The Descendants of Charles White

Contributed by Gilbert Keith White
111 Ave. G., Rt. 4
Brazoria, Texas 77422
©1999

First Generation

Charles' White, son of William White and Sarah "Sallie" Tyler, was born in Kentucky, September 1812. His birth date is from the 1900 Census. Charles died aft. 1900. Charles White died after 1900, probably Robertson County, Tennessee.

He married twice. He married Elizabeth Peak in Sumner County, Tennessee, 23 March 1831. Elizabeth was born in Tennessee 1812. Elizabeth died Before 1870. Elizabeth White probably died in Robertson County, Tennessee. Elizabeth may be the daughter of Jessie Peak.

He married Louisa J. abt. 1873. Louisa was born in Tennessee May 1843. The journal of Winnie McGlothlin Drake lists the 2nd wife of Charles White as Jennie. On the 1900 Census the wife of Charles "Charley" White is Louisa J. Our knowledge of Charles White begins on the 23rd day of March 1831. On that day in Sumner County, Tennessee a marriage bond was filed for the marriage of Charles White and Elizabeth Peak. The bondsman was Turner Tylor.

On page 425 of the 1840 Census of Sumner County, Tennessee, Charles White was enumerated as head of household. In the household was a male 30-40 years old, a female 20-30 years old, a male 5 - 10 years old, a male and two females under 5 years of age. In 1840 the nearby families were William White, age 50-60, Reuben White, age 30-40, Joshua White, age 20-30, and Jesse Peak, age 60-70. William White is the father of Charles, Reuben and Joshua. I suggest that Jesse Peak may be the father of Elizabeth Peak.

The Charles White family was enumerated on the 1850 Census in Sumner County, Tennessee, District 18. The occupation of Charles was gatekeeper and no real estate or personal estate values were listed. He gave his place of birth as Kentucky and he and Elizabeth were the parents of seven children.

On 3 November 1856 Charles White's name appeared in the County Court Minutes of Robertson County, Tennessee. He was a member of a work crew that was appointed to repair the road from Cross Plains to White House, Tennessee.

The Charles White family was enumerated on the 1860 Census in Robertson County, Tennessee, District 11, Cross Plains Post Office. Charles' occupation was teamster, he had real estate worth $500 and a personal estate worth $1000. His place of birth was listed as Kentucky and the three children living with him were Mary J., Charlotte and John. Charles' oldest son, William D. White had married Mary R. Briggs in 1855 and they were living nearby. No records of his son, James White have been found. Daughter, Sarah White had married John D. Ellison in 1857 and they were living nearby. No records of his daughter, Martha White have been found.

The Charles White family was enumerated on the 1870 Census in Robertson County, Tennessee, District 11. His occupation was farmer with real estate worth $500 and a personal estate worth $750. Since Elizabeth was not listed with the family, she had probably died. Daughter Sarah Ellison and her three children were living with Charles which probably indicates that her husband, John had also died. Charlotte and John were still living with their father. Mary J. Mollie White had married Francis S. "Frank" Briggs in 1860 and they were living beside Charles. Frank Briggs was the brother of William D. White's wife Mary. William D. White and his family were enumerated in Robertson County, Tennessee, District 2.

I have not found the 1880 Census listing for Charles White.

Charles White was still living in the 11th District of Robertson County, Tennessee when the 1900 Census was taken. He and his wife, Louisa J. (maiden name unknown) were living with their daughter, Nannie Luton and her children. Charles had married Louisa after 1870, Nannie was born in January 1874 and married James K. Luton 23 December 1889 in Robertson County, Tennessee. James K. Luton died 24 June, 1897 and was buried at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Robertson County, Tennessee.

The death dates for Charles White, Elizabeth Peak White and Louisa White are unknown.

10 October 1998: Wrote Mr. & Mrs. Edgar Beasley. Edgar is a descendant of Joshua White.
13 October 1998: Wrote Joseph H. McGlothlin, a descendant of Robert Mitchell White.
16 October 1998: Letter from Carrie Beasley. She expresses interest in corresponding.
17 October 1998: Letter from Elizabeth A. McGlothlin, widow of Joseph H. McGlothlin.
27 October 1998: Letter and family data from Mrs. McGlothlin. This data was compiled by her father in law, C.H. McGlothlin, in 1938 and included a family sheet for the family of William White and Sallie Tyler. Charles White was listed as a child of these parents!
20 August 1999: "The Journal of Winnie McGlothlin Drake" from the Sumner County, Tennessee internet page lists a daughter of Charles White named Dorothy. Dorothy is not listed with the family on any census that I have located.

