Joseph Whiton
Joseph Whiton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Berkshire County district | |
| In office May 1813 – May 1815 Serving with Wolcott Hubbell | |
| Preceded by | William Towner & Samuel Barstow |
| Succeeded by | Timothy Child & William P. Walker |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the Berkshire County district | |
In office
| |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 9, 1759 Chatham, Connecticut Colony, British America |
| Died | August 16, 1828 (aged 68) Lee, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Resting place | Fairmount Cemetery, Lee, Massachusetts |
| Spouse |
Amanda Garfield
(m. 1793–1828) |
| Children |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Connecticut militia Massachusetts militia |
| Years of service | 1776–1777 1780–1782 1812–1815 |
| Rank | Major General, Mass. |
| Unit |
|
| Commands | 9th Div. Mass. Militia |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War War of 1812 |
Joseph Whiton (November 9, 1759 – August 16, 1828) was an American farmer, merchant, and politician from Lee, Massachusetts. He served through much of the American Revolutionary War as an enlisted man and junior officer in Connecticut militia regiments. He later served as a major general in the Massachusetts militia, and commanded the defense of Boston during the War of 1812. Whiton also served nine years as a member of the Massachusetts General Court, serving in both the Massachusetts Senate and Massachusetts House of Representatives, and served as a justice of the Massachusetts Court of Common Pleas.
All three of Whiton's sons became judges. Most notably, his youngest son, Edward V. Whiton, became the first elected chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.