Archive:The Descendants of John Whitney, page 360
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The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, by Frederick Clifton Pierce (Chicago: 1895)
Transcribed by the Whitney Research Group, 1999.
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| 360 | WHITNEY GENEALOGY. |
published besides sermons, essays and addresses, "A Review of the Report of the Boston Public Schools" (Boston, 1845); "Ora- tion before the Phi Beta Kappa Society" (Hartford, 1852); "Domestic Slavery, a Reply to Bishop Hopkins" (Philadelphia, 1864); "Life of Bishop Alonzo Porter" (1871); "Poem Read at the Bi-Centenary of Bristol, R. L." (Providence, R. I., 1882); and "Charge to the Clergy of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania" (Reading, 1886). 5392. vi. JOHN RANDALL, b. Oct. 21, 1828; m. Susan Caldwell BUTLER and Mary Graham YOUNG. 5393. vii. JAMES SHIELDS, b. Dec. 2, 1830; m. Elizabeth Field KNAP. 2851. SAMUEL WHITNEY (Asa6, Levi5, Daniel4, Jonathan3, Jonathan2, John1), b. Feb. 27, 1794; m. Sept. 30, 1813, Polly WALLACE; d. at Nashau, N. H., Sept., 1823; m. 2d. Kezia GAGE. Samuel Whitney was the inventor of what is known as the Woodworth planer. He spent considerable time and money on this machine. He had a model made by a competent machinist, which did the work admirably, and he intended to secure a patent on the same; but while he delayed in attending to that business and dream- ing about the fortune he hoped to make by it, a dishonest man stealthily invaded the premises in which the model was stored, took the drawings and admeasurements of it, from which another model was made and sent to Washington, and a patent was taken out in another man's name. By this bold and villainous theft Mr. Whitney was defrauded out of the benefit of his ingenious and useful invention. He d. Dec. 16, 1870; res. Townsend and Waltham, Mass., and Hudson, Lenawee Co., Mich. 5394. i. MARY J., b. Feb. 11, 1814; m. in Dec., 1854, Varnum SPAULDING; m. 2d. June 4, 1867, Joel SHATTUCK, b. Aug., 1784; d. June 21, 1871; res. Brookline, N. H., s. p. 5395. ii. SAMUEL, b. July 20, 1817; m. Lydia STOWELL. 5396. iii. JONATHAN WALLACE, b. May 13, 1819; m. Mary A. BROOKS. 5397. iv. HARRIETT NEWELL, b. June 23, 1822; m. in Concord in 1846 Simon B. WHICHER. She d. s. p. in Nashau, N. H., in June, 1858. 5398. v. HELEN M., b. in So. Boston, Aug., 1832; d. in Nashau, N. H., in Aug., 1851. 5399. vi. ADELIA GAGE, b. in Townsend Feb. 19, 1837; d. there in Nov., 1841. 2855. JOEL WHITNEY (Asa6, Levi5, Daniel4, Jonathan3, Jonathan2, John1), b. June 8, 1807; m. Oct. 30, 1844, Esther Maria TREADWELL. Mr. Whitney was born in Townsend in June, 1807, and his earlier days were passed in that town. More than a half century ago, Mr. Whitney began business as a machinist in Wakefield, and in 1844 removed to Winchester, where he established the plant which now bears his name at Main and Walnut streets. Mr. Whitney was a close friend of Goodyear and Heyward when those famous inventors were strug- gling with the uncertain qualities of rubber. He was consulted by and assisted these early workers in the development of the rubber business. He also made many improvements in processes for making the first steel saws. Mr. Whitney was a manufacturing machinist whose reputation was not confined to the New England states. As an inventor he took front rank, and his one inven- tion of the present universally used swivel hangers for shafting would have enriched him had he patented it. He was satisfied, however, to receive his compensation from the orders he received for them. He made many patterns and machines for the manufacture of rubber; also woodworking machines, and he was also sought by the sawmakers of years ago. Of late years the products of his shops have been con- fined to making of machines for manufacture of leather, and his machines are to be found in all parts of the world to-day. To enumerate the varied inventions which his cunning hand and active brain had brought forth would be a monument to his industry and ability. "Whitney's Mill" has become a landmark, where handicraft and ingenuity have developed models of workmanship and utility. Since 1883 Mr. Whitney was not actively engaged in business, being confined the greater part of his time to his home. In one sense of the word, Mr. Whitney was a man who lived within himself, and his love of nature and flowers was stronger than the rewards won through the struggles and turmoil of business. He never cared for office, but attended town meetings and was an interested and close observer of town affairs. One who knew him as a friend and associate for fifty years writes: "I have seen
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