(Page Last Update: Jan 31, 2024)

In Memory of Stephen White, whose burial site is currently unknown, we suspect Houston County Texas, and possibly Walker Co TX, where his son Tilman lived.

Stephen White Sr was the son of Robert White Sr and mother Mildred "Milly" [Whitehead] White.

He was born in Caswell District of Caswell Co NC, this district was in the upper left, west section of the County,. He migrated, with the family, in 1788, to Cross Keys Union County South Carolina, then old 96th district, ( ref. 1784 NC Census, taken in Caswell Co., 1786-in census section below). Prior to Caswell Co NC, the family was living in Granville Co NC, near the TAR River (Lower left/west section of old Granville Co NC, bordered with old Caswell Co NC). This part of Caswell County was later split to form Person Co NC, after the White's left NC. His father was born near the Roanoke River VA, (Mecklenburg Co VA area), in the once massive county of old Brunswick Co VA in 1743, not necessarily, the county of today. Old Brusnwick Co VA covered a large portion of the VA border in 1743.

Stephen married about Jan 17, 1807, to Nancy "Nanie" Betterton, in Union Co SC. The surname Betterton, was spelled many other ways, in the old days, the current generation has settled on Betterton. (one of the most misspelled surnames)

Stephen most likely died about 1868, and possibly in Walker Co TX, as a Probate record was filed in this county for Stephen White Feb 7th, 1868. Son Tilman owned a store in this county and Stephen Sr being in his advance years may have been cared for by his son Tilman.

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KNOWN MIGRATION PATH:

Caswell Co NC, Union Co SC, Spartanburg Co SC, Morgan/Putman Co's GA,

Lowndes Co AL, Houston Co TX, Walker Co TX, Houston Co TX.

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STEPHEN & NANCY HAD THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN:

John Stephen---------1807-aft1880---m. Athena Harwell-----1831--AL

Tilman Bailey---------1809-1875-------m. Sarah F Harwell----1833--AL

Mildred Whitehead---1811-1848------m. Sion Pritchard-------1832--AL

Stephen Murphy Jr---1814-Unkn-----m. Not known------------Unkn

Lavina Bailey-----------1816-1858-----m. Milldleton Luckie----1834-TX

Levi Wiley (Wm?)------1818-1868------m. Sarah J Young-------1847-TX

William Whitehead---1820-Unkn-----m. Unkn-there was a Wm W in Hou. Co TX-no info.

Nancy Matilda June--1823-Unkn-----m. Unkn-no info.

**There was a William W White in Houston Co, Nancy M J White is a total mystery.

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STEPHEN HAD THE FOLLOWING SIBLINGS:

William----1776-1829---------m. Elizabeth Boatman --abt.1800

John-------1778-bef Apr1786d. Died young child NC.

Susan------1780-1851---------m. Sion Murphy Jr III----------1798.

Jane--------1782-1786---------d. Died young child NC.

Robert Jr--1784-1880---------m.1.Mary Cooper---------abt.1811, 2. Susan Norman 1841/42

Stephen---1786-1868---------m. Nancy Betterton------abt.1806/1807

Mary--------1788-1875---------m. Lewis Bobo Rhodes-------1810

Tillman----1791-Unkn---------m. Sally (Sarah) Rhodes-----Unkn.

Elizabeth--1793-1845----------m. Solomon Bobo Jr.----abt 1810

Mildred----1795-bet1860/65--m. John Bullington-----------1815

Elias--------1797-1873-----------m. Anne Gibbs -----------bet 1814/1820

Benjamin-1800-1879-----------m. Thurza Golightly----------1825

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STEPHEN & NANCY MOVED FROM, Union Co to Spartanburg Co SC, 1807:

The couple moved next door from Union Co, to Spartanburg Co, where Nancy's parents lived, in 1807, her father sold Stephen land in Spartanburg SC, they both appeared several times on deed transactions together. (Ref. Spartanburg Deed Book 'L', P. 420-421, book page 386, Rec. Feb. 6, 1809). And Secondly, Spartanburg Deed Book 'M' P. 130-131 (book page 405), Rec. Oct. 1809. Note on this deed the name Warner Shearbutt, as he appears on records with the Betterton's in GA.

**Note: there were 4 other deed transactions with his father-in-law, in Spartanburg SC.

1808-Mar 5th: Spartanburg Deed Book 'L'

P. 420-421 (book page 386)

Mar. 5, 1808 John Low (Spartanburg) to Stephen White

(same); for $100 sold 320 ac on waters of Thickety Cr;

border: N-formerly owned by Lewis, NE-Lewis and Thickety Cr, SE-

Duberry, NW-Templemon, and SW-vacant; part of tract John Low;

100 ac of tract excluded from upper part of tract. Witness Thomas

Betterton, Warren Shurbutt, and Towmans (or Townens) Horton. Signed

John Low. Wit. oath Oct. 22, 1808 Warren Shurbutt to John Lipscomb.

Rec. Feb. 6, 1809.

