by Frederick Clifton Pierce (Chicago: 1895), pages 36 - 40
Transcribed by the Whitney Research Group, 1999.
[Page 36]
He was born in Groton, where he resided until his marriage. His wife was from
Chelmsford, in which place they were married. She died and was buried in Groton.
His second wife was probably from Newton, for he was married there. Apr 4, 1710,
he purchased land in Killingly, Conn., of James CORBIN of Woodstock. He
removed to Plainfield, Conn., about 1720, where he afterward resided. His will is
dated Oct 15, 1751. In 1754 he gave the heirs of his sister Abigail HUTCHINGS property
by deed.
He d. about 1754; res. Groton, Mass., and Plainfield, Conn.
174. i. WILLIAM, b. May 5, 1701; m. Mary WHITMORE.
175. ii. LYDIA, b. Dec 26, 1710; m. Apr 8, 1741, Samuel TAYLOR.
176. iii. JOSHUA, b. Nov 1, 1714. The family record says Josiah, but But-
ler in Hist. Of Groton gives the third child as Joshua; m. Amy
BLODGETT.
177. iv. JOHN, b. Jan. 30, 1717-18; m. Elizabeth -----.
178. v. ELIZABETH, b. Aug 12, bap. Aug 16, 1719. Butler in his Hist. of
Groton says Elizabeth, family record says Esther. Church
record says Elizabeth, which latter is correct.
179. vi. CALEB, b. Sept 10, 1721; m. Margaret -----.
55. CORNELIUS WHITNEY (Joshua, John), b. in Groton: m. Sarah SHEPHERD.
In 1707 the selectmen of Groton petitioned the governor in relation to the num-
ber of people "either actually removed or are meditating it." In the list "of per-
sons gone" are the names of Cornelius and Josiah WHITNEY.
Cornelius WHITNEY and his wife, Sarah, were admitted to full communion in the
Groton church Aug 21, 1715. If they moved away and had "gone" from Groton in
1707, they must have returned and resided for a short time before going elsewhere.
Groton, Mar 23, 1721. Then we, the subscribers, laid out to a fifteen-acre
sight, originally Ralph READ's, now claimed by Cornelius WHITNEY, fifty-five acres
of land laying on the southeast side of pine meadow, the northwest corner being a
great pine by his own meadow, bounded easterly to John STONE's meadow, the north-
east corner an oak, the two southerly corners, pines: all marked for corners. What
is above fifteen acres in quantity being added to it to make it equal in quality to
fifteen acres of the best land, in our judgement, allowance being made for a high-
way through the same when needed. Said land being fully to satisfy said right in
the new division of the common on the east side of the river.
Zachariah SAWTELL, Phinehas PARKER, and Nathaniel WOODS, committee of the
proprietors of Groton.
He was born in Groton, where he resided until 1707, when, on account of Indian
hostilities, with his father he moved elsewhere. He evidently returned, for he was
a soldier in the Queen Anne war from that town soon after. Later he moved to
Killingly, Conn., and where it is said he died.
He served in the Queen Anne war of 1707. This same year, on account of the
unprotected condition of the Groton frontier, with others he petitioned for leave to
move elsewhere. He d. in Connecticut: res. Groton, Mass. and Killingly, Conn.
180. i. SARAH, b. Apr 17, 1715; d. bef. 1731.
181. ii. ABIGAIL, b. Dec 9, 1717.
182. iii. MATTHIAS, b. May 26, 1720; m. Alice -----.
183. iv. MARY, b. Aug 20, 1722.
184. v. JOSHUA, b. Dec 1, 1724; m. ----- -----.
185. vi. LYDIA, b. Apr 23, 1729.
186. vii. SARAH, b. Jan 8, 1731.
56. COL. DAVID WHITNEY (Joshua, John), b. Groton, Mass., in 1682; m. at Plain-
field, Conn., Jan 20, 1712, Elizabeth WARREN, dau. of Jacob of Plainfield, and moved to
Canaan, Conn.: m. 2d. July 29,1767, Mrs Prudence (MERRILLS) SEDGEWICK, b. Dec 22,
1700; d. Feb 1, 1793. She fell into the fire. Dau. of Dea. Abraham MERRILLS of
Hartford, Conn.
