Jonathan WHITAKER (circa 1690-circa bef. October 14, 1763): Jonathan WHITAKER was born in Wiltshire, England and came to America in 1720, settling first at Sharon, MA, and removing soon thereafter to Huntington, Long Island (New York), where he married Elizabeth JERVIS. They had eight children: Elizabeth, Jonathan, Sarah, Isaac, Nathaniel, Eliphalet, Mary and Phebe. Jonathan WHITAKER was listed as being one of the associate proprietors of Elizabethtown, New Jersey prior to moving and settling permanently in Somerset county New Jersey sometime before 1752. On December 19, 1752, he took title of two tracts of land located on both sides of the Mine Brook in Somerset county. In his will, Jonathan WHITAKER willed that "seven per ct. be taken of the whole and applied to the following use, viz., to assist in supporting a missionary to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Indians, but if no committee is appointed for that purpose nor mission carryd on in the term of five years, then it is my will and I do order that the said sum with the interest thereof be paid to the Rev. Mr. Wheelock in Conectecot (Connecticut) in New England, to be by him applied to the education of Indian children, but if that school should cease then I give and bequeath the same to the College of Nassa hall in Prince Town in New Jersey for the education of Indian scholars..."
Nathaniel WHITAKER (1730-1795): Of the children of Jonathan and Elizabeth Whitaker their son, Nathaniel, attained the greatest personal distinction. He studied at the college of New Jersey (which later became Princeton University) and was graduated in September, 1752. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New York in 1753. On December 10, 1755 he was ordained and installed as pastor of the Presbyterian church of Woodbridge, New Jersey. Four years later he was released to become pastor of a recently organized congregation in Chelsea, near Norwich, Connecticut, where he built a church. Here he became acquainted with Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, then pastor of the church at Lebanon, Connecticut, and founder of a school which grew into prominence, and later became known as More's Indian Charity School. One of the first Indian pupils was Sampson Occum, who was later ordained a clergyman by the Presbytery of Suffolk, Long Island (New York). The school being in need of more funds than could be secured in the colonies an appeal was made for help from abroad. The Rev. George Whitfield having suggested that the presence of an Indian preacher would greatly help the project, it was determined to send Occum to Great Britain, and Nathaniel Whitaker was selected to accompany him. In order to secure the proper authentication Nathaniel Whitaker traveled long distances and obtained the signatures of many prominent men... Of his character, his colleagues of the day wrote "...The Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Whitaker is well known by us, and accordingly received as a man of good understanding and learning, of probity and piety, one of good ministerial gifts and of very happy furniture for public service..." "...and he stands in a good light in our view and esteem of him, both to his natural and ministerial character, we heartily recommend him." Nathaniel Whitaker and Sampson Occum sailed from Boston on December 23, 1765, and arrived in London on February 6, 1766. Travelling all over England and Scotland, they presented their cause, and raised a total of £21,500. Nathaniel Whitaker received a Doctor of Divinity from St. Andrews University while in Scotland. He did not return to America for two and a half years.
A year after he returned to America, Nathaniel Whitaker became pastor of a church in Salem, Massachusetts, where he remained for fifteen years until 1784. Following a fire that destroyed the church, Nathaniel Whitaker built a church patterned after Whitfield's in London. This new church was called the Tabernacle. During the American Revolution, Nathaniel was an ardent patriot, preaching two sermons dedicated to George Washington. Nathaniel Whitaker was called to a pastorate in Norregwock, Maine where he built his third church. His final pastorate took him to Hampton, Virginia where he died in 1795 at sixty five years of age.
Source: Voorhees, Oscar M., D.D. "The Whitaker Family of Somerset County New Jersey" in Somerset County (New Jersey) Historical Quarterly, Ed. A. Van Doren Honeyman (Vol. II), pp. 98-109.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/3741/genhopg1.htmlHistory of the Surname:
The history of the most ancient Anglo-Saxon surname of Whitaker reaches far into the chronicles of the Saxon race. The Saxon Chronicle, compiled by monks in the 10th century, now resides in the British Museum.
History researchers have examined reproductions of such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book (1086) , the Ragman Rolls (1291-1296), the Curia Regis Rolls, The Pipe Rolls, the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptismals, tax records and other ancient documents. They found the first record of the name Whitaker in Warwickshire where they had been seated at Wheatacre from ancient times before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Different spellings were encountered in the research of your surname. Throughout the centuries your name, Whitaker, occurred in many records, manuscripts, and documents, but not always with your exact spelling. From time to time the surname was spelled Whittaker, Whittakers, Whitaker, Whitacre, and the variations in spelling frequently occurred, even between father and son. Scribes and church officials, often traveling great distances, even from other countries, frequently spelled the names phonetically. As a result the same person would be recorded differently on birth, baptismal, marriage and death certificates as well as other numerous records, recording life's events.
