Robert was a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1557 for Herefordshire. He lived during the reign of Henry VIII and the creation of the Anglican Church in 1538.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/o/Paul-Cooper-Utah/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0977.html

http://www.leavesonatree.org/getperson.php?personID=I18849&tree=Tree1

Line 1.  17. Henry I, King of England , by an unknown mistress  16. Robert de Caen, 1st Earl of Gloucester (2-17), m. Maud FitzHamon  15. Christian of Gloucester, m. William FitzAlan  14. Christian FitzAlan, m. Hugh Pantulf  13. Ivo Pantulf, m. ----- -----  12. William Pantulf, m. Alice de Verdun  11. Rose Pantulf, m. Sir William Trussell  10. William Trussell, m. Maud Mainwaring (2-10)  9. Sir Warin Trussell, m. Maud de St. Philibert (3-9)  8. Lawrence Trussell, m. Maud Charnells  7. William Trussell, m. Margery Ludlow  6. Jennet Trussell, m. Sir Eustace de Whitney  5. Sir Robert Whitney, m. (2) Elizabeth Vaughn  4. Robert Whitney, m. ----- -----  3. Robert Whitney, m. Elizabeth verch Morgan ap William  Connection here is doubtful.  2. Thomas Whitney, m. Mary Bray  1. John1 Whitney, m.(1) Elinor -----

Line 2.  17. Robert de Caen, 1st Earl of Gloucester (1-16), m. Maud FitzHamon  16. Maud FitzRobert, m. Ranulph de Gernon, 2nd Earl of Chester  15. Hugh de Kevelioc, 3rd Earl of Chester, m. Bertrade de Montfort  14. Amicia de Meschin, m. Ralph de Mainwaring  13. Roger de Mainwaring, m. ----- -----  12. Roger de Mainwaring, m. ----- -----  11. Warin de Mainwaring , m. Agnes de Arderne  10. Maud Mainwaring, m. William Trussell (1-10)

Line 3.  15. Henry II, King of England, by mistress Ida de Toeni  14. William Longespee, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, m. Ela FitzPatrick, Countess of Salisbury  13. Ida Longespee, m. Sir William de Beauchamp  12. Beatrice de Beauchamp, m. Sir Thomas FitzOtes  11. Maud FitzThomas, m. Sir John de Botetourte  10. Ada de Botetourte, m. John de St. Philibert  9. Maud de St. Philibert, m. Sir Warin Trussell (1-9) taken from http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Alleged_Royal_Ancestry_of_John_Whitney

Sir Robert Whitney Jr., so to say... as the father, being approx. 17years old... at the time of Thomas´ birth... and still well and alive, according to the Whitney Research Group (WRG)... It´s not a bad theory... although, they say he (Sir Robert Whitney Jr.) died, without issue.

This is about the Sr. Sir Robert (there is a listing of his Children with further information, towards the bottom of the page. No link to Robert Jr. but birth/death info´s.) http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney,_Robert_(s1525-1567)

This leads to the backround and discussion and references about Thomas Whitney´s Parentage. From the main page...

http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Family:Whitney,_Thomas_(s1550-1637)

one can also, access... a Plethora on various Whitney lines and informations known to date by the Whitney Research Group(WRG)

http://wiki.whitneygen.org/wrg/index.php/Main_Page