Citation
  • White, Jack J., "John White of Hanover County, Virginia and Some of His Decendants" (1995).
Data
  • Category: Abstract
Detail
  • Author: White, Jack J.
  • Publisher: 1995
Content
  • Text: The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, Virginia, is the primary source of information on John White, vestryman of the Parish. The official records of Hanover County were sent to the state capitol in Richmond for safe-keeping during the Civil War. The records were destroyed by fire when General Lee's Confederate Army was forced to abandon the city six days before his surrender at Appomattox Court House April 9, 1865. Only two items survived the fire, a miscellaneous record book 1733,34,35, and a deed record book 1783-1792. Absent deed, probate or marriage records the family of John White is speculative at best.

    St. Paul's Parish was established June 1, 1704. by an Act of the General Assembly of Virginia, from the upper part of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County. Under terms of the Act, "twelve of the most able and discreet persons of the new parish were to be chosen for the Vestry." The first two years of the parish records have been partially destroyed but there is sufficient evidence to conclude that John White was one of the original Vestrymen. Moreover, while applying himself to the Vestry he continued as Surveyor of Highways, to which he had been appointed by the New Kent County Court July 29, 1695. The first meeting in which all twelve Vestrymen are clearly identified was held at the upper church New Kent County on July 10, 1706.

        Present

        Maj. Nicholas Meriwether Mr. Robt. Jennings
        Mr. Henry Chiles Mr. John White
        Capt. Robt. Anderson Mr. John Mask
        Mr. Rowland Horsley Mr. John Alvis
        Mr. James Blackwell Mr. Robt. Anderson, Sr.

        Mr. David Crawford Church Warden
        Mr. Edward Garland Church Warden

    One of the civil duties of the parish vestry was complying with the Processioning Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia. St. Paul's was the only parish that regularly included their processioning orders and returns with the vestry minutes. Processioning required each land owner to review every four years his boundary lines with those of his neighbors and renew survey marks where necessary to prevent future lawsuits and expensive surveys. Written returns were made to the vestry by "at least two intelligent and honest freeholders" of each precinct. Not all processioning records have been preserved but the entries in the vestry book represent the only existing record of land ownership of the period. Complete processioning returnsted as a land owner.

    In 1720 Hanover County was formed from that part of New Kent County lying within the boundaries of St. Paul's Parish. Only partial processioning returns were made until 1731, then in addition to John White, the names of John White, Jr. and Samuel White appear as land owners. These two men were without doubt older sons of John White. All three of these men were listed as land owners for the next twelve years. In 1743 the parish vestry issued processioning orders in November, with written returns to be made by the end of March. John White, Jr., as overseer in precinct 16 signed the return on his property March 29, 1744, and his survey mark was also added in precinct 17 where the property of the elder John White was located. The significance of the added survey mark became apparent the following month. "At a Vestry held for St. Paul's Parish April 16, 1744, John Dixon, Gent. is elected vestryman in the room of John White, deceased."

    After the death of John White, his son the younger John White dropped Junior from his name. He continued to procession his own land as well as the land of John White's Orphans (now in possession of Robt. Braine). The younger John White was probably an executor of the elder White's estate and the term "Orphans" suggests that some of the elder White's children were under age at the time of his death. James White appears as a land owner in 1755 and the name of Barrett White appears in 1759. The processioning return of John White's Orphans in 1759 was the last return personally signed by John White the younger. His own land was gradually taken over by Barrett White and by 1767 the processioning orders and returns of St. Paul's Parish no longer listed a John White as land owner. The index of St. Paul's Parish lists ten male

    A devise in Louisa County dated July 6, 1758, by John White, late of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, names six of his children as well as their mother Catherine Braine. The devise is simply an agreement of the children for the division of land left to them after the death of their mother. That she remarried is supported by the processioning records of St. Paul's Parish which show the land of John White's Orphans in possession of Robert Braine. In addition to the six children named in the devise, i.e., Edith, Elisha, William, Tillah, Helena Maria, and Martha, five others were probably children of John White, i.e., John, Jr., Samuel, James, and Barrett named in the processioning orders of St. Paul's Parish, and Mary, widow of John Price, named in an obituary in the Richmond Inquirer March 18, 1806.

