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Author: tombates22
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Classification: queries
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Message Board Post:
Whiteman's, Kelly's, Popejoy's, Hendrix's and Indians
Introduction
In the past couple of months I recieve more information from families, internet, old
maps, also looking at more records at Frankfort, Indiana public library and Internet made
me to revised this report. I talk to descendants of John Whiteman in which is very
interesting. Also, there are NO documents that stipulates that John Whiteman was a Native
American, but I know he was.
Also, there seems to be a problem with people with the same name in which it can drive a
person like me nuts while looking for the right person. Who knows, you might go nuts after
reading this report because are information is conflicting in this report. Take for
instance, in Clinton County, Indiana there were two John Whiteman's, three David
Kelly's. There is a David D. Kelly, David S. Kelly, and David B. Kelly. Also, there
seems to be two or three Henry Whiteman's and two Abraham Whiteman's.
In my first report, I refer to John Whiteman who was born in 1777 and died 1834, not John
Whiteman who was born in 1843 and died 1930 and his referance is found here:
http://countyhistory.org/books/doc.clinton/276.htm and I see many have his picture as
being John Whiteman who was born in 1777. So far as I know, there are NO pictures or
drawings of John Whiteman who was born in 1777, and died in 1832. Regarding Abraham Friend
Whiteman, he was son of John Whiteman, in my first report I always mention his middle
name "FRIEND" in which it has impact of why we have a clue that Whiteman's
and their descendants were indians. So, he would not be Abraham W. Whiteman who was born
in 1832 and died in 1865, and the son of Henry Whiteman who was born in 1781 and died in
1848. This Henry Whiteman believed to be John Whiteman's brother .
Regarding David Kelly's, David B. Kelly is the right one. He was born 1806 or 1807,
and died on 1856. And according to the Estrays and Probate Records of Clinton County,
Indiana, maybe he is the same one that found a brown heifer on December 4, 1843. Who
knows, he kept it and ended on his plate in December 5, 1843.
Henry Whiteman is bizarre. There might be three of them. One was born 1781 and died in
1848 and believed to be the brother of John Whiteman. And the other supposed to live
beside the Kelly's for many years in Michigantown, Indiana. What is odd, according to
1860, Michigatownship Clinton County, Census, Henry and Cordelia Whiteman and family is
on the same sheet of the Census with James Kelly with his wife Sarah and his brothers and
sisters. This Henry Whiteman is Henry Gully Whiteman. However, according to 1865, Clinton
County map it has H. J. Whiteman on it for Section 28 with James Kelly. And according to
one plat map the same name is on it with David B. Kelly. There could be an error on the
land maps regarding Henry J. Whiteman. Most likely it's Henry Gully Whiteman.
Also, I was informed that John Whiteman original last name was "WISEMAN".
However, I'm sticking with "Whiteman" because we all custom to this name.
However, I must say there are things that I don't know about this family history. What
I presented is what I know.
You will see in this report, I didn't leave out anything that seems conflicting.
Personally, I don't hide anything that seems contradictory to one another because not
everything is accurate, plus we don't know everything about our family. Also, there
are some things that I'm bringing out that might not be accurate, yet a door need to
be open for something that is new to us.
This report could have been at least 50 pages long if I didn't refer to readers the
highlighted sites. Somehow, I narrow this report down to at least 30 pages, also there is
more information out there about our Native American heritage that we need to dig deeper
and who knows, maybe this report will be alot bigger in a year. Why?
Because personally, the more I dig deeper into our family history, somehow there is a
Native American connection. What is sad, it is being erased as time goes by and it needs
to be put back into our history along with German, Irish, etc; backgrounds.
No matter what race we belong to, our Native American heritage is not a simple one. It is
very complex like a tree with alot of branches and each one have a story behind it. Also,
it seems that Whiteman's, Popejoy's, Kelly's were very close knitted family.
Who knows what we will learn about our heritage in the coming months or years.
The miniseries "Roots" by Alex Haley was an awesome. Although, it was sad that
millions from Africa were kidnapped and sold as slaves in America. Personally, it was
sicking; yet this miniseries was full of action from begining to end. The linage of Alex
Haley was not ordinary, yet back grounds of many families are simply basic.
However, when I did research of our family, I came to the conclusion that it was unusual.
Not only that I came to this conclusion, I realise that I cannot omit one family from this
research. While living in Clinton, County, Indiana each family (Whiteman's,
Popejoy's, and Kelly's) had a role in that communty. Why? It was because of John
Whiteman. If it wasn't for him buying lands in north and middle part of that
community, then things might be differant.
Searching
In 2010, I was searching about my great great grandmother. She was on my mother's
genealogy list. She had many names on her list. What stood out on this list was my great
great grandmother. The list mentions: "Mary Hendrix Indian she was adopted."
So the searching began and I found out that her name was Mary Jane Kelly and she live in
Clinton County, Indiana and was born in 1849. Her parents names were David B. and Nancy
Kelly. But searching for her Indian background, I was hitting a brickwall. Although, I
learned a lot about the indians and the injustice they face during my great great
grandmother's time and my thought was that maybe she was adopted by the Kelly's
legally or it was a "hide" adoption. But there was no proof of any of this, so I
stop researching.
In 2011, I was on a computer and put Mary Jane Kelly name on a genealogy website and her
parents came up again and I ask myself if she was not adopted, then who was her parents
David B. and Nancy Kelly?
