John Whitehead

My G-G-G Grandfather

By Joyce Whitehead Orr

John Whitehead b. July 8, 1793, Carter Co., TN; d. 17 Feb 1877, Blount Co., TN: m. Hannah Rainbolt 11 Jun 1811Carter or Washington Co., TN. Hannah died 20 Feb 1889, Blount Co., TN.

John Whitehead, served in the War of 1812. Enlisted Oct. 1812, Carter County, TN., Capt. Jesse Cole's Company Militia Of Col. Snodgrass's Regiment In Gen. Cookes Brigade. He Assisted in the construction of Fort Armstrong in what was then Alabama Territory, and participated in the skirmish and capture of Hilloby Towns. He was discharged in Fish Springs, Carter County, TN., in JAN.1813.

John Whitehead and Hannah Reinbolt/Rainbolt Whitehead children

Sarah Jane b. unkown d. unkown, m. David Lusk, 25 Feb 1842

Lavinia b. unkown; m. William Simerly 23 Nov 1848

*Adam (my gg-grandfather)b. Feb 23, 1827 d.Nov.2,1862 m. Susannah Pratt Nov 5,1848

Susan b. 26 Sep 1812, Carter or Johnson Co., TN; m. John Gutridge Garland 25 Mar 1834; d. Bet. 3-18 May 1918, Unicoi Co., TN.

James W. b. 1818, Carter Co., m. Lucinda Martin, 14 Apr 1840, d. 1863

Matthias b. 1824, m. Mary P. McKeehan, 29 Aug 1849 PVT. Company G, 8th Regiment of Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. Wounded in left foot. Described as 5' 10", Fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair.

Selah b. 1825, d. 5 Jul 1850 Carter Co. m. Samuel Houston Gourley 25 Aug 1854, Carter Co.

Samuel b. 1836, m. Margaret Thompson 25 Jul 1854 Blount Co. 1st Sgt. Company H, 2nd Regiment, East Tennessee Calvary. Wounded at Franklin, TN. Described as 5' 6", blue eyes, Fair complexion and light hair.

Hilah b.1812, m. John Rasar had a son named James that was also In the Civil War.

Two of Johns siblings were:William of Blount County married Sarah?? and Elizabeth married Jacob Smith 1-10-1818. John wife Hannah was the daughter of Adam Reinboldt.

There are two cemeteries at Laurel Fork close to Dennis Cove.(Carter Co. TN) where Whitehead descendants are. Coles Creek is an area where John and Hannah Rainbolt Whitehead were. The cemetery is near this area close to Watauga Lake. Montvale Springs is where John and Hannah Whitehead lived. Henry Whitehead homestead is still at Cades Cove. Whitehead families descended from the counties of Blount, Carter, Greene and Johnson in east TN. Montvale, Six Mile, Happy Valley and Cades Cove areas of Blount County are very beautiful places. Prior to the Watauga Dam being built the Doe River often flooded in the area.

John and Hannah Reinboldt (Rainbolt) were married in Carter County. Carter County was formed from Washington in 1796, Johnson County was formed from Carter so marriages may be listed in different counties then they occurred. John and Hannah, lived in what is now Johnson County for a time. John, who lived and died in what is now Johnson County. In Hannah’s pension application, there is an affidavit from James P Whitehead, who mentions living with her while John was away fighting. He specifically says that he knows that Hannah was residing on Cole’s Creek in Johnson County. The death certificate of John and Hannah’s daughter Susan specifies her birthplace as being Johnson County. The line between Johnson and Carter counties runs through what is now Watauga Lake and it is difficult to know where the county line was before the TVA built the dam. Fish Springs where John was discharged is on top of the county line. Same is true for the Whitehead Cemetery.