Archive:Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, Part 2
Archives > Archive:Extracts > Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, Part 2
Genealogical and Personal Memoirs Relating to the Families of the State of Massachusetts, by William Richard Cutter, William Frederick Adams (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1910).
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1757, in Captain Tmiothy Houghton's company, and was in the Crown Point expedition. The year before, in 1756, he was in the same company under Colonel Jonathan Bagley at Fort William Henry, having been transferred from Colonel Brattle's regiment. He served also in the revolution in Captiain Abraham Pierce's Waltham company, Colonel Thomas Gardner's regiment, and answered the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775, doing guard duty around Concord after the fight there; also in Captain Abraham Pierce's company, Colonel Samuel Thatcher's regiment in 1776, and marched to Dorchester Heights on command of General Washington. He married, June 15, 1762, Sarah Laurence, born July 21, 1737, died September 14, 1794. Children: 1. Sarah, born April 18, 1763. 2. Josiah, June 23, 1765, mentioned below. 3. Rhoda, August 22, 1768, married, May 8, 1794, Amos Smith; died February 25, 1817. 4. Jonathan, May 8, 1772, married Sarah Child. 5. Anna, baptized April 2, 1775. 6. Lucy, baptized July 28, 1776. 7. Nancy.
(VI) Josiah (2), son of Josiah (1) Whitney, was born at Waltham, June 23, 1765, died at Ashby, December 24, 1842. He settled first in Watertown, where the first four children were born, and about 1799 removed to Ashby, where he lived the remainder of his life. He was a prosperous farmer, highly respected in the community. He and his wife were dismissed from the Watertown to the Ashby church, November 24, 1799. By his father's will he received one-half of his wearing apparel and ten dollars. He married (intentions dated January 10, 1790) Mary Barrett, born 1768, died August 23, 1841. Children: 1. Josiah, born March 20, 1791, mentioned below. 2. Sally, March 19, 1792, married, December 16, 1814, Oliver Kendall; died November 23, 1889. 3. Jonas Prescott, September 22, 1793, married (first) Rebecca Piper; (second) Louisa Wheeler. 4. Mary, September 14, 1796, died July 5, 1888; married, July 17, 1817, Oliver L. Wheeler. 5. William, July 20, 1798, married Fanny Lincoln. 6. John B., April 7, 1801, married Harriet Cushing. 7. Nancy, March 29, 1803, married, February 8, 1825, Asa Holt; died May 20, 1851. 8. Alice, December 17, 1806, died September 19, 1858; married, 1837, Calvin J. Tyler.
(VII) Josiah (3), son of Josiah (2) Whitney, was born at Watertown, March 20, 1791, died at Ashby, September 4, 1818. He was a farmer, and resided at Ashby. His farm consisted of eighty acres with buildings. He died intestate, and as his wife declined to administer the estate Amos Wellington was appointed administrator. On March 19, 1833, Luke Wellington was appointed guardian of the two children. He married, January 1, 1816, Rebecca Rice, born at Ashby, December, 1793, died there in December, 1859, daughter of John Rice, of Ashby. Children: 1. Lucy Ann, born September, 1816, died June 13, 1844. 2. John Milton, March 1, 1818, mentioned below.
(VIII) John Milton, son of Josiah (3) Whitney, was born at Ashby, March 1, 1818, died at Boston, June 3, 1886. His father died when he was an infant, and his boyhood was spent in Ashby working for different farmers and getting his education as opportunity offered during the winter. He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade which he followed at Ashby, and about 1840 her removed to Groton. Here he built a home and worked at his trade, but later removed to Fitchburg and was employed as an expert cabinetmaker in the Page piano-case factory. After a number of years he removed to Boston and entered the employ of his cousin, Milo Whitney, a piano-case maker, remaining in his employ until his health failed, compelling him to give up work. In politics he was a Republican, and in religion an Orthodox Congregationalist. A man of quiet tastes and habits he was devoted to his family. His ability as a fine workman was due largely to his fondness for mechanics. He married, at Ashby, March 24, 1840, Emma Augusta Willard, born October 15, 1814, died November 23, 1881, daughter of Alexander and Tyler (Oakes) Willard, of Ashby. Children: 1. George Frederick, born November 20, 1841, mentioned below. 2. Sarah Jane, July 18, 1844, married, March 26, 1864, Lyman Lawrence (see Lawrence). 3. Charles Henry, June 28, 1848, died September 23, 1872. 4. Frank Herbert, December 24, 1851.
(IX) George Frederick, son of John Milton Whitney, was born at Ashby, November 20, 1841, died at Arlington, December 23, 1899. At an early age he removed with his parents to Groton, and later to Fitchburg. He was educated in the public schools, supplementing his high school course by a course in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial School at Troy, New York. He entered the employ of the Heywood Chair Company at Fitchburg, and later did their ornamental decoration. In 1864 he went to East Boston and became clerk and bookkeeper for the Eastern railroad, and
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was paymaster for over seven hundred men. He made his home on the corner of Webster and Maverick streets. After a time he started in the manufacture of a harness soap, establishing the business in Lexington. The soap was known as Neatsfoot Harness Soap, and met with a ready sale in and about Boston. It proved the nucleus of his future success. About 1870 he took as a partner H. S. Merrill, the firm being George F. Whitney & Company, at 59 Milk street, Boston, and in 1875 the business removed to 2028 Washington street, while Mr. Whitney removed his family from Lexington to Newtonville. The business was carried on most successfully until 1883 when it was removed again to 20 Norfolk avenue, continuing until 1890, when he began the manufacture of soap products, including wax and later starch, at 59 Long wharf. He lived for a time at 20 Forest street, but soon removed to Arlington, where he died. Mr. Whitney inherited his father's taste for mechanics and was resourceful and energetic. Although remarkably successful, he never wished to display his wealth. He was fond of music, and a good violinist. His high ideals made him respected and his pleasing personality won him many friends. He loved the beauties of nature, being very fond of flowers. In politics he was Republican, and in religion a Congregationalist. He married, at Newtonville, June 18, 1874, Josephine Isabella Bryant, daughter of Nathaniel and ----- (Hadley) Bryant. Children: 1. Ellery Waldo, born August 12, 1876, mentioned below. 2. Erving Bryant, April 14, 1879, died August 24, 1882.
(X) Ellery Waldo, son of George Frederick Whitney, was born at Newtonville, August 12, 1876. At the age of six months he removed with his parents to Boston. He attended first the private school of Miss Maud Hunneman and afterward the Dearborn public school. When he was thirteen his parents removed to Arlington and he went to the Russell and Cotting high school. After a course in Burdett's Business College he entered the employ of his father on Long wharf to learn the soap-making business. After the death of his father in 1899 the business was incorporated with James B. Williams as president, Mr. Whitney as vice-president and Chester J. Williams as treasurer. The firm makes a specialty of mill soaps and harness soap, soap for tanneries, automobile oils and mill supplies. Mr. Whitney is superintendent of the works at 59 Long wharf and devotes his whole time and energy to the business. He is a man of engaging personality. He is a Republican in politics, and a Congregationalist in religion. He is unmarried.
