Family:Whitney, Hezekiah (1705-1790)
Hezekiah4 Whitney (Joseph3, John2, Henry1), son of Joseph3 and Hannah (Hoyt) Whitney,[1] was born 10 Apr 1705, Norwalk, CT,[2] and died 30 Apr 1790, Norwalk, CT, in the 86th year of his age.[3]
He married, 3 Jan 1732/3, Norwalk, CT, Margaret Harris[4], by Rev. Moses Dickinson, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Brockway) Harris.[5] She was born about 1710-1711, according to her tombstone, Colchester, CT,[6] and died 31 Jul 1795, Norwalk, CT, in the 85th year of her age.[7]
Phoenix says the following:[8]
- Two gravestones, in St. Paul's Churchyard, Norwalk, commemorate them in the following inscriptions:
In Memory of
HEZEKIAH WHITNEY,
who departed
this life April 30th 1790
in the 86th year
of his age.In Memory of
MARGARET WHITNEY
Relict of Hezekiah Whitney
who departed
this life
July 31st 1795
in the 85th year
of her age.
Gale Ion Harris reported:
- The land records reviewed in the present study show that William was still "of Colchester" when he acknowledged by his mark at Fairfield, Connecticut, a deed to Hezekiah Whitney, a previously unrecognized "son-in-law," of Norwalk, Connecticut (Colchester Deeds 7:531). ....
- MARGARET HARRIS [daughter of William2 and Elizabeth (BROCKWAY) HARRIS], b. ca. 1711, d. Norwalk, Conn., 31 July 1795 in her 85th y. She m. there, "on or about" 3 Jan. 1732/3, HEZEKIAH4 WHITNEY (Edwin Hall, The Ancient Historical Records of Norwalk, Conn. [Norwalk, 1847], hereafter Hall's Norwalk Recs., 217). Hezekiah, b. there, 10 April 1705, and d. there, 30 April 1790, was son of Joseph3 Whitney (John2, Henry1) and Hannah (Hoyt) (S. Whitney Phoenix, The Whitney Family of Connecticut . . ., 3 vols. [New York, 1878], hereafter Whitney Fam., 1:22: inscriptions from their gravestones in St. Paul's churchyard in Norwalk). On 8 Dec. 1762, "William Harris of Colchester" gave his "son-in-law Hezekiah Whitne of Norwalk" 48 acres in Colchester adjoining "John Skinners land"; the 87-year-old William Harris acknowledged that day at Fairfield (Colchester Deeds 7:531). Hezekiah was the "first elected vestryman of St. Paul's Parish" (Charles M. Selleck, Norwalk [Norwalk, 1896], 291 n.).[9]
Will of HEZEKIAH WHITNEY of Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT
- Dated 17 Mar 1785, Proved 4 May 1790
- "In the Name of God Amen. I Hezekiah Whitney of Norwalk in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut not being in health but of perfect memory ( blessed be God therefore ) and calling to mind the certainty of death with the uncertainty of human Life. Do this 17th day of March and in the year of our Lord A domini 1785 make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following / that is to say / after my just debts and funeral Charges are first paid out of my moveable Estate
- "Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my loving Wife Margaret Whitney the use and Improvement of all the remainder of my Estate both the real and personal during her natural life
- "Imprismis. I give and bequeath unto my loving Son / Hezekiah and to his heirs and assigns forever after the death of my said Wife Two shares or double portion of all my real and personal Estate forever.
