William WHITING

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Name:
Died probably in August 1647, between July 24 and Sept 2; inventory of estate, L2854.

His name first appears on the records May 1st, 1637. (Col. Rec. of Conn., 1636-1665, p. 9.) He, with Lords Saye and Sele and Brooke and Mr. George Wyllys bought out the Bristol men in Piscataqua and he retained his interest in these lands until his death. He was a proprietor of Hartford and was one of the most respectable and wealthy of the founders of that place. His home lot in 1639 was on the east side of what is now Governor Street. He was one of the most efficient promoters of the trade and commerce of Hartford, being a partner of Governor Hopkins in the exportation of corn and other grain and having a trading house on the Delaware and one at Westfield, Mass. In 1638, he was granted the right to trade with the Indians at Hartford and in 1647, he, with others, was granted the exclusive right to take whales. He was Representative, 1637 and one of the Committee which that year for the first time sat with the House of Magistrates. Freeman, Feb. 1641; Treasurer of the colony and Assistant in 1641, which offices he held until his death. In Jan., 1647, he with Governor Hopkins, was chosen a Commissioner for the United Colonies of New England. (Co. Rec. of Conn., 1, p. 147.) Savage says he bore the title of Major in 1647 and he with Major Mason and others was appointed to erect fortifications in 1642 He was a man of wealth and education; styled in the records: "William Whiting, Gentleman", and classed by Trumbull as "one of the twelve civil and religious fathers of Connecticut." Several letters written which are a variation of those of the family of Whiting of Boston in Lincolnshire.

Family/Spouse: Susannah ?. Susannah died on 8 Jul 1673 in Middletown, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Rev John WHITING was born about 1634 in England; died on 8 Sep 1689 in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut.