Ray WHITAKER

Other Events:

• _UID: 2B028FB7CD364037940FFC2CB06B4A2744D1

Notes:

Ambushed and shot standing in the yard. At the time Mertie and Hobart were "in a racket" and for some reason having to do with that, she refused to permit Ray's burial in the family cemetery. His grave is said to be somewhere beyond it. It has been suggested that Ray was killed by his brother over a girl (Sessie Mae Whitaker) while they were feeding the farm stock. Sessie was the daughter of Hobart and that may have been the reason for the argument.

CENSUS RECORDS

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Ray Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 2
Birth Year: abt 1908
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Thomas W Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's name: Mirtie S Whiteaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Ray Whitaker
Age: 11
Birth Year: abt 1909
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Jeffersonville, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: Thomas Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's name: Myrtle Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Thomas Whitaker 38
Myrtle Whitaker 33
Alice Whitaker 18
Nannie Whitaker 16
Doak Whitaker 14
Ray Whitaker 11

Other Events:

• _UID: 1F4EE957A0E44E8D99539113221616452F05

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas W Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 28
Birth Year: abt 1882
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Mirtie S Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Thomas W Whiteaker 28
Mirtie S Whiteaker 23
Henderson Whiteaker 11
Celia Whiteaker 9
Nannie Whiteaker 6
Doak Whiteaker 4
Ray Whiteaker 2

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Whitaker
Age: 38
Birth Year: abt 1882
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Jeffersonville, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Myrtle Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Thomas Whitaker 38
Myrtle Whitaker 33
Alice Whitaker 18
Nannie Whitaker 16
Doak Whitaker 14
Ray Whitaker 11

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

Clinch Valley News, 15 Dec 1922, Page 1

MAN KILLED ON WHITAKER RIDGE

Another Tragedy in the Moonshine District
Reward Offered for Arrest of Bill Brewster.

Thomas Whitaker was shot und killed by Bill Brewster on Whitaker Ridge last Thursday. It is believed that Brewster thought Whitaker had given information that he was operating a still. Add Harman had been raiding on Whitaker Ridge on that morning and it is reported that some one followed him through the woods past Dan Dunford's place, where Brewster had been staying and making whiskey.

On returning, Harman met Whitaker near his (Whitaker's) home and stopped and ate dinner. Immediately he started home, Whitaker came with him to the gate, where Alex Barnett was shucking corn, in a few minutes Dan Dunford, Bill Brewster and a boy by the name of Smith, came up. Brewster carried a shotgun and passed on into a briar patch with the remark, ?I?ll kick _____ out of a rabbit.? Harman talked with the men for a few minutes and started home, soon he heard the report of a shot gun and one of Tom Whitaker's boys came running and called to him,"come back they've killed papa."

On arriving on the scene of the tragedy, we found that Brewster had escaped to the woods into which he followed him, but after spending some hours searching he gave up the hunt, went to Richlands and brought a blood hound to the scene. The dog followed the trail to Dan Dunford's house and lost it The officers, having previously searched the house, were forced to give up the chase.

Brewster is still at large. A reward of $100 was placed in a Tazewell bank for his arrest, by Whitaker's family.

-------

He died intestate and the heirs listed were Henderson Whitaker, Nannie Whitaker, Dock Whitaker, Ray Whitaker, and Celia Day, and Mertie his wife.

Thomas married Myrtle Zarilda WHITAKER 29 Jun 1904. Myrtle (daughter of Dock Snead WHITAKER and Louisa Catherine BURK) was born Jan 1886, Tazewell Co. VA; died 16 Jul 1965, Squire, McDowell Co. WV; was buried , Hartwell Cemetery, Canebrake, McDowell Co. WV. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: E5B07EF834E84D32B91900B43F74F5E2B667

Notes:

She was named by Dr. James D. Whiteaker of KY who visited the week of her birth. Zeralda was the name of his wife. She and her husband were first cousins. By all accounts Mertie was colorful, petite and pretty.

After her husband's death, Mertie lived in house provided for her by her father, Dock. Was foster mother to two Altizer boys, Curtis and Ulysses, Tom's grandsons. (children of Nannie Whitaker and Grover Altizer.) Ulysses inherited everything after her death including the land where the cemetery was located.