- "Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my Six daughters viz Bety Abigail, Ruth, Hannah. Peggy & Sarah and to their heirs and Aassigns forever all the remr of my Estate both real & personal to be equally divided between them. I do hereby constitute and appoint my sd Son Hezekiah Whitney and my Son in Law James Beatys Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the date above written
"Signed, Sealed, published and
declared by the sd Hezh Whitney
to be his last Will and Testament
in presence of us
John Patrek
Stephen Gregory
Thomas Belden
his
Hezh X Whitney (LS)
mark
The above is a true Copy of the original
Compared by me Lewis B Sturges Regr
- "Fairfield County Ss Norwalk May 4th 1790 On this day personally appeared Thomas Belden Esquire. John Patrick & Stephen Gregory Witness to the within written Will and made solemn Oath that they each of them saw the within named Hezekiah Whitney the Testator sign, seal, pronounce deliver and declare the within written Instrument to be his last Will & Testament and signed the same as witnesses in the presence of the Testator and of each other and that they all the same time judged the Testator to be of a sound and disposing mind and memory
- "Sworn before me Eliphr Lockwood Jus of Ps
- "At a Court of Probate held at Fairfield 21st June 1790
James Beatys one of the nominated and appointed Executors of the last Will & Testament of Hezekiah Whitney late of Norwalk decd accepted the trust reposed in him & gave Bonds according to Law Hezekiah Whitney the other nominated & appointed Executor being out of this State had not signified his acceptance or refusal of the trust reposed in him Test Lewis B Sturges Clk
- "At a Court of Probate held at Fairfield the 2d August 1790 Ordered one of the Executors | viz James Beatys | of the last Will and Testament of Hezekiah Whitney late of Norwalk decd to advertise | according to Law | the Credrs to said Estate to exhibit their demands against said Estate to sd Executor in six months from this time or be for ever debarred -
- " Test Lewis B Sturges Clk
- "At sd Court-
- "Allowed and set off to the Widow of Hezekiah Whitney late of Norwalk decd out of the personal Estate of sd decd £19.13.7 LMo [legal money?] as necessaries to keep house with
Test Lewis B Sturges Clerk
- "An Inventory of the real and personal Estate of Hezekiah Whitney late of Norwalk decd taken by us the subscribers under Oath this 7th day of July 1790 – viz
1 Hat 6/- 1 old Do 1/ £0 7 0 One New Bed quilt £1 0 0 1 Brown Coat 14 0 1 blue and white Coverlid 6 0 1 Light brown Coat 4 0 1 new Blanket 9 0 1 brown Vest 6 0 1 black and white do 6 6 1 great Coat 16 0 1 blue & white do 6 6 1 white Vest 3 0 1 white do 6 0 1 old blue Vest 4 - Two rose Coverlids 1 16 0 1 old Coat 2 - Woolen Checks 7 6 1 p[air] brown Breeches 3 6 1 Slip of Leather 1 0 3 p old Breeches 4 0 1 Bed and Bolster 3s 5d 2 4 0 1 Shirt 4 6 1 under Bed, Bedstead & Cord 12 0 1 do 3 0 1 Bed, Bolster & pillowbr 40 2 0 0 1 do 2 6 1 under Bed Bedstead & Cord 7 6 3 old Shirts 4 6 1 Bedstead & Cord in the Chamber 5 0 1 p Shoes 3 6 11 p new Sheets 6 8 4 1 p Stockings 3 6 5 p Sheets 2 10 0 3 p old Stockings 3 0 7 woolen Sheets 2 12 6 1 Woolen Cap 1 0 1 pr Kersey 10 0 4 ? new Pillow Cases £0 10 0 1 Auger and gouge £0 1 3 3 do old 6 0 Clavis and pin 9 2 Napkins 3 0 30 ld [pounds] old Iron 5 0 1 Table Cloth 6 0 1 Stone[ware] pot 1 3 1 coarse do 1 6 Horse Collar 6 1 Case of Draws 1 13 0 Corn Fan 2 0 1 Oak Chest 3 0 Old Saddle 4 0 1 white wood Chest 3 0 Hollow [ware?] 1 0 1 red Chest 6 0 Little Wheel 4 0 1 Large Square Table 6 0 Iron Shovel 1 0 1 smale Table 1 0 2 old Barrels 1 6 old Chairs 6 0 1 Hh [hogshead?] ds [dittos] 3 0 6 old Trays & Keelers 6 0 Old Cask ancer tunnel 1 0 1 half bushel 1 0 Old Churn 9 11 ld old Pewter 6 6 1 Fat Tub 6 4 Basons 6 0 2 old Barrels 1 6 1 Platter 6 0 1 Chest 3 0 3 Poringers 2 6 Glass Bottle 4 1 little brass kettle 1 6 Family Books 