(V) Abraham, son of John Whitney, was born December 7, 1735, at Watertown, and resided there until after his marriage when he made his home in Weeston, the town adjoining. He was a farmer. With his brothers he served in the company of Captain Samuel Barnard of Watertown in Colonel Thomas Gardner's regiment and marched to Lexington on the alarm of April 19, 1775. Paul Revere was ably assisted in spreading the alarm by Abraham Whitney. The night before the abttle Abraham started for Lynn on horseback with panniers filled with shoes which his brother desired to have delivered in the morning, and when he reached Charlestown he was startled by a voice asking him stealthily "if he knew the regulars were landing." He replied that he did not and was told the particulars. Relieving the horse of the load of shoes he galloped him back to Watertown and gave the alarm agreed upon in case of the expected invasion. By sunrise the company was ready to march from the rendezvous on the village green in front of the old meeting house. Abraham Whitney was also in the company of Captain Phinenhas Stearns which marched from Watertown by order of General Washington and took part in the fortification of Dorchester Heights in March, 1776. He enlisted July 2, 1778, for six months and served guard duty over the powder magazine and again in 1779 under command of Jonathan Brown Esq. He removed to Westford and later to Concord, Massachusetts. He married (first) July 10, 1766, Elizabeth Whitney, baptized November 23, 1746, died July 10, 1770, daughter of Joseph and Mary Whitney. He married (second) at Watertown, December 3, 1772, Mary Mead, born May 1, 1753, died August 29, 1820. Children of first wife: 1. Abraham, died before 1813. 2. Elizabeth, married, October 20 1793, Isaac Taylor, of Acton. 3. Lois, died at Concord, September 14, 1794. 4. Joshua, died young. Children of second wife: 5. Mary Ann, died before 1813. 6. Moses, born 1774, died June 15, 1827; married, September 11, 1796, Jane Polly. 7. Lucy, born 1775, died November 25, 1848. 8. Esther, born February 4, 1779, died June 1, 1861; married, October 9, 1806, Zaccheus
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Pond. 9. Elisha, died before 1813. 10. Lydia, born 1782, died January 27, 1844. 11. Susanna, born 1783, died July 4, 1849; married Jeremiah Knowlton. 12. Maria, married, March, 1807, Joel Smith. 13. Amos, born 1786, mentioned below. 14. Mary, born January 21, 1792, died July 26, 1838; married, July 2, 1815, Adam Goodnow.
(VI) Amos, son of Abraham Whitney, was born at Waltham in 1786, died there June 10, 1824. He and John Kimball bought the mill privilege and land at Weston of Thomas and William Parker in 1813 for $3,000. He engaged in the manufacture of paper in partnership with Kimball until 1817. His home was on Main street, Waltham. He married, January 17, 1811, Martha Priest, baptized July 4, 1784, died 1860, daughter of James and Abigail (Lawrence) Priest. Children: 1. Charles, born February 11, 1812, mentioned below. 2. Amos, January 30, 1814, died March, 1884; married Sophia Waterman Potter; children: i. Amos Priest, married Mary Thurston; ii. Walter H., married S. Ella Brown; iii. Mary Robbins. 3. James, April 9, 1816, died August 23, 1881; married, February 10, 1857, Mary Frances Parker; children: i. Henry Patrick, died April, 1896; ii. James F. 4. Walter, December 2, 1818, died November 12, 1893, foreman of the cloth room in the R. M. F. Co. mill at Waltham.
(VII) Charles, son of Amos Whitney, was born at Waltham, February 11, 1812, died at Cambridge, Massachusetts, July 29, 1850. He attended the winter terms of the district school and worked during the summer in his boyhood. He learned the trade of blacksmith in his native town, serving his apprenticeship under Mr. Emerson, who made and repaired wagons and carried on a general blacksmith business. Afterward Mr. Whitney entered partnership with Charles Davenport, of Cambridge, under the firm name of Davenport & Whitney, making the iron work for railway cars. Mr. Davenport was a partner in the firm of Davenport & Bridge, Main street, Cambridge, manufacturers of railway cars. The failure of the firm of Davenport & Bridge involved the other firm and caused its failure also. The business of these two firms, however, forms an interesting chapter in the early history of the railway industry of the country. Mr. Whitney died July 29, 1850. He was a member of the Baptist church at Cambridge and active in the work of the church. He was devoted to his family, of strict integrity and honor in all his dealings, progressive and enterprising in business. In politics he was a Whig. He married, January 26, 1839, Caroline Fuller Stimpson, born at Needham, Massachusetts, August 20, 1816, died at Cambridge, April 24, 1872, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Fuller) Stimpson, of Weston. Children: 1. Charles Edward, born January 5, 1840, drowned April 5, 1860, in the Charles river in sight of his home; was bookkeeper for the New England Glass Company, Boston. 2. William Henry, January 3, 1843, mentioned below. 3. Clara Maria, January 4, 1845, died September 29, 1847. 4. Ella Caroline, March 15, 1847, died January 17, 1907; graduate of the Art School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; teacher in the Rindge Manual Training School, Cambridge. 5. Frank Erving, October 28, 1850, mentioned below.
(VIII) William Henry, son of Charles Whitney, was born in Cambridge, January 3, 1843, died May 4, 1909. He graduated from the Cambridge high school and took a course in the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard University. He enlisted at Cambridge, July 14, 1862, and served three years in the civil war. He was commissioned captain of his company and promoted to the rank of major of his regiment. He was wounded once. He was a prominent civil engineer in Boston after the war, retiring from active business a few years ago. He was a Republican in politics and served the city of Cambridge in the board of aldermen and on the board of health. He was an active member and for many years deacon of the Cambridge Baptist church. He was a member of the Watertown Historical Society and of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He married, February 18, 1868, Emma Sargent Barber, daughter of John Barber. Children, born at Cambridge: 1. Clara Mabel, February 22, 1871, married, June 8, 1898, Arther S. Pevear, of Cambridge, and had Dorothy Whitney Pevear, born July 22, 1902. 2. Chester, June 29, 1874, died July 31, 1874. 3. Charles Fuller, January 22, 1879, married, June 10, 1903, Ethel Putnam Sargent, born May 12, 1881, died December 31, 1905; child, Horace Sargent, born June 29, 1905, died October 12, 1905. 4. Alice Emma, August 4, 1880, died August 13, 1880.
(VIII) Frank Erving, son of Charles Whitney, was born at Cambridge, October 28, 1850, in his father's home on Auburn street. He attended the Webster grammar school and graduated from the Cambridge high school in the class of 1868 with honors. He learned the carpenter's trade in the employ
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of John & Joseph Kelley of Cambridge, and afterward served an apprenticeship of three years in the machinist's trade under Moore & Wyman, 76 Sudbury street, Boston. He worked for this firm also as journeyman for five years and then embarked in business on his own account at 13 Bowker street, Boston. After seven years at that location he removed to his present place of business, 65 Sudbury Street, Boston. He manufactures water motors for export and also deals extensively in gas and gasoline engines. Mr. Whitney attends the First Baptist Church of Malden. While living at Melrose he was for eighteen years the collector of the Baptist church, member of the music committee, the finance committee and the standing committee and an efficient worker in the Sunday school of the same. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Wyoming Lodge of Free Masons; of the Waverly Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and is treasurer of same; and of Melrose Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Malden, and trustee of the permanent fund of the body. He is associate prelate of Hugh De Payens Commandery, Knights Templar, of Melrose; member of Bethlehem Council, Royal Arcanum; and a charter member of the Amphion Club, a musical organization established in 1892. He is gifted musically and has been bass soloist in the Melrose Baptist church choir. He married, October 7, 1880, Isabel Esther Billman, born in Boston, daughter of John and Mary (Hurd) Billman. Her father was a traveling salesman. Their only child, Caroline Gertrude, is a student in Radcliffe College, class of 1909.
