Family:Whitney, Joseph (1798-1872)

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Joseph7 Whitney (Palmer6, Joseph5, Timothy4, John3, John2, John1), son of Palmer6 and Judath (Barber) Whitney, was born 8 Aug 1798, Orange, MA,[1] and died 24 Nov 1872, Thomson, IL.[2]

He married, 20 Nov 1823, Gilsum, New Hampshire, Sophronia Taylor, daughter of Joseph and Susannah (Bliss) Taylor[3]. She was born 10 Nov 1805, and died at the home of her son, Alonzo Whitney, in Ustick Township, Whiteside Co., Illinois, 10 Jan 1882.[4]

Joseph Whitney lived out his early years with his parents in Warwick, Massachusetts; U.S. Census records for the Palmer Whitney household account for Joseph in 1800 (two years old) and 1810 (twelve years old).

Joseph's parents moved from Warwick, MA to China Township (now Java Village), Genesee Co. (now Wyoming Co.), New York in 1817.[5] The 1820 U.S. Census shows the Palmer Whitney family residing in China Township. However Joseph does not appear to be living there with the family at that time; neither is he listed as a head of household in the Warwick, Massachusetts area.

Joseph Whitney moved to Gilsum, New Hampshire in 1823. He and Sophronia married later that same year and lived with her father in a two story house in Gilsum.[6]

According to [Pierce], Joseph Whitney continued to reside in Gilsum until 1826; however, this can’t be quite right as daughter Nancy was born in Java Village, New York, 5 Oct 1825. According to another account,[7] their oldest child was born in Gilsum in 1824, and they removed shortly thereafter to the “Holland Purchase” in Genesee Co., New York, and lived at Java Village.

At the time of the 1830 U.S. Census, the Joseph Whitney family still resided at China Township, Genesee Co., New York. In addition to Joseph and wife, Sophronia, there were three sons and one daughter. Neighbors included Joseph’s parents (Palmer Whitney family), Sophronia’s parents (Joseph Taylor family), and Joseph’s younger brother, John Whitney.

Two additional children, one son and one daughter, were added to the Joseph Whitney family while they lived in Java Village. Meanwhile, John Whitney, brother of Joseph Whitney, had taken up a claim “embracing a thousand acres or more” in Section 14, Campton (now Wasco), Kane Co., Illinois; other relatives had likewise settled in Kane and DuPage counties in Illinois. Joseph heard encouraging reports of the opportunities which were open to the settler, and finally, he and a neighbor made a journey to Illinois, and decided this would be the best location in which to rear their families. Upon his return, Joseph set about making arrangements for immigration to the “far west”![8]

On 1 Sep 1837, "our household goods were taken by wagon to Buffalo. Accompanied by Harry Eddy’s family (the Eddys and their five children),[9] we boarded a steamboat bound for Chicago. Eleven days were spent in the crossing of the [Great] lakes, as the boat (almost unfit for service) was not always running. We experienced a severe storm, and I and many of the other passengers learned the agonies of seasickness!" Their boat made stops at Cleveland, Detroit, Mackinaw, and Milwaukee. "Our next stop was Chicago. By no means, was it the Chicago of today! Buildings were small frame affairs, and teams almost became mired hauling their loads in the muddy streets." In Chicago, Joseph hired a team and wagon that was going to Naperville; he "was prevailed upon to take the women and smaller children. He finally agreed. There were eight of us, including the five children, and with the bedding, as well, a fairly large load resulted." It took two days and required fording the Des Plaines River for the family to arrive at a relative's home in Naperville. On continuing their journey, they learned that the bridge was out at St. Charles, so forded the Fox River at Geneva, IL, and arrived at the home of Joseph's brother, John Whitney, near Campton (now Wasco), IL.[10]

In Kane Co., the family “suffered all the hardships and sicknesses common to the early settlers in that region, the low lands and slugish streams giving rise to much malarial trouble”.[11]

The 1840 U.S. Census lists the Joseph Whitney family among the residents of Kane Co., Illinois. Children included four sons and two daughters. In addition, Sophronia’s parents (Joseph and Susanna Taylor) resided with the Joseph Whitney family.

By 1850, the U.S. Census records indicate the Joseph Whitney family was farming in DuPage Co., Illinois. In addition to Joseph and Sophronia, family members at that time included “J. Palmer, Nancy, Alonzo, Edwin [Edward], Jasper, Alvira [Elvira], and Luther”. J. Palmer was listed as a farmer; sons Alonzo, Edward, and Jasper were listed as Laborers.

“Tiring of the [Kane Co. area], and lured by stories of opportunities in Michigan, [the family] went to that state [in 1854], but two years later came to the vicinity of Thomson, Carroll Co., Illinois, this time following in the wake of another brother, Alonzo Taylor, who had emigrated from Java, Genesee Co., New York, in 1849. Here their wanderings ceased and the remainder of the parents’ lives were spent here ...”.[12]

The 1860 U.S. Census shows the Joseph Whitney family residing in York Township, Carroll Co., Illinois. All of the surviving children except for Alonzo were still living at home.

