T H E  W H I T M I R E  M A N U S C R I P T   Page

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Elias W. Whitmire, son of Jesse Whitmire and Nancy Durden Whitmire, was born in St. Tammany Parish January 16, 1817, according to his tombstone.  He was married October 11, 1837 to Letitia "Lettie" Crockett by Justice of the Peace S. Miles, according to Rankin County, Mississippi Marriage Book 1, page 47.  Stephen Whitmire, his brother, was his bondsman.  She was born in Rankin County May 6, 1822 to Elijah Crockett and Martha Durden Crockett believed to be a sister to Nancy Durden Whitmire.  If so, Elias W. Whitmire married his first cousin.  Elijah Crockett had settled in Washington Parish, Louisiana in 1810, according to "Claims West of Pearl River."

 

According to Raymond Elton Bailey, a descendant, she was a first cousin once-removed to Davey Crockett, immortalized at the Alamo.  He was born August 17, 1786 in Greene County, Tennessee to John Crockett and Rebecca Hawkins Crock­ett.  He died in San Antonio March 6, 1836 at the age of 49. His mother was a sister to Sarah Hawkinswho was married to John Sevier, hero of the Battle of King's Mountain who later became governor of Tennessee.

 

John Crockett was a son of David Crockett of Pennsylvania and North Carolina.  In 1771 he lived in Lincoln County, North Carolina.  David Crockett was the son of William Crockett of New Rochelle, New York, according to "Davey Crockett and the Crockett Family" by Janie Preston Collup French and Zella Arm­strong.

 

William Crockett was born in New Rochelle August 10, 1709 to Joseph Louis Crockett, an Irish emigrant who was born January 9, 1667.  Joseph Louis Crockett was the son of Antoine de Saussure Perronette de Crocketagne  who was born July 10, 1643 in Montauban, France.  He was second in command in King Louis' household guards in 1664 when he became a Huguenot.  In 1672 he fled from France to England and then to Ireland.  Antoine de Saussure Perronette de Crocke­tagne was a son of Gabriel Gustave de Crocketagne of Mountauban.

 

Raymond Elton Bailey related that when the railroad was being constructed into Buna two Mexican workman came to the home of Letitia "Lettie" Crockett Whitmire for drinking water.  She took down her shotgun and ordered them off her prop­erty, saying "You're part of the bunch that killed Davey."

 

Elias W. Whitmire appeared as a resident of Rankin County August 24, 1838, according to Rankin County Deed Book D, page 248 which recorded the sale of a farm:

 

"State of Mississippi, Rankin County

 

This Indenture made and entered into this 24th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight by and between Elias Whitmire of the one part and Freeman Lacy of the other part witnesseth that for and in consid­eration of the sum of three hundred dollars to him the said Elias Whitmire in hand paid the re­ceipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath bargained sold and conveyed and by these presents do bargain sell and convey to the said Freeman Lacy a cer­tain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in Rankin County and State of Mississippi and known and designated as the South West Half of the North West Quarter of Section No. 29, Township No. 3, Range N3E containing 39 14/100 acres.  To have and to hold to the said Freeman Lacy his heirs Executors administrators or assigns forever all and singular the appurtenances belonging in any wise to the above described premises, and the said Elias Whitmire doth covenant with the said Freeman Lacy that he has full power to sell and convey the above described premises and he covenants to warrant and defend the ti­tle to said land from all persons claiming or to claim the same or any part in testi­mony whereof the said party of the first part hath herewith set his hand and affixed his seal this day and date above written.

                                                      his

                                                Elias (X) Whitmire

                                                      mark"

 

He applied for a land grant in Texas in January 1839, and a conditional certificate was issued to him August 2, 1841.  He reappeared along with his father and three brothers in the 1840 tax list of Jasper County, Texas.  He received a land grant of 320 acres about this time in Liberty County which was relocated in Jasper County July 7, 1842.  In 1845 "Elias Whitmer" paid a polltax in Polk County, according to "Repub­lic of Texas Poll Lists for 1846" by Marion Day Mullins.   He appeared on the 1846 polltax list of McMullin County, Texas along with Elijah Whitmire and Stephen Whit­mire, unidentified.  In 1855 he received a grant of 320 acres "15 miles from Liv­ingston" in Polk County.

