 John WhitneyBorn before. 20 Jul 1592 Westminster, England, died 01 Jun 1673 Watertown, MA, at least 80 years Family:Whitney, John (1592-1673) From WRG http://wiki.whitneygen.org/ John1 Whitney (ThomasA) son of Thomas and Mary (Bray) Whitney,[1] wasbaptized 20 Jul 1592, St. Margaret's, Westminster, England,[2] anddied 1 Jun 1673, Watertown, MA, "widower, aged about 84 years"[3](although actually at age 80). He married first, before 1619, at or near London, England, Elinor-----.[4] She was also known as Ellen and as Ellin.[5] She was bornprobably between 1597 and 1599 somewhere in England, and died 11 May1659, Watertown, MA.[6] He married second, 29 Sep 1659, Watertown, MA, Judah (-----)Clement,[7] as her second husband, widow of Robert Clement. Judah----- was born circa 1595. She married Robert Clement between 1642 and1657 at Haverhill, MA.[8] She died before 3 Apr 1673, Watertown, MA,since her husband did not mention her in his will. The records of the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors show: Feb. 22, 1607, John Whitney, son of Thomas Whitney of the city ofWestminster, yeoman, apprenticed to William Pring of the Old Bailey. March 13, 1614, John Whitney made free by William Pring, his master. March 8, 1624, Robert Whitney, son of Thomas Whitney of the city ofWestminster, gentleman, apprenticed to John Whitney of Isleworth. 1632, Robert Whitney made free by John Whitney, his master, upon thereport of his master.[9] He left a will dated 3 Apr 1673 at Watertown, MA; John Whitny Seniorof Watertown; son John Whitny; son Richard Whitny; son Thomas Whitny;son Jonathan Whitny; son Joshuah Whitny; son Beniamen Whitny; sonsJohn Whitny and Joshuah Whitny, executors; friend William Bond Senior,overseer; witnesses, William Bond senior, Sarah Bond senior; signed bymark. His estate was probated 4 Jun 1673 at Watertown, MA. On thatdate the inventory of Mr. John Whitnie senior, was taken by JosephUnderwood, William Bond, and Nathan Fiske, Junior, and included 50acres of dividend land at £25, 3 acres of meadow at Beaver Brook withan acre and a half of upland to it at £20, and 1 acre of plain meadowat £10; household goods; and stock on the farm. On 17 Jun 1673,Watertown, MA, his will proved by William Bond and Sarah his wife, andhis inventory was exhibited and attested to.[10] John and Elinor (-----) Whitney lived between 1619 and 1624 atIsleworth, England, and between 1627 and 1629 at the parish of St.Mary Aldermary, London, England. Apparently they lived in London from1629 to 1635, when they emigrated to America, but exactly where isunknown. They emigrated in Apr 1635 from London, England, in the "Elizabeth andAnn," Roger Cooper, master. On the passenger list are John Whitney,aged 35; wife Ellin aged 30; sons John aged 11, Richard aged 9,Nathaniel, aged 8, Thomas aged 6, and Jonathan aged 1 year. Their shiplanded in Jun 1635, probably in Boston or Charlestown, MA.[11] He and Elinor ----- lived between Jun 1635 and 1 Jun 1673 atWatertown, MA, on his 16- or 17-acre homestall situated a little northof Belmont Street and east of Common Street.[12] In 1855, Henry Bond said of him the following: "Embarked at Ipswich [corrected to "London"], Engl. Apr., 1635, forNew England, in the Elizabeth and Ann, Roger Cooper, master, JOHNWHITNEY, aged 35; wife ELLIN (Elinor), aged 30; sons JOHN, aged 11;RICHARD, aged 9; NATHANIEL, aged 8; THOMAS, aged 6; and JONATHAN, aged1 year. He was admitted freeman, Mar. 3, 1635-6; was Selectman severalyears between 1638 and 1655 inclusive, and was Town Clerk, 1655. In1642, his homestall lot of 16 acres (where he continued to reside),was bounded E. and S. by William Jennison; W. by Martin Underwood; N.by Isaac Mixer. He at the same time owned 8 other lots, amounting to212 acres. The Registry of Deeds shows that he made additions to thesepossessions. His early admission as a freeman, and his early electionas Selectman, show that he held a respectable social position. Hiswife, Elinor, d. May 11, 1659, and he m. (2d), Sept. 29, 1659, JUDAH(Judith) CLEMENT. He died a widower, June 1, 1673, aged 74. His Will,dated Ap. 3, 1673, attested by William Bond, Sr., and Sarah Bond, Sr.,mentions sons John, Richard, Thomas, Jonathan, Joshua, and Benjamin.Inventory, dated June 4, 1673, 50 acres dividend land, £25; 3 acres ofBeaver Brook meadow, and 1½ acre upland, £60; 1 acre plain meadow,£10. He had probably previously distributed much of his estate in thesettlement of his sons."[13] In 1857, Henry Austin Whitney wrote: "JOHN WHITNEY, of Watertown, Mass., was the progenitor of verynumerous descendants, who are to be found probably in every county ofNew England, and in every State in the Union. He embarked at London inApril, 1635, then aged 35, in the Elizabeth and Ann, Roger Cooper,master, with his wife ELINOR, aged 30, and sons JOHN, aged 11 yrs.,RICHARD aged 9 yrs., NATHANIEL aged 8 yrs., THOMAS aged 6 yrs., andJONATHAN aged 1 yr. He probably arrived in June, and immediatelysettled at Watertown, where his son Joshua was born the 15th of July.He purchased a 16-acre homestall, which had been granted to JohnStrickland, who was dismissed from the Watertown church, May 29, 1635,and was one of that colony from Watertown that went and plantedWethersfield, the oldest town on Connecticut River. This homestead wasthe permanent residence of Mr. Whitney. In 1668 he requested hisyoungest son, Benjamin, who had settled in York, Me., to return andlive with him on his homestead, with the assurance that it should behis own after his father's decease. In 1671 Benjamin, with hisfather's consent, conveyed his rights and obligations in thishomestead to his brother Joshua, who had settled in Groton, for £40.After the decease of