Family:Whitney, Josiah (1731-1824)
Rev. Josiah4 Whitney (David3, Joshua2, John1), son of David3 and Elizabeth (Warren) Whitney,[1] was born 11 Aug 1731, Plainfield, CT,[2] and died 13 Sep 1824, Brooklyn, CT,[3] aged 93 years.[4]
He married firstly, 1 Sep 1756, Pomfret, CT, Lois Breck,[5] daughter of Rev. Robert and Eunice (Brewer) Breck.[6] Their intentions were published 20 Jul 1756, Springfield, MA. She was born 11 Dec 1738, Springfield, MA,[7] and died 27 Oct 1789, Brooklyn, CT.[8][9]
He married secondly, 25 Oct 1791, probably in Brooklyn, CT, Anna (Paine) Chandler,[10] daughter of Daniel and Leah (Smith) Paine.[11] She was born 5 Dec 1738, Woodstock, CT,[12] and died 2 Feb 1801, Brooklyn, CT,[13] aged 72 years.[14] She had married firstly, 17 Jul 1760, Woodstock, CT, Samuel Chandler[15] (c1735-1790).
"Josiah Whitney, D.D., b. Plainfield, Ct., Aug. 11, 1731, son of Col. David and Elizabeth (Warren) Whitney; Y[ale] C[ollege], 1752, A.B., A.M.; Fellow, Y[ale] C[ollege]; S.T.D., H[arvard] C[ollege], 1802; Ord[ained] Brooklyn, Ct., (2nd Chh. in Pomfret), Feb. 4, 1756; sett. Brooklyn, Ct. 1755-1824; Ct. Election Sermon, 1788; d. Brooklyn, Ct., Oct. 20, 1824, a. 93."[16]
Pierce says the following:[17]
- He was born in Plainfield, Conn., where he was educated at the public schools and fitted for college; was graduated at Yale College in the class of 1752, and later studied for the ministry. In 1756 he was called to the Congregational church in Brooklyn, Conn. The call was unanimous, and the church also unanimously concurred in it. His letter of acceptance of the Pomfret pastorate was as follows:
- To the Society of Brooklyn, in Pomfret, Gentlemen: Whereas, on the 17th of Nov. last you proceeded to give me a call to settle in the work of the gospel ministry with you, and proposed £120, lawful money, for a settlement, and £65, lawful money, for a salary, I do now hereby accept said proposal, and may the Lord bless us, and lead us in the way everlasting.
- BROOKLYN, JAN. 7, 1756.
- He continued in this, his only pastorate, for sixty-four years. In 1802 Harvard University conferred the degree of D.D. upon him. Feb 6th of that year he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his settlement: at that time only three of the original members of 1736 were living; 447 had been added to the church during his ministry, and 718 were baptized. Mr. WHITNEY through all his long pastorate held his place in the affection of his people and the esteem of all. Though moderate in his doctrinal views and opposed to the High Calvanism then coming into fashion, he engaged the respect and confidence of his brethren in the ministry and maintained strict church and family discipline. He commenced his pastorate with the affectionate regard of the fathers, and their continued friendship, their cordial and candid acceptance of his labors and repeated kindness had continue to make the relation happy.
- In his 94th year he was still erect and vigorous; his eye was not dimmed nor his natural force abated. With flowing wig and antique garb he was often seen on the street. His face beamed with animated expression, and his playful sallies were tempered with Christian dignity. As he entered the house of God the congregation rose to receive him and remained standing in reverential attitude till he had taken his seat.
"The Rev. Joseph [sic] Whitney serving Brooklyn from December 1756."[18]
Children of Josiah4 and Lois (Breck) Whitney:
i. Robert Breck5 Whitney, b. 15 Sep 1757, Pomfret, CT; d. 21 Dec 1768, Pomfret, CT.[19][20] ii. Eunice Whitney, b. 22 Jan 1759, Pomfret, CT; d. 14 Sep 1762, Pomfret, CT.[21][22] iii. George Whitney, b. 9 Dec 1760, Pomfret, CT; d. 8/18 Feb 1782, Pomfret, CT.[23][24] iv. David Whitney, b. 15 Oct 1762, Pomfret, CT; d. 16 Mar 1782, Pomfret, CT.[25][26] v. Robert Breck Whitney, b. 18 Jun 1764, Pomfret, CT;[27] d. 1 Dec 1785, Brooklyn, CT.[28] vi. Eunice Whitney, b. 28 Mar 1766, Pomfret, CT;[29] m. Stephen Backus. vii. Lois Whitney, b. 9 Mar 1768, Pomfret, CT;[30] m. Erastus Baker. viii. Elizabeth Whitney, b. 30 May 1770, Pomfret, CT;[31] m. John Parish. ix. Abigail Whitney, b. 10 Jun 1772, Pomfret, CT;[32] m. Benjamin Wood. x. Sophia Whitney, b. 29 Jul 1774, Pomfret, CT;[33] m. Capt. Elisha Lord. xi. Patty Whitney, b. 2 Dec 1779, Pomfret, CT;[34] m. Darius H. Cary.