Charles White and Elizabeth Peak had the following children:

  1. William D. White was born abt. 1832.
  2. James White was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, abt. 1834. On the 1850 Census, James White, age 16, was enumerated in the household of Charles White in Sumner County, Tennessee, 3 Civil District 18, Family 76. He was not enumerated in the Charles White household in 1860. No other information.
  3. Sarah A. White was born abt. 1837.
  4. Martha White was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, abt. 1839. On the 1850 Census, Martha White, age 11, was enumerated in the household of Charles White in Sumner County, Tennessee, Civil District 18, Family 76. She was not enumerated in the Charles White household in 1860. No other information.
  5. Mary J. "Molly" White was born abt. 1841.
  6. Charlotte White was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, abt. 1846. She married John Shoecraft in Robertson County, Tennessee, 15 October 1873. Sources: Marriage is recorded in Robertson County, Tennessee, book 2, page 282. John was born abt. 1850. Sources: 1880 Census, Sumner Co., Tn., (120). She was probably called Lottie or Lott.
  7. John W. White was born August 1849.

Charles White and Louisa J. had the following child:

  1. Nannie L. White was born January 1874.


Second Generation

William D. White (son of Charles White and Elizabeth Peak) was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, abt. 1832. William died aft. 1892.

He married Mary R. Briggs in Robertson County, Tennessee, 12 February 1855. Mary was born in North Carolina abt. 1833. Mary was the daughter of Henry Briggs and Elizabeth. On the 1850 Census, William White, age 18 was listed in the household of his father, Charles White in the 18th District of Sumner County, Tennessee.

The marriage of William D. White and Mary R. Briggs was recorded in Robertson County, Tennessee on 12 February 1855. The ceremony was performed by J. M. Copeland, J.P.

On 3 May 1858, W.D. White's name appeared in the County Court Minutes of Robertson County, Tennessee. He was on a jury of inquest that investigated the accidental death of Reuben Williams.

On the 1860 Census, William and Mary White were living in the 11th District of Robertson County, Tennessee, not far from his parents. They were the parents of two son, C.H. and J. T. The full name of C.H. has not been found, but it was common to name first sons after their grandfather and I suggest that he was Charles H. White. Later records show that J. T. was James T. White. William White was a wagon maker with real estate worth $250 and a personal estate worth $100. Mary White's brother, Francis S. Briggs, who listed his occupation as pedler, was living with them.

On 1 June 1868, W.D. White's name again appears in the County Court Minutes of Robertson County, Tennessee. He was on a jury of review that was appointed to consider a petition to change the road from Springfield, Tennessee to Franklin, Kentucky.

On the 1870 Census, William and Mary White were living in the 2nd District of Robertson County, Tennessee. This was in northern Robertson County, near the Kentucky border. Family Bible records indicate that they lived at Blackjack, Tennessee, which is now named Lamont. William D. White did not list any real estate and had a personal estate worth $400. He was still working as a wagon maker.

Some time before 1880 William and Mary White moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Their oldest son C.H. White was not living with them in Nashville and no other records of him have been found. The death of a man named C.H. White was recorded 1 December 1878 in Simpson County, Kentucky. His parents were William and Mary White both from Tennessee. I have no proof that he was the son of William D. and Mary R. Briggs White. Their second son, James T. White married Effie Brinkley on 7 April 1880 in Davidson County, Tennessee, the county in which Nashville lies. On the 1880 Census the W.D. White family was living on Jefferson Street which is north of the Tennessee State Capitol. James and Effie were living with in the William D. White household along with his sister Mattie and brothers John and Jesse. William was still working as a wagon maker and his son James was a blacksmith. The 1880 Nashville City Directory reveals that William and James White worked for Bishop Brothers Carriage Manufacturers at 22 S. College St. in Nashville.

