Family:Whitney, Elijah (1788-1855)

Dea. Elijah⁷ Whitney (Lemuel⁶, Joshua⁵, Nathaniel⁴, Nathaniel³, John², John¹), son of Lemuel⁶ and Thankful (Griffith) Whitney, was born 3 Jul 1788, Springfield, VT, and died 24 Apr 1855, Springfield, VT, from the effects of a fall on the staircase of his own home.

He married firstly, 27 Sep 1812, Springfield, VT, Susannah Oaks,^[1] daughter of Haugh and Susanna (Lothrop) Oaks. She was born 14 Jan 1793, Cohasset, MA, baptized 9 Jun 1793, Cohasset, MA, and died 29 Jul 1854.

He married secondly, 1 Jan 1855, Springfield, VT, Susan James.^[2] She was born about 1793, MA, and died after 1870.

Elijah Whitney, youngest son of Dea. Lemuel and Thankful Griffith Whitney, was born in Springfield, VT. He was a man of large frame and powerful muscular development. In his youth and early manhood he was very fond of athletic sports, in which he excelled. He was also very fond of gunning and trapping, and in early life added not a little to his income by sales of peltry. He was a farmer most of his life, but at one time owned a saw mill, in which he was very seriously hurt, after which he returned to farming. He inherited his father's aptitude in the use of tools, which in turn was inherited by his son James. He studied the veterinary science so far as it was then understood, and successfully practiced the art for many years. In 1822 he joined the Congregationalist church in Springfield and in 1832 was elected to the office of deacon. He was a man of earnest faith, and one of his wealthiest townsmen said, while looking into his open grave, "I would give all I am worth if I could die with Dea. Whitney's trust." Dea. Whitney died from the effects of a fall on the staircase of his own home. He died 24 Apr 1855; resided Springfield, VT.

Children of Elijah⁷ and Susannah (Oaks) Whitney:

i.	Lucretia Oakes⁸ Whitney, b. 3 Nov 1815, Springfield, VT;^[3] d. 29 Jul 1853; m. 5 or 6 Mar 1840, Springfield, VT, James Lovell;^[4] one daughter, Mary O., b. 1841, resided Rogers Park, IL.
ii.	Thedotia H. Whitney, b. 20 Mar 1819; d. 12 Feb 1826.
iii.	James Whitney, b. 1 Jul 1823; m. Martha Damon.
iv.	Thedotia M. Whitney, b. 1 Jan 1826; d. Jun 1880, Windsor, Co., VT. aged 55 years of a brain aff??;^[5] insane.
v.	Mary Jane Whitney, b. 13 Jun 1830; d. 18 Oct 1832.
vi.	Julia Ann. Whitney, b. 8 Jun 1833; d. 22 Jun 1835.

Census

1820, Weathersfield, Windsor Co., VT: Elijah Whitney, 2 males 26-44, 1 male 10-15, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 16-25, and 2 females 0-9; 2 engaged in agriculture.
1830, Springfield, Windsor Co., VT: Elijah Whitney, 1 male 40-49, 1 male 20-29, 1 male 5-9, 1 female 30-39, 1 female 10-14, and 2 females 0-4.
1840, Springfield, Windsor Co., VT: Elijah Whitney, 1 male 40-49, 1 male 15-19, 1 female 40-49, and 1 female 10-14; 2 engaged in agriculture.
1850, Springfield, Windsor Co., VT:

173 177 Elijah Whitney 62 M - Farmer $2000 Vt. Susannah Whitney 57 F - Mass. James " 26 M - Vt. Theodosia " 22 F - " Attended school

1860, Springfield, Windsor Co., VT:

467 472 Samuel Whitcomb 67 M - Clerk $3000 $300 Massachusetts Mary S. " 62 F - Housewife " Susan Whitney 68 F - Nurse $300 "

1870, Springfield, Windsor Co., VT:

15 21 Whitcomb, Samuel 78 M W Fire Insurance Agt. $2000 $500 Massachusetts Male citizen over 21 -----, Mary 72 F W Keeps house Massachusetts Whitney, Susan C. 77 F W Massachusetts Illiterate