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Fifth Generation
58. Robert
Theophilus WHALEY was born in 1616 in Kirkston, England.
He died on 14 Feb 1719/20 in West Greenwich, Kent, Rhode Island.
He was also known as Robert Whaley Whaley. He was buried at Hopkins
Hill Cementery, South Point, Maryland.
BIOGRAPHY: Robert Whaley changed his name to Theophilus when he came to Rhode
Island to hide from King George. Then moved to Viginia because of religious reasons.
When his wife died he lived with his daughter, Theodosia Spencer. He died in
1720 at the age of 104. Was buried with military respects. [-Kory Long]
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Theophilus came to Virginia before he had reached his majority and served there
in a military capacity, but soon returned to England and was an officer in the
Parliamentary army. In 1649 his regiment took part in the execution of King Charles
I.
In 1660 he came again from England to Virginia and married while in Virginia,
where part of his children were born. He lived in Farnham Parish, Rappahannock
County, VA.
In 1680 he came to Kings Town, R.I., his departure from Virginia being occasioned
by a difference in religious views from his neighbors, he being a Baptist. His
residence was near the head of Pettaquamscut Pond in what is now South Kingstown.
He lived by fishing, weaving and teaching, being conversant with Hebrew, Greek,
and Latin, and his services as a penman were brought into requisition in executing
the deeds and papers of his neighbors. The visits of distinguished men from Boston
and other places, and his silence.
In regard to his previous history, perhaps account for the persistently held
tradition that he was one of the regicide judges and had signed the death warrant
of King Charles. Much of mystery still clings to his history notwithstanding
the great service done by Rev. Dr. Stiles in his account of this interesting
personage. The town record gives but sparse items concerning him, and he seemed
to shrink from public office, though he occasionally appears as witness to a
will or deed. It has been conjectured that Theophilus Whaley may have been identical
with Robert Whaley, a brother of Edward, the Regicide, and that he may have changed
his name for some reasons connected with the execution of King Charles.
On 30 Jan 1710 he had 120 acres in East Greenwich conveyed to him from the proprietors
of the tract of land now comprising West Greenwich. On 20 Feb 1711 he and wife
Elizabeth deeded to son Samuel for love, etc., 120 acres in East Greenwich.
He moved in the latter part of his life to the house of his son-in-law Joseph
Hopkins, situated in what is now West Greenwich. He was buried with military
honors on Hopkins Hill. [-Gregg Clark, gclarkfoxintl@msn.com]
Robert Whaley was the brother of Edward the Regicide and served as Lieutenant
in Heckler's Regiment. Heckler's Regiment was responsible for conducting the
execution of Charles I. [-Robin Brown]
Robert Theophilus WHALEY and Elizabeth MILLS were married on 7 Feb 1664/65
in Old Rappahannock, Virginia. Elizabeth
MILLS was born on 5 Mar 1644/45 in Old Rappahannock, Virginia.
She died in 1715 in South Kingston, Washington, Rhode Island. She
is buried in the Hopkins Cemetery on Hopkins Hill Road. Her stone is in the front
row on the left side if you enter the yard through the gate. - Robin Brown Robert
Theophilus WHALEY and Elizabeth MILLS had the following children:
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