Family:Whitney, Joel (1807-1893)

Joel Whitney

Joel⁷ Whitney (Asa⁶, Levi⁵, Daniel⁴, Jonathan³, Jonathan², John¹), son of Asa⁶ and Mary (Wallis) Whitney, was born 8 Jun 1807, Townsend, MA, and died 2 Dec 1893, Winchester, MA, aged 86 years 5 months 24 days, of old age.^[1]

Marriage intentions were published 6 Oct 1844, Salem, MA, for him "of Woburn" and E. M. Treadwell.^[2] Marriage intentions were published 6 Oct 1844, Woburn, MA, for him "of Woburn" and Esther M. Treadwell "of Salem".^[3] He married, 30 Oct 1844, Esther Maria Treadwell. She was born about 15 Feb 1824, Warner, NH, and died 1 Mar 1900, Winchester, MA, aged 76 years 15 days, of heart disease and old age.^[4]

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 struggling 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 invention 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 confined 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 him in prosperity and adversity--the same calm and genial man, sociable and companionable, with a mind broad and comprehensive, of inventive genius and rare mechanical skill. To know him well, his worth and true character stood out strong and impressive. He lived with us for a long period, never seeking applause or notoriety, modest and retiring in all his ways." Joel Whitney was a man of fine taste; his love for the beautiful in nature and art was inborn and fresh as the flowers he loved so well. These gems on nature's cheek he loved to cultivate, and inhale their rich perfume. He loved fruit in its fullest development; to grow fine specimens and choice varieties was his delight. No citizen in town had so nice a taste and so full knowledge of the qualities of good fruit. "Age did not wither or infirmity stale," his deep love for the crimson rose, the violet blue, the luscious pear, the apple sweet and fair. He was a lifelong member of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, in which he took a great interest. He was also a life member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics' Association. He resided Winchester, MA.

Children of Joel⁷ and Esther Maria (Treadwell) Whitney:

i.	Evelyn French8 Whitney, b. 16 Aug 1845, Woburn, MA;[5] "Evelyn P." d. 3 Dec 1883, Winchester, MA, aged 38 years 3 months 17 days, of pneumonia.[6] Her birth record calls her "Ellen Maria".
ii.	Arthur Eastman Whitney, b. 5 Jul 1847, Woburn, MA;[7] m. Alice Fletcher.
iii.	George Evans Whitney, b. 10 Feb 1849, Woburn, MA;[8] m. 7 Jun 1883, Framingham, MA, or 6 Jun 1883, Winchester, MA, Helen Gertrude Lewis, b. 28 Sep 1857, Framingham, MA, dau. of William G. and Mary A. V. (-----) Lewis;[9] resided s. p., Cambridgeport, MA.
iv.	Joel Francis Whitney, b. 5 Mar 1852 or 5 Mar 1851, Winchester, MA;[10] d. 16 Dec 1853, or 16 Dec 1852, Winchester, MA, aged 1 year 9 months 10 days, of lung fever.[11]
v.	Addie Maria Whitney, b. 20 Jan 1854, or "Ida" b. 25 Jan 1854, Winchester, MA;[12] m. 26 Jan 1876, Albert Eugene Ayer; resided Winchester. He was b. 18 Oct 1852. Children: a. Luther Symmes Ayer, b. 17 Oct 1876. b. Evelyn Whitney Ayer, b. 14 Nov 1879. c. Miriam Baker Ayer, b. 30 Aug 1883. d. Rachel Whittier Ayer, b. 15 May 1887. e. Helen Gertrude Ayer, b. 23 Nov 1888. f. Dorothy Mary Ayer, b. 22 Jul 1890.
vi.	Fred Milton Whitney, b. 27 Oct 1856; m. Elmira T. White.
vii.	Delia Whitney, b. 17 Sep 1862; unmarried; resided Winchester.

Census

• 1850, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

111 120 Joel Whitney 38 M - Merchant $2100 Mass. Esther " 25 F - " Attended school Evelyn " 5 " - " Arthur E. " 3 M - " Elizabeth Ryan 15 F - " George Whitney 1 M - "

• 1855, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

178 178 Joel Whitney 47 M - Machinist Massachusetts Esther M. Whitney 38 F - New Hampshire Evelyn F. Whitney 10 F - Mass. Arthur E. Whitney 8 M - Do George E. Whitney 6 M - Do Addie M. Whitney 1 F - Do

• 1860, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

2484 2535 Joel Whitney 50 M - Merchant $4000 - Mass. Esther " 33 F - N.H. Everline " 14 F - Mass. Attended school Auther E. " 12 M - " Attended school Geo. E. " 10 F - " Attended school Ada M. " 7 F - " Attended school Fred M. " 4 M - " Margarete Lenahan 23 F - Domestic Ireland

• 1865 State, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

168 179 Joel Whitney 46 M - Mass. M Machinist - - 1 1 - Esther M. " 39 F - N.H. " - - - - - Eveline F. " 20 " - Mass. S - - - - - Arthur E. " 17 M - " " - - - - - George E. " 16 " - " " - - - - - Addie M. " 11 F - " " - - - - - Fred M. " 9 M - " " - - - - - Delia " 4 F - " " - - - - -

