John Wesley Whitehurst, quite a legacy

    The 1840 US Census is the first census that I have found him listed. There were 28 members listed, his mother, himself, his wife, 6 males – 1 under age 5, 1 age 5 to 9, 2 age 10 to 14, 2 age 20 to 29, 5 females – 1 under age 5, 1 age 5 to 9, 3 age 15 to 19, and 7 slaves. In 1831 when Willoughby died, John was named as the guardian for Willoughby’s minor children. Some of these may have still been in his household for the 1840 Census. The 1850 US Census finds a drastically smaller household. There was John, his wife, Jane, his mother, Elizabeth, Richard age 21, Amanda A. R. age 12, and Amanda F. age 2. His slave population increased to 15. The 1860 US Census finds his household still decreasing. There is John, his wife, Jane, Amanda F. age 11, and John Andrews age 17. His land is valued at $6,000 and his personal property is valued as $3,929 and he is listed as a farmer. The 1870 US Census finds John age 77 and Jane age 67 with personal property valued at $3,000.

    Counting John’s children is difficult, but by my count, he had 7 sons and 5 daughters, and it appears that 5 of sons and 3 of his daughters were still alive at his death. He left all of his children and many if not all of his grandchildren money in his will. He died on September 25, 1874, at the age of 81 years, 6 months, and 15 days and according to this headstone, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for 53 consecutive years. He left quite a legacy. You can find a copy of his transcribed will here: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/henry/wills/jwwhitehurst.txt.