David was the son of emancipated slaves Anderson A. Whitted and Nancy Wilson, whose official marriage took place on 18 Jun 1866. According to both the 1900 and 1910 Census records, Nancy had fourteen children. I found names and dates for ten—Nettie, b. ca. 1863; Maria, 1865; Mary, 1867; Virgil, 28 Feb 1870; Fannie, 15, Apr 1873; Caroline "Carrie," 15 Jul 1874 or 1876; Isabella O., May 1879; David S., 15 Aug 1881; Luther, 4 Apr 1883; and Sadie, 1875. Additionally, a daughter named Sallie appeared on both the 1900 and 1920 Census, supporting a birth date of Sep 1886. Were Sadie and Sallie the same? Not sure, but I think so. Best guess is that Sallie/Sadie fudged her birth year for some reason.
The Civil War ended in 1865, freeing slaves like David's parents. They married the following summer but had already been committed to each other for several years. I found them on the 1870 Census, living in Hillsborough, Orange Co., North Carolina. Anderson Whitted, 30, was noted simply as a laborer. Head of household was John Norwood, aged 65. John's wife was noted as Avenett, 50. Their children were noted as Nancy, 30, and John, 17. Nancy was likely Anderson's Nancy, though Nancy's maiden name was supposedly Wilson, not Norwood. Listed as Anderson's children were Nettie, 7; Maria, 6; Mary, 3; and Virgil, not quite a year old. "Nettie" could be a nickname for Avenett, which hints that Avenett Norwood was Nancy's mother. Could not confirm.
Soon after daughter Isabella's birth in 1879, the family left North Carolina and moved to Rockville, Parke Co., Indiana. The 1880 Census placed them there. Anderson Whitted (Whithead on the record), 39, was earning a living as a carpenter. Nancy, 37, was home with their six children—Maria, 14; Mary, 12; Virgil, 9; Fannie, 7; Caroline, 4; and Isabella, 1. Son David would join the family the following year. No longer with the family was daughter Nette, who would have been about 17. I could not find a marriage record or a death record for her either in North Carolina or Indiana. Additionally, if daughter Sadie were indeed born in 1875, she should have been noted among the children, but she isn't.
Sadly, two years after that enumeration, the family lost daughter/sister Maria on 24 Oct 1882. She was only about 16 years old.
David would have debuted with his family on the 1890 Census, aged about 9. Unfortunately, we'll never know for sure. By the time the 1900 Census was enumerated, David's family was living in Adams Twp., Parke Co., Indiana. Anderson Whitted (Whitide on the record), 59, was still doing carpentry work. Nancy, 54, reported that she had had 14 children, only 8 of whom were still living. Seven children were still at home—Virgil, 30; Fannie, 27; Carrie, 23; Isabella, 21; David, 18; Luther, 16; and Sallie, 13. The other
living child was daughter Mary, who had married Maurice W. Roberts in 1893. Given that the eight living children were accounted for, it would seem that besides the loss of daughter Maria in 1882, the family had also lost daughter Nettie at some point.
Five years after that enumeration, David married Zena Margaretta Henderson the day after Christmas, 26 Dec 1905 in Parke Co., Indiana. Zena was the daughter of S.H. Henderson and Alice Palmer. David and
Zena had two sons together—Palmer Deane, b. 5 Jan 1907 in Elgin, Illinois; and David Winslow, b. 26 Sep 1909 in Marshall Co., Indiana.
David's family debuted on the 1910 Census. They were living in Union Twp. (Culver), Marshall Co., Indiana. David, 28, was noted as a janitor. Zena, 24, reported that she had had two children. There with their parents were Palmer, 3, and 7-month-old Winslow (aka David Jr.).
On his 12 Sep 1918 WWI registration card, David Whitted, 37, reported that he was living in Hampton Park, St. Louis Co., Missouri, and employed as a chauffer for Edwin R. Culver, the son of Henry Harrison Culver who founded Culver Military Academy. David's wife Zena is noted as his closest relative, she living in Culver, Indiana where CMA is located. David was sized up by the registrar as being of medium height, slender build, with black hair and eyes.
