The Ancestry of James Whitney of Whitney

The ancestry of James Whitney of Whitney is very confusing due to the number of conflicting pedigrees contained in a number of sources. This page summarizes these various pedigrees and attempts to analyze each source.

Melville - The Ancestry of John Whitney

Source

Melville, Henry, A.M., LL.B., The Ancestry of John Whitney: Who, with His Wife Elinor, and Sons John, Richard, Nathaniel, Thomas, and Jonathan, Emigrated from London, England, in the Year 1635, and Settled in Watertown, Massachusetts; the First of the Name in America, and the One from Whom a Great Majority of the Whitneys Now Living in the United States Are Descended (New York, NY: The De Vinne Press, 1896).

Reliability

Moderate

Pedigree

9. Sir Robert de Whitney (s1225-?) of Whitney

8. Sir Eustace de Whitney (s1256-?) of Whitney

7. Sir Eustace de Whitney (c1287-c1352) of Whitney

6. Sir Robert de Whitney (1318-c1380) of Whitney

5. Sir Robert Whitney (1348-1402) of Whitney, m. Janet Trussell & Maud Cromwell

4. Sir Robert Whitney (c1379-1441) of Whitney & Clifford, m. Wenllian Oldcastle

3. Sir Eustace Whitney (1410-c1468) of Whitney & Clifford, m. Jennet Russell & Jane Clifford

2. Robert Whitney, m.(1) Constance Touchet; m.(2) Alice Vaughan

1. James Whitney, m. Blanche Milbourne

Notes

This lineage is based upon the careful comparison of four lists of Whitneys of Whitney, as described by Melville:

From Robert de Wytteneye we can probably trace the Whitney descent to the present day with substantial if not absolute accuracy.

The manors of Whitney and Pencombe passed, according to the law of primogeniture, through a line of eldest sons. Attached to each estate was an advowson or right to nominate a rector for the parish church as often as there was a vacancy, and the ecclesiastical records of the diocese are in existence, showing what patrons from time to time exercised this right. If we arrange these in chronological order we are likely to have two lists, each containing the names of nearly all the successive heads of the Whitney family. Taking these lists as a foundation, there are other records with which they can be profitably compared. Lists can also be made out of all the Whitneys who were sheriffs of Herefordshire or members of parliament, and we can be certain that the one who had either of these dignities was he who at that time owned the property and thus had the income for its support.

These four lists so supplement each other that from them alone a fifth, showing the succession, can be easily made out, and two or more dates fixed in the lives of each individual. About the only possibility of mistake is in the fact that there may have been an instance where the transmission was from an elder to a younger brother instead of from father to son. This possibility is, however, reduced to a minimum by a comparison with other documents, such as the Inquisitiones post mortem, which, in several instances, state the date of the death of the old proprietor, and the name, age, and relationship of the new one. In addition to these general sources of information there are, as will be hereafter seen, others peculiar to each individual.

Bartrum - Welsh Genealogies

Source

Peter C. Bartrum, Welsh Genealogies, AD 1400-1500, Vol. 10, (Cardiff 1985?).

Reliability

Unreliable. Although Bartrum is an acknowledged expert on early Welsh genealogy, and that area of expertise extends to the Marches, where the Whitney family were one of the lords, he is merely compiling and collating early Welsh pedigrees, which are not the most reliable sources. Most had been handed down for some generations by word of mouth before being recorded.

Pedigree

7. Baldwin Whitney, m. Jane, dau. of Roger Fawr

6. Eustace

5. Eustace, m. Gwenllian, dau. of Sir Thomas Oldcastle

4. Sir Robert, m. Angharad of Madog

3. Eustace, m. Joan, dau. of Sir William Trussel

2. Robert, m.(1) Constance, dau. of James Touchet, Lord Audley, m.(2) Elsbeth, dau. Thomas Vaughan of Hergest

1. James, m. Blanche, dau. of Simon Milbourne

Book of Baglan

Source

Llyfr Baglan, or the Book of Baglan, compiled between the years of 1600 and 1607, by John Williams, transcribed from the original manuscript preserved in the Public Library of Cardiff and edited with explanatory notes by Joseph Alfred Bradney (London, 1910), 5, 34, 44, 103.

