I still think that Jonathan is the name of Pharoah’s father. Unfortunately the evidence is a bit sketchy. There is a marriage record for a Jonathan White and Ann Cordell if my memory serves correctly in Johnston County, NC that would seem to time out correctly. In following Ann and Pharoah’s history there seems to be a strong connection to the Cordell family. By the families first appearance in Buncombe County Ann seems to be the head of household, with no clue as to what has become of Jonathan. I don’t have notes quick at hand at the moment, as I was trying to get a few posts lined up for coming weeks before a busy work schedule.

I’ll try to post back with a more detailed post on Pharoah - he has certainly been an enigma…..

The original source of the name Jonathan came from my grandmother (daughter of Pleasant White). She knew her grandfather’s name was Pharoah and thought his father was Jonathan. They all had a poor impression of Pharoah. it seems (Ples and Calvin I believe were raised by their older sister Julia.) Of course, Pharoah was married several times and the family story was that he was accused of killing one of his wives with a hatpin through the ear.

I’ve never been able to establish that the above claim was made. I DO know, that Pharoah spent many years fighting for disability payments from the Federal Government due to injuries he suffered during the Civil War. (In fact his widow, I think, was still trying to get the pension after his passing.) I can only wonder if all of these trips to give testimony accompanied by the death of his previous wives might not have given rise to suspicion.