Whitworth family of Moundville

James Wyatt Whitworth was an early Moundville pioneer. James W. married Elizabeth Jane Beckmon on September 24, 1870 in Scott County, Illinois.

The 1870 Scott County census shows, James, age 33; Elizabeth, age 25; and son Charles, age 10, all born in Illinois. This would indicate that James had been previously married and Charles was a son by that marriage.

It appears that James' first wife must have also been named Elizabeth. The 1860 Scott County, Illinois census shows James Whitworth, age 21; wife Elizabeth, age 18; and 3 month old son Charles.

By 1880, the family had moved to Harrison Township, Vernon County. Grandfather Samuel Whitworth had moved with them to Missouri.

The 1900 Census for Harrison Township shows that James and Elizabeth had been married 30 years and that they had had seven children and four were still living.

  • James W. Whitworth, born February 1838 in Illinois
  • Elizabeth Whitworth, born Mary 1855 in Illinois
  • Henry Whitworth, born January 1880 in Missouri
  • Jake Whitworth, born June 1882 in Missouri

Living nearby was:

  • Lee R. Whitworth, born June 1871 in Illinois
  • Cora Whitworth, born December 1872 in Arkansas
  • Ruth Whitworth, born December 1894 in Missouri
  • Virgil Whitworth, born February 1896 in Missouri
  • Unis A. Whitworth, born February 1899 in Missouri (probably a misspelling of Eunice)

Samuel Allen Whitworth and Miss Grace Hendricks were licensed to marry by Recorder Harvey. Their marriage date was March 1, 1898. In 1900, they lived near his parents and brother according to the Vernon County census.

  • Allen Whitworth, born September 1875 in Missouri
  • Grace Whitworth, born August 1877 in Illinois

Mrs. Elizabeth Beckmon Whitworth died December 30, 1904 at her home. Mrs. Whitworth had been a member of the Primitive Baptist church for many years. Her husband was born in 1839, and died the year before his wife.

Mr. and Mrs. James W. Whitworth are buried at Beckmon Cemetery - a deserted cemetery located 3 miles west and one mile south of Moundville. Sometimes, Beckmon Cemetery has been called Whitworth Cemetery.

Jake and Ida Yarbrough Whitworth with their two older children, Beatrice and James Oswald. Photo shared by Staci Couch. Jake was the fourth and youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Whitworth. Ida was the daughter of widow Martha Jane McCracken Yarbrough from Greensboro, NC who married John O. Couch of Bronaugh. Note: Sometimes Ida is referred to as Ida Couch rather than Ida Yarbrough.

Jake Whitworth and Ida Yarbrough were married in 1903. He had been born in 1882 and she in 1884. They are buried at Worsley Cemetery, Bronaugh. Photo from Staci Couch.

The photo to the left is of James Oswald Whitworth (son of Jacob Wyatt and Ida Couch Whitworth - above), and his wife Pauline McDonald Whitworth, and their daughter Gloria June Whitworth Pearson.

Photo shared by Donna Pearson Price, grandaughter of Oswald and Pauline.

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This genealogy page was designed and is maintained by Lyndon Irwin