Joseph Whiting was born on October 2, 1640 in Hartford, Connecticut and died on October 8, 1717 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was the son of Major William Whiting and Susanna Wiggin.
Joseph married Anne Allyn. Anne was born on August 18, 1652 in Hartford, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Colonel John Allyn and Anna Smith. She died on March 3, 1735 in New Haven, Connecticut. Then Joseph married Mary Pynchon on October 5, 1669.
Joseph was a merchant, first of Westfield, Massachusetts, later of Hartford whither he returned about the time of King Philip 's war. He was treasurer of th colony of Connecticut from 1678 until his death, a period of thirty-nine years. His son John succeeded him in this office and held it for thirty-two years. He was a wealthy and distinguished citizen.
King Philip’s War
William Bradford died in 1657. Massasoit died around 1660 and was succeeded by his son Wamsutta. With the passing of the first generation, the personal bonds which had maintained peace between the two very different groups were broken.
Tensions had long existed due to the two cultures’ different ways of life. Colonists' livestock trampling Native cornfields was a continuing problem. Competition for resources created friction. Regional economic changes forced many Natives to sell their land.
In 1662, in an arrogant attempt to exert control, colonial forces took Wampanoag leader Wamsutta at gunpoint to Plymouth. The Wampanoag were greatly angered when Wamsutta sickened and died shortly afterwards. Wamsutta's brother Metacom (King Philip) became leader and ultimately led his people into war to preserve their traditional way of life.
Colonist' hunger for land and their heavy-handed treatment of Natives led to one of the most disastrous wars in American history. The mysterious murder of John Sassamon, a Native liaison between the two groups, resulted in a complete breakdown in relations.
In 1675, the war, named for the Wampanoag leader Metacom (or King Philip), broke out in the town of Swansea. Hostilities spread north and west, soon threatening much of New England.
King Philip's War lasted little more than a year. Beginning in Plymouth Colony in June of 1675, the war spread throughout New England. Boston itself was threatened. Colonial resources and manpower ultimately prevailed.
King Philip's warriors attacked the town of Swansea in western Plymouth Colony in June of 1675. Encouraged by success, they carried the war to neighboring Plymouth Colony towns. In August of 1675, hostilities expanded to the Connecticut River Valley; many settlements were burned. In December, Philip's winter quarters in Rhode Island's Great Swamp were destroyed in a crucial colonial victory. In February of 1676, Native forces swept east; Boston seemed threatened. War returned to Plymouth Colony, with a raid in Plymouth itself. Colonists considered abandoning the frontier, but time was on their side. By June of 1676, the tide of war had turned. Native forces, lacking food, manpower and arms, retreated. King Philip's death at Mount Hope in August 1676 effectively ended the war.
Not all Native Peoples sided with King Philip. Native soldiers joining with the colonists helped turned the tide of war. Those Natives who fought alongside the English or remained neutral were, however, not always trusted by the English. Many Native neutrals were interned on outlying islands under inhumane conditions.
The war ended in 1676 when Philip was killed by a Wampanoag soldier in Captain Benjamin Church's force.
King Philip’s War resulted in the destruction of families and communities, Native and colonist alike, throughout New England. It took decades for the colonists to recover from the loss of life, the property damage and the huge military expenditures.
The war was devastating for Native Peoples. Entire families were sold into slavery abroad; others were forced to become servants locally. The Wampanoag had to adapt aspects of their culture to survive; their political independence ended. Nevertheless, Native Peoples continued to live in Plymouth Colony. Many maintained tribal ties and a strong sense of community.
Source: http://www.pilgrimhall.org/philipwar.htm
Submitted by Ruth H. Barker, 2010
Uploaded by Emily Barker Farrer, 2010