his father Joshua returned to Groton, and on the29th Oct., 1697, sold this ancient homestead to Dea. Nathan Fiske. Itwas situated at a little distance north of Belmont street and East ofCommon street. [See the map of the original allotments in Bond's EarlyHistory of Watertown.] "It is stated above that Mr. Whitney purchasedhis homestall; but before 1642 the Town had granted him nine otherlots of land, amounting to 198 acres. The Registry of Deeds, whichcontains comparatively few of the early conveyances, shows that hemade several purchases of land, and it is probable that he had aidedall his other sons in their settlemens as he did Jonathan, to whom hegave 39 acres about 1659--and Benjamin to whom he gave the homesteadas we have already noticed. Jonathan and Benjamin received these giftsfrom their father when they were quite young, and it is possible thatthey shared in some later division of his estate; which may accountfor the fact, that Mr. Whitney in his will, while he bequeaths parcelsof land to all his other sons, merely gives to Jonathan "one ironkitle and a great brass skilet;" to Benjamin "the old mare if shelive!" "Mr. Whitney was admitted freeman March 3, 1635-6; appointedConstable* of Watertown by the General Court, June 1, 1641; Selectman1638 to 1655 inclusive, and Town Clerk, 1655. "His wife ELINOR, themother of his eight sons, died May 11, 1659, aged 54, and he married,Sept. 29, 1659, JUDAH CLEMENT, who was not living at the date of hiswill, April 3, 1673. He died June 1, 1673, aged 74. Inventory, datedJune 4, 1673; 50 A. Dividend land; 3 A. Beaver Brook meadow, and 1-1/2A. upland; 1 acre plain meadow, besides his personal property,consisting of household goods and stock on the farm. This shows thathe held but a small part of his lands granted and purchased, which hadprobably been distributed to his sons."[14] In 1860, James Savage wrote: "[WHITNEY,] JOHN, Watertown, came from London 1635, aged 35, in theElizabeth and Ann, with w[ife] Elinor, 30, and five s[ons] John, 11;Richard, 9; Nathaniel, 8; Thomas, 6; and Jonathan, 1; but a slightreason may be seen for think[ing] one of these ages too low; as in therec[ords] of W[atertown] the f[ather] is call[ed] at his d[eath] 1June 1673, 84 y[ea]rs old; and Richard was releas[ed] from train[ing]in 1691, "being 70 yrs. of age," when he could only be 65, if thecustom-ho[use] rep[ort] be accept[ed]; was a man of prop[er]ty andrelig[ious] charact[er], adm[itted] freem[an] 3 Mar 1636, was by theGen[eral] C[our]t made constable 1641, a selectman sev[eral] timesbetw[een] 1638 and 55, and in 1655 he was town cl[er]k; had b[orn] atW[atertown] Joshua, 5, but the Register's vol[ume] for W[atertown](preserv[ed] at Boston, giv[es] the name John) makes the date 15, July1635, see Geneal[ogical] Reg[ister] VII 159; Caleb, bur[ied] 12 July1640, prob[ably] very young; and Benjamin, b[orn] 6 June 1643. Hisw[ife] d[ied] 11 May 1659, and he m[arried] 29 Sept. foll[owing]Judith Clement, wh[o] prob[ably] d[ied] bef[ore] he made his will, 3Apr. 1673, nam[ing] all the s[ons] exc[ept] Nathaniel and Caleb, andd[ied] 1 June foll[owing]. That Nathaniel prob d[ied] under 20y[ea]rs."[15] In 1875, Henry Austin Whitney wrote: "The record of embarkation, April, 1635, gave the names and ages ofthe family as follows :* -- John Whitney [the father] 35 Nathaniel 8 Elinor Whitney [the mother] 30 Thomas 6 John 11 Jonathan 1 Richard 9 (To be found in a "manuscript volume in folio, containing the names ofpersons permitted to embark at the port of London, after Christmas,1634, to the same period in the following year." This volume is now inthe Rolls Office, Chancery Lane, London, the entry referred to beingon page 35. See, also, same record in Vol. III. of the Third Series,Mass. Hist. Collections ; Vol. XIV. Genealogical Register ; and inDrake's "Founders of New England," Boston, 1860 and 1865.) "Other sons were born in Watertown, Joshua, Caleb (wo died in 1640),and Benjamin. "Shortly after preparing (in 1857) for the Genealogical Register, amore complete account of the earlier generations of the descendants ofJohn and Elinor Whitney than was given in Bond's History andGenealogies of Watertown, I was convinced that at least the ages ofthe father and the two older sons, as given in the custom-house list,were understated. That these lists were not always exact, and weresometimes purposely incorrect, we have many examples ; and, in thisinstance, the ages were doubtless given too young through design,either to avoid some clause in the subsidy act, or some of the manyembarrassments thrown in the way of emigrants. "My belief was based upon data which escaped the critical andsearching eye of Dr. Bond, the historian of Watertown, and which areas follows:-- "FIRST. The death of John Whitney is thus registered in the churchrecords of Watertown: 1673. "John Whetny, widdower, deceased first ofJune, aged abought eighty-four years," so that, in 1635, he would havebeen about forty-five instead of thirty-five years of age. "SECOND. His eldest son John, whose age was given as eleven in thelist of 1635, was married in 1642, when he would have been buteighteen or nineteen years old. "THIRD. Richard, the second son, said to be nine years of age in 1635,was excused from military training by the Court in 1691, as being"seventy years of age," when he could not have been over sixty-five bythe record of embarkation. "These facts were made known to the late Mr. James Savage, which ledto the following cautious language in his " Genealogical Dictionary,"published in 1862. After giving the custom-house ages, he adds, "But aslight reason may be seen for thinking one of these ages too low; as,in the record of Watertown, the father is called at his death, 1 June,1673, eighty-four years old, and Richard was released from training in1691, 'being seventy years of age,' when he could only be sixty-five,if the custom-house report be accepted."