1 0 1 Brass Ladle 1 3 Commonn Prayer Book 1 6 1 p smale Steelyards 3 0 Bible 1 0 1 p large do 9 0 Sad Irons 20 1 p Sheep Shears 1 0 Brush Sythe 1 0 1 p And Irons 4 6 Grind Stone 3 0 1 Large Trammel 4 6 1 Calf 13 0 1 do 4 0 1 Horse 1 0 0 Beal & Tongs 3 6 Dun Cow 3 15 0 1 Small dish kettle 2 6 Red heifer 3 0 0 1 Iron pot 7 6 1 two year old 1 15 0 1 Crow Barr 2 6 1 year old 18 0 Old Pewter 1 6 1 year old Colt 3 0 0 2 old Cyder Tubbs 3 0 Beetlerings & wedges 1 0 1 Hetchel 2 6 Iron Dogs 6 Iron Fetters 3 0 1 Chain 5 0 Broken Square 9 1 p horse Geers 2 0 1 Stone Jugg 1 0 Fork & hetchel 1 0 1 do do 1 0 1 Pillion 4 0 1 Sledge 9 2 Ewes & 2 Lambs 1 0 0 1 Rat Trape 0 9 1 old Bridle 1 0 1 Barrel Pork £3 6 0 1 hone 1 6
5 bushels Wheat 1 5 0 2½ ld [lb] Pork Gammon 10 6 9½ ld Beef do 1 8 21½ ld Tallow 11 0 6½ bus Corn 12 6 121 ld live Swine 1 0 4 3 Barrels Cyder 15 0 Half Load hay 10 0 6 ld hogs Lard 3 0 1 Cart rope 2 0 1 Reel 4 0 Dwelling House £40 0 0 Barn 10 0 Corn Cribb 1 10 0 Milk house 1 5 0 Homestead Land at 105/ p[er] acre 16 - 95 rods 87 2 4 65 Acres – 69 rods at Woolf pit hills at 99/ p acre 294 8 11 13 Acres 135 rods wood Land at Cramberry plain a[t] 85/ p acre 158 16 8½ 15 Acres - 48 rods cleared Land at Cramberry plain a 60/ p acre 45 18 0
- {John Patrick
- {Thos Belden, appraisers.
- "The above & foregoing is a true Copy of the original Compared by me Lewis B Sturges Regr
- "At a Court of Probate held at Fairfield 2 Augt 1790
- "The foregoing Inventory being proved was approved and ordered to be recorded Test Lewis B Sturges Clk"
Will of MARGARET HARRIS WHITNEY of Norwalk, Fairfield Co, CT
- Dated 10 Jul 1795, Proved 13 Aug 1795
- "In the Name of God Amen I Margaret Whitney of Norwalk in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut being weak in body but of perfect memory blessed be God therefor knowing the certainty of death with the uncertainty of human life do this 10th day of July and in the year of our Lord 1795 make this my last Will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) after my just debts and funeral Charges are first paid out my Estate –
- Item I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Peggy the wife of James Beaty my Cow
- Item I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Ruth Lyon a string of Gold Beads
- Item – I give and bequeath to my loving daughter Hannah Whitney a string of Gold Beads –
- Item I give and bequeath to my loving daughters and to their heirs and assigns forever Vir – Jo – Betty, Ruth Hannah Peggy Sarah and to the heirs of my daughter Abigail all the remainder of my Estate to be equally divided between them as I have given my son Hezekiah what he ought to have –
- Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my son in law James Beaty executor of this my last Will and testament ratifying and confirming this to be my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and date above Signed Sealed Published and declared by the testator to be her last Will and testament
her
Margaret X Whitney (seal)
mark
in Presence of us Silas Gregory
his
Joseph X Barns
mark
Thos Belden
- "Fairfield County Ss August 13th 1795 – then personally appeared before me Thomas Belden Esquire Silas Gregory and Joseph Barns subscribing witnesses to the within written will and under oath declared and say that they saw the within Named Margaret Whitney the testator in her life time sign seal publish pronounce and declare this to be her last Will and testament and that they signed the same as witnesses in presence of the testator and each other and that they judged her to be of sound and disposing mind and memory Sworn before me Eliphalet Lockwood Justice of Peace
- "At a Court of Probate held at Fairfield Sepr 7: 1795
- "Said Will being proved is by said Court approved and ordered to be recorded
- "A true Copy of Origl Test Samuel Rowland Clk
- "Examd & Compd pr Samuel Rowland Regr"