 

He was enumerated in the 1850 census of San Augustine County, Texas as the head of Household 207-207:

 

        "Whitmire, Elias            31, born in Louisiana, farmer

                           Lettie           28, born in Mississippi

                           Martha         10, born in Texas

                           Andrew J.      8, born in Texas

                           Marshall   3/12, born in Texas"

 

They reappeared in the 1860 census of Jasper County:

 

    "Whitmire,  Elias         44, born in Louisiana, farmer, $160 real estate

                         Letiticia   39, born in Louisiana

                        Andrew     18, born in Texas

                        Marshall   10, born in Texas

                        Crockett     6, born in Texas

                        Sarah          2, born in Texas

                        Eli        2/12, born in Texas"

 

Elias W. Whitmire and Letitia "Lettie" Crockett Whitmire gave a deed to a two-acre strip, 100 feet wide across their property to Beaumont Lumber Company July 5, 1894, according to Jasper County Deed Book S, page 227.

 

Letitia "Lettie" Crockett Whitmire died September 3, 1896 and was buried in Antioch Cemetery in Jasper County.  Elias W. Whitmire  was enumerated in the 1900 census of Jasper County, Enumeration District 30, page 2, precinct 4 as "84, born in Louisiana in January 1816, living with son, William E. Dill."   He died July 1, 1900, according to his tombstone in Morse Cemetery, Buna.

 

Children born to Elias W. Whitmire and Letitia "Lettie" Crockett Whitmire include:

 

        Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire      born March 6, 1840

        Andrew Jackson Whitmire             born June 29, 1842

        Elzie Whitmire                                born in 1844

        Franklin Whitmire                          born in 1846

         (son)                                               born in 1848

        Marshall Whitmire                          born March 10, 1850

        Crockett W. Whitmire                    born March 2, 1853

        William Henry Whitmire                born September 7, 1854

        Sarah "Sallie" Whitmire                 born March 5, 1858

        Letty Whitmire                                born in 1859

        Eli Whitmire                                   born in 1860

        Jesse Whitmire II                             born in 1862

 

Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire , daughter of Elias W. Whitmire  and Leti­tia "Lettie" Crockett Whitmire , was born March 6, 1840 in Jasper County. She appeared as a 10-year-old in the 1850 census of her father's household.  She was mar­ried April 1, 1858 to Elly Richardson, according to Jasper County Marriage Book A, page 104.  She was remarried January 14, 1866 to Eli M. Lowe who was born December 28, 1843 in Jefferson County, Texas to Daniel Lowe  and Sallie Crockett Lowe.  He died August 17, 1888 at Buna, and she died September 26, 1919.

 

Children born to Elly Richardson and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson include:

 

        Letty Richardson               born 1858

 

Children born to Eli M. Lowe  and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson Lowe include:

 

        Winnie Lowe                          born in November 1866

        Elias Lowe                              born June 14, 1868

        Martha Crockett Lowe           born July 6, 1870

        Sallie Lowe                             born May 4, 1872

        Mandy Lowe                           born in April 1874

        Manervia Lowe                       born October 14, 1876

       

Letty Richardson , daughter of Elly Richardson and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson, was born in 1858.  She was enumerated in the 1870 census living in the household of her maternal grandparents.

 

Winnie Lowe, daughter of Eli M. Lowe and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson Lowe, was born in November 1866 at Buna.

