John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON

HAIRSTON.org ID#231, b. 21 September 1867, d. 26 January 1934
Father*Dr. Robert Sidney WITHERSPOON1 b. 27 Aug 1823, d. 12 Jan 1894
Mother*Mary A. TORRANCE2 b. 22 Feb 1830, d. 3 Jan 1898
Birth*John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON was born on 21 September 1867 in Lowndes, Mississippi, Bethel Church Records indicate September 20, 1866.3,1,2 
He was the son of Dr. Robert Sidney WITHERSPOON and Mary A. TORRANCE.1,2 
Census 1880John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON appeared on the 1880 census of Dr. Robert Sidney WITHERSPOON on 3 June 1880 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Kentucky.4

 
Marriage*John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON married Kiziah "Kizzie" Staples Hairston, daughter of George William Hairston and Mary Watt HAIRSTON, on 20 November 1907 in Magowah Meadow, Lowndes, Mississippi.5 
Death Spouse*His wife, Kizzie S. Hairston Witherspoon, died on 16 October 1909. 
Probate*His estate was probated on 8 April 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi; On 8 April 1911, John G. Witherspoon files a bill in court demanding half of his wife Kizzie's estate. Lowndes County Court Records 1892-1941, pages 208-214. FSL #5827151, images 109-112.
Court Record*On 20 December 1911, J. G. Witherspoon is appointed guardian of "Margaret Witherpsoon, minor heir of Kizzie H. Witherspoon dec'd.".. Sumner Tennessee Court Minutes 1907-1914, page 100. FSL #8659446, image 721. 
Marriage*John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON married Katherine Montgomery MCKEE, daughter of John M. MCKEE Jr. and Kittie GUILD, on 20 May 1916 in Sumner, Tennessee.6,7 
Court RecordOn 8 April 1919, a guardian settlement was filed with the courts indicating the Margaret Witherspoon was boarded by Mrs. Margaret Colgy, sister of John G. Witherspoon, for the years 1915 thru 1918. - Sumner Tennessee Guardian Settlements 1901-1943, page 555. FSL #4776065, image 284. 
Census 1920John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON appeared on the 1920 census of Kittie GUILD in 1920 in District 3, Sumner, Tennessee.6

 
Census 1930*John Goldthwait WITHERSPOON appeared on the census of 1930 in Woods Ferry Pike, District3, Sumner, Tennessee.8

 
Death*He died on 26 January 1934 in Sumner, Tennessee, at age 66.3,2 
Death Certficate*Death Certficate issued on 26 January 1934 in Sumner, Tennessee; PDF copy of death certificate attached here.2
Burial*He was buried in Gallatin City Cemetery, Sumner, Tennessee.3,2 

Family 1

Kiziah "Kizzie" Staples Hairston b. 12 Dec 1881, d. 16 Oct 1909
Child

Family 2

Katherine Montgomery MCKEE b. Oct 1877
ChartsDescendant Chart (#1)
Descendant Chart (#2)
Descendant Chart Box

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S1] Bethel Presbyterian Church Records, Lowndes County, Mississippi.
  2. [S51] Death Certificate.
  3. [S167] Tennessee, Deaths and Burials Index, 1874-1955.
  4. [S1880] 1880 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S3117] Letter Carolyn Hairston Henderson to Robert Hairston, September 1986, Personal Collection - printed book.
  6. [S1920] 1920 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  7. [S112] Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm. Ancestry.com.
  8. [S1930] 1930 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
Last Edited16 Oct 2025