    John White of St. Paul's Parish was married at least twice. The name of his first wife is unknown as is the date and place of marriage. The Vestry Book and Register of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County lists "John, son of John White, baptized 30 May 1697"; the mother's name ite is known to have been Surveyor of Highways in St. Peter's Parish as early as 1695 it is logical to conclude that this is the same John White selected as a vestryman when St. Paul's was formed from the northern half of St. Peter's Parish. The appearance of John, Jr. and Samuel as land owners in 1731 suggests that they were at least twenty one to be land owners and that they were sons of John White and his first wife.

    The second wife of John White was possibly Catherine Barrett, daughter of James Barrett and grand daughter of William Barrett found in Cavaliers and Pioneers a three volume series of early land patents of Virginia. In volume 3, page 169, is the following entry: "Catherine Barrett, 400 acres (O.L.) old land, James City County, Wilmington Parish, on west side of Chickahominy River, adjacent to Sackfield Brewer, Simon Jeffreys and Henry Gilbert, Oct. 23, 1714; part of 850 acres granted to William Barrett, June 7, 1648 and descended to his son and heir James Barrett, 800 acres of which James bequeathed to his two daughters Catherine and Edith, now wife of Henry Gilbert, to be equally divided."

    A compelling argument can be made that Catherine Barrett was the second wife of John White simply by the names of some of their supposed children. Catherine was probably the mother of nine of the eleven children attributed to John White and at least five of these were named after her immediate family, i.e., Mary, her mother; James, her father; Barrett, her maiden name; Edith, her sister; and William, her grandfather. That Catherine's mother was named Mary is found in and Mary Qua Vol. 7, Series 1, page 202; Capt. William Barrett of James City County, dead before 1677 when his "son and heir" James Barrett (and Mary his wife) made a deed to Major William White of said county.

    The following obituary seems to confirm that Mrs. Mary Price was the daughter of John White, vestryman of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County. Although there is no evidence that he was a colonel in real life, his was the only White family in Hanover County in 1720, the probable year of Mary's birth.

        Obituary of Mrs. Mary Price
        Richmond Enquirer March 18, 1806

        "Departed this life suddenly, a few days since, at her seat near Richmond, Mrs. Mary Price, relict of Capt. John Price, dec'd., in the 86th year of her age. This revered sage had lived to see the fourth generation descendant from herself, and upon an accurate calculation found to amount to 181 in number." (Mrs. Price was a daughter of Col. White of Hanover County. She lived at "The Grove," Henrico County.)

    In summary John White was born about 1670 and died in 1744. He was a Vestryman of St. Paul's Parish for a period of forty years. His first two children were probably by his unknown first wife. His second wife is believed to have been Catherine Barrett, daughter of James Barrett of James City County. After the death of John White in 1744 his widow Catherine married Robert Braine.

        The proposed children of John White and his two wives were!

        1. Samuel White m. wife unknown
        2. John White m. Mary ? (more on this line later)
        3. Mary White m. John Price
        4. James White m. Sarah ?
        5. Barrett White m. Elizabeth Starke
        6. Edith White m. John Holt
        7. Elisha White m. Lucy ?
        8. William White m. Susannah Davis
        9. Tillah White m. Thomas King
        10. Helena Maria White m. Joseph Holt
        11. Martha White m. Sackville Brewer

    Calendar of Events

    29 July 1695 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 1; reference to John White, appointed Surveyor of Highways in certain precincts by New Kent County Court.

    30 May 1697 The Vestry Book and Register of St. Peter's Parish, page 404; John, son of John White, baptized.

    4 July 1702 's Colonial S page 218; John White, Pvt., present at Militia muster, New Kent County.

    25 March 1704 The Quit Rents of Virginia; John White of New Kent County paid annual "quit rent" of 2 shillings per 100 acres on 190 and 320 acres.

    1 June 1704 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 593; formation of St. Paul's Parish from the upper part of St. Peter's Parish.

