B. 8 Nov 1665 in Billerica, Massachusetts
M. 22 Jan 1690 Billerica, Massachusetts
Wife Anna Danforth
D. 22 Dec 1736 in Billerica, Massachusetts
Oliver Whiting’s father and grandfather were early ministers in Puritan New England, and while he didn’t become a member of the clergy, he did choose a lifetime of service to his community.
Oliver was born on November 8, 1665 to Samuel Whiting and Dorcas Chester of Billerica, Massachusetts, the fourth of their eleven children. Samuel was the first preacher in Billerica and one of the town’s leaders, responsible for the religious instruction of the children who lived there. When Oliver was 10-years-old, the family’s house was used as a garrison in King Philip’s War. A strong sense of civic duty likely rubbed off on Oliver.
After Oliver came of age, he joined the Billerica militia, and was promoted to ensign in 1689. A year later, the militia participated in the invasion of Quebec, but it isn’t known if Oliver was a part of that mission, which was a defeat for New England. On January 22, 1690, Oliver married Anna Danforth, the daughter of Jonathan Danforth, a surveyor and leader in Billerica. The couple had their first child the following year, and by 1712, had a total of nine children, with only one dying young.
As a married man, Oliver took a place among the town’s leaders. He served as a selectman off and on between 1692 and 1733, for a total of 20 years. Oliver was also Billerica’s representative to the General Court in Boston for the years 1719, 1720 and 1728, and for a time was a justice of the peace. Perhaps his most prominent civic role was as Billerica’s town clerk during the years 1705-1711, and 1714-1723. It was said that Volume II of Billerica land grants was written almost entirely in “the good handwriting” of Oliver. This covered a period of time from 1704 to 1723.
Oliver died at Billerica on December 22, 1736, and his widow Anna passed away in 1737. They were 6G grandparents of actress Bette Davis.
Children:
1. Oliver Whiting — B. 29 Mar 1691, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. (1) Elizabeth Brown (1694-1732), 28 Mar 1721, Billerica, Massachusetts; (2) Mary, 4 Jun 1735, Billerica, Massachusetts
2. Dorcas Whiting — B. 21 Mar 1693, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 23 Dec 1765, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Joshua Abbott (1685-1769), 2 Mar 1721, Billerica, Massachusetts
3. Mary Whiting — B. 4 May 1695, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Benjamin Wellington, 21 Oct 1731, Lexington, Massachusetts
4. John Whiting — B. 11 Nov 1697, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 17 Dec 1697, Billerica, Massachusetts
5. John Whiting — B. 14 Oct 1699, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 8 Aug 1775, Tewksbury, Massachusetts; M. (1) Sarah Hunt (1709-1745), 9 Mar 1726, Billerica, Massachusetts; (2) Anne Frye (1709-?), 22 Feb 1747, Tewksbury, Massachusetts
6. Samuel Whiting — B. 6 Sep 1702, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 4 Nov 1772, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. (1) Deborah Hill (1705-1745), 8 May 1729, Billerica, Massachusetts; (2) Elizabeth, 2 May 1749, Billerica, Massachusetts
7. Anna Whiting — B. 15 Apr 1705, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 26 Mar 1749, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. William Stickney (1705-1781), Jun 1729, Billerica, Massachusetts
8. Eleazar Whiting — B. 25 Jul 1707, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 1780, (probably) Temple, New Hampshire
9. Benjamin Whiting — B. 12 Feb 1712, Billerica, Massachusetts; D. 14 Feb 1738, Billerica, Massachusetts; M. Dorothy Crosby (1712-1793), Billerica, Massachusetts
Sources:
History of Billerica, Massachusetts, With a Genealogical Register, Henry Allen Hazen, 1883
WikiTree
Find-A-Grave
Famous Kin (website)