He was born in Groton, Mass., moved to Plainfield and married there. In 1740
he moved to Canaan, Conn., where he afterward resided and where he was a inn-
keeper, his tavern being the best known in that section of the state. He was a very
active and influential man: was colonel of the militia and held other offices in
the town. His will is dated Oct 27, 1769, and proved Dec 13, 1769. He married
twice, his second wife being Prudence, who was given one-third of the estate.
He d. in 1769; res. Groton, Mass., Plainfield and Canaan, Conn.
187. i. ESTHER, b. May 1, 1714; m. ----- KINGSBURY and d. before 1769
leaving heirs mention in her father's will.
[Page 37]
188. ii. DAVID, b. Sept 16, 1716; m. Mary GUN.
189. iii. JOSHUA, b. Oct 11, 1718; m. Ann BLODGETT.
190. iv. ELIZABETH, b. Feb 26, 1720; m. ----- STANTON. She died before
her father, for in his will he refers to her heirs, one of whom was
Joshua.
191. v. JACOB, b. July 13, 1723; d. Sept 10, 1738.
192. vi. TARBALL, b. Nov 1, 1725. He was executor of his father's will in
1769 and d, in Canaan in 1794.
193. vii. MARY, b. Mar 13, 1727; d. June 28, 1729.
194. viii. JOSIAH, b. Aug 11,1731; m. Lois BRECK and Mrs Samuel
CHANDLER.
195. ix. SOLOMON, b. in 1733; m. Sarah -----.
65. JOHN WHITNEY (Benjamin, John), b. York, ME about 1678; m. there Letty or
Lettis FORD, the dau. of John FORD; b. in York, ME.
He was born in York, ME, and in 1703, at the age of 28, with his two brothers,
Nathaniel and Timothy, was a member of the military company, commanded by
Capt. Abraham PREBLE, of York. "This company comprised the flower of York, or
the young men of that date."
John WHITNEY witnessed will of John MOORE, at York, in 1713. I have been
unable to find any record of his property though it is stated in his brother Nathanel's
deed that he, Nathaniel, owned property adjoining that of John.
He settled in New Meadows, ME in 1739; he d. -----; res. York and Lisbon
Falls, ME.
196. i. MARY, b. Mar 12, 1704; m. Oct 16, 1723, Thomas EDWARD; res.
Kittery, ME.
197. ii. SAMUEL, b. May 5, 1707; m. Lydia -----.
198. iii. ELIZABETH, b. May 7, 1709.
199. iv. HANNAH, b. Apr 17, 1710.
200. v. MERCY, b. -----.
201. vi. MEHITABLE, b. -----.
202. vii. JOHN, b. May 4, 1719.
203. viii. BENJAMIN, b. May 22, 1723; m. Mercy HINCKLEY.
66. NATHANIEL WHITNEY (Benjamin, John), b. in York, ME, Apr 14, 1680; m.
there Sarah FORD, the dau. of John, of Kittery, b. in York.
He was born in York, ME, where he probably resided until after his marriage, when
he removed to Gotham. In 1703 he was a member of the military company of York,
commanded by Capt. PREBLE, for defense against the Indians. D. Williams PATTERSON,
who compiled the Connecticut Whitney family, says he was a son of Benjamin
and Jane WHITNEY. In 1708 Nathaniel WHITNEY, weaver, of Kittery, bought of John-
son HARMON and Mary, his wife, a certain piece of salt marsh and thatch ground in
York, commonly known as the Sunken Marsh.
Nov, 1715, Nathaniel WHITNEY, of York, weaver, and wife, Sarah, sell for four
score pounds to Joseph HARRIS 1/2 the tract of land known as the Sunken Marsh, hav-
ing sold the other 1/2 to John STAGPOLE, and all housings, timber, etc.
In 1717 Natahniel WHITNEY purchased 20 acres of land of John RACKLIFT and
a small orchard on the southeast side of York river, and northwest side of Rogers
Cave, in York, for 20 pounds. This land joined that of John Whitney.
He d. in Gorham, ME: res. York, ME.
204. vii. LYDIA, b. -----; d. July 14, 1720.
