Whipple Family Genealogy & History

William Whipple Jr. (1731-1785) was a prominent American Founding Father and signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence. Representing New Hampshire, he served in the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1779. Whipple had a diverse career as a ship's captain, merchant, and eventually a judge. He played a vital role during the Revolutionary War, commanding militia regiments at the Battle of Saratoga and contributing to the surrender negotiations of General Burgoyne. His actions were instrumental in the American victory, and he was known for freeing his enslaved servant, Prince Whipple, reflecting his commitment to liberty.

William Whipple was born in Kittery, Massachusetts Bay, now Maine, to Captain William Whipple Sr. and Mary Cutt. He married his first cousin, Catherine Moffat, and they lived in the Moffatt-Ladd House in Portsmouth. Whipple was a descendant of Samuel Appleton, an early settler in Massachusetts. His family background in shipping and trade, including the triangular trade, laid the foundation for his successful career as a merchant in Portsmouth.

Allen Oldfather Whipple (1881-1963) was a pioneering American surgeon renowned for developing the Whipple procedure and Whipple's triad. He served as a professor of surgery at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center from 1921 to 1946. Whipple's groundbreaking work in pancreatic cancer surgery significantly advanced medical practice. He was instrumental in founding the American Board of Surgery and advised Virginia Apgar, contributing to the creation of the Apgar Score used in neonatal care. His efforts earned him the 1958 Woodrow Wilson Award, and his legacy is honored at the Wooster School in Connecticut.

Allen Whipple was born in Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran, to missionary parents William Levi Whipple and Mary Louise Whipple (née Allen).

Prince Whipple (c. 1750–1796) was an African American who transitioned from slavery to freedom during the American Revolution. Serving as a soldier and bodyguard under General William Whipple of the New Hampshire Militia, Prince is famously depicted in Emanuel Leutze's iconic painting "Washington Crossing the Delaware." Despite early restrictions preventing Black soldiers from serving, Prince's dedication allowed him to fight for the colonists, ultimately earning his freedom in 1784. His commitment and bravery also led him to join other freed slaves in the 1779 Freedom Petition in Portsmouth, advocating for the inherent right to liberty.

Prince Whipple was born in Ambou, Africa, to comparatively wealthy parents. At around ten years old, he was sent to America with a cousin for education but was betrayed, sold into slavery, and brought to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His elder brother had previously returned to Africa after studying, highlighting the family's emphasis on education. Prince eventually married a freewoman named Dinah, with whom he had two children.

Dorothy Whipple, an acclaimed English writer born on February 26, 1893, in Blackburn, Lancashire, earned recognition for her popular fiction and children's books. Known as the "Jane Austen of the 20th Century," her novels such as "They Were Sisters" and "They Knew Mr. Knight" became feature films. Her works experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 2000s, with Persephone Books republishing six of her novels. Whipple's writing career spanned decades, with notable works including "Someone at a Distance" and "Greenbanks," making her a significant figure in 20th-century literature.

Dorothy Whipple was born Dorothy Stirrup to Walter Stirrup, a local architect, and Ada Cunliffe in Blackburn. She grew up as one of several children in a happy household, reflecting her Lancashire roots.