CENSUS RECORDS

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Mertie S Whitaker
Age: 13
Birth Date: Aug 1886
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1900: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: D L Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Lou Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Mirtie S Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 23
Birth Year: abt 1887
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thomas W Whiteaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Thomas W Whiteaker 28
Mirtie S Whiteaker 23
Henderson Whiteaker 11
Celia Whiteaker 9
Nannie Whiteaker 6
Doak Whiteaker 4
Ray Whiteaker 2

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Myrtle Whitaker
Age: 33
Birth Year: abt 1887
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Jeffersonville, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Wife
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Thomas Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Thomas Whitaker 38
Myrtle Whitaker 33
Alice Whitaker 18
Nannie Whitaker 16
Doak Whitaker 14
Ray Whitaker 11

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Myrtle S Whitaker
Gender: Female
Birth Year: abt 1887
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Name Age
Myrtle S Whitaker 43
Doak E Whitaker 24
Ulys Whitaker 5 [step-grandson]
Dock Whitaker 74 [father-in-law]

1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Myrtle Whittaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 53
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1887
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Street: County Road 627
Farm: Yes
Inferred Residence in 1935: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Residence in 1935: Same House
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: $800
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 7th grade
Weeks Worked in 1939: 0
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes
Household Members:
Myrtle Whittaker 53
Doak Whittaker 35
Erivas Whittaker 15 [Ulysses]
Curtis Whittaker 18

Died:
West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=4682572&Type=Death

Notes:

Married:
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940
Groom's Name: Thos. Whitaker
Groom's Birth Date: 1877
Groom's Birthplace:
Groom's Age: 27
Bride's Name: Marty Whitaker [Mertie]
Bride's Birth Date: 1887
Bride's Birthplace:
Bride's Age: 17
Marriage Date: 29 Jun 1904
Marriage Place: Tazewell Co., Virginia
Groom's Father's Name: John
Groom's Mother's Name: Nancy
Bride's Father's Name: D. S.
Bride's Mother's Name: L. C.
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-5
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
Source Film Number: 34214
Reference Number: P 165 L 109

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: E18D3009D9144A0E95252C0C1A4E42FD8594

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Snead Whitaker
Age in 1860: 4
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1860: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male [in household of James and Nancy Whitaker
Post Office: Baptist Valley.

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Doctor S. Whitaker
Age: 22
Birth Year: abt 1858
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1880: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male [in household of his brother, Hiram Whitaker]
Marital Status: Single
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: D L Whitaker [D S Whitiaker]
Age: 44
Birth Date: Jan 1856
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: Lou Whitaker
Marriage Year: 1881
Years Married: 19
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
D S Whitaker 44
Lou Whitaker 39
Nettie Whitaker 18
Fannie C Whitaker 15
Mertie S Whitaker 13
Peery B Whitaker 12
Jas R W Whitaker 9
Nannie R Whitaker 7
Hobart M C Whitaker 4
W L G Whitaker 2

1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Dock S Whiteaker
Age in 1910: 52
Birth Year: abt 1858
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1910: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Dock S Whiteaker 52
Peery B Whiteaker 20
James W Whiteaker 18
Nannie R Whiteaker 16
Hobert M Whiteaker 14
William G Whiteaker 12
Tanesy R Whiteaker 10
Elsie J Whiteaker 7

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Dack S Whitaker [Dock S Whitaker]
Age: 64
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1920: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Father
Marital Status: Widowed
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
James W Whitaker 27
Sophia Whitaker 27
Charles Whitaker 2 years 9 months
Dock S Whitaker 64

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Dock Whitaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1856
Birthplace: Virginia
Race: White
Home in 1930: Maiden Spring, Tazewell, Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Father-In-Law
Father's Birthplace: Kentucky [Virginia]
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household Members:
Myrtle S Whitaker 43
Doak E Whitaker 24
Ulys Whitaker 5 [Ulysses]
Dock Whitaker 74


Birth:
Hufford Whitaker was the informant for the death certificate. He had Dock's POB as Washington Co. KY, which is not true.

Buried:
Grave Location:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=111227317

Died:
West Virginia Death Certificate
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=2674421&Type=Death

West Virginia Vital Records
http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=4655957&Type=Death

Names is spelled Whittaker in this record.

The information of Dock's death record is a good example of how this record is only as good as the informant's knowledge providing the information. His son, Hufford Whitaker, provided the information. He gives is mother's maiden name as Butts, not Petts, and has his father born in Washington Co. KY, not Tazewell County VA.

Dock married Louisa Catherine BURK 9 Feb 1881, Tazewell Co. VA. Louisa was born 18 Aug 1862, Tazewell Co. VA; died 24 Feb 1902/3, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 31636AD6C2EF4CC48DDCFC6A19F8D9D523F9

Notes:

Married:
Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940
Groom's Name: Docker Snead Whittaker
Groom's Birth Date: 1860
Groom's Birthplace: Tazewell Co., Virginia
Groom's Age: 21
Bride's Name: Louisa C. Burk
Bride's Birth Date: 1860
Bride's Birthplace: , Russell, Virginia
Bride's Age: 21
Marriage Date: 10 Feb 1881
Marriage Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Groom's Father's Name: J. Whittaker
Groom's Mother's Name: N
Bride's Father's Name: J. Burke
Bride's Mother's Name: Catharine
Groom's Marital Status: Single
Bride's Marital Status: Single
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
Source Film Number: 34214
Reference Number: Page 57 Line 17

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.