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1809-Feb 6th: Spartanburg Deed Book 'M'

P. 130-131 (book page 405)

Thomas Betterton (Spartanburgh) to Stephen

White (same); for $150 sold 233 ac on the waters of Thickety

Cr. Witness William Dewberry and Warner Shearbutt. Signed Thomas

Betterton. Wit. oath Oct. 24, 1809 William Dewberry to Henry

Turner. Rec. Oct. 1809.

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1809-Oct, 24: Spartanburg Deed Book 'M'

P. 131-132 (book page 405)

Oct. 24, 1909 Thomas Betterton (Spartanburgh) to Stephen

White (same); for $700 sold 265 ac on waters of Thickety

Cr; border: Dunway. Witness William Dewbery and Rolley Horton.

Signed Thomas Betterton. Wit oath Oct. 24, 1809 William Dewbery

to Henry Turner. Rec. Oct. 27, 1809.

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1809-Oct. 24:-Spartanburg Deed Book 'M'

P. 132 (book page 405)

Oct. 24, 1809 Thomas Betterton (Spartanburgh) to Warner

Shurbutt (same); for $25 sold 25 ac on waters of Thickety

Cr. Witness Stephen White and William Dewbery. Signed Thomas

Betterton. Wit. oath Oct. 24, 1809 William Bewbery to Henry Turner.

Rec. Oct. 27, 1809.

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1809-Oct. 24:-Spartanburg Deed Book 'M'

P. 321-322 (book page 429)

Oct 24, 1809 William Dewberry (Spartanburgh) to Stephen

White (same); for $50 sold 170 ac on waters of Thickety

Cr; part of grant States Office to William Dewberry. Witness

Thomas Betterton and Rolley Horton. Signed William Dewberry. Wit oath

Oct. 24, 1809 Rolly Horton to Henry Turner. Rec. Nov. 6, 1810.

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1811-Aug. 24:-Spartanburg Deed Book 'O'

P. 29-30 (book page 483)

Aug. 24, 1811 Stephen White (Spartanburgh) to James

Millwood (same); for $100 sold 320 ac on waters of Thickety

Cr; border: N-formerly land of Lewis, NE-Lewis, SE-Dewberry, NW-

Templemon, and SW-vacant. Witness John prewett nd Peter Prewett.

Signed Stephen White. Wit. oath Sept. 28, 1811 John Prewett to Wm

Ried. Rec. Nov. 9, 1813.

**Appears the above deed is the last in Spartanburg,

---The Stephen White family is now living in Putman Co GA 1811/12. **

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PUTMAN & MORGAN COUNTIES GA:

1811 - Stephen left South Carolina about 1811, with Nancy's family. They moved first to Putnam Co GA, for less than a year, then moved next door to Morgan Co GA, to join up with Nancy's parents and siblings.

1813 - Putnam Co GA Tax Rolls:

Stephen White, Warner Sherburth from Spt.Co SC, Jason Greer...

1813 - They are recorded on Morgan Co Tax records, and property transactions.

Morgan County GA Tax Rolls 1813.

The first 3 children of Stephen & Nancy were born in Spartanburg Co South Carolina, the other 5, in Morgan Co GA.

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**MORGAN (PUTMAN) COUNTY'S DEED RECORDS: 1816-1819**

Stephen buys land:

Deed Book E

p. 234 30 Jan. 1816, Hezekiah Blankinship to Stephen White, both of Morgan Co., for $400, in Morgan Co. formerly Baldwin, 20th Dist. Lot 57, drawn by Josiah Shields of Hitchcock's Dist., Clark Co., 202 1/2 acres, in fee simple. /s/ Hezekiah (x) Blankinship. Wit: John Betterson, Thomas Betterson. Proved by Thomas Betterson, 8 June 1816. E. Duke, J.P. Recorded 14 Aug. 1816.

Stephen as Witness:

Deed Book F

p. 220 15 March 1817, Charles Jones to George Shaw, both of Morgan Co., for $500, 1/2 of lot, 19th Dist. Baldwin now Morgan Co., Lot 91, drawn by Samuel Coleman's orphans – deed to Farrar & from him to Clayton & from him to Jones, near branch, 101 1/2 acres. /s/ Charles Jones. Wit: Robert Dawson, Stephen White, E. Duke. J.P. Recorded 20 Dec. 1817.

Stephen sells his land:

Deed Book F

p. 460 Ga.: 7 Jan. 1818, Stephen White to Thomas Long, both of Morgan Co., for $400, 202 1/2 acres, 20th Dist. in Morgan Co., Lot 57, was drawn by Josiah Shields in the late Land Lottery & granted to him, 9 Nov. 1812. /s/ Stephen White. Wit: Russell (R.) Rutledge, Eleazer Jeter, J.P. Recorded 6 Oct. 1818.

