Family:Whitney, Aaron (1798-1877)

Aaron⁶ Whitney (Benjamin⁵, Joshua⁴, Cornelius³, Joshua², John¹), son of Benjamin⁵ and Sarah (Bassett) Whitney, was born 14 Sep 1798, Granville, Washington Co., NY, died 23 Sep 1877, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY.

He married, 23 Jun 1818, Electa Leach, daughter of James Zebulon and Phebe (Hoyt) Leach. She was born 1 Nov 1798, Rutland, Rutland Co., VT, died 15 Aug 1874, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY.

"Aaron Whitney removed to Chautauqua county, and settled on lot 59, which he bought in Oct., 1818, where he still resides. His sons are: Isaac, who resides in French Creek ; Samuel, removed to the West; James, unmarried, at home ; Hiram, in town—wife deceased ; Aaron, at the West; Benjamin in town; Zebulon, in Penn. Mr. Whitney's daughters are : Phebe, wife of Lorenzo Flowers, and resides in Mina ; Electa, wife of Morgan Tanner, of Wattsburg, Pa.; Miranda, wife of Jared Chittenden, removed to Illinois, and died there ; and a daughter who died young."^[1]

They resided Findley's Lake, NY.

Children of Aaron⁶ and Electa (Leach) Whitney:

i.	Isaac7 Whitney, b. 30 Dec 1819, West Mina, Chautauqua Co. NY, d. 21 Nov 1903, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY, m. 7 (or 27) Apr 1844; Betsey Elizabeth Nason, b. 28 Apr 1824, Sheridon, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 9 May 1906, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY; resided French Creek, NY. Ch. (according to Pierce): William Benjamin, b. 25 Jun 1846; is a farmer; married 15 Jan 1870, Mary Ireland; d. 2 May 1873. He was in the war in the 112th New York Volunteers. One son Wayne, b. 13 Feb 1872; resided Broken Straw, NY; Aaron Leech, Isaac, Sarah Roydia, Emma, Lyal. Ch. (according to Phil Goodman): William Benjamin Whitney, b. 25 Jun 1845, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 6 Jan 1928, Wesleyville, Erie Co., PA, m. 29 Jul 1876, Alice Betsey Johnston.
ii.	James Whitney, b. 24 Mar 1820, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 12 Oct 1898, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, unmarried, resided Findley's Lake, NY. "James WHITNEY, no dates. An old resident of Mina, died last weekend, and was buried in the Mina Cemetery; Although he lived less than a quarter mile from the Post office in this town, he had not been IN the town for 10 years at least, He seldom if ever left the home of Mrs. RICKARD where he resided. A great many did not know the old man lived so near them til he died; An old Scrapbook. No record for him in Mina Cemetery nor date of death but he is in Census born about 1820 there are other WHITNEY burials there" - MINA CORNERS CEMETERY, OBITUARIES, MINA, NY.
iii.	Phebe Whitney, b. 2 Sep 1821, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 30 Dec 1896, m. 2 Dec 1852, Lorenzo Flower or Flowers, b. ca. 1817, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, resided Mina, NY.
iv.	Samuel Whitney, b. 3 Feb 1823, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 16 Jun 1900, IA, m. 2 Feb 1846, Lucretia "Lucy" Lewis, b. ca. 1825, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, resided Rosabach, IA. Ch.: Sally, Electa, Joshua, Samuel, Mercy, James A/S., Charles, Elizabeth, George, Lucretia/Lura.
v.	Electa Whitney, b. 7 Sep 1824, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 5 Sep 1903, Wattsburg, Erie Co., PA, m. 7 Sep 1844, Morgan B. Tanner, b. 4 Aug 1824, Washington Co., NY, resided Mina, NY, and Venango, Erie Co., PA.
vi.	Miranda Whitney, b. 2 Sep 1826, d. 24 Sep 1881, IL, m. 4 Apr 1849, Jared Chittenden, b. ca. 1822, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, resided Mina, NY.
vii.	Aaron Whitney, b. 30 Apr 1828, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 21 Jul 1916, Elgin, Kane Co., IL, resided Kane County, IL; unmarried in 1880.
viii.	Hiram Whitney, b. 4 Apr 1830, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 1 Dec 1915, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, m. 3 Apr 1849, Emily Jackson, b. ca. 1828, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 3 Apr 1849. Pierce states that Hiram (or his wife?) died 4 Jul 1852. Ch. (according to Pierce): Francis Ellie. Ch: (according to Phil Goodman): Carolyn 'Caddie' Whitney, b. ca. 1850, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY.
ix.	Benjamin Whitney, b. Dec 1831, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 12 Jan 1897, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, m. 8 Dec 1859 (or 8 Dec 1854), Mary E. Coe, b. ca. 1833, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, resided Mina, New York. Ch.: Edith. "Attempted Suicide, No Date given. On Monday, Ben WHITNEY , a much respected citizen of Findley’s Lake, went to his barn, climbed up on the hay, rolled himself into a blanket, took 27 Morphine pills and laid down to die; He was soon missed and his wife found him and roused him in time to save him; He told her what he had done, and said he just wanted to put himself out of the way. He has been asleep since, and may yet, “Climb the golden stair” He has for years suffered with a sick headache and had been regularly taking 2 of those little pills to relieve his pain; An Old Scrapbook clipping" 1898 The Funeral for Benjamin WHITNEY was held from the church at Mina on Sunday, it was largely attended; A Mina Scrapbook" WHITNEY, Benjamin Spouse of Mary E. Born 1831 Died 1898 - Son of Aaron & Electa Leach Whitney WHITNEY, Mary E. Coe Spouse of Benjamin Born 1835 Died 1925 WHITNEY, Norman F. Born 1912 Died 1967 WHITNEY, A. L. Born 1854 Died 5-13-1887 - Son of Isaac & Betsy Elizabeth Nason Mina Corners Cemetery; - MINA CORNERS CEMETERY, OBITUARIES, MINA, NY.
x.	Zebulon Whitney, b. 12 Apr 1834, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 2 Nov 1920, CA, m. 27 Aug 1865, Mary A. Mcdowell, b. ca. 1838, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY. Ch.: William J. and Miranda A.
xi.	Sally Whitney, b. 13 Sep 1836, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, d. 10 Jul 1846, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY. According to Pierce, she d. 10 Jun 1840.
xii.	Polly Whitney, b. 5 Aug 1839, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, m. 4 Oct 1887, Rev. Thomas Elger, b. ca. 1835, Mina, Chautauqua Co.,NY;m.4 Oct 1887). According to Pierce, she was "unmarried; resided Findley's Lake, NY."