The Saxon race gave birth to many English surnames not the least of which was the surname Whitaker. The Saxons were invited into England by the ancient Britons of the 4th century. A fair skinned people their home was the Rhine valley, some as far north east as Denmark. They were led by two brothers, General/Commanders Hengist and Horsa. The Saxons settled in the county of Kent, on the south east coast of England. Gradually, they spread north and westward, and during the next four hundred years forced the ancient Britons back into Wales and Cornwall in the west, and Cumberland to the north. The Angles occupied the eastern coast, the south folk in Suffolk, north folk in Norfolk. Under Saxon rule England prospered under a series of high kings, the last of which was Harold.
In 1066, the Norman invasion from France occurred and their victory at the Battle of Hastings. In 1070, Duke William took an army of 40,000 north and wasted the northern counties, forcing many rebellious Norman (Northern?) Nobles and Saxons to flee over the border into Scotland. Meanwhile, the Saxons who remained in the south were not treated well under hostile Norman rule, and many also moved northward to the midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire away from the Norman oppression.
Never the less, this notable English family name, Whitaker, emerged as an influential family name in county of Warwick where they were seated at Nether Witaker (Nether Whitacre) traditionally they were descended from Wihtgar, a nephew of Cedric, King of the West Saxons. They also held the villages of Padiham and Simonstone, in Lancashire. In addition to Simonstone in Lancashire they also branched to The Holme, and to Balkholme manor in Yorkshire. They also branched to Mendham and Knoddis Hall in Suffolk, Lyssom House in Hereford, and branched north to Besley Hall in Yorkshire, There is a Whitaker House in Nether Whitaker. Their present family seats are Pylewell Park, Totterton Hall, Balkholme Manor, Everthorpe, Hesley Hall, and Simonstone. Notable amongst the family at this time was Rev. George Whitaker, Rural Dean of Dunwich.
The surname Whitaker flourished during the turbulent middle ages, contributing greatly to the cultural development of England. During the 15th, 16, 17, and 18th centuries England was ravaged by plagues, famine, and religious conflict. Protestantism, the newly found political fervor of Cromwellianism and democratic government, and the ruminants of the Roman Church rejected all non believers, each jealously claiming adherents to their own cause. The changing rule caused burnings, hangings, and banishments of all sects and creeds, first one then another. Many families were freely "encouraged" to migrate to Ireland, or to the "colonies." Some were rewarded with grants of lands, others were banished.
Some families were forced to migrate to Ireland were they became known as the "Adventurers for land in Ireland". Protestant settlers "undertook" to keep their faith, being granted lands previously owned by the Catholic Irish. In Ireland the family settled in counties Meath and Louth from about the 14th century.
The New World offered better opportunities and some migrated voluntarily, some were banished mostly for religious reasons. Some left Ireland disillusioned with promises unfulfilled, but many left directly from England, their home territories. Some also moved to the European Continent.
Members of the family name Whitaker sailed aboard the huge armada of three masted sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships such as the Hector, the Dove and the Rambler, were pestilence ridden, sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination.
Amongst the first settlers in North America, which could be considered a kinsman of the surname Whitaker, or a variable spelling of that family name were the following: Ann WHITACRE settled in Virginia in 1636; followed by John, Anne, and Robert WHITACRE in 1700; George WHITAKER settled in Virginia in 1638; George WHITTAKER settled in Virginia in 1635, David WHITAKER landed in America in 1766; George, Henry, James, John, Josiah, Samuel and William WHITTAKER all settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1817 and 1864; Elizabeth WHITAKERS settled in Virginia in 1623.
From the port of entry many settlers made their way west, joining the wagon trains to the prairies to the west coast. During the American War of Independence, many loyalists made their way north to Canada about 1790, and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.
Contemporary notables of the surname Whitaker include many distinguished contributors, Benjamin John WHITAKER Author; Charles WHITAKER, Newcastle Department of Health; Sir James WHITAKER, Meredeth WHITTAKER; John WHITTAKER,Vice Chancellor, Sheffield University.
Coats of Arms were granted to individuals and not families, and thus there were many Coats of Arms granted to different branches of the family name Whitaker. Among oldest Coat of Arms granted under the surname Whitaker was a black with Silver horizontal stripes between three diamond shapes. The crest is an arm grasping a sword. The ancient family motto for the surname Whitaker is "Spes Et Fides."
Source: The Hall of Names Inc.