Stephen as Witness:

Deed Book F

. 522 Morgan Co., Ga.: 14 Nov. 1818, Moses Matthews to William Stallings, both of afsd. co., for $300, fractional lot where Matthews now lives, 79 acres, 20th Dist. Formerly Baldwin now Morgan Co., part of fraction Lot 51. /s/ Moses Matthews. Wit: Stephen White, Robert Benson, J.P. Recorded 27 Nov. 1818

Stephen buys land:

Deed Book G

P. 51 Putnam Co., Ga.: 23 Nov. 1818, Thomas Smith of Putnam Co., to Stephen White of Morgan Co., for $150, 101 1/4 acres, in Baldwin now Morgan Co., 20th Dist., Lot 90, drawn by said Smith & granted to same, 29 July 1808, adj. N.W. by Lot 89. S.W. by Lot 79, S.E. by Lot 91, N.E. by Lot 113, it is 1/2 of lot, beg. line 9.50 ch. from S.E. cor., N. 90 W. including S.W. part of lot where said White now lives. /s/ Thomas (x) Smith. Wit: Henry C. Lane, Thomas T. Naper, J.P. Recorded 11 Jan. 1819, Jno. Nisbet, clk.

Stephen White Witness:

Deed Book G

p. 54 Morgan Co., Ga.: 23 Oct 1818, William Stallings to Thomas Long, both of said co., for $100, 50 acres, part of Lot 162, beg. N.W.cor. of Lot 163, on S.W. Line to the Athens Road, up road to N.E. line of lot to beg., [20th Dist.]. /s/ William Stallings. Test: Stephen White, Robert Benson, J.P. Recorded 2 Feb. 1819, William B/ Malone, D. clk.

Stephen sells land:

Deed Book G

p. 90 Morgan Co., Ga.: 9 Jan. 1819, Stephen White to William Herring, both of afsd. co., for $700, 101 1/4 acres, 20th Dist. of Baldwin now Morgan Co., Lot 91, was drawn by Coleman in the late Land Lottery & granted to him 26 July 1818 & sold to him by deed to Frances Farrow, then to Augustus S. Claton, then to Charles Jones, then to Stephen White, 1/2 of lot, in fee simple. /s/ Stephen White. Wit: Thomas (x) Long, Levi Reynolds, J.P. Recorded 4 March 1819.

Levi Betteron & Stephen White:

1819

P. 91 Morgan Co., Ga.: 1 March 1819, Levi (Levy) Betterton from Stephen White, both of said co., for $1000, 101 1/4 acres, in Baldwin now Morgan Co., 20th Dist., Lot 90, granted to same 29 July 1808, adj. N.W. by Lot 89, SE. by Lot 79, S.E. By Lot 91, N.E. by Lot 113, lot is line 9.50 ch. from S.E. cor., N. 90 W., including S.W. part of lot where White now lives, in fee simple. /s/ Stephen White. Wit: Simeon (x) Corely, Fredk. Hilsabeck. J.P. Recorded 4 March 1819.

Stephen White: DEFENDANT:

1819

p. 307 Morgan Co, Ga.: 4 May 1819, Martin P. Sparks, sheriff of Morgan Co., to Carter W. Sparks of same co., for $300. Sundry executions issued from Justices Court, John Whitaker & William & Lancelot Johnston, plaintiffs, & Stephen White, defendant. 6 March 1819, sold 1/2 of lot in Morgan Co., Baldwin when granted, 20th Dist., Lot 90, 100 acres. Sold at public sale as property of Stephen White. Carter W. Sparks was the highest bidder. /s/ Martin P. Sparks, sheriff. Wit: Jesse H. Arnold, J. Sparks. J.P. Recorded 14 June 1820, John Nisbet, clk.

**END OF PUTMAN/MORGAN COUNTY DEEDS**

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TAX RECORDS GEORGIA:

1810-1820 - Morgan Co Tax list 1810-1820: 1810 Morgan Tax, None of the below,

1811 Morgan GA tax list: Beddenton, Thomas p. 98, Shurbert, Warner.

1812 Morgan tax: Betterton, Thomas p.108.

1813 Putnam tax (adjoining names):White, Stephen,Sherburth, Warner.

1817 Morgan: Betterton, John p. 128, Betterton, Thomas p.134

--------White, Stephen p. 122.

1818 Morgan: Betterton, John p.92, Betterton, Thomas p.134

--------White, Stephen p.126.

1820: Appears Stephen and the Betterton's moved away...

---------By late 1819 or early 1820, the White's and Betterton's had sold their lands, in ---------Morgan Co GA. The Betterton's migrated to Fayette Co GA, and Stephen and ---------Nancy, moved West towards Alabama.

**Stephen leaves GA, at least by 1820 they are in Lowndes Co AL, 1830,

---did they stop in MS? Could they have been in AL earlier?

---before Lowndes Co AL became a county?, when it was still Montgomery Co AL?

---We know Stephen Sr & son-in-law, Sion Pritchard were in Houston Co TX 1836.

---Several of the other children left AL by 1838, immigration papers. TX was not a

---State in 1836 or 1838, not until after the 1840 census.

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STEPHEN & NANCY MIGRATE TO Lowndes Co AL, by 1830:

1830 Stephen and family are living in the newly formed (1830) Lowndes Co AL, formerly, part of Montgomery Co AL.

1831: Stephen receives a land grant of 156.55 acres in Lowndes Co Al.