What I learn totally shocked me. Mary Jane Kelly mom was Nancy Whiteman Kelly and she was
the daughter of John and Elizabeth Shaffer Whiteman of Virginia. The more I dig, I found
out that Nancy's dad John Whiteman suppose to be a Cherokee indian and the son of
Fredrick Whiteman. Why did I say "suppose to be a Cherokee indian"? I need
proof.
When the war of 1812, was going on, a lot of records were destroyed. Did John records as
being an indian destroyed? Maybe. Moreover, when an indian married a white person, it was
secretive at times and a taboo mentioning to their children of their indian heritage.
Also, many indians put themselves down as being white on their census even into the 20th
century. Also, many indians was written off existance when the government bought their
land and write them them as being black, whites, or maltos. Most likley this happened to
John Whiteman and his parents and siblings when the goverment brought their land. So, let
us look into the history of Whiteman's and their decendants in which it is very
interesting.
Whiteman's
It is believed that John Whiteman was orginally from Suquehanna region of Pennsylvania
and move to Virginia probably before 1800, and married Elizebeth Shaffer (1786-1842) a
German descendant in Wythe County, Virginia around 1804. There seems to be a problem of
who daughter she was and the information is right here:
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INCLINTO/2008-01/1200197572 No matter who
daughter she was, Jacob, Fredrick and Joseph Shaffer was early settlers of Clinton
County, Indiana in Warren Township. This is found in "Family Maps of Clinton County,
Indiana' 2006, 2010, by Gregory Boyd J.D. page 59.
John and Elizabeth Whiteman lived in Shenandoah County, Virginia and gave birth to their
first three children, Isaac, Mary and Abraham Friend Whiteman. Before 1806, they moved to
Knox County Tennessee and probably they had 2 more children Jacob and Nancy. Then they
move up northwest.
It was believed that Whiteman's was with a caravan of others that consist of
Shaffer's and probably Rinker's, Harmon's, Swatts, Bonds and others. They came
through the Cumberland Gap in which it is by the boarders of Virginia, Tennessee, and
Kentucky. Back then, the Cumberland Gap was the gateway to the west. Now the Cumberland
Gap is where Highway 25E south of Middlesboro, Kentucky. Probably, they went up north
along where Interstate 75 is now located or little further east of it. They arrived in
Dayton, Ohio before 1815, and lived there for two years and later moved to probably Wayne
County which in part switch to Union County, Indiana and their son Henry Whiteman believe
to be born in Philomath, Indiana.
Tweleve and Seven Mile Strips
Philomath, Indiana is west of White Water River and west of Indian Boundry line.
According to "Sesquicental of Historical Record 150th Anniversary of Union County
Indiana "1821-1971", page 5, under the subheading "Indians Were
Friendly". In par. 3, brings out: "Where the first settlers came to Union
County, Indians were living of west of the White Water river near Paddock's
Ford" This boundry came from the Greenville Treaty of 1795. Also, this boundry was
called the 12 Mile Strip in which it came on the scene in Union County, Indiana in 1809,
and was surveyed and ready for sale until 1811. If John Whiteman and family lived there,
that area was full of Indians. I might add that Philomath is located in Brownsville
Township.
By looking at the east side of the state of Indiana you will see a strip west of Richmond
and Liberty, Indiana this was known as the 12 mile strip. The map number is 72, and the
Indians were located there.
http://usgwarchives.net/maps/cessions/ilcmap19.htm The tribes
consist Potawatomi, Miami, Deleware, and other tribes. Also, there is a problem with land
issues that needs to be address.
The problem is, according to the book "Early Land Owners of Union County,
Indiana" 1978, by Maurice Holmes, at the bottom of page 80, have Isaac & Sarah
Whiteman, and John & Elizabeth Whiteman with a question mark beside Union County. Why?
According to Union County "Plat Book from the Past" of 1966, says: "Union
County was formed from the south part of Wayne County in 1821, and reached it's
present size in 1826" Also, it goes on to say: " According to the 1884, Union
County Atlas the land in Harrison and Brownville Townships, east of the Greenville Treaty
Line and the land in the northren row of sections west of the Greenville Treaty Line were
taken from Wayne County." These sections were: 25, 30, 29, and portion of 28. Why is
there an interest in this? It was believed that John Whiteman might lived in the northren
row of the sections west of the Greenville Treaty Line. John Whiteman son Henry was born
in Philomath and this town is in portion of sections 25, and 30 in Brownsville Township.
The west side of Brownsville Township on Section 25, is in 2nd Principal Meridian in
1814, Johnathan Hill, Robert Benefield, Ephraim Brown, and John Shelby bought land there.
Here is the problem. I see John Shelby had land in Fayette County, Indiana in 1830, and
Fayette County is just west of Union County. I believed his dad's name is Joshua
Shelby and here is their story and it is bizarre when it comes to land records in that
region. Here is part of the story:
"Joshua next and finally moved, about 1818, from Kentucky to Wayne County, Indiana.
Indiana had been granted statehood in 1816. The land where he lived and farmed became part
of Union County when it was formed on January 5th, 1821. Joshua Shelby was to die here a
dozen years later in 1830. [See also: C. Mitchel Hall. JOHNSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY: A History
of the County and genealogy of its people up to year 1927. Louisville, Kentucky: Standard
Press, 1928, pp. 56-60.]