P.O. Box 66
Salem, MA 01970-0066
Several Whitaker Coats of Arms can be viewed at Douglas M. Schorey's two websites coat1 and coat2
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/3741/genhopg1.htmlJoan Whitaker Landrum Tue Feb 4 11:26:07 1997
Seeking descendants/other researchers of Jonathan WHITAKER who came to New Jersey in 1739. He was a proprietor of Elizabethtown, N.J.. He purchased land in Somerset Co., N.J. in 1752 having settled on the same land under lease in 1745. His land was on both sides of the Mine Brook (Bernardstown) He died in August of 1763 and is buried in the graveyard of the Presbyterian Church. Some of his eight children continued to live on in the area. His sons were Jonathan WHITAKER,JR., Rev. Nathaniel WHITAKER, Isaac WHITAKER, AND Eliphalet WHITAKER. b. 1732. He married c. 1722, Elizabeth JARVIS.jlandrum@e-tex.com
Joan Whitaker Landrum has done extensive research on the lineage of Jonathan WHITAKER. She is a descendent of Eliphalet WHITAKER, and has included the following summary of her research on this Whitaker line:
Jonathan Whitaker was born c. 1690-95 and died in 1763 in Somerset Co, New Jersey. He married c. 1722 Elizabeth Jervis b.1696 d. 1764. Sources vary in their information about his origin. Ephraim Seward Whitaker said that he believed Jonathan to be the descendant of John Whitaker of Watertown, Massachusetts, who had sons John b. 1662 and Jonathan b.1664. A descendant Oscar Vorhees said that Jonathan Whitaker was born in Wiltshire, England. Another descendant believed that he came from Brampton, Cumberland Co, England. He appeared in Huntington, Long Island, New York about 1722. He and Elizabeth joined the Presbyterian Church there in 1724, and there his children were born and baptized. He moved to Somerset Co., N.J. where he built his home that is still standing. Eliphalet Whitaker, his son, head of my line, removed to Georgia c. 1790 and his descendants again moved west to Taladega Co., Al.c.1840 and from there to Cherokee Co., Texas in 1871. Jonathan Whitaker's sons were Jonathan Whitaker, Jr., Isaac Whitaker, Rev. Nathaniel Whitaker, and Eliphalet Whitaker. jlandrum-0012@tvec.net
Jonathan Whitaker line - down through Sarah Whitaker and Whitaker, b. ca Moses Allen - their daughter Abigail who married John McArthur.
Martha 1625 Their daughter Sarah married James Free who had Florence Free
my grandmother.
western@senior-express.co
From photocopy of the original will of Jonathan Whitaker 12 August 1763, PreparerÆs archive.
In the name of God Amen August the twelfth 1763: I Jonathan Whitaker of Bernardstown in Somerset County and Eastern Division of the Province of New Jarsey Yoeman, being Sick and Weak in Body but of Perfect Mind and Memory thanks be given to God, Therefore Calling to Mind ye Mortality of My body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, Do make and Ordain this My Last Will and Testament ? Touching Such Wordly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I give and Dispose of in the following Manner and form - My Just Debts and funeral Charges being first paid and DischargÆd I give and Bequeath unto Elizabeth My Beloved Wife the use of My Dwelling house and the one half of the profits of the place wheron I now Dwell, which half place (after my Decease) is to be Inproven at the Discretion of My Executors hereafter Named Shee paying one half of the Charges for Improving ?fenceing and keeping the place and improvements in Good Repair, all which privilidges Whee My Said Wife is to Injoy During her Widowhood I further Give and bequeath to my SÆd Wife a bed formerly Called hers, with the furniture therunto belonging: as allso one the Choice of My ?. - I allso Give unto My Said Wife somuch of My Household furniture as My Executors Think Nesecary to furnish a room During her widowhood. - It is My Will and I Do order that all My Moveable Estate (Exept what is herein before willÆd to My wife) be Sold as Soon as May be after my Decease and the money ariseing from Said Salle When Collected be put out on Intrest as also the clear profits that ariseth from the one half of My farm Reserved for the Benefit of My Children. It is my Will and I Do order That as Soon as May be the Marage or Decease of My Said Wife My Land and appertinances with the household furniture willed to MY Wife (at the Discretion of My Executors) be Sold and out of the money arising from said Salle all incidental Charges being first paid and Discharged. - It is My Will and I Do ordeer that the Som of Seven Per Cent be taken of the Whole and applied to the following use Viz: to ?