Legal Land Description

Aliquot---Sec/----Township----Range----Fract------Meridian----State--Counties--Survey

Parts------Block-------------------------------Section --St Stephens--AL----Lowmdes--Blank

SW----------1/---------13-N---------14-E------No

*Note: Legal land descriptions can be used to help find the precise location of the land.

1830-1836: Four of the oldest children marry in, Lowndes Co AL.

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LOWNDES COUNTY ALABAMA LAND RECORDS:

1832 - Mar 31 1832 (Lowndes Co AL)

Stephen and his wife Nancy

sold land for $225 to Tilman and John witnessed by John Varner County Clerk.

1833 - Jan 2 1833 (Lowndes Co AL)

Tilman, John and Athenah

are listed on a deed as selling land for $350 to David Nunn. This

is witnessed by John F. Auld and Robert Perry, both Justices of

the Peace. All the Whites have their mark, implying they were illiterate.

1833 - Mar 18 1833 (Lowndes Co AL)

Stephen and Nancy

were paid $800 by Tilman for land sale witnessed by Varner and John Bonnell.

1834 - Jan 17 1834 (Lowndes Co AL)

John S. White

bought land for $125 from Reason Franklin in Hayneville. It was bordered by land

belonging to Susanah Esenhaus? Senior, George Gi****. This was witnessed by

Robert Perry, Stephen White, and WILLIAM LUCKIE.

Deed Sources:

The land records were copied in Hayneville Lowndes Co AL.

They are located in the Deed record book #1 for 1830-1834

on pages 87, 215a, 218, 219, 229, 230

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WHAT INSPIRED STEPHEN TO MOVE TO TEXAS FROM ALABAMA?:

1835: Oct 5, 1835, Isaac Parker of Mustang Praire (later Houston Co TX), under the direction of Gen Sam Houston, road through the South, to rally support from settlers that Texas was about to go to war with Mexico, to gain independence from said Mexico, he gave them promises, that Land Grants and Bounty Grants would to allocated to those who enlist into the republics Army of Texas. Many settlers migrated to Texas to fight in the War of Independence from Mexico.

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1836 -MIGRATION TO HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS: (Jan)

1836: Stephen and family are living in what became Houston Co TX,

formerly, Mustang Prairie, once part of Nacogdoches Co TX, from which Houston County was carved out. The famous trail from St Louis MO to Nacogdoches, a portion of which was Tramell's Trace ended here. Other trails from the East & south went through this area. (Don't confuse Houston Co with Houston Harris Co TX).

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Stephen White mentioned in the

History of Houston County Texas

...In 1837 the boundaries of Houston County were laid out and its government was organized. It was named for President Sam Houston, who signed the order establishing the county on June 12, 1837. Upon its formation from Nacogdoches County in 1837, Houston County included the territory that later became Trinity and Anderson counties and part of Henderson County. Land was donated for the county seat by Andrew E. Gossett, who named it for his father's friend and former Tennessee neighbor, David Crockett. Collin Aldrich was first chief justice; George Aldrich, county surveyor; James **Madden, Sheriff; and Stephen White, clerk of the district court...

-------------

**Stephen White was Clerk of the District Court & Justice of Peace in Beat #4

OFFICERS: (Article - Creation & Organization - Archives Texas State Library:

...The first county officers of Houston County, probably elected or chosen

in September 1837, were Collin Aldrich, Chief Justice; James Madden.

Sheriff, STEPHEN WHITE, clerk of the district court....

...On June 28, 1839, John Collins was chosen and commissioned as chief justice

of Houston Co. On June 22, Mobley Rhone and STEPHEN WHITE were chosen as

Justice of the Peace on Beat No. 4, and were Commissioned on July 4, 1839....

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SERVICE IN TEXAS ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC:

1836 - Stephen Sr & son Levi, both serve in the Army of the Texas Republic, in 1836. Son Levi, served at the Battle of San Jacinto, defeating the Mexican Army, and ending the war, and winning, Texas Independence, also, son-in-law, Sion Pritchard.

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TEXAS RANGERS:

A few months after the war, Stephen and Levi, enlisted from Sep to Dec 1836, in the Army of the Republic, in the Houston County Texas Rangers. Their duty was to protect a part of East Texas, against Indian and Bandit raids, on the settlements. The unit was under command of Capt Elisha Clapp, also of Houston Co TX.

**This was the beginning of the Texas Rangers**

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STEPHEN & SON LEVI RECEIVED LAND FOR MIGRATION TO TEXAS 1836:

Stephen & son Levi received Land - for Migration to TX, and service in the TX Army.

1836 - Stephen received 1 league and 1 labor of Land for his migration to Texas, total of about 4605 acres. He also received bounty Grants for his service in the Army of the Texas Republic in 1836, he had also been granted over 318 acres, in Houston Co.

At his peak he had about 5244 acres, in Houston, Kaufman, Walker & Anderson, some of these counties were formed from Houston Co TX, in later years. He paid his Taxes for all of these properties from Houston Co TX, while he was living.