The estate of Joshua Shelby was referenced in a Circuit Court action in Liberty, Union
County, Indiana. In this action, John Shelby, petitioner and Joshua's son, petitioned
the court for permission to partition the real property of his father, Joshua Shelby,
deceased, for purposes of sale and the distribution of the estate to Joshua Shelby's
rightful heirs. The distribution of the estate included a dower for Joshua's wife,
Susannah. Susannah's maiden surname was never discovered during this research. The
real property was fully described and more than one land unit was involved. There were
also lots in the Town of Bethleham (sic, Bethlehem], said lots owned by Joshua Shelby.
[See: Complete Record, Record Book D, Civil, September 1833 - June 1836, pp. 102-105,
Courthouse, Liberty, Union County, Indiana.] The petition was dated 3 September 1831. It
was recorded 12 August 1833.
The will for the estate of Joshua Shelby was found in the Courthouse, Liberty, Union
County, Indiana, [James Woods, Administrator]. [See: General Index To Probate 1821-1850,
Union County, Indiana, A. 177, pp. 6-14.] The property of Joshua Shelby was described as
the: "Southeast quarter of Section 25 in Township 15, in Range 14 east of the second
principal meridian line, and being and situated in the said County of Union: and also of
sundry town lots in the Town of Bethlehem in said county."
Despite efforts to find the burial site for Joshua Shelby and his wife, Susannah, the
cemetery records in Union and Wayne Counties were not forthcoming. They may have been
buried in a family plot upon their farm. This land was near to or at the line separating
northwest Union County from southwest Wayne County. The Joshua Shelby farm land, early in
Wayne County, became part of Union County, Indiana, on 5 January 1821, when Union County
was formed. The writer was not able to visit the old Joshua Shelby farm land to search for
a family cemetery thereupon because the Union County Plat Office at the Courthouse was not
able to definitively identify the location of this land."
We see here that Shelby's have problems with their location of their land. Did the
Whiteman's have the same problem? Probably not; if so the problems were settled.
according to the plat book, Jonathan Hill, Robert Benefield, Ephraim Brown, and John
Shelby lands were "NOT" listed in the Land Record Book in the Recorder's
Office for Union County, Indiana and most likely their records were found and put in the
land records.
However, on the eastside of Brownville Township has a section 25, too. Did John Whiteman
and others lived there? Here what I see, and it is located here:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=0016-...
As we see above, John Whiteman is with Jacob Hoover and the purchase of land was in
1812. This our John Whiteman, and his Township and range is 12N - 002W and if I'm
right this is located 2 miles east side of the Greenville Treaty Line and this is located
in the 1st Principal Meridian. Here is the Patent Image:
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=0016-...
and this image shows no County on it. Yet, this area was known as "gore of
Indiana"
According to Union County "Plat Book from the Past" Jacob Hoover brought this
section on September 29, 1807, that is T 12 N - R 2 W Secton 25, and Philomath is located
about 5 miles northwest from this area. So if we put all this together and if this is
accurate; did John Whiteman bought the land from Jacob Hoover in 1812? This remains a
mystery. To add on to this mystery, according to an interview with Joseph Whiteman who was
John Whiteman grandson, he said that that his grandfather lived in Richmond, Union County,
Indiana for 20 years. Since the Whiteman's moved to Clinton County, Indiana in 1829,
then this interview almost fit the time line of the land purchase in 1812.
But what I do know, according to Union County Deed records, on May 11, 1830, John and
Elizabeth Whiteman sold their 160 acres of land on the souteast corner of Section 25 to
Thomas Carr Jr. from Butler County, Ohio for $1,600. So this would mean that they sold it
for $10 per acre and as we see later, this is a very smart move.
So, did John Whiteman and family lived in Wayne County, Indiana? According to 1820, Wayne
County, Indiana census there is a John Whiteman. If he and family lived there; where did
he live at? If they live on the west side of the county, then they lived in Abington
Township on the very south boarder of Wayne County, Indiana. Hence, John Whiteman appears
on the 1830, Union County census.
Elizabeth birth location is a problem and it can be a problem for others who wants to
find out were she was born. According to 1860, census she was born in Virginia. According
to 1870, census she was born in Ohio and according to 1880, census she was born in
Indiana. Like I said above, the Whitemans moved to Ohio before 1815. Here is why I said
this. Elizabeth Popejoy died in 1884 and according to her grave stone, she lived 69 years
old.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=10403295&PI...,
and this would mean that she was born in December of 1814 or January of 1815, and
according to one site, I read that she was born in Union City, Ohio and this is outside of
Dayton. Yet according to her 1880, census she put down her age 63 years, but that would
mean she was born in 1817.
To add on this mystery and you might be pulling your hair on this. I pick up a August
31, 1850, Clinton County Census book in Frankfort Public Library. It had Elizabeth
(Whiteman) Popejoy as being 39 years old and born in Indiana. This would mean she was born
around 1811 or 1812. The problem here is that her sister Nancy supposed to be born in 1811
in Tennessee. But, according to August 31, 1850 census, the birth and location of
Elizabeth Whiteman almost fit Joseph Whiteman interview and purchase of the land between
John Whiteman and Jacob Hoover. So, with all of this confusion of the year of Elizabeth
birth, we could say she was born between 1812-1817. Later Henry, and John Z. were born in
Indiana.