During the 1880's William D. White worked as wagon maker, blacksmith and carpenter in Nashville, Tennessee. The City Directories list the family at several residences which probably indicates that they were renters. The 1886 Nashville City Directory is especially informative. That year James T., Jesse, John, Miss Mattie, and William D. were all living at 6 Hermosa St. and all except James were working for the National Manufacturing Company. Also working for this company was Edward Wheat, who on 7 April 1886 married Mattie White.

1892 is the last Nashville City Directory that I have found William D. White listed in. This directory lists him living at 1214 Jefferson St. and working as a wagon maker at 155 S. Front St. This is the last record that I have found for William D. White.

The "Nashville Blue Book", selected names of Nashville and immediate suburbs for the year 1896, compiled by E. W. Crozier, published by Brandon Printing Co., Nashville, lists Mr. & Mrs. William White at 1001 Jefferson Street. There is no proof that this is William D. White.

Death dates for William D. and Mary R. Briggs White are unknown.

The Winnie McGlothlin Drake journal lists a child of Charles White named Billie. This may be William D. White.

William D. White and Mary R. Briggs had the following children:

  1. C. H. White was born in Tennessee, 1858. 1860: On Census with his parents in the 11th Civil District of Robertson County, Tennessee. (Age 2) 1870: On Census with his parents in the 2nd Civil District of Robertson County, Tennessee. (Age 12) From "Simpson County Kentucky, Vital Statistics" by Dorothy Donnell Steers, 1984. Page 154, section on 1878 deaths. December 1; C.H. White (Painter) age 20, male, single; parents William and Mary White. It also indicates that William and Mary were born in Tennessee. I suggest the possibility that he may be the son of William D. White and May R. Briggs. Positive proof has not been found.
  2. James T. White was born April 1860.
  3. Mattie J. White was born June 1868.
  4. John Walton White was born 17 February 1870.
  5. Jessie White was born in Tennessee, 1873. He resided in 6 Hermosa St., Nashville, Tennessee 1886.


Sarah A. White (daughter of Charles White and Elizabeth Peak) was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, abt. 1837. She married John D. Ellison in Sumner County, Tennessee, 22 December 1857. John was born about 1834. John died before 1870. Sources: 1860 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, 11th Civil District, Cross Plains Twp., dwelling 682, family 681.

1870 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, 11th Civil District, sheet 142B, dwelling 55, family 55. Sarah Ellison and her three children were living with her father, Charles White.

Sarah A. White and John D. Ellison had the following children:

  1. Eliza Jane ?G.A. Ellison was born, about 1859.
  2. John Ellison was born, about 1861.
  3. Charlie Ellison was born, about 1863.


Mary J. "Molly" White (daughter of Charles White and Elizabeth Peak) was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, abt. 1841. She married Francis S. Briggs in Sumner County, Tennessee, 18 September 1860. Sources: U.S. Census data. "Sumner County Tennessee Marriages 1839-1875", page 15. Marriage bond, Sumner County, Tennessee, 18 September 1860, signed by F. S. Briggs and A.H. Brinkley. Marriage License, Sumner County, Tennessee, 18 September 1860, for Francis S. Briggs and Mary J. White. Married by Richard Pond, J.P. and signed by John L. Bugg, clerk.

Frank was born in North Carolina abt. 1835. Frank was the son of Henry Briggs and Elizabeth. Sources: 1870 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, 11th Civil District, sheet 8, line 21, family 54. 1880 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, 11th Civil District, E.D. 185, sheet 16, line 14, dwelling 9.

Frank and Mollie moved to Nashville, Tennessee. The 1899 Nashville City Directory lists Frank S. Briggs at 1024 Belleville. James Briggs, a paperhanger and Miss Jennie Briggs, no occupation fisted also live at that address. Othiso Brigg, working as a cigar maker at 321 N. Cherry, also lives at 1024 Belleville and may be another son. The 1900 Nashville City Directory lists Frank S. Briggs at 604 Madison. George and Jesse Briggs are listed living on Madison and work as bartenders at 235 N. Cherry. John F. Briggs is a carpenter and lives at 102 « Monroe. Othie Briggs, prescriptionist, lives at 604 Madison and may be another son.

Death dates for Frank and Molly Briggs are unknown.

