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John Whitney (bp. 1592–1673)
Elinor Unknown (c. 1604–1659)
Ancestry of John Whitney
First Generation
Robert Whitney (c. 1436–aft. 1492)
Parents: Unknown
Robert Whitney was born about 1436 and died after 1492. [12] He married first Constance Touchet and second Elizabeth Vaughan. [12]
Children of Robert Whitney and Constance Touchet:
i. Joan Whitney married Roger Vaughan. [12]
Children of Robert Whitney and Elizabeth Vaughan:
ii. James Whitney married Blanch Milbourne. [12] She married second Sir William Herbert. [12]
iii. Robert Whitney was born about 1470.
iv. John Whitney may be the ancestor of the Whitneys of Clifford. [12]
Clifford in a village in Herefordshire.
Second Generation
Robert Whitney (b. c. 1470)
This Robert Whitney was "perhaps" the son of the above Robert Whitney and Elizabeth Vaughan. [12] He was born about 1470 and was perhaps of Pencomb and Castleton. [12]
Pencomb is a village in Herefordshire; Castleton is in Clifford.
Children of Robert Whitney:
i. Robert Whitney was born about 1498.
Third Generation
Robert Whitney (c. 1498–1555)
Robert Whitney, the son of the above Robert, was born about 1498 and died in 1555. [12] He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Morgan ap William. [12] She died after 17 July 1555. [12]
Robert paid subsidy taxes in 1542, 1545 and 1547 at the Bage, Clifford Parish, Herefordshire. [12] This was three miles southeast of Castleton. [12]
Robert Whitney of Castleton, gentleman, made his will on 17 July 1555. [12] His executors were his wife and his son Nicholas Whitney. [12] His beneficiaries were his unmarried daughters Elinor and Magaret and his son Thomas. [12]
Children of Robert and Elizabeth Whitney: All details from Ward and Doyle [12]
i. Anne Whitney was born say 1535. She married Thomas Robage of Letton, Herefordshire before 1555.
Thomas was a servant of William, Earl of Pembroke.
ii. Nicholas Whitney was born in say 1538 and died in 1587.
Nicholas Whitney of Castleton, parish of Clifford in Hereford, made his will on 20 November 1587. He mentioned his brother Richard Whitney, his cousin John Morgan and his own children, but not by name. Witnesses included Elinor and Margaret, probably his unmarried sisters.
iii. William Whitney was born in say 1542 and was buried on 28 October 1591 in Isleworth. He married Johan ___. Johan, the wife of William, was buried on 24 July 1572 in Isleworth.
iv. Elinor Whitney was born say 1546. She was probably alive and unmarried on 20 November 1587 when she presumably witnessed her brother Nicholas's will.
v. Thomas Whitney was born say 1550.
vi. Margaret Whitney was born say 1553. She was probably alive and unmarried on 20 Nov 1587 when she presumably witnessed her brother Nicholas's will. She later married William Powell or ___ Williams.
vii. Richard Whitney is mentioned in the 20 November 1587 will of his brother Nicholas.
Fourth Generation
Thomas Whitney of Westminster, London (say 1550–1637)
Desirious of finding a royal ancestry for John Whitney, Henry Melville concocted the idea that Thomas was the son of Sir Robert Whitney and his wife Sybil Baskerville. [13] This Sir Robert was the son of James Whitney and the grandson of the Robert Whitney (c. 1436–aft. 1492), of the first generation above. This theory was rejected by Jacobus, who tentatively accepted that John of Watertown was the son of this Thomas. [14] Reed argued that this Thomas is too old to be the son of Sir Robert Whitney, and suggested that he may be descended from the Whitneys of Chester at Coole Pilate in Acton, near Nantwich. [15] Ward and Doyle argue that Thomas is "perhaps" the son of the above Robert Whitney and his wife Elizabeth. [12]
Thomas Whitney was born say 1550. [12] He was born before 1562, as no consent was required for his marriage. [15] He was buried on 2 May 1637 at St. Margaret's Westminster. [12] He married Mary Bray on 12 May 1583 in St. Margaret's, Westminster. [15][16, 297] Mary might be the daughter of John, baptized on 24 December 1564 in St. Margaret's. [16, 23] A John Bray married Margaret Haslonde on 13 August 1554 in St. Margaret's. [16, 450]
Children of Thomas Whitney and Mary Bray:
i. Margaret Whitney was baptized on 18 October 1584 in St. Margaret's. [16, 45] Margaret, the daughter of Thomas, was buried on 12 January 1604/5 in Isleworth. [12]
ii. Thomas Whitney was baptized on 25 July 1587 in St. Margaret's. [16, 48] He might be the Thomas who was buried on 19 August 1587 in St. Margaret's. [16, 450]
iii. Henry Whitney was baptized on 11 November 1588 in St. Margaret's. [16, 50] He was buried on 4 January 1589 in St. Margaret's. [16, 452]
iv. Arnewey Whitney (son) was baptized on 2 February 1590 in St. Margaret's. [16, 52] He was buried on 11 August 1591 in St. Margaret's. [16, 456]
Arnewey is probably named after Thomas Arneway. Thomas was buried on 8 December 1603 and on the north wall of St. Margaret's church there is a monument to him with a verse that begins, "Who in his lyfetyme loved the poore and in that love did dye ... ." [17]
v. John Whitney was baptized on 20 July 1592 in St. Margaret's.