He took most all of his Head-right 4605 in Kaufman Co. whether he actually lived on all these properties is unknown, but it appears he may have sold some over the years, for income. And it appears he purchased lands on his own, which we do not have all the deeds records. Some counties, ie, Jefferson Co, (formed from Houston Co) confiscated his land by court order, I believe Stephen had died before this happened and no related family came forward or paid the land taxes...or may land improvements. Long court case.

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STEPHEN'S TEXAS LAND GRANTS:

Texas General Land Office -

County-----Abstr.---District Class-------File Number---Grantee---------------Patentee

_____________________________________________________________________

Anderson---833-----Houston Bounty-----000062-------White, Stephen---Bennett, Miles

Anderson---834-----Houston Bounty-----000062-------White, Stephen---Bennett, Miles

Houston-----View---Clerk Returns---------000001-------White, Stephen---Blank

Houston-----1078----Houston 3rd----------000530-------White, Stephen---White, Stephen

Kaufman----567------Nacogdoches 1st----000454-------White, Stephen---White, Stephen

**Note1: Anderson Co use to be part of Houston Co, when Stephen first arrived.

**Note2: Houston Co & Anderson Co were once part of Nacogdoches Co TX.

**Note3: Do not confuse Houston Co with Houston Harris Co, different places...

**Stephen Hou Co property was 10.5 miles from Crockett , N. at a 1pm angle 318.50ac

**Stephen took most of his Headright Grants in Kaufman Co TX, 4605.50 acres.

**Stephen had 2 grants in Anderson Co (once Hou Co), 208 acres & 112 acres.

__Land in Anderson was confiscated by the County, after Stephen's death, long story.

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STEPHEN SIGNS PETITION TO FORM HOUSTON CO TX (1836)

(also, Sion Pritchard, W. M. White (son?)

Stephen signed the petition to form Houston County.

Was its 1st District Court Clerk,

served as Justice of the Peace,

he was a Farmer, Ferry Boat owner operator, and a Saw Mill owner operator,

and a Blacksmith, a profession he learned from his father Robert White Sr.

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HOUSTON CO TEXAS:

PETITION AGAINST TAXATION: (Sept 4, 1837)

Levi W White, W M White, Steven White, Sion Pritchard

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CLERK'S RETURN'S OF THE BOARD OF LAND,

Commissioners of Houston County Texas:

Application-------------------Quantum of Land-------Time of Migration

----------------------------------League-------Labor

_______________________________________________________

Return No. 1 from 4th Jany--1838

Geo. W. Browning-----------------1------------1--------------6th April 1835

Geo W. Browning assignee of Wm Frost

------------------------------------------------------1---------------Before Independence

Sion Pritchard----------------------1------------1---------------January 1836

William White------------------------------------1----------------1834

Greenberry Pate------------------1/3---------------------------January 1836

February 22nd 1838 Sam G. Wells Clerk of the

Board of Land Commissioners of Houston [County]

No. 2. Clerk's Return from 23rd Jany to 22nd Feby 1838

Stephen White----------------------1------------1---------------January 1836

Levi W. White-----------------------1/3---------------------------January 1836

Land Grants - Houston County Texas

Third Class Certificates & c from the 7th October 1839

---------------------------------------------Arrived 17 years of age Oct 1837

No. Applicant----Amt Leag Lab-----Date of Emigration----Date of Certicate

White, Robret------------640----------13 Dec 1837-------------Married

---------------------------------------------Arrived to mature age since 1 Oct 1837

White, Tilman B---------640-----------07 Aug 1839------------Married

White, John S------------649--------------Dec 1838-------------Married

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STEPHEN RECORDED IN WALKER CO TX:

He is recorded in Walker county records as well. His Son Tilman owned a store in Huntsville Walker county that Sam Houston was a frequent customer. There are

TAB records on file at the Texas Archives showing Sam's purchases, at Tilman's Store.

It appears Stephen's son Tilman and son in law, Sion Pritchard had land close to Wrights Creeks, in the Ortega survey lands, of Walker Co.

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DEATH OF OUR PIONEERS:

Stephen and Nancy mysteriously disappeared, after the Civil War. They both had died between 1860 and 1870, we assume in Houston Co and possibly on his property, maybe in Walker Co TX. Nancy died in 1865, and Stephen in 1868.

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SPIVEY-WHITE CEMETERY: WALKER CO TX.

STEPHEN'S Son Tilman & some of his children and descendants are buried

at the Spivy-White Cemetery, in Walker Co Texas.

Stephen's children and grand children, lived in Walker Co, Trinity Co, Kaufmen Co, and other Texas counties near Houston Co TX, or counties formed from Houston Co TX.

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BROTHER ELIAS WHITE ARRIVES BOWIE CO TX 1846:

Stephen's younger brother, Elias arrived in Redwater Bowie Co TX in 1846, they were originally going to meet up with Stephen, in Houston Co, had stopped in Bowie Co to grow a crop of food, liked the area so much, they decided to remain. Good thing they did, as about this time, there was a disease out break in Houston and Walker county that reduced its populations. Bowiie Co TX was nicked named ARKLATX, where 3 states came together, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas.