Reliability

Not yet rated

Pedigree

2. Robert, Lord Whitney, m. Constance, dau. of James Touchet, Lord Audley

1. James Whitney, m. -----

_____ Whitney, m. Wenllian, dau. of Sir Thomas Oldcastle.

Sir Robert Whitney,

Sir Eustaunce Whitney,

Alson (m. Harry Gru' of Newcourt);

Peryn (m. John Abrahall);

Jane Whitney (m. ----- Walwyn);

Elizabeth (m. Roger Blount).

Sir Eustance Whitney, m. Joan, dau. of Sr. Harrie Oddyns

Sir Eustance Whitney

2. Mr. Robert Whitney, m. Constance, dau. of James Touchet, Lord Audley,

1. James Whitney, m. Blanche, dau. of Simon Milbourne

8. Sir Baldewyn Whitney, m. -----, dau. of -----

7. Sir Eustance Whitney, m. Margerye, dau. of Ralf Grouncell

6. Sir Estane Whitney, m. -----, dau. of Sir Thomas Trefor

5. Sir Rob't Whitney, m. Joan, dau. of Sir Robert Ryssell

4. Sir Robert Whitney, m. Joan, dau. of Henrye of the nashe

3. Eustance Whitney m. -----, dau. of Sir Thomas Tryssell

2. Robert Whitney who was called lord Whitney, m.(1) -----, dau. of Lord Audley; m.(2) Elizabeth, dau. of Watkin Vaughan of Hergest, Esq.

1. James Whitney, m. Blainch, dau. and heiress of Simon Milbourne, esq.

Visitation of Herefordshire, 1569

Source

Frederick William Weaver, ed., The Visitation of Herefordshire, made by Robert Cooke, Clarenceux, in 1569 (Exeter: W. Pollard and Co., 1886), pp. 75-76.

Reliability

Not yet rated

Pedigree

6. Sir Baldwin Whitney of Whitney, m. -----, dau. of Pitchard.

5. Sir Eustace Whitney of Whitney, m. ----- dau. of Clamvow.

4. Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney, m. ----- d. of Russell.

3. Sir Eustace Whitney of Whitney, m. -----, dau. of Parr.

2. Robert Whitney of Whitney, m.(1) Constance Audley; m.(2) dau. of Thomas Rogers of Herefford.

1. James Whitney of Whitney, m. Blanche Mylbourne.

Notes

This published volume is a recreation of the manuscripts of the Visitation of Herefordshire of 1569. However, from footnotes on the Whitney pages, it appears that the generations preceeding James Whitney were taken from Harleian Manuscript 1545 folio 68b.

Hundred of Huntington

Source

Morgan George Watkins, Collections towards the history and antiquities of the county of Hereford. In continuation of Duncumb’s history. Hundred of Huntington ... (Hereford: 1898).

Reliability

Good. As in the case of Melville, which Watkins cites, the descent is based on the succession of the lordship of Whitney, the patrons of its church, members of Parliament, and other contemporary documents.

Pedigree

7. Sir Eustace de Whitney, fl. 1299

6. Sir Eustace de Whitney, fl. 1306-1350

Baldwin de Whitney, fl. 1368 ?= uncle, d. 1401

5. Sir Robert de Whitney, fl. 1353-1401, d. 1401

4. Sir Robert de Whitney, fl. 1401-1422, d. 1441, m. Joan Oldcastle

3. Eustace de Whitney, fl. 1441-1467, m. Jeanette Russell

Sir Thomas Whitney, M.P. 1431, d.s.p.

2. Sir Robert Whitney, Sheriff, 1479, m.(1) Constance Touchett; m.(2) Alice Vaughan

1. James Whitney, m. Blanche Milbourne

Golden Grove

Source

William Lewes of Llwynderw, The Golden Grove book of pedigrees (1765), volume 2.

Reliability

Highly Suspect, see comments below.

