Joshua and Mary Reed Whitaker settled on Joshua’s three hundred acre farm located near Jersey Creek Baptist Church. On July 16, 1767, it was ordered by the court that John Sawyer, orphan of William Sawyer deceased, be put as apprentice to Joshua Whitaker for the term of five years, he being the age 16, and that Joshua Whitaker “larn him (Sawyer) the act of farmer, and give him at the expiration of his said term a young mare of six pound prise and a saddle and bridle. He is to serve to age 21 and otherwise comply.”
Mark Whitaker and wife Tabitha sold Joshua Whitaker (Mark’s brother) 200 acres of land on Swearing Creek on August 5, 1772.
The American Revolution broke out in the mid 1770’s. Joshua Whitaker was in is early forties when the war broke out. He was too old to fight in the war.
At that period of time, when you reached 40 you were considered to be an old man. The average life expectancy was 42.
At that period of time, when you reached 40 you were considered to be an old man. The average life expectancy was 42. However, Joshua did play a part in the war. Joshua Whitaker is listed “for sundries furnished the militia” of North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, as allowed by Cathey and Harris in their report #38. This would have been around the first part of 1782. I also found “#5309- to Joshua Whitaker for a horse, voucher #9269L.38.”
Joshua Whitaker is listed on the 1790 Census for Rowan County NC. In his house were 3 males over sixteen, one male under sixteen and three females. Hugh Cunningham sold Joshua Whitaker 100 acres on Swearing Creek, adjoining the land where Joshua now lived, on December 20, 1795.
In the early 1790’s Joshua
Whitaker’s children began
moving to what is now Fairview in Buncombe County.
In the early 1790’s Joshua Whitaker’s children began moving to what is now Fairview in Buncombe County. Joshua’s neighbors, the Reed, Trantham, Merrill, and Rickman families to name a few, all began moving to the mountains. Joshua Whitaker’s health begins to decline. He likely developed what was then called heart dropsy, which ran in his family. Joshua Whitaker Sr. died on May 1, 1798. He was buried in Jersey Creek Baptist Church Cemetery near his home.
Joshua’s children had all moved to Fairview at the time of his death except his youngest son James Whitaker. James had remained home to look after his elderly parents. James Whitaker married Mary “Polly” Walker, daughter of Howard Walker of Wilkes County, in September 1800. James then packed up his belongings and moved with his wife and mother Mary Reed Whitaker to Fairview. All of Mary Reed Whitaker’s children were soon living in Fairview. Mary’s brother Eldad Reed and his wife Jane Whitaker and all their children moved to Fairview within a short period of time.
Mary Reed Whitaker got to be around her children and watch her grandchildren grow up
Mary Reed Whitaker got to be around her children and watch her grandchildren grow up. She lived 32 years after her move to Fairview. She died February 16, 1832, in her 84th year. Mary was buried in Cane Creek Cemetery.
Joshua and Mary Reed Whitaker had six children:
John Whitaker Sr. was born September 15, 1765 in Rowan (now Davidson) County, NC. He first married Mary Wilson; his second wife was Milly Brookshire. She died in May 1860. John died on January 8, 1841.
Sarah Whitaker was born in Rowan (now Davidson) County on December 7, 1768. She married John Lanning, Sr. (1757-1839). Sarah died in Fairview May 26, 1848. Both are buried in Cane Creek Cemetery,
Joshua Whitaker, Jr. was born on June 4, 1769 in Rowan (now Davidson) County. He married Nancy Childers (April 22, 1769-April 22, 1841). Joshua Jr. died on June 26, 1856. Both are buried in Cane Creek Cemetery.
William Whitaker, Sr. was born on Nov. 22, 1772 in Rowan (now Davidson) County. He married Mary Canady (Cannady) (1772-1848). William died on Feb. 21, 1860. Both are buried in Cane Creek Cemetery.
Mary “Jenny” Whitaker was born in 1776 in Rowan (now Davidson) County. She married Arthur Hunt, the widower of her first cousin Jane Whitaker. Mary and Arthur Hunt moved to Missouri around 1815.
James Whitaker, Sr. was born in Rowan, now Davidson, County, April 3, 1779. He married first Mary “Polly” Walker (1779-1849) and then Mary McBrayer, widow of James McBrayer, who died March 20, 1872. James and both wives are buried at Valley River Cemetery in Andrews, Cherokee County, NC.