In Balmaghie Churchyard on a gravestone immediately adjacent to the John Johnston of New York memorial there is a memorial to Thomas Whitewright, who died in 1795 at Shankfoot, and his wife Jean Charters, who died at Squarepoint in 1818. The 1850 census for New York lists William Whitewright, 67 years old, living there with his son William (34), an Elizabeth Whitewright (also 34, but born in Scotland), a servant by the name of Bridget Early. The 1870 census for New York lists William now aged 87. Living with him is Grace Whitewright, aged 40 years, born in Scotland. The servant Bridget Early is still with him. Grace Whitewright's christening is listed on the IGI. She was born at Crossmichael in 1826 - parents Samuel Whitewright and Elizabeth McKie. Elizabeth Whitewright's christening is also listed in the IGI. She was born in Crossmichael in 1816, parents Samuel Whitewright and Marion Grierson.

William Whitewright of Balmaghie and New York.

William Whitewright was born at Balmaghie, Kirkcudbright, July 8, 1783, and died in New York City, May 8, 1874. In the year 1800 he came to this country landing at New York in the month of June with all the freshness, ardour and hopefulness of youth. With the exception of a few months spent in Scotland in 1836 he had never been more than a day or two and then after long intervals beyond the city limits. He began life with very limited resources, but by habits of perseverance and diligent attention to business he amassed a fortune and gradually rose in the respect and esteem of everyone who knew him. For many years he was agent in this country for the firm of John Clark & Co., spool manufacturers, Mile End, Glasgow. About 1855 he retired from business when he was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Russell, member 1866.

During his active life his punctuality at business was remarkable. So methodical was he in his habits that he was as good as a time-piece to the people along the streets he traversed to his office in Maiden Lane. His name was a synonym for uprightness and honourable dealing. His disposition was most amiable and his temper was seldom if ever ruffled. Losses were sustained without complaint and when the disastrous fire of 1835 swept the city and destroyed the savings of his thirty years of labour he was far from being despondent, but set to work with his former prudence and principle to restore what he had lost. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and he was an honoured director of several commercial companies. In every sphere of life he was the same calm, sober, judicious, trusted man. Until the close of his life he kept up his knowledge of persons and events by close attention to the records of the day.

From his arrival in New York he worshipped in what was then known as the First Associate Presbyterian Church (now the Fourth Presbyterian Church) then in Nassau Street, and without a settled pastor. During the various changes through which that church passed his connection with it continued unbroken. In 1833 he was chosen and ordained ruling elder and he ever discharged the duties faithfully until incapacitated by his infirmities. During his long life slander never attempted to sully his fair name. He ministered to the poor sometimes openly and at other times through the hands of a kindly relative. He left behind him many happy memories. He left one daughter, the wife of James Stuart, and one son named after himself. In his will he bequeathed $1,000 to this Society. — Scottish American.

William Whitewright Junior.

William Whitewright, son of William Whitewright and Susannah Pierson of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, was born in New York City, November 20, 1814. After a common school education he engaged in the dry goods trade, and at twenty-two years of age started in business for himself. Having amassed a considerable fortune he retired from this business and became connected with the Union Trust Company in which for many years he was vice-president and Chairman of the Finance Committee. For twenty-four years he was Treasurer of the New York Institute for the Blind. Mr. Whitewright was a director in a number of railroads among them the Erie and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. He was also identified with de Lesseps in the promotion of the Panama railroad. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Union Club and the Union League Club. Mr. Whitewright never married. He died at his home, 16 West 22nd Street, May 14, 1898. By his will he left $50,000 to the Presbyterian Hospital and the residue to nephews and nieces. Only recently one of the heirs, Captain Alexander Whitewright Ruthven Stuart of the Seventh Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders applied to the Surrogate's Court in 1915 to have certain monies out of the estate paid to him to enable him to pay his debts before going to the War. — Times; Herald.

Whitewright, Texas From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The settlement was established in 1878, when New York investor and financier William Whitewright Jr. (b. 1815 - d. 1898), for whom his family name was the community named, purchased a tract of land in the path of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, which was then extending its tracks across the county from Sherman to Greenville. Whitewright had the land surveyed as a townsite and left two of his agents, Jim Reeves and Jim Batsell, to sell lots in the new community. Likely due to the combination of its rail connection and its location in the center of perhaps the richest farmland in the county near the headwaters of the Bois d' Arc creek, Whitewright soon attracted settlers and businesses.

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