Here is a list of the timeline of the family I came up with and it might conflict with
others think:
1. John and Elizabeth were married maybe before 1804.
2. Isaac Whiteman was born 1803 in VA.
3. Mary Whiteman was born 1805 in VA.
4. Abraham Friend Whiteman was born 1806 in VA.
5. Jacob Whiteman was born 1809 in TN.?
6. Nancy Whiteman was born 1811 in TN.
7. Elizabeth Whiteman was born between 1812-1815 in IN. There are several discrepancies
on her census records.
8. Henry Whiteman was born 1819 in Philomath, IN.
9. John Whiteman was born 1827 in IN. According to 1850 Census, John put down his age 23
years old and that would mean he was born around 1827.
Altogether, John and Elizabeth Whiteman had 8 Children.
During 1820, a new law formed. It was the Land Act of 1820, in which it came into
existance on April 24, 1820. John Whiteman took advantage of this law and bought lands
under it. Eventually, he and his familly moved to Clinton County, Indiana in 1829. In
January 3, 1831, under the Land Act of 1820, John Whiteman purchased land in Clinton
County, Indiana. He puchased land in Middlefork Township and Michigan Township. If I'm
right, the land would cost $1.65 per acre, but if John Whiteman put a $100 down, then the
land would be $1.25 per acre.
John Whiteman might not know much of English, but when it came to money, he and others
in his family might know alot about it. Who knows, the Shaffers might have a role in this.
As we see above, he sold his land in Union County, Indiana for $1,600 or $10 per acre,
then moved to Clinton County, Indiana and bought land just over one dollar per acre! In
all, in 1831, John Whiteman bought 960 acres of land in Michigan and Warren Townships.
Most likely he gave money to his sons to purchase lands too.
Personally, I and maybe others wonder how did he get the money to get all these lands in
Clinton County. As we see above, he took the money he had and bought cheaper lands in
Clinton County, Indiana in which it was a brilliant move.
Before Whiteman's and others moved to Clinton County, the relationship with indians
and whites were not good. I found this in one of Clinton County, Indiana history, it
says: "the Wea and Shawnee Indian tribes had settlements in the Wildcat valley. The
Shawnees were considered the fiercest Indian tribe in the state and were continuously at
war against the Americans and British. After the War of 1812, the Shawnees sold their land
to the government and were moved west of the Mississippi. The Wildcat valley then became a
part of the "Big Reserve" which was held by the Miami Indians and included a Wea
reservation. In 1818, the Treaty of St. Mary's ceded this property to the
government" Moreover, it does not end here. How would Whiteman's and others deal
with the indians since they live very close to the Great Miami Reserve?
According from "New Historical Atlas of Clinton Co, Indiana - 1878 - Abraham
Whiteman [son of John Whiteman] came with the party of 25, from Union County, IN to Warren
Township in the fall of 1829, and December winter is at hand. Everyone in the party built
a barrack like log house. The cabin was made of round poles and clapboard roof with
puncheon floor, and heavy clapboard winds for protection from the Indians, who at that
time was greatly feared, and who afterword became true friends. When spring arrived, the
members of the party helped each other build separate homesteads that they chose from the
wilderness." We can see here that Whiteman's and indians became true friends and
we should have no doubt about this.
Moreover, according to "Clinton County Sesquicental Celebration 1830- 1980".
Published in 1980, page 9, par.3, says: "In 1834 the Miami Indians sold the
government 177,000 acres of land for $335,680 (a little less than $20 an acre). This land
included a seven mile strip off the west side of the reservation in Cass, Clinton, and
Howard counties. As this land took the remainder of the reservation left in Clinton
County, the sale, made 147 years ago, extingushed all Indian title to all lands in the
county. This strip of land (27,200 acres) was given to the state of Indiana by the United
States government to be used to complete the Walbash and Erie Canal from the mouth of the
Tippecanoe River southeast to Evansville...."
On par. 4, on the same report says: "Many of the early settlers, especially the
citizens of Warren, Michigan, Johnson, and few in Kirklin and Sugar Creek townships,
bought their land from the state; it was a part of the canal land subsidy." Yes,
these townships are located on eastside of Clinton County, Indiana.
Also, I come to find out that Jackson Township which now is south of Frankfort, Indiana
or Center Township, was a huge township when Whiteman's, Kelly's, Popejoy's
was in Clinton County, Indiana. A matter of fact, the Whitemans' moved to Jackson
Township 5 years before parts of it switched to Warren Township. We can see this here in
this report regarding Jackson and Warren Townships
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Township,_Clinton_County,_Indiana
However, if we look at this map, we get and closer view here:
http://usgwarchives.net/maps/cessions/ilcmap20.htm On this map, we see map number of 198.
If I'm right, this was known as the Seven Mile Strip. According to this map, this
strip cuts through, Carrol, Cass, Clinton and Howard counties. The Whiteman's and
other earler settlers lived very close this strip. Abraham Friend Whiteman and the
Popejoy's lived in Warren Township, this strip was about a mile east of Abraham
Whiteman residance and while his dad John Whiteman moved in Michigan Township, he and his
son Isaac bought land on Sections 28 and 29. This was 2 miles west of the Seven Mile
Strip. So what was on the west of 7 mile strip?
According to one report, it says: "the state and federal govenments had taken land
from the Potawatomi a few years earlier to pay for another internal improvement project -
the Michigan Road (which happens to run parallel to the treaty line though Warren
township, a mile to the west of it). In that case, the government took unceded land from
the Indians to pay for road construction".
This would happen around 1830, and the Whiteman's moved just before or after the
construction began. So, image yourself on the eastside of your resident was the Miami
National Reserve and the area you lived in was just taken from the Potawatomi's by the
government. So how would the indians view white people? It cannot be good, yet the
Whiteman's Kelly's and Popejoy's blended in with them.
