Verna Frances WHITAKER

Notes:

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Verna Whitaker
Age: 8
Birth Year: abt 1912
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1920: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Walter Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: West Virginia
Mother's Name: May Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Vernia Rutherford
Respondent: Yes
Age: 28
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1912
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: West Virginia
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Home in 1940: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
House Number: 84
Inferred Residence in 1935: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same Place
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 6th grade
Class of Worker: Unpaid family worker
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members:
Robert L Rutherford 31
Vernia Rutherford 28
Bobby Rutherford 10
Roland Rutherford 8
Lois Rutherford 7
Phyllis Rutherford 5
Bonnie Rutherford 3
Allen Rutherford 1
Woodrow Whittaker 22 [brother]

Birth:
Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
Name: Verna F. Rutherford
SSN: 234-86-3179
Last Residence: 24894 Warriormine, McDowell, West Virginia
Born: 30 Mar 1912
Died: 2 Dec 1999
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (1968)


Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=RUT&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=48&GScntry=4&GSsr=681&GRid=27164973&

Verna married Robert Lonzo Rutherford 03 Nov 1928, Welch, McDowell Co. WV. Robert was born 1909, Coal Creek, Anderson Co. TN; died 1972; was buried , Maplewood Cemetery, Tazewell, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Marriage record
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=11413292&Type=Marriage

1. James Robert (Bobby) Rutherford was born 05 Aug 1929, McDowell Co. WV; died 27 Dec 1957, McDowell Co. WV; was buried , Maplewood Cemetery, Tazewell, Tazewell Co. VA.
2. Roland Rutherford was born 22 Jun 1931, McDowell Co. WV; died 14 Mar 1999, Anne Arundel Co. MD; was buried , Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Marriottsville, Howard Co. MD.
3. Lois Rutherford was born 08 Feb 1933, McDowell Co. WV; died 15 Apr 1991; was buried , Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Tazewell Co. VA.
4. Phyllis Gay Rutherford was born 04 Aug 1935, McDowell Co. WV; died 02 Jun 1985, Duval Co. FL; was buried , Beaches Memorial Park, Atlantic Beach, Duval Co. FL.
5. Lena Yvonne Rutherford was born 10 Mar 1937, McDowell Co. WV; died 28 Oct 2006, Martinsburg, Berkely Co. WV; was buried , Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Tazewell Co. VA.
6. Allen Gray Rutherford was born 12 Jan 1939, McDowell Co. WV; died 20 Jun 1994, Montgomery Co. MD; was buried , Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery and Mausoleum, Richlands, Tazewell Co. VA.

Other Events:

• _UID: 71BA9F4CC0C34D559FC415D736085BE0036F

Notes:

He was a timberman for a coal company and was killed by a falling tree.

CENSUS RECORDS

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter Whitaker
Age: 8
Birth Date: Apr 1892
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Jno Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 18
Birth Year: 1892
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: John Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Nancy Whiteaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Walter Whitaker
Age: 24
Birth Year: abt 1896
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1920: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: May Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Home Owned: Rent
Able to Read: No
Able to Write: No
Household Members:
Walter Whitaker 24
May Whitaker 22
Verna Whitaker 8
Luther Whitaker 6
Rachel Whitaker 4 years and 6 months
Woodrow Whitaker 2 years and 6 months


Birth:
From death certificate
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=1925511&Type=Death

Died:
West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=1925511&Type=Death

http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=4646109&Type=Death

Walter married Edna Mae Willhite 08 Aug 1911, Cucumber, McDowell Co. WV. Edna was born Apr 1893, McDowell Co. WV. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: May Willhite
Age: 7
Birth Date: Apr 1893
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1900: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: William Willhite
Father's Birthplace: West Virginia
Mother's Name: Serrah Willhite
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: May Willhite
Age in 1910: 16
Birth Year: 1894
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: William A Willhite
Father's Birthplace: West Virginia
Mother's Name: Sarah Willhite
Mother's Birthplace: West Virginia

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: May Whitaker
Age: 22
Birth Year: abt 1898
Birthplace: West Virginia
Home in 1920: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Walter Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia [West Virginia]
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: May Whitaker
Gender: Female
Birth Year: abt 1894
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Big Creek, Mcdowell, West Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky
Household Members:
May Whitaker 36
Luther Whitaker 15
Woodrow Whitaker 12
Dean Whitaker 10
Johnie Whitaker 8
James Whitaker 6
Irene Whitaker 4

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Mae Whittaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 44
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1896
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: West Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Jeffersonville, Tazewell, Virginia
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Tazewell, Virginia
Residence in 1935: Rural, Tazewell, Virginia
Household Members:
Mae Whittaker 44
Luther Whittaker 26
Rachel Whittaker 24
Dean Whittaker 20
Johnny Whittaker 18
James Whittaker 16
Irene Whittaker 14

Notes:

Married:
Marriage Record
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=11398496&Type=Marriage

Other Events:

• _UID: 20A2EAFE738344A7B0B19D71F8C5CAC04179

Notes:

Civil War veteran. Lived with Bill and Susie Whitaker until he died.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Jno Whitaker [John]
Age: 4
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of James and Nancy Whitaker]

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John Whitaker
Age in 1860: 14
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of James and Nancy Whitaker]
Post Office: Baptist Valley
Had attended school with the census year.