(VII) George Washington, son of Ezekiel Whitney, was born at Watertown, August 26, 1812, died at Brighton, Massachusetts, Mary 17, 1863. He attended the public schools of his native town. During his youth he was employed as coachman for the Stearns family in Boston. Even then he was an excellent judge of horses and skillful in handling them. Soon after the Boston & Worcester railroad was built he began to work for the railroad company, and was soon placed in the position of section master by Superintendent Twitchell, who knew Mr. Whitney's ability and judgment through personal acquaintance. His section was that from Boston to Allston and his success in this position brought him promotion to the position of superintendent of the road from Boston to Worcester railroad, later known as the Boston & Albany, was in no small part due to his good judgment, industry and faithfulness to duty. He took high rank among the pioneers in railroad construction and maintenance. He always kept abreast of the times. He resided in Boston and Brighton. Though kindly and cheerful in his nature, he believed in discipline in business and expected from his men the same indefatigable industry that he himself gave to his daily work, and he was not disappointed. No superintendent was ever served more faithfully and none had the confidence and esteem of his men to a greater degree. He believed in total abstinence and died much for the cause of temperance. He took great pleasure in driving and owned many fine horses and belonged to the best sporting clubs of Brighton. He was witty himself and fond of a joke and his good humor attracted many friends to him. To his family he was greatly endeared. He attended the Baptist church of Brighton, of which his wife was a member. He was a member of the Boston Lancers, which for many years has been the pet cavalry organization of Massachusetts. In politics he was a Democrat. He married, November 28, 1833, Elizabeth Cook, born November 10, 1815, died November 1, 1860. Children: 1. George Bradford, born January 13, 1835, died September, 1907; was chief of police at Bayonne, New Jersey, superintendent of the Ninth Avenue Elevated Railroad of New York City; married Eliezer Jones, of Sudbury, Massachusetts; children: George, Edward, Abbie. 2. Elizabeth, married Charles Griggs; children: i. Ella Griggs, married Theodore Gordon, of Acton; ii. Gertrude Griggs; iii. Charles Griggs, died young. 3. Delphine, married ----- Gilpatrick. 4. Anna Amelia, died young. 5. Arabella, died at Dedham; married ----- Brockett and had Gertrude Brockett. 6. William Ezekiel, died August 2, 1908; married, March 18, 1862, Margaret Kinder, born December 12, 1842; children: i. Nellie L., born February 14, 1864, married, August 6, 1884, John E. Felch (Children: Marguerita May Felch, born May 20, 1889; Gladys Felch, February 28, 1898; Emma Whitney Felch, December 6, 1901); ii. Bella Lurena, born February 25, 1872, died November 25, 1872. 7. Frank Nahum, born March 28, 1844, died August, 1907; married Sarah Adams. 8. Alonzo Driscoll, born 1847,
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died April 6, 1876; married, May 18, 1870, Zelaphine Juliette Gilliheon; children: i. George Washington, born June 12, 1871, married, July 11, 1894, Mary J. Garside (Children: Walter Theodore, born May 25, 1895; Arthur Harrison, June 4, 1897; Mildred, July 23, 1902, died February 9, 1906; Ernest Winfield, January 24, 1904); ii. Zelia Jenette, born January 29, 1874, died January 17, 1877. 9. Edward, born 1850, mentioned below.
(VIII) Edward, son of George Washington Whitney, was born at Brighton, now part of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1850, died at Cambridge, July 22, 1879. He was educated in the public schools. When a young man he was employed for a number years by H. D. Smith, who owned a livery stable at the corner of Second and Gore streets, Cambridge. During the last ten years of his life he was a faithful and trusted assistant of Charles E. Daley in the livery stable business, Cambridge street. His gentle nature, courtesy and faithfulness won the confidence and esteem of both employer and customers. He was a most valued and valuable man for Mr. Daley. At the time of his death, one of his employers said of him: "He was a man out of place in life, worthy of a large share of the world's good." He was handicapped by lameness caused early in life by an attack of rheumatic fever. He died of typhoid fever when but twenty-nine yars of age. In religion he was a Methodist; in politics a Republican. He was a member of the Order of Foresters. He married, at Cambridge, Elizabeth Healy, born 1848, daughter of John and Ellen (Dwyer) Healy, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Children: 1. George Edward, born July 1, 1870, married, November 27, 1896, Margaret Theresa Ford, of Cambridge. 2. Ellen Gertrude, January 1, 1872, married, May 14, 1891, Charles A. Chapman; children: i. William John Chapman, born June 24, 1892; ii. Charles Chapman, October 30, 1893; iii. Edward Chapman, September 30, 1895; iv. Alice Chapman, March 2, 1897; v. John Chapman, December 14, 1898, died December 15, 1898. 3. John William, January 1, 1875, mentioned below. 4. Katherine, married Charles Messer; children: i. Elizabeth Messer, born June 6, 1900; ii. Helen Messer, July 31, 1902. 5. Mary Elizabeth, February 4, 1877, married Ralph Reardon.
(IX) John William, son of Edward Whitney, was born at Cambridge, January 1, 1875. He attended the public schools, but his father died when he was but six years old and he was obliged to contribute as much as possible from early boyhood to support the family. At the age of thirteen he found employment in the laboratory of Henry Thayer, a manufacturing chemist, of Cambridge. After six years in this position he was employed by North's Packing Company as a teamster for eight years. He started in business in 1902 at 9 Chestnut street, East Somerville, in the manufacture of barrels. He had but little capital, the modest savings of many years of hard work, but he displayed a natural aptitude for business and a skill in his special line of repairing and making all kinds of barrels. His business flourished from the start. In three years he had to find larger quarters, and he bought a large building with stable, etc., at the rear at 113 Linwood street. His best customers are the large packing houses in Cambridge and Somerville and the wholesale merchants in Boston. Mr. Whitney is reckoned among the most successful of the younger manufacturers of Somerville. He resides at 64 Washington street, Somerville. He and his family atten St. Joseoph's Roman Catholic Church in that city. He is a Republican in politics. He is a member of Cambridge Council, No. 74, Knights of Columbus, of Cambridge, and of Somerville Lodge, No. 917, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He married, January 5, 1898, at Cambridge, Mary Magdalen Carroll, daughter of John and Nora (McLaughlin) Carroll of Somerville. Children: 1. John Edward, born November 22, 1898. 2. Francis, August 5, 1900. 3. Naomi, January 1, 1903. 4. Estelle Margaret, January 1, 1906. 5. Edward Carroll, April 25, 1908.
