Andrew Jackson Whitt
Our 2nd-great-grandfather Andrew Jackson Whitt was born in approximately 1851 in probably Virginia to parents John Floyd Whitt and Elizabeth Brewster Whitt. As of 1860, Andrew lived with his three siblings and parents in Tazewell, Virginia. By 1866, his family moved to Caney, Morgan County, Kentucky, where John Floyd worked as a farmer.
Our 3rd-great-grand-uncle Hezekiah Whitt
Andrew’s grandfather, Archibald Whitt, had a brother named Hezekiah Whitt, who fought in the Revolutionary War, was appointed sheriff of Tazewell by Virginia’s first post-colonial Governor, Patrick Henry, and at times was an “Indian spy.” There is a book written about Hezekiah. Here is what we know outside the contents of the book:
Hezekiah, along with his father, Richard, signed the Patriot’s Oath to the Free State of Virginia on 13 September 1777 in Montgomery County, Virginia. He was barely more than a boy when, at the age of 17, he was driven into the fight for independence. He marched under Lieutenant Israel Lorton to offer relief at New River Island Creek Fort. He was a volunteer under Captain Thomas Mastin in 1777 against the Cherokee Indians in the Chickamauga expedition in Tennessee. His company was incorporated into General Evan Shelby’s outfit where they marched on nearby Indian towns. Hezekiah was also drafted to serve in a fort on Back Creek in Montgomery County as well as drafted by Colonel William Preston to march to North Carolina to join the Army of General Gates. Instead, he protected the lead mines in Montgomery County. Later, he would act as an “Indian spy” when his services were required.
In 1782 in Montgomery County, Virginia, Hezekiah married Rachel Skaggs, who was the daughter of Chief Cornstalk. By most accounts, she was Native American. When she was adopted into the colonists’ family, she was given the surname “Skaggs”, cementing her place in the family’s genealogy. Rachel was born in 1761 and died in 1846. She is sometimes given the moniker of “Indian Maiden.”
Hezekiah Whitt appeared in court at age eighty four to officially state that he was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. This official statement has been recorded and a copy of it can be found here.
Excerpts from research on AppalacianAristocracy.com.
Cecelia Taulbee
Our 2nd-great-grandmother Cecelia “Celia” Taulbee (variant: Celia Taulby) was born in Morgan County, Kentucky on 7 June 1849 as the eldest child to John and Phoebe Taulbee. Her father was a farmer and appeared to spend his entire life in Morgan County.
Marriage and children
Andrew married Celia in Morgan County on 10 August 1871, according to Kentucky marriage records. As of 1880, Andrew and Celia were still living in Morgan County, yet within the next year moved to Travis, Texas. The reason for the move remains unclear, but may be linked to farming opportunities in Texas at the time. Also, some preliminary research revealed Celia’s family had historically moved back and forth between Kentucky and Texas, so there might have been existing family links down there.
Together Andrew and Celia had the following children:
- John (about 1873- )
- Wm (1874- )
- Martha, our great-grandmother (1877-1935 )
- Lizzie (1879- )
- Martin (1881- )
- Edgar (1883- )
- Clemie (1885- )
- Manda (1888- )
- Myrtle (1890- )
- Ira (1895- )
Andrew and Celia probably stayed in Fort Worth until their deaths. Andrew, who continued to work as a farmer, died 22 August 1923 in Fort Worth. Celia died 30 January 1924.
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