Nathan Bryan Whitfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathan Bryan Whitfield
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| Born | September 19, 1799 Lenoir County, North Carolina |
| Died | December 27, 1868 (aged 69) Marengo County, Alabama |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
North Carolina militia |
| Rank | Major General |
Nathan Bryan Whitfield (born September 19, 1799, in Lenoir County, North Carolina; died December 27, 1868, in Demopolis, Alabama) was an important person in the 1800s. He was a planter, which means he owned and managed a large farm. He was also an architect, designing buildings, and a high-ranking General in the North Carolina Militia.
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Early Life and Achievements
Nathan Bryan Whitfield grew up on a large family farm called Pleasant Plains. His grandfather, William Whitfield II, built this farm. Nathan's father was General Bryan Whitfield.
Nathan started school with a private teacher when he was nine years old. He then went to university at age 12. By the time he was 17, he had finished his studies.
Public Service and Military Role
Just two years later, at 19, Nathan became a "Counselor of State" for North Carolina. This was an important government job. He also served as a "State Senator," helping to make laws for the state.
Later, he became a Major General in the military. This was a very high rank, and he took over from his father. In 1789, he helped start the University of North Carolina. He was also one of its first "Trustees," helping to guide the university.
Designing Gaineswood
Nathan Bryan Whitfield is most famous for designing and building a grand house called Gaineswood. This house is in Marengo County, Alabama. He started building it in 1843.
Architecture and Construction
Gaineswood is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek buildings. Nathan used ideas from famous architects like James Stuart and Minard Lafever to design the house.
Many skilled workers helped build Gaineswood. These workers were enslaved people who had amazing talents in building and crafting.
Nathan moved from North Carolina to Alabama in 1834. In 1842, he bought the land for Gaineswood. It was 480 acres (about 1.9 square kilometers). He bought it from George Strother Gaines.
The Pushmataha Oak
The land where Gaineswood was built has an interesting history. Before Nathan owned it, George Gaines used to meet with important people there. One famous meeting was with Pushmataha, a respected chief of the Choctaw Nation.
They met under an old post oak tree. They talked about a treaty that would lead to the Choctaw people moving to new lands. This tree became known as the Pushmataha Oak.
Renaming the Estate
Nathan first called his estate Marlmont in 1843. But in 1856, he changed the name to Gaineswood. He did this to honor George Gaines, who had owned the land before him.
People in the Whitfield family believed that George Gaines's original log house was part of the new mansion. They thought it was where the south entrance hall is now. In 1861, General Whitfield sold Gaineswood to his son, Dr. Bryan Watkins Whitfield. The family continued to live there for many years.