"I would bet that they gathered for a reunion now and then.

Lewis Bobo, son of Stephen's sister, Elizabeth, migrated from

SC, to Bowie Co TX, with Stephen's brother Elias White, in 1846.

By 1850, he moved to Crockett Houston Co TX, and married,

but was killed in the Civil War." Don't know if he ever met up

with his uncle Stephen. Surely, Elias, Stephen's brother,

told him where Stephen was living... Since that was their

original destination, they decided to stay in Bowie Co TX."

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CENSUS RECORDS OF STEPHEN WHITE & FAMILY:

Census takers were notorious for making error,

Women, especially, gave younger ages to the Census takers.

Betterton , was one of the most misspelled surames,

modern day descendants have settled on Betterton.

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CENSUS RECORDS:

Siblings: William, John, Susan: born in Granville Co NC, Jane, Robert jr, Stephen were born in Caswell Co NC, all the other children born Union Co SC (96th District in 1788).

1786: Note: This is actually the 1784 NC Census, taken in Caswell County NC, in 1786.

NC 1784 Census, Caswell Co NC Page 4.

Robert White 1 3 3 0 0

1 white male 21-60 (Robt Sr)

3 white males under 20 & above 60 (Wm, Robt Jr, Stephen (John died bef.1786).

4 white females all ages (wife Milly, Susan, Jane, Unkn. Female Relative?)

0 - no black male slaves

0 - no black female slaves

Living 3 household from Robert is his father-in-law Williamm Whitehead.

William Whitehead 1 3 3 0 0 - Milly's father, Stephen's grandfather on mothers side.

1790 Census Union Co. SC Page 191

ROBERT WHITE 1 4 4 0 0

1 = over 16 yrs upward - this would be Robert White Sr.

4 = White males under 16 yrs of age.

Males: William, Unkn?, Robert Jr, Stephen

4 = White females of all ages:

Females: Susan, Jane, Mary wife Milly (Jane died about 1786?)

**NOTE: Jane, and John died before the 1790 census in NC.

1800 Union Co SC Census Page 215

ROBERT WHITE 303012101001

males under 10 years = 3 (Ben, Elias & Tilman)

males 16-26 years = 3 (Stephen, Robert Jr, William Sr)

45 and upwards = 1 (Robt. Sr.)

females under 10 yrs = 2 (Mildred, Elizabeth)

10-16 yrs = 1 (Mary)

26-45 yrs = 1 (Mildred Whitehead White - Wife)

All others = 1 (Unknown Person - is the 7th digit)

Note: Susan married 1798. John & Jane died prior to 1800.

1810 Spartanburg Co SC Census Page 203

page 44 - Stamped page 404

Stephen White 2 1 0 1 0 - 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Note1:

2 = two boys under 10yrs old - which is correct. John & Tilman.

1 = one male between 10yrs & under 16 - ? couldn't be their child.

1 = one male 26yrs but under 45yrs old - Would be Stephen Sr.

1 = one female between 16 & 26yrs old.- Would be Nancy Betterton.

1820 Census:

Elbert Co GA: Stephen White

3 1 0 0 1 0 -- 1 0 0 1 0 - 2

One boy missing? - one female missing?

this may not be our Stephen

1830 Lowndes Co AL Census Page 279

Stephen White:

Males: 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Femal: 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Break down of census numbers:

Free white males 13 digits

Free white females 13 digits

1st & 2nd 13 Digits breakdown as follows

(including heads of families)

SAME FOR MALE AND FEMALE

MALES: (John, Tilman have left home, could be census error on Wm M died)

3rd digit - number in household age 10 & under 15 yrs. - Levi W 12yrs b.1818

4th digit - number in household age 15 & under 20 yrs. - Stephen M 16yrs b.1814

7th digit - number in household age 40 & under 50 yrs. - Father - Stephen b.1786

FEMALES: (all 3 of the daughters at home)

2nd digit - number in household age 05 & under 10 yrs. - Nancy b.1823

4th digit - number in household age 15 & under 20 yrs. - Milley b.1811 - Lavina b.1816?

8th digit - number in household age 50 & under 60 yrs. - Mother - Nancy b.1782

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1832-1834 - Lowndes Co AL: Children marriages:

4 of Stephen & Nancy's children married in Lowndes Co AL:

BRIDES:

Spouse 1-----------Spouse 2--------Marriage Date---Marriage Place

Scion Prtchard---Milley White------25 Jan 1832------Lowndes

M. W. Luckie-------Lavina B. White-28 May 1834------Lowndes

GROOMS:

Spouse 1-----------Spouse 2------------Marriage Date---Marriage Place

John S. White------Athena Harwell----22 Dec 1831------Lowndes

Tilman B. White---Sarah Harwell------24 Oct 1833------Lowndes

Ages of Stephen & Nancy's Children in 1836 - Immigration to Texas Jan 1836

John =28, Tilman=27, Milly=25, Stephen=22, Lavenia=20, Levi=18, Wm W=16, Nancy=13

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HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS - BOUNDARIES:

In 1837 the boundaries of Houston County were laid out and its government was organized. It was named for President Sam Houston, who signed the order establishing the county on June 12, 1837. Upon its formation from Nacogdoches County in 1837, Houston County included the territory that later became Trinity and Anderson counties and part of Henderson County. Land was donated for the county seat by Andrew E. Gossett, who named it for his father's friend and former Tennessee neighbor, David Crockett. Collin Aldrichqv was first chief justice; George Aldrich, county surveyor; James Madden, sheriff; and Stephen White, clerk of the district court.