 

Elias Lowe, son of Eli M. Lowe and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Rich­ardson Lowe, was born June 14, 1868 at Buna.  He was married September 22, 1899 at Buna to his first cousin, Clarissa Whitmire, daughter of William Hen­ry Whitmire and Rebecca Irene Crawford Whitmire.  Clarissa Whit­mire was born at Buna October 14, 1879.  He died April 11, 1957 at Buna, and she died there March 26, 1961.  He had a "photographic memory," according to Larry Vernon Franklin, and provided much historical data on the Whitmire, Crockett and Durden families with his extraordinary mental recall.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Mary Ida Lowe                         born August 21, 1900

        William Andrew Lowe             born March 8, 1902

        Sallie Lowe                               born October 14, 1903

        Bertsie Lowe                             born March 28, 1918

 

Martha Crockett Lowe, daughter of Eli M. Lowe and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson Lowe, was born July 6, 1870 at Buna.  She was married April 10, 1887 to Edmond Murphy Crawford.  She was remarried to Ralph Morris Franklin.  She died December 4, 1947.

 

Children born to Ralph Morris Franklin and Martha Crockett Lowe Crawford Franklin include:

 

        Vernon Franklin                 born March 12, 1912

 

Vernon Franklin, son of Ralph Morris Franklin and Martha Crockett Lowe Crawford Franklin, was born March 12, 1912 at Buna.  .  He was married June 30, 1932 at Lake Charles, Louisiana to Millie Lorena Williamson who was born December 31, 1906 at Fields, Louisiana.  He died at Silsbee, Texas October 2, 1984.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Larry Vernon Franklin           born January 18, 1944

 

Larry Vernon Franklin, son of Vernon Franklin and Millie Lorena Wil­liamson Franklin, was born January 18, 1944.  He was married November 10, 1966 to Carolyn Ann Stanley.  In 1969 he was employed as an officer with the sheriff's department of Orange County, Texas and remained in that capacity in 1985. He has done extensive research on the Whitmire, Crockett and Durden families, having been influenced to genealogy by his parents.  They and their nine children resided in Vi­dor, Texas in May 1985.

 

Sallie Lowe, daughter of Eli M. Lowe and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson Lowe, was born May 4, 1872 at Buna.  She was married March 10, 1889 to John Henry Bean.

 

Mandy Lowe, daughter of Eli M. Lowe and Martha Ann Mahalia Whitmire Richardson Lowe, was born in April 1874.  She died October 3, 1877.

 

Manervia Lowe, daughter of Eli M. Lowe and Martha Ann Mahalia Whit­mire Richardson Lowe, was born October 14, 1876.  She was married about 1894 to Ernest Pool.

 

Andrew Jackson Whitmire, son of Elias W. Whitmire and Letitia "Let­tie" Crockett Whitmire, was born in 1842.  He appeared as an eight-year-old in the 1850 census of his father's household.  According to Jasper County Marriage Book A, page 205 he was married July 19, 1866 to Angelina Moray Morse who was born February 23, 1849.  She was the daughter of John Morse who was born in South Carolina in 1817 and Lucy Morse who was born in Georgia in 1823.

 

On August 6, 1866 Andrew Jackson Whitmire received a deed to 160 acres of land from the heirs of Benjamin Richardson for $40, according to Jasper County Deed Book F, page 620.  The land was described as being "32 miles south of Jasper and 6 miles east of the Neches River."  Guardians for the minor heirs of Benjamin Richardson were listed as "Elias Whitmire, Jacob Mason and L. A. Richardson."  The deed was not recorded until September 2, 1889.

 

On September 9, 1872 Andrew Jackson Whitmire received a deed to 160 acres in Richardson Survey from Robert Alexander Thompson, Letty Thompson and Clarissa Taylor for $80, according to Jasper County Deed Book J, page 136.  This land was also de­scribed as being "32 miles south of Jasper and 6 miles east of the Neches River." 

                    

In the fall of 1872 Andrew Jackson Whitmire was accidentally shot and killed while on a bear hunt with his brother-in-law Henry Mason  and a friend, ac­cording to Raymond Elton Bailey, a great-grandson:

 

"While out on this hunting trip they shot a bear.  The bear ran into some heavy brush.  Henry Mason was holding back some limbs so Andrew could crawl into the brush and scare the bear out.  The limb slipped from Mason's grip and hit the trigger of his gun.  It went off, and the bullet struck Andrew.  He died before they could get him to the house.  It is reported that the Whitmire family ran Ma­son off and told him if he ever returned they would kill him.  I think that they thought he killed Andrew on purpose."