Census

• 1830, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY: Aaron Whitney, 1 male 30-39, 1 male 10-14, 1 male 5-9, 1 male 0-4, 1 female 30-39, 2 females 5-9, 1 female 0-4.
• 1840, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY: Aaron Whitney, 1 male 40-49, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 15-19, 2 males 10-14, 2 males 5-9, 1 female 40-49, 2 females 15-19, 1 female 10-14, 2 females 0-4; 6 engaged in agriculture.
• 1850, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY:

19 19 Aaron Witney 52 M - Farmer $4000 N.Y. Electa 52 F - Vt. Phebe 29 F - N.Y. Aaron 22 M - Farmer " Attended school Benjamin 19 M - Farmer " Attended school Zebulon 16 M - Farmer " Attended school Polly 9 F - " Attended school

• 1850, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY:

66 68 Isaac Whitney 31 M - F[armer] $300 N.Y. Betsey Whitney 26 F - " William 5 M - " Mary 3 F - " Aaron 1 M - " Hannah Rader 13 F - Holland

• 1850, son James not found.
• 1850, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY:

31 31 Samuel Whitney 27 M - Farmer N.Y. Lucretia A. 21 F - " Sally 4 F - " Electa 2 F - " Joshua 3/12 M - "

• 1850, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY:

109 111 Isaac Jackson 60 M - Farmer N.Y. Hiram Witney 20 M - Labourer " Sarah E. 18 F - "

• 1860, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY:

12 Aaron Whitney 62 M - Farmer $5000 $2200 N.Y. Electa do 62 F - Vermont James do 40 M - Farmer $150 N.Y. Polly do 20 F - Housework " Hiram do 30 M - Farmer $400 "

• 1860, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY:

9 -- Isaac Whitney 41 M - Farmer $1800 $350 N.Y. Betsey Do 35 F - Do Wm. B. Do 14 M - Child Do Attended school Mary Do 13 F - Do Do Attended school Aaron Do 11 M - Do Do Attended school Isaac Jr Do 8 M - Do Do Attended school Morris Do 6 M - Do Do Attended school Sarah A. Do 3 F - Do Do Emma Do 1 F - Do Do

• 1860, Darien, Walworth Co., WI:

699 681 Samuel Whitney 39 M - Farmer N.Y. Lucretia " 29 F - " Sally " 13 F - " Attended school Electa " 11 F - " Attended school Joshua " 9 M - " Attended school Samuel " 8 M - " Attended school Mercy " 6 F - " J. S. " 4 M - Wis. Chas. " 2 M - " Elizabeth " 3/12 F - "

• 1860, Blackberry Station, Kane Co., IL:

4096 3646 Nancy Platas 45 F - Widow 12000 2600 --- Sophia 19 F - At Home --- Ann M. 16 F - " --- Mary 10 F - --- Aron Whitny 31 M - Farmer 1000 800 --- Zebonon 26 M - " ---

• 1860, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY:

14 -- Benjamin Whitney 25 M - Farmer $700 $800 N.Y. Mary Do 24 F - Do Edith Do 5 F - Child Do James Maddocks 70 M - Nursery man $2300 $500 Maine Rebecca Do 61 F - N.Y. Wm. Brown 66 M - Boarder Mass.