• 1870, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

387 458 Whitney, Joel 60 M W Machinist $3000 $4500 Mass. Male citizen over 21 " Esther 44 F W Keeping House New Hampshire " Eveline 24 F W At Home Mass. " Arthur 23 M W Machinist " Male citizen over 21 " George 21 M W Draftsman " Male citizen over 21 " Abbie 16 F W At Home " " Fred 13 M W At School " Attended school " Delia 8 F W At School " Attended school 387 459 Thompson, Stephen 34 M W Leather Manufacturer $5500 $23782 " Male citizen over 21 " Sarah 31 F W Keeping House " " Benjamin F. 2 M W " Hovey, Bell 24 F W No occupation " Gallahan, Bridget 28 F W Servant Ireland Parents foreign born

• 1880, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

Joel WHITNEY 71 Self M M W MA Machine Builder MA MA Esther M. WHITNEY 52 Wife F M W NH Keeping House MA NH Evelyn F. WHITNEY 32 Dau F S W MA Merchant Dry Goods MA NH George E. WHITNEY 28 Son M S W MA Draftsman MA NH Delia WHITNEY 18 Dau F S W MA Teacher MA NH Nellie MCGUIRE 20 Oth F S W IRELAND Servant IRELAND IRELAND

• 1900, 788 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Ward 4, Middlesex Co., MA:

71 111 Cunningham, Jos. H. Head W M Nov 1866 33 sgl Canada Eng. Canada Eng. Canada Eng. Physician, Rents house, Immig. 1880, Na. Rendeville, Ellen Srvt W F May 1880 20 sgl Ireland Ireland Ireland Family servant, Immig. 1896 112 Landey, Chas. Head B M May 1874 26 mar 4 North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina Cabinet maker, Owns house -----, Odelia Wife B F May 1878 22 mar 4 1ch 1liv North Carolina North Carolina North Carolina -----, Esther L. Dau B F May 1897 3 sgl Massachusetts North Carolina North Carolina 113 McCullum, Frank G. Head W M Nov 1866 33 mar 13 Maine Canada Eng. Maine Dentist, Rents house -----, Edith H. Wife W F Jun 1869 30 mar 13 3ch 2liv Maine Maine New York -----, Ruth D. Dau W F Jun 1887 12 sgl Massachusetts Maine Maine At school -----, Myles F. Son W M Jan 1891 9 sgl Maine Maine Maine At school Green, Gertrude E. SiL W F Jul 1871 28 sgl Maine Maine New York Dress maker 114 Paige, Caroline E. Head W F Jul 1830 69 wid Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts Rents house -----, Franklin Son W M Mar 1858 42 sgl Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts Mfr. furniture -----, David T. Son W M May 1862 38 sgl Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts Book keeper -----, Wm. A. Son W M Mar 1864 36 sgl Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts Salesman-furniture Noonan, Catharine Srvt W F Apr 1874 26 sgl Ireland Ireland Ireland Family servant, Immig. 1893 115 Roberts, Fred Head W M Nov 1879 20 mar -- New York England England Assist farm coop, Rents house -----, Emma J. Wife W F Dec 1877 22 mar -- Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts Algern, Abigail T. GMth W F May 1830 70 wid 2ch 1liv Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts 116 Allison, H. Bertie Head W M Oct 1841 58 mar 24 Canada Eng. Canada Eng. Canada Eng. Mfr-pats-medicine, Rents house, Immig. 1875, Na. -----, Ellen Wife W F May 1838 62 mar 24 0ch 0liv Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts 117 Whitney, Geo ?? Head W M Feb 1849 51 mar 17 Massachusetts Massachusetts New Hampshire Mech.-engineer, Rents house -----, Helen G. Wife W F Sep 1857 42 mar 17 0ch 0liv Massachusetts Massachusetts Massachusetts 118 Swasey, Summer ---- W M --- ---- -- --- -- -- -- Rents house

• 1900, 19 Mystic Avenue, Winchester, Middlesex Co., MA:

491 517 Whitney, Delia Head W F Sep 1863 36 sgl Massachusetts New Hampshire Massachusetts Music teacher, Rents house

References

• Census records.

• All data imported from Frederick Clifton Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, (Chicago: 1895), pp. 360-362.

1.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 437, page 456.

2.^  "J. [Whitney], of Woburn, and E. M. Treadwell, int. Oct. 6, 1844," according to Vital Records of Salem, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849 (Salem, MA: Essex Institute, 1916-1925).

3.^  "Joel Whitney of Woburn and Esther M. Treadwell(?) of Salem, int. Oct. 6, 1844," according to Edward F. Johnson, Vital Records of Woburn, Massachusetts, 1640-1873 (Woburn, MA: Andrews, Cutler and Company, 1890-1919).

4.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 505, page 771.

5.^  "Ellen Maria [Whitney], d. Joel and Esther M., [born] Aug. 16, 1845," according to Woburn Vital Records. Also, "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 17, page 89.

6.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 347, page 231.

7.^  "Arthur Eastman [Whitney], s. Joel and Esther M., [born] July 5, 1847," according to Woburn Vital Records.

8.^  "George Evans [Whitney], s. Joel and Esther, [born] Feb. 9, 1849," according to Woburn Vital Records. Also, "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 35, page 300.

9.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 344, pages 104 and 267.

10.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 52, page 160a.

11.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 67, page 175.

12.^  "Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1910," from original records held by the Massachusetts Archives. Online database: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2004; volume 82, page 181.

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