vi. Nowell Whitney was baptized on 30 October 1594 in St. Margaret's. [16, 58] He was buried on 28 February 1597 in St. Margaret's. [16, 468]
vii. Francis Whitney (son) was baptized on 27 January 1598/9 in St. Margaret's. [16, 62]
viii. Mary Whitney was baptized on 2 August 1600 in St. Margaret's. [16, 64] She was buried on 8 August 1600 in St. Margaret's. [16, 79]
ix. Robert Whitney was baptized on 10 November 1605 in St. Margaret's. [16, 72] He was buried on 3 April 1662. [15] He married Mary Towers of Tarvin, co. Chester on 18 January 1635/6 in Stepney. [15]
According to her son, John, Mary was the daughter of John Towers. [15] She died between 23 October 1667 and 11 February 1667/8.
Robert was a merchant tailor. [15] He made his will on 19 January 1661; it was proved on 16 April 1662. [15] He left his children John and Mary five shillilngs each and John was left the great ring that Robert got from his father. [15]
Mary, the relict of Robert Whitney of St. Peter Cornhill, London, made her will on 23 October 1667; it was proved on 11 Feb 1667/8. [15] She left her son Joh and his wife Elizabeth five shillings each and she left her grandchild Jane a silver gilt spoon. She left the residue of her estate to her daughter Maryfrances Whitney. [15]
John, the son of Thomas Whitney, was baptized on 20 July 1592 in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster in London. [1] John, a widower, died on 1 June 1673, age about 84, in Watertown, Middlesex, Massachusetts. [2, 1: 36] He married first Elinor ___. He married second Judah Clement on 29 September 1659 in Watertown. [2, 1: 22] She died before 3 April 1673.
Elinore ___ was born about 1604. Elinore, the wife of John Whitney, Sr., died on 11 May 1659 in Watertown. [2, 1: 21]
John, son of Thomas Whitney of Westminster, yeoman, was apprenticed to William Pring of the Old Bailey of the Company of Merchant Taylors on 22 February 1607/8. [1] He was made free by William Pring on 3 March 1635/6. [1]
John and Elinor Whitney embarked for New England on the Elizabeth and Ann in April 1635. They had taken the oath of allegiance and brought a certificate attesting to their conformity. Their household included, John, age 35, Ellin, age 30, John, age 11, Richard, age nine, Nathaniel, age eight, Thomas, age six, and Jonathan, age one. [3, the ages are not accurate]
John and his family settled in Watertown by July 1635, when his son Joshua was born there. He was a freeman on 3 March 1635/6. [1]
John was granted 50 acres in Watertown on 25 July 1636, ten acres on 28 February 1636/7, ten acres on 26 June 1637, and a 120-acre farm on 26 November 1638. [1]
John was granted an allowance for 83-1/2 yards of cloth, valued at 12 d. per yard at a Quarter Court in Boston on 1 June 1641. [1]
John was one of the 11 freeman chosen to order the civil affairs of Watertown on 30 December 1637. [4, 3] He was appointed Constable of Watertown at the Quarter Court in Boston on 1 June 1641. [5][6, 105] John Whitney, the constable, was fined for not warning Charles Chadwicke at the Quarter Court in Boston on 12 (3) 1642. [6, 105] He was one of seven men chosen to order the civil affairs of the town on 8 (9) 1647. [4, 10] He was chosen to take the invoice for the town and to have ten shillings for his pains on 8 February 1647. [4, 14] He was one of seven men chosen to order the civil affairs of the town on 16 (10) 1650. [4, 14] He was selectman in 1638 - 1655. [5]
Either John or his son was appointed juror for Watertown for the Middlesex court on 4 - 7 - 1651 [7, 1;5], 22 - 3- 1657 [7, 1;73], 18 Jun 1663 [7, 1;162] and on 7 Mar 17663/4. [7, 2;5]
John Whitney, tailor, bought six acres of land in Watertown from Robert Daniel on 6 Apr 1653. [5]
John and John Wincoll were chosen to dispose of part of the estate of the widow Broboke, to pay her debts, and to provide for her maintenance and that of her children at a selectman's meeting on 29 January 1654. [4, 40] At the same meeting, he was chosen to take account of the rate and to take account of the constables. [4, 40] He was town clerk in 1655. [5] He was chosen to take an invoice for the town on 1 October 1655. [4, 42] On 3 February 1656 Mr. Whitney was owed ten shillings for taking the town's invoice. [4, 51]
Mr. John Whitney testified in the case of the "disorderly carnage of Elizabeth Ball to Richard Gate's family" on 23-4-1659. [7, 1;69]
John gave his son Jonathan 39 acres in about 1659. [5]
Mr. Whitney was chosen to take inventory of the estate of the town on 6 (12) 1662. [4, 76]
John purchased a 16-acre homestead in Watertown from John Strickland. This homestead was situated a little distance north of Belmont Street and east of Common Street [5] John hoped that his youngest son, Benjamin, who had moved to York, would return and in 1668 he offered the homestead to him. Benjamin accepted and the property was transferred on 5 April 1670, but with his father's consent, Benjamin deeded the property to his brother Joshua on 9 March 1670/1. [1]
John made his will on 3 April 1673; it was proved on 17 June 1673. He named his sons John, Richard, Thomas, Jonathan, Joshua, and Benjamin. He named John and Joshua his executors. [1]
Children of John Whitney and Eleanor Unknown:
i. Mary Whitney was baptized on 23 May 1619 in Isleworth, Middlesex and was buried on 15 February 1626/7 in St. Mary Aldermary, London. [1]
St. Mary Aldermary is on Watling Street, near Mansion House.