• 1870, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY, p. 17/516:

131 131 Whitney, Aaron 71 M W Farmer $11000 $4000 New York Male citizen over 21 -------, Electa 71 F W Keeping house Vermont Cannot write -------, James 50 M W At Home New York Male citizen over 21 -------, Polly 30 F W At Home New York Lewis, George 32 M W Farmer Laborer $1200 New York Male citizen over 21

• 1870, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., NY, p. 21/385:

173 168 Whitney, Isaac 51 M W Farmer $3000 $600 New York Male citizen over 21 -----, Betsey 46 F W Keeping House New York -----, Aaron 21 M W At Home New York Male citizen over 21 -----, Morris 16 M W At Home New York Attended school -----, Sarah 13 F W Attending School New York Attended school -----, Emma 11 F W Attending School New York Attended school -----, Loyal 8 M W New York Attended school

• 1870, son Samuel not found.
• 1870, Blackberry, Kane Co., IL, p. 9/224:

61 63 Platt, Nancy 56 F W Keeping house $16150 $6000 Pa. -----, Mary 19 F W At home Ill. Attended school Cook, Jane 21 F W At home Canada Mother foreign born Whitney, Aaron 42 M W Works on farm $13100 $5788 N.Y. Male citizen over 21 Anderson, Otto 22 M W Works on farm Sweden

• 1870, son Hiram not found.
• 1870, Alleghany, Venango Co., PA, p. [2]-3/2:

 13   12 Whitney, Benjamin     37 M W Drayman        $5000 $1000 N.Y.    Male citizen over 21
         -----, Mary           34 F W Keeping House              N.Y.

-----, Edith 15 F W At Home N.Y. Attended school

         -----, Eva             2 F W At Home                    Canada
         Cole, Ruth            27 F W Domestic Help              N.Y.

[and nine "Oil Miners"]

• 1870, son Zebulon not found.
• 1880, French Creek, Chautauqua Co., MA:

Isaac WHITNEY 61 Self M M W NY Farmer NY VT Betsey WHITNEY 56 Wife F M W NY Keeping House CT VT Loyal WHITNEY 18 Son M S W NY Farmer NY NY Wayne WHITNEY 8 GSon M S W NY NY ENG

• 1880, Mina, Chautauqua Co., NY:

Wesley WILCOX 50 Self M M W NY NY NY Cleste WILCOX 50 Wife F M W NY NY NY John WILCOX 16 Son M W NY Farm Laborer NY NY James WHITNEY 60 Othe M S W NY Farmer NY VT

• 1880, Liberty, Plymouth Co., IA:

Samuel WHITNEY 57 Self M M W NY Farmer NY VT Lucretia WHITNEY 50 Wife F M W NY Housekeeping RI CT James A. WHITNEY 24 Son M S W WI Farm Laborer NY NY George WHITNEY 18 Son M S W WI At Home NY NY Lura WHITNEY 14 Dau F S W WI At School NY NY M. WHITNEY 9 GSon M S W IA At School --- NY

• 1880, Blackberry, Kane Co, IL:

Nancy PLATT 67 Self F W W PA Keeping House IRE. PA Mary PLATT 29 Dau F S W IL At Home PA NY Aaron WHITNY 52 Oth M S W NY Farmer NY NY

• 1880, son Hiram not found.
• 1880, Mina, Chautauqua Co., IL:

Ben WHITNEY 48 Self M M W NY Farmer VT VT Marry WHITNEY 44 Wife F M W NY Keeping House CT NY Semanthy SAXTON 12 Othe F S W NY Servant NY VT Clint CLARK 8 Othe M S W PA At School PA NY

• 1880, Mina, Chautauqua Co., IL:

Sebilan WHITNEY 46 Self M M W NY Farmer NY VT Mary WHITNEY 35 Wife F M W CAN Keeping House IRE NY Josie WHITNEY 13 Dau F S W NY NY CAN Alma WHITNEY 11 Dau F S W NY NY CAN Charles WHITNEY 4 Son M S W NY NY CAN

Notes

According to a post by Barbara Black, Aaron Whitney had a first wife named Sarah Bennett of Mina, NY. However, this is unsubstantiated and if daughter Electa was named after her mother, and was b. 1844, she had to have been one of the first children born in this family, and thus Electa would have to have been the first wife.

For descendants of Electa, see Morgan TANNER wife Electa WHITNEY.

References

• All data imported from Frederick Clifton Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, (Chicago: 1895), p. 214.

• Post by Phil Goodman, "Re: Caddie Whitney, JamestownNY, Abt1870".

1. ^  HISTORY OF CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY.

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Copyright © 2006, 2009, 2010, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group