205. viii. LYDIA,b. July 22, 1726; d. Mar 23, 1727.
206. i. NAHAM, b. Jan 10, 1706; m. Lydia YOUNG.
207. ii. NATHANIEL, b. Dec 12, 1709; m. Molly DAY
208. iii. ABEL, b. July 23, 1712; m. Mary CRANE.
209. iv. SARAH, b. Nov 8, 1714; m. July 13, 1738, Jeremiah SIMPSON, of
York, ME.
210. v. ISAAC, b. Mar 9, 1720; m. Sarah CROSBY.
211. vi. AMOS, b. Mar 5, 1723; m. Sarah PAYNE.
212. vii. JOANNA, b. Mar 13, 1729.
67. JONATHAN WHITNEY (Benjamin, John), b. 1680; m. 1700, Susanna WHITNEY,
b. 1681.
In 1721 Jonathan WHITNEY's name is found among the list of those taxed for the
minister's rate in Sherborn. He paid one of the largest taxes. In 1723 his name was
first on a petition to be set off as a separate town. This was afterward called Hol-
liston. In 1727 he was chosen committee in Holliston in relation to land for minis-
[Page 38]
ter. In 1730 he deeded his interest in the land to the first minister, Rev James
STONE. He was selectman in Holliston 1724-25-26-27-28-32-36-37.
He made his will Feb 2, 1753, provided judiciously for his family, and appointed
his wife Susanna, with his eldest son Jonathan, co-executors. It was proved in Mid-
dlesex Co. Feb 11, 1754. He owned some meadow lands in what is now Milford.
He d. Jan 1753; res. Sherborn, Holliston, and Milford, Mass.
213. i. SUSANNA, b. Jan 20, 1702; m. Gershom EAMES, of Holliston.
Ch: Martha and Patience.
214. ii. JONATHAN, b. Oct 17, 1704; m. Lydia JONES.
215. iii. KEZIAH, b. July 11, 1706; m. 1730, Elder Abraham JONES,
July 2, 1708; d. Feb 25, 1792. She d. June 29, 1791; res.
Milford. Ch.: Susanna. b. Feb 8, 1732; d. Nov 1, 1736: Jona-
than, b. Nov 13, 1733; d. Nov 6, 1736: Keziah, b. Nov 23, 1737;
d. 1744: Sarah, b. Dec 16, 1739; d. 1744: Hannah, b. Nov 8,
1741; d. 1744: John, b. Mar 23, 1744; m. Abigail CHENEY: Abra-
ham, b. May 3, 1746; m. Olive BATES: Solomon, b. Apr 3, 1748;
d. young. The father was deacon of the Cong. ch. in 1743;
elder 1754. He was a solid and influential man.
216. iv. DOROTHY. b. Aug 28, 1708; m. May 9, 1734, Ebenezer HUNT,
b. 1707; res. Holliston. Ch.: Ebenezer, b. Apr 15, 1735; m.
Deliverance NEWTON; res. Paxton: Thomas, b. Aug 23, 1737;
d. Mar 5, 1744.
217. v. MARY, b. May 28, 1710; m Joseph JONES, b. Dec 27, 1709;
d. Apr 3, 1796. She d. July 9, 1788. He was a large land-
holder; res. Mil. Ch.: Susanna, b Nov 10, 1733; Hanna, b.
July 3, 1736; d. young: Joseph, b. Sept 29, 1737; m. Ruth NELSON:
Mary, b. Oct 16, 1740; m. James SUMNER, Esq.: Lydia, b. Apr
2, 1744: Jonathan, b. Aug 11, 1746; m. Mary BALL: David, b. July
10, 1749; d. young: Timothy, b. Apr 25, 1751; m. Ann SCAMMELL.
218. vi. LYDIA, b. Mar 3, 1712; m. Isaac HILL.
219. vii. ELIAS, b. Nov 14, 1716; m. Elizabeth MELLEN and Elizabeth
BOYDEN.
220. viii. MEHITABLE, b. Dec 27, 1719; m. David CUTLER; res. Mil. She d.
bef. 1768. Ch.: Jonathan, b. June 23, 1747: Abigail, b. Oct 11,
1749: Susanna, b. July 11, 1752: Nathan, b. Feb 22, 1755; m.