When the 1920 Census came due, David, 37, was back in Culver, Marshall Co., Indiana, living on Main Street and working as a Janitor for Culver Military Academy. Zena, 33, was home with the two boys—Palmer, 13; and Winslow, 10. Also living with the family that decade was 14-year-old Windell Henderson, 14, identified as a nephew.
By 1930, David, 48, and Zena, 43, owned a home located at 510 Main St. in Culver. David was still working as a janitor for CMA. Zena was a homemaker. Still at home were both sons—Palmer, 23; and David (aka Winslow), 20.
At the close of that year, David and Zena's son Palmer married Ann Campbell on 26 Dec 1930, which was also David and Zena's silver wedding anniversary date. Son David followed suit, wedding Grace Mildred
Eubanks in 1934.
By the time the 1940 Census was taken, David and Zena's nest was empty. David, 58, was still at his janitorial position at CMA. One year of college was noted for him, his obituary noting that he attended business college in Terre Haute. Zena, 52, was tending to the household, likely doting on grandchildren Alyce, Palmer and Charonlee. (There were 4 grandchildren total by 1976.)
On his 27 Apr 1946 WWII registration, David, 60, reported that he was living in Culver, Indiana, employed by CMA. Wife Zena was noted as that person who would always know his address. He measured in at 5' 11" tall and weighed 195 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair. Though at age 60, David was not expected to join the war effort, the U.S. government used the WWII draft as a way to take inventory of the ages of its male population. His draft is generally referred to as the "Old Men's Draft."
That same year (1946), David retired from CMA after 37 years of service to the Academy. He must have been bored because he then began work as Assistant Custodian for Culver's State Exchange Bank. He died two years later on St. Patrick's Day, 17 Mar 1948 at age 66.
After losing her helpmate and companion of forty-two years, Zena went to live with eldest son Palmer in California. The 1950 Census placed her in Oakland, Alameda Co., California. Head of household was Palmer Whitted, 43, the proprietor of a funeral home. Wife Ann, 43, was home with Alyce, 17; and
Palmer Jr., 16. Besides Zena, Ann's father, Robert Campbell, 75, was also living with the family. There was also a lodger in the home.
Zena's son David and his family were living in Chicago where David Jr. "Babe" was working for Griffith Laboratories as a chemical engineer.
Zena soldiered on, not casting aside her earthly bonds until 29 Dec 1976 at age 92. Her obit states that between 1948 and her death she was in the Herbert Convalescent Home in Berkley, California, but as she was living with son Palmer in 1950, it would seem she became a resident there a few years later.
Transcription of death certificate:
Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: David Whitted
Gender: Male
Race: Negro (Black)
Age: 66
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 15 Aug 1881
Birth Place: Rockville, Indiana
Death Date: 17 Mar 1948
Death Place: Culver, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Father: Anderson Whitted
Mother: Nancy Whitted
Spouse: Zena Whitted
Name: Nancy Whitted
Maiden Name: Wilson
Gender: Female
Spouse: Anderson Whitted
Child: David Whitted
Transcription of obituary:
David Whitted was born in Rockville, Ind., Aug. 15, 1881 and attended high school in Rockville and business college in Terre Haute.
He was united in marriage to Miss Zena Palmer, Dec. 26, 2905.
To this union two sons were born Pamer Deane and David Winslow.
He was employed by the Culver Military Academy over a period of 47 years and was automatically retired by the age limit in 1946.
After a period of rest, which included a visit to his son in San Francisco, Calif., he returned home in Culver and accepted a position at the State Exchange Bank as assistant custodian. He was very proud of having been designated as a member of the official family of this institution.