Rev. Josiah4 and Anna (Paine)(Chandler) Whitney had no children.
Census
- 1790, Brooklyn, Windham Co., CT: Josiah Whitney, 2 males over 16 and 6 females.
- 1800, Brooklyn, Windham Co., : Revd Josh Whitney, 1 male over 45, 1 female over 45, and 1 female 16-25.
- 1810, Brooklyn, Windham Co., : "Joseph" Whitney, 1 male over 45, 1 male 10-15, 1 female over 45, 1 female 26-44, 1 female 16-25, and 1 female 0-9.
- 1820, Brooklyn, Windham Co., : Josiah Whitney, 1 male over 45, 1 female over 45, 1 female 26-44, and 1 female 16-25.
References
1.^ His parentage is proven by his birth record.
2.^ "Josiah [Whitney], s. David & Elizabeth, b. 11 Aug 1731," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Plainfield 1:61.
3.^ Frederick C. Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635 (Chicago, IL: The Author, 1895), p. 60.
4.^ Whitney, Rev. Josiah, born Aug. 11, 1731, died Sept. 13, 1824, age 93, South Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
5.^ "Josiah [Whitney], Rev., m. Mrs. Lois Brisby [sic], 1 Sep 1756," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 1:105. Also, "Josiah [Whitney], and Lois Breck, m. 1 Sep 1756," according to International Genealogical Index, batch numbers C541431-C541434, M541431-M541433.
9.^ Whitney, Lois, wife of Rev. Josiah, born Dec. 11, 1738, died Oct. 27, 1789, South Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
14.^ Whitney, Anna, wife of Rev. Josiah, died Feb. 2, 1811, age 72, South Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
16.^ Frederick Lewis Weis, The Colonial Clergy and the Colonial Churches of New England (Lancaster, MA: Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy, 1620-1776, 1936).
17.^ Frederick C. Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney, Who Came from London, England, to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635 (Chicago, IL: The Author, 1895), p. 60.
18.^ "The Rev. Joseph WHITNEY serving Brooklyn from December 1756," according to Bailey, Frederick W., ed., Early Connecticut Marriages, as Found on Ancient Church Records Prior to 1800 (1896-1906), Brooklyn, 1:37.
19.^ "Robert Breck [Whitney], s. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 15 Sep 1757; d. 21 Dec 1768," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 1:44; 2:85a.
20.^ Whitney, Robert Breck, son of Rev. Josiah & Lois, died Dec. 2, 1765, age 6 yrs 3 mos, South Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
21.^ "Eunice [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 22 Jan 1759; d. 14 Sep 1762," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 1:44,45; 2:85a.
22.^ Whitney, Eunice, daughter of Rev. Josiah & Lois, died Sept. 14, 1762, age 3 yrs 8 mos, South Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
23.^ "George [Whitney], s. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 9 Dec 1760; d. 8/18 Feb 1782," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 1:44,45; 2:85a.
24.^ Whitney, Dr. Geo., son of Rev. Josiah & Lois, born Dec. 9, 1760, died Feb. 18, 1782, victim of Small Pox, Whitney Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
25.^ "David [Whitney], s. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 15 Oct 1762, d. 16 Mar 1782," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 1:44,45; 2:85a.
26.^ Whitney, David, son of Rev. Josiah & Lois, born Oct. 15, 1762, died Mar. 16, 1782, victim of Small Pox, Whitney Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
27.^ "Robert Breck [Whitney], s. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 18 Jun 1764," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 2:85a.
28.^ Whitney, Robert Breck, 2nd son of Rev. Josiah & Lois, died Dec. 1, 1795, age 21, South Cemetery, Brooklyn, CT.
29.^ "Eunice [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 28 Mar 1766," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, PPomfret 2:85a.
30.^ "Lois [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 9 Mar 1768," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 2:85a.
31.^ "Elizabeth [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 30 May 1770," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 2:85a.
32.^ "Abigail [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 10 Jun 1772," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 2:85a.
33.^ "Sophia [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 29 Jul 1774," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 2:85a.
34.^ "Patty [Whitney], d. Rev. Josiah & Lois, b. 2 Dec 1779," according to the Barbour Collection of Connecticut Vital Records, Pomfret 2:85a.
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