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According to her death certificate, Obediah and Elizabeth's daughter Susan M. Willhite was born 2 Apr 1839 in Henry County, and died 5 Mar 1919 in Campbell County.
She married James Russell on 11 Dec 1854 in Henry County. [1] Susan appears later in the 1900 census living with her brother James in Henry County. That record indicates that she is a widow. Beyond that, we have no information about either Susan or James Russell.
Alfred Thomas Willhite is first located in the 1850 census with his parents. He is six years old, making his birth year about 1844. Then in the 1860 census he is listed as 18 which would make his birth year about 1842. Then in 1870 he is 26 (born about 1844), and in 1880 he is 34 (born about 1846). The 1900 census lists him as born in Feb 1842. 1910 found his age as 78 (born about 1832) which is clearly wrong. Then his cemetery record gives his birth as 18 Oct 1840. [link] Out of this abundance of confusing data we suggest that the earliest record is perhaps the most accurate, placing his birth year as 1844. Whether it was in February as the 1900 census states, or in October according to his cemetery record, you are welcome to choose.
Alfred married Martha Sewell on 15 Oct 1863 in Henry County KY. In this record his birth year is 1843, hers is 1844. It is also this record that identifies his middle name as Thomas.
The 1850 and 1860 census records were given on an earlier page; the remaining census records for Alfred are below. Both the 1900 and 1910 censuses record that Martha Willhite had nine children, so we will try to identify them using these records.
In 1870 we find a son named Thomas H. Willhite, age 6. Later in the 1874 death records for Henry County, we find Thomas Wilhoite, age 8, son of Albert and Martha Wilhoite, who died in May 1874 of pneumonia. This is likely the same son.
The 1870 census record also lists three others, John F., Sarah C., and George W. as Willhites. However, an examination of the 1860 census will show that they are actually children of Aaron and Elizabeth Kephart.
1870 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Bethlehem, pages 118-119
household 873/1003
Willhite, Alffred - 26 M W, farm labor, born KY
Willhite, Martha - 23 F W, keeping house, born KY
Willhite, Thomas H. - 6 M W, born KY
Willhite (Kephart), John F. - 17 M W, farm labor, born KY
Willhite (Kephart), Sarah C. - 16 F W, born KY
Willhite (Kephart), George W. - 11 M W, born KY
The 1880 census adds six more children: Mary, Amanda, Dorotha, Hally, Cory, and Emzy. The children's ages are confusing as it appears that at least Mary and Amanda should have been listed in the 1870 census.
1880 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Franklinton, page 107D
household 325/335
Wilhite, Alfred T. - W M 34, farmer, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Martha - W F 34, wife, keeping house, born KY, parents born KY
Wilhite, Mary E. - W F 13, daughter, at home, born KY
Wilhite, Amanda - W F 11, daughter, at home, born KY
Wilhite, Dorotha - W F 8, daughter, born KY
Wilhite, Hally E. - W F 5, daughter, born KY
Wilhite, Cora L. - W F 3, daughter, born KY
Wilhite, Emzy - W M 6/12, son, born KY
The 1900 census record lists three generations in the household, and confuses some of the names. The last three names given are Emsy, Ernest, and Cleveland Stivers who are all listed as grandchildren. We think they are actually sons of Alfred and Martha Willhite. Emsy is almost certainly the same as the like-named child in 1880, and the last two, Ernest and Cleveland, will make the total of nine children for Martha.
