James White, Esq.

Giles County Citizen
Thursday, November 29, 1877

Died

James White, Esq., of Pleasant Hill neighborhood, died Saturday, 17th inst. at an advanced 
age. He was the father of Dr. Thos. White, dec'd of Pulaski.


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Giles Co Citizen
Issue of Thursday, December 6, 1877

Tribute of Respect

Died at his residence, Giles County, Tenn., Nov. 16th, 1877, James White, Esq. in 
his 84th year. Esq. White was born in the state of Georgia in the year 1794. When a small 
boy, his father immigrated to Middle Tennessee and settled in Sumner County near Gallatin. 
After remaining there a few years, he moved with his family down the Cumberland River near 
the site now Fort Donelson. Making but a short stay at this place, he removed and located 
in Maury County. 

When the subject of this notice had gained his 18th year, England again had declared war 
against the United States. A call was made for volunteers to beat back her threatening 
armies of invasion. He came to the call of His Country; offered his services; entered the 
army, and marched with General Jackson's Troops to New Orleans and there took part in that
memorable battle fought on the 8th of January, 1812, which achieved for us a second time 
our independence of Great Britain and made us a free people.

After peace was negotiated, Esq. White returned to his home in Maury county and re-entered 
school, and obtained for that day a good English education, after which he taught school 
there until the spring of 1820. He then came to Giles County and married Matilda Gooch, and 
lived with his widowed mother-in-law (Mary E. Gooch), until the fall of the same year. He then
moved to himself, where he had choice of the forest to select timbers to build his house, 
and here he lived in peace, prosperity and plenty for fifty years. 

His family grew to six children, all of whom save two, preceded him to the land of rest.

In the year 1827 (October), Esq. White, professed the religion of Christ at a camp meeting 
occasion the first ever held at Pleasant Hill. He was at this time a tenter and continued to 
be as long as such meetings were kept up at this place and assisted to feed and entertain a 
liberal share of those who assembled from year to year to worship.

During the fifty years of his Christian life, he with becoming diligence and zeal, worked for 
his Master. His opportunities were not confined alone to revival seasons, Sabbath schools, 
and prayer meetings to work for Christ, but often at the bedside of the sick.

Esq. White was an elder in the Pleasant Hill congregation, C. P. Church, for about forty years. 
During his Christian warfare for a half century, his deportment was blameless and without 
censure and the brotherhood of his church. During his last hours, an old friend of his and 
veteran of the cross and too one of the noble old braves of the War of 1812, visited him (his
neighbor for about 40 years) and their separation, bidding each other farewell and shaking 
hands for the last time on earth, was a scene touching indeed, deeply affecting and profoundly 
solemn.

Esq. White was truly a good man and entertained for himself a high personnel regard, and with 
commanding appearance and courteous bearing, he impressed all with whom he met favorably. 
He was an officer for about forty years of his life, and transacted a large amount of business 
for the public, both in Church and State, and his sound judgement and equitable decisions 
engrafted him in the esteem and confidence of those for whom he labored.

Esq. White was a true man in the bravest sense. He was true to his own conscience, true to 
his family, true to his neighbor, true to his country, and true to his God. His every aspect 
proclaimed him one of nature's purest and best man.

In his death we can truly say that his family has lost a discrete and wise counselor, the 
church a faithful friend, and society a useful member. It was his pleasure during his long 
life to visit the sick. This he did almost to his death, and on becoming occasions would 
offer prayer in their behalf, and at all time would encourage and comfort as far as was 
in his power.

During the two or three last years of his life, he was greatly distressed at times with 
chronic rheumatism and in continence of urine, the latter more particularly did exceedingly 
distress him.  But with Christian patience bore it all without murmuring, and was heard to 
say often that these troubles would son have an end. And that the Lord had in reservation 
better things for him�life, eternal life undisturbed by cares and pain, if he but proved 
true and faithful to the end. This he did three days before his death being more at himself 
mentally that at any time during his illness.

The author of this tribute went into his room and found none present with him except 
his faithful and aged wife. We called to her and asked, "How is Esquire now, Grandma?" 
She replied, "He is happy and praising God the best his strength has to do."

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the spirit, 
that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

M. S. Waters, M.D.

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Giles Co Citizen
Issue of Thursday, April 11, 1872

Deaths 

Died at the residence of her son-in-law, James White, Esquire, Mrs. Betsy Gooch, February 21, 
1872. She was in the 96th year at the time of her death and had been a resident of Giles 
County about 55 years.

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