Family:Whitney, Samuel (c1615-1674)
Samuel1 Whitney, Gent., parentage unknown but perhaps the son of Brooke Whitney of Hanborough, Oxfordshire, England,[1] was born about 1615, England,[2] and died about 1674, Bermuda.[3]
He married Catherine -----.[4] She died after 23 Jun 1679.[5] She died after 1681.
In 1639, Samuel Whitney is first found in Bermuda when George Smyth discharged him of all money and reckonings.
In 1645, Samuel Whitney refused to sign a petition against a new church, based upon the Independent Church of Massachusetts[6]
On 3 Oct 1651, the following conveyance was recorded:
- I, Nicholas TROTT, gentleman, in consideration of the sum of £60 of the lawful money of England to me in hand paid (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) by Samuel WHITNEY of the Sommer Islands, planter, do hereby give, grant, bargain and sell etc. unto the said Samuell WHITNEY all these parcels of land following: namely one parcel of land purchased from Samuell DIKE (by deed) containing by estimation 30 acres be they more or less, lying in St. Davis Island in Hamblington Tribe in the Summer Islands als Bermudas, likewise one share of land containing by estimation 25 acres more or less, lying in Pembroke Tribe in the Sommer Islands together with all and singular the houses, profits, rights, privileges, etc. from the second day of—last past unto the world’s end, to the said Samuel WHITNEY, his heirs etc. for ever. Nicholas TROTT guarantees clear title. Dated 3 October 1651, signed Nicholas TROTT in the presence of Henry STEEVENS, Richard JENNYNS, Perient TROTT, John JENKINS.
In July 1652, "Samuell Whitney" served on a civil jury.
On 13 Apr 1653, in the witchcraft trial of John Middleton of Sandys Tribe, Margaret Tucker stated that she had been at the home of Samuel Whitney and then when on her way home, had heard John Middleton state that he was a witch.
On 20 Nov 1655, "Mr. Samuell Whittney" served on a Grand Inquest.
On 27 May 1656, "Mr. Sam. Whitney" served on a Grand Inquest.
In Nov 1657, "Mr. Samuell Whittney" served on a Grand Inquest.
On 15 Jun 1658, "Mr. Samuell Whittney" served on a Grand Inquest.
On 13 Sep 1658, "Mr. Samuell Whitney" was elected Councillor and Justice for Sandys Tribe.
On 27 Jan 1662/63 Samuell Whitney was one of the signators on the General Assembly Report to Company.
In Feb 1667/68, "Samuell Whitney" was listed as a land-holder resident in Bermuda who was preparing to join and underwrite a whale-fishing adventure.
Although Samuel Whitney purchased land in Pembroke Tribe and on St. David's Island, he appears to have himself resided in Sandys Tribe, on two shares of land leased from John Heydon. Mr. Heydon was one of the original adventurers and owned Sandys lot#5 comprising 10 shares of land. Thus, Samuel Whitney and his family almost certainly lived somewhere in lot #5, Somerset Island, Sandys Tribe, Bermuda (leasing 1/5 of the lot).
Samuel Whitney's will is undated, but was probated 10 Apr 1674.[7]
- Will of SAMUEL WHITNEY, SR.