ii. John Whitney was baptized on 14 September 1621 in Isleworth. [1] He married Ruth, the daughter of Robert Reynolds. [1]
Isleworth is in Hounslow in West London.
iii. Richard Whitney was baptized on 6 January 1623/4 in Isleworth. [1] He married Martha, the daughter of Thomas Coldham, on 19 March 1650/1. [2, 1: 15][8]
Richard went to Stow (presumably in Middlesex County) in 1680. [9]
iv. Nathaniel Whitney was born about 1626 in England. He probably died young. [1]
v. Thomas Whitney was baptized on 10 December 1627 in St. Mary Aldermary. [1] He died on 20 September 1719, age 90. [9] married Mary Kedall on 11 (1) 2654 [March 1654/5] in Watertown. [2, 1: 17]
Thomas and Mary lived in Watertown and had 12 children. [9]
vi. Mary Whitney was baptized on 29 December 1629 in St. Mary Aldermary. [1] She probably died young. [1]
vii. Jonathan Whitney was born about 1634 in England. He married Lydia Jones on 30 October 1656 in Watertown. [2, 1: 18]
Jonathan is on a 29 April 1668 list of freemen in Watertown. [10]
viii. Deacon Joshua Whitney was born on 15 July 1635 in Watertown. He died on 7 August 1719 in Groton. He married first Mary ___. He married second Abigail Tarbell.
ix. Caleb Whitney was buried on 12 (5) [July] 1640 in Watertown. [2, 1: 8]
x. Benjamin Whitney was born on 6 (4) [June] 1643 in Watertown. [2, 1: 11] He married first Jane ___. [1] He married second Mary Poor on 13 April 1696 in Marlborough (presumably in Middlesex County). [1]
Benjamin was a tailor. [11] He was taxed in Dover in 1667. [11] He moved to York, Maine in 1668. [11] His father promised him his house and land if he would return and live with him but he did not accept. [11] He moved to Sherborn. [11]
Useful website: Family, Whitney, John (1592–1673)
References:
1. "Great Migration 1634–1635, T–Y," digitized book, AmericanAncestors.org, originally published as: Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634–1635, Volume VII, T–Y (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011), 366–72.
2. Watertown Historical Society, Watertown Records (Watertown: Fred G. Barker, 1894, 1900): vol. 1, vol. 2.
3. John Camden Hotten, The Original Lists of Persons of Quality ... who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600–1700, reprinted (New York: Empire State Book Co., n.d.), 58.
4. Watertown Records: The First and Second Books of Town Proceedings (Watertown: Press of Fred. G. Barker, 1894)
5. Samuel G. Drake, "The Descendants of John and Elinor Whitney, of Watertown, Mass.," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 11 (1857) 113–21.
6. John Noble, ed., Records of the Court of Assistants of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 1630 - 1692, vol. 2 (Boston: Suffolk county, 1904).
7. "Middlesex County, MA, Abstracts of Court Files, 1649–1675," database with images, AmericanAncestors, database.
8. "The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620–1633, Volumes I-III," digitized book, AmericanAncestors.org, originally published as: Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, 3 volumes (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 417–20 (Thomas Coldham).
9. Records of Littleton, Massachusetts: Births and Deaths (Littleton: Littleton, 1900), 495.
10. Lucius R. Paige, "List of Freemen," New England Historical and Genealogical Register 3 (1849): 240.
11. Charles Edward Banks, History of York, Maine, vol. 1 (Baltimore: Regional Publishing Co., 1967), 263–4.
12. Robert Leigh Ward and Tim Doyle, "The Whitney Lineage of John Whitney of Watertown, Massachusetts," The American Genealogist 81 (2006): 249–62.
13. Henry Melville, The Ancestry of John Whitney (New York: DeVinne Press, 1896).
14. Donald Lines Jacobus, "John Whitney of Watertown, Mass.," The American Genealogist 10: 84–88.
15. Paul C. Reed, "Whitney Origins Revisited," The American Genealogist 69 (1994): 9–14.
16. Arthur Meredyth Burke, Memorials of St. Margaret's Church Westminster (London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, Ltd., no date).
17. William White, Notes and Queries, V. 9, Jan.–Jun. 1902 (London: John C. Francis, 1902), 242–3.
04-Jun-2023