Robert Lafayette Whitus and Julia Ann Carlton
Robert was the eldest son of James L. Whitus and his wife, Jane McCoy. He was born on 11 December 1842, probably in Rutherford Co TN, and died on 19 November 1924 in Rockvale, Rutherford, TN. On 11 December 1867, he married Julia Ann Carlton, daughter of William Blake Carlton and Mary Walker. They had nine children altogether, although only three appear to have survived to adulthood.
Robert enlisted in the 24th Tennessee Infantry at the outbreak of the Civil War, ultimately becoming a corporal. In his pension application, he said he had been involved in the battles at Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Missionary Ridge, and battles "from Dalton to Atlanta." He was captured on 6 August 1864 and held at the POW camp at Camp Chase, Ohio until being released on 11 May 1865 after taking the oath of allegiance to the US.
After returning to Rutherford County, Robert became a farmer, an occupation he maintained for the rest of his life. He and his family resided in Civil District 10, in the southwest portion of the county.
Robert Lafayette Whitus (b. 11 Dec 1842, Rutherford, TN - d. 19 Nov 1924, Rockvale, Rutherford, TN)
m. 11 December 1867, Rutherford, TN
Julia Ann F. Carlton (b. 17 Jan 1844, Rutherford, TN - d. between 1920/25, Rutherford, TN)
Children:
i. Martha W. Whitus ("Mattie") (b. 2 Feb 1870, Rutherford, TN - d. 5 Dec 1954, prob. Rutherford, TN); m. Washington Comer ("Wash")
ii. Mary Jane Whitus (b. 1872, Rutherford, TN - d. after 1919); m. Rollie S. Holden
iii. Thomas Robert Whitus ("Tommie") (b. 28 Jan 1874, Rutherford, TN - d. 22 Jan 1963, Rutherford, TN); m. Nannie Lee Christopher