 

Angelina Moray Morse Whitmire was remarried October 7, 1874 to Wylie Curry who was born November 6, 1848 in Texas, according to McGinty research.  They appeared in the 1880 census of Houston County, Enumeration District 26, page 8.  She died in Buna April 28, 1904, and Wylie Curry died December 30, 1918.  Seven children were born to them.  They were buried in Antioch Cemetery.

 

Children born to Andrew Jackson Whitmire and Angelina Moray Morse Whitmire include:

 

        John W. Whitmire                born May 6, 1867

        Elias Whitmire II                 born February 4, 1869

        Louisa Whitmire                 born November 15, 1870

        Dora Whitmire                    born October 1, 1872

 

John W. Whitmire, son of Andrew Jackson Whitmire and Angelina Moray Morse Whitmire, was born May 6, 1867 at Buna.  He was married March 3, 1893 to Alice Paige who was born January 24, 1877 in Florida.  He farmed in Jasper County.

 

He appeared as the head of a household in the 1900 census of Madison County, Enumera­tion District 32, page 2:

 

        "Whitmire,  John      34, born in May 1866 in Texas

                            Alice      24, born in March 1876 in Texas, wife

                           Della         5, born in September 1894 in Texas, daughter

                          Gardy         3, born in July 1896 in Texas, daughter

                          Elias           1, born in September 1898 in Texas, son"

 

The household reappeared in the 1910 census of Madison County, Enumeration District 136, page 7:

 

        "Whitmire, John             43,

                           Alice            33, wife

                           Della           15, daughter

                           Gordie         13, daughter

                           Eula               8, daughter

                           Burtis            6, son

                           Arrie             1, son"

 

She died April 11, 1950, and he died February 6, 1954.  They were buried in Madison County, Texas.

 

Children born to John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire  include:

 

        Della Whitmire                             born October 3, 1894

        Gordie Clementine Whitmire      born July 26, 1896

        Eula Virginia Whitmire              born August 27, 1900

        Arnold Warren Whitmire            born October 4, 1902

        Burtis Mack Whitmire                born March 29, 1904

        Lucille Alice Whitmire               born June 30, 1911

        Lynn Oran Whitmire                   born October 4, 1913

        Ruby Whitmire                            born December 2, 1915

        Ira Mae Whitmire                        born about 1917

        Harvey Whitmire                        born about 1919

        Irvy Whitmire                              born about 1921

 

Della Whitmire, daughter of John W. Whitmire and Alice Paige Whit­mire , was born at Buna October 31, 1894.  She appeared in the 1900 and 1910 enumerations of her father's household in Madison County.  She was married October 11, 1912 at Madisonville, Texas to Frank Kent Page .  They were divorced about 1920, and she was remarried to Welder McKay  in 1922. Following a second di­vorce she was remarried to Joe Garcell  September 28, 1931 in Lafayette, Lou­isiana.  She died September 28, 1966 and was buried in South Park Cemetery, Houston, and he died November 17, 1967

 

Children born to Frank Kent Page  and Della Whitmire Page  include:

 

        Forest Vernon Page             born July 16, 1913

        Ray Frank Page                    born December 2, 1917

 

After her divorce from Frank Kent Page  she had her sons' names legally changed to Paige in honor of her mother.

 

Forest Vernon Paige , son of Frank Kent Page  and Della Whitmire Page,  was born July 16, 1913.  He was married in 1939 to Vera Hollister.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Shirley Paige                      born July 16, 1944

        Loyd Paige (twin)              born October 31, 1946

        Floyd Paige (twin)             born October 31, 1946

 

Ray Frank Paige , son of Frank Kent Page and Della Whitmire Page , was born December 2, 1917.  He was married August 25, 1940 to Hope Lowry.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Linda Sue Paige                 born November 5, 1943

        Michael Ray Paige             born October 14, 1948

 

Linda Sue Paige , daughter of Ray Frank Paige  and Hope Lowry Paige , was born November 5, 1943.  She was married about 1966 to John Cone.  They were divorced about 1982.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Kellie Paige Cone               born July 16, 1968

        Steven Scott Cone               born October 24, 1972

        Casey Cone                          born December 28, 1980

 

Michael Ray Paige , son of Ray Frank Paige  and Hope Lowry Paige , was born October 14, 1948.  He was married in February 1967 to Judy Trombat­ore .