* "At the time, the reasons given for thinking the custom-house reportincorrect seemed far from slight; but, in 1871, my theory wasconfirmed by the discovery of the dates of baptism of the two oldersons, together with that of a daughter Mary, of whom we know nothing,and who probably died previous to the emigration, at which time, ifliving, she would have been sixteen or seventeen years old. "The late Mr. H. G. Somerby wrote to me from London, under date ofJanuary 11, 1871, that the previous day he had occasion to search theparish register of Isleworth; about nine miles from London on thebanks of the Thames, opposite Richmond, and that he had thereaccidentally found the registry of baptism of three of John and ElinorWhitney's children, namely : Mary, May 23, 1619; John, September 14,1621; and Richard, January 6, 1623-24. "It will be noticed that John the eldest son was fourteen years old ormore in 1635; instead of eleven, and twenty-one years old when marriedin 1642; and that Richard was twelve years or more in 1635, instead ofnine, and in 1691 was at least in his sixty-eighth year when excusedfrom "training." It is probable that John and Elinor left Isleworthshortly after the baptism of Richard in 1624; as no further trace bfthem is to be found there."[16] In 1895, Frederick C. Pierce, quoting Henry Melville, said of him thefollowing: "John [Whitney], in whom we are most interested, probably received,for those days, a good education in the famous "Westminster School,"now known as St. Peter's College, and February 22, 1607, at the age offourteen, was apprenticed by his father to William Pring of the OldBailey, London. The latter was a "Freeman" of the Merchant Tailors'Company, then the most famous and prosperous of all the great tradeguilds, numbering in its membership distinguished men of allprofessions, many of the nobility and the Prince of Wales, and, onMarch 13, 1614, Whitney at the age of twenty-one became a full-fledgedmember. Marrying soon after he took up his residence atIsleworth-on-the-Thames, eight miles from Westminster, and there threechildren were born, baptized on the following dates: May 23, 1619,Mary; September 14, 1621, John; and January 6, 1623-4, Richard. There,too, November 8, 1624, his father apprenticed to him his youngestbrother, Robert, who served seven years. Soon after the latter date hemoved from Isleworth, probably back to London. Entries in theregisters of the parish of St. Mary Aldermery indicate that he livedthere - in "Bowe lanne," near Bow church, where hang the famous bells- for several years, during which time Mary died, and his son Thomaswas baptized December 10, 1627. In September, 1631, he placed hiseldest child, John, Jr., in the Merchant Tailors school - where,according to the registers, he remained as long as the family were inEngland - and, early in April, 1635, registered with his wife Elinorand sons John, Richard, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Jonathan as a passengerin the ship 'Elizabeth and Ann, Roger Cooper, Master,' which, a fewweeks afterward, completed her lading and set sail for the New World."Extracts from the books of the Merchant Taylors' Company, of the cityof London, England. .... "Feb. 22, 1607, John Whitney, son of ThomasWhitney of the city of Westminster, yeoman, apprenticed to WilliamPring of the Old Bailey. "March 13, 1614, John Whitney made free byWilliam Pring, his master. .... "March 8, 1624, Robert Whitney, son ofThomas Whitney of the city of Westminster, gentleman, apprenticed toJohn Whitney of Isleworth. "1632, Robert Whitney made free by JohnWhitney, his master, upon the report of his master."[17] Pierce continued as follows: "John Whitney was born in England in 1589, and dwelt in the Parish ofIsleworth-on-the-Thames, opposite Richmond, nine miles from London,from May, 1619, to January, 1623-4. The record "of persons permittedto embark at the port of London after Christmas, 1634," manuscriptfolio page 35 in Rolls office, Chancery Lane, gives the followingnames and ages: John Whitney 35, Elinor Whitney 30, John 11, Richard9, Nathaniel 8, Thomas 6, Jonathan 1. "The record reads as follows:"The Elizabeth and Ann, Roger Cooper Mr., April, 1635. "These p'tieshereunder expressed are to be imbarqued for New England, having takenthe oaths of Allegeance and Supremacie and likewise broughtCertificate both from the Ministers and Justices when their abidingswere latlie, of their conformitie to the Discipline and order of theChurch of England, and yet they are no Subsedy Men. Jo. Whitney, 35;Jo. Whitney, 11; Richard Whitney, 9; Nathaniel Whitney, 8; Tho.Whitney, 6; Jonathan Whitney, 1; Ellen Whitney, 30. "The ages of JohnWhitney and his five sons, as thus given, were all too young. Theparish resister of Isleworth contains the following entries: "1621,Sept. 14, John Whitne and Ellin had John their son baptized. "1623-4,Jan. 6, John Whitne and Elinor his wife had their son Richardbaptized. "It is suggested that the non-conformity acts might have hadsome influence in making the ages of the several members of the familyyounger than they were. "They settled in Watertown, in theMassachusetts colony, in June, 1635, where his son Joshua was born the15th of July following, he being the first of this line born inAmerica. John Whitney was admitted freeman 3d of March, 1636, and thefollowing year was for the first time elected by his associates as oneof the Select Men of the town. He held the office for many yearsafterward, until 1655, at which