Mary J. "Molly" White and Francis S. Briggs had the following children:

  1. John F. Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1862. He resided in Nashville, Tennessee 1900.
  2. Jesse T. Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1864. He resided in Nashville, Tennessee 1900.
  3. William J. Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1866.
  4. Elizabeth Margaret Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1868.
  5. Nannie Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1870.
  6. George Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1873. He resided in Nashville, Tennessee 1900.
  7. Jennie Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1877. She resided in Nashville, Tennessee 1899.
  8. James Briggs was born in Tennessee, abt. 1878. He resided in Nashville, Tennessee 1899.


John W. White (son of Charles White and Elizabeth Peak) was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, August 1849. He married Harriet Lamberth in Sumner County, Tennessee, 26 November 1874. Harriet was born in Kentucky March 1857. Harriet was the daughter of Henry H. Lamberth and Martha Harper. Sources: 1880 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, Civil District I 1, E.D. 185, sheet 2, dwelling 17. 1900 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, Civil District I 1, E.D. 54, sheet 2, line 33.

Between 1900 and 1910 John and Harriet White moved to Nashville, Tennessee and in 1910 they lived at 1711 Fourth Avenue North. John worked as a laborer doing odd jobs. Their son William was 19 and worked as a cigar maker in a cigar factory.

1910 Census, Davidson County, Tennessee, Nashville, 1st Civil District, E.D. 14, sheet 33, dwelling 240, family 268.

Winnie McGlothlin Drake lists his children; Charles, Wm., Minnie, Maude, Belle, Claude.

Death dates of John W. and Harriet White are unknown.

John W. White and Harriet Lamberth had the following children:

  1. Minnie White was born, abt. 1876.
  2. Charley H. White was born, July 1877.
  3. Lillie M. White was born, October 1880.
  4. Missie B\?Belle White was born, August 1882.
  5. Maud White was born, 1888.
  6. William M. White was born, June 1890.
  7. Claude V. White was born July 1893.
  8. Ethel O. White was born, October 1995.


Nannie L. White (daughter of Charles White and Louisa J.) was born in Tennessee, January 1874. She married James K. Luton in Robertson County, Tennessee, 25 December 1889. James was born in Tennessee 25 March 1860. James was the son of William King Luton and Margaret J. Scruggs. James died 24 June 1897 at 37 years of age. The marriage was recorded in Robertson County, Tennessee. The journal of Winnie McGlothlin Drake says that Nannie married ?Stone. Nannie Luton was a widow on the 1900 Census. Did she marry (2) Unknown Stone?

1900 Census, Robertson County, Tennessee, 11th Civil District, E.D. 54, sheet 4, line 50.

Nannie L. White and James K. Luton had the following children:

  1. Bessie Luton was born in Tennessee, April 1891.
  2. Oscar Luton was born in Tennessee, September 1893.
  3. Clara Luton was born in Tennessee, January 1895.
  4. Charley H. Luton was born in Tennessee, April 1897.


Third Generation

James T. White (Son of William D. White and Mary R. Riggs) was born in Tennessee, April 1860. Jim died Bef. 1910. He married Effie Belle\Sissa? Sis Brinkley in Davidson County, Tennessee, 07 April 1880. Effie was born in Tennessee February 1865. Effie was the daughter of Henry Armisted Brinkley Jr. and Dorothy\?Dortha Victoria Payne Cochran. Effie died Aft. 1930 in probably Memphis, Tennessee. Research Notes: FTM WFT Vol. 27, Tree #0409 has information about Effie Brinkley. Effie Belle Brinkley, born 1865, married Jim White. No information about Jim and marriage date was not known. No death information was given for Effie. Effie's father was Henry Armisted Brinkley, Jr. ( born 26 January 1835 in Sumner County, Tennessee - died 12 June 1892 in Nashville, Tennessee). Her mother was Dorothy or Dortha Victoria Payne Cochran (born 2 June 1835 at Portland, Sumner County, Tennessee - died 3 May 1921 at White House, Tennessee). Their marriage was recorded in Sumner County, Tennessee, 23 February 1857 (from "Sumner County, Tennessee Marriages 1839- 1875", by Era W. Stinson & Elizabeth Sue Spurlock, 1985, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Effie Belle Brinkley is listed on the 1870 census living with her parents in Sumner County, listed as Sissa. I have pictures of her taken in Sulphur Springs, Texas during a visit about 1930. My dad, Gilbert White and my cousin, Norma Elam remember that she was called Aunt Sis.