- [Date of will not shown.] - In the Name of God Amen I SAMUELL WHITNEY SENIOR of Sandys Tribe... Planter being Sick in body but of Perfect memory doe mack and... and Testament In Manner & Forme Following First I bequeath into... of Almighty God to be saved by him in & through Jesus Christ my redemer and my body to be Intered as my deer Wife shall think... my Wife my Executrix of this my last will & Testament Item I... Sheares of Land and my Negroes: and the rest of my Estate to my dee... KATHRINE WHITNEY During her Natruall life and after hir Decease... In Davids Island In the Bermoodas I Doe giue it to my welbelouod S... WHITNEY and the Heires begotten of his body and to him and his Heires... Item I do giue to my Son DAUID WHITNEY my Sheare of Land in Pembrock Tribe... the Heires begotten of his body for euer But in case my Son SAMUELL WHITNEY and my Son D: WHITNEY Dye without Children then I doe giue my oresaid Land to my beloued Doughter RUTH WHITNEY... the Heires begotten of her body for euer Item I doe giue my Fiue Negroes to my welbeloued Daughter RUTH WHITNEY at her M... Decease. But if my Daughter RUTH WHITNEY dye without Children then to her brot... and their Childran the Negroes to be deliuered for their vse. Item I giue vnto my Son SAMUELL WHITNY my Gould Ring one broad Cloth Coate and my Sea Chest Item I giue to my Son DAUID
oneWHITNEY on Siluer Cup & one Tobacco Che[st]... Item I giue to my Daughter RUTH one Siluer Tankerd & on Siluer Dram cup and my Spanyshe Chest with all that is in the Chest Item I giue vnto my Daughter ABIGLE LIDELL one Tobacco Chest: Item I giue vnto my Daughter ELIZABETH KING one Tobacco Chest: Item I giue to my Sonne DAUID WHITNEY one Tobacco Chest Item I giue to my Daughter RUTH WHITNEY one Tobacco Chest And I doe make my Kindsman FLOR: SEYMER [SEYMOUR] and THOM: SEYMER the ouersears of this my Last will and Testament Signed Sealed & Deliuerod in the presence of vs
- SAMUELL WHITNEY (mark)
- SAMUELL TROTT
- FLOR: SEYMER
- THOMAS SEYMER
- Memorandum that vpon the 10th day of Aprill 1674 Appeared before Sir JOHN HEYDON Kt: Gouernor & Ordinary the aboue written SAMUELL TROTT, FLOR: SEYMER and THOMAS SEYMER And did Auerr vpon their Oathes that the aboue written SAMUELL WHITNEY did Signe Seale & Deliuer the afore written premisses as his Last will and Testament in their presence JOHN CORNELIUS WHITE Secret[ary]
- FLOR: SEYMER
- SAMUELL TROTT
- THOMAS SEYMER
On 23 Jun 1681, John Heydon, Kt, of Bermuda, wrote a power of attorney in which he authorized his attorneys to "deliver posession of the two shares of land now in the occupation of Mrs. Katherine Whitney in Sy [Sandys Tribe] aforesaid unto Edmond White, his attorney or order, in Nov next following the date hereof."
Children of Samuel1 and possibly Catherine (-----) Whitney (order uncertain):[8]
i. Samuel2 Whitney, born say 1648, died 22 Sep 1722, St. George, Bermuda. ii. David Whitney, born about 1650, Bermuda; died Apr 1707, Bermuda. iii. Ruth Whitney. In her father's will, Ruth Whitney was left her father's slaves (after her mother had died), a silver tankard, a silver dram cup, a Spanish chest with everything in it, a tobacco chest, and, if her two brothers died without heirs, she was to received the land that had been willed to them. iv. Abigail Whitney, born in Bermuda. She married John Lydell. "My daughter Abigle Lidell" was left one tobacco chest in her father's will. "Lyndale, John "holdeth of" Whitney, Saml (of Sandys), formerly belonging to Mr Dykes: 30 acres".[9] v. Elizabeth Whitney, married Mr. King. "My Daughter Elizabeth King" was left one tobacco chest in her father's will.
Associates
- Burroes, Christopher: In 1679, he was said to live west of Humphrey Dobson, who lived just west of Samuel Whitney
- Dobson, Humphrey: In 1679 his land in Pembroke was involved in a lawsuit. Samuel Whitney was said to live just east.
- Heydon, John: Leased Samuel Whitney the land in Sandys Tribe.
- Jenkins, John: In 1651, witnessed a deed in which Samuel Whitney purchased land from Nicholas Trott
- Jennyns, Richard: In 1651, witnessed a deed in which Samuel Whitney purchased land from Nicholas Trott
- King, unknown: Married his daughter Elizabeth
- Lidell/Lyndale, John: Married his daughter Abigail
- Seymour, Florentius: "kinsman", Witness and executor of his will. He was Governor of Bermuda twice - 1663-68 & 1681-82.
- Seymour, Thomas: "kinsman", Witness and executor of his will
- Smyth, George: In 1639, discharged him of all money and reckonings.
- Steevens, Henry: In 1651, witnessed a deed in which Samuel Whitney purchased land from Nicholas Trott
- Trott, Nicholas: In 1651, sold him land
- Trott, Perient: In 1651, witnessed a deed in which Samuel Whitney purchased land from Nicholas Trott
- Trott, Perient: In 1667, served as Samuel Whitney's London-based agent in the whale-fishing adventure
- Trott, Samuel: witness of his will
- Tucker, Margaret: In 1653, she stated that she had been visiting the Samuel Whitney household
- White, Edmond: In 1681, was named to receive the land in Sandys Tribe that Samuel and Catherine had leased.
Notes
The land in Pembroke that was sold to Samuel Whitney by Nicholas Trott 3 Oct 1651 had been purchased by him in the following conveyance:
- 1651 Apr 24 Conveyance Pm [CR VA:125B.]