Children of Hezekiah4 and Margaret (Harris) Whitney, all born Norwalk, CT:
i. Betty5 Whitney, b. 24 Jan 1733/4, Norwalk, CT;[10] "said, by doubtful tradition, to have married James Beatty".[11] ii. Abigail Whitney, b. 14 May 1735, Norwalk, CT;[12] was mentioned in her father's will, 17 March 1785,[13] but died before 10 Jul 1795, according to her mother's will. iii. Ruth Whitney, b. 3 Jan 1736/7, Norwalk, CT;[14] was named in her father's will, 17 March 1785.[15] She allegedly married 10 Jan 1755, New Milford, CT, Isaac Lockwood, b. 24 Dec 1726, Norwalk, CT, son of Joseph and Mary (Weed) Lockwood, but no primary source of this has been found. She allegedly married secondly ----- Lyons. iv. Jeremiah Whitney, b. 17 Mar 1739/40, Norwalk, CT;[16] probably died in early life, as his name is not found in his father's will of 17 March 1785.[17] v. Hezekiah Whitney, b. say 1743, Norwalk, CT;[18] m. Sarah Taylor. vi. Hannah Whitney, b. Norwalk, CT; no mention of her has been found, except in her father's will, 17 March 1785.[19] vii. Peggy Whitney, bapt. 19 June 1751, by the Episcopal minister of Stamford, as Margaret; b. Norwalk, CT; m. 25 Jan 1775, Norwalk, CT, James Beatty of Danbury,[20] b. 2 Sep 1749, Danbury, CT, son of James and Ruhamah (Sturges) Beatty. Her name occurs in her father's will, 17 March 1785, and her husband was one of the executors named in it.[21] viii. Sarah Whitney, b. about 1755, Norwalk, CT; m. 25 Nov 1772, Norwalk, CT, Jesse Bedient.[22] They settled in Norwalk, and there died, without children; he, 1 March 1821, aged 76 years; she, 15 Feb 1824, aged 69 years; and were buried in Town-Hill Cemetery.[23]
References
1.^ Stephen Whitney Phoenix, The Whitney family of Connecticut, and its affiliations; being an attempt to trace the descendants, as well in the female as the male lines, of Henry Whitney, from 1649 to 1878; to which is prefixed some account of the Whitneys of England. (New York : Priv. Print. [Bradford Press] 1878), p. 22.
2.^ "Hezekiah [Whitney], s. Joseph, b. 10 Apr 1705," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR4:2.
4.^ "Hezekiah [Whitney], m. Margaret Harris, on or about 3 Jan 1732/3, by Moses Dickinson," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR4:12.
5.^ Gale Ion Harris, "William2 and Elizabeth (Brockway) Harris of Lyme and Colchester, Connecticut [:] With Notes on Their Seven Daughters," TAG, vol. 70 (1995), pp. 233-239.
6.^ Date calculated from age at death.
10.^ "Bette [Whitney], d. Hezekiah & Margret, b. 24 Jan 1733/4," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR4:12.
11.^ Phoenix, op. cit., p. 44.
12.^ "Abigail [Whitney], d. Hezekiah & Margret, b. 14 May 1735," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR4:12.
13.^ Phoenix, op. cit., p. 44.
14.^ "Ruth [Whitney], d. Hezekiah & Margret, b. 3 Jan 1736/7," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR4:12.
15.^ Phoenix, op. cit., p. 44.
16.^ "Jeremiah [Whitney], s. Hez[ekiah] & Margaret, b. 17 Mar 1739/40," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR4:12.
17.^ Phoenix, op. cit., p. 44.
18.^ Phoenix, op. cit., p. 45.
19.^ Phoenix, Ibid.
20.^ "Peggy [Whitney], m. James BEATY, 25 Jan 1775," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR19:5. Also, "Jas. Bettis of Danbury & Pegge Whitney of Norwalk, [married] 25 Jun. 1775," according to Bailey, Frederick W., ed., Early Connecticut Marriages, as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800 (1896-1906), Stamford, 7:18.
21.^ Phoenix, Ibid.
22.^ "Sarah [Whitney], m. Jesse BEDIENT, 25 Nov 1772," according to Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Norwalk LR19:5. Also, "Jesse Bedient & Sarah Whitney, [married] 25 Nov. 1772," according to Bailey, Frederick W., ed., Early Connecticut Marriages, as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800 (1896-1906), Wilton, 3:63.
23.^ Phoenix, Ibid.
Copyright © 2007, 2011, 2015, Robert L. Ward, Kathleen Noye, and the Whitney Research Group