1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Bethlehem, page 198B, household 140/143
Willhite, Alfred T. - head, W M 58, born Feb 1842 in KY, married 37 years, father born WV(VA), mother born KY, farmer
Willhite, Martha - wife, W F 56, born Mar 1844 in KY, 9 children/8 living, parents born KY
Willhite, Mary E. - daughter, W F 33, born Jul 1866 in KY, single, parents born KY
Willhite, Hallie E. - daughter, W F 24, born Dec 1875 in KY, single, parents born KY
Johnston, Cora - daughter, W F 22, born Mar 1878 in KY, widow, 1 child, parents born KY
Johnston, Tevis J. - grandson, W M 0/12, born May 1900 in KY, parents born KY
Stivers, Mandy - daughter, W F 30, born Jul 1869 in KY, widow, 2 children, parents born KY
Stivers, Mary E. - granddaughter, W F 6, born Jul 1893 in KY, parents born KY
Stivers, Nellie - granddaughter, W F 4, born Nov 1895 in KY, parents born KY
Stivers (Willhite), Emsy - grandson, W M 19, born Dec 1880 in KY, single, parents born KY, farm laborer
Stivers (Willhite), Ernest - grandson, W M 17, born Nov 1882 in KY, single, parents born KY, farm laborer
Stivers (Willhite), Cleavland - grandson, W M 15, born Aug 1884 in KY, parents born KY, farm laborer
1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Eminence, page 293A, household 313/327
Willhite, Albert T. - head, M W 78, married 47 years, born KY, father born VA, mother born KY, no occupation
Willhite, Martha W. - wife, F W 66, 9 children/7 living, born KY, parents born VA
Willhite, Mary E. - daughter, F W 43, single, born KY
Stivers, Etta - granddaughter, F W 18, single, born KY
Stivers, Nellie - granddaughter, F W 15, single, born KY
Johnson, Tivis - grandson, M W 10, born KY
We have been unable to locate Alfred's death certificate, but his cemetery record indicates that he died on 7 Feb 1919 and is buried, along with many relatives in the Low Dutch Cemetery in Pleasureville KY.
Martha Washington (Sewell) Willhite was born 10 Mar 1846 to John and Polly (McKee) Sewell according to her death certificate. She died on 11 Jul 1915 in Henry County.
Their daughter Mary E. Willhite was still living at home in 1910, listed as age 43 and single. Sometime between then and her death in 1932, she married a Mr. Bowlin. Her death certificate identifies her as Mary Bowlin, born 10 Jul 1865 to Alford T. Willhite and Martha Sewell. She died in Henry County on 16 Apr 1932. At her death she was listed as married. The informant was John Bowlin.
Alfred and Martha's daughter, Amanda Willhite married John F. Stivers in Henry County on 22 Oct 1891. [1] By the 1900 census Amanda was a widow with two daughters, Mary Etta and Nellie. They were living with her parents. The girls were still with their grandparents in 1910. We have not located Amanda in that census.
Their daughter, Dorothea Willhite married Joseph W. Henry in Jeffersonville IN on 31 Aug 1891. Together Joseph and Dorothea had four children: Herbert, Elmer, Virginia, and Ruth. Here are the census records we have for this family.
1900 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Defoe, page 208A, household 65/65
Henry, Joseph - head, W M 30, born Oct 1869 in KY, married 8 years, father born PA, mother born KY, farmer
Henry, Dorothea - wife, W F 28, born Dec 1871 in KY, 2 children, parents born KY
Henry, Herbert - son, W M 7, born May 1893 in KY
Henry, Elmer - son, W M 4, born Dec 1895 in KY
1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 2, page 101A, household 26/41
Henry, Joe - head, M W 39, married 19 years, born KY, father born KY, mother born PA, laborer
Henry, Dorothea - wife, F W 37, 3 children, born KY, parents born KY
Henry, Herbert - son, M W 16, single, born KY
Henry, Elmer - son, M W 14, born KY
Henry, Vergie M. - daughter, F W 5, born KY
1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville Ward 3, page 4A, household 52/77
Henry, Joseph W. - head, M W 50 md, born KY, father born PA, mother born KY, laborer for water company
Henry, Dorothy - wife, F W 48 md, born KY, parents born KY
Henry, Elmer - son, M W 22 single, born KY, laborer
Henry, Virginia M. - daughter, F W 14 single, born KY
Henry, Ruth - daughter, F W 4 8/12, born KY
1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville, District 40, page 38A, household 204/376 - 718 Franklin Street
Henry, Joseph W. - head, M W 60, married at 21, born KY, father born PA, mother born KY, no occupation
Henry, Dorothy - wife, F W 58, married at 19, born KY, parents born KY
Henry, Elmer - son, M W 35, divorced, born KY, excavation laborer
Henry, Ruth - daughter, F W 15, single, born KY
According to his death certificate, Joseph Henry died on 8 Mar 1932 in Louisville. His parents were Jas and Lou (Mitchell) Henry. His birth date is not given, but the 1900 census indicates that he was born in October 1869.