Ruth NELSON: David, b. Aug 22, 1757; m. Esther EVANS:
Mehitable, b. May 8, 1762; m. Nathaniel FLAGG.
221. ix. GEORGE, b. Aug 12, 1721; m Sarah COSSENS.
222. x. JESSE, b. Feb 8, 1713; prob. d. bef. 1754; not named in will.
223. xi. HANNAH, b. Feb 11,1714; same as Jesse.
68. BENJAMIN WHITNEY (Benjamin, John), b. -----; m. in Boston, Aug 7, 1705,
Mrs. Esther MAVERICK, wid. of James; for an account of him see Sumner's History of
East Boston, 1858. Benjamin and Esther WHITNEY sell land to Bro. Jonathan, 1718,
abd in 1729 convey estate in Boston formerly James M. to James, Jr., and Martha, wife
of Thomas BELLOWS, of Southboro. Benj. was an innholder in Framingham and drew
land in Douglass in 1715.
On Suffold Deeds, vol. 33, p. 15, Hester, wife of Benj. WHITNEY, certifies to birth
of her two children by former husband, James MAVERICK at Winnissimet. Martha,
b. April 17, 1698: James b. Oct 2, 1699. Corroborated by Phebe BRENTNAL, aged 45,
and Sarah EUSTACE, aged 52, June 18, 1718.
He d. -----; res. Framingham and Sherborn, Mass.
224. i. BENJAMIN, b. May 22, 1709; m. Margaret SANDERSON.
69. JOSHUA WHITNEY (Benjamin,
John), b. Sept 21, 1687; m. Hannah ROCKWOOD,
of Medfield, b. 1696; d. bef. 1738: m. Phebe -----. After his death she m.
Caleb PARTRIDGE, of Medway. He d. bef. 1734; res. Oxford, Mendon, and Uxbridge,
Mass.
He was a cordwainer by trade. Was one of the thirty original proprietors of
Oxford, Mass., which land he purchased if the Nipumck Indians in 1713 and resided
on lot No. 27, in that town, on the Sutton road. In 1715 he disposed of his porperty
and moved to Mendon, Mass., per Suffolk Deeds 27, p. 174, and History of Oxford.
His forst three children were born in M. He resided in that part of Mendon which
was subsequently in 1727 incorporated as Uxbridge, Mass. The inventory of his
estate, per Worcester probate records, was made Dec 1, 1730. Josiah TAFT was admr.
[Page 39]
225. i. EZEKIEL., b. Mendon, Aug 29, 1716; m. ----- -----.
226. i 1/2. ISAAC, b.
227. ii. NATHANIEL, b.
228. iii. MARY, b. Uxbridge Oct 27, 1732; prob d. bef. 1765.
229. iv. JOSHUA, b. Feb 27, 1738-39. In 1754 Caleb PARTRIDGE was his guar-
dian.
230. v. JOSEPH, b. Mar 21, 1739-40; prob. died bef. 1765.
231. vi. BENJAMIN, b. Mar 14, 1743; m. ----- -----.
232. vii. PHEBE, b. July 25, 1745; m. ----- KIRBY: res. Uxbridge, Mass.
233. viii. HANNAH, b. Feb 4 ,1746.
234. ix. BETHYAH, b. Sept 29, 1720; d. young.
235. x. BETHYAH, b. Feb 24, 1726; d. young.
70. MARK WHITNEY (Benjamin, John), b. Framingham, Mass., abt. 1700; m. in
Framingham Jan 4, 1726, Tabitha MELLEN, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth, b. Jan 4,
1703.
Mark WHITNEY was born Framingham, Mass. He was a soldier of Capt. Sam-
uel WRIGHT's Rutland Company, in service from Nov 10, 1723, to June 10, 1724. He
resided in Hopkinton, which town was purchased of the praying Indians in 1700,
And incorporated in 1715, the name being given in honor of Edward HOPKINS of
Harvard College. It, however, did not assume the privileges of a town until 1724.
