| Notes |
- Joshua Whitney was the first of the family who was born in America.Hewas one of the earliest settlers, a deacon and original proprietoratGroton, Mass., and dwelt there probably until it was burnt bytheIndians, during King Philip's war. in the spring of 1676. Hereturned toWatertown for a few years and died in 1719. His will isdated Apr. 17,1713, and proved Oct. 6, 1719. It mentions severalchildren whose birthsare not recorded. He was buried in the oldburying ground in Groton. Heserved as a soldier in King Philip's warwith his son, Joshua, Jr., in1691-2.
From the various works on Groton, compiled by that able historian,Hon.Samuel A. Green, of Boston, I glean the following relating toDea.Whitney:
In 1681, 83, 84 and 87, he was elected one of the selectmen. In 1680hewas selected one of the board to arrange matters pertaining tothemeeting house; 1684 Joshuey Whitney elected constibell; 1690JoshuaWhetney elected a tithing-man; 1685 Joshiway Whitney selected atthe townmeeting as a ffeus newers; 1693 elected overseer of highway;1701 waschairman of the committee to heat the meeting house; 1702 wasagainelected selectman.
Groton, Apr. 22, 1715, at a church meeting: WHEREAS, Deacon Whitney is old, and desirous of the choice of anothertoofficiate in his place, and wheras Dea. John Farnsworth is desirousof anew choice, unless he were more unanimously confirmed, the churchdidthereupon unanimously elect, or make choice of Simon Stone andThomasTarbele, to officiate as deacons in the church of Groton.
Joshuay Whitny have payd for his land which he did purchis of theTownComity in the yer 1683, the and inst sum of twellve shillins fortwelveackrs of land. I say payd for acording too ordr for the us ofthe Town
The following inscription is copied from his tombstone, in the old burying ground in Groton: [Headstone of Joshua] Here Lyes the Body of Mr Joshua Whitney Aged 83 years Decd. August 7th 1719
He left a will on 17 Apr 1713 Groton, Middlesex, MA; of Grotton,"agedabout seventy six years"; Abigail, my now n[ ]ed wife son William Whitney, all housing and lands in Grotton; his motherabove[i.e. Abigail] and he to be executors; son Joshua Whitney, L30; son Cornelous Whitney; son David Whitney; my fivedaughtersnow living, Mary Peirce, Elenor Shepard, Sarah Juell, Martha Williams, and Elisabeth Farnworth; eldestdaughterHutchins's children, her eldest son John Hutchins (under 21), and the rest of her children (under 21); her threedaughters;eldest daughter, wife of Thomas Woods, having received her portion; witnesses, Jonathan Bowen, Abraham Moores,Samll.Cummings. He left a will which mentions several children whose births are not recorded: Cornelius, David,Martha,Elizabeth, daughter Hutchins, daughter Woods on 17 Apr 1713 Groton, Middlesex, MA.
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1635 - 1719 (84 years)
