M. before 19 Dec 1587 in (probably) Boston, England1
Wife: Isabel _________
D. (probably) 21 Oct 1617 in Boston, England1
Before there was a Boston, Massachusetts, there was a Boston, England. And for a couple of years in the beginning of the 17th century, John Whiting was its mayor.
John was born in Boston on November 30, 1561.1 His father was said to be John Whiting, and there is no information as to the identity of his mother. By 1587, John married a woman named Isabel; she was named in his will,1 and because his oldest child was also named Isabel,2 she was likely his wife from the beginning. John was the father of at least 6 children, one of whom died as a child. His children’s baptisms were at St. Botolph’s Church, a historic parish that dates back to Medieval times. The tower of the church is about 272 feet high and can be seen for miles around.
John was involved in the government of Boston as early as 1590, when he served on the common council, and as a bailiff. He served as mayor in 1600 and 1608.1 In English town such as Boston, mayors were elected annually by the council from their members, and their main duties were to preside over council meetings and take part in tie-breaking votes. John's son John also served as mayor of Boston in 1626, 1633, 1644 and 1645.1
During the time that John was serving as council member and mayor, the town of Boston was a center of Puritanism. It’s not known how much John was involved with the religion, but he became good friends with Reverend John Cotton,1 the vicar of St. Boltoph’s and a charismatic leader of the movement. Reverend Cotton would go on to encourage many Puritans in Boston to migrate to America. John’s son, Samuel, would become a Puritan preacher as well, and years later, would be part of the migration to New England.1
John wrote his will on October 20, 1617, and he was buried two days later,1 suggesting his death was brought on by a sudden illness. In his will he bequeathed money to the poor of Boston, to his friend Reverend Cotton, and to his wife and children. His son Samuel received the sum of £120, a substantial amount of money for that time.
Children:
1. Isabel Whiting — B. 19 Dec 1587, Boston, England;2 D. 4 May 1602, England3
2. Audrey Whiting — B. about Sep 1589, Boston, England;4 M. Robert Wright,6 Nov 1610, Boston England5
3. John Whiting — B. about Jun 1592, Boston, England;6 D. after 1645, (probably) Boston, England1
4. Margaret Whiting — B. about Aug 1594, Boston, England7
5. Samuel Whiting — B. 20 Nov 1597, Boston, England;8 D. 11 Dec 1679, Lynn, Massachusetts;9 M. Elizabeth St. John (~1604-1677), 6 Aug 1629, Boston, England10
6. James Whiting — B. about Aug 1599, Boston, England;11 M. Mary Beitson, 28 Dec 1625, Boston, England12
Sources:
1 Memoir of Rev. Samuel Whiting, D.D., and of his wife Elizabeth St. John, William Whiting, 1873
2 Baptismal record of Isabella Whitinge, England, Lincolnshire, Parish Registers, 1538-1990, FamilySearch.org
3 Burial record of Izabell Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
4 Baptismal record of Audrea Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
5 Marriage record of Robert Wright and Audry Whiting, E., L., P.R.
6 Baptismal record of John Whitinge (younger), E., L., P.R.
7 Baptismal record of Margaret Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
8 Baptismal record of Samuell Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Samuel Whiting
10 Marriage record of Samuell Whiteing and Elizabeth Saintjohns, E., L., P.R.
11 Baptismal record of James Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
12 Marriage record of James Whiting and Marie Beitson, England Marriages, 1538-1973, FamilySearch.org
D. (probably) 21 Oct 1617 in Boston, England1
Before there was a Boston, Massachusetts, there was a Boston, England. And for a couple of years in the beginning of the 17th century, John Whiting was its mayor.
John was born in Boston on November 30, 1561.1 His father was said to be John Whiting, and there is no information as to the identity of his mother. By 1587, John married a woman named Isabel; she was named in his will,1 and because his oldest child was also named Isabel,2 she was likely his wife from the beginning. John was the father of at least 6 children, one of whom died as a child. His children’s baptisms were at St. Botolph’s Church, a historic parish that dates back to Medieval times. The tower of the church is about 272 feet high and can be seen for miles around.
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Inside St. Botolph's Church. (Source: Jules & Jenny from Lincoln, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
During the time that John was serving as council member and mayor, the town of Boston was a center of Puritanism. It’s not known how much John was involved with the religion, but he became good friends with Reverend John Cotton,1 the vicar of St. Boltoph’s and a charismatic leader of the movement. Reverend Cotton would go on to encourage many Puritans in Boston to migrate to America. John’s son, Samuel, would become a Puritan preacher as well, and years later, would be part of the migration to New England.1
John wrote his will on October 20, 1617, and he was buried two days later,1 suggesting his death was brought on by a sudden illness. In his will he bequeathed money to the poor of Boston, to his friend Reverend Cotton, and to his wife and children. His son Samuel received the sum of £120, a substantial amount of money for that time.
Children:
1. Isabel Whiting — B. 19 Dec 1587, Boston, England;2 D. 4 May 1602, England3
2. Audrey Whiting — B. about Sep 1589, Boston, England;4 M. Robert Wright,6 Nov 1610, Boston England5
3. John Whiting — B. about Jun 1592, Boston, England;6 D. after 1645, (probably) Boston, England1
4. Margaret Whiting — B. about Aug 1594, Boston, England7
5. Samuel Whiting — B. 20 Nov 1597, Boston, England;8 D. 11 Dec 1679, Lynn, Massachusetts;9 M. Elizabeth St. John (~1604-1677), 6 Aug 1629, Boston, England10
6. James Whiting — B. about Aug 1599, Boston, England;11 M. Mary Beitson, 28 Dec 1625, Boston, England12
Sources:
1 Memoir of Rev. Samuel Whiting, D.D., and of his wife Elizabeth St. John, William Whiting, 1873
2 Baptismal record of Isabella Whitinge, England, Lincolnshire, Parish Registers, 1538-1990, FamilySearch.org
3 Burial record of Izabell Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
4 Baptismal record of Audrea Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
5 Marriage record of Robert Wright and Audry Whiting, E., L., P.R.
6 Baptismal record of John Whitinge (younger), E., L., P.R.
7 Baptismal record of Margaret Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
8 Baptismal record of Samuell Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Samuel Whiting
10 Marriage record of Samuell Whiteing and Elizabeth Saintjohns, E., L., P.R.
11 Baptismal record of James Whitinge, E., L., P.R.
12 Marriage record of James Whiting and Marie Beitson, England Marriages, 1538-1973, FamilySearch.org
