Genealogy: Finding Your Folks

Seeking information on Fayette’s Samuel and Minerva Whaley

By Judy Fowler Kilgore
Genealogy Columnist

Judy Fowler Kilgore is the religion editor and genealogy columnist for The Citizen. She regrets that time does not permit her to do personal family research for others. She may be reached at jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

An old column on the Whaleys prompted a letter from a former Fayetteville resident who is seeking her Whaley family in the Fayette/Clayton county area. For those of you who aren’t aware of it, all the columns I have done for the past four years are archived on The Citizen’s Web site (www.thecitizennews.com). They constantly generate responses from all over the United States — a fact which makes me very proud and hopeful that I’ve been able to help someone “find their folks.”

If you read the disclaimer on my column, you know I don’t do research for others. I’m too busy researching my own family. But if it concerns one of my own family lines, and I have the research and resources at my fingertips, I certainly don’t mind sharing what I have.

Senia Johnson Montenegro of Pembroke Pines, Fla. writes:

“My name is Senia and I grew up in Fayetteville, although I don't live there now. I've been searching for the maiden name of my GGgrandmother for years and I finally discovered it just last night by looking at the cover of an old family Bible with fresh eyes. I can't believe I missed the clues this whole time!

“Her name was Emeline Whaley Lashley. She was the daughter of Samuel and Minerva Whaley, born in 1856. Since I've just made this connection, I'd greatly appreciate any information you have on them.

“My grandparents lived across the street from Wilbur Whaley in Jonesboro, and neither my father nor I ever knew that we were related! I'm very interested in learning all I can because I have an old picture of her and I favor her a great deal. I'm certainly willing to share anything that I may have of interest to you.

“Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you.

“Sincerely, Senia.”

Well, this is Senia’s lucky day because I have several references to her Samuel Whaley in my book, "The Early Georgia Whaleys: A Closer Look," by Jackie Weeden and Ruby Nelson, dedicated, longtime Whaley researchers.

Although not set in concrete, family information on Samuel Whaley leads us to believe he was the son of William Whaley (b. 1 Jan 1783 in Georgia, d. September or October 1844 in Fayette County) and Elizabeth Lackey, who brought their family from Morgan County to Fayette County between 1833 and 1836. William was the son of another William Whaley and his wife, Hannah Brewton or Bruton, who came to Georgia (possibly from Maryland) in the late 1700s and lived in Wilkes, Hancock, and Greene counties. This is the William I wrote about before as being in the Wrightsboro settlement during the Revolutionary War. I will call him William Sr., as opposed to William of Fayette, who shall be called William Jr.

Samuel Whaley, son of William Jr., was involved in land purchases which earlier involved William Jr. (Lot 207, 13th Dist.) and made purchases at the estate sales of William (Jr.), William’s wife, Elizabeth Lackey Whaley, and William P. Whaley, thought to be Samuel’s brother. These facts indicate a close relationship, if not a familial one.

William and Elizabeth Lackey Whaley had at least 12 children, according to census information. All are not proved beyond a doubt, but they are thought to be:

1. John Whaley, b. abt 1801, m. Mary Whaley in Jasper Co., Ga.

2. Hannah Whaley, b. 1805, m. William Allen. Proved with Bible records to be the daughter of William and Elizabeth Whaley.

3. Unknown daughter, b. abt 1807, d. bef 1810.

4. Unknown son, b. abt 1809, d. bef 1810.

5. Nancy Whaley, b. 1811, d. 1889 in Cass Co., Texas, m. William Jackson in Morgan Co., Ga.

6. Mary Whaley b. abt 1813 m, John Waldrop in Henry Co. and moved to Alabama.

7. Josiah Whaley, b. abt 1814, m. (1) Julia Hearn, (2) Mrs. Matilda Long.

8. Elizabeth Jane Whaley (proved with Bible records to be the daughter of William and Elizabeth Whaley), b. 1815, m. Hiram Adams, d. 1879 in Clayton Co.

9. Ann Whaley, b. abt 1818, married Matthew Lyle in Fayette and lived later in Henry and Clayton counties.

10. Unknown daughter, b. abt 1822.

11. Samuel D. Whaley, b. abt 1825, m. Minerva Whaley in Fayette, died Dec. 30, 1864, during the Civil War, in Camp Douglas, Ill. Buried Oakwood Cemetery, Chicago.

12. William P. Whaley, b. abt 1828, d. 1848 in Fayette.

There is much, much more on this Whaley family, their ancestors, descendants and relatives in this book. Although there is nothing on Samuel’s family (children) specifically, there is much circumstantial evidence, proved with court records and references, to indicate that he was William Jr.’s son. According to Senia, Samuel and Minerva had at least one daughter named Emeline who married a Lashley.

Those of you who have Whaleys in Georgia might be interested in obtaining the Whaley book. If so, contact Ruby Nelson (RLNSD@aol.com). Ruby can usually be found answering queries on the Rootsweb and Genforum message boards, and also discussing Whaleys on the Whaley Roots-L mailing list. Since there is nothing on Samuel’s descendants in the book, I’m sure Ruby would love to hear from Senia. She and Jackie are constantly updating the book.

If you are connected to the family of Samuel Whaley, you may contact Senia at greymistlady@hotmail.com.

I welcome your letters about genealogy and info on south metro Atlanta families. Send them to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; e-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com. Any letters and/or e-mails I receive are subject to being used in the column.

Until next week, happy hunting!