Also, I might add that according to"Family Maps of Clinton County, Indiana'
2006, 2010, by Gregory Boyd J.D. pages 90&91, Isaac Whiteman, bought land on Section
29, just west of John Whiteman's land. Jacob Whiteman bought lands on central and
south part of Section 21, (just north of his father's land on Section 28) and central
east and southeast of Section 17, and north central of Section on 34. Henry Whiteman had
land in the same section just southeast of Jacob Whiteman.
If you look at the map above, there is a creek named "Wild Cat Creek" This
would be the South Fort of Wild Cat Creek. The North Fort of Will Cat Creek is located in
Carroll County, Indiana. The Whiteman's and Kelly's land were basically just south
of the river just before and after it splits apart. Also, Bradon Cemetary is where John
and Elizabeth Whiteman and some of their decendants are bury there. That cemetary is on
the south boarder line of South Fort of Wild Cat Creek in Section 28.
So did indians left this region before Whitemans and early settlers came? As said above
in the Historical Atlas of Clinton Co, Indiana -1878-, the Whiteman's move into
Clinton County in late 1829. They had lands in Warren and Michigan Townships by 1831, and
we can see this in "Family Maps of Clinton County of Indiana" 2006 & 2010,
by Gregory Boyd J.D. pages, 59, 90 & 91.
Plus, according to par. 5, in the Sesquicentennal report, it says:"By 1847, all the
indians had left their reservations in Indiana". So, this paragraph gives an
indication that there were indians left in the Clinton County region even way before John
Whiteman died in 1834. How many is a good question because many settlers were moving in
Clinton County, during the 1830's. There was a population of 1,423 in Clinton County
in 1830, and the population exploded in that decade up to 7,508 in 1840. When we read
further into this report, the Whiteman's Kelly's and Popejoys and other early
settlers lived very close to the indians.
Here is list of lands that John Whiteman bought while in Clinton County, Indiana and
these are located in Warren Township and Michigan Township,
http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/results/default.aspx?searchCriteria=type=pa...
By looking at this we see that John bought lands in Township 22N and this is located in
Michigan Township in Sections 28 and 29. This is located by Wild Cat Creek. Also, he
bought land in Township 23N and this is located in Warren Township in Sections 22 and 23.
This is located close to the boardline of Clinton and Carrol Counties.
In all, we know that John and Elizabeth Whiteman had 8 children. They were Abraham
Friend, Mary, John, Henry, Isaac, Jacob, Nancy, Elizabeth. I have no pictures of them, yet
have I have pictures of some of John Whiteman's grandchildren in which it tells us
something about their features. Let us start at:
Abraham Friend Whiteman: I have a picture of his son Joseph Whiteman who was born in
1855. It looks like he had high cheek bones and large nose and ears.
On an extra note, an article in 1905, in Frankfort Times, Elizabeth Ticen Milner gave a
history of her family in who lived just west Middlefork, Indiana. We must not forget that
Warren Township is now Middlefork, Indiana. Elizabeth Milner brings out the history of her
family and she relates this: "The Indians were settled where Russiaville now is. They
would come down to Middlefork and stay all night. Abraham Whiteman kept a barrel of whisky
for them and had jolly times".
Back in the 1800's, Russiaville is 6 long miles from Middlefork, yet the indians used
to visted him and probably the Popejoy's too since Abraham Friend Whiteman and
Popejoy's lived right across the street from one another in Warren Township and they
were related too. Abraham Whiteman and his family lived on Section 23 and the
Popejoy's lived across State Road 29 in Section 22. Also, it was known that indians
would sometimes stay at old Whiteman homestead while traveling through the area.
On a side note, William Henry Harrison Whiteman the son of Abraham Whiteman who was born
in 1842, believed to live in Indian Territory (Westren District) in Creek County, OK.
This is according to: "Clinton County, Indiana Historical and Genealogical"
compiled by Joan C. Bohm, 1989, page 248, paragraph 3.
And Abraham Friend Whiteman and his brother- in-law James Madison Popejoy organizing two
townships of Warren and Washington in Clinton County, Indiana and they were deeply
involved in other civic affairs too. Abraham Friend Whiteman also helped of the designing
of Clinton County Courthouse and it is still standing Frankfort, Indiana today.
Mary Whiteman: I have a picture of her son William Jackson Nees who was born 1830.
Clearly he had high cheek bones.
John Zeek Whiteman: I have a picture of his son William Jackson Whiteman who was born
1848. He had large nose, ears and despite all the hair on his face, he had high cheek
bones too. Plus, his children had high cheek bones.
Henry Whiteman: He had a son name James Madison Whiteman who was born in 1855. James
Whiteman had high cheek bones, perhaps a large nose too. His children Fred, Charles, and
Rosa, had high cheek bones. Personally, Rosa looks like an indian and I cannot exclude
that Henry Whiteman wife Cordelia, might have indian background too. Did their children
indian features came from her? It might came from both of them.
Isaac Whiteman: He had a daughter name Lucinda Whiteman and she was born around 1843.
According to her descendants, they all agreed that her photos have Native American
resemblances. This article can be found at:
www.genealogytoday.com/articles/reader.mv?ID=1132
Jacob Whiteman: If I'm right, he had no children.
