1886 - Newark Journal..Uncle Dave Whisnant and his wife, Aunt Julia Ann Chitwood enjoy helping the singing class sing the old Christian harmony songs they used to sing back in North Carolina....
Jackson Pinkney Whisnant was born on 23 December 1839 in Rutherford Co., NC; Note: His death certificate listed his d.o.b. as 22 Jun 1830, age 88. The informant was W. Y. Smawley, Bastic., NC.1,2
From the book North Carolina Troops, 1861,1865, page 377: Enlisted in Iredell County on Aug 20, 1862, for the war. Present or accounted for until he deserted on Sep 20, 1862. Returned to duty in Sep 1863-Feb 1864, and was present or accounted for until wounded in the left arm and right thigh at Wilderness, VA, May 6, 1864. Reported absent wounded until he was retired to the Invalid Corps on Nov 30, 1864.
Mary E. Whisnant died on 21 August 1919 in Rutherford Co., NC; widowed. Note: Her death certificate says she was "76" years old when she died. The informant was G. F. Easley., Ellenboro, NC.2
Mary Ann Whisnant and Albert Davis were divorced before 1900.3
Death*
Mary Ann Whisnant died on 1 January 1915 in Marion, McDowell Co., NC, at age 73; divorced. Her death certificate listed her mother as Anna Eliza Thompson. The informant was T.C. Fortune, Marion, NC.1
Leonard Whisenant was born on 9 March 1846 in Burke Co., NC; Note: His death certificate listed his d.o.b. as 9 Mar 1847. The informant was W. E. Whisnant.1
As of between 1870 and 1880, Leonard Whisenant was also known as Whisenhunt.6
Note*
He served in the Confederate army during the War Between the States. He was in Col. A. C. Avery's 17th Battalion, Company B. After the war, his profession was blacksmith and 'dentist.' He pulled teeth in his blacksmith shop. He died of a heart attack and kidney failure. His will is as follows:
Will
Recorded in Burke Co., NC, book 4, page 471 to 472.
In The Name of God, Amen
I Leonard Whisenant, being of sound and desposing mind and memory but realizing the uncertainty of this my earthly existence do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say. 1. It is my desire that my body shall have a decent burial and the funeral expenses shall be paid by my executer herein after named from the first monnies coming into his hand from my estate. 2. I give and devise to my son W E Whisenant and his wife all my property both real and personal of which I may die seized to be held by him in trust for the support of my beloved wife Eveline Whisenant, and at her death to be his sole and separate property in fee simple. 3. I give and devise to my daughter M E Mull, wife of J A Mull; M G Whisenant wife of Elick Whisenant; J L Saulman wife of C M Saulman; N A Pucket wife of W R Pucket; L E Whisenant wife of S W Whisenant; S F Whisenant wife of R A Whisenant; and E E Page wife A A Page. each twenty five dollars, to be paid them upon my death in money by the said W E Whisenant, and this devise shall be and constitute a lien on the property above devised said W E Whisenant until paid 3. I hereby appoint and constitute R E Roper the executer of this my last will and testament to all intents and purposes according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause there of hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me made heretofore. In witness where of the said Leonard Whisenant, do hereunto set his hand and affix his seal this the 15th day of March 1915.
his Leonard x Whisenant (seal) mark
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Leonard Whisenant to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
Jackson Miller L C Fox
His obituary:
DEATH OF AN OLD CONFEDERATE VETERAN for The News-Herald:
Mr. Leonard Whisnant, one of Burke's oldest citizens and an old Confederate veteran, passed away at the home of his son, Mr. W. E. Whisnant, in West Morganton on Friday, July 10th, at the ripe old age of eighty years, four months and one day. He was born and reared in Burke country; was married to Miss. Eveline Setzer, of Caldwell, who preceded him to the grave more than seven years ago. Besides a number of grandchildren and great grandchildren, he is survived by seven children. They are Mesdames R. A. Wilson and Alex Whisenant, W. R. Puckett, C. M. Saulmon and Mr. W. E. Whisannt, all of and near Morganton, and Mrs. A. A. Page, of Ellijay. GA. Another daughter, Mrs. J. A. Mull, died about eighteen months ago.
'Uncle Leonard,' as he was known to his friends, was an honest, hard working, Christian gentleman. He had been a member of Zion Baptist church for a number of years. By his own request funeral and burial services were conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. M. Harris, and interment made in Zion church yard.
____________________________
This will has been transcribed literally from a copy of the original will. The will and obituary have been furnished by Ms. Nancy C. Puckett, of Morganton, North Carolina.
Martha Eveline Setzer was a midwife and herb or 'root' doctor for the community. She delivered over 200 babies in the Oak Hill community. She died after a long illness with stomach cancer.
Laura Ellen Whisenant was born on 16 June 1877 in Burke Co., NC; Note: Her death certificate listed her d.o.b. as 16 Jun 1878. The informant was her son Harrison.1
age 60, md., completed 7 years of school. He is employed as a laborer for the city street department. His wage last year was $900. He own as house valued at $2500. [s.d. 10, e.d. 12-17, sheet 3A, line 22, household #35]
age 27, widowed, farmer. An aunt Mary Whisenhunt, single, age 68, and a cousin Jane Whisenhunt, single, age 30, lives in the household. John's last name was listed as "Whisenhunt".
James Ivey Whisenant was born on 7 October 1877 in NC; Note: Census records indicate that he was actually born three years later. That would make his mother Nancy Jane Whisenant instead of Julia McNeely if it's true.1,2
James Ivey Whisenant died on 20 December 1947 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC, at age 70; Note: mother is listed as "Julia McNeely". The informant was his wife Nora.2
age 62, md., completed 5th. grade. He is a farmer. Owns farm valued at $2500. His father John D. resides in the household. [s.d. 10, e.d. 12-11, sheet 7A, line 8, household #85]
Nancy Jane Whisenant was born on 1 October 1863 in NC; Note: Her death certificate listed her d.o.b. as 19 Apr1854. Informant was her son R. A. Whisnant.1
Parson Elmond Whisenant died on 9 July 1932 in Burke Co., NC, at age 45; Note: His death certificate listed his father's name as "John Douglas Whisenant". The informant was his father.2
age 43, md., He is employed as an auto mechanic at the city garage. His wage last year was $1200. He rents a home for $22. [e.d. 60-66, sheet 2A, household #31]
Note*
John Clifton Whisnant served in the infantry in France during World War I, and was at the battle of Argonne Forest. He served from 1917-1919.
Walter Ralph Whisnant was born on 4 July 1896 in Burke Co., NC; Note: His death certificate, and his tombstone listed his d.o.b. as 14 Jul 1895. The informant was his wife.1,2
age 44, md., completed 1 year of high school. He works as an attendant at an institution. His wage last year was $1460. He rents his home for $12. [e.d. 44-9, sheet 1B, household #4]
age 48, widow, completed 2 years of college. She is the proprietor of a hotel. She rents her home for $30. [s.d. 10, e.d. 12-15, sheet 16A, line 24, household #259]
age 22, md., completed 2 years of high school. He is employed as a meat cutter at a grocery store. His wage last year was $900. He resides in the household of his mother. His wife is not present.