----in ?Superling a missionary to Preach the Gospel of Jeses Christ among the Indians, but if no Committee is appointed for that purpose nor mission ?conveyÆs on in the ?Term office years that then it is mywill and I do Order that the said Sum with the interest thereof be paid to the RevrÆd W. Wheelock in Conetecot in New England to be by him applied to the Education of Indian Children; but if school should cease then I Give and Bequeath the Same to the Coledg of Nassa Hall in Prince Town in New Jersey for the Education of Indian Scholars hoping that whoseEVer Shall receive the Same Will be faithfull in Applying the Same to the use herein Mentioned, and after ye Seven PÆr Cent is Taken of the whole as above, the Remaining part I order to be Divided into five Equal parts and when So Divided, I Give and bequeath unto My Son Jonathan Whitaker his heirs ye foar parts out of the aforsÆd five - I give and Bequeath unto My Son Eliphalet Whitaker his heirs ye one half of the Remaining fifth part before willÆd after fifteen Pounds money at Eight Schillings the ounce be by My Executors taken off which Som of fifteen Pounds I Give and Bequeath unto My Daughter Elizabeth the wife of Stephen Ogden and I do hereby Constitute appoint and ordain My Trustey frends John Roy and Edward Lewis ExÆtrs both of the Town County & Province afforsÆd to be Exe/ctrs of this My Last Will & Testament and Do hereby Revoke Disanull and make void all former Wills by me made and ExeÆctrs named Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be My Last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto Set My hand and Seal the Day and above. - Signed Sealed publishÆd, prenounced and Declared by the said Jonathan Whitaker to be his last will in the presence of us ye Subscribers.
Platt Bayles ( Signed)
Mary Robertson Jonathan Whitaker
Brice Rikey
AT a meeting of the Rev. Samuel Kennedy's 1 congregation at Baskenridge, on the 14th of April 1779, the question being put, Whether a Committee be appointed to assist the Civil Magistrate in the suppression of vice, immorality, and all disorderly proceedings of whatsoever kind, within this congregation? It passed in the affirmative. Whereupon the following Gentlemen were appointed for that purpose: Elisha Ayres, Ensley Dalglish, John Durham, Jacob Rickey, Israel Rickey, Jonathan Sutton, Major William Davidson, Capt Gauin MacCay, William Annin, James Kirkpatrick, Thomas Kirkpatrick, Moses MacCallum, Robert Helm, Jonathan Whitaker, William Ford, David Ayres, Timothy Bruster.
Ordered, That the above be published in Mr. Collin's paper. (Documents relating to the Revolutionary History of New Jersey, Vol III )
JONATHAN WHITAKER.
Tradition in the Whitaker family says that three brothers embarked in England for America; that the ship in which they embarked was cast away, and but one of the three arrived; whose name was Jonathan Whitaker, who settled in New England; his wife's name was Elizabeth. They had children: (2d Gen.)
1. Nathaniel, who married Miss Smith.
2. Eliphalet married Ruth Bailey.
3. Elizabeth married Stephen Ogden, of Basking Ridge.
4. Mary married, 1st, Samuel Brown; 2d, Ebenezer White.
5. Jonathan, Jun. married Mary Miller.
Nathaniel Whitaker became a presbyterian minister, and settled in Norwich, Connecticut: he was sent in 1764 or 65, with Mr. Samuel Occum, an Indian preacher, to England, to collect funds for "Moore's Charity School," of Lebanon, an Indian school.
Jonathan Whitaker, Sen. removed with his family, (except Nathaniel,) from New England to New Jersey, and purchased of Thomas Penn and Richard Penn, proprietors of the Province of Pennsylvania, (by Richard Peters and Lynford Lardner, their attornies and agents,) for the sum of œ225, lawful money of the State of New Jersey, a tract of land, lying on both sides of Mine Brook, in Somerset county, 407 1/2 acres, by deed bearing date 19th December, 1752; and by writing of transfer on the back of said deed, bearing date 7th day of July, 1763, for the sum of œ625, current money, of East New Jersey, at eight shillings per ounce, he conveyed to Jonathan Whitaker, Jun his eldest son, the whole of the aforesaid tractof 407 1/2 acres, excepting about 163 acres previously sold and conveyed to his son Eliphalet.
ELIPHALET WHITAKER, (son of Jonathan,) married Ruth Bailey, and at length sold his farm, and removed to Georgia, and settled there, leaving two children, Samuel and Elizabeth, in New Jersey.
SAMUEL WHITAKER, (son of Eliphalet,) was born 26th November, 1756, and died 6th June, 1818, aged 61 1/2 yrs. He married, 2d March, 1783, Mary, a widow, and daughter of John Rivers. She was born 15th March, 1754, and died 2d October, 1825, aged 71 1/2 years;