Eli Whisnant

ID# 126, b. 12 October 1827, d. 2 April 1905
Father*Philip Whisenhunt b. c 1803, d. a 1880
Mother*Nancy McCurry b. c 1805, d. 1873
Birth*Eli Whisnant was born on 12 October 1827 in NC.1,2 
Marriage*He married Mary Elizabeth Melton on 19 November 1851 in Rutherford Co., NC.3 
Death*Eli Whisnant died on 2 April 1905 in Rutherford Co., NC, at age 77.1 
Burial*He was buried in Golden Valley U. M. Ch. Cem., Bostic, Rutherford Co., NC; Inscription: CSA. 

Census Data

YearLocationNotes concerning census
1850Whiteside, Rutherford Co., NCage 22, clerk, living with Micajah & Hannah McCurry
1860Whiteside, Rutherford Co., NCage 32, farmer, real estate value $358., personal property value $25.
1870Golden Valley, Rutherford Co., NC
1880Golden Valley, Rutherford Co., NCage 52, md., farmer
1900Golden Valley, Rutherford Co., NCage 72, md. 48 yrs.
Occupation*Eli Whisnant was a State Legislator. 
Note*A list of the Golden Valley Methodist Church cemetery, shows his birth as 12 October 1827. His year of birth, as listed on the Confederate grave marker, is 1828. Eli served in the Civil War as a sergeant in the 49th Regiment, Company A. While serving, he obtained the rank of First Lieutenant. From 1872-74, he served as County Commissioner of Rutherford County, NC. Served two terms in the North Carolina General Assembly 1874-1878 as a Republican. From the book North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865, page 30: Born in Rutherford County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in McDowell County at age 34, Mar 12, 1862. Mustered in as Sergeant. Reported present or accounted for from Nov 1862, through Dec 1863. Elected 3rd Lieutenant on Jun 15, 1864. Reported on duty as acting commander of the company in Jul-Aug 1864. Dropped from the rolls of the company on Feb 27, 1865, 'for incompetency' and/or 'physical disability.' Apparently continued to serve with the company in another capacity. Surrendered at Appomatiox Court House, Virginia, Apr 9, 1965. 

Family

Mary Elizabeth Melton b. 25 September 1831, d. 23 August 1904
Marriage*He married Mary Elizabeth Melton on 19 November 1851 in Rutherford Co., NC.3 
Children

Citations

  1. [S5] Unknown compiler, Various Cemetery Record Books.
  2. [S4] 1790 to 1930 Federal Census Population Schedule, National Archives, Washington, DC.
  3. [S19] Index to Vital Statistics.