This year a church was organized in the town and Mark WHITNEY was, Apr 27 1735,
admitted a member. He married his wife in Framingham. He continued to reside
in Hopkinton until his removal to Framingham; he was dismissed to the Framing-
ham church Apr 5, 1753, and there he was admitted to the church by letter from Hop-
kinton Feb 10, 1754. While residing there he kept a tavern on the old WHITNEY
homestead near the Havens. He soon moved to Natick where he afterward resided
until his death. Natick lies between Sherborn and Framingham, and it was here
that Rev. John ELLIOT established his first Indian church in America. Until 1746
Natick was an Indian plantation; that year it was incorporated as a district, and in
1781 it was incorporated as a town. In 1759 Mark WHITNEY was surveyor of high-
ways and member of the parish committee in 1760, assisted im preambulating the
town line between Natick and Sherborn, which committee rendered its report Mar
24, 1760. He was a prominent and leading citizen in the various towns in which he
resided as the title "Mr" is prefixed to his name in the town records. His will is
dated at Natick, June 17, 1760, and was witnessed by Micah WHITNEY. His widow,
Tabitha, taught school in Hopkinton.
A deed is on file in the Middlesex Probate records of a house lot signed by
Benjamin, Sr., Benjamin, Jr., Mark and Isaac. Mark lived on this homestead.
A petition is also recorded, signed by Benjamin,Sr., Isaac, Benjamin, Jr., and Mark.
Mark was a soldier from Framingham before his marriage to a Framingham girl;
his Hopkinton neighbor and brother (land adjoined as shown by deeds), Isaac
WHITNEY, married Elizabeth BRIDGES of Framingham. His land came to him from
his father, Benjamin WHITNEY, who was of Framingham. Thomas MELLEN, who was
Mark WHITNEY's father-in-law, and Benjamin WHITNEY were of those who, in 1732,
went to the Hopkinton church on account of dissatisfaction at Framingham.
He d. June 23, 1760, at N.; res. Framingham, Hopkinton, and Natick, Mass.
236. i. LOVE, bap. Hop. Nov 28,1726; m. Jan 2, 1754, Jonathan BATTLE of
Dedham. He was b. May 30, 1724. They had a son, Timothy,
b. Sept 21, 1756. She (Love WHITNEY) m. 2d. 1767, Barrachias
MASON (see Tilden's History of Medfield), b. 1723, d. 1795.
They res. Medfield. He gr. at Harvard College in 1742; was a
noted surveyor of lands and surveyed the town of Natick in
1778; taught school in Reading, 1747, also taught singing school;
was selectman for five years and inholder. Ch.: Johnson,
b. 1767, was captain of militia and rose to rank of lieuten-
ant-colonel, and town clerk 19 years, also representative:
Arnold, b. 1770. d. 1837. A son of Johnson was Dr Lowell
MASON, the celebrated musical composer, b. in Medfield in 1792,
and also grandfather of Wm. MASON, also celebrated as an
American musician and founder of the Mason and Hamlin Organ
Mfg. Co. of Boston.
237. ii. JASON, b. Aug 31, 1729; m. Elizabeth BEAL and Lois PRATT.
238. iii. MARY, b. Oct 4, 1731; m. 1759, Lieut. Joseph CODY of Hopkinton;
res. Milford, Mass. He was son of Isaac and Hannah CODY and
[Page 40]
was born in Hopkinton, Mass., May 2, 1736. He settled in "Bun-
gay," Milford, Mass., on what is now known as the Partridge
place. He was in the French and Indian wars, and the first
constable at Milford: was called "Lieut. Joseph;" was a carpen-
ter by trade, and tradition says he seldom used any meas-
uring implement, but laid out his framing work by so accurate
an eye that all his joints and mortises fitted exactly when his
frames were raised. Ch.: Mary, b. Jan 23, 1760; m. June 6, 1782,
Thomas HISCOCK: Martha, b. Sept 7, 1761: Sarah, b. July 7, 1763;
m. Nov 16, 1780, Richard HISCOCK: Anna, b. May 12, 1765; m.
Nov 13, 1783, James HISCOCK: Hannah, b. Apr 13, 1767; d. in
early infancy: Joseph, b. Mar 23, 1769: Hannah, b. Apr 1, 1771.