(III) Richard, son of Richard Whitney, was born at Watertown, January 13, 1660, and died December 15, 1723. He resided at Stow, where he had a grant of land October 24, 1682. His will was dated December 22, 1723. He married Elizabeth Sawtell, widow, daughter of Jonathan Sawtell, of Groton. She was born February 3, 1668, died November 24, 1723, and married (first) 1691, Joseph Morse; (second) Benjamin Nurse; (third) Richard Whitney. Children of Richard and Elizabeth: 1. Richard, mentioned below. 2. Jonathan, born February 26, 1699; married Alice Willard. 3. Joshua, born 1706; married Zerviah -----. 4. Hannah, married Samuel Farr. 5. Elizabeth, mar-
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ried, December 29, 1722, John Wetherby. 6. Sarah, born 1703; married, 1723, Captain Hezekiah Hapgood. 7. Ruhamah, born 1705. 8. Hepzibah, born 1710; married, October 12, 1732, Seth Sawyer.
(IV) Richard, son of Richard Whitney, was born in Stow, in 1694, and died April 27, 1775. He resided in Stow. He married (first) Hannah Whitcomb, born 1693, died November 17, 1743, daughter of Josiah Whitcomb, of Lancaster; (second) intentions dated October 26, 1745, Hannah Ayres, widow, born 1704, died September 27, 1775. Children: 1. Mary, born November 24, 1715; married ----- Gates. 2. Dorothy, born April 13, 1718; married ----- Taylor. 3. Daniel, born February 13, 1720; see forward. 4. Hannah, born May 29, 1723; married ----- Wetherbee. 5. Richard, born July 31, 1725; married Mary Berry. 6. Elizabeth, born July 23, 1728; married, 1748, Joseph Wetherbee. 7. Josiah, born October 12, 1731. 8. Sarah, married December 23, 1769, Captain Hezekiah Whitcomb.
(V) Sergeant Daniel, eldest son of Richard Whitney, was born in Stow, Massachusetts, February 13, 1720, died in 1782. He served in the revolution as sergeant in Captain Jonathan Rice's company, Colonel Samuel Bullard's regiment, 1777 to reinforce the army at the north. His will was dated January 23, 1782, and the inventory was made March 4, 1783. All his children except Ephraim were mentioned in the will. He married (intentions dated November 9, 1744), Dorothy Goss, of Lancaster, who died October 11, 1813. Children: 1. Hannah, born in Harvard, April 29, 1746, married ----- Wetherbee. 2. John, November 24, 1747, married Mary Farnsworth. 3. Daniel, December 11, 1749, married Sarah Durant. 4. Dorothy, December 12, 1751, married, 1774, Nathan Putnam. 5. Silas, January 13, 1754, died May 25, 1756. 6. Ephraim, September 29, 1755, married Sarah Burgess. 7. Silas, February 26, 1758, mentioned below. 8. Elizabeth, August 4, 1760, married, April 10, 1782, Ebenezer Parks. 9. Katherine, April 12, 1763, married, April 23, 1783, Lemuel Wheeler. 10. Susannah, October 11, 1766, married, March 31, 1784, Stephen Weston. 11. Mary, February 9, 1769, married, March 20, 1787, Peter Chapin.
(VI) Silas, son of Daniel Whitney, was born February 26, 1758, in Stow, died at Charlestown in 1838. He was a blacksmith and farmer and was noted for his strength. He lived for a time at Ashby, and later removed to Boston, where he made his home with his son, Captain Silas Whitney. He was in the revolution in Captain Amasa Cranston's company, Colonel Eleazer Brooks' regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains. He married Patience Goodnow, of Stow, who died in Charlestown in February, 1842. Children: 1. Silas, born January 26, 1781, mentioned below. 2. John, November 22, 1782, married Susannah Vilas. 3. James. 4. Samuel. 5. Ephraim, m. Eunice -----. 6. Susan, July 1, 1792, married Joseph Whitney and died 1884, aged ninety-two. 7. Betsey, married ----- Bates. 8. Polly, married ----- Gault. 9. Dolly, April 1, 1797, married November 20, 1814, William Beals.
(VII) Captain Silas, son of Silas Whitney, was born January 26, 1781, at Stow, died at Charlestown, January 20, 1824. He was educated in the public schools and when a young man went to Boston. A few years later he and his brothers, John and Ephraim Whitney, entered partnership as general contractors. The first permanent railway in America was constructed at Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1827, but the Whitney firm built and operated a gravity railroad on Beacon Hill several years earlier to facilitate the work of cutting down Beacon Hill and grading Charles street, for which the firm had the contract. A train loaded with gravel at the top would by its weight in descending pull an empty train to the top, thus saving the use of horses altogether in the work. This labor-saving device is still used in mining operations and construction work when possible. The Whitney firm had the contract to build Central Wharf and many other important railroad and construction contracts. Later in life Silas Whitney was proprietor of the Middlesex Hotel, then situated between Warren avenue and the old bridge road in Charlestown. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1836. He was captain of a Boston company of the state militia. At one time Captain Whitney owned the brick dwelling house at 34 Charles street and a three-story house on Morton street. He married, at Waltham, in 1800, Abigail M. Shedd, who died September 21, 1854. Children: 1. Silas Gore, born August 9, 1800, mentioned below. 2. Mary, October 8, 1801, died April 3, 1803. 3. Mary, September 28, 1803, died July 7, 1837. 4. Charles, Setpember 15, 1805. 5. Abigail, May 21, 1808, died January 4, 1870; married Thomas R. Speare, and had Henrietta Speare, who died aged two. 6.
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Eliza A., April 15, 1809, died June 6, 1894; married (first) ----- Hinckley; (second) David O'Brien. 7. Ephraim, August, 1816, married (first) Johanna A. Hook; (second) ----- -----; children: i. William H., born Mary 11, 1846, married Clara E. Snowdill; ii. Ephraim, died young; iii. Ophelia V., born 1850, married William I. Hatch. 8. William Henry, June 2, 1818, lost at sea 1830. 9. John Francis, February 27, 1819, married (first) January 18, 1844, Julia Ann Andrews; (second) July 7, 1846, Maria Hook, children: i. Julia F., born 1848, married W. W. Palmer; ii. John Prescott, November 2, 1849, married Annie M. Williams; iii. Josiah O., July 10, 1853, died May 31, 1878; iv. Silas Gore, March 26, 1855; v. Alice G., July 3, 1857, married John W. Munce; vi. Everett C., July 4, 1859; vii. Theodore H., February 17, 1861; viii. George A., December 15, 1868, died April 11, 1888; ix. Helen Maria.
