My Genealogy Hound

ROBERSON A. WHITAKER, farmer, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., November 9, 1859, son of Dr. Philander and Rebecca M. (Moseley) Whitaker, and supposed to be of English descent. The father was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., October 19, 1826, and November 12, 1850, he wedded Rebecca Moseley, who was born November 12, 1833. To this union were born six children — four sons and two daughters. The father died July 3, 1869, and the mother July 3, 1885. The Whitaker family were among the early settlers of the State. Our subject was a farmer boy, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen began working for himself. February 3, 1880, Miss Bettie S. Thomas, daughter of William Thomas, became his wife, and by her he became the father of two children: William T. and Mattie M. Mrs. Whitaker was born in the house where she now resides September 9, 1857. Her father, William Thomas. Sr., was born January 31, 1807, and died March 29, 1861. Her mother, Mrs. Jane (McCrory) Thomas, was born in Bedford County, Tenn., May 28, 1816, and died December 1, 1882. The ancestors of Mrs. Whitaker on her mother’s side were formerly from Ireland, and in an ancient Bible, whose leaves are yellow with age, was found the following statement: Hugh McCrory (the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Whitaker) was born in May, 1759, in the county of Antrim, Ireland. He sailed to America in April, 1775. He joined the regular army, and served as colonel under Gen. Washington, and was killed at Alexandria in October, 1777. Our subject is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.