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Note: Wayne is reported to be the first in the family line to begin writing his name Wayne W.Cotton as an abbreviation. His children did likewise and eventually dropped the White all together. All of Wayne's children, however, were born "Whitecotton", not Cotton. However, his father is listed on the 1850 census as Aaron "Cotton". Was a Scott County surveyor in the 1850s. Was the first County Clerk for Scott County, Tennessee. ***Much of the anecdotal information about Wayne was obtained via World Family Tree, and was apparently passed down by his granddaughter (China Cordell Hicks). Capt. Wayne Whitecotton is described as being a big man ((over 200 lbs.), standing over 6 ft tall, with coal black hair and blue eyes. Wayne's gravestone indicates he was a Captain in Company G, 7th Tennessee Volunteers, Union Army during Civil War. During the war he was once shot through the pants leg, but the bullet did not wound him. He was taken prisoner of war and spent time at Andersonville and Libby prisons, and was later exchanged at Aiken's Landing, Virginia in 1862, and then rejoined the US 7th Tennessee. The pants with the bullet hole remained in the family for many generations. After returning home Wayne developed smallpox and died of this. Family tradition claims that Wayne was a notorious philanderer, and fathered a number of illegitimate children (even while married). He is known to have fathered children by at least four women other than his wife. Bastard male children were often allowed to take the Whitecotton surname, but generally not the girls. Wayne (or Captain as he was known) would apparently leave home for long periods at a time, and would even move in with other women. Apparently Mary (Owens) Whitecotton would eventually always welcome him home (and is even believed to have raised a few of Wayne's bastard children). One of Captain's ploys was to pretend to go be squirrel hunting near the home of a woman, and would fire a shot in the air as a signal to his lover. If the lover's husband was away, she would signal for Wayne to come in. If he was home, she would find an excuse to go out to do chores. Probate records show Wayne deeding 600 acres to his daughter Celina and her husband John C. Wilhite. The property is also mentioned as abutting the land held by James Phillips, John C. Wilhite, Alfred Laxton, Fredrick Botts, John Carson, and Fredrick and Taylor West. On the 1850 US Census the Cottons are living in Scott Co., TN (p. 728, dwelling 58). Those listed: "W. W. Cotton", 39, farmer (with $900 in real estate); Mary, 29; Celina, 10; Martha, 8; China, 6; Tasmon, 4; French, 3. All persons were born in TN. On the 1860 US Census, the Cottons are living in 2nd District, Scott Co., TN (p. 201, dwelling 595). Those listed: Wayne W. Cotton, 50, farmer; Polly, 40; Martha 17; China, 16; Tasmon, 15; French, 11; Walker, 9; Artemy, 7; and McAdo, 4. There is also an 11 (or maybe 19) year old name Frederick Go** (perhaps Goad). This may be a farmhand, but considering Wayne reputation, it could also be one of his many illegitimate children. Wayne has $2000 in real estate and $1000 in personal property. Tasmon, French and Walker have attended school in the past year. All persons can read and write. "Dusty Bits -- a History of Scott County, TN" mentions that the "Cotton boys" operated a mine near Paint Rock in Scott County.
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