- I, George WARD, citizen and clothworker of London, for and in consideration of a competent sum of money paid to me by Nicholas TROTT, gent, (the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged) do hereby grant, bargain and sell, set over etc. all that one share of land being by estimation 25 acres more or less, lying and being in Pm in the Sommer Islands als Bermuda, the which land was bequeathed by will from my father, George WARD, to my brother Anthony WARD, and at his decease fell to me, the next heir to him. The said share of land formerly abutting on the East upon SPACHHURST, Richard EDWARDS, draper, upon the West, towards the South upon the sea water called Crow Lane, and towards the North upon the ocean, now in the occupation of John BEAKE or his assigns, together all and singular the houses, buildings etc. privileges, rights etc. appertaining to the said share of land, to have and to hold to the said Nicholas TROTT, his heirs and assigns for ever. In witness whereof, Signed George WARD, 24 Apr 1651. in the presence of Henry STEEVENS, Perient TROTT.
M. Ward was one of the original adventurers, and had Pembroke lot #10. This was most likely the location of the land that Samuel purchased and where his descendants resided.
The land on St. David's Island that was sold to Samuel Whitney by Nicholas Trott 3 Oct 1651 had been purchased by him in the following conveyance:
- 1650/51 Feb 2 Conveyance DI / Hm [CR VA:125B.]
- I, Samuel DIKE of the County of Herfordshire, gent, in consideration of the sum of £20 lawful money of England to me in hand paid by Nicholas TROTT, gent, (the receipt whereof is acknowledged) have by these presents given, granted, bargained etc. and set over unto the said Nicholas TROTT all that piece and parcel of land being by estimation 30 acres more or less lying in St. David’s Island in Hamlington Tribe {Hm} in the Summer Islands als Bermudas, the which land was bequeathed to me by my father, Mr. John DYKE, late deceased, and now or late in the occupation of Mr. John FOX or his assigns, together with all and singular the houses etc., rights, privileges, profits etc. to the said Nicholas TROTT, his heirs etc. for ever. Samuel DYKE guarantees clear title and will defend the title against any claimant. In witness whereof etc. 2 Feb 1650 Signed Samuell DYKE in the presence of Henry STEEVENS, Perient TROTT, Samuell HARWAR, Richard JENNYNS.
The following record was found:
- 1637 Aug 20 Power of Attorney [CR II: 6A.]
- John DYKE of London, merchant, appoints John FOX, now resident in the Sommer Islands, as lawful Attorney to demand and receive all debts, rents &c. and to have all other powers necessary to act on his behalf. 20 Aug 1637. John DYKE. Witness Christopher ffAVELL, Secretary. Vera Copia Josias ffORSTER, Secretary.
John Dike was one of the original Adventurers in Bermuda, 1615/16.
References
1.^ In Brooke Whitney's 1624 will, his son Samuel is left money "if he returne to inhabitt in london". He was perhaps the Samuel Whitney who was apprenticed to Mark Humble and made free 16 Apr 1619, described as a pointmaker and mentioned as being "In Virginia". This connection is tentative, but has not been proven. Note that Samuel was probably not the son of Capt. Francis Whitney. Onomastics also comes into play here - Samuel Whitney, son of Brooke Whitney, had a brother, uncle, grandfather, and cousin named Geoffrey Whitney and this Samuel's son David named a son Jeffrey. Contact Tim Doyle for details.
2.^ David A. Avant, Jr., "Whitney Family of Bermuda, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky," Some Southern Colonial Families, 5 volumes (Tallahassee, Florida: L'Avant Studios, 1995) 5: 209.
3.^ Ibid., p. 218.
4.^ Ibid., p. 209.
5.^ Ibid.
6.^ Ibid.
7.^ Ibid., p. 220, citing Bermuda Will Book v. 1, p. 178, LDS film # 1667,772. Note that Florentius Seymour was Governor of Bermuda 12 Jan 1663 and again from 30 May 1681 until he died in office, 3 Nov 1682.
8.^ Some sources list additional children Francis, Jeremiah, and Joseph Whitney, but this appears to be a mistaken interpretation of a comment by David L. Kent in Avant, p. 217. These are actually sons of Joshua Whitney.
9.^ Richard Norwood’s Survey of the Land and Landholder’s of Bermuda, An accompt of the Generall Lands belonging to the Somer Islands taken out of Mr Richard Norwood’s survey booke by him made in the yeares 1662, 1663.
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