Family:Whitney, Thomas (1714-1796)

Thomas Whitney, parentage unknown, born before 1725,^[1] died after 1776.^[2]

He was listed on the tax lists in Monie Hundred, Somerset Co., MD from 1746 to 1759.^[3]

Thomas appears to have been involved in weaving, knitting, sewing, and spinning, as the following two apprenticeship records indicate:

Case Negro Bound to Tho^s. Whitney

Case of her Own free Consent is bound out by the Court here an Apprentice According to Act of Assembly in Such Case Provided unto Thomas Whitney of Somerset County Planter untill She the Said Case Should Arrive at the Age of Sixteen Years the Said Case to Serve her Said Master the full term af^d. during which term the Said Apprentice her Said Master well and faithfully She Shall Serve his Secrets keep his Commandments Lawfully and honestly Every where willingly She Shall doe and in all things as a good and faithfull Apprentice She Shall demean herself towards her Said Master and all his during the term af^d. In Consideration of which Service the Said Thomas Whitney present here in Court in his proper person Convenanteth with the Justices of the Same Court in Court Judicially Sitting in Manner and form following that is to Say that he the Said Thomas Whitney Shall and Will during the term af^d. Learn his Said Apprentice the trade of a Weaver and to knitt Sew and Spin and to Read well in the testament and Likewise find and Provide for his Said Apprentice meat drink Washing Lodging and Cloathing Sufficient for Such an Apprentice to have and Wear during the term afd. Whereupon the Said Thomas Whitney is Ordered to Give Security to Comply with the Covenants af^d. Thereupon the Said Thomas Whitney with Michael Dorman and John M^cGraw of Somerset County Planters his Securitys all Present here in Court in their Proper Persons Acknowledged themselves Indebted unto the af^d. Case in thirty Pounds Cur^t Money of Maryland on their bodies Goods or Chattles Lands and Tenements Joyntly and Severally to the use of the Said Case her heirs and Assigns to be made and Levied if it happen that the Said Thomas Whitney do not during the term af^d. Learn his Said Apprentice the trade of a Weaver and to knit Sew & Spin and to Read Well in the testament and do not Likewise find and Provide for his Said Apprentice Meat drink Washing Lodging and Cloathing Sufficient for Such an Apprentice to have and Wear during the term af^d.^[4]

Whereupon the Said Thomas Durham is Ordered to Give Security to Comply with the Covenants af^d. Thereupon the Said Thomas Durham together with John M^cGraw and Thomas Whitney of Somerset County his Securitys all present here in Court in their Proper Persons Acknowledged themselves Indebted unto the af^d. Molatto Mille in thirty Pounds Curt Money of Maryland on their bodies Goods or Chattles Lands and tenements Joyntly and Severally to the use of the Said Molatto Mille his heirs and Assigns to be made and Levied if it happen that the Said Thomas Durham do not during the term af^d. Learn his Said Apprentice the trade to Read well in the Testament and to knit Sew & Spin and at the Expiration of her Servitude do not give her a New Suit of Cloaths Over and above her Common wearing Cloaths and do not Likewise find and provide for his Said Apprentice Meat drink Washing Lodging and Cloathing Sufficient for Such an Apprentice to have and wear during the term af^d.^[5]

Thomas Whitney was involved in a transaction of 132 acres of land named "Whitneys Delight", dated 20 Mar 1775 in Somerset Co., MD.^[6]

On 8 Jan 1776, Thomas Whitney purchased an additional 50 acres of land in Somerset Co., MD.^[7]

In 1783, there were three Whitneys listed in the Somerset County tax assessment, all residing close to each other (all on page 15 of 17 pages for the county):

• Thomas Whitney. Whitneys Delight, 132 acres. SO Monye p. 15
• Thomas Whitney. Mingars Choice, 82 acres. SO Monye p. 15
• William Whitney. SO Monye p. 15

Although no information has been found to link the following individuals to Thomas, they are found in Monie Hundred in the 1790 census, and thus may be his widow, children, or grandchildren:

• Whitney, Sarah (b1755-a1800) - Widow or daughter-in-law?
• Whitney, William (b1755-a1800) - Son or grandson?
• Whitney, Joseph (c1765-a1800) - Son or grandson?
• Whitney, David (b1774-a1800) - Son or grandson?
• Whitney, Isaac (c1775-a1810) - Grandson?
• Esther Whitney, m. Matthias Hobbs, 11 Feb 1800, Somerset Co., MD
• Daniel Whitney, m. Sally Harriss, 15 Jan 1811, Somerset Co., MD

By comparing the neighboring households on the 1759 tax roll to the 1800 census, it appears as though Joseph Whitney and David Whtiney were residing on the same tract of land as was Thomas Whitney, adding credibility to this theory. Sarah and William were not far away.

References

1. ^  He must have been at least 21 years of age when he was listed as a head of household in the 1746 tax list.

2. ^  Somerset County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium Plats MSA S1229: (Certificates, Unpatented, SO): Unpatented Certificate 14, 1776/01/08, Addition, Thomas Whitney, 50 Acres, 3 scans, MSA S 1229-14.

3. ^  Somerset County, Maryland Tax Records

4. ^  Somerset County Judicial Records, 1760-1763, June Court, 1761.

5. ^  Somerset County Judicial Records, 1760-1763, March Court, 1762.

6. ^  Somerset County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium Plats MSA S1206: (Certificates, Patented, SO): Patented Certificate 2503, 1775/03/20, Whitneys Delight, Thomas Whitney, 132 Acres, 5 scans, MSA S 1206-2711

7. ^  Somerset County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium Plats MSA S1229: (Certificates, Unpatented, SO): Unpatented Certificate 14, 1776/01/08, Addition, Thomas Whitney, 50 Acres, 3 scans, MSA S 1229-14.

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Copyright © 2007, Tim Doyle and the Whitney Research Group