    2 Nov. 1705 Cavaliers and Pioneers Vol. 3, page 102; John White of St. Paul's Parish, New Kent County, issued patent on 211 acres at Beaver Dam Swamp for importation of 5 persons.

    24 Sept. 1708 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 208; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. John White made return on his land in precinct 33.

    3 April 1711 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 47; Vestry ordered Capt. Robt. Anderson and Mr. John White execute the office of Church Wardens during the ensuing year and are hereby required and empowered to act therein according to law.

    22 April 1712 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 54; Vestry ordered Mr. John White and Mr. Rowland Horsley execute the office of Church Wardens during the ensuing year.

    11 Nov. 1712 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 57; in obedience to an order of New Kent County Court a road is cleared from Mr. John White's mill to Half Sink Road. In obedience to same order a road is cleared from Mr. John White's mill to Polegreen's Old Field.

    19 June 1714 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 65; Vestry ordered Mr. John White, late Church Warden, to write to Macaja & Rich d Perry to pay a set of Bills of Exchange, etc.

    11 Oct. 1718 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 84; Vestry empowered Maj. Nicholas Meriwether and Mr. John White to agree with workmen the price to be paid to build a new church at the crossroads.

    10 Oct. 1719 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 256; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. John White made return on his land in precincts 7, 18, and 19.

    21 Nov. 1720 The Vestry Book of St. Paul s Parish, page 595; formation of Hanover County from that part of New Kent County lying in St. Paul's Parish.

    27 Sept. 1729 Cavaliers and Pioneers Vol. 3, page 359; John White of Hanover County issued patent on 1888 acres (N.L.) new land on both sides of South Anna River, on Indian & Little Creeks, 9 lbs., 10 shillings.

    29 Oct. 1731 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 272; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. Samuel White in precinct 16 and John White, Jr. in precinct 21 first appear as land owners.

    18 Oct. 1735 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 283; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. John White no longer acting as one of the overseers in precinct 17 where he is a land owner. (Old age, ill health?)

    15 Oct. 1737 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 149; John White attends last Vestry meeting. (Old age, ill health?)

    18 Oct. 1743 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 302; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. John White, Jr. made return on his land in precinct 16 and also added his survey mark (MK) to John White's land in precinct 17, March 29, 1744.

    16 April 1744 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 178; John Dixon, Gent., is elected Vestryman in the room of John White, deceas'd.

    17 Nov. 1755 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 339; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. John White, Jr. made return on own land in precinct 15 and made return on land of John White's Orphans (in possession of Robt. Braine) in precinct 16.

    6 July 1758 Louisa Co., Va., Deed Book "C", pages 72 3; Devise of John White, dec'd., names six of his children and wife Catherine, now married to Robt. Braine.

    19 Nov. 1759 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 376; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. Land of John White, Jr. in precinct 15 witnessed by Barrett White. John White, Jr. made return on land of John White's Orphans (in possession of Robt. Braine) precinct 16 for last time on March 21, 1760.

