In 1636, news reached Boston that the Dutch settlers were coming up the Connecticut, and Lords Say and Seal called together their men and boys and hastened to the mouth of the river just in time to prevent the Dutch entering the river in their boats. [Ref 4: "Genealogy of the Whittelsey-Whittlesey Family" by Charles Barney Whittelsey, Hartford, CT]

The records of Saybrook from this time to 1670, were destroyed in the burning of the New London Halls of Record, where they were kept, but we find that "The Whittelseys" are mentioned as among the inhabitants of Middlesex county in 1648. [Ref 5: Field's statistical account of Middlesex County]

A letter from John Clark et al. in 1660, to Gov. John Winthrop at Hartford, because pay was refused men for cutting twenty acres of grass for Master Fenick's (Fenwick) farm. "We have sent up to your worship one of the men we employed in the service aforesaid. His name is John Whittlese, who can further inform you in the case propounded." [Ref 6: Mass. Hist. Coll., Vol. 9, "The Trumbull Papers"] He and William Dudley, also of Saybrook, ran a ferry service across the Connecticut River and Tullys Point. Apparently, the towns people rode the ferry for free, but strangers paid a toll, which they kept. As part of the deal, John Whittelsey and William Dudley were given land. Saybrook map

John Whittelse (sic) m at Saybrook 20 Jun 1664, Ruth DUDLEY b 20 Apr 1645, Guilford, CT dau of William and Jane (LUTMAN) DUDLEY. [Ref 7: Records of Saybrook, CT, Vol. 1, N. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 4, 1850]

Mr. John Whittelsey bought lands of William Lay in 1677 and 1678, and of Lyman Cunningham in 1679. He was among the representatives in the General Assembly elected for the town of Saybrook between 1644 and 1685; he was also elected representative in 1696, '97,'98,'99, and 1703; appointed Collector of Ministers' Rates, 1678; Townsman, 1697; Collector of Ministers' Rates in 1681 and '82. [Ref 8: 250th Anniversary of the Settlement of Saybrook, Pamph., History of Middlesex County, Colonial Records of Connecticut] One of a committee about land claimed by Capt. Chapman, 1683; one of a committee about controversy as to lands; and one of the attorneys, 1684. [Ref 9: Whittlesey Memorials, p. iv.] One of the Listers, 1685, the same year a witness as to town vote of land to James Ley; one of the "seaters" to seat people in the meeting house (i.e., to designate seats for persons and families for the year)1687; townsman, 1688, 1689; one of a committee "to suruay and setle the sayd road between Saybrook mill and Lieut. Joanes' mill, to above Samuel Buell's house in Kenllworth, or the most convenient place they can find to end," October, 1692. [Ref 10: Colonial Records of Connecticut, October, 1692, p. 85.] One with others to "grant land as they thought convenient to John Clark" and Collector of Ministers' Rates, 1693; was granted five acres of land at Tillys Point Plain, 1694; a committee was appointed to lay out land formerly granted to him in 1695. [Ref 9: Whittlesey Memorials.] Was one of a committee to run line between Saybrook and Haddam, 1688; townsman the same year; made freeman 5 Apr 1704 [Saybrook records.] He erected his house near the ferry, on the west bank of the river, the site of which remained in the family until very recent years. The ferry was conveyed to the town in 1839. He died 15 Apr 1704, forty years after his marriage; Mrs. Ruth (Dudley) Whittelsey d 27 Sep 1714.

The children of John and Ruth were:

2 John WHITTELSEY b 11 Dec 1665; m widow Hannah (Long) LARGE
3 Stephen WHITTELSEY b 3 Apr 1667; m Rebecca WATERUS
4 Ebenezer WHITTELSEY b 11 Dec 1669; Saybrook, CT. Was made a freeman 5 Apr 1704. United with the 1st Church of Saybrook, 12 Feb 1738.
5 Joseph WHITTELSEY b 15 Jun 1671; m Abigail CHAPMAN
6 Josiah WHITTELSEY b 11 Aug 1673, Saybrook; d 13 Apr 1681.
7 Jabez WHITTELSEY b 14 March 1675, m Lydia WAY
8 David WHITTELSEY b 20 June 1677, Saybrook; d 18 Feb 1767.
9 Eliphalet WHITTELSEY b 24 Jul 1679, m Mary PRATT
10 Ruth WHITTELSEY b 13 Apr 1681, Saybrook, d Wethersfield, CT
11 Sarah WHITTELSEY b 28 May 1683, Saybrook; United with the First Church of Saybrook in 1736.
12 Samuel WHITTELSEY b 1686, Saybrook

