Biography; Thomas White- Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Elnora Frances Cook-Wyrick ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************************************** Biography of THOMAS WHITE: Taken from the research papers of Velma Avis (Valentine) McWilliams, her recorded memories of her Aunt Mary Anne (Valentine) Martin; The late Anne Valentine Martin who lived to be 93 years old, remembered as a child when visiting her grandfather Thomas White on Sundays following the noon day meal that he gathered all the family together, hitched the teams to wagons and drove to the Family Cemetery plot, where they engaged in singing, bible reading and teaching. Mr White’s birthday was a special occasion each year. The relatives all gathered coming with huge baskets of food then they all went to the Family Burial plot and spent the day, Mr White always had a preacher present to preach to his family and other relatives on the wooded hill side where the burial plot was located. **The White Family Cemetery has not been found as yet. Throughout Velma’s notes Thomas White is described as a "Strong Willed, Religious, Stubborn, Self Directed Man of Great Personal Strength and Strict Moral Values". Thomas White was born, July 1825 in the state of Tennessee, Parents are unknown. His first marriage was to Sarah Ann Pyle/s, 15 July 1849 by Kinchin Rambo,MG at the Silver Creek Baptist Church near Rome, Floyd Co., GA. He was reported to have been a Confederate Soldier, during the Civil War, in article by Velma (Valentine) McWilliams, I have not been able to confirm this as yet. Van Zandt Co.,TX, Genealogical Society's History of Van Zandt Co., Vol.I, page 483-F-611 and pages 218, 219, describing history of Thomas White, coming to Van Zandt County with his family, buying property in Wills Point, near the family of "William Wills", for whom the Town was named. And his appointment as the 1st Postmaster of Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX.: Seen on Van Zandt Co., TX,Gen Web Page; He served as Postmaster 23 September 1870 to 24 February 1874. 1870 Census in Van Zandt Co., TX: Page 28, # 201-28 Thomas White, age 46, b.1824/25 TN, Sarah White, age 35, b.1835 in GA Elizabeth White,age 20, b.1850 in GA Margaret White, age 17, b.1853 in GA Peter White, age 14, b.1856 in GA, never found or listed again by name: Sarah L. White age 11, b.1859 in AR, never found or listed again by name: Thos. A White age 9, b.1861 in TX, never found or listed again by name: Louis H. White age 5, b.1865 in TX James White age 1, b.1869 in TX, never found or listed again by name: Son John O White was born 26 October 1873 in Van Zandt Co., TX, His Mother is documented to have been Sarah Ann (Pyle) White. 1873-75; Death of first wife Sarah Ann Pyle in Van Zandt Co., TX, assumed she is buried in the White Family Cemetery. 23 Dec 1875, Bk. 3, pg 52 Thomas White married .M. E. Fletcher, Original handwritten Will: 15 October 1876, witnessed by Mary White. 1876, 15 October: A Document, which was hand written by Thomas White, in form of a "Living Will or Quit Claim Deed to Real property", (appears to be 80 acres) October 15, 1876, in Wills Point, Van Zandt Co., TX. he gives his land to his children, who he describes as: "The girls and the three boys". One of the boys being named in the document, "John White". This Will was never filed or recorded to my knowledge: Will witnessed by (Mary White, may have been his 2nd wife). What I believe to be the Original Will is in my possession; signed, Elnora Frances Cook-Wyrick. On 27 June 1877; Thomas and Mary E White settled (Handwritten Will) with Margaret Francis (White) McBee and Betsey Jane (White) Valentine, Margaret did not record hers until 28 March 1888, but Betsey recorded hers 19 December 1877. (Deeds C & D) 9 February 1879, Bk.3, pg 196; Thomas White married Martha Jane Bobbet, Found on 1880 Census VZ Co., #70/79 