    30 Nov. 1763 The Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish, page 311; Vestry ordered land into precincts for Processioning. John White is no longer listed as a processioner or overseer.
Personal Names
PersonClaimDetailEvidence
Capt. William BarrettNameCapt. William Barrett of James City County [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettNameCatherine Barrett [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettNameCatherine Briane [S351]
secondary
John WhiteNameCol. White of Hanover County [S351]
secondary
James BarrettNameJames Barrett [S351]
secondary
John WhiteNameJohn White [S351] [S352]
secondary
John WhiteNameJohn White of Hanover County [S351]
secondary
John WhiteNameJohn White of St. Paul's Parish, New Kent County [S351]
secondary
Martha WhiteNameMartha White [S351] [S352]
secondary
Mary JenkinsNameMary _____ [S351]
secondary
John WhiteNameMr. John White [S351]
secondary
Sackfield BrewerNameSackfield Brewer [S351]
secondary
Sackville BrewerNameSackville Brewer [S242] [S351] [S352] [S2813]
primary
Capt. William BarrettNameCapt. William Barrett [S351]
secondary
Relationships
PersonClaimDetailEvidence
William White BrewerMotherMartha White (e1729-) [S351] [S352] [S2955]
Martha White was the wife of Sackville Brewer and William's middle name was White.
secondary
Martha WhiteFatherJohn White (~1670-<1744) [S351] [S352]
secondary
Martha WhiteMotherCatherine Barrett (e1689-) [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettFatherJames Barrett (e1652-<1714) [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettPaternal grandfatherCapt. William Barrett (e1614-<1677) [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettMotherMary Jenkins (e1653-) [S351]
secondary
James BarrettFatherCapt. William Barrett (e1614-<1677) [S351]
secondary
Events & Attributes
PersonClaimDateDetailAgeEvidence
Capt. William BarrettResidenceJun 7, 1648Wilmington Parish, James City, Virginia, United States [S351]
granted 850 acres
secondary
John WhiteBirthabt 1670New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
secondary
Capt. William BarrettDeathbef 1677 [S351]
secondary
James BarrettFlourished1677James City, Virginia, United States [S351]
made a deed to Major William White
secondary
Mary JenkinsFlourished1677James City, Virginia, United States [S351]
made a deed to Major William White
secondary
John WhiteResidenceJul 29, 1695New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
appointed as Surveyor of Highways
secondary
John WhiteMilitaryJul 4, 1702New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
present at militia muster as a private
secondary
John WhiteResidenceMar 25, 1704New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
paid quit rents on 510 acres
secondary
John WhiteResidenceJun 1, 1704St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
chosen as one of the original 12 vestrymen
secondary
John WhiteFlourishedJun 1, 1704 [S351]
St. Paul's Parish was established from the upper part of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia
secondary
John WhiteResidenceNov 2, 1705New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
issued patent on 211 acres at Beaver Dam Swamp for importation of 5 persons
secondary
John WhiteResidenceJul 10, 1706New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
listed as a vestryman in the vestry meeting minutes
secondary
John WhiteResidenceSep 24, 1708St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
made return on his land
secondary
John WhiteResidenceApr 3, 1711St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
made Church Warden for 1 year
secondary
John WhiteResidenceApr 22, 1712St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
made Church Warden for 1 year
secondary
John WhiteResidenceNov 11, 1712St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
roads are cleared to his mill
secondary
John WhiteResidenceJun 19, 1714St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
ordered to force persons to pay Bills of Exchange
secondary
James BarrettDeathbef Oct 23, 1714 [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettLivingOct 23, 1714Wilmington Parish, James City, Virginia, United States [S351]
received 400 acres of land from her father's estate
secondary
Sackfield BrewerResidenceOct 23, 1714Wilmington Parish, James City, Virginia, United States [S351]
listed as living adjacent to Catherine Barrett's inherited lands
secondary
John WhiteResidenceOct 11, 1718St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
empowered to negotiate price for a new Church
secondary
John WhiteResidenceOct 10, 1719St. Paul's Parish, New Kent, Virginia, United States [S351]
made return on his land
secondary
John WhiteFlourishedNov 21, 1720 [S351]
Hanover county was formed from that part of New Kent County lying within the boundaries of St. Paul's Parish
secondary
John WhiteResidenceSep 27, 1729St. Paul's Parish, Hanover, Virginia, United States [S351]
issued patent on 1888 acres (N.L.) new land on both sides of South Anna River, on Indian & Little Creeks
secondary
John WhiteResidence 1731 - 1743Hanover, Virginia, United States [S351]
listed as a landowner
secondary
John WhiteResidenceOct 15, 1737St. Paul's Parish, Hanover, Virginia, United States [S351]
attended last vestry meeting
secondary
John WhiteDeath1744St. Paul's Parish, Hanover, Virginia, United States [S351]
secondary
John WhiteDeathbef Apr 16, 1744St. Paul's Parish, Hanover, Virginia, United States [S351]
secondary
Catherine BarrettMarriage 2ndbef Nov 17, 1755 [S351]
Robert Braine
secondary
Martha WhiteFlourishedJul 6, 1758 [S351] [S352]
Named in the devise of her father
secondary
Catherine BarrettFlourishedJul 6, 1758 [S351] [S352]
Named in the devise of John White
secondary