(VIII) Silas Gore, son of Silas Whitney, was born in Boston, August 9, 1800, died there July 15, 1854. He attended the public schools and was associated with his father until the latter's death in 1824. He then went by sailing vessel to Venezuela, and settled at Puerto Cabelo where he entered the commission house of Franklin Litchfield, then one of the largest mercantile houses in the vicinity. By his energy, probity and strict attention to business in all its details, he gained for himself such favor with his employer that he was promoted to positions of greater responsibility and was looked upon as a factor in the buisness. His command of the Spanish language made him invaluable to his employer and he soon became a partner of this large concern. The firs was known as Litchfield & Whitney, and all business of exchange, banking, etc., was also done through them. In the height of his success, he returned to Boston and married Sarah Susan Penniman, duaghter of Amasa and Eunice (Soper) Penniman, of Braintree. He returned to Venezuela with his bride, and their first two children were born there. His business duties became more arduous, the correspondence of the firm devolving upon him. Through the efforts of Mr. Litchfield, he was appointed United States vice consul of the port, which position he held while there. Upon the death of Mr. Litchfield, and owing to his own impaired health, he closed up the affairs of the firm and in 1842 returned with his family to Boston. Here he became associated with Timothy W. Hoxsie at 25 Commercial Wharf, under the firm name T. W. Hoxsie & Co., dealers in lime, cement and builders' supplies. The business was later moved to 46 Long Wharf. He lived first at 5 Kingston street, removing in 1846 th 36 Porter street. The firm became one of the largest of its kind in Boston. About 1848 he was appointed United States consul of Venezuela for the port of Boston, which office he held in conection with his business until his death. From 1848 to 1852 he resided on Ash street, and from then until his death at 12 Dover street, then one of the select residence streets of Boston. He was a man of strict integrity, and discharged with signal ability all the duties of citizenship, of business, and of his offices of trust. He was of high moral character and of gentle and kindly nature. He attended while in Boston the Church of the Messiah (Episcopal), but was broad-minded, and often attended Theodore Parker's (Unitarian) church. He was a great admirer of Theodore Parker. In politics he was a Whig. Children: 1. Mary Litchfield, born at Puerto Cabelo, May 9, 1837, married, June 10, 1855, James Morse Williams, of Newburyport; children: i. Anna Waldron Williams, born May 8, 1856; ii. Mary Louise Williams, March 3, 185-. 2. Henry Franklin, November 1, 1838, mentioned below. 3. Sarah Virginia, July, 1841, died December 4, 1899; married (first) 1859, Abraham Holland, of Boston; (second) September 14, 1875, Forest G. Hawes, of Boston; had Sarah Eddy Holland, born July 17, 1862, married, October 30, 1879, Charles Henry West. 4. Jose Antonio Paez, 1842, married, 1861, Emma D. Bills; children: i. Linwood Gore, born 1869; ii. Florence W., 1877. 5. Georgianna, died young.
(IX) Henry Franklin, son of Silas Gore Whitney, was born at Puerto Cabelo, Venezuela, November 1, 1838. He came to Boston when six years old with his parents and attended the Quincy school in that city. After this school was destroyed by fire he attended the Brimmer school. At the age of fifteen he became a clerk in the employ of Russell & Tilton, fish dealers on Lond Wharf, Boston. After two years in this position he became clerk in the office of I. F. Dobson, insurance broker at 40 State street, Boston, remaining there until he enlisted in October, 1862, at Cambridge, in Company G, Forth-fourth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, Colonel Francis L. Lee, of Newton, commanding. His regiment left Camp Meigs, Readville, Massachusetts,
[p. 23]
October 15, and after being reviewed by Governor Andrew, sailed on the transport "Merrimac" to Morehead City, North Carolina, whence it proceeded on platform cars during a terrific thunder storm to Newbern, North Carolina, and encamped north of the city, with part of the brigade under Colonel Thomas G. Stevenson in the Eighteenth Army Corps. Under General Foster they sailed October 30 down the Neuse river into Pamlico sound, up the Tar river to Washington, North Carolina, debarking, and on November 2 marched northward twenty miles and engaged the Confederate forces at Rawle's Mills, near Williamston. On the following morning they marched by way of Hamilton towards Tarboro, returning to Plymouth and thence by transports to Newbern. They took part in an engagement at Kingston, December 14, at Whitehall, December 16, and in the battle of Goldsboro, December 18, 1862, returning to Newbern, December 20. The regiment encamped for the winter there and on February 1, 1863, marched to Plymouth foraging in the vicinity until March 10. They reinforced the garrison at Washington, North Carolina, March 15. The fort was besieged March 30 and numerous engagements followed until April 14, when the Rebels were forced to retire. The command was sent to Newbern April 23, as provost guard, until June 6, when the regiment embarked in the steamers "Guide" and "George Peabody" at Morehead City and after a rough passage reached Boston, June 10, being mustered out June 19 at Readville. Mr. Whitney resumed his position in the insurance office. A year later his employer failed and he became clerk in the insurance office of Burge & Lane and continued there for ten years. He then became special agent for the People's Fire Insurance Company of New Hampshire for eight years with offices at 55 Kilby street. He was in the insurance business for a year at New Orleans, Mississippi, and at Galveston, Texas, but the business was not satisfactory and he returned to Boston, becoming a special agent of the Farmers' Insurance Company, with offices at 44 Kilby street. Since 1901 he has been employed as an independent fire insurance adjuster for all the companies having agencies in Boston on losses in all parts of New England. He is the oldest insurance man on Kilby street, the center of the fire insurance business of New England, and has been in the business longer than any other man there. He has resided since 1888, in the house which he owns at 16 Meacham road, Cambridge. In religion he is an Episcopalian; in politics a Democrat. He is a member of Charity Lodge of Free Masons, of Cambridge; of Cambridge Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Mount Sinai Lodge, No. 169, Odd Fellows, of North Cambridge, of which he has been noble grand. He was formerly a member of Charles River Encampment of Odd Fellows, and of the Newtowne Club of Cambridge. He is a member of Francis Gould Post, No. 36, Grand Army of the Republic. When a young man he was in the Fourth Battalion, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, before the war. He is a member of the Boston Insurance Exchange. He married, April 1, 1858, Sarah Henrietta Holland, born September 6, 1842, daughter of Thomas H. Holland. Children: 1. Cora Virginia, born August 20, 1859, married Augustus L. Smith; child, Carleton Whitney Smith. 2. Emma Henrietta, August 11, 1861, married, August 10, 1880, Harry Elwood Mason, of Cambridge. 3. Harrie Holland, March 15, 1868, married, October 1, 1895, Mabel Louise Wheeler, of Boston, born March 15, 1873, daughter of Charles Louis and Maria Frances (Smith) Wheeler, of Boston; children: Ruth Marietta, born August 14, 1897; Harrie Holland, May 3, 1900. 4. Kittie Ivaloe, April 29, 1869, married, January 9, 1889, Nat Frank Dadmun, of Boston; children: Henrietta Whitney Dadmun, born July 27, 1892; Harrie Holland Dadmun, June 25, 1894. 5. Chester Winfield, December 14, 1880.