Pedigree

20. Efrog Earls of Ewyas & Ergayn (as Walter H:)

19. Sr. Predyr Efrog Kt. of ye round Table to K. Arthyrs time he Lived att his Castle att Coedmore in Cardiganshire

18. Gware or Garett ld of Ewyas &c

17. Sr. Gallhihant &c.

16. Emrys Ld of Emrys Caslte

15. Sir Baldwin, Lord of Whitney, m. ----- Pichard

14. Sir Baldwin de Whitney &c Kt, m. Emma, dau. of Sir Hugh Delahay Kt.

13. Sir Eustance Whitney, &c Kt., m. Joice, dau. of Sir Wm. Eyton Kt.

12. Baldwin Whitney, &c, m. Anne, dau. of Richard Talbott by Anne Villers

11. Sir Baldwin Whitney, &c Kt., m. Anne, dau. of Sir Eustace Legrosse Kt.

10. Sir Baldwin Whitney, &c Kt., m. Sibil, dau. of Ralph Lord Stafford

9. Sir Baldwin Whitney, &c Kt., m. Mary, dau. of Sir Hugh Mortimer Kt.

8. Sir Hugh Whitney, &c Kt., m. Isabel, dau. of Sir Jasper Croft, Kt.

7. Sir Baldwin Whitney, &c Kt aforesd, m. Jane, dau. of Roger Vawr of Lechryd

6. Sir Eustace Whitney, &c Kt., m. Mary, dau. of Sir Ralph Cromwell Kt.

5. Sir Robert Whitney, &c Kt, m. -----, dau. of Sir Thomas Oldcastle Kt.

4. Sir Robert Whitney, &c Kt., m. Angharad, dau. of Madc. ap Yerth goch of Cory

3. Eustace Whitney, &c, m.(1) Jenett, dau. of Sir Thomas Trussell Kt. by Margery Ludlow; he m.(2) Jane, dau. of Sr. Robert Clifford Kt.

2. Robert Whitney, &c, m. Constance, dau. of James Touchett, Lord Audley; m.(2)Eliz, dau. of Thos. Vaughan

1. James Whitney, &c, m. Blanch, dau. of Sir Symon Milbourn Kt.

Comments

"The Golden Grove," an immense collection of Welsh pedigrees compiled by Hugh Thomas about 1703...

It undoubtedly contains much truth, but truth so mixed with error, that genealogists, as a rule, consider it of no value, unless confirmed by other records.

In several instances the relationship of parties can be proved to have been otherwise than therein set out.

There is an absurd mistake at the very beginning in attributing to the Whitneys a Welsh origin.

The idea of a Welshman turning his name to Eustace de Wytteneye and acquiring estates and castles in the Marches is a little laughable to any one familiar with the history of the times. Fortunately there is conclusive proof just what their origin was. Not only did they come in with the Norman invasion, but even according to the "The Golden Grove" most of their marriage alliances were with Norman families.

Phoenix - The Whitney Family of Connecticut

Source

Stephen Whitney Phoenix, The Whitney family of Connecticut, and its affiliations; being an attempt to trace the descendants, as well in the female as the male lines, of Henry Whitney, from 1649 to 1878; to which is prefixed some account of the Whitneys of England. (New York : Priv. Print. [Bradford Press] 1878), 3 volumes.

Reliability

Highly Suspect. Much of the information printed by Phoenix was supplied by Mrs. Harriet (Bainbridge) DeSalis, who perpetrated a fraud upon him. Apparently the early generations were taken from The Golden Grove, above.

Pedigree

15. Sir Baldwinus de Whitney, m. , dau. of Pichard

14. Sir Baldwinus de Whitney, m. Emma, dau. of Sir Hugh de la Hay

13. Sir Eustace de Whitney, m. Joice, dau. of Sir William Eyton

12. Baldwin Whitney, m. Anne, dau. of Richard Talbott by Anne Villiers

11. Sir Baldwin Whitney, m. Anne, dau. of Eustace le Grosse

10. Sir Baldwin Whitney, m. Sibyl, dau. of Ralph Lord Stafford

9. Sir Baldwin Whitney, m. Mary, dau. of Sir Hugh Mortimer

8. Sir Hugh Whitney, m. Isabel, dau. of Sir Jasper Croft

7. Sir Baldwin Whitney (fl. 1307-27), m. Jane, dau. of Roger Vaughan, of Lechyd.

6. Sir Eustace Whitney, m. Mary, dau. of Sir. Ralph Cromwell ("Clamboro" in Visit.)

5. Sir Robert Whitney, m. Joane, dau. of Sir Thos. Oldcastle

4. Sir Robert Whitney, m. Angharad (Margaret?), dau. of Medoc ap Jer Goch, of Cery.

3. Sir Eustace Whitney, m.(1) Jennetta, dau. of Sir Thomas Trussell ("Russell," in Visit.); m.(2) Jane, dau. of Sir Robt. Clifford

2. Robert Whitney, of Whitney and Predwarden, m.(1) Constance, dau. of Sir James Touchett, Lord Audley; m.(2) Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Vaughan

1. James Whitney, of Whitney. = Blanche, dau. of Sir Symon Milbourne

Whitney - Memoranda...