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: John Whitaker
Age: 35
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
John Whitaker 35
Nancy Whitaker 34
James Whitaker 11
Jeremiah Whitaker 10
Lilly Whitaker 5

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Jno Whitaker [John]
Age: 53
Birth Date: Aug 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1868
Years Married: 32
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Jno Whitaker 53
Nancy Whitaker 54
Robert L Whitaker 16
Edna M Whitaker 14
Walter Whitaker 8

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: John Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 54 [64]
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Nancy Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
John Whiteaker 54 [64]
Nancy Whiteaker 62
Lee Whiteaker 22
Walter Whiteaker 18

CIVIL WAR SERVICE

In the Fall of 1862 at Dry Fork, John enlisted, along with his father James and his older brother William James to fight for the Confederacy. John served in Co. E of the 34th Virginia Cavalry under Col. W. A. Witcher until the war ended at Appomattox in April, 1864. He was about 16 years old when he became a soldier.

34th Virginia Cavalry (CSA)was probably the most distinguished confederate unit in West Virginia history. The 34th Virginia Cavalry's core company, Company A, was formed in Wayne County.

Buchanan County Men in the Civil War: "The 34th Virginia Cavalry came into being in September, 1861. Early in the war, the 34th operated mostly in the region between Grundy and Piketon (Pikeville). Many times,the 34th won the distinction of being the advance guard on operations involving numerous units, including the Confederate armies advance into Pennsylvania.

The 34th fought an engagement within 2 miles of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in late June, 1863. The 34th then fell back and occupied the city of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, before being called to Gettysburg. The East Cavalry Battlefield is generally credited as a Union victory because the goal of the Union Cavalry to delay Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Cavalry on July 3rd was accomplished. On the morning of the 4th of July, 1863, it was Lt. Col. Vincent Addison Witcher of the 34th VA and General Stuart who walked the battlefield. The Western Virginia men of the 34th, along with only a portion of the rest of the Brigade, had fought the 1st New Jersey, 3rd Pennsylvania, 5th Michigan, and the 7th Michigan led by newly promoted Gen. George Armstrong Custer. The 5th Michigan was armed with the 7 shot Spencer repeating rifles.

Witcher later wrote: "the 34th Battalion, which had alone rallied with me, opened upon the 5th Michigan, sweeping down its ranks with a most deadly fire, killing its Major, capturing its colors, and covering the ground with the killed and wounded men and horses of the 5th Michigan. I was within 30 yards and saw the Major fall, a gallant and heroic man he was."

General Stuart said "the34th had made the worse massacre of Alger's command and had piled more dead and wounded men and horses on as little space as he had ever seen on any field." The 34th had dismounted that morning with 332 men. After the war, Witcher wrote: "I shall never, no never, forget that eventful night when accompanied by one courier, my Adjutant Edwards and Sergeant Major, both being wounded, I full of grief and bitterness, rode to the barns in our rear and saw with tears in my eyes, my brave fellows from away over the mountains in West Virginia, laid out in windrows, torn and bleeding. I shall never forget that night or the next mornings parade when I could muster but 96 enlisted men. Brave fellows, not a slave holder among them."

[John Whitaker in his 1923 Civil War pension application he said, "I was in the battle of Gettysburg three days and nights, and if I never performed any other military service for the state of Virginia, this baptism of fire and shell should certainly be sufficient credit for my eligibility rolls, at least it seems so to me after 57 years have passed by. I am old and worn out and tired. Have perhaps lived beyond the allotted time already, and if the pension does not come pretty soon. I will not need it."]

The 34th was also given the honor of leading Lee's Army back into Virginia. "The Virginians, and they were almost all that, whether from the counties of Southwest Virginia or the mountain counties of the new state of West Virginia, left knowing they had fought with honor."




Buried:
Grave location and tombstone photo:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=20664369

Died:
Virginia, Deaths, 1912?2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia

Name: John Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 82
Birth Date: 7 Aug 1846
Death Date: 20 Sep 1928
Death Place: Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Registration Date: 9 Jan 1930
Father: James Whitaker
Mother: Nancy Petts
Certificate Number: 1928030285

John married Nancy NUCKLES 14 Sep 1867, Tazewell Co. VA. Nancy was born Nov 1846, Tazewell Co. VA; died Bef 1920, Tazewell Co. VA; was buried , Whitaker Family Cemetery, Cedar Bluff, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 6340AA495E3A4922ADA25753EB6738FB17AE

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Nuckols
Age: 5
Birth Year: abt 1845
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of Calvin and Ann Nuckles]

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Knuckles [Nuckles]
Age in 1860: 12
Birth Year: abt 1848
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of Calvin and Ann Nuckles]
Post Office: Baptist Valley

