William Whitmore, Sr.

William was the seventh child of Hannah Harris and Lieutenant Francis Whitmore, originally some of the first settlers of Middletown, having moved from Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1674.

Land records indicate he was a "Mariner" and perhaps operated his father's sloop prior to marriage to Rebeckah Bassett 18 April 1714 (New Haven Vital Records I, 113).

He received ownership of the stone bridge over Ferry River, which he operated as a toll bridge and also owned a nearby sawmill.

He and Rebeckah had ten children, the last having died at 10 weeks old, nine months prior to Rebeckah's death 30 October 1732. 1. William 5 May 1715- 2. Martha 8 March 1716-20 December 1767 3. Fitzjohn 18 January 1718- 4. Rebeckah 14 December 1720- 5. Sarah 10 January 1722-c. 1795 6. Solomon 25 January 1724- 7. Francis 17 January 1726-31 May 1790 8. Hannah 8 May 1728- 9. Joseph 13 February 1729- 10. Jedediah 29 October 1731-15 January 1732

On 22 February 1733, William married Abigail Ward, who was 29 years old. She was a daughter of Abigail Collins and William Ward. Some historians had concluded that she married William Jr.; however, he was only 17 at the time and Abigail Ward Whitmore later petitioned the Court for rights to the stone bridge, "built by her late husband, William Sr."

William would have three more children with second wife, Abigail Ward.

Estate appointed to be administered by his second wife, Abigail Ward Whitmore, 13 September 1751. Source: Middletown District Probate Records, I, 81.

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