Family:Whitney, Francis (s1750-a1783)
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Francis Whitney, parentage unknown, born say by 1750, but perhaps much earlier[1] died after 1783.[2]
He married, sometime before 1773, Rachel -----.
In 1771, Francis Whitney appears on the list of tithables in Boutetourt Co., VA. (Archive:Whitney Whistler, Volume 5, Number 3)
Note: In 1772, Fincastle County, VA is formed from Botetourt Co.
On 5 Jan 1773, "Francis Whitney" was given approval to erect a mill on the properties on which he lived, on the Holston River in Fincastle County, VA.[3]
On 5 May 1773, a lawsuit was filed by Samuel Simpson against "Francis Whitney and Rachel Whitney, his wife" in Fincastle Co., VA.[4]
On 7 Jul 1773, a lawsuit was filed by Samuel Simpson against "Francis Whitney" in Fincastle Co., VA.[5]
On 13 Nov 1773, "Francis Whitney" was approved to "build a mill on Mill Creek, a branch of the south fork of Holston River on his own land".[6]
On 3 Mar 1774, "Francis Whitney and Rachel Whitney his wife" did not appear in court in the case against them by Samuel Simpson, and a summons was issued.[7]
On 3 May 1774, a court case was filed by Ross & Trigg verses Francis Whitney & Thomas Woolsey.[8]
Note: In 1776/77, Fincastle Co., VA was discontinued and the land split into Montgomery Co., Washington Co., and Kentucky Co. (later to become Kentucky).
On 27 May 1777, "At a Court held for Washington County May 27th 1777", "Ordered that Francis Whitney be surveyor of the Road from the ford of the River below his mill to the upper ford of dry Run and that William Campbell Gent give him a List of Tithables. - Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p. 963
On 18 Nov 1778, "At a Court continued and held for Washington County November 18th, 1778", "The presentments of the Grand Jury returned yesterday is as followeth ... Francis Whitney the same [for selling liquors without licence & above rates] ... James Berry & Francis Whitney the same [for not having the road he is surveyor of in good repair]. - Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p. 1006
On 19 May 1779, "At a Court continued and held for Washington County May 19, 1779", Same against Francis Whitney N. Sumn, - Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p. 1027
On 17 Aug 1779, "At a Court continued and held at the Court House of Washington County August 17th, 1779", Ordered that Hugh Cole be surveyor of the Road in the Room of Francis Whitney - Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p. 1041
In 1782, "Francis Whitney" was taxed in Washington County, VA with 1 tithe, 4 horses, and 23 cattle.[9]
On 2 Jul 1782, a deed was recorded which mentions Francis Whitney, as follows "Esther Rafferty...400 ac...Commissioners Certificate...on a branch of the South Fork of Holstein River called Mill Creek...Beginning on Francis Whitneys line...corner to John Gross...corner on Frathas Walls land...on Walls line crossing Mill Creek...on a ridge by the Iron Mountain...on the south fork of Mill Creek"[10]
On 30 Sep 1783, land was assigned to Francis Whitney, as follows "Francis Whitney, assignee of Frathias Mall...132 ac...Commissioners Certificate...on the south side of the south fork of Holston River...Beginning on Mill Creek...April 26, 1782 - Matthias Wall, assignee of Thomas McNeil, assignee of John Gross...150 ac...on Mill Creek, branch of the south fork of Holston River, surveyed for Thomas McNeil on December 28, 1774, includes improvements, actual settlement made in 1775...August 31, 1781 - Assigned to Francis Whitney on September 30, 1783. Signed: Frathias Wall."[11]
Francis Whitney was mentioned in the following land record "Joseph Cole, Jr., assignee of Matthew Bishopp & c - 100 ac - Commissioners Certificate - on the north side of the South Fork of Holstein river - beginning in Sinclair's patent line - corner to Nathaniel McClure - September 13, 1785...Matthew Bishopp, assignee of Joseph Bishopp, assignee of Francis Whitney, assignee of Barney Kertley - 100 ac - on the south fork of Holstein - 77 ac surveyed March 12, 1774 for Matthew Bishop, includes improvements, actual settlement made in 1772 - August 30, 1781...Assigned to Joseph Cole, August 6, 1784. Signed: Matthew Bishop." [12]
There were no known children of Francis and Rachel (-----) Whitney, though it is possible that they did have children.
Notes
Francis Whitney lived on Mill Creek, a branch of the South Fork of the Holston River, near "Iron Mountain". The Iron Mountains currently run through what is now the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. This range is close to the Holston River approximately between Holston Mill, VA and Sugar Grove, VA.
One researcher reports that there is a potential land record connection between Francis Whitney of Washington Co., VA and a Jeremiah Whitney in central Virginia. Could these Whitneys be related to Joshua Whitney who had sons named Francis and Jeremiah?
There is a possible familial relationship between Francis Whitney and Elijah Whitney of Washington County, Virginia. Both men are listed on early tax lists for Washington County, VA.
Although there is no evidence to support it, the following may have been children or otherwise related to Francis due to their proximity in Washington Co., VA:
- Family:Whitney, Elijah (c1761-a1840) - of Washington Co., VA, Christian Co., KY, & Trigg Co., KY
- Family:Whitney, Macon (c1767-a1800) - of Washington Co., VA & Barnwell Co., SC
- Family:Whitney, Malcom (b1769-b1827) - of Washington Co., VA, GA, & Barnwell Co., SC
If Francis was the same person as the Francis Whitney who shows up in Orangeburg South Co., SC in 1790, then the following might have been sons or otherwise close relatives as well:
- Family:Whitney, Francis (b1775-a1790) - of Orangeburg South Co., SC
- Family:Whitney, Samuel (b1775-a1790) - of Orangeburg South Co., SC
References
1. ^ Purely an estimate.
2. ^
3. ^ Archive:History of Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870.
4. ^ Archive:Fincastle County, Virginia (Kentucky) Court Records.
5. ^ ibid.
6. ^ Archive:Botetourt County Virginia Court Records.
7. ^ Archive:Fincastle County, Virginia (Kentucky) Court Records.
8. ^ CHRONOLOGY OF REVEREND THOMAS WOOLSEY & SARAH PIERCE], citing "Annals of Southwest Virginia", Book: 975.5 H2sl; 1774 WASHINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA.
9. ^ The 1782 Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List.
10. ^ Archive:The Washington County Surveyors Record 1781-1797.
11. ^ ibid.
12. ^ ibid.
Copyright © 2007, Tim Doyle and the Whitney Research Group
