William Whipple
| William Whipple | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Walter Gilman Page
|
|
| Born |
January 14, 1730 Kittery, Maine |
| Died | November 28, 1785 (aged 55) New Hampshire |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 Continental Army New Hampshire Militia |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held | New Hampshire Militia (Bellow's Regiment of Militia, Chase's Regiment of Militia, Moore's Regiment of Militia, Welch's Regiment of Militia) |
| Battles/wars | American Revolution, Battle of Saratoga, Bemis Heights, Battle of Bennington, Battle of Rhode Island |
| Spouse(s) | Catherine Moffat Whipple |
| Signature |  |
William Whipple, Jr. (January 25, 1731 NS (January 14, 1730 OS – November 28, 1785) was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Hampshire. Whipple was a member of the Continental congress from 1776 through 1779. Before becoming a politician, Whipple worked as both a ship's captain and a merchant. He studied in college to become a judge. Whipple died of heart complications in 1785, aged 55.
Whipple was born in Kittery in southern Maine, to Captain William Whipple Sr. and his wife Mary (née Cutt), and educated at a common school studying how to be a merchant, judge, and a soldier until he went off to sea. He became a Ship's Master at the age of 21. He married his first cousin Catherine Moffat in 1767. Whipple and his wife moved into the now historic Moffatt-Ladd House on Market Street in Portsmouth in 1769. They had a son, William Whipple III, who died in infancy.
Whipple was an active member of the Freemasons. Whipple was a member of the St. John's Masonic Lodge while he was an active mason. He was one of nine signatories of the Declaration of Independence who were masons.
Whipple earned his fortune participating in the Triangle trade of the West Indies and Africa. Whipple became an established and affluent captain, with cargo such as wood, rum, and on at least one occasion, slaves. His trading activities may have been primarily confined to the West Indies. In 1759 he landed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and in partnership with his brother established himself as a merchant.
Whipple, a trusted and well respected member of society, was elected to the New Hampshire Provincial Congress before being selected as a representative of New Hampshire in the Continental Congress. There, Whipple was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Whipple was appointed New Hampshire tax collector in 1782 by the Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris.
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Wikipedia