This post is number 21 in the series of the #52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge where a group of us blog about a different ancestor for each week of the year.  To learn more about the 52 Ancestor Challenge visit Amy Johnson’s site at Amy’s website.

I have two White family lines in my tree.  One on my father’s side and one on my mother’s.  White is a common name and most likely they are not related.  It’s a little complicated as both of the first immigrants to the New World share the same name, John White. Both are from Great Britain.  I have John White with his wife Ann Garner on my mothers side, who are Scots-Irish settling in South Carolina in 1753.  On my Dad’s side is John Chauncy White who comes to Ontario, Canada from England between 1815 to 1830’s.

My intentions were to write about James Montgomery White, my second great-grandfather. He is the son of John Chauncy White.  He is the husband of Percis DesJardins.  The DesJardins are well known in Huron County, Michigan.  I was looking for more info to write about James so he doesn’t get lost in the DesJardins family tree.

One Woman, Two Brothers

But I found more interesting information about his brothers William and Edward White.  The two brothers married the same woman, Charlotte Kelley.  Charlotte Kelley marries Edward White on July 26, 1862.  They have one daughter named Eva born in April 1864.  My initial search indicates that Edward White enlists in the Civil War serving for Company A, 11th Infantry Regiment on 25 December 1863 at age 17.  He injured and dies of his wounds on July 4, 1864, near Marietta, GA. I wonder if Edward had a chance to see his daughter Eva before he died.

Charlotte then marries William White on December 1, 1867.  William is the oldest brother to James and Edward White. Eight children are born to Charlotte and William White.  William may have also served in the Civil War.  I need to verify information of a record.

Charlotte is the daughter of Michael A Kelley and Sarah Ann Kenyon.  Born June 1845 in New York state.  She grew up in Ticonderoga, NY.  Her family moved to Delaware Township in Sanilac County, Michigan before the 1860 Census was taken.

Charlotte’s last child Walter is born in 1887.  He is 11 year’s old when his mother dies at the age of 54 in 1898.  William moves the family down to Detroit.  As of the 1910 Census he is listed as a boarder in Bad Axe, Michigan. William passes away in 1913.