Henry Armisted Brinkley, Jr. was the son of Henry Armisted Brinkley and Mary R. White, the daughter of Thomas White and Cassandra Higgs. Thomas and Cassandra White lived in Sumner County, Tennessee and both died before 1850. Sources: U.S. Census data Davidson County Tennessee Marriage records, Nashville, Tennessee City Directories 1880-1900, 1921 Memphis, Tennessee City Directory.

James and Effie were listed on the 1880 U.S. Census in the household of James' father, William D. White, on Jefferson St. in Nashville, Tennessee. James' occupation was blacksmith.

1900 Census, Rutherford County, Tennessee, Murfreesboro, 13th Civil District, E.D. 114, sheet 21, line 75, dwelling 3 8 1, family 476. They lived in a rented house and this census indicated that they had two children that died before 1900. James' occupation was carriage smith.

1910 Census, Effie was listed as head of household at 163 East Carolina St. in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a widow and her occupation was machine operator. Mary B. White and Otto White were living with her. 1920 Census, Shelby County, Tennessee, Memphis, 316 Union Avenue, E.D. 86, sheet 3, line I 1, dwelling 34, family 70. Effie White was head of household. She had no occupation and Ernest and Mary Bell were living with her. Dorothy White, born about 1918 was living with them and may be Ernest White's daughter.

1921 Memphis City Directory, R. L. Polk & Co. lists White, Effie (wid James) as householder at 709 3rd. Ernest A. White and Mary B. White reside at the same address. No occupation is given for Effie or Ernest and Mary B. is an operator for Am. Tel. & Tel. Co.

James T. White and Effie Belle\Sissa? Sis Brinkley had the following children:

  1. James H. White was born in Tennessee, October 1882. He married Margaret D. Abt. 1910. James H. and Margaret D. (mnu) White were probably married in Tennessee. Margaret was born in Tennessee abt. 1884. Sources: 1900 Census, Rutherford County, Tennessee, Murfreesboro, 13th Civil District, E.D. 114, sheet 2 1, line 75, dwelling 381, family 476. James H. White was living with his parents and working as a carriage smith. 1910 Census, Davidson County, Tennessee, Nashville, I I I Wharf Avenue, 11th Civil District, E.D. 54, sheet 11, dwelling 235, family 250. James and Margaret had been married 0 years and were boarders. James worked as blacksmith/carriage smith and Margaret was a seamstress in a pants factory. 1920 Census, Davidson County, Tennessee, Nashville, 1708 Cass Street, E.D. II 9, sheet 12, line 74, dwelling 264, family 274. James was a machinist for the Otto Company and Margaret "Maggie" was a seamstress in an overall factory. They owned their house, free. The Nashville City Directory, 1920-21 (Marshall-Bruce-Polk Company, Publishers) listed. White, Jas. H. (Maggie) blacksmith h 1708 Cass, & White, Mrs, Maggie elk O'Bryan Bros. b 1708 Cass. O'Bryan Bros. Inc. was the manufacturer of Duck Head overalls and coats. No known children.
  2. Willie D. White was born in Kentucky, 16 July 1889. Willie died 16 October 1966 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, at 77 years of age. Her body was interred in Memphis, Tennessee, Forest Hill Cemetery. She married Benjamin G, Bradshaw Abt. 1910. Benjamin was born in Mississippi 26 April 1887. Benjamin was the son of William N. Bradshaw and Maly H. Tines. Benjamin died 24 January 1974 in Memphis, Tennessee, at 86 years of age. His body was interred in New Albany, Mississippi, Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Sources: 1920 Census, Shelby County, Tennessee, 10th Civil District, E.D. 243, sheet 3, line 11, dwelling 19, family 19. Ben and Willie were farming a rented farm. Death Certificates of Willie Bradshaw and Ben Bradshaw. Willie and Ben Bradshaw were divorced sometime after the mid 1930's when Gilbert White visited then in Memphis. Willie was the informant named on the death certificate of her brother, Ernest on 5 August 1944. At that time she lived at Route 3, Oxford, Mississippi. No known children.
  3. Ernest Albert White was born in Tennessee, 01 November 1895. Ernest died 5 August 1944 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, at 48 years of age. His body was interred in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, National Cemetery. He married Pearl Hyatt. Pearl was born abt. 1910. He resided in Memphis, Tennessee. Sources: U.S. Census data., 1921 Memphis, Tennessee City Directory, Death Certificate. Ernest died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. His death was caused by an automobile accident that occurred at the intersection of Vance & Walnut Sts. At the time of his death he lived at 529 La Clede Ave. and was employed as a cab driver for the Jolly Cab Company. Ernest White was World War I veteran. Dorothy White, born abt. 1918 may be his daughter.
  4. Mary Belle White was born in Tennessee, October 1898. She resided in Memphis, Tennessee. Jessie Gilbert White told me that she married and had children, but he did not know the name of her husband.
  5. Otto C. White was born in Tennessee, 25 July 1901. Otto died 14 November 1936 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, at 35 years of age. His body was interred in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, Forest Hill Cemetery. He married Ozzie Gwinner. He resided in Memphis, Tennessee. Research notes: In June 1999, Gilbert White told me that he believed that Otto White died young, probably in the 1930's. Sources: U.S. Census data, Death Certificate. Otto White died in Memphis, Tennessee at St. Joseph's Hospital of a gunshot wound he received at the Arlington Hotel in Memphis. At the time of his death he lived at 741 Breedlove St., Memphis, Tennessee and was employed as a Plant Policeman. The possibility of suicide was noted on the death certificate but no conclusion was drawn. Gilbert White told me in July 1999 that Otto White was a gambler and many in the family believed that he was murdered. No known children.