KELLY'S
Nancy Whiteman Kelly: She had a son named James Kelly who was born in 1832. According to
his grandaughter Ruth Kelly, she mentions that James Kelly has some "indian features.
black hair and eyes and high cheek bones and a large nose". Moreover, according to
Ruth Kelly, she mentions that indians use to visit the Kelly's when James Kelly was
young. They would take him in thru the woods and there were many indian graves in the big
woods and James Kelly allowed no one to open the graves, also Rose Mary Clark Gard Clarke
mother used tell storie about her Grandfather, James Kelly told her about how the Indinas
used to visit."The Kelly & Guard Wallace of Family Genealogy" 2001, page
19.
No matter who was visting the Kelly's and I cannot not fix the time line, but we can
see the indians were visiting the Kelly's while James was a lad and this would be in
the 1830's. Should we be suprised by this? Most likely the indains were living in that
area. In the begining, I mentioned that Whiteman's have properties in Michigan
Township. As far back in 1831, John Whiteman owned Section 28. According to the "Map
of Michigan Township - Clinton County, Indiana - 1865", it has H. J. Whiteman
property on the west side of Section 28, and J. Kelley [Kelly] on the east side of Section
28. If I'm right, the initials H. J, could be Henry Gully Whiteman. He was son of John
Whiteman and James Kelly's uncle. That is if I have the right Henry Whiteman. Also, I
might add, I saw the same initial for Henry Whiteman right beside David Kelly plat land
records too. No matter what Henry Whiteman it was, there is no doubt that Whiteman's
and Kelly's were neighbors for many years.
As I mention above, the indians from Russiaville was visting Abraham Friend Whiteman 6
long miles away in Middlefork. At that time there was no cars back then so it would take a
good amount of time for the indians arriving to Middlefork. While they were visting the
Whiteman's and perhaps the Popejoys in Warren Township, moreover 6.1 miles south in
Michigan Township the indians was visting the Kelly's and Whiteman's. So, this
would let us to believe that the lands was owned by Whiteman's, Kelly's and
probably the Popejoy's was a hang out for indians.
On a side note, James Kelly was generous person. Why? His mother died in 1851, and his
dad died 1856. The Clinton County records brings out that he eventually took over the farm
and later took full custody of my great great grandmother Mary Jane Kelly and her two
brothers William and Jacob. They were young when their parents died and probably would end
up in a foster home, yet James Kelly step in and took full custody of them. So, on my
mother geneology list that said:"Mary Hendrix Indian she was adopted", probably
this was the full custody of Mary Jane Kelly. But there is more on the Popejoy's.
Popejoy's
Elizabeth Whiteman Popejoy: She had children and I have no pictures of them, but it
doesn't end here. Yet, I was told that she had a big nose and high cheek bones and
pehaps a long neck. She married James Madison Popejoy in 1832, and they were mentioned in
a bizarre indian story that says: "The third daughter, in whom special interest is
taken, married a white son, James Madison Popejoy." Like I said, this story is
bizarre and I don't know how accurate it is, yet this story indicate that James
Madison Popejoy married a woman that is not white. Hold on to your seat there is more.
According to "Genealogy Of The PopeJoys (1680-1980)" by Walter PopeJoy, 1981,
on page 57, the last paragraph brings out the marriage of James Madison Popejoy and his
wife Elizabeth Whiteman. What is interesting in the book on page 58, on 1st or 2nd main
paragraph says: "many descendants of this marriage related that their parents had
told them they were part indian. Research failed to resolve this. Cleo Margaret Catron -
Moyer ... who live in Flora, IN, has a Bible which state "Silas [name cross out]
Thias Popejoy married Lou Whiteman. She was part Cherokee Indian." Was she an
Indian?
Also, here is another interesting situation. James and Elizabeth Popejoy gave birth to a
son in 1849, William Henry Harrison Popejoy. Later, William Popejoy married Hannah Ford.
They gave birth to a daughter Lucinda in 1875. Later she married John Ludwig. Do you know
what is interesting about her? In her 1930, Pulaski County, Indiana Census, she put
herself down as "W" or white. In her 1940, census she put herself down in
cursive writting "In" or Indian. If anyone looks at her 1940, original census;
she DEFINITELY did not put herself as being "W" or white!!
Also, one Popejoy picture catch my attention is Dorthy Popejoy, here picture is right
here:
http://carrollcountymuseum.org/photo/item.php?in=100037 Do we the Native American
features here? The reason I brought this out is because she has the same features of
Joseph Whiteman who is the son of Abraham Friend Whiteman.
Let us go back to James Kelly's dad. He was David B. Kelly. According to early
history of Clinton County Indiana, James Kelly was an Irish descendant and we cannot
ignore this. Yes, Irish people are known having dark hair and eyes and high cheek bones
too, but their cheek bones are not high as Native Americans. And red hair people are
known as having high cheek bones, plus Asians and some Europeans too. So, did James Kelly
indian features came from his Irish background? Or did his features is related from his
mother German features? These are good questions, however there are no pictures of them.
So where can I draw my conclusion?
We must not forget that James Kelly and Popejoy's are related. Elizabeth Whiteman
Popejoy is James Kelly aunt who married James Madison Popejoy. Later, James and Elizabeth
Popejoy descendants spread into Delphi, Carroll County, Indiana and were known of having
black eyes and it was said that you can't ignore the indian in them. A good example
of this is Martin Madison Popejoy the grandson of James and Elizabeth Popejoy. He had
indian features in which it includes black eyes. Into the 21 century, the Popejoy
descendants are still have indian features On an extra note, James Madsion Popejoy
assisted in clearing out the site of the town Delphi.