239. iv. MARK, b. Apr 11, 1732; d. unm. at Natick in 1750.
240. v. TABITHA, b. Apr 11, 1735; d. July 11, 1735, in Hopk.
241. vi. THOMAS, b. Jan 24, 1736; m. Mehitable BACON.
242. vii. TABITHA, b. Mar 11, 1738; m. Aug 31, 1767, John LESSURE of
Upton, Mass.
243. viii. SARAH, b. June 12, 1739; m. June 11, 1761, Nathan WATKINS of
Hopkinton: descendants res. in Hollinston.
244. ix. ESTHER, b. Oct 3, 1742; m. Maug 30, 1764, James WATKINS of Hop-
kinton: des. res. in Milford.
71. ISAAC WHITNEY (Benjamin, John), b. prob. in Framingham, Mass.; m. there
Sept 27, 1722, Elizabeth BRIDGES. She d. before 1749, prob., as she is not mentioned
in her husband's will. It mentions dau. Judith, son Gideon, who he gives house and
land in Hopkinton and lands in N.H., and brother-in-law Gideon BRIDGES. Benjamin
WHITNEY, Jr., his brother, witnessed his will and was bondsman for executor. Will
dated May 24, proved Oct 23, 1749. He owned land in Hopkinton, adjoining that
of his brother Mark. He d. 1749; res. Hopkinton, Mass.
245. iii. GIDEON, b. Nov 27, 1729; m. Hannah NORCROSS.
246. iv. ELIZABETH, b. Jan 28, 1731; m. Ebenezer HOWE and d. soon.
247. ii. JUDITH, b. July 25, 1727.
248. i. ISAAC, b. July 29, 1725; d. bef. 1749. Not mentioned in will.
72. DANIEL WHITNEY (John, John, John), b. Dec 3, 1681; m. June 21, 1704,
Susanna Curtis. He d.-----; res. Roxbury, Mass
249. i. JOHN, b. May 23, 1705. He was given land in Woodstock, Conn.,
at the death of his grandfather by his will.
250. ii. ELIZABETH, b. Feb 1706.
251. iii. SUSANNA, b. Feb 21, 1708.
252. iv. DANIEL, b. Mar 26, 1711; m. -----.
253. v. ANNA, b. Apr 30, 1713.
254. vi. ELIJAH, b. Jan 15, 1715; m. Hannah -----.
255. vii. RUTH, b. Dec 5, 1718.
256. viii. ELISHA, b. Oct 5, 1722.
257. ix. ESTHER, b. July 11, 1726; m. Mar 8, 1745, John WHITE.
73. TIMOTHY WHITNEY (John, John, John), b. Apr 16, 1678; m. June 12, 1706,
Margaret BACON.
Timothy WHITNEY went from Roxbury to Newton, and in 1728, for L615, pur-
chased a farm and buildings of John PRENTICE.
He d. -----; res. Roxbury, Newton, and Warwick, Mass.
258. i. SARAH, b. Feb 28, 1707; m. Apr 18, 1729, William PIERCE, the son
of Francis PIERCE, and was b. May 1, 1708; d. Jan 17, 1779.
With his wife he resided in Southboro, Hopkinton, and Sutton,
at which latter place he died and was buried on Leland Hill.
He was a native of Weston, and in 1758 purchased land of
Widow Sarah HAWDING, of Boston, located in Hopkinton. Ch.:
Francis, b. July 18, 1729; m. Dec 8, 1759, Lydia BALL: Ebenezer,
b. Apr 4, 1731; d. unm. 1753 (see Prob. Rec. at Camb.): William,
b. Dec 31, 1741; m. Abigail WALKER: Jonathan, b. June 10, 1738:
Sarah, b. Aug 30, 1744; d. unm. in Mendon: Aaron, b. Aug 15,
1746: Hannah, b. Aug 30, 1731; m. Aug 6, 1764, Isaac GREENE:
Seth, b. Nov 9, 1738. During the last years of William's life he
lived with his son Jonathan, who married Eunice LEATHE for his
first wife. She was b. in Sutton, Mass., and died without issue.
His second wife was Mary GOODALE, who was a sister of the