time he was elected town clerk. June1, 1641, he was appointed constable at Watertown by the General Courtat their quarter session held in Boston. "At that time constables wereappointed by the General Court, and, besides the duties attached tothe office in latter times, they were required to collect the taxes ofthe town and the levies by the General Court; to pay the debts of thecolony due to individuals in their respective towns; to supply thetown with sealed weights and measures; to set or order in those townswhere no captain dwelt, and to inflict the punishments ordered byjudicial authority, "where there was not another appointed to do itwithin his own town, unless he can get another to do it." As a badgeof his office a constable was required to carry a black staff five orfive and a half feet long, with a tip or head five or six inches long."His very early admission as a freeman and his election as a SelectMan show that he held a respectable social position in the community."He was grantee of eight lots in Watertown and purchaser of 16 acres,his home-stall lot, where he continued to reside. This latter propertywas granted to John Strickland,+ and was bounded east and south byWilliam Jennison, west by Martin Underwood, north by Isaac Mixer. Hiseight lots amounted to 212 acres, to which he subsequently madeadditions, as shown by the Registry of Deeds. Later the homestallbecame the property of his son, Joshua, of Groton, who sold it to Dea.Nathan Fiske, Oct. 29, 1697. "The death of John Whitney is registeredin the church record of Watertown, 1673, thus: "John Whetny, Widdower,Deceased first of June, aged abought eighty-four years." His wife,Elinor, mother of his eight sons, died in Watertown May 11, 1659, agedabout 60 years (though called 54). He married Judah (Judith) Clement,Sept. 29, 1659. "His will, dated April 3, 1673, is as follows: "I JohnWhitney senior of Watertowne in ye county of midlesexx being perfectand sound in my memory and understanding blessed be god for it: I dodeclare this to be my last will and testemant In maner and form asfolloweth "1ly I committ my spirit into ye hands of god yt gave it:and my body unto the earth from whence it was taken: "2ly I give untomy Son John Whitney: my meadow called beeverbrook meadows with ytupland yt doth appertain thereunto: and a yoke of oxen: or nine poundsten shillings: and ten acres of my land called devedent and a trunkeand one pair of sheets and one pair of pillows beers and two pewterdishes a great one and a small one and ye bed whereon I lie with allthe furniture thereunto belonging. "3ly I give unto my son RichardWhitney my ten acres of land called devident and two cowes and a greatsea chest "4ly I give unto my son Thomas Whitney ten acres of my landcalled devident and two cowes and a sad colered sute namely a payer ofbreeches and a close coate and a puter dish. "5ly I give unto my sonJonathan Whitney an iron kitle and a great brass skilet. "6ly I giveunto my son Joshua Whitney twenty acres of my land called devident anda cubbard and a little table and a chest and a great kitle and awarming pan and a skillett. "7ly I give unto my son Benjamin Whitneythe old mare if she live. "8ly My will is yt what of my estate be leftafter all is paid out as ye aboves namely of my moveables yt it beequaly devided between my execeutors and I doe nominate and apoynt mywell beloved sones John Whitney and Joshua Whitney to be my execeutorsto this my will and testament and I doe desire my loveing friendWilliam Bond sen to se yt this my will be performed acording to yetrue intent of it as is aforesaid and doe set to my hand this 3d ofAprill 1673. "Ye centerline in ye line 24 ye wood devided was donbefore any subscribing or sealining. "The marks of X "Jon Whitney senand a seale, "In ye presince of us "William Bond sen "Sarah Bond sen "This is an inventory of the estate of Mr. John Whitnie, sene, takenthis 4th of June, 1673, by us whose names are hereunto subscribed. Impe Wearing Clothes. A sad coleired sute coats andbreeches...............................001 10 00 The rest of both linin and woollen and shooes stocking hats gloves being much worne...................................................00210 00 The bed wheareon he lay wth all the furniture thereuntobelonging.....05 00 00 Three pillows beers three sheets and three small old tableclothes...001 00 00 An old feather boulster and feather pillows a seachest..............000 10 00 Two old chests an old trunke an old box and an oldCubbard...........000 14 00 Two old tables one forme 3 oldchaires...............................001 00 00 Three pewter platters one basson a sacer and old great pott and old pewter bottle and a chamber pott...................................00012 00 A brass kitle 2 brass skillets a brass skimer a warming pan a small brass morter a little ladell of brass..............................00102 00 An iron pot and pott hooks a tramell a iron kittle a spit a smoothing iron and two old frying pans.......................................00105 00 Three earthen vessels a great grater 2 chuny dishes a dozen of trenchers a wooden dish 3 cheese moats.............................00003 00 A small trevit a pair of tongs and a small payer of scales pound and half in waits a spindell for a wheelle and an iron bullet..........00002 00 A churne and otherlumber............................................000 05 00 Fourcowes...........................................................010 0000 Twooxen.............................................................00910 00 A oldmaer...........................................................002 1000 An old sadle anpillion..............................................000 10 00 An old