Rachel Whaley

Rachel Pye was born in England. She married Thomas Whaley of New York and became a naturalized citizen. A William Pye signed her naturalization application (March 1848), presumably a family member.

Rachel's probate record from Kings County Surrogate Court in Brooklyn in 1881 names 4 surviving children:

John Thomas Whaley (c. 1818-?) Bergen County NJ
Henry Hurst Whaley II (1820-1894) San Bernardino CA
Thomas Whaley (1823-1890) San Diego CA
Rachel Heiss (1825-1898) wife of William Brooklyn NY

Because he was one of the earliest American citizens to move to San Diego, son Thomas became a prominent local civic leader, despite his lack of business success. His house, the Whaley House of San Diego, is a tourist attraction because of its age and the tragic story of one of his daughters.

In addition to these four adult children Rachel and Thomas had several children who died young and are buried in the same plot with Rachel and Thomas:

Amelia Pye Whaley
Harriet Pye Whaley
Frederick Alexander Whaley
Araminta Amelia
Henry Hurst Whaley I

Because the remains of some of these young children were reburied in November 1865 it is difficult to know when exactly they died.

Sources:
Kings Co. Probate 1881 (Surrogate Court Brooklyn record room)
Brooklyn Death Certificate 1881 #4139
NYS Census 1865 Brooklyn NY Rachel is living with family of son John Thomas age 47

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 29 2023, 17:35:36 UTC