He departed this life Wednesday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day, 1948, at the age of 66 years, 7 months and 2 days. --- Culver Citizen (Culver, Indiana) Wed 24 Mar 1948 p. 14
David was the son of emancipated slaves Anderson A. Whitted and Nancy Wilson, whose official marriage took place on 18 Jun 1866. According to both the 1900 and 1910 Census records, Nancy had fourteen children. I found names and dates for ten—Nettie, b. ca. 1863; Maria, 1865; Mary, 1867; Virgil, 28 Feb 1870; Fannie, 15, Apr 1873; Caroline "Carrie," 15 Jul 1874 or 1876; Isabella O., May 1879; David S., 15 Aug 1881; Luther, 4 Apr 1883; and Sadie, 1875. Additionally, a daughter named Sallie appeared on both the 1900 and 1920 Census, supporting a birth date of Sep 1886. Were Sadie and Sallie the same? Not sure, but I think so. Best guess is that Sallie/Sadie fudged her birth year for some reason.
The Civil War ended in 1865, freeing slaves like David's parents. They married the following summer but had already been committed to each other for several years. I found them on the 1870 Census, living in Hillsborough, Orange Co., North Carolina. Anderson Whitted, 30, was noted simply as a laborer. Head of household was John Norwood, aged 65. John's wife was noted as Avenett, 50. Their children were noted as Nancy, 30, and John, 17. Nancy was likely Anderson's Nancy, though Nancy's maiden name was supposedly Wilson, not Norwood. Listed as Anderson's children were Nettie, 7; Maria, 6; Mary, 3; and Virgil, not quite a year old. "Nettie" could be a nickname for Avenett, which hints that Avenett Norwood was Nancy's mother. Could not confirm.
Soon after daughter Isabella's birth in 1879, the family left North Carolina and moved to Rockville, Parke Co., Indiana. The 1880 Census placed them there. Anderson Whitted (Whithead on the record), 39, was earning a living as a carpenter. Nancy, 37, was home with their six children—Maria, 14; Mary, 12; Virgil, 9; Fannie, 7; Caroline, 4; and Isabella, 1. Son David would join the family the following year. No longer with the family was daughter Nette, who would have been about 17. I could not find a marriage record or a death record for her either in North Carolina or Indiana. Additionally, if daughter Sadie were indeed born in 1875, she should have been noted among the children, but she isn't.
Sadly, two years after that enumeration, the family lost daughter/sister Maria on 24 Oct 1882. She was only about 16 years old.
David would have debuted with his family on the 1890 Census, aged about 9. Unfortunately, we'll never know for sure. By the time the 1900 Census was enumerated, David's family was living in Adams Twp., Parke Co., Indiana. Anderson Whitted (Whitide on the record), 59, was still doing carpentry work. Nancy, 54, reported that she had had 14 children, only 8 of whom were still living. Seven children were still at home—Virgil, 30; Fannie, 27; Carrie, 23; Isabella, 21; David, 18; Luther, 16; and Sallie, 13. The other
living child was daughter Mary, who had married Maurice W. Roberts in 1893. Given that the eight living children were accounted for, it would seem that besides the loss of daughter Maria in 1882, the family had also lost daughter Nettie at some point.
Five years after that enumeration, David married Zena Margaretta Henderson the day after Christmas, 26 Dec 1905 in Parke Co., Indiana. Zena was the daughter of S.H. Henderson and Alice Palmer. David and
Zena had two sons together—Palmer Deane, b. 5 Jan 1907 in Elgin, Illinois; and David Winslow, b. 26 Sep 1909 in Marshall Co., Indiana.
David's family debuted on the 1910 Census. They were living in Union Twp. (Culver), Marshall Co., Indiana. David, 28, was noted as a janitor. Zena, 24, reported that she had had two children. There with their parents were Palmer, 3, and 7-month-old Winslow (aka David Jr.).
On his 12 Sep 1918 WWI registration card, David Whitted, 37, reported that he was living in Hampton Park, St. Louis Co., Missouri, and employed as a chauffer for Edwin R. Culver, the son of Henry Harrison Culver who founded Culver Military Academy. David's wife Zena is noted as his closest relative, she living in Culver, Indiana where CMA is located. David was sized up by the registrar as being of medium height, slender build, with black hair and eyes.
