Revolutionary War Soldiers Series: Remembering Charles White
By Betty F. Crum and Pat Young
Waw-wil-a-way Chapter Daughters
of the American Revolution, 250 Project
Charles White applied for his pension on Oct. 28, 1833 at the age of 70 in Highland County. At that time, he stated that he was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia on Sept. 5, 1763 (tombstone inscription states 1761).
He was living in King George County during his service in the Revolutionary War. He moved to Fayette County, Ky. in 1794 and lived there 11 years. He moved to Ross County, Ohio, living there 21 years, then moved to Highland County.
In March of 1779, he was drafted for the militia under Capt. Woffendall Kendall, John Skinker and Major John Tollever. Their position was to guard the shores of the Potomac River from the British sailors and Marines who were constantly threatening an invasion. His company was uniformed and well-armed and constantly kept in readiness to turn out when the alarm was given.
He was called up more than 12 different times to the same company during 1779-80. He was drafted again in March 1780 and served two months then went home. He was drafted again in August 1781 and marched to Yorktown. He was transferred to the command of Capt. Robert Yates and was present during the siege of Yorktown and the taking of Cornwallis and his army. Charles White knew George Washington, Gen. Lafayette, General Weedon and General Ennis.
In his pension application, he stated he had no documentary evidence, nor did he know of any living witness that could prove his service. He was pensioned at the rate of $43.33 per year beginning March 4, 1831, for 13 months of service as a private in the Virginia Militia.
His daughter Julianna White was married first to William Bryan and after his death Abraham Freshour. Their son, James, a Civil War veteran, gave the magnificent monument located at the entrance of the Greenfield Cemetery in memory of the Union soldiers of Greenfield and vicinity of the War of the Rebellion.
He married Charlotte Downs in 1794. They had 9 known children: William B., Elizabeth, Deborah, Charles Wesley, Henry Downs, Nancy, Mary, Julianna and James Griffith.
Charles White is buried in the Greenfield Cemetery. There have been 20 members honoring Charles White as Daughters of the American Revolution members. Six of them are descendants of Julianna. Julianna is honored as a Real Daughter.
Source: Highland County Probate court records and the NSDAR database. -- Patricia Young, Waw-wil-a-way Chapter NSDAR
The inscription at the base of the massive tombstone marking the burial site of Charles White in the Greenfield Cemetery, Highland County, Ohio, Section 2, Lot 138 – Charles White was a soldier of the American Revolution, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, September 3. 1761. He was present at the surrender of the British Army under Cornwallis at Yorktown, October 19, 1781. Died at Greenfield, Ohio, October 19, 1854, aged 93 years, 6 weeks.