12 Samuel WHITTELSEY (John1) was b 1686 at Saybrook, CT. He graduated from Yale College at Saybrook, CT, in the class of 1705,one of five graduates. Mr. Whittelsey began his studies in Yale the year following the granting of the charter of that college, the second year of its existence. Mr. Whittelsey's name is among the list of the original proprietors of Wallingford, CT 20 July 1708, a committee of five invited "Mr. Whittelsey to preach, and, on September 20th the town by unanimous vot did confiearme the counties agreement with Mr. Whittelsey in order to his seatlement in the work of the minestry in our town." After preaching some time, the people, being satisfied with his labors, invited him by letter to become their pastor. In April, 1710, Rev. Mr. Whittelsey was installed as colleague with Rev. Mr. Street, where he continued until his death.

Rev. Samuel Whittelsey m 1 Jul 1712 Sarah CHAUNCEY, b 15 Sep 1683 in Hatfield, MA. [Saybrook Records, Vol. 1; Cothren's History Wodbury.] She was the daughter of Rev. Nathanial Chauncey. Mr. Whittelsey was a Fellow of Yale 1732 to 1752. "Mrs. Whittelsey kept a store of goods for the benefit of the parish, which, at that time, included all the inhabitants of the town." [Ref 11: Davis Hist. of Wallingford). Her house was the abode of hospitality even after the death of her husband. She was a woman of active mind and energy of character. The Governor of the State was in the habit of taking dinner at Mr. Whittelsey's when on the way to meet the legislature at New Haven. After the death of Rev. Mr. Whittelsey, he passed on without stopping, much to her dissatisfaction." "To think," said she, "that he should come to see us so often that his horse refused to go by without stopping until he was whipped, and now that he should refuse to stop and see me in my affliction!" Rev. Samuel Whittelsey d 15 Aug 1752, having nearly completed the 42nd year of his ministry. Mrs. Whittelsey d 20 or 23 Oct 1767, age 84. His will and inventory in the New Haven Probate record, Vol. VIII, show an estate of about £22,000.

+42 Samuel WHITTELSEY b 10 Jul 1713 at Wallingford, CT
43 Lois WHITTELSEY b 28 Nov I714; m Col. Elihu HALL
44 Chauncey WHITTELSEY b 8 Oct 1717; m 1st Elizabeth WHITING, m 2nd Martha NEWTON
45 Sarah WHITTELSEY b 19 Jan 1720; d 23 Aug 1725
46 Elisha WHITTELSEY b 19 Oct 1721; m Susannah HALL
47 Charles WHITTELSEY b 16 Jan 1723; d 25 Feb 1808, was an attorney; m 13 June 1751, Lucy HALL, b 29 Nov 1735; d 19 Oct 1768
48 Sarah WHITTELSEY b 20 Oct 1726; d 2 Nov 1741
49 Katherine WHITTELSEY b 26 Dec 1728; m Rev. James DANA, D.D.

42 Samuel WHITTELSEY (Samuel12, John1) b 10 Jul 1713 at Wallingford, CT; was graduated at Yale College in 1729, held the office of tutor in Yale from 1732 until 1738; A.M. at Yale and Harvard University. He held a tutorship at Yale and was invited to the church in Milford, CT as colleague pastor with Rev. Samuel Andrews. There was a disagreement with the congregation that resulted in formation of a second society. He was ordained 8 Nov 1738. On 21 Sep 1743 he m Susannah NEWTON b 14 Jan 1716, the daughter of Susannah BRYAN and the Hon. Col. Roger NEWTON. Mr. Whittelsey d 22 Oct 1768. Mrs. Susannah Whittlesey married the Honorable Jabez HAMLIN of Middletown, CT. Mrs. Hamlin d 10 May 1803.

The children of Samuel and Susannah were:

132 Samel WHITTELSEY b 3 Aug 1745; m Mary HUBBARD
133 Susannah WHITTELSEY b 26 Jan 1747; m Dr. Edward CARRINGTON
134 Sarah WHITTELSEY b 31 Oct 1749; m John CHANDLER
135 Roger Newton WHITTELSEY b 24 Feb 1754; m Ann WOODRUFF