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age: 34
Birth Year: abt 1846
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: John Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
John Whitaker 35
Nancy Whitaker 34
James Whitaker 11
Jeremiah Whitaker 10
Lilly Whitaker 5

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age: 54
Birth Date: Nov 1848
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Jno Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1868
Years Married: 32
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother: number of living children: 10
Mother: How many children: 10
Household Members:
Jno Whitaker 53
Nancy Whitaker 54
Robert L Whitaker 16
Edna M Whitaker 14
Walter Whitaker 8

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 62
Birth Year: 1848
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: John Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
John Whiteaker 54 [64]
Nancy Whiteaker 62
Lee Whiteaker 22
Walter Whiteaker 18

Buried:
Grave location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=2225540&GRid=113087266&

Notes:

Married:
Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: John Whitaker
Birth Date: 1846
Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Age: 21
Spouse's Name: Nancy Nuckles
Spouse's Birth Date: 1847
Spouse's Birthplace: Tazewell County, Va
Spouse's Age: 20
Event Date: 14 Sep 1867
Event Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Father's Name: Jas Whitaker
Mother's Name: Nancy
Spouse's Father's Name: Calvin ... Nuckles
Spouse's Mother's Name: A
Spouse's Marital Status: Single
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
GS Film number: 34214
Reference ID: Page 25Line88

Other Events:

• _UID: FA120F381C8E4B7A93B74E79FCD9E53DCA46

Notes:

From Smythe County, moved to Tazewell Co. VA in 1850. Bought 246 acres at Belshee Ridge between Indian Creek and Beech Fork from Thomas and Anna Christian.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Jame Whitaker [James Whitaker]
Age: 30
Birth Year: abt 1820
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Proprery valued: $2000
Family Number: 1151
Household Members:
Jame Whitaker 30
Nancy Whitaker 33
Helen Whitaker 11
Jame Whitaker 6
Jno Whitaker 4
Gerry Whitaker 3
Alex Whitaker 0

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Jas Whitaker
Age in 1860: 45
Birth Year: abt 1815
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Post Office: Baptist Valley
Value of real estate: real estate valued at $1,200, personal property at $1,500
Household Members:
Jas Whitaker 45
Nancy Whitaker 47
Helen Whitaker 21
James Whitaker 16
John Whitaker 14
Jeremiah Whitaker 12
Alexander Whitaker 9
Hiram Whitaker 7
Jane Whitaker 5
Snead Whitaker 4
Nancy Whitaker 1

James enlisted, along with his sons William James and John to fight for the Confederacy. in Co. C of the 34th Virginia Cavalry under Col. W. A. Witcher. He is listed as Whitaker, Sr. J. with the rank of private.

James was killed by Union marauders or bushwackers at his gate. He lived on Belcher Ridge, later known as Whitaker Ridge, which straddled Tazewell County VA and McDowell Co. WV. This area was a battleground between Confederate and Union sympathizers, pitting neighbor against neighbor and sometimes splitting families. All of his neighbors supported the Confederacy, but the area wasn't immune from raiding parties of Union soldiers or Union partisans.

One piece of family lore that has been handed down is that he taught singing by notes and using a pitch pipe to get the key.

James married Nancy PETTS 27 Feb 1843, Smyth Co. VA. Nancy (daughter of Adam PETTS and Delilah Fanning) was born Jul 1824, Wythe County, VA; died Bef 1910. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: ED2CD93C2F07480CBA89EC9E907E8F6A8C7A

Notes:

from Bristol, VA area Moved family to KY after husband was killed in 1863. Went in a wagon with all her children and belongings. She returned after the war. Some of her children remained. Alex remained, living in Morgan Co., KY. He spelled his name Whiteaker and so did his children.

CENSUS RECORDS

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age: 33
Birth Year: abt 1817
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female
Household Members:
Name Age
Jame Whitaker 30
Nancy Whitaker 33
Helen Whitaker 11
Jame Whitaker 6
Jno Whitaker 4
Gerry Whitaker 3
Alex Whitaker 0

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age in 1860: 47
Birth Year: abt 1813
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Female [in household of James Whitaker]
Post Office: Baptist Valley
Unable to read or write.
Household Members:
Name Age
Jas Whitaker 45
Nancy Whitaker 47
Helon Whitaker 21
James Whitaker 16
John Whitaker 14
Jeremiah Whitaker 12
Alexander Whitaker 9
Hiram Whitaker 7
Jane Whitaker 5
Snead Whitaker 4
Nancy Whitaker 1

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Nancy Whitaker
Age: 75
Birth Date: Jul 1824
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Mother [in household of her son, Hiram Whitaker]
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia



Birth:
1900 Census Tazewell Co. VA, District 100. Listed in the household of Hiram Whitaker as mother age 75, birthdate listed as July, 1824.

Notes:

Married:
One record puts marriage in 1838, and another the month of Dec. 1843.

Source:
Virginia Marriages, 1740-1850

Groom Name: James S. Whitaker
Bride Name: Nancy Petts
Marriage Date: 27 Feb 1843
County: Smyth
State: Virginia

Original data: Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Bountiful, UT, USA: Precision Indexing Publishers.