paire of soops and boxes for a cart a payer of iron pins forthe extree a payer of lines pins and washers...........................00010 00 A chaine a iron bar a spoone of iron an old adsc a set for a saw two wedges and an iron pin for a cart a hay crome and other old iron 00012 00 A grind stone with the iron to it...................................000 04 00 An old haire a cart rope an old bage two old cushins................000 02 00 Fifty acres of land caled devident..................................025 00 00 Three acres of meadow at beaver brooke with an acre and half of ap- land to it....................................................... 02000 00 An acre of meadow called plaine meadow..............................010 00 00 A forke and a shovell...............................................000 02 00 All so of...........................................................000 14 00 Joseph UNDERWOOD William BOND Nathan FISKE"Massachusetts Colony Records "A quarter Court, held at Boston, the first of the 4th mo., 1641. "John WHITNEY was chosen constable at Watertowne and tooke oath. "There was granted to Goodm. NUTT, Marten UNDERWOOD, John WHITNEY,Henry KEMBALL and John WITHEREDGE alowance for 881/2 yrd. of cloth,valued at 12 d. p. yrd. "1655. In answer to the peticion of Mr. Lymon EIRES, Jno. STONE, Jno.WHITNEY, William PAGE, etc, the Court judgeth it meete to referre thepeticioners to the retourne of the commissiones appointed to settlethe matters in difference betweene them those acts this Court dothapproove of and continew, as they are presented to this Court, and areon file." Pierce goes on to quote Henry Austin Whitney as follows: "JOHN WHITNEY probably arrived in June, and immediately settled inWatertown, where his son Joshua was born the 15th of July. Hepurchased a sixteen acre homestall, which had been granted to JohnSTRICKLAND, who was dismissed from the Watertown church May 29, 1635,and was one of that colony from Watertown that went and plantedWethersfield, the oldest town on Connecticut river. This homestead wasthe permanent residence of Mr. WHITNEY. In 1668 he requested hisyoungest son, Benjamin, who had settled in York, Me, to return andlive with him on his homestead, with the assurance that it should behis own after his father's decease. In 1671 Benjamin, with hisfather's consent, conveyed his rights and obligations in thishomestead to his brother Joshua, who had settled in Groton, for £40.After the decease of his father Joshua returned to Groton, and on the29th October, 1697, sold this ancient homestead to Dea. Nathan FISKE.It was situated at a little distance north of Belmont street and eastof Common street. (See the map of the original allotments in BOND'sEarly History of Watertown.) "It is stated above that mr. WHITNEYpurchased his homestall, but before 1642 the town had granted him nineother lots of land, amounting to 198 acres. The Registry of Deeds,which contains comparatively few of the early conveyances, shows thathe made several purchases of land, and it is probable that he hadaided all his other sons in their settlements as he did Jonathan, towhom he gave 39 acres about 1659-and Benjamin, to whom he gave thehomestead as we have already noticed. Jonathan and Benjamin receivedthese gifts from their father when they were quite young, and it ispossible that they shared in some later division of his estate, whichmay account for the fact that Mr. WHITNEY in his will, while hebequeathes parcels of land to all his other sons, merely gives toJonathan "one iron kitle and a great brass skilet;" to Benjamin, "theold mare if she live." "Mr. WHITNEY was admitted freeman March 3,1635-6; appointed constable of Watertown by the General Court, June 1,1641; selectman, 1638 to 1655, inclusive, and town clerk, 1655. "Hiswife Elinor, the mother of his eight sons, died May 11, 1659, aged 54[sic: the source for her age at death is unknown--RLW]; and he marriedSept. 29, 1659, Judah CLEMENT, who was not living at the date of hiswill, April 3, 1673. He died June 1, 1673, aged 84. Inventory, datedJune 4, 1673: 50 acres dividend land, 3 acres Beaver Brook meadow, and1 1/2 acres upland; 1 acre plain meadow, besides his personalproperty, consisting of household goods and stock on the farm. Thisshows that he then held but a small part of his lands granted andpurchased, which had probably been distributed to his sons."[18] In 1996, Smith and Sanborn wrote: John Whitney, son of Thomas Whitney, of the city of Westminster,yeoman, was apprenticed to William Pring of the Old Bailey, a freemanof the Merchant Taylors Company, on 22 February 1607[/8] (ApprenticeBinding Book, Vol 5, 1606-1609, Guildhall Library MS. 314[13], page170): As an apprentice he learned clerical duties and studied a variedcurriculum, as well as a trade. William Pring probably dealt in cloth,since John Whitney is called a tailor in Watertown deeds (vide post). When he reached his majority in 1614, John was made free by hismaster, William Pring (Court Minute Book, vol.6, Freemen 1607-1618,Guildhall Library Ms. 327 (31), page 483: Freedoms), and ten yearslater, on 8 November 1624, "Robert Whitney, son of Thomas Whitney ofthe city of Westminster, Gentleman, was apprenticed to John Whitney inThistleworth" (another name for Isleworth). Robertus Whitney filius Thome Whitney de Civitate Westminster Gentpose appren[tice] John Whittney modo Comanone in Thistleworth proSeptem annis a die dat hor[umm] pr[e]d[i]c[tu]m dat Octavo dieNovembris, Anno Dm 1624 Annoque regis Jacobis Anglie vicesimo secundo(Apprentice Binding Book, Vol.9, 1623-1628, Gulldhall Library Ms 315[18], page 93: Apprenticeships) Robert, in turn, was made free by his brother on 14 January 1632(Court Minute