(VIII) Charles Whitney, son of Silas Whitney, was born at Boston, September 15, 1805, died at Melrose, Massachusetts, December 27, 1884. He was educated in the public schools of that city and was associated in business with his father in the old Middlesex Hotel to the time of his marriage. Afterward he was a hotel keeper on his own account. In 1843-44 he kept the Boston Hotel and later the Whitney Hotel on Lincoln street, near Beach, Boston, from 1845 to 1858. He was employed for a time in a store at the corner of Devonshire and Summer streets, and in 1860-61 was a bookkeeper for a concern at the corner of Portland street and Sudbury street. In 1856 and for a number of years afterward he resided in Auburndale, Massachusetts, and afterward at Melrose. He was one of the most popular hotel proprietors of his day in Boston. His courtesy and sunny disposition attracted many friends. He married, at Con-
[p. 24]
cord, New Hampshire, June 6, 1826, Lydia Maria Emery, born at Concord, February 24, 1808, died at Medford, Massachusetts, December 12, 1884. They lived to celebrate the fifty-eighth anniversary of their marriage. A newspaper account of the wedding published at the time of Mr. Whitney's death follows: "Mr. Whitney started from Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 5, 1826, at sunrise and arrived a Chichester, New Hampshire, at sundown in a chaise--a distance of about seventy miles. The following morning he was united in marriage to Lydia Maria Emery, having seen her but twice, their courtship being done mostly by proxy. That they lived together as long and happily proved that long courtships are not always necessary. Mr. Charles Whitney, a gentleman highly esteemed by all who knew him, died at his home in Melrose Highlands aged seventy-nine years. It was only sixteen days after the death of his wife, with whom he had been wedded nearly fifty-nine years. It seemed a beautiful mercy of the Almighty that death should not long divide them and although their departure left the mourners bereft, yet they were sheaves fully ripe and God has garnered them." Children: 1. Louisa M., born September 16, 1827, married, Benjamin F. Peakes. 2. Augusta G., August 20, 1829, died April 22, 1860. 3. Mary Eliza, November 5, 1830, died April 23, 1874; married Edgar B. Fox; children: i. Edgar Augustus Fox, born June 7, 1852, married Bertha Sweet; ii. Harold Sumner Fox, June 6, 1856, married Addie Easton; iii. George Julian Fox, May 4, 1858, married Emma Seelye; iv. Fannie Louise Fox, February 14, 1864, married Frank C. Roberts; v. Annie Alice Lydia Fox, September 7, 1868, married A. Adlebert Doty; vi. Edgar Bernard Fox, December 9, 1872. 4. Helen S., April 2, 1834, died 1843. 5. Fannie E., May 14, 1837, married Henry G. Washburn. 6. Charles Joseph, January 15, 1839, died February 1839. 7. Charles Joseph, January 11, 1840, died 1842. 8. Charles Joseph, May 15, 1843, mentioned below. 9. Helen S., July 18, 1849, resides in Dorchester.
(IX) Charles Joseph, son of Charles Whitney, was born at Boston, May 15, 1843, died there June 22, 1893. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and began life as a clerk in various Boston stores. In 1859-60 he lived in Auburndale, but worked at 104 Court street, Boston. He enlisted for one hundred days, July 4, 1864, and was mustered into the Union service, July 14, 1864, in Captain Philip J. Cooley's company (F) in the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment, commanded by Colonel George H. Peirson. From the camp in Readville, Massachusetts, the regiment proceeded to Baltimore, halting for a short time at Soldiers' Rest, Philadelphia, and marching by night to Baltimore, where they went into camp, four miles north of the city at Mankin's Woods. Thence they went to Fort McHenry and Company F, with other companies under Lieutenant Colonel Worcester proceeded to Federal Hill. After two weeks of garrison duty and escorting recruits to the front, Company F was detailed to guard the polls at election. Though the company was never in battle it performed difficult and hazardous duty faithfully and maintained the reputation of the regiment. They were mustered out at Readville, November 16, 1864. Mr. Whitney entered the employ of the Metropolitan Horse Railroad Company in Boston as a conductor and driver and was thus employed from 1864 until 1871. From 1871 to 1873 he worked at the trade of baker at 1146 Shawmut avenue and then returned to work for the horse railroad. From 1886 to 1888 he was clerk in the postoffice, Boston. He returned to the bakery business and was for a time foreman of the Aerated Bread Company. he was in business as a baker on his own account for a time. Later he became foreman for the Fleischman Yeast Company at 40 Beach street, Boston, and continued with this concern the remainder of his life. In his later years he lived at Hotel Waterford, Boston. He was of a pleasing and attractive disposition, making friends readily, loving the society of cheerful friends, of which he had many, and very popular in business as well as social life. He was active, enterprising and energetic, highly respected for his uprightness and ability. He attended the Harvard Baptist Church, Harrison avenue, Boston. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of Post 26, Grand Army of the Republic, Roxbury. He married (first) 1865, Mary Elizabeth Dunbar, born April 10, 1843, at Roxbury, Massachusetts, died October 17, 1874, daughter of Calvin Copeland Dunbar, born at North Easton, Massachusetts, May 10, 1811, died in Roxbury, June 10, 1890; he was engaged in the milk Business; he married Adeline Alice Lunt at Roxbury; she was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, 1813, died at Roxbury in December, 1863. He married (second) Sep-
[p. 25]
tember 12, 1885, Helen E. Fuller, born October 7, 1858. Children of first wife: 1. Charles Henry, born December 1, 1866, mentioned below. 2. Edith Lillian, March 3, 1871, married (first) October 12, 1898, John Dale, born January 14, 1845, died May 3, 1904; (second) June 6, 1906, John Christopher Dorey, of Old Town, Maine, son of William and Mary Elizabeth (Ellis) Doery. 3. Alice C., January 5, 1874, died April 4, 1874.
(X) Charles Henry, son of Charles Joseph Whitney, was born in Boston, December 1, 1866. At the age of six he removed to Roxbury with his parents and attended the public schools there, graduating from the Lewis grammar school in 1882. He entered the employ of the wholesale dry goods commission firm of Brown, Wood & Kingman, 31 Bedford street, as clerk and was promoted from time to time to positions of responsibility. The firm retired from business January 1, 1888, and he became confidential clerk and private secretary of Lyman Nichols, capitalist and real estate owner, and remained in this position until 1900, when he accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper in the office of the Continental Mills at 31 Bedford street, Boston, manufacturer of cotton goods, with mills at Lewiston, Maine. In 1905 Mr. Whitney became selling agent for this corporation, having entire charge of selling the output of the mills, dividing his time between Boston and New York. The company operates one hundred thousand spindles and takes rank among the larger mills of New England. Twelve hundred hands are employed. Mr. Whitney resides at 32 Prospect avenue, Winthrop, Massachusetts. He and his wife attend the Union Congregational Church at Winthrop. In politics he is a Republican and he was a member of the Republican town committee of Winthrop in 1904. He is a member of the Winthrop Lodge of Free Masons; of Winthrop Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Winthrop Camp, Sons of Veterans; of the Winthrop Yacht Club; the Framingham Country Club, the Woodland Golf Club of Auburndale; the Arkwright Club of New York City and of the Winthrop Improvement Association. He married, at Boston, June 3, 1895, Harriet Ann Booth, born at Holbeck (Leeds), Yorkshire, England, daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Stansfield) Booth. Mrs. Whitney is a member of Colonial Chapter, No. 96, Order of the Eastern Star of Winthrop. Their only child was Retta Dunbar, born January, 1897, died January, 1897.