"In the summer of [1872], [Joseph] became ill. The doctors told us he had typhoid fever. His condition worsened and he died in November of that year. The Rev. Cartwright, a well-known pioneer minister, conducted the funeral services in our home. He was buried in the [Lower York] cemetery east of Thomson. The headstone bears one of the earliest dates there… Later my mother, Sophronia Taylor Whitney, was laid to rest there, also."[13]

Joseph Whitney was a farmer. He resided Gilsum, NH, Java, NY, Campton (now Wasco), IL, DuPage Co., IL, Detroit, MI, and Thomson, IL.

Children of Joseph7 and Sophronia (Taylor) Whitney:

i. Joseph Palmer8 Whitney, b. 20 Mar 1824, Gilsum, NH;[14] d. 10 Mar 1887;[15] bur. Montgomery Co., IA;[16] unmarried.
ii. Nancy Whitney, b. 5 Oct 1825; m. 15 Feb 1862, Joseph French; resided Thomson, IL; b. 20 Apr 1828 (1827 in IL according to Nancy Whitney French's obituary). He is a farmer. Children:
a. Louisa (Louie) C. French, b. 25 May 1864; m.(1) 8 Sep 1881, J. K. P. Ditton; m.(2) 8 Apr 1885, Henry Rupple, b. 26 Apr 1865; d. 24 Aug 1869. Children:
1. Melvin Ditton, b. 8 Jul 1882.
2. Ray Rupple, b. -----.
c. Earl Rupple, b. -----.
b. Melvin E. French, b. ----- -----.
c. William N. French, b. 20 Jul 1866; d. 20 Sep 1869.
iii. Alonzo Whitney, b. 6 Mar 1827; m. Lucina French 16 Feb 1860 and resided Thomson, Illinois.
iv. Edward Whitney, b. 7 Aug 1829; m. Catherine Ann Plough,
v. Jasper Whitney, b. 23 Aug 1831; m. Sarah E. Alden.
vi. Susannah B. Whitney, b. 28 Jul 1834; d. 30 Sep 1837. From the account of her sister, Nancy: "... on the last day of September, ... word was brought to us of the death of our little sister, Susannah, who had just passed her third birthday in July. The hardships of the long trip [from Buffalo, NY to Kane Co., IL] had proved too strenuous for the little one! This was my first real grief. A neighbor made the casket, and another neighbor, a farmer-preacher (the Rev. Gilmore) conducted the services in our home. An oddity of the service was that the Rev. Gilmore asked each of the family members to rise as he called our names. As there was no cemetery here, burial was made on some land where there were already two or three graves. .. Later, when ground was set aside for a cemetery, all were removed to that location, and now repose near Wasco, Illinois (formerly known as Campton)."[17]
vii. Elvira Whitney, b. 8 Aug 1839, Campton (now Wasco), IL,[18] d. 15 Feb 1905;[19] m. 1 Jan 1861, Thomson, IL, her 2nd cousin, Marshall Taylor son of Almon and Sophia (Hendee) Taylor,[20] b. abt 1829, Gilsum, NH,[21] d. Jan 1898, Red Oak, IA.[22] Resided Thomson, IL (1880), Douglas Township, Montgomery Co., IA (1900). Children:
a. Jessie Taylor, b. 10 Nov 1862, IL, d. abt 1950, m.(1) Jun 1891, Red Oak, IA, Ira Ancil Foote,[23] b. 23 Oct 1857, Grant, IL, d. Nov 1920,[24] m.(2) 27 Apr 1939, Charles Dekay.
b. Arthur Taylor, b. 15 Sep 1864, IL.[25]
c. Harry Taylor, b. 29 Sep 1870, IL, d. 18 May 1940, unm.[26]
d. John E. Taylor, b. 2 Sep 1870, IL, d. Mar 1954, unm.[27]
e. Ingar T. Taylor, b. 1 Nov 1873, Thomson, IL, d. 17 Jan 1933, Seattle, WA, m. 10 Aug 1898, Seward S. Morris,[28] b. Aug 1870, IA, d. 1 Apr 1929, Seattle, WA.[29]
viii. Luther Whitney, b. 7 Dec 1841; m. Ellen A. Willey.

