He was born in Telfair County, Georgia on January 12, 1816.
John and his first cousin Daniel "Scott" Whitehurst were farmers and neutralists who did not want to take sides in the Civil War. But under pressure from neighbors to join the Confederate Army, they moved their families to a refugee encampment on an off shore island called Egmont Key which was under the protection of the U.S. Navy. They were on a mission to obtain food and take it back to Egmont Key.
As they returned to their boat with provisions taken from their farms, the cousins were ambushed by Confederate sympathizers. Scott was shot dead on the sand near Maximo Point. His body was later retrieved by the U.S. Navy and buried in an unmarked grave on Mullet Key, where Ft. Desoto Park is today. John was able to get into their boat and paddle out into the Gulf of Mexico, where he was found two days later by another Union sympathizer.
He was taken back to the refugee camp on Egmont Key and died there of his wounds the evening of September 2, 1862.
John was originally buried on the island in the small cemetery that is next to the light house. In 1909, all Florida Civil War burials were moved to the National Cemetery in St. Augustine.
He was born in Telfair County, Georgia on January 12, 1816.
John and his first cousin Daniel "Scott" Whitehurst were farmers and neutralists who did not want to take sides in the Civil War. But under pressure from neighbors to join the Confederate Army, they moved their families to a refugee encampment on an off shore island called Egmont Key which was under the protection of the U.S. Navy. They were on a mission to obtain food and take it back to Egmont Key.
As they returned to their boat with provisions taken from their farms, the cousins were ambushed by Confederate sympathizers. Scott was shot dead on the sand near Maximo Point. His body was later retrieved by the U.S. Navy and buried in an unmarked grave on Mullet Key, where Ft. Desoto Park is today. John was able to get into their boat and paddle out into the Gulf of Mexico, where he was found two days later by another Union sympathizer.
He was taken back to the refugee camp on Egmont Key and died there of his wounds the evening of September 2, 1862.
John was originally buried on the island in the small cemetery that is next to the light house. In 1909, all Florida Civil War burials were moved to the National Cemetery in St. Augustine.
Inscription
248 Whitehurst
Gravesite Details
John's headstone is close to the center of section A of cemetery. Walking from flagpole toward Dade memorial, almost all the way to end of sidewalk, marker is on right, third row in.
Family Members
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Sarah Ann Whitehurst Robertson
1821–1896
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Serena Whitehurst Robertson
1823–1885
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Marena Whitehurst Caraway
1828–1890
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Berrien Daniel Whitehurst
1830–1915
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Maberry Ervin Whitehurst
1831–1910
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Emily Celestia Whitehurst Baker
1834–1871
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Jincy Emily Whitehurst Baker
1835–1866
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Martha A. Whitehurst Dynen
1841–1884
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