White, Thos, WM, 53, Farmer, TN, NC, NC Martha J., WF, 52, Wife, TN - Louis H., WM, 18, Son, TX, TN, GA John O., WM, 8, Son, TN, TN, GA (No Deeds for Thomas and Martha J/Jane White) 29 January 1883 DEED-H: Vol. 57, page 511, 512; Thomas White to Deceased Loved Family Members; "Know all men by these presents that I, "Thomas White" of Van Zandt County, and State of Texas, for the Love and affection, I have for my deceased family, have this day deeded and given transferred and conveyed and do by these presents give transfer and convey unto my beloved and Deceased Family, 3/4 acre of land. Three fourths of one acre, of enclosed land, out of the James Hamilton 640 acre Survey, lying and being situated in Van Zandt County, State of Texas. On the waters of Leana/Ceana Creek a Tributary of McBee Creek. One mile north from the town of Wills Point." signed by Thos. H White of VZ Co., in 1883, not recorded until 1898. The original {burial ground spoken of in this deed} has not been located to date as of November 1999. *********The White/Allen Cemetery is definitely [ NOT] the lost 1/4 acre deeded to "Deceased Loved Ones", noted above. 4 October 1886: Deed: L-Vol. 33, Pages 607, 608: Thomas White to John Howell: 30 Oct 1887, Bk. 4, page 329. Thomas White married Mrs Emily James, Found on 1880 Census VZ Co., #134; Pilley, Emily, Widow, Laundress, age 24, b.AR, Father NC, Mother NC, Pilley, Joseph, son, age 7, b. AR, Father AR, Mother AR. Pilley, Rebecca, daughter, age 5, b. TX, Father AR, Mother, AR. William C. James to Emily Pilley, 19 May 1881, Bk. 3, page 330. Found on Van Zandt Co., School Records for 1889-90, pg 137; Child, Joe Pilley, Male, age 14, Parent/Guardian is listed as Thomas White, Name of School (blank) 2 March 1889, (Deed Y) Thomas and Emiline White October 1889, Son Martin M White is born in Van Zandt Co., TX. May 1991, Daughter Bertie Louisa White is born in Van Zandt Co., 6 April 1895; Thomas knowing he was growing old decided to settle with his one remaining son from the first marriage John, that he had not settled with in the "Handwritten Will", which was dated 15 Oct 1876". Thomas drew up the deed, stating it is to settle the estate of his "deceased wife S.A. and himself" John was 22 years old, had married Mary Polly Lee in 1892 and was starting his own family. There was no current wife mentioned for Thomas and he is the only signer. See [Deed-H] Deed Book Record; Vol. 82, Page 214-215; 13 October 1896: Deed Written R-Vol. 55, Page 568-569; 30 April 1897: Deed Recorded Thomas White, L.H. & Jimmie White, John O. & Polly White: To W. J. Greer #5.Thomas White to Mrs Margaret Morris, 18 Oct 1896, Bk. 6, pg 250. (Deeds S-T-U) (Velma said in her research that he was married to a lady named Emma Morris) 10 November 1896: Deed Written S-Vol. 61, Pages 591-592-593-594: 15 December 1899: Deed Recorded Thomas & M.L. White, L.H. & Jimmie White, John O. & Polly White: To G.F. Belew 8 December 1896: Deed Written T-Vol. 58, Page 54, 55: 11 November 1897: Deed Recorded Margaret L & Thomas White, Susie A.V. Casey, H.M. & Evile M. Rohus to John White: 1 January 1898: U-Vol. 58, Page 388, 389, 390: M.L. & Thos White, Susie A.V. Casey, and M.M. & E.M. Rohus to John White: 20 JANUARY 1898 Z-Vol. 57, pages 508-509: THOMAS WHITE DEED TO MARY J HOWARD The housekeeper Mary J Howard, that Thomas gave the Life estate and piece of property to if she stayed with him until he died. 1900 Census Van Zandt Co., TX. [ #214/216] White, Thomas, Head of Household, w, m, July 1825, 74, Wd, in TN, father and mother in TN. White, Martin M, Son, w, m, Oct 1889, Single, in TX, father and mother in TN. White, Burtie, Daughter, w, f, May 1891, Single, in TX, father and mother in TN. Howard, Mary J, Hired, w, f, June 1842, Wd, in Illinois, father and mother in Ohio. Wills Point Chronicle, February 23, 1905: Obituary of Thomas White: "Uncle Tom White Dead" Sunday morning, the 19th inst., at