FRANKLIN—The 155th Elisha Everette Whitley family reunion will be on Thursday, July 4, at the American Legion on Armory Drive in Franklin.

The descendants of William Henry Whitley will serve as hosts. Everyone is asked to bring a covered-dish. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. The day will include entertainment, prizes and recognition of families.

Elisha Whitley was born in Herford County, North Carolina, on July 4, 1829, to Joseph Elisha Whitley and his wife, Sarah “Sallie” Lane.

Elisha Whitley was married Jan. 7,1855, to Mary Eliza Barnes, daughter of John Elias Barnes II and Jalitha Buxton. They had nine children.

Whitley enlisted in Company G, 31st North Carolina Troops on Sept. 12, 1861, and was paroled on May 2, 1865, after the surrender of Gen. Joseph Johnston to Gen. William Sherman on April 26, 1865, at Bush Hill in Randolph County, N.C.

Tradition has it that when Whitley returned from the Civil War, his sisters gave him a birthday dinner on July 4, 1865, and he asked that this be continued.

Since that time, there has been an annual reunion carried on by his descendants.

For further information, contact Nettie Whitley Boyce at 562-6533.