Book: Freemen 1630-1642, Guildhall Library Ms 329 [33],unpaginated). John Whitney's London in the 1620s In the 1620s, his children's baptisms in the St Mary Aldermary'sparish register showed that John lived on Bow Lane and that he was atailor. John sent his eldest son to the Merchant Taylors' School, affordinghim the finest education available to the son of a yeoman intended forbusiness. The younger John Whitney appears in the Merchant Taylors'School Register from 11 December 1631 until 1634 (Merchant Taylors'School Register, 132). This attendance was contemporary with theKemptons, who likely knew the Whitneys (see Kempton chapter). Bond says the Whitneys embarked at London, England in April of 1635for New England in the ship Elizabeth and Ann, Roger Cooper, master.The family consisted of Jo Married 29 sep 1659 Watertown, MA (13 years married) to:  JudahDied before. 3 Apr 1673 Watertown, MA | |||
| 2nd marriage John WhitneyMarried before. 1619 England (at least 40 years married) to: ElinorBorn between. 1597–1599 England, died 11 May 1659 Watertown, MA Children: 1. Mary WhitneyBorn before. 23 May 1619 Isleworth, Middlesex, England 2. Caleb WhitneyDied before. 12 Jul 1640 Watertown, MA 3. John WhitneyBorn before. 14 sep 1621 Isleworth, Middlesex, England, died 12 Oct 1692 Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts, at least 71 years http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney%2C_John_%281621-1692%29 Family:Whitney, John (1621-1692) From WRG John2 Whitney (John1), son of John1 and Elinor (-----) Whitney wasbaptized 14 Sep 1621, Isleworth, co. Middlesex, England[1] and died 12Oct 1692 at Watertown, MA.[2] John married about 1642,[3] Ruth Reynolds, daughter of Robert and Mary(-----) Reynolds.[4] She had been born in England, date and exactplace unknown. She died after 27 May 1695, when she was living atWatertown, MA.[5] In September, 1631, his father placed him in the Merchant Tailorsschool - where, according to the registers, he remained as long as thefamily were in England.[6] He came to New England with his parents and his brothers in the"Elizabeth and Ann," from London, in April 1635. His age was recordedas 11 years, although he was 13.[7] He and Ruth Reynolds lived in Watertown, MA, from the time of theirmarriage until his death, on a 3-acre lot on the east side ofLexington Street, on land granted to Edward How, and the next lotsouth of the residence of the Phillips family, and is probably thesame ground occupied in 1855 by his great-great-grandson BradshawWhitney. The ground is somewhat elevated, and there is little doubtthat it is the "Whitney Hill" sometimes mentioned in the records.[8] He was admitted freeman on 26 May 1647 at MA.[9] Ruth (Reynolds) Whitney was mentioned in her father's will on 20 Apr1658 at Boston, MA, as follows: "... my fowre daughters Children, thatis to say, my dau. Ruth Whitney and to her Eldest sonne ..."[10] He was selectman of Watertown in 1673, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1678, and1679.[11] He was mentioned in his father's will on 3 Apr 1673 at Watertown,MA.[12] The probate of his estate consists of seven documents: Will dated February 27, 1685 is incomplete, names children, John,Nathaniel, Samuel, Joseph, Benjamin, Ruth (Lawrence), Mary(unmarried), Sarah (Harrington), Elizabeth (Warren), Hannah(unmarried). Bond of adminstrators, widow Ruth Whitney, sons John Whitney andBenjamin Whitney. Agreement for distribution mostly according to will. Inventory and appraisal October 26, 1692. Report to judge of committee for distribution of estate approved March24, 1692/3, and agreement of heirs, excepting Samuel & Mrs. Warren. Account May 27, 1695 names for a small share William Shattuck son ofGeorge Shattuck [sic: probably should be William, son of Jno.Shattuck, who was a grandson--R.L.W.]. Release of administrators by heirs excepting Nathaniel, Samuel, andMrs. Warren.[13] The inventory of his estate was taken 26 Oct 1692 at Watertown, MA, byElnathan Beers and Thomas Hammond. It embraced 18 lots or parcels ofland, amounting to about 210 acres, and prized at £197-15s, includingone lot of 17 acres "purchased of father Arnold." On 23 Dec 1692, RuthWhitney, relict widow of John Whitney late of Watertown, John Whitney,and Benjamin Whitney, as principals, and Munning Sawin and JosephWhitney of Watertown as sureties, posted administration bond atWatertown; Ruth Whitney made her mark "RW", John Whitney signed,Benjamin Whitney made his mark "B". The inventory was attested to bythe administrators the same day. On 12 Mar 1692/93 an agreement wasmade at Watertown, MA, between Ruth Whitney, widow of John Whitney,late of Watertown, decd., and John Whitney, Nathanll. Whitney, SamuelWhitney, Joseph Whitney, and Benjamin Whitney, sons of said JohnWhitney, decd., also Enoch Lawrence, Daniel Herrington, and DanielWarren his sons-in-law, and Mary and Hannah his daughters unmarried,concerning the settlement of his estate; that the said John Whitneydecd. left at his death an imperfect will signifying how he wanted hisestate disposed after his death, they all have agreed that withalterations, the will should be the rule of the division of theestate. The daughters were each to receive £10 from John Whitney and£10 from Benjamin Whitney within 10 years of the widow's decease, andthey relinquish interest in the orchard, but instead they would bepaid within 10 years from this date; sons Nathaniel, Samuel, andJoseph Whitney were each to pay 50s to each of their sisters withinfive years of the widow's decease, but instead they would be paidwithin 5 years from this date; lands were to be given to the sonswithout the entail specified in the will; signed by Benjamin