(VIII) William Meelus, son of Captain Hananiah Whitney, was born at Windhendon, May 15, 1826, died at Needham, Massachusetts, August 7, 1904. He was four years old when his parents went to Lowell and he was educated in the public schools of that town. he was apprenticed to the trace of machinist in the Lowell Machine Company shops and for several years followed his trade. Soon after 1840 he entered the employ of the Cheshire railroad, then recently built, and in a few years became a locomotive engineer on that road. He removed to keene, New Hampshire, two years later, and to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1857, where he was employed as machinist in the railroad shops, having resigned his position as engineer. In 1863 he became master mechanic for the New England railroad and made his home at Needham, Massachuestts, having charge of the small repair shops at Needham and the large shops in Boston. Afterward he was for eleven years a passenger conductor on the New England railroad. In 1878 he accepted a position as passenger conductor on the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad having a three hundred mile run between Trinidad and Santa Fe. He made his home at Santa Fe. After five years he resigned to engage in the fruit and produce business on his own account. His store was at Santa Fe and his stock came largely form California. In 1888 he returned to Needham, Massachusetts, having retired from active business. For several years he was custodian of the high school building at Needham. He was seriously injured before 1850 in an accident. While working in the railroad machine shops he was caught between a locomotive and a post and crushed badly. He was incapacitated for service in the civil war though eager to do his part. He was a Unitarian in religion, a Republican in politics. He was a life member of Aurora Lodge of Free Masons in Fitchburg, and was an honorary member of Norfolk Lodge of Needham. Mr. Whitney was an earnest, honorable and upright citizen of sound judgment and sterling common sense. He was quiet and domestic in his habits, but fond of social life and enjoying the friendship of many. He married, September 12, 1850, Emeline Cole, of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, born there September 1, 1830, died at Needham, February 10, 1903, daughter of Heber and Prudence
[p. 26]
(Walker) Cole, of Westmoreland. Her father was a leading and representative citizen, was successful as a farmer, and at the time of his death left an ample competence to his family. Children: 1. Willie Henry, born September 30, 1854, died January 27, 1878. 2. Frank Cole, September 25, 1856, mentioned below.
(IX) Frank Cole, son of William Meelus Whitney, was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, September 25, 1856. His parents removed to Fitchburg when he was a year old and he was educated there in the public schools. In 1865 he and his mother removed to Needham where his father was living. He attended the Needham grammar school and the English high school in Boston. In 1875 he became clerk in the store of E. Allen & Company, wholesale dealers in woolens, 50 Franklin street, Boston. A year later he became timekeeper and paymaster of the South Boston Iron Company, which made heavy ordnance for the United States government. In 1880 he went west and engaged in mining for a short time. For five years he was manager of the Santa Fe National Bank at Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 1885 he returned east to become teller of the Lincoln National Bank of Boston. This bank and the Central National Bank were consolidated in 1896 and he remained with the concern until its failure in 1903. He has since been bookkeeper of the Faneuil Hall National Bank of Boston. He resides in Needham. He is a member of the First Unitarian Church of Needham, of which he was treasurer for ten years, serving from time to time on church committees. He is a Republican and has been town auditor. He is a member of the Boston Bank Officers' Association. He married, at Needham, June 9, 1896, Susie Gay Mackintosh, born at Needham, February 14, 1875, daughter of Curtis and Mary (Mason) Mackintosh. Her father was a farmer at Needham; was town assessor. Children, born at Needham: 1. Helen, December 18, 1897. 2. Marjorie, April 15, 1905, died April 22, 1905. 3. Mason, February 25, 1907, died March 2, 1907. 3. Ruth, May 3, 1908.
FORBUSH
[pp. 43-44]
Deacon Thomas, son of Deacon Thomas (2) Forbush, .... He married, January 6, 1719, Hannah Bellows. Children: .... 7. Dorcas, February 28, 1727, married December 18, 1749, Oliver Whitney.
SAWYER
[p. 82]
Caleb, son of Thomas (1) Sawyer, .... He married, December 28, 1687, Sarah Houghton .... Children: .... 2. Seth, 1705, died May 29, 1768; married (first) January 11, 1726, Dinah Farrar, who died October 25, 1727; (second) October 12, 1732, Hepzibah Whitney, of Harvard; children: i. Betsey, born November 15, 1741; ii. John; iii. Caleb; iv. Phinehas, July 25, 1746; v. Dinah, April 25, 1749.
WELLINGTON
[p. 93]
(III) Benjamin (2), son of Benjamin (1) Willington, born June 21, 1676, died November 15, 1738, "At towne meeting were chosen survayurs swine cattle & fences Richard Child & Benjamin Wellington." He was admitted a freeman in December, 1667. The "History of Lexington" says of him: "He was for many years one of the most popular men of the town; was assessor sixteen years, town clerk fifteen years, treasurer three years, representative three years. He was admitted to the church at Lexington, June 10, 1705. His will, dated July 13, 1708, proved January 30 following, described him as "housewright and carpenter." He married (first) January 16, 1698-99, Lydia Brown, and the same year built himself a house on the family estate at Lexington; his wife died May 13, 1711. He married (second) December 1712, Elizabeth, widow of Samuel Phipps, and daughter of ----- Stevens, of Charlestown; she died January 17, 1729-30, aged fifty-four. He married (third) Mary Whitney. Children of first wife: 1. Benjamin, born May 21, 1702, died November 15, 1738. 2. Lydia, August 24, 1704, died August 10, 1718. 3. Kezia, born March 28, 1707. 4. John, born November 12, 1709, died September 22, 1728. Children of second wife: 5. Abigail, July 14, 1715, married, February 19, 1734, David Munroe. 6. Timothy, born July 27, 1719, mentioned below. Children of third wife: 7. Mary, October 20, 1732. 8. Olive, April 14, 1735.
BROWN
[p. 98]
(II) Lyman, son of Jethro and Molly (Haynes) Brown, was born March 28, 1767, died February 10, 1854. He married Miriam Whitney, born June 10, 1776 (see Whitney). Children: 1. Leafy, born May 25, 1792, married Oliver Halliday. 2. Daniel, January 22, 1794, died July 4, 1823; married Katherine Arnold. 3. Samuel Whitney, November 29, 1795. 4. William, August 3, 1797, died September 8, 1822. 5. Phebe, July 10, 1799, died November 13, 1799. 6. Phebe H., September 2, 1800, died 1831; married George Gilbert. 7. Lyman, Jr., October 2, 1802, died November 27, 1862. 8. Bathsheba, Noveber 25, 1804, died March 19, 1848; married Luke Whitney. 9. Lucy, March 16, 1806, died April 10, 1806. 10. Miriam W., June 7, 1808, died June 13, 1888; married Joseph Rand. 11. Hamilton, May 27, 1811, died December 18, 1885; married (first) Adleia Spaulding, (second) Emily M. Walker. 12. Eliza P., September 12, 1812, married Avery Holden. 13. John F., January 28, 1815. 14. Diana, September 7, 1818, died March 28, 1864; married John Knight.
(III) Samuel Whitney, son of Lyman and Miriam (Whitney) Brown, was born November 29, 1795, died September 6, 1863. He married Phila Mather, born June 23, 1797, died June 1, 1871. ....
The surname Whitney, originally written de Whitney, is said to have been derived from the name of the parish where the castle stood. Aluard, as Saxon, held the land before the conquest, but at the time of "Doomsday Survey," A. D., 1086, it was waste, without an owner, save the king as lord paramount. A grandson or great-grandson of Sir Turstin, one of the conqueror's knights, known as Turstin the Fleming, sometime between 1100 and 1200, engaging in the border wards, built a stronghold and took up his abode at Whitney, on the banks of the Wye, and thus after the custom of the period acquired the surnames of de Whitney. The first mention of a de Whitney in any extant record is that of Robert de Wytteneye, in the "Testa de Nevil," A. D., 1242.
