Rev. Henry Whetstone

     Rev. Henry Whetstone, son of John D. Whetstone, was born on 5 January 1784 in Orangeburg District, South Carolina.¹

Henry married Elizabeth Houser circa 1804 in Orangeburg District, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Andrew Houser, Jr. and Margaret Stoudenmire.

Rev. Henry Whetstone moved from Orangeburgh District, South Carolina to the Dutch Bend area, Autauga County, Alabama, 1821 The Whetstones and Housers had prospered in South Carolina, but new land beckoned their call. Rev.Henry Whetstone and his wife Elizabeth Houser and other kinfolks along with an army escort traveled along the Federal Road through Georgia to Alabama. There were 69 wagons in the train. The group settled on a bluff over looking the Alabama River. The land was fertile, and the Vernon Landing provided transporation for the many products of the Housers - Stoudenmire - Murph - DeBardeleben - Whetstone Plantation.

The Asbury Methodist Church, the first church in Autaugville, was situated on Whetstone Hill and was built in 1822. Rev. Whetstone was a Circuit Rider for the Methodist Episcopal church.

On 30 January 1834 Henry died in Autauga County, Alabama, at age 50 leaving Elizabeth a widow. He was buried in Houser/Whetstone/DeBardeleben Cemetery.