Third Generation
Family of Abijah WHITMAN (2) & Alice EATON
3. John (Deacon & Ens.) WHITMAN. Born in 1602 in Holt, Norfolk, England, or Herefordshire (Farnam).[4] John (Deacon & Ens.) died in Weymouth, Norfolk Co., Mass on 13 Nov 1692, he was 90.
"John of Weymouth"
Came to America in December, 1638 on ship "Confidence", and was apparently made freeman in the same month, which was an unusual occurrence, though his brother Zachariah had already been in this country since 1635 and was a prominent member at the Dorchester settlement.
He appeared among the persons who received allottments of land in 1642; 21 acres; in 1651 he received 12 lots and in 1663 he received 81 lots, comprising 60 acres.
His first deed is dated 10.28, 1649 granted by Thomas Bates of Charlestown to John Whitman and Elder Bates for: "one dwelling house at Weymouth, two orchards and 21 acres; also 12 acres at "ye western necke" also one half acre upon Grape Island; also forty acres which is his own proper lot, and eighteen acres which was his father's; also "ye round marsh" of four acres and one acre of fresh marsh adjoining, and six acres of marsh above "ye fresh pond" and a wood lot on HIngham side.
The first deed on record made by John Whitman is in March, 1648, when he sold William Hayward about twenty two acres which he had purchased in BRaintree from James Nash.
He held the office of ensign until 1680 and Ephraim Hunt, Jr. was appointed to replace him.
in 1645 the Court granted that Capt. Perkins, William Torrey and John Whitman be authorized by the Court to act as a committe to hear and determine all actions in the town of Weymouth under the sum of 20 shillings, and the following year, "Les Tory", John Whitman and Thomas Dyer were chosen to end small controversies in the town.
The Whitman Homestead remained in the family until 1830
As to the original residence in England, Charles Farnam states:
" Judge Whitman suggests that John came from Holt; in some branches of the family there is a tradition that he came from Coventry; I am, however, of the opinion that he came from Herefordshire, basing my opinion on the fact that when Zachariah, the brother of John, settled in New Haven, he located in the so-called "Herefordshire Quarter"; the settlers in this "quarter" under the lead of Peter Prudden, a Hereford minister, abandoned New Haven in a body and settled at Milford. It seems hardly probale that Zachariah should during his brief residence in this country have formed sufficiently strong attachments to any party to have joined in the formation of a new settlement unless he had known some of them in England."
In 1628 when John (Deacon & Ens.) was 26, he married Ruth. Ruth died on 17 Aug 1662.
Ruth's death is listed in the records of Weymouth ;"died 18.17, 1662" Farnam states this is evidently an error and that it should read d. 8.17, 1662.
Apparently most of the children were born in England, as the couple was separated for a few years while John "set up house" in America.
Farnam supposes she came to join John in this country about 1641.
They had the following children:
4. Zachariah WHITMAN.[4] Born abt 1595 in England. Zachariah died on 23 Apr 1663, he was 68.
Zachariah married Sarah _____.
Previous * Next
Contents * Index * Surnames *