about 4 o’clock at the family residence one mile north of town the spirit of Uncle Tom White passed over the dark and silent river. The cause of death was catarrh of the throat. Interment took place in the family burying ground that afternoon, services being conducted by Eld. H.P. Davis. At the time of his death Uncle Tom was about 86 years old and had lived at the place where he died for about fifty years. He was the first Postmaster Wills Point ever had, and was one of the oldest residents of the county. That he was a good man is attested by all who knew him. His life was well spent and when the last summons came it found him prepared. he leaves two sons and three daughters to mourn his death, besides many other relatives. The Chronicle, together with many friends, extends its condolence to the bereaved. "Recorded as written." Taken from a letter from Velma Avis (Valentine) McWilliams, to her cousin Helen. "Thomas White died the early morning hours of February 18, 1905 during an ice storm, and that night on the 17th before midnight a Great Grandson John William Valentine was born, in the Highland Community. Son of Henry Andrew and Ollie (Palmer) Valentine. That Great Grandson later became mayor of the City of Edgewood, serving for 11 years." 1905: Probate of Will for Thos White of Van Zandt Co., TX, written 1903, processed on 15 June 1905. Executor J.J. Starns, Witness W.J.Greer/Grier, and J.A. Tucker. Filed by C.A. Mayfield, Clerk of the Court. This Will states that "heretofore he had given to all his children that had reached and passed the age of majority, property equal in value to the property herin after disposed of by this Will. Therefore the names of said children will not be mentioned herin". The children that are named are minors, a son "MARTIN WHITE, age 15 yrs, AND BIRTIE LOUISA WHITE, age 13 yrs. There is also a housekeeper and care giver named "Mrs Mary J. Howard", who has been hired by him at some lengthy time before his death, that he had not been financially able to pay for her service and was compensated by this Will, with a bequest of One and One-half acres of land free and clear, and permission to live in his home for the remainder of her life, free of harassment by any and all, that was situated on the 40 acres that he left to his Minor daughter Birtie. This Will was signed by a Mark (X) on 23 December 1903. The information in the Will does fit what we know at this time, the ORIGINAL HANDWRITTEN LIVING WILL, dated 15 October 1876, dividing his land between his children at that time, indicating he had at least (3) sons and more than (1) daughter as he used the terms "girls", could account for leaving other offspring’s names out of this Recorded Will. *** We know of 2 of his sons that lived to be adults, "Lewis/Louis and John" who were alive on that date of 1876, but who was the 3rd son??? Was it "Peter, Thomas A or James", (from the 1870 census). The Obituary for Thomas White in 1905 states he had only 2 sons surviving him, and we know that they were John O. and Martin M., and it is reported by GGranddaughter Janet Arlene (White) Valcho, that Lewis/Louis died in 1903. 1905: Immediately after the death of Thomas and the Probate Will is filed, a petition of Guardianship of the Minor children is filed by "John White", to be the Guardian for Minor Children mentioned in the Will as MARTIN age 15 yrs, and BIRTIE LOUISA WHITE, age 13 years old. John White was granted Guardianship of said children, length of time served, possibly until 1908-1910. I know there was more than one Thomas White in Van Zandt Co., TX , and one of them could have been Thomas’s son, Thomas A. White, but in December 1903 when he wrote his final Last Will and Testament he mentions only two living sons only, one of which "Martin M" was not born until October 1889, and John O White who was born in October 1873. Corrections and additions (with documentation) are welcome.