Florida, 1860 does not list the family of Daniel Scott Whitehurst, the older or his Nephew Daniel Scott Whitehurst "Uncle Scott" but it has been definitely that both were living in the county at that time.
Daniel Scott Whitehurst, the older, was at that time living with his daughter Martha, then Mrs. Jeremiah Dinen, on what was known as the "Louchs Place".
He was elected Surveyor of Appling County, Georgia, October 6, 1820. (See History of Clinch County, Georgia, by Huxford) and served as Justice of Inferior Court, Appling County, Georgia, January 26, 1826 to February 1828. (See Georgia Department of Archives).
William P. Sutton of Palm Harbor told Wesley Russell that there was a son by the name of Winn Whitehurst.
Notes by Gail Whitehurst Hughes
Daniel Scott Whitehurst (Uncle Daniel) born in 1786 in Beauford County, North Carolina married Jincy Fletcher born in Georgia in 1796. He died September 3, 1875 and is buried at Curlew Cemetery, Ozona, Florida. He was reported to have been the family Historian of this family. Children were Ashbury C., Berran D., Emily, Maberry, and Martha. Jincey was the daughter of George Fletcher.
His wife was the daughter of Sheridan and Sarah Edwards.
Emily was married twice, first to a ? Garrison and second to ? Robinson, according to Russell's works. However, there is a Sarah Ann Whitehurst, daughter of Daniel S. Whitehurst and Jincy Fletcher who was born in 1821.
She married John W. Robertson and lived most of her life in Suwannee County, Florida.
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This daughter married a ? Wilder.
Not sure if she belongs to this family. Information from Mae Allman, Brooksville, Florida.
Notes by Gail Whitehurst Hughes
Hillery Whitehurst was born in Beaufort County, North Carolina in 1791, the son of Simon Whitehurst, Revolutionary Soldier. He came with his parents in his childhood to Hancock County, Georgia, later to Tattnall County, Georgia. His wife was named Nancy Goodman, born in 1795 in North Carolina. Hillery whitehurst and his wife settled in Appling County, Georgia about 1819, moving there from Tattnall County, Georgia. Their first three children were born in Tattnall County, Georgia, the next three born in Appling County, Georgia. In 1827, the family moved to Jefferson County, Florida and continued to live there for many years. His wife, Nancy Goodman Whitehurst died there in the 1850's, and Hillery went to Clinch County, Georgia to live with their son, James Whitehurst, who had moved there shortly before. Hillery Whitehurst died at his son's home in 1865, and was buried at Wayfare Church. The grave has not been located.
In the 1860 census of Clinch County, Georgia shows Hillery Whitehurst in the home of his son, James Whitehurst, and lists his occupation as Minister of the Gospel.
Sources of information:
Huxford Volume 5 Page 499, 500
Madison County, Florida Deed and Will Records 1833-1888 A/32
Genealogical survey by W. G. And Wanda Whitehurst
Reserach by Linda P. Sellars, 806 Riverside Avenue, Waycross, Georgia 31501
Jefferson County, Florida Deed Book A Page 3
Chancery Book A Grand Juror for the County of Jefferson, Florida Volume II:3 can be found in Keystone Kin Published by Keyston Genealogical Society, Monticello, Florida
The Territorial Papers of the U. S. Volume XXIV 1828-1834 shows he was Justice of the Peace in Jefferson County, Florida Page 967
Deed Book Appling County, Georgia Page 103, 104 Recorded January 14, 1823
Papers handwritten by Perry Whitehurst, father of Hazel Whitehurst Sirmans, President of Cook County Historical Society for the year 1989-1990
Notes by William F. Russell
Very little is learned of Hillary Whitehurst.
He is reported to have lived at one time in Florida but is mentioned various times as "of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi". Some of his descendants are now living in Brooksville, Florida.
In Newton County, Georgia, Dee Book a, pages 103-104 a deed is recorded in 1822 in which David Richardson of Appling County, Georgia conveys to Hilley, or Hillery Whitehurst, of Appling County, Georgia, 202 and 1/2 acres of land and on the same date said Whitehurst deeds Georgia, 8th District. land lot No. 31, Land plat of the State of Georgia as of 1822.
The 1850 Census of Jefferson County, Florida list Hillery's occupation as "farmer". Also, the Census Records lists a Betsy, age 11, born in Florida and Hillery Bishop, age 11, born in Florida as living in the household.
These ages would have made Betsy and Hillery as being born in 1939.The 1859 Census of Jefferson County, Florida list Willery Whitehurst's real estate value at $1200.00.
Batson Whitehurst, son of Hilliary and Nancy Goodman Whitehurst was killed by the indians.
The following article appeared in "The Floridian" Tallahassee September 11, 1841:
"We learn that a house of Mr. Whitehurst of Jefferson County, three miles south ofCassabianca was attacked by the Indians on the first of this week. One boy about 18 years of was shot down, a younger one wounded in the arem, when Mr Whitehurst and lady escaped to a neighboring house with the remainder of the children, the Indians lit torches, proceeded to the potatoe patch and took as many as they could carry; plundered and burnt the dwelling house, out-houses, etc. and the stacks of fodder around the house. They, as usual, took to the hammock. They were trailed about eight miles but nothing could be seen of them."
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Notes by William F. Russell
Nora Whitehurst is said to have been the oldest daughter of Simon Whitehurst but no vital inforamtion regarding her has been obtained other thatn the fact she married ----(James) Nash, and has many descendants in Florida.
She died in Hillsborough County, Florida and is probably buried in Curlew Cememtery, Ozona, Florida but I have no definite information on this latter point.
Hand written note state that some of her Nash Children moved to Berrien County, Ga, Viz.
1. Newton Nash who married Mary Griffin 1871
2. Simon Nash who married Rachel McCranieNotes by Gail Whitehurst Hughes
Lonora or Nora Whitehurst born 1799 in Beauford County, North Carolina married James Nash on September 26, 1821. Died in Hillsborought County, Florida.
On some records, James Nash's second wife name was Lenora Whitehurst, daughter of Simon Whitheurst, R. S. Their marriage appears of records in Tattnall County, Georgia and her name appears as "Norah" but was misreads as "Sarah" due to poor writing in old records.
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