We are uncertain when Dorothea died. We have found a death certificate for Dorothy Henry, age 67, who died in Louisville on 22 Feb 1939 who was buried in Henry County. Her parents are not identified, but we think this might be Dorothea.
Their son, Herbert Henry was born 27 May 1893 and died 26 Sep 1944 in Louisville according to his death certificate. His certificate identifies his parents as Joseph Henry and Dorothy Willhite, both born in Henry County.
Alfred and Martha's daughter, Hallie Willhite married Sandford Lee Sanders in Henry County on 21 Dec 1904. They had seven children, all but two of whom appear in the following 1920 census record.
1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, New Castle, page 152A, household 5/5
Sanders, San L. - head, M W 41 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Sanders, Hallie E. - wife, F W 42 md, born KY, parents born KY
Sanders, Don Carlos - son, M W 14, born KY, farm laborer
Sanders, J. T. - son, M W 11, born KY
Sanders, Lucy May - daughter, F W 8, born KY
Sanders, Sidney H. - son, M W 5, born KY
Sanders, Ora Lee - son, M W 4 10/12, born KY
Missing are Pauline who was a twin to Sidney, and who died a month after her birth; and Harvie B. Sanders who was born in 1920 after the census was taken.
Sandford and Hallie are buried together in the Port Royal Cemetery in Henry County. He was born in 1876, according to the tombstone (but Jan 1878 according to the 1900 census), and died 10 Feb 1953 according to his death certificate. Hallie was born 21 Dec 1874. She died 26 Feb 1961 according to the Kentucky Death Index.
Alfred and Martha's son, Emsy W. Willhite was born 15 Dec 1880 and died in Henry County on 15 Jul 1948. [link] He married Dora Jones, and they had three children: Lizzie Ella, Leroy, and Russell J. Willhite. Dora was born 10 Mar 1890 [SSDI] and died in Henry County on 6 Jan 1969. [link]
Here are census records related to this family.
1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Defoe, page 134B, household 54/55
Willhite, Emsy - head, M W 29, married 2 years, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Nora M. - wife, F W 19, 1 child, born KY, parents born KY
Willhite, Lizzie E. - daughter, F W 1 7/12, born KY
1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Defoe, page 245B, household 20/20
Willhite, E. W. - head, M W 40 md, born KY
Willhite, Dora M. - wife, F W 28 md, born KY
Willhite, Lizzie E. - daughter, F W 11, born KY
Willhite, Leroy - son, M W 8, born KY
Willhite, Russell J. - son, M W 3 3/12, born KY
1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, District 6, page 298A
household 135/140
Willhite, Emzy - head, M W 49, married at 27, born KY
Willhite, Dora - wife, F W 40, married at 18, born KY
Willhite, Russell J. - son, M W 13, born KY
household 135/141
Willhite, Roy - head, M W 19, married at 17, born KY
Willhite, Beuleh - wife, F W 18, married at 16, born KY
Willhite, Emzy R. - son, M W 1 2/12, born KY
1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, District 6, page 290B, household 71/72
Harp, Omer - head, M W 24, married at 21, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Harp, Lizzie E. - wife, F W 21, married at 18, born KY, parents born KY
Harp, Dora E. - daughter, F W 9/12, born KY
Lizzie Ella Willhite was born 6 Sep 1908 and died 11 Nov 1945 in Henry County. She married Omer Harp and they had at least six children.
