Did You Know?

Descendants of Thomas Whiton often changed the spelling of their name. Some variances include: Whyton, Whiting, Whitton, Witton and Whidden.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Whiton Family Tree


Thomas Whiton (1599-1664)

THOMAS, son of William Whiton and Catherine Ardene (or derne), was one of six children.  As stated above, he probably emigrated from Oxfordshire, as evidenced by the vital records in the parish register at Hook Norton in that Shire, and a letter of attorney issued by his son James (2) relating to property at that place.  In Hotten's "List of Emigrants," appears the following, which would seem to differ from the last statement; greater credence, though, being given to the former statement:
"In the Elizabeth & Ann, Roger Cooper, Master, bound to New England, the underwritten names are to be transported p. certificate from ye minister of Benendon* in Kent of their conformitie to ye order and discipline of ye Church of England, & yt they are no Subsedy Men. 12th, May 1635."
Among the names are Jeremy Whitton, aged 8, and "bro.wever" (meaning not clear) Thomas Whitton, aged 36 and Awdry Whitton, aged 45.

The first official notice in this country is taken from the Vital Records of Plymouth, Massachusetts, which state that Thomas Whiton and Wynyfride Harding were married November 22, 1639.  Awdry Whiton disappears from the records and probably dies shortly after her arrival.  The names in the emigration records were frequently misspelled, and the ages given, inaccurate.  The Jeremy (Jamie) is undoubtedly James (2), who later settled in Hingham.

Thomas settled in Old Plymouth in 1637, where he was granted seven acres of land, and his name appears as a Proprietor in 1638.  This would indicate that he was a man of character and influence, as land was only given to men of that type, and the proprietors had the power of confirming all grants or purchases from the Indians.  On account of fear of Indian raids, these grants were small in size and contiguous.  In 1644 he bought of Edward Edwards a house and two acres of land for nine pounds, two shillings and six pence.  He died in 1664.*

It does not appear that there were any children by his marriage to Wynyfride; and in 1643, they adopted Sarah Hopkins, aged six years, "Until she should become twenty," agreeing "to be a father and mother to her, to instruct her in sewing, and to find meat, drink, apparel and lodging."  If she married before she was twenty Thomas was to be paid for the remaining time as shall be judged just by the two "indifferent" persons.  It is conjectured that Sarah was a sister or niece of Oceanus Hopkins, who was born at sea on the Mayflower.  In 1649 they adopted Jeremiah Smith, aged four years.

Wynyfride was evidently a woman of spirit and determination, for when in 1653 she was accused by one John Barnes of "telling lies," she promptly haled him before a magistrate and compelled a retraction.  She died in 1660

Children:
JAMES.

*Vital Records and Town Records of Plymouth.  Pioneers of Mass. p. 495.


Samuel Whiton (175?-177?)

SAMUEL, son of James (29), date of birth unknown.  He was said to have been a sergeant in the Revolutionary war, and to have been killed while scouting at Horse's Neck, N.Y.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Israel Whiton (1758-1840)

ISRAEL, son of Stephen (40), was born in Hingham September 20, 1758,* and married January 14, 1781, Hannah, daughter of Adam and Deborah (Cowen) Stowell, who was born January 9, 1761, and died August 12, 1827.  He enlisted for three years in Colonel Jackson's Regiment in 1778, also in Captain Daniel Fisher's Company, Major Job Cushing's Regiment, in 1782, at Hull.  He was also a private in Captain Charles Cushing's Company in January, 1776, which after the evacuation of Boston marched to New York, embarking there for Albany, arriving there April 25, 1776, and on May 21st, reaching Montreal  He enlisted in 1777 in Captain Brown's Company, Colonel Jackson's Regiment.  Also served for relief of Newport in July, 1780, under the captain Theophilus Wilder, Colonel Thayer's Regiment. He died August 2, 1840.

Children:
ISRAEL, married Rebecca Cleverly, died without issue November 6, 1825
CAMPBELL
HANNAH, born 1787, died 1788
ISAIAH
ROYAL
JOB STOWELL
HANNAH STOWELL, born January 30, 1799, married Lyman Barnes, November 20, 1823, and died   January 6, 1881.

The English Whiton Family

Some information obtained in England by John M. Whiton (270) of Plainfiend, N.J.

A.D.
1085 Roger Whiton, Allan deWhitting, Evereard deWhitting.  These are suppose to be father, son and grandson.
1157 William deWhiton, Knight of Yorkshire, Parish of Haverwood.
1195 Hugo Whiting of Dorset
1207 Magister Johanes Whiting
1217 Alan deWhiting of Yorkshire
1279 Sir Waterus de Wyton-Whitton, Eng. Lord of Seaton & Merton.
1299 Willis Whitingh, Oxford
1304 Thomas & Katherine Whitton, Meltonby & Grymethorpe, England.
1387 Rev. John Whytton, Merton Chaplain, Merton College.  A ronze figure was found at Whitton tower and a bronze plate is in the Magdalen Chapel.
1405 John de Whyton, Sheriff of York, and Henry Whyton, principal of St. Mary's College, Oxford.
1435 Sir Nichols Whiten, M.PP. Chosen Knight of Parliament from Devonshire.  Learned in the law.
Roger Whitton of Kent.  Married Mary Draycott.
John. Whitton of Sarrot County Hertfordshire.  Married Elizabeth Belson.  Sons were Edmund Owen, an John.
1490 John Whitton, Escheator in the County of Buckinghamshire.
Edmund Whitton, Sons, William and Thomas.
William Whitton, Nethercote.  Married Catherine Arderne of Oxford.  Sons, John, Robert Edmond, Thomas and Henry.
1588 Thomas Whiton, Emigrated 1635


**The Whiton Family in America pg. 8