Census

1506 1534 Joseph Whitney 52 M - Farmer Mass. Saphrona " 45 F - N.H. J. Palmer " 26 M - Farmer " Nancy " 24 F - N.Y. Alonzo " 23 M - Laborer " Edwin " 21 M - " " Attended school Jasper " 18 M - " " Alvira " 11 F - Ills. Attended school Luther " 8 M - " Attended school

1441 1332 Joseph Whitney 63 M - Farmer 560 350 Mass. Sophronia " 54 F - N.H. Palmer " 37 M - Farm Laborer " Nancy " 33 F - N.Y. Edward " 31 M - Carpenter " Jasper " 30 " - Farm Laborer " Elvira " 20 F - Ill. Luther " 17 M - " Attended school

Joseph FRENCH 52 Self M M W IL Farmer KY IL Nancy FRENCH 53 Wife F M W NY Keeping House NH NH Louisa FRENCH 17 Dau F S W IL Attends School IL NY John FRENCH 49 Bro M S W IL Laborer KY IL Sophronia WHITNEY 75 MotL F W W NH At Home NH NH

  • 1880, son Joseph missing.

References

1.^  Frederick Clifton Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, (Chicago: 1895), p. 251.

2.^  Ibid.

3.^  [“Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905”, Kate Cole Whitney, unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney, Thomson, Illinois.] For place of marriage, see [Gary E. Swinson, "Genealogical Notes on the Whitney, Willey/Willie and Kellogg Families". Transcribed copies of old notes, found among Bess Whitney's papers. Possession of Lester Whitney. Torrance, CA: 1987].

4.^  [“Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905”, Kate Cole Whitney, unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney, Thomson, Illinois].

5.^  [Charles Barber, "Brief History of the Barber Family with Portrait of the Author", Eagle Press, North Java, NY: 1892]

6.^  [Silvanus Hayward, A.M, History of the Town of Gilsum, New Hampshire, from 1752 to 1879, with Maps and Illustrations, John B. Clarke, Manchester, NH: 1881]

7.^  [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905": Obituary for Nancy (Whitney) French, unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

8.^  [Gary E. Swinson. The Story of "Aunt Nancy", Nancy Whitney French (1825-1927); A Pioneer from New York State to Illinois in 1837, Rev 1, Torrance, CA: 1987 (2007), p. 9]

9.^  Harry Eddy was married to Joseph Whitney's sister, Anna Whitney. For more information on this family, see the record for her father, Palmer Whitney.

10.^  [Gary E. Swinson. The Story of "Aunt Nancy", Nancy Whitney French (1825-1927); A Pioneer from New York State to Illinois in 1837, Rev 1, Torrance, CA: 1987 (2007), pp. 9-11]

11.^  [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905": Obituary for Nancy (Whitney) French, unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

12.^  Ibid.

13.^  [Gary E. Swinson. The Story of "Aunt Nancy", Nancy Whitney French (1825-1927); A Pioneer from New York State to Illinois in 1837, Rev 1, Torrance, CA: 1987 (2007), pp. 26]

14.^  Joseph Palmer's birth is recorded by [Pierce, p. 251]. His birth place is recorded in [Gary E. Swinson, "Genealogical Notes on the Whitney, Willey/Willie and Kellogg Families", transcribed copies of old notes found among Bess Whitney's papers, Torrance, CA: 1987.]

15.^  Joseph Palmer died of "T.B." on 10 Mar 1887. [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905", unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

16.^  [telecon w/Evergreen Cemetery, Red Oak, Iowa]

17.^  [Gary E. Swinson. The Story of "Aunt Nancy", Nancy Whitney French (1825-1927); A Pioneer from New York State to Illinois in 1837, Rev 1, Torrance, CA: 1987 (2007), pp. 12]

18.^  Birth date: [Pierce, p. 251]; place: [Gary E. Swinson, "Genealogical Notes on the Whitney, Willey/Willie and Kellogg Families", Transcribed copies of old notes found among Bess Whitney's papers. Torrance, CA: 1987.]

19.^  [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905", unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

20.^  Ibid.

21.^  Birth date: 1860 US Census; place: [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905", unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

22.^  Death date: Obit for daughter Ingar (Taylor) Morris.

23.^  Birth date: [Swinson letters]; place: 1880, 1900 US Census. Death date: [Swinson letters] Mar(1) & Mar(2): [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905", unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

24.^  Birth: [Abram W. Foote, Foote Family Comprising the Genealogy and History of Nathaniel Foote of Weathersfield, Conn. and His Descendants …, Vol. I, Rutland, VT: 1907]. Death date: [Kate Cole Whitney, "Notes on Family History Collected and Arranged by Kate Cole Whitney for her son Kenneth Cole Whitney, born Dec. 15, 1905", unpublished. Possession of Jonathan Kenneth Whitney]

25.^  Birth date: [Swinson letters]; place:1880 US Census.

26.^  Birth date: [Swinson letters]; place:1880 US Census. Death date: [Swinson letters]

27.^  Birth date: [Swinson letters]; place:1880 US Census. Death date: [Swinson letters]

28.^  Obituary.

29.^  Birth: 1900 US Census. Death: Obituary for Ingar (Taylor) Morris (wife).

Copyright © 2006, 2007, 2009, Gary Swinson, Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group

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