Whitney,Phillip Shattuck (attorney to Enoch Lawrence), Daniel Herington andSary his wife, John Whitney, Nathanael Whitney, Joseph Whitney; markmade by Ruth Whitney and Mary Whitney. On 13 Mar 1692/93 at Watertown,MA, Ruth Whitney, widow of Jno. Whitney; John Whitney; Joseph Whitney;Nathanll. Whitney; Benjamin Whitney; Phillip Shattuck, attorney toEnoch Lawrence and Ruth his wife; Mary Whitney; Danll. Herrington andSarah his wife; and Hannah Whitney; agreed to all the articles andagreements settling the estate. On 27 Apr 1695 at Watertown, MA; jointreceipt given to John Whitney and Benjamin Whitney for their share ofthe estate of their father, signed by John Whitney, Benjamin Whitney(by mark), Joseph Whitney, William Shattuck in behalf of PhillipShattuck, Marey Whitney (by mark), Daniel Herington, and HannahWhitney (by mark); witnessed by Saml. Gookin, William Shattuck, andPelatiah Whittemore; acknowledged by all the signers 6 May 1695.[14] Children of John2 and Ruth (Reynolds) Whitney, all b. at Watertown,MA: i. John3 Whitney, b. 17 Sep 1643[15]; m. Elizabeth Harris. ii. Ruth Whitney, b. 15 Apr 1645;[16] m.(1) John Shattuck; m.(2)Enoch Lawrence. iii. Nathaniel Whitney, b. 1 Feb 1646/47;[17] m.(1) Sarah Hagar;m.(2) Sarah (Shepard) Goble. iv. Samuel Whitney, b. 28 Jul 1648;[18] m. Mary Bemis. v. Mary Whitney, b. 23 Apr 1650;[19] baptized 29 Apr 1650 atWatertown, MA; unmarried on 6 May 1695, living at Watertown, MA. vi. Joseph Whitney, b. 15 Jan 1651/52;[20] m. Martha Beach. vii. Sarah Whitney, b. 17 Mar 1653/54;[21] m. Daniel Harrington. viii. Elizabeth Whitney, b. 9 Jun 1656;[22] m. Daniel Warren. ix. Hannah Whitney, b. say 1658; unmarried on 6 May 1695, living atWatertown, MA. x. Benjamin Whitney, b. 28 Nov 1660;[23] m. Abigail Hagar. [edit]References 1.^ "John Whitne, & Ellin his wife, had John there son baptized" on14 Sep 1621, according to the parish register of Isleworth, co.Middlesex, England. 2.^ "John Whitny, d. 12 Oct 1692," according to Watertown Records, p.65. 3.^ The date is estimated from the birth of their oldest child. 4.^ Her parentage is established by her father's will. 5.^ She was still alive on this date, when she acknowledged thedistribution of her husband's estate. 6.^ Frederick C. Pierce, The Descendants of John Whitney (Chicago,IL: 1895), p. 17. 7.^ "Founders of New England", NEHGR, vol. XIV (1860), pp. 300-342,pp. 308-309. 8.^ Pierce, op. cit., page 22. For a discussion of his land holdings,see William H. Whitney, A Watertown Farm in Eight Generations: AMemorial of the Whitney Family (Cambridge, MA: New England HistoricGenealogical Society, and Watertown Historical Society, 1898), pp.117-120, 132-133. 9.^ Rev. Lucius R. Paige, "List of Freemen.", NEHGR, vol. III,(1849), p. 181. 10.^ Mr. William B. Trask, "Abstracts of Early Wills", NEHGR, vol.IX, (1855), pp. 137-138. 11.^ Henry Bond, Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of theEarly Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, Including Waltham andWeston (2nd ed., 1860), page 643. 12.^ Middlesex County, MA, Probate Records, File No. 24680. 13.^ William H. Whitney, op. cit., pp. 132-133. 14.^ Middlesex County, MA, Probate Records, File No. 24681. 15.^ "John Whetny, s. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 17 Sep 1643," accordingto Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 10. 16.^ "Ruth Whetny, d. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 15 1m 1645," accordingto Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 12. 17.^ "Nathanell Whetny, s. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 1 12m 1646,"according to Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 12. 18.^ "Samuel Whetny, s. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 28 5m 1648," accordingto Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 13. 19.^ "Mary Whetny, d. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 23 2m 1650," accordingto Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 14. 20.^ "Joseph Whitny, s. John & Ruth Whitny, b. 15 Jan 1651 [1651/2],"according to Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 15. 21.^ "Sarah Whetney, d. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 17 Mar 1653,"according to Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 16. 22.^ "Elizabeth Whetny, d. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 9 Jun 1656,"according to Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 18. 23.^ "Benjamin Whetny, s. John & Ruth Whetny, b. 28 9mo 1660,"according to Watertown, MA, Vital Records, vol. 1, p. 23. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999, 2006 Robert L. Ward and the Whitney Research Group Retrieved from"http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney%2C_John_%281621-1692%29" 4. Richard WhitneyBorn before. 6 Jan 1624 Isleworth, Middlesex, England 5. Thomas WhitneyBorn before. 10 Dec 1627 England, died 20 sep 1719 Watertown, Middlesex, MA, at least 91 years http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney%2C_Thomas_%281627-1719%29 Family:Whitney, Thomas (1627-1719) Thomas2 Whitney (John1, ThomasA), son of John1 and Elinor (-----)Whitney,[1] was baptized 10 Dec 1627 at St. Mary Aldermary, London,England,[2] and died 20 Sep 1719, Watertown, Massachusetts.[3] He married 11 Jan 1654/5, Watertown, Massachusetts,[4], Mary Kedell,parentage, birth date and place unknown.[5] He came with his parents and brothers on the "Elizabeth and Ann" in1635, age reported as 6 years, but he was actually 7.[6] He was mentioned in the will of his father, dated 3 Apr 1673.