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Stacey Gail Paige                  born August 9, 1968

        Sandra Michelle Paige          born June 9, 1977

 

Gordie Clementine Whitmire , daughter of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire , was born July 26, 1896.  She appeared in the 1910 census of her father's household in Madison County.  She was married May 13, 1916 at Madison­ville to Denton Harvard Post  who was born February 12, 1896.  He died July 24, 1977 and was buried in Rosewood Cemetery, Houston, Texas.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        John Harold Post                 born January 23, 1920

        Dorothy Alice Post              born October 3, 1922

        Billy Gene Post                    born September 12, 1930

 

John Harold Post , son of Denton Harvard Post  and Gordie Clementine Whitmire Post , was born January 23, 1920 in Madison County.  He was married in July 1947 at Houston to Betty M. Kitchen .  He died of cancer May 23, 1984.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Harold Byford Post           born November 14, 1950

 

Dorothy Alice Post , daughter of Denton Harvard Post and Gordie Clementine Whitmire Post, was born October 3, 1922 in Madison County.  She was married February 24, 1940 at Genoa, Texas to David Millford Ledford.  He died February 22, 1982 and was buried in Rosewood Cemetery.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Wanda Joyce Ledford             born July 24, 1943

        Glenn Harvey Ledford            born September 7, 1947

        Janice Gale Ledford                born July 24, 1952

 

 

 

Eula Virginia Whitmire , daughter of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire, was born August 27, 1900 in Madison County.  She was married there October 13, 1915 to Lee Harvey Greer .

 

Children born to them include:

 

        John W. Greer                       born February 3, 1923

        Crystal Greer                         born April 17, 1931

        Nancy Virginia Greer            born October 19, 1937

 

Arnold Warren Whitmire , son of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire , was born October 4, 1902 in Madison County.  He was married August 22, 1922 in Madisonville to Annie Bell Halliday  who was born June 24, 1902. He became a farmer and drove a schoolbus for 21 years.  They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1972.

 

Children born to Arnold Warren Whitmire  and Annie Belle Halliday Whitmire include:

 

        James Milburn Whitmire         born January 24, 1928

        Carolyn Sue Whitmire              born February 2, 1944

 

James Milburn Whitmire , son of Arnold Warren Whitmire  and Annie Belle Halliday Whitmire , was born January 24, 1928 in Madison County.  He was married April 16, 1960 to Virginia Ruth Bruce in Iola, Texas.

 

Children born to James Milburn Whitmire  and Virginia Ruth Bruce Whitmire  include:

 

        James Milburn Whitmire, Jr.   born July 12, 1961

 

James Milburn Whitmire, Jr. , son of James Milburn Whitmire  and Vir­ginia Ruth Bruce Whitmire , was born July 12, 1961.  He was married March 1, 1980 to Angela Kay White  in Houston.

 

Children born to James Milburn Whitmire, Jr.  and Angela Kay Whitmire  include:

 

        Trisha Kay Whitmire            born September 28, 1980

        Jessica Ann Whitmire           born May 5, 1982

 

Carolyn Sue Whitmire, daughter of Arnold Warren Whitmire and Annie Belle Halliday Whitmire , was born February 2, 1944 in Madison County.  She was married October 10, 1964 in Madisonville to Robert Elton Taylor .  They were divorced in 1969.  She was remarried July 3, 1970 in Madison County to Robert Lea Kendrick .

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Theresa Ann Taylor                 born April 22, 1966

        Arthur Warren Kendrick         born November 2, 1974

 

Theresa Ann Taylor , daughter of Robert Elton Taylor  and Carolyn Sue Whitmire Taylor , was born April 22, 1966.  She was married March 4, 1983 in Madisonville to Tracy L. Parker  who was born May 21, 1963.

