john baker white was born on august 4, 1794, near winchester in frederick county, virginia. white was the third and youngest child of prominent virginia general court judge robert white (1759–1831) and his wife arabella baker. among his other relations, white was a great-great-nephew of united states house representative alexander white (1738–1804) and a great-nephew of another united states house representative, francis white (1761–1826).