So, James Kelly's indian features could not come from his Irish background on his
father side since James relatives on the Whiteman side had indian features too. James
Kelly's indian features must came from his mother side Nancy Whiteman Kelly and the
indian features came from Popejoy's side would be from Elizabeth Whiteman Popejoy.
Also, earlier history of Clinton County Indiana never take a closer look James
Kelly's mother Nancy Whiteman Kelly's background. They went as far of mentioning
that Nancy's mother was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Shaffer) Whiteman, of
Virginia, and English descent. It is true that Elizabeth Shaffer Whiteman had and English
descent, yet earlier history of Clinton County fails to mention Nancy's father John
Whiteman Native American background and we can read her brother history here:
http://countyhistory.org/books/doc.clinton/147.htm.
So the indian features of James, Mary Jane Kelly and others would came from John Whiteman
and we cannot erase Elizabeth Shaffer Whiteman German features of her decendants too. Yet,
everyone comes in differant shapes and sizes and it does play a role of how they look no
matter what background they have, yet despite what backgrounds that David and Nancy Kelly
and John and Elizabeth Whiteman have, but somehow many equate their descendants features
as being Native American.
To all who read this, the Whiteman's, Kelly's and Popejoy's were basically
pillars and were noticable in Clinton and Carroll Counties, Indiana. It was said that
James Madsion Popejoy and Abraham Friend Whiteman bascially from Washington and Warren
Townships in Clinton County, Indiana. Personally, Whiteman's Kelly's and
Popejoy's history are amazing! When others read their history today, basically they
would view all Whiteman's and Popejoy's as being white and Kelly's as being
Irish because this is how earlier history painted them.
Since Whiteman's, Kelly's and Popejoy's and their descendants have indian
blood in them, then earlier history of Clinton and Carroll Counties, Indiana need to be
readjusted.
Hendrix
On the Hendrix side, I recieved some pictures of my great uncles. Most of of them had big
nose, ears, and high cheek bones. If I'm I right, some features are seen of the
females side too and down to this date I was told that the Hendrix's still have have
strong indian features. Also, I might have a picture of Mary Jane Hendrix son Jesse
Hendrix. It appears that he had strong indian features too. So, this let me to think; I
wonder why would John Whiteman descendants would have indian features into the 21st
century? Take for instance I'm the 7th generation of John Whiteman and there is
indication that his 8 generation of his descendants might Indian features too. I ask a
friend of mine about this and she bring out that it is possible that John Whiteman or his
parents or grandparents had strong genetics.
But, was there any connection with Hendrix's, Whiteman's, Popejoy's and
Kelly's? Personally, I wonder about this. How did Moses Hendrix met Mary Jane Kelly?
According to 1878 map of Clinton County, Indiana, in Middlefork Township, I see Z. Hendrix
in NW corner of section 22, this is the same section of James Madsion Popejoy and he
possess southern half of Section 22, and Z. Hendrix is mostly likely Zaddok Hendrix Sr,
or Jr. Although, the Hendrix's lived NW of Section 22, and is border line with NE
Section 21; then who live on NE Section of 21?
According to the 1878 Map of Clinton County, Indiana, it was J. Whiteman and A. Whiteman
and according to 1865 map of Clinton County, Indiana, Abraham Friend Whiteman own that
land. By 1878, it was still owned by the Whiteman's. The Hendrix's had
Whiteman's living on west side of them and the Popejoy's was living at the south
side, a matter of fact the Hendrix were surrounded by indians.
However, I don't know when Hendrix's purchased the land. So, it seems between
1865-1868, when Moses Hendrix and Mary Jane Kelly met or somehow they bump into each
other. They were married on January 7, 1869, in Clinton County, Indiana. After marriage,
they dwelled on James Kelly's farmland until they moved to Burlington, Carrol County,
Indiana in Section 10. Mary Hendrix nick name was believed to be "Molly" and
died in 1932.
What Tribe?
Going back to the book: "Genealogy Of The PopeJoys (1680-1980)" by Walter
PopeJoy, 1981, page 58, it gives the only written information that Whiteman's were
Cherokee and we cannot ignore this. Plus, I talked to a descendant in Frankfort, Indiana
of Henry Whiteman who was believed to be John Whiteman's brother says he was a
Cherokee too. However, there is strong belief that indicates John Whiteman was from
Cayuga Tribe. I was informed by a descendant of a Popejoy who spent many years researching
his geneology, also I was informed by someone is very close to the Hendrix side saying the
samething. Is there any proof of this?
According Abraham Friend Whiteman 1880, Census, he put down that his dad John Whiteman
came from Pennsylvania. However, his sister Elizabeth Popejoy 1880, Census says Virgina.
According Henry Whiteman, who was believed to be John Whiteman's brother; what state
was he born in? I look at his children 1880, census and it was conflicting. According
Jacob K. Whiteman Census, he wrote down his father's birth place was in Pennsylvania,
Sarah Whiteman Davis left her father's birth place blank, according to Samuel B.
Whiteman and Abraham W. Whiteman, they put down their father's birth place in
Tennessee.
Now this is the right time to go nuts after I mentioned this! I assuming that they just
put down anything back then in order to fill in the blanks except Sarah Davis. Like I said
above: "I didn't leave out anything that seems conflicting. Personally I
don't hide anything that seems contridictory to one another because not everything is
accurate". Yet, according to others records and family histories, it seems that we
can narrow it down to Virgina or Pennsylvania.