When the 1920 Census came due, David, 37, was back in Culver, Marshall Co., Indiana, living on Main Street and working as a Janitor for Culver Military Academy. Zena, 33, was home with the two boys—Palmer, 13; and Winslow, 10. Also living with the family that decade was 14-year-old Windell Henderson, 14, identified as a nephew.
By 1930, David, 48, and Zena, 43, owned a home located at 510 Main St. in Culver. David was still working as a janitor for CMA. Zena was a homemaker. Still at home were both sons—Palmer, 23; and David (aka Winslow), 20.
At the close of that year, David and Zena's son Palmer married Ann Campbell on 26 Dec 1930, which was also David and Zena's silver wedding anniversary date. Son David followed suit, wedding Grace Mildred
Eubanks in 1934.
By the time the 1940 Census was taken, David and Zena's nest was empty. David, 58, was still at his janitorial position at CMA. One year of college was noted for him, his obituary noting that he attended business college in Terre Haute. Zena, 52, was tending to the household, likely doting on grandchildren Alyce, Palmer and Charonlee. (There were 4 grandchildren total by 1976.)
On his 27 Apr 1946 WWII registration, David, 60, reported that he was living in Culver, Indiana, employed by CMA. Wife Zena was noted as that person who would always know his address. He measured in at 5' 11" tall and weighed 195 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair. Though at age 60, David was not expected to join the war effort, the U.S. government used the WWII draft as a way to take inventory of the ages of its male population. His draft is generally referred to as the "Old Men's Draft."
That same year (1946), David retired from CMA after 37 years of service to the Academy. He must have been bored because he then began work as Assistant Custodian for Culver's State Exchange Bank. He died two years later on St. Patrick's Day, 17 Mar 1948 at age 66.
After losing her helpmate and companion of forty-two years, Zena went to live with eldest son Palmer in California. The 1950 Census placed her in Oakland, Alameda Co., California. Head of household was Palmer Whitted, 43, the proprietor of a funeral home. Wife Ann, 43, was home with Alyce, 17; and
Palmer Jr., 16. Besides Zena, Ann's father, Robert Campbell, 75, was also living with the family. There was also a lodger in the home.
Zena's son David and his family were living in Chicago where David Jr. "Babe" was working for Griffith Laboratories as a chemical engineer.
Zena soldiered on, not casting aside her earthly bonds until 29 Dec 1976 at age 92. Her obit states that between 1948 and her death she was in the Herbert Convalescent Home in Berkley, California, but as she was living with son Palmer in 1950, it would seem she became a resident there a few years later.
Transcription of death certificate:
Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011
Name: David Whitted
Gender: Male
Race: Negro (Black)
Age: 66
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 15 Aug 1881
Birth Place: Rockville, Indiana
Death Date: 17 Mar 1948
Death Place: Culver, Marshall, Indiana, USA
Father: Anderson Whitted
Mother: Nancy Whitted
Spouse: Zena Whitted
Name: Nancy Whitted
Maiden Name: Wilson
Gender: Female
Spouse: Anderson Whitted
Child: David Whitted
Transcription of obituary:
David Whitted was born in Rockville, Ind., Aug. 15, 1881 and attended high school in Rockville and business college in Terre Haute.
He was united in marriage to Miss Zena Palmer, Dec. 26, 2905.
To this union two sons were born Pamer Deane and David Winslow.
He was employed by the Culver Military Academy over a period of 47 years and was automatically retired by the age limit in 1946.
After a period of rest, which included a visit to his son in San Francisco, Calif., he returned home in Culver and accepted a position at the State Exchange Bank as assistant custodian. He was very proud of having been designated as a member of the official family of this institution.
He departed this life Wednesday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day, 1948, at the age of 66 years, 7 months and 2 days. --- Culver Citizen (Culver, Indiana) Wed 24 Mar 1948 p. 14
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