Person:Valentine Wightman (15)

BIOGRAPHY: George Wightman of Quidnessett, R.I. (1632 - 1721/2) and Descendants Compiled by Mary Ross Whitman Chicago, Illinois 1939 Page 80

  Capt. Valentine Wightman was a master mariner, engaged in coast-wise trade out of Wickford, North Kingstown. The records show orders drawn on the Town Council for services rendered and for cargoes delivered.
  During the War for Independence he commanded a privateer, "Lady Washington" commissioned 24 Aug. 1776. In this commission his name is spelled Volentine Whightman, Jr. (Rev. files, R. I. Serv., State House, Providence).
  Following the War, the family removed from Rhode Island to South Shaftsbury, Vt., probably about 1783. The Rhode Island census of 1782 shows him still a resident of No. Kingston, and a child was born there that year; but the younger children were probably all born in Vermont. It is family tradition that Barbara was determined that their son William should not follow the sea, the boy having already made a trip to Boston as cabin boy, and as her family the Olins had gone to So. Shaftsbury, Vt., they removed thither. They remained in So. Shaftsbury until after 1790 (census), but were residents of Norway, Herkimer Co., N.Y. in 1800 (census). The lived in their later years in Madison Co., N. Y. all of their children have located there or in Oneida County. The graves of both are in a rural neighborhood cemetery about two and  a half miles south of the village of of Clockville in Madison Co., called the Whitman Cemetery. Their descendants have generally called the family name Whitman.

Note. Barbara (Olin), wife of Capt. Valentine Wightman, was first cousin of Mercy (Carr), wife of Capt. Valentine's brother, James Wightman. Their mothers, Susannah Pierce and Elizabeth Pierce, were daughters of Jeremiah Pierce of East Greenwich, R.I.