[7] Apparently both Thomas Whitney, Sr., and his son Thomas Whitney, Jr.,served in King Phillip's War, although it is not clear which recordsapply to which. On 19 Oct 1675, Thomas Whitney was paid £1 10s. forservice at the garrison at Lancaster in King Phillip's War. On 20 Dec1675, Thomas Whitney was paid £1 16s. for the same. On 24 Aug 1676 onewas paid 2s. 6d., the other 4s. 2d., for service from Watertown.[8] He was made a freeman on 18 Apr 1690.[9] On 21 Dec 1702, one Thomas Whitney witnessed the will of Jonathan2Whitney of Sherborne.[10] I see no proof as to which Thomas this was,but it could well have been Jonathan's brother, this man. On 25 Jun 1714, he sold to his daughter Martha Whitney, spinster, andher brother Elnathan Whitney, all his real and personal estate,especially his house and 1/4 acre of ground.[11] He left no probate records. Children of Thomas2 and Mary (Kedell) Whitney, all born in Watertown,MA: i. Thomas3 Whitney, b. 24 Aug 1656;[12] m. Elizabeth Lawrence. ii. John Whitney, b. 19 May 1659,[13] d. 19 May 1659.[14] iii. John Whitney, b. 22 Aug 1660, d. 26 Aug 1660.[15] iv. Eleazer Whitney (twin), b. 7 Apr 1662;[16] m. Dorothy Ross. v. Elnathan Whitney (twin), b. 7 Apr 1662.[17] On 25 Jun 1714, hisfather deeded to his sister Martha and himself all his real andpersonal property, especially his house and 1/4 acre of land inWatertown. He was a town charge in Jan 1727-8, and the selectmenordered to see if his brother Eleazer would look after him. The nextmonth they passed an order to pay Samuel Jennison 20s. a week fortaking care of him, then in his 66 year.[18] He met with a seriousaccident and became suddenly insane.[19] He d. Mar. 8, 1727/8,unmarried.[20] vi. Mary Whitney, b. 22 Dec 1663.[21] vii. Bezaleel Whitney, b. 16 Sep 1664.[22] No further record. viii. Sarah Whitney, b. 23 Mar 1666.[23] No further record. ix. Mary Whitney, b. 6 Aug 1668,[24] d. 6 Sep 1669.[25] x. Isaiah Whitney, b. 16 Sep 1671;[26] m. Sarah Woodward. xi. Martha Whitney, b. 30 Jan 1673[/4].[27] She was unmarried on 25Jun 1714, according to a deed from her father to herself and herbrother Elnathan. [edit]References 1.^ His parentage is shown by his baptismal record, immigration shiplist, and his mention in his father's will. 2.^ On 10 Dec 1627, Thomas, "sonn of John Whitne, dwelling in Bowelanne" was baptized, according to the parish register of St. MaryAldermary, London, England. 3.^ "Thomas Whitney, dec. 20 Sep 1719," according to WatertownRecords, Comprising the Third Book of Town Proceedings and the SecondBook of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, to the End of 1737. Also Planand Register of Burials in Arlington Street Burying Ground,(Watertown, MA: Historical Society, 1900), p. 65. 4.^ "Thomas Whetny & Mary Kedell, m. 11 11mo 1654," according toWatertown Records, Comprising the First and Second Book of TownProceedings, with the Land Grants and Possessions. Also, theProprietors' Book, and the First Book of and Supplement of Births,Deaths, and Marriages (Watertown, MA: Historical Society, 1894), p.17. 5.^ She may have been a sister of Bethiah Keedell, who married 3 Nov1666, Watertown, Theophilus Phillips, based on similarity of names,dates, and location. There was a John Kettle in Watertown in 1642, whomay be another relation, possibly a brother or even their father, butno proof of relation of these three appears. 6.^ "Founders of New England", NEHGR, vol. XIV (1860), pp. 300-342,pp. 308-309. Apparently the same passenger list can be found in Mass.Hist. Coll., Third Series, Vol. X, p. 24. 7.^ Middlesex County, Massachusetts, probate file 24,690. 11.^ Henry Austin Whitney, "The Descendants of John and ElinorWhitney, of Watertown, Mass.," NEHGR, vol. XI (1857), pp. 113-121,225-230, p. 115. 12.^ "Thomas Whetny, s. Tho. & Mary Whetny, b. 24 6mo 1656,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 18 13.^ "John Whitney, s. Thomas & Mary Whitny, b. 19 May 1659,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 21 14.^ "John Whitny, s. Thomas & Mary Whitny, d. 19 May 1659,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 22 15.^ "John Whetny, s. Thomas & Mary Whetny, b. 22 6mo & d. 26 6mo1660," according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 22 16.^ "Elieasor & Elnathan, ss. Thomas & Mary Whettny, b. 7 2mo 1662,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 24 17.^ "Elieasor & Elnathan, ss. Thomas & Mary Whettny, b. 7 2mo 1662,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 24 18.^ Henry Austin Whitney, loc. cit. 19.^ Pierce, loc. cit. 20.^ "Elnathan Whitney, dec. 8 Mar 1727/8," according to WatertownRecords, vol. 2, p. 84. 21.^ "Mary Whetny, d. Thomas & Mary Whetny, b. 22 10mo 1663,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 25 22.^ "Bezaliell Whetny, s. Thomas & Mary Whetny, b. 16 7mo 1664,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 27 23.^ "Sary Whitny, d. Thomas & Mary Whetny, b. 23 Mar 1666,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 28 24.^ "Mary Whetny, d. Thomas & Mary, b. 6 aug 1668," according toWatertown Records, vol. 1, p. 31 25.^ "Mary Whetny, d. Thomas & Mary, d. 6 Sep 1669," according toWatertown Records, vol. 1, p. 32 26.^ "Isaiah Whetny, s. Thomas & Mary Whetny, b. 16 Sep 1671,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 35 27.^ "Martha Whetny, d. Thomas & Mary Whetny, b. 30 Jan 1673,"according to Watertown Records, vol. 1, p. 37 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 2006, Robert L. Ward and The Whitney Research Group Retrieved from"http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney%2C_Thomas_%281627-1719%29" 6. Nathaniel WhitneyBorn ±. 1627 England 7. Mary WhitneyBorn before. 29 Dec 1629 England 8. Jonathan WhitneyBorn 1634 England 9. Joshua WhitneyBorn 15 Jul 1635 Watertown, MA 10. Benjamin WhitneyBorn 06 Jun 1643 Watertown, MA | |||