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1837 - PETITION TO FORM HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS:

On the Petition was: Stephen White, W. M. White, Leon (Sion) Pritchard, William H. Pate, Elisha Clapp, Frances Bittict... and many more, some listed that are on other documents.

The W. M. White, could be Stephen's son William M White (not proven).

1837 - PETITION AGAINST TAXATION - SEPT 4TH, 1837:

On this petition are Steven White, Levi White, Sion Prichard, W. M. White & others.

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CENSUS RECORDS CONTINUED:

**1840 Census - No Census - Texas was not a State yet!

1850 Census - Walker Co TX

Stephen in the Census is spelled "STEVEN"

Page 279 of Census -

Household = 423-423

White, Steven------64---m Blacksmith, Ferry Man NC (Learned trade from father)

Nancy----------------68?--f-----------------------------------SC

Mary J Prichard** 17-- f--(b.1833)-----------------------AL

Melicia Ann----------16-- f- (b.1834)-----------------------AL

Levinia----------------13--f--(b.1837)-----------------------TX

Nancy-----------------08-- f--(b.1842)-----------------------TX

Ja----------------------06--m--(b1844)-----------------------TX

Sarah------------------04---f--(b1846)-----------------------TX

1860 Census

It appears that Stephen and Nancy returned from

Walker County TX, to Houston Co, by the 1860 census.

1860 Houston County Census Page 258 beat #9

714-668---------- Age--Sex---Job---------Acreage--Owned--$-Value-----------------PBirth

White, Stephen--74---m----Miller-------3650---Real Estate--2920 Val Pers Estate---NC

White, Nancy-----78----F----Housewife--------------------------------------------------------SC

1860 Census:

living next door to Stephen and Nancy, son Levi & Pritchard Children.

715-669

White, Levi--------42---m---Laborer--GA

Sarah----------------31---f-Housewife--VA

Allice----------------12---f------------------TX

Wm------------------08---m----------------TX

Ellen---------------- 06---f------------------TX

Benj------------------04--m-----------------TX

Therston------------01--m-----------------TX

Living in same household:

Pritcher, Monroe--15--m-----------------TX

Pritcher, Sarah-----13--f------------------TX

Living in same household:

Moore,Wm-----------24--m-----Labore----MO

Bennet,Soil----------24--m-Wood Cutter-MO

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**START OF SAW & GRIST MILL RECORD**

1859 to 1860-- STEPHEN - LUMBER & GRAIN MILL OPERATOR:

Stephen White

(HO-132)

Texas Forestry Museum

Mill was located Town of Randolph East of Crockett Houston Co TX

sawmill id:-----------------0870

alpha-numeric key:------HO-132

corporate name:----------Stephen White

county:----------------------Houston

years in operation:--------2

start year:-------------------1859

(qual)-------------------------*

end year:--------------------1860

(qual)-------------------------*

decades:---------------------1850-18591860-1869

period of operation:------1859 to 1860

town:-------------------------Randolph

company town:------------?

peak town size:------------Unknown

mill pond:-------------------?

type of mill:-----------------Lumber and grain

sawmill: ---------------------Yes

grist:--------------------------Yes

unknown:

other:

power source:---------------Steam

team:--------------------------Yes

capacity comments:------468,000 thousand feet of lumber during the

----------------------------------reporting period of the Census

rough lumber:---------------Yes

other:--------------------------Yes

equipment:-------------------Saw-mill and grist mill

company tram:--------------No

associated railroads:-------None

historical development:---Stephen White's multi-purpose operation of a sawmill and a ------------------------------grist mill manufactured lumber and ground meal. Valued at ------------------------------$3,000, it had raw materials including $761 in sawlogs and ------------------------------$3,750 worth of corn. It carried a monthly saw mill payroll of 3 ------------------------------men averaging $18 each and 1 men at the grist mill making ------------------------------$20 monthly. The sawmill produced 468,000 feet of lumber ------------------------------valued at $4,680 and 3,500 bushels of cornmeal valued at ------------------------------$4,200. White was notable in the early affairs of Houston ------------------------------County, one of the original petitioners in 1837 for the creation ------------------------------of the county, as the county?s first district clerk, and in 1839 ------------------------------as a justice of the peace. Randolph was an early Houston ------------------------------County community situated to the east of Crockett. White ------------------------------probably shipped any export of cornmeal and lumber at ------------------------------Hall?s Bluff and Alabama on the Trinity River. The coming of ------------------------------the International & Great Northern to Crockett in 1872, with ------------------------------greater opportunity for transportation, led to the demise of ------------------------------this early East Texas community.