Mattie J. White (daughter William D. White and Mary Riggs) was born in Tennessee, June 1868.

She married Edward S. Wheat Jr. in Davidson County, Tennessee, 07 April 1886. Edward was born July 1866. Edward was the son of Edward S. Wheat Sr. and Emma. On the 1880 Census, Edward S. Wheat, Jr. was listed with his parents in Davidson County, Tennessee, Nashville, E.D. 37, sheet 11, line 12.

Edward S. Wheat, Sr. is listed in the 1881 "Nashville City Directory", Wheat, Edward S., U.S. marshal Middle District Tennessee, N Sumner cor Cedar, h 11 High. Sources: "Nashville City Directories". 1886-1900 show that Edward and Mattie Wheat lived at several different locations in Nashville and Ed was employed by the National Manufacturing Co., the Tennessee Range and Manufacturing Co., and the Electric Light Co. He worked as a lineman, huckster, painter, bookkeeper, and clerk. A huckster is defined as a traveling street peddler who was not very popular with the established town merchants.

1900 Census, Davidson County, Tennessee, Nashville, 904 South Street, Ward 16, E.D. 106, sheet 11B, dwelling 224, family 238. They lived in a rented house.

Most information about Uncle Ed and Aunt Mattie Wheat's family is from conversations with my Dad, Jessie Gilbert White.

Ed and Mattie Wheat moved to New Albany, Indiana and some of their children were still living there in the 1930's. Gilbert White remembers that Ed and his son in law, George Luhn did various types of repair work that required high climbing. They would stay on the road for extended periods seeking jobs that involved climbing that most people would hesitate to attempt. Around 1910, on a trip through Texas, Uncle Ed Wheat put a patch on the elevated water tower at Sulphur Springs, Texas to repair a leak.

Death dates for Edward and Mattie Wheat are unknown.

Mattie J. White and Edward S. Wheat Jr. had the following children:

  1. Lillie' Wheat was born, March 1888. She married George Luhn. Death dates for George and Lillie Luhn are unknown.
  2. William H. 'Will' Wheat was born, July 1890. He married Mary Betts. Gilbert White visited Will and Mary Wheat in 1936 and 1937. He remembers that they lived at 1624 King Street in New Albany Indiana in a two story house that was very close to the adjacent houses. While there, Gilbert slept in an upstairs bedroom that he shared with Will's brother, Mike. Mike was single and usually stayed out all night gambling. One of Mary's brothers sometimes boarded with Will and Mary. Will Wheat was a brakeman on the railroad and worked for the Louisville-Nashville and the Illinois Central. During one of Gilbert White's visits, he went with his cousin Will on a run from New Albany to Bloomington, Indiana. The railroad ran just behind Will's house and that is where they caught the train. It slowed down for them and they boarded it while it was moving. They trip to Bloomington was about 100 miles and went what Gilbert called "quarry country". At Bloomington, they spent the night in a caboose. Gilbert White told me that he thinks that Will Wheat died in the 1940's of a heart attack while he was at work. His widow, Mary, visited Tom and Marguerite White at Commerce, Texas in the 1950's and is now deceased. Will and Mary Wheat did not have any children.
  3. Edward G. Wheat was born, December 1893. He married and had two daughters. His wife and oldest daughter died about 1936. In the 1950's "Little Ed" Wheat visited Goebel and Beulah White at Yantis, Texas.
  4. Hiram Wheat was born, March 1897. He married Audrey?. Gilbert White remembers that he lived in Jeffersonville, Indiana. From Social Security Death Index: Wheat, Hiram, Born 14 April 1896, Died - June 1986 in Indiana, SS# - 401-05-9922, issued in Kentucky, Last known Zip Code was 47150, New Albany, Indiana.}
  5. Jessie C. Wheat was born, November 1899. Jessie Wheat probably died young.
  6. Lee Wheat. He lived in Dayton, Ohio and may have married. No known children.
  7. Mike Wheat.
  8. John Wheat. He lived in Dayton Ohio and may have married. No known children.
  9. Emest Wheat. He married Jane?. Ernest Wheat worked for a veneer factory in New Albany, Indiana and during World War II went to New England (Maine?) to do defense work. No known children.


John Walton White (daughter William D. White and Mary Riggs) was born in Blackjack Township, Robertson County, Tennessee, 17 February 1870. John died 8 November 1949 in Commerce, Hunt County, Texas, at 79 years of age. His body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Arbala Cemetery. He married Minnie Lou Hendricks in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, 26 May 1892. Minnie was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky 15 July 1874. Minnie was the daughter of Stephen Hale Hendricks and Tabitha Elizabeth Lovelady. Minnie died 29 July 1959 in Commerce, Hunt County, Texas, at 85 years of age. Her body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Arbala Cemetery. John Walton White, the fourth child of William D. and Mary R. Briggs White was born in 1870 while his family was living at Blackjack, Tennessee, now known as Lamont about 20 miles southwest of Franklin, Kentucky, just across the Kentucky-Tennessee state line. He was still a young boy when his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. In Nashville they were probably looking for better earnings from his father's trade as a wagon maker.

Growing up in Nashville, John went to work at a young age, he was only 16 when he was listed in the 1886 Nashville City Directory working for the National Manufacturing Company. Ms son, Gilbert White, recalls his father telling him that he worked for a Mr. Frey at a coal yard and that he also played sand-lot baseball as a youth in Nashville.

In 1891 the Nashville City Directory lists John and William White boarding at the corner of McNairy and Hamilton Sts. and John and his brother James were working at 164 N. College St.

On 26 May 1892, John Walton White and Minnie Lou Hendricks were married at Franklin, Kentucky. The Hendricks family has lived in Kentucky since the early 1800's and John and Minnie began their life together farming near Franklin. In January 1904 John and Minnie White moved their young family to Arbala Texas, traveling by train. The move to Texas was probably influenced by Minnie's older brother Alonzo Hendricks who had moved to Texas earlier and was living at Arbala.

At Arbala, Texas John farmed and worked at the cotton gin that was owned by his brother in law, Alonzo Hendricks. About 1908 Minnie's mother, Tabitha and another brother, Ben and his family also moved from Franklin, Kentucky to Arbala, Texas.

In 1919 John and Minnie White loaded their family and possessions on a train and moved to Rotan, Texas. Rotan is in a fertile farming area near the Brazos River west of Abilene, Texas. They intended to buy land and settle there, but this was not to be and after three months they returned to Hopkins County. They-lived in the Arbala area until 1925 when they bought a farm in the Seymore Community of Hopkins County, Texas. They lived on that farm until 1940 when they retired and moved to Commerce, Texas. The rest of their lives were spent at Commerce, where they lived near their son Tom and his wife Marguerite.