 

Burtis Mack Whitmire , son of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whit­mire , was born March 29, 1904 in Madison County.  He was married about 1925 to Carma Ellen McFarland , daughter of Henry McFarland and Rodie Mc­Farland.  Burtis Mack Whitmire  died in 1929.

 

One son was Burtis Mack Whitmire  and Corma Ellen McFarland Whitmire :

 

        Gail Mack Whitmire     

 

Gail Mack Whitmire , son of Burtis Mack Whitmire  and Carma Ellen Mc­Farland Whitmire , was born January 21, 1927 in Madison County.  He was mar­ried January 17, 1945 in Baytown, Texas to Juanita Stewart .

 

Children born to Gail Mack Whitmire  and Juanita Stewart Whitmire in­clude:

 

        Donnie M. Whitmire (twin)        born June 16, 1946

        Ronnie E. Whitmire (twin)         born June 16, 1946

 

Donnie M. Whitmire , twin son of Gail Mack Whitmire  and Juanita Stewart Whitmire  was born June 16, 1946 in Baytown.  He was married February 16, 1965 to Jan Sheriah Bailey .  They were later divorced.

 

Children born to Donnie M. Whitmire and Jan Sheriah Bailey Whitmire  include:

 

        Kirk Stewart Whitmire            born June 26, 1966

        Kent Mack Whitmire               born April 9, 1968

        Ross Eugene Whitmire           born November 27, 1971

        Matt Allen Whitmire               born November 16, 1973

 

Lucille Alice Whitmire, daughter of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire, was born June 30, 1911 in Madison County.  She was married about 1931 to Ray McKinney .  Born to them was a daughter who died at birth. Follow­ing a divorce she was remarried September 3, 1937 to Walter Duncan Scherer  who was born October 22, 1902.

 

Children born to them include:

 

        Walter Duncan Scherer, Jr.      born November 6, 1939

        Warren D. Scherer                    born August 11, 1947

 

Lynn Oran Whitmire , son of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire,  was born October 4, 1913 in Madison County.  He was married November 27, 1935 to Louise McVey in Madisonville.  He died there February 7, 1982.

 

Children born to Lynn Oran Whitmire  and Louise McVey Whitmire  in­clude:

 

        Reginald Boyd Whitmire         born March 21, 1938

        James Oran Whitmire               born May 18, 1941

        Linda Lou Whitmire                 born December 25, 1946

 

Reginald Boyd Whitmire , son of Lynn Oran Whitmire  and Louise McVey Whitmire , was born March 21, 1938 in Madisonville.  He was married June 25, 1960 in Harlingen, Texas to Mildred Ruth Collins who was born there June 7, 1939.

 

Children born to Reginald Boyd Whitmire and Mildred Ruth Collins Whitmire include:

 

        Susan Lynn Whitmire           born March 21, 1963

        Alan Keith Whitmire            born June 7, 1966

 

James Oran Whitmire , son of Lynn Oran Whitmire  and Louise McVey Whitmire , was born May 18, 1941 in Madisonville.  He was married November 30, 1963 in South Houston, Texas to Carolyn Storres .  She died November 16, 1978 in an automobile accident.  He was remarried about 1980 to Margie Scroggins .  Children born to him and Margie Scroggins Whitmire are unknown.

 

Children born to James Oran Whitmire  and Carolyn Storres Whitmire include:

 

        Karen Lea Whitmire               born August 15, 1966

        James Dean Whitmire            born October 15, 1969

 

Linda Lou Whitmire , daughter of Lynn Oran Whitmire  and Louise McVey Whitmire , was born December 25, 1946 in Houston.  She died there February 24, 1948 and was buried in Rosewood Cemetery.

 

Ruby Whitmire, daughter of John W. Whitmire  and Alice Paige Whitmire, was born December 2, 1915 in Madison County.  Unmarried, she was a resident of Abilene State School, Abilene, Texas in 1985.