BIOGRAPHY:

Census of 1860. Houston County, Texas. Schedule No. 5, Products of Industry. Microfilm Records, East Texas Research Center, Stephen F. Austin State University. Nacogdoches, Texas. W. T. Block. ?Some Early Sawmills, Log Tram Roads, and Logging Camps of Houston County, Texas.? Nederland, Texas: unpublished manuscripts, 1994. Walter P. Webb, editor-in-chief. Handbook of Texas 3 vols. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1976. I. 889-890. A. A. Aldrich. The History of Houston County, Texas. San Antonio: 1943. 8, 17-18

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**ARTICLE: CUSTOMER LEAVES WITHOUT PAYING HIS BILL:

Newspaper "Crockett Printer'

The Crockett Printer. (Crockett, Tex.), Vol. 8, No. 11, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 13, 1861

Court Case - Stephen White & Co - Non-Payment by Customer

(Lumber and Grain Mill Business)

**END OF SAW & GRIST MILL RECORD**

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**NANCY & STEPHEN WERE GUARDIANS OF THE PRITCHARD CHILDREN:

Houston County Texas

Probate Records of Sion Pritchard

Stephen White Administrator of Estate

(Son-in-law of Stephen's)

1860 - Friday November 30th - Page 126

Court met pursuant to Adjournment

Chief Justice vs.

Stephen White, Guardian

of Sion Pritchards heirs.

===

Ordered by the Court that citation issue to said Gdn. requiring him to

make an Exhibit of the condition of the estate of said minors.

1860 - December 31th - Page 133

Chief Justice vs.

Stephen White, Guardian

of Sion Pritchards heirs.

===

Ordered by the Court that this cause

be continued and hat alias citation issue.

1861 - January 28th - Page 150

Chief Justice vs.

Stephen White, Guardian

of Sion Pritchards heirs.

===

Continued by request of deft.

1861 - February 25th - Page 164

Chief Justice vs.

Stephen White, Guardian

of Sion Pritchards heirs.

===

Ordered by the Court that the exhibit this day filed by

Stephen White Guardian & c, be received and placed

on file, upon the payment of costs.

Stephen and Nancy are on the Houston Co TX Tax list;

From 1838 to 1868, the year Stephen died. Sion Pritchard

son in law of Stephen and Nancy, his last Tax List was 1848,

his wife Milly White Pritchard also died in 1848. From 1852

Stephen and Nancy were guardians of the Pritchard Children.

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1862 HOUSTON COUNTY TAX LIST:

Microfilm 1113-01 Tax Rolls 1838-1881

Name----------------------------------------------------Acres Value StateTax Co Tax

Stephen White c/o & Admin of Sion Pritchard 1107---553-----2.88------1.44

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1865: - NANCY CARETAKER OF PRITCHARD CHILDREN:

1865-Nancy's last entry as care taker of the Pritchard Children, who's

parents were deceased, we believe Nancy died 1865.

**1864-1865 - Nancy Betterton White, wife of Stephen, has passed away.

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1866 only Stephen is listed on the Houston Co TX Tax list.

1866 Houston Co Tax List

Microfilm 1113-01 Tax Rolls 1838-1881

Name....................Acres....Value...State Tax..Co Tax

Stephen White........160......240...........59..........29

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**1868 - It appears that Stephen White has passed away.

1868 Houston Co Tax List

Microfilm 1113-01 Tax Rolls 1838-1881

Estate of Stephen White - (Return of Unrendered Property Real & Personal)

Acres...Value...State......Tax......Co Tax

160.......300.........45........45

**Note;

Stephen White is on every tax list until 1868.

Nancy his wife is on the Tax list as care taker of the Pritchard

children until 1865. She was several years older that Stephen.

1868 - We can assume that Stephen White Sr, passed away by 1868.

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2019 - Stephen White's father Robert White Sr., is honored for Service:

In 2019, Robert White Sr was recognized, honored, and accepted into the DAR; Daughters of the Revolution, and SAR; Son's of the Revolution organizations, even the CAR; Children of the revolution were present, an Honor Guard gave Robert Sr a '21 gun' musket salute, at his grave site, many Rev. War Flags were also posted around his burial site, a song, Amazing Grace, was sung by a descendant, at the closing of the ceremony, it was a grand ceremony. The honor guard dressed in colonial clothing, performed inside Robert's 1st church he attended in 1788, the Padgett's Creek Baptist Church, and descendants from different branches of the family trees, gave speeches to honor Robert Sr., and some history of his life. Descendants were from all over the USA.

Speeches were also given by representatives from all the organizations mentioned above, they were also from different states, and the current pasture (Reverend), of Robert Sr's, ole church. There was a significant group from Stephen White's lineage and grandson, Levi White's line. A once in a life time gathering...

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**Many thanks to all the family researchers who shared and helped

to make this historic memorial possible, thank you all!**

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