(I) Sir Robert Whitney was knighted by Queen Mary in 1553 and represented Herefordshire in the parliament.
(II) Thomas, son of Sir Robert Whitney, was born in Herefordshire, and went to live at Lambeth Marsh, near the Surrey end of Westminster bridge. May 10, 1583, he secured a license to marry Mary, daughter of John Bray. In the license he is described as Thomas Whytney, of Lambeth Marsh, gentleman, and on May 12 the marriage ceremony was performed at St. Margaret's. Nine children were born of this marriage, but only three of them grew to maturity, John, Francis and Robert. Of these Francis died in Westminster, 1643, Robert in the parish of St. Peter's Cornhill, London, 1662, and John emigrated to New England and settled down at Watertown in the colony of Massachusetts Bay. It is of him and one line of his descendants that we have particularly to deal in this place.
(III) John, son of Thomas and Mary (Bray) Whitney, was born in 1589, receiving a good education, probably in the famous Westminster School (now St. Peter's College), and at the age of fourteen was apprenticed by his father to William Pring, of the
[p. 99]
Old Bailey, London, a freeman of the Merchant Tailors' Company, the most prosperous of all the trade guilds, including in its membership men of all professions and many of the nobility. March 13, 1614, being then twenty-one years old, John Whitney became a member of the company, soon afterward married, and in 1619 went to live at Islesworth-on-the-Thames, eight miles from Westminster. remained there until 1624, then went probably to London and lived in that city until he sailed for America. Early in April, 1635, he registered with his wife Elinor and five sons as passengers in the "Elizabeth and Ann," and sailed for New England. In June, 1635, he settled in Watertown, was made freeman, 1636, selectman, 1637, and hel the latter office until 1655, when he was elected town clerk. As early as 1641 he was appointed by the general court constable at Watertown, an office of much dignity and the incumbent of which was regarded as a amn of consequence and influence. He was the grantee of eight lots in Watertown, the purchaser of sixteen other lots, and thus became possessed of a large estate. His wife Elinor died in 1659 and in the same year he married Judith Clement. John Whitney died in June, 1673. He had nine children, all born of his first marriage.
(IV) John (2), son of John (1) and Elinor Whitney, was born in England in 1620, died in Watertown, Massachusetts, October 12, 1692. He was made freeman in 1647, and was a selectman in Watertown from 1673 to 1680. The name of John Whitney appears in a list of names of twenty men of the town who were impressed with provisions, arms and ammunition for the defense of the colony in 1675, during King Philip's war. His will was drawn by himself in 1685, signed it in 1690, and deid before October 16, 1692, when the inventory of his property was made. In 1642 he married Ruth, daughter of Robert Reynolds, of Watertown, and by whom he had ten children.
(V) Nathaniel, son of John (2) and Ruth (Reynolds) Whitney, was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, February 1, 1646, died in Weston, Massachusetts, January 7, 1732. The greater part of his life was spent in Weston, where he was a farmer, and the farm on which he lived was afterward in possession of his descendants for five or more generations. He married, March 12, 1673, Sarah Hagar, born September 3, 1651, died May 7, 1746, having borne her husband eight children.
(VI) Nathaniel (2), son of Nathaniel (1) and Sarah (Hagar) Whitney, was born in Weston, but did not spend his life in the town.
(VII) Samuel, son of Nathaniel (2) Whitney, was born in Weston about 1711 and died in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, August 2, 1788. He went to Shrewsbury about 1743 and joined the church there in 1761. After his death his widow went to Marlboro, Vermont, to live with her children, and she died there at the home of her son, Deacon Jonas Whitney, October 23, 1800, aged eighty-four years. Samuel Whitney went to Marlboro in 1769, and in the spring of the next year made a quantity of maple sugar. Soon afterward he removed to the west part of the town and settled on a farm which later was in possession of Ira Adams, and which farm is located on the easterly slope of Hogback Mountain. He enjoyed considerable local notoriety as a hunter of large game, and on one occasion with the aid of two of his sons killed a bear which dressed at four hundred and sixty-six pounds, said to have been the largest bear ever killed in Vermont. Although well on in years Captain Whitney (he was known by that title) took a patriot's part in the revolutionary war, and on the occasion of the alarm at Lexington took his old musket and with Captain Warren went forward and offered his services for the common cause of the country. At the battle of Bennington, August, 1777, he was present and performed guard duty over the captured British. On April 7, 1735, he married Elizbeth Hastings, of Watertown; children: Samuel, James, Elizabeth, Lucy, Lydia, Lacannah, Nathaniel, Jane, Sarah, Eliphalet and Hannah.
(VIII) Samuel (2), son of Samuel (1) and Elizabeth (Hastings) Whitney, was born about 1740, died February 1, 1811. About ten years after his marriage he removed to Marlboro, Vermont, and spent his life on the farm then owned by Mr. Adams, as is mentioned in a preceding paragraph. He married, in 1762, Phebe Harrington, of Grafton, Massachusetts; eleven children, five of whom were born in Shrewsbury and six in Marlboro: 1. Catherine, May 5, 1763, married S. C. Pratt. 2. Elizabeth, August 26, 1764, married Alson Pratt. 3. Moses, October 21, 1765, died December 14, 1765. 4. Moses, January 26, 1767. 5. Gilford, January 2, 1769. 6. Samuel C., April 18, 1772. 7. Miriam, June 10, 1776, married Lyman Brown (see Brown). 8. Zenas, March 14, 1779. 9. Simei, April 10, 1781. 10. Phebe, January 7, 1786, married, [ ]oswell Paddleford. 11. Roswell, July 27, [17]87, died May 3, 1790.
LUNT
[p. 278-279]
....
(VI) Israel, son of Eleazer [and Bathsheba (Pratt)] Denham, was born October, 1689, at Plymouth, died August 18, 1726. He is buried at Plympton, according to the town records, in the burial ground, forty-five feet east and southeast from the east and southeast from the west gate thereof. He married, June 18, 1713, Joanna Richards, daughter of John Richards of Plympton. She married (second) Elisha Whitney. (p. 94, vol. 3, Mayflower Descendant). ....
FISKE
[p. 360]
(XI) John, second son of Nathaniel (3) and Mary (Warren)(Child) Fiske, was born in Watertown, March 17, 1682, died in Sherburne, May 8, 1730. He married, in Sherburne, July 31, 1706, Lydia, daughter of Moses and Lydia (Whitney) Adams. Children: John, Lydia, Isaac, Daniel, Lydia, Peter, Abigail, Nathaniel.
(XII) Isaac, second son of John and Lydia (Adams) Fiske, was born in Sherburne, April 24, 1714, died December 22, 1799. He was a weaver by trade, resided first at Worcester and later at Framingham, first near Addison Dadmun's, after at Guinea End. His will was dated August 24, 1789, and proved March 17, 1800. He married Hannah, daughter of Richard and Lydia (Whitney) Haven, of Framingham, who died February 21, 1800. Children: Isaac, Hannah, John, Richard, Daniel, Moses, Lydia and Moses.
Copyright © 2007, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group
