George Merlin McWhirter was born March 9, 1816, in Wilson County, Tennessee, and moved with his family to Jackson County, Tennassee then moved his family to Bell County in 1855, where they settled on land obtained from John Myers on Salado Creek. He farmed, although he was a lawyer by profession. Later, he moved up the river to a place later owned by John T. Dulaney. McWhirter located in Belton in 1865 and entered the mercantile business. He was associated at one time with J.P. Reed and later with W.J. Venable. George retired from mercantile life in 1874. He practiced law in Belton. He was a Methodist and served as superintendent of the Bell County Bible society. He was a member and past master of the Belton Masonic Lodge and held high offices in the Knights Templar. George's wife, Martha, formed the Commonwealth of Women, commonly referred to as the Sanctificationists, a religious order for women. This group later permanently located in Washington, D.C. George M. McWhirter died February 25, 1887. Children of George and Martha McWhirter were: Mrs. Emma Pond, Mrs. Ada Haymond, Mrs. Nannie Davenport, Robert, Sam and John. George McWhirter is buried in North Belton Cemetery on Main Street.
From
Bell County Revisited: an Informal, Pictorial History of Bell County. Temple, Tex.: Temple Jaycees, c1976. P. 52
After a tour of duty in the Confederate Army, Major George McWhirter, his wife, Martha, and their 10 children moved into a split-level home in Belton (located at 400 N. Pearl St.). They had lived in Bell County since 1855, first settling near Armstrong Crossing where they were instrumental in building the Live Oak Methodist Church. Major McWhirter, a successful businessman, who owned a string of buildings in downtown Belton, was the Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Masons Chapter of Texas. Along with his wife, he was active in the Union Sunday School in Belton—before Mrs. McWhirter began to have visions and formed her True Church Colony Commune (known locally as Sanctificationists). Two of the McWhirter children, who died during a typhoid epidemic, are buried in the back yard of the residence.
George Merlin McWhirter was born March 9, 1816, in Wilson County, Tennessee, and moved with his family to Jackson County, Tennassee then moved his family to Bell County in 1855, where they settled on land obtained from John Myers on Salado Creek. He farmed, although he was a lawyer by profession. Later, he moved up the river to a place later owned by John T. Dulaney. McWhirter located in Belton in 1865 and entered the mercantile business. He was associated at one time with J.P. Reed and later with W.J. Venable. George retired from mercantile life in 1874. He practiced law in Belton. He was a Methodist and served as superintendent of the Bell County Bible society. He was a member and past master of the Belton Masonic Lodge and held high offices in the Knights Templar. George's wife, Martha, formed the Commonwealth of Women, commonly referred to as the Sanctificationists, a religious order for women. This group later permanently located in Washington, D.C. George M. McWhirter died February 25, 1887. Children of George and Martha McWhirter were: Mrs. Emma Pond, Mrs. Ada Haymond, Mrs. Nannie Davenport, Robert, Sam and John. George McWhirter is buried in North Belton Cemetery on Main Street.
From
Bell County Revisited: an Informal, Pictorial History of Bell County. Temple, Tex.: Temple Jaycees, c1976. P. 52
After a tour of duty in the Confederate Army, Major George McWhirter, his wife, Martha, and their 10 children moved into a split-level home in Belton (located at 400 N. Pearl St.). They had lived in Bell County since 1855, first settling near Armstrong Crossing where they were instrumental in building the Live Oak Methodist Church. Major McWhirter, a successful businessman, who owned a string of buildings in downtown Belton, was the Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Masons Chapter of Texas. Along with his wife, he was active in the Union Sunday School in Belton—before Mrs. McWhirter began to have visions and formed her True Church Colony Commune (known locally as Sanctificationists). Two of the McWhirter children, who died during a typhoid epidemic, are buried in the back yard of the residence.
Family Members
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Emma McWhirter Pond
1846–1918
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Mary McWhirter
1849 – unknown
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Ada McWhirter Haymond
1851–1898
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John "Jack" McWhirter
1852–1881
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Andrew McWhirter
1853–1853
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Nancy McWhirter "Nannie" Davenport
1856–1935
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George Merlin McWhirter II
1858–1858
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George Merlin McWhirter III
1862–1866
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Douglas McWhirter
1865–1865
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Robert White McWhirter
1865–1956
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William McWhirter
1868 – unknown
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Samuel Seat McWhirter
1869–1901