John Walton White and Minnie Lou Hendricks had the following children:

  1. Ethel Douglas' White was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, 03 May 1893. Ethel died 22 February 1896 in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, at 2 years of age. Her body was interred in Simpson County, Kentucky, Peden Cemetery (unmarked grave).
  2. Henry Hale White was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, 30 August 1895. Henry died 13 January 1916 in Arbala, Hopkins County, Texas, at 20 years of age. His body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Arbala Cemetery. He married Annie Lee Wesson in Hopkins County, Texas, 22 March 1914. Annie was born in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama 21 January 1898. Annie was the daughter of William Henry Wesson and Carrie Elizabeth Qualls. She married Clarence M. Penney in Hopkins County, Texas, 31 January 1919. Annie died 27 December 1996 in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas, at 98 years of age. Her body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Arbala Cemetery. Clarence and Annie Penney had several children.
  3. John Franklin White was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, 03 June 1898. Frank died 5 August 1915 in Arbala, Hopkins County, Texas, at 17 years of age. His body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Arbala Cemetery.
  4. William Goebel White Sr. was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, 31 July 1900. Goebel died 14 February 1975 in Yantis, Wood County, Texas, at 74 years of age. His body was interred in Yantis, Texas, Yantis Cemetery. He married Beulah Mae Smith in Pickton, Hopkins County, Texas, 21 February 1936. Beulah was born in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas 21 February 1909. Beulah was the daughter of Sidney Elonzo Smith and Onar Mae Page. Beulah died 21 November 1959 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 50 years of age. Her body was interred in Yantis, Wood County, Texas, Yantis Cemetery.
  5. Walter Thomas White was born in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky, 29 October 1902. Tom died 10 July 1990 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 87 years of age. His body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Pleasant Grove Cemetery. He married Marguerite Edith Gillis in Hopkins County, Texas, 31 January 1925. Marguerite was born in Cumby, Hopkins County, Texas 07 March 1904. Marguerite was the daughter of Carroll D. Gillis and Mittie Joiner. Marguerite died 5 December 1983 at 79 years of age. Her body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Tom and Marguerite White did not have any children.
  6. Mary Elizabeth White was born in Arbala, Hopkins County, Texas, 22 November 1906. Mary died 4 September 1999 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 82 years of age. Her body was interred in Dallas, Texas., Grove Hill Memorial Park. She married John Henry Birchfield in Hopkins County, Texas, 08 October 1922. Henry was born in Hopkins County, Texas 23 October 1893. Henry was the son of John Marion Birchfield and Alice Williams. Henry died 29 June 1981 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 87 years of age. His body was interred in Dallas, Texas., Grove Hill Memorial Park.

    Robert Lee White was born in Arbala, Hopkins County, Texas, I 8 October 1910. Bob died 23 August 1996 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 85 years of age. His body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Shirley Cemetery. He married twice. He married Katreen Campbell in Hugo, Oklahoma, 30 December 1932. Kate was born in Hopkins County, Texas 15 July 1913, Kate was the daughter of Bernard F. Campbell and Sally H. Armor. Kate died 28 November 1961 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 48 years of age. Her body was interred in Hopkins County, Texas, Shirley Cemetery He married Omega Brigam in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, 25 May 1963. Omega was born in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas 2 January 1915. Omega is the daughter of Martin R. Brigam and Greta Armstrong. Omega lives in Dallas, Texas.

  7. Jessie Gilbert White was born in Arbala, Hopkins County, Texas, 3 February 1914. He married Merle Odessa Frazier in Hopkins County, Texas, 4 March 1939. Merle was born in Hopkins County, Texas I I December 1920. Merle is the daughter of James Earl Frazier and Evie Melton. He resides in Hopkins County, Texas 1999.
  8. Edward Reed White was born in Arbala, Hopkins County, Texas, 16 December 1916. Eddie died 13 March 1997 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 80 years of age. His body was interred in Dallas, Texas., Grove Hill Memorial Park. He married Annie Vee Friddle in Hopkins County, Texas, 2 January 1939. Vee was born in Hopkins County, Texas 28 June 1919. Vee was the daughter of James Thomas Friddle and Minnie Alma Owens. Vee died 12 September 1997 in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, at 78 years of age. Her body was interred in Dallas, Texas., Grove Hill Memorial Park.



Return to Sumner County, TN Family Album

Return to Sumner County Main Page