William Adee Whitehead
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William Adee Whitehead | |
|---|---|
_by_Henry_Peters_Gray.jpg) Portrait of William A. Whitehead by Henry Peters Gray | |
| Born | February 19, 1810 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | August 8, 1884 (aged 74) Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | Elizabeth Parker |
William Adee Whitehead (February 19, 1810 – August 8, 1884) was an American historian, surveyor, customs official, and public servant. He is recognized for his contributions to the early history of New Jersey and Florida. He conducted one of the first surveys of Key West in 1829, and was subsequently appointed to several government positions there.
Biography
William Adee Whitehead was born on February 19, 1810, in Newark, New Jersey. His father, William Whitehead, served as cashier of the Newark Banking and Insurance Company, and his mother was Abby Coe, daughter of Benjamin and Bethia Coe.[1] He was born in a brick building that functioned as both the family residence and a banking office; the structure was later demolished, and the site became home to the New Jersey Historical Society, where Whitehead would spend much of his later years engaged in historical research and writing, serving as the Society's secretary until his death.[2] Whitehead’s early education was limited. He attended several local primary schools and later enrolled at the Newark Academy.[3] After less than two years, he completed his formal schooling.[1]
Following his family's relocation to Perth Amboy, Whitehead was employed by the bank where his father served as cashier. He initially worked as a traveling circulator, transporting large sums of currency, and was later appointed as a bank messenger. During this period, he pursued self-education in French, elocution, and drawing, and began developing his interest in literary work. In 1828, Whitehead traveled to Key West with the intention of entering mercantile business with his elder brother John, but instead found employment as a surveyor.[1][4][5]
While in Key West as a surveyor, Whitehead was appointed "Collector of the Port", a post he held from 1830 until 1838. During his tenure on the island, he also served as a member of the town council and was elected mayor. He played a prominent role in civic development, contributing to the founding of a local newspaper and the promotion of education. He helped in establishing the first Episcopal congregation in Key West, and in recognition of his public service, both a point of land and a street were named in his honor.[1][4][5]
In 1838, Whitehead relocated to New York City, where he entered the stock brokerage business and spent nearly five years in that business. During this period, he gained access to the collections of the New York Historical Society and began developing his lifelong interest in New Jersey history. He authored a series of historical essays titled Glimpses of the Past for the Newark Daily Advertiser. After 1848, Whitehead entered the service of the Astor Insurance Company. For three years he held several administrative positions in the transportation and finance sectors, serving as secretary of the New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Company and later as treasurer of the New York and Harlem Railroad. He then returned to the New Jersey Railroad, where he remained until 1871. From 1871 to 1879, he was affiliated with the American Trust Company of New Jersey. Though he continued to conduct business in New York for some years, after 1813 his residence was in Newark.[1]
Personal life
Whitehead married Margaret Elizabeth Parker, daughter of James Parker of Perth Amboy, on August 11, 1834. The couple had three children: two sons and a daughter. He died in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on August 8, 1884.[1]
Selected works
- East Jersey under the Proprietary Governments (1846) LCCN 01014493
- Papers of Lewis Morris, Governor of New Jersey, with memoir and notes (Newark: New Jersey Historical Society, 1852)
- Contributions to the Early History of Perth Amboy and Adjoining Country (1856) ISBN 9780722202760
- An Analytical Index to the Colonial Documents of New Jersey (Newark: New Jersey Historical Society, 1858) ISBN 9780530903477
- Proceedings commemorative of the settlement of Newark, New Jersey (Newark: New Jersey Historical Society, 1866)
- Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, [1631-1776] (1880) LCCN 02027145
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Whitehead, William A. (1885). William Adee Whitehead: A Memorial Sketch. Newark: New Jersey Historical Society. pp. 183–185. OCLC 1987126.
- ↑ De Wolfe, Elizabeth; De Wolfe, Scott (July 2009). "William Adee Whitehead's Visit to the Shakers: Introduction". American Communal Societies QuarterlyAmerican Communal Societies Quarterly. 3 (3): 138–140. Archived from the original on July 9, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Report of the Council", American Antiquarian Society. Accessed July 28, 2025. "William Adee Whitehead, A.M., was born February 19, 1810, in Newark, New Jersey. His father, William Whitehead, was the first cashier of the Newark Banking and Insurance Company, the first bank chartered in New Jersey. His mother was Abby Coe, a member of a family identified with the history of Newark. As a boy he attended several schools, among them the Newark Academy. In his fourteenth year he removed with his father to Perth Amboy."
- 1 2 Guderian, Gregory J. (2022). "On the Way to the Key West: William A. Whitehead's Passage to Florida, 1830–1831". The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature. 29: 1–5.
- 1 2 Whitehead, William Adee (1952). Patrick, Rember W. (ed.). "William Adee Whitehead's Description of Key West" (PDF). Tequesta. 12: 8–20. Retrieved July 11, 2025.