According to this report:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/wu01/vc/visitor_info/pa_history/pa_history.htm there is no
indication that Cherokees came from that region, however other tribes did and Cayugas was
one of them. The 5th pargraph of this above article under, "The Iroquois
Confederacy" Iroquoian-speaking tribes, at first known as the Five Nations, included
the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. But, who knows, some Cherokees
might live lived in that region too.
His Description
Since there are no pictures of John Whiteman and nobody knows what he look like; can we
get a description of him? Yes. How? By looking at his descendants. A good amount of his
decendants are known having black eyes, high cheek bones, big ears, big nose and some of
his descendants are known having a tan and reddish skin color. Can we imagine a person no
more than 5'10" and features that I mention above?
His Last Name
Did John Whiteman like his name? That would be a good question because most likely his
real name was switched to a name of a white person. If you were an indian and basically
was forced to switch your real name to a another name, basically you would not like it. I
was told that John Whiteman view his name a disgrace because his last name didn't fit
the discription as being Native American.
Possible Siblings
Many wonder who was John Whiteman parents and siblings. I don't know this report here
is accurate, but here it is:
http://genforum.genealogy.com/whiteman/messages/797.html
Here are some extra information that might be an interest to all.
1. In this report I alway mentioned Abraham Friend Whiteman middle name. Why? Before
John Whiteman became a Quaker, he was an indian scout. And when he become a Quaker, then
he became friends with them, hence John Whiteman name his son Abraham middle name
"FRIEND" because John Whiteman became friends with the Quakers.
2. Who is Moonflower? According to the book "The Kelly & Guard Wallace of Family
Genealogy" page 19, par. 2, 2001, James Kelly grandaughter Ruth Kelly mention that
"My Grandfather Kelly's grandmother was a Chrerrikee Indian. Her name was
Moonflower..." Also, in the same book on page 7, Rose Mary Gard Clarke says: "
The Kelly's were among the first the orginal settlers of Clinton County Indiana. They
were of Irish and German extraction. However, there is a strong family legend that one of
them had a Indian wife named Moonflower."
There seem to be a problem with this because Ruth Kelly was referring to her grandfather
and that was James Kelly. His grandmother was Elizabeth Whiteman a German descendant.
However, her husband John might call her Moonflower. If you look at a picture of a
Moonflower, some of them are white and so was Elizabeth. Perhaps, Moonflower might be
John Whiteman mother's name, but who knows since not all Moonflowers are white.
However, we need to look at James fathers side because James Kelly grandmother probably
was Mary F. (Bangs) Kelly and her background is unknown. So, the indian background can
only refer to the Whiteman's side. On extra note, James Kelly grandfather name was
James Kelly and possible grandmother was Mary F. (Bangs) Kelly.
3. I recieved from two differant sources that John Whiteman was a Chief and from one
source an Indian Scout
4. According to an interview with John Whiteman grandson Joseph Whiteman. He said that
John was in Dayton, Ohio for two years and was a minister.
5. John Whiteman was know as John B.Whiteman. Most likely he did not have a middle name.
In Conclusion
In all, we can only image what was going on with these families above. But, being in
their shoes is impossible. It was told through generations of Whiteman's, Kelly's,
Popejoy's and maybe the Hendrix's blood was hidden because of the polical climate
in the 1800's. But this should not stop us for digging deeper into family history and
share it to others. Also, a DNA test can tell us what we are. It doesn't cost much at
all. A matter of fact, some descendants of John Whiteman have taken a DNA test and came
out positive as part Native American.
Also, things can been decieving too. Take for instance Lucinda Ludwig. On her 1940,
census report was put down of being "white", but on her original report she was
put down as being "indian". Moreover, in the 1800's into the early
1900's, many white women coiled their hair up or puff up into a pompedour and they
pose that way in their pictures, however the indians did their hair the opposite way. They
had their hair down and split in the middle and we can't ignore that many white women
did this too. But, if some white women with indian features let their hair down and split
it in the middle they would look like an indian. Also,at times when a camera is close to
an individual, they appear to be very bright in the picture. When the camera is further
back the individual seems darker. So, we see that census, pictures, birth certificates and
other records can be decieving and we must be aware of this if we looking into our
heritage.
Not, only these familes were Native Americans, they were farmers too. Most likely they
raised Indian Corn, flax, Irish and sweet potatoes, etc. They kept pigs to eat, horses to
ride, oxens for heavy work, and geese to make feather beds and pillows. In order to get
sugar, it was between them and the bees.
So, if you looking for your ancestors and believe they were Indians or part Indians, then
here are some points:
1. Indians basically lived in your community first. See where they live at in your local
county.
2. Go to your local library and get out the earlist maps and know the land and roads,
lakes, creeks, woods, etc.
3. Find out who were their neighbors.
4. Go to your local library, they might have a Genealogical section.
5. Check out any stories or any information on your ancestor. It might be accurate.
6. Go to your local courthouse and research all the information that pertains to him or
her.
7. Get on the internet especially
google.com and type your in your anscetor name and city
and state they lived in.
8.
Ancestry.com is good place to research your ancestor. A good month or maybe two months
is all you need.
9. Research your ancestor grandparents, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren,
etc.
10. There might be a local center for indians in your community and talk with them, they
might know more than you about your ancestor.
February 2013
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