Leroy Willhite was born 1 Mar 1911 in Henry County according to the Kentucky Birth Index. He married Beulah Harp who was born 14 Mar 1912, also in Henry County [KBI]. Leroy and Beulah had at least five children.
Russell J. Willhite was born 12 Sep 1916 in Henry County [KBI]. He was still at home with his parents in the 1930 census. According to the Social Security Death Index he was living in Henry County at his death on 25 Dec 1992.
Alfred and Martha's daughter, Cora Willhite, was born 22 Mar 1881 and died 2 Dec 1950 in Henry County. She married twice, the first time to a Mr. Johnson, and the second time to J. T. Riner. She had a son, Tivis (or Tevis) Johnson who was born in May 1900.
Cora and her son were living with her parents in the 1900 census (shown above). In 1910, the son was still with his grandparents. By 1920, Cora had married Mr. Riner and they were living in Shelby County KY with her son and his grandson.
1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Shelby County, North Shelbyville, page 43A, household 8/9
Riner, J. T. - head, M W 62 md, born KY, parents born VA, real estate salesman
Riner, Cora G. - wife, F W 38 md, born KY, parents born KY
Riner, Doss - grandson, M W 19 single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Johnson, Tevis - stepson, M W 19 single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
If we have the right person, Alfred and Martha Willhite's son, Ernest Willhite, was born 16 Nov 1883 [SSDI] and died 29 Jan 1965 in Shelby County KY. [KDI] This Ernest Willhite married Bertha Barnsfather on 14 Jan 1909 in Henry County, and they had a son, Howard Willhite who was born on 24 Oct 1909, and died on 5 Oct 1998 in Shelbyville KY. [SSDI]
It appears from census records that Bertha Barnsfather Willhite died prior to the 1920 census. We have been unable to locate this family in the 1910 census.
1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Pleasureville, page 266B, household 188/202
Willhite, Ernest - head, M W 35, widower, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Howard - son, M W 10, born KY, parents born KY
1930 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, District 6, page 297A, household 109/113
Willhite, Earnest - head, M W 45, widower, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Alridge, Louise - mother-in-law, F W 61, widow, born OH, parents born Germany
Willhite, Howard - son, M W 20, single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Barnsfather, Harold - boarder, M W 18, single, born KY, parents born KY
Cleveland Willhite, Alfred and Martha's last child, was born 4 Aug 1885 in Henry County and died 15 Jun 1963 in Oldham County KY. [SSDI, KDI] Cleveland married the widow Mrs Martha Brawner on 11 Jan 1910 in Henry County. She was likely Martha Troxell. Martha had a son, William Jessie Brawner by her first husband, James E. Brawner. It appears that Cleveland and Martha had no children together.
1910 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry, Defoe, page 134B, household 52/53
Willhite, Cleveland L. - head, M W 26, married that year, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Martha F. - wife, F W 37, married 3 times, 2 children/1 living, born KY, parents born KY
Brawner, Jesse - step-son, M W 17, single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
1920 Federal Census: Kentucky, Henry County, Smithfield, page 128B, household 79/81
Willhite, Cleveland - head, M W 36 md, born KY, parents born KY, farmer
Willhite, Martha F. - wife, F W 46 md, born KY, parents born KY
Brawner, Jessie - step-son, M W 23 widower, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer
Catherine Willhite, Obediah's last daughter, was nine years old in the 1850 census record with her parents. She did not appear in the 1860 record with them. We have found no marriage record for her in either Campbell or Henry County. It is possible that she died young.
Notes
[1] Dodd, Jordan, comp.. Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001.
Effort has been made to eliminate errors, but their absence is not guaranteed. This document is copyright 2018 by Charles Hartley. Permission is hereby granted to individuals seeking family history information to copy the contents of this document for their personal use. It may not be sold, either separately or as part of a collection, without the written permission of the copyright holder; nor may it be placed at any other location on the internet without said written permission.