Source

Whitney, Henry Austin, Memoranda Relating to Families of the Name of Whitney in England, (Boston: 1859).

Reliability

Not yet rated

Pedigree

6. Sir Baldwin Whitney, of Whitney, m. -----, dau. of ----- Pitchard.

5. Sir Eustace Whitney, of Whitney, m. -----, dau. of ----- Clauboro'.

4. Sir Robert Whitney, of Whitney, m. -----, dau. of ----- Russell.

3. Sir Eustace Whitney, of Whitney, m. -----, dau. of ----- Parre.

2. Robert Whitney, of Whitney, m.(1) Constance Touchett; m.(2) -----, dau. of Thomas Rogers of Herefordshire

1. James Whitney, of Whitney, m. Blanche, dau. of Simon Melborne.

LDS Ancestral File

Source

LDS Ancestral File

Reliability

Highly Suspect. Lineages submitted to the LDS databases are frequently submitted by novice genealogists and rarely have supporting documentation.

Pedigree

10. Eustace Whitney of Whitney (c1195-)

9. Robert Whitney of Whitney (c1225-b1277)

8. Eustace Whitney of Whitney (c1256-1301-6)

7. Eustace Whitney of Whitney (c1287-9Feb1352)

6. Robert Whitney of Whitney (c1318-c1380)

5. Robert Whitney of Whitney (c1348-1402), m. Mary Cromwell

4. Robert Whitney of Whitney (c1379-1441), m. Wenllian/Joan Oldcastle

3. Eustace Whitney of Whitney (1410-c1468), m. Jennet Trussell; m.(2) Jane Clifford

2. Robert Whitney of Whitney (c1436-), m. Constance Touchett

1. James Whitney of Whitney (c1465-), m. Blanche Milbourne

LDS IGI This contains elements of all the different sources above.

LDS Pedigree Resource File This contains elements of all the different sources above. For example, there are 108 entries who call James's grandmother Janet Russell, and 126 that call her Janet Trussell.

Norr

Source

Vernon M. Norr, Some Early English Pedigrees (Arlington, VA: 1968), pp. 144-146.

Reliability

Fair to Poor.

Pedigree

9. Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney, fl. 1284

8. Sir Eustace Whitney of Whitney, fl. 1283-1299

7. Sir Eustace Whitney of Whitney, fl. 1306-1350

6. Sir Baldwin Whitney of Whitney, m. ----- Pritchard

5. Sir Eustace Whitney of Whitney, m. ----- Glamvow

4. Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney (-1441), m. Janet Russell

3. Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney, fl. 1422, m. Joan Oldcastle

2. Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney, m.(1) Alice Vaughan; m.(2) Constance Touchett

1. Sir James Whitney of Whitney (-1500), m. Blanche Milbourne

Comments

Norr has taken conflicting accounts in some of the above sources, together with mentions of Whitneys in some other sources, and tried to compile a tree of all Whitney descendants, but he makes some of the errors we have seen in other sources, identifying people with the same name who were roughly contemporary. For example, he merges the Whitney of Clifford line in with the Whitney of Whitney line in ways that are known to be incorrect. The main value of this work is that he cites his sources for each generation.

Cannington Manor

Source

'Cannington: Manors and other estates', A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6: Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and neighbouring parishes) (1992), pp. 76-85.

Reliability

Good.

Pedigree

7. Eustace of Whitney, terre tenant 1285

6. Eustace, held manor 1346 (same as above?)

5. Sir Robert, held manor 1370

4. Robert, held manor 1431, d. 1441

3. Eustace (d. c. 1481)

2. Robert (d. c. 1494)

1. James (d. 1500)

Comments

This source simply follows the ownership of the Manor of Cannington.

Lists

See Medieval Whitney Timeline for a reconstruction of all Medieval Whitney references.