Fulton County GaArchives Biographies.....Humphries, Charner November 11, 1795 - April 4, 1855
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Suzanne Bowen Ackert ackerte@bellsouth.net February 2, 2006, 3:21 pm

Author: Suzanne Bowen Ackert

                            Charner Humphries
                      Propietor of White Hall Tavern 
                              West End Area
Charner Humphries was born and raised in Chester District, South Carolina. On 
January 29, 1818, in their home state of South Carolina, Charner Humphries 
married Mary Darby, and several years later they removed to Georgia in the 
area that would later become the West End section of Atlanta.  Charner and 
Mary are credited with being the original citizens of the West End.

Mary and Charner were parents of seven children: Nancy Harriet, Elizabeth, 
Mary, Charner, George, Asa, and John, birthed between 1818 and 1832.

Daughter, Nancy Harriet married William Harvey Gilbert, one of Atlanta's first 
medical doctors.  Her sister, Elizabeth, married Joshua Gilbert, the brother 
of William, who is credited with being the "First Physician in Atlanta," and 
the "Father of Atlanta Medicine."

Charner settled with his family in Land Lot 92 of the 14th District of what 
was then DeKalb County, near what is now Perkerson Road.  On March 3, 1835, he 
acquired in a land lottery, the property in Land Lot 108 which included the 
junction of the Newnan and Sandtown Roads.  Realizing the potential commercial 
value of such a location, Humphries hastily constructed the first know Inn in 
the area.  The building took on the name "White Hall Tavern" because it was 
the only structure in the county that was painted.  However, another account 
claims that the name was inspired by the famous Whitehall in London.

The juction where "White Hall Tavern" sat has since become Lee and Gordon 
Streets.

White Hall was designated as a US Post Office on June 9, 1835, and an act of 
the Georgia Legislature on December 21, of that same year made it one of the 
first polling places in DeKalb County.  In Walter Cooper's "History of Fulton 
County," he describes White Hall as the first place/name associated with the 
Atlanta community.  On December 26, 1845, the election precinct was officially 
moved to the new town of Atlanta.

White Hall's historical significance is well documented by Wilbur Kurtz, an 
Atlanta historian and artist, who created a visual and written portrait of the 
old inn, based on the recollections of Jeremiah Gilbert, grandson of Mr. 
Humphries.  As the only public place in the area, "White Hall" was a community 
focal point and meeting place.  Charner Humphries, as the proprietor, was a 
robust, good natured man who ably fit the role of host.  He served much as a 
mayor would in a growing village.

Charner was possessed with what was known in later years as the "Atlanta 
Spirit."  He was progressive and was the first person in this region to paint 
his house.  His house/inn was a two story building, painted white.

Charner's wife Mary, died on June 26, 1851, and Charner followed her on April 
4, 1855.  They were originally buried on the White Hall property, but their 
bodies were later moved to Westview Cemetery.  Dr. William Gilbert, son-in-
law, was the executor of Charner's estate which was valued at over $20,000.00, 
much of which was sold at public auction.  Among his holdings was the tract of 
land on Perkerson Road which is the sight of his grandson, Jeremiah Gilbert's, 
home.  The home, known as The Gilbert House, is on the National Register of 
Historic Places and is owned by the City of Atlanta.
  

Additional Comments:
Sources: The Gilbert House," compilied by David F. Haddow, Department of 
Budget and Planning, City of Atlanta, Georgia, February 1978.

Atlanta Catholic Centennial (Article found on internet)

Genealogy Research by Suzanne Bowen Ackert

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