Edward Whittier (bef. 1654 - bef. 1681)

Born before 1654 in Manchester, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Died before 29 Nov 1681 at about age 27 in England [uncertain]

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Biography

This is the profile for Edward Whittier, the son of Abraham Whittier of Marblehead and Manchester, Massachusetts.

Parentage; Date and Place of Birth

The existence and paternal parentage of Edward is established by the nuncupative will of Abraham Whittier of Marblehead and Manchester, Massachusetts, given on August 6, 1674, which gave "his sonn Edward halfe of all his Land after his deses."^[1][2]

A court held at Salem on November 24, 1674, Abraham's son John should be paid out of the estate at the age of twenty-on years, 5li. more than his proportion, upon the division of the estate. Edward also brought in an inventory which was allowed. Court held at Salem on November 24, 1674^[1][2] From these facts, it appears clear that (unlike his brother John) Edward was over 21 in 1674 and thus had been born before 1654.

Based on father Abraham's will referring to his two children by his first wife^[1][2] and siblings Peter and Elizabeth being clearly too old to have been children of Abraham's second wife, Edward was probably the son of Abraham's second wife. Since Abraham's second wife testified in 1664 that she was about 30 years old (and thus born about 1634),^[3] then if Edward was the son of Abraham's second wife, he was probably born not much prior to 1654, say, in 1653.

Since, as discussed in his profile, Abraham Whittier had moved to Manchester in 1652, Edward was no doubt born in Manchester.

Residency in Beverley; Occupation

By deed dated January 2, 1674/5, Edward conveyed all his right to one half of about 25 acres of upland and meadow in Manchester that his father bequeathed him in his will. The deed describes Edward as "of Beverley" and a seaman.^[4]

Marriage and Children

No evidence has been found that indicates that Edward was every married or had any children.

Departure from New England; Death

Since a Court held at Salem on November 29, 1681 found that Edward Whitteere, son of Abraham Whitteere, formerly granted administration of his father's estate, had gone out of the country and was creditably reported dead,^[5] Edward probably died sometime between January 1674/5 and November 1681. His place of death is uncertain. "Out of the country" most likely means that he moved to England, but could mean that he moved to Barbados or even just another colony in America.

Chronology of Records

• 1674. Court understanding that Abraham Whitehaire, deceased, left his will in writing but named no executor, administration upon said estate was granted to Edward Whihaire, his son, who was ordered to bring an inventory. Court held at Ipswich on September 29, 1674^[6]
• 1674. The will of Abraham Whitteere, deceased, was proved by Georg Keaser and John West. Edward, son of deceased, having been appointed administrator at the last Ipswich court, and whereas said Abraham in his life time made use of 5li. that properly belonged to his son John, court decreed that said John should be paid out of the estate at the age of twenty-on years, 5li. more than his proportion, upon the division of the estate. Edward also brought in an inventory which was allowed. Court held at Salem on November 24, 1674^[1]
• 1675. By deed dated 2:11:1674 (January 2, 1674/5), Edward Whitteere of Beverly, seaman, in consideration of a debt of £20, conveyed to John Price of Salem, merchant, all his right to one half of about 25 acres of upland and meadow in Manchester that Edward's father, Abraham Whitteere bequeathed him in his will.^[4]
• 1681. Whereas Edward Whitteere, son of Abraham Whitteere, had formerly administration granted him of his father's estate, and he having now gone out of the country and being creditably reported dead, without having administered fully, court granted administration of the estate to John Whitteere, his brother, who was ordered to bring in an inventory to the next Ipswich or Salem court. Court held at Salem on November 29, 1681.^[5]

^{[6] [3] [2] [1] [5] [4]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts Volume V 1672-1674. Essex Institute, 1914, p 434. Link to page at archive.org.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts. Volume II 1665-1674. The Essex Institute, 1917. pp. 418-419. Link to pages at hathitrust.org.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts Volume III 1662-1667. Essex Institute, 1913, p 221. Link to page at archive.org.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Essex County Deeds 4:94. FHL Film #007462654, images 153-154 of 711. Link to images at familysearch.org.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} "Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts Volume VIII 1680-1683," Essex Institute, 1921, p 218. Link to page at archive.org.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Records and Files of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County Massachusetts Volume V 1672-1674. Essex Institute, 1914, p 400. Link to page at archive.org.