JAMES and ABRAHAM WHITEHILL of Basilee, Inchinnan, Renfrew, Scotland, purchased in 1748 six lots in the northwest corner of the town Ryegate, Caledonia Co., VT. which are called the "Witherspoon tract". In 1795 the tract was visited by John Holmes, who returning to Scotland, recommended it to James and Abraham WHITEHILL as a place of settlement. The land was divided between the brothers James and Abraham, the former taking the three south lots, and the latter the three north lots. These brothers reared large families and their descendants are very numerous. Prof. N.J. WHITEHILL of White River Junction visited Scotland a few years ago (before 1913) [REF:#003] and identified the farm of RASHIELEE from which James and Abraham WHITEHILL came.

See: Renfrew, Scotland (Rinn Frił in Scottish Gaelic) is a town, located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Glasgow on the west coast of Scotland. Traditionally, Renfrew is the county town of the Renfrewshire used for local government until the reorganisation of 1975, with its name surviving in the modern Renfrewshire local authority area in which Renfrew falls. The town is located at the confluence of the River Clyde and the River Cart. A passenger ferry crosses the Clyde to Yoker and a bascule bridge crosses the Cart to Inchinnan and Glasgow International Airport.

Ship Name: "Abyssinia"  Port of Departure: "Liverpool, England" -  Port of Arrival: "New York, United States"  Arrival Date: 07 May 1879

It's been reported by: TAYLOR COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY. "Naturalizations, Taylor County, Iowa, 1858-1906." In Hawkeye Heritage (Iowa Genealogical Society), vol. 28:2 (Summer 1993), pp. 98-102. Page: 100

Caledonia Co., VT. Formed: 1796 from Original County, County Seat: St. Johnsbury, VT. Located in the Eastern part of County; Bounded by: Lyndon on the North; Kirby on the East; Waterford on the South; with Danville on the West (First Census, 1800; 1895 Calendonia Co., VT.  St Johnsbury, VT.

1800 Bought 600 acres, Ryegate, Vermont

" He [Dr. WithersPoon] visited Ryegate and Barnet several times where he preached and baptized children. His oldest son, John, came to Ryegate about 1775, and settled on what is still called the "Witherspoon tract" of 600 acres, in the northwest corner of the town, where he began to clear land, and erected some kind of habitation. He entered the Continental Army, became an aid to General Washington, and fell at the battle of Germantown. This tract, about 1800, was bought by James and Abraham WHITEHILL, at which time the land cleared by Major Witherspoon was covered by a second growth of trees. The spot where this unfortunate gentleman lived is still pointed out. [In the historical sketch of Caledonia Co., written by Rev. Thomas Goodwillie, he says. "On one of his visits to Ryegate Dr. Witherspoon rode the saddle on which his son sat at the battle of Germantown, and which bore the mark of the ball which killed him.] "   Source: History of Ryegate, Vermont; New YORK, 23d. Feb. 1774 - Rev. Dr. WithersPoon See: Chapter VI, Page 6.  <---See: [FOPC©-REF:#003]

History of Ryegate, Vermont - Chapter XIV  In 1798, James WHITEHILL, who has been spoken of as the father of the Covenanting churches in Ryegate and Barnet, came and settled on the Witherspoon tract, to which he was followed, two years later, by his brother Abraham WHITEHILL. These brothers, who were men of good education and deep religious spirit, holding from their youth the principles of the. Covenanters and able to defend them, were the nucleus of the society.   Source: History of Ryegate, Vermont; New YORK, 23d. Feb. 1774 - THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH See: Chapter 14.  <---See: [FOPC©-REF:#003]

1. JAMES,1 WHITEHILL; b. __ ___ 1743 Inchlman, Renfrewshire, Scotland d. 14 Aug 1835, a92y at Ryegate, VT. Buried in the Walter Harvey Cemetery, Ryegate, VT. At a29y he married first c1772, in Scotland to the 29 year old Miss MARY MITCHELL; 5Ch. (d/o M/M MITCHELL) b. __ ___ 1743, Inchlman, Renfrewshire, Scotland d. bfore 1792 age 4yyrs in Scotland; Buried: Cemetery Location Unknown (to me) At age 49yrs he married second 1792, in Scotland to 24 year old Miss MARY CALDWELL; 6Ch. (d/o M/M CALDWELL) b. __ ___ 1816, Inchlman, Renfrewshire, Scotland d. 14 Nov 1834; age 18yrs? or 36yrs and is buried next to her husband in the Walter Harvey Cemetery, Ryegate, VT. They came to Ryegate, VT. in 1798, and built first a log house and in 1808 a stone house; He was the founder of the Reformed Presbyterian Church "Covenanter" in Ryegate and its first elder, holding the office till his death; a church member about 64 years; It appears he was well educated with an extensive knowledge of ecclesiastical history.

FIRST MARRIAGE: c1772 Miss Mary MITCHELL, 5Ch. (1 Son & 4 Dau's) [per REF:015, Pg291]
Son/Dau	Click on Name for More Inf.	b.-d.	Married/Info.	Ch.
1.1. 1st Dau:	Elizabeth WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1773-1860 a87yrs	m. John DUNN, Pg558 Not traced!	?Ch.
1.2. 2nd Dau:	Agnes WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1776-1845 a69yrs	m. Alexander HOLMES, Pg558 Not traced!	?Ch.
1.3. 3rd Dau:	Mary, Jr. WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1779-1856 a77yrs	m. John McLAUGHLIN, Pg558 Not traced!	?Ch.
1.4. 4th Dau:	Christian WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1782-1819 a37yrs	m. John CALSWELL, Pg558 Not traced!	?Ch.
1.5. Only Son:	John,1 WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1786-1849 a63yrs VT.	m. 1st Anna WELCH, Pg558	8Ch.
"2nd"	"2nd"	"2nd"	m. 2nd Betsy EMERY, Not traced!	?Ch.
SECOND MARRIAGE: c1792 Miss Mary CALDWELL, 6Ch. (3 Sons & 3 Dau's) [per REF:015, Pg291]
Son/Dau	Click on Name for More Inf.	b.-d.	Married/Info.	Ch.
1.6. 1st Son:	James,2 WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1793-1867 a74yrs VT.	m. *1817 VT. Janet GARDNER, Pg559	11Ch.
1.7. 1st Dau:	Jean,1 WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1795-1873 a78yrs VT.	m. William JOHNSTON, Pg558	?Ch.
1.8. 2nd Dau:	Janet,1 WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1797-1798 a 1yr VT.	d. of small pox on the boat to America. Pg558
1.9. 2nd Son:	William,1 WHITEHILL,	VT. 1801-1878 a77yr IA.	m. c1832, VT. Mary,2 GARDNER,	3Ch.
1.10. 3rd Son:	Abraham,3 WHITEHILL,	VT. 1805-1881 a76yr VT.	m. *1834 VT. Janet HOLMS, Pg559	6Ch.
1.11. 3rd Dau:	Margaret WHITEHILL,	VT. 18??-18?? a??yr ??.	m. *1836 VT. Lewis PAGE, Pg558	?Ch.
28  Known Grandchildren/1st Cousins

2. ABRAHAM WHITEHILL, younger brother of James WHITEHILL, b. __ ___ 1759, Inchinnan, Scotland; d. 14 Aug 1813, age 54yrs at Ryegate, VT. Buried: Groton Peacham Cemetery, Ryegate, VT. was a farmer and road maker in Scotland; At age 22yrs he married on 12 Dec 1781, Ryegate, Vermont to 20 year old Miss Elizabeth PATTERSON; b. __ ___ 1761, of Govan, Scotland d. 19 Nov 1841, age 80yrs, Ryegate, VT. Buried: Groton Peacham Cemetery, Ryegate, VT. They came to Ryegate, VT. in 1800; His brother having preceded him by two years had made ready for him and built a log house; c1812 he built a stone house after the style then common in Scotland, used as a dwelling until abt 1858; he d 14 Aug 1813; she d 19 Nov 1841, age 80; Bur. Groton Peacham Cemetery; "he possessed good business ability and acquired a good estate; He brought from Scotland a small library of religious works with which he was familiar; Both were attached to Covenanting principles in Scotland and America and were original members of the Ref. Pres. Church.

They had at least 11 Children born to this Union: (6 Sons & 4 Dau's) [per REF:015, Pg291]
Son/Dau	Click on Name for More Inf.	b.-d.	Married/Info.	Ch.
2.1. 1st Dau:	Mary WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1782-18?? a??yrs ??.	Pg564 Only name & date of birth recorded in Scotland!
2.2. 2nd Dau:	Agnes "Nancy" WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1784-1830 a46yrs VT.	Pg564 Never Married, lived with Mother, VT.
2.3. 1st Son:	John WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1786-1830 a52yrs VT.	m. *1811 VT. Pg564 Hannah Darling; went west to Joliet, IL.	7Ch.
2.4. 3rd Dau:	Elizabeth WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1788-1863 a75yrs VT.	m. Pg564 Ezra GATES, Not Traced!	?Ch.
2.5. 2nd Son:	Abraham, Jr. WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1790-1813 a23yrs VT.	Pg564 killed by the falling of a tree 30 days before father's death!
2.6. 3rd Dau:	Jean WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1792-18?? a??yrs VT.	Pg564 Not Traced!
2.7. 3rd Son:	James WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1794-1877 a83yrs VT.	m. *1827 VT. Pg564 Margaret HOLMS,	1Ch.
2.8. 4th Dau:	Unknown WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1796-1796 a 1day SCT.	Pg564 a "Lassie" born in Scotland, Jan 1796.
2.9. 4th Son:	William, WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1797-1885 a88yrs VT.	m. *1834 VT. Pg565 1st Mary CRAIG,	6Ch.
"2nd"	"2nd"	"2nd"	m. *1847 VT. Pg565 2nd Lucina BINGHAM,	0Ch.
2.10. 5th Son:	Peter WHITEHILL,	SCT. 1797-1885 a88yrs VT.	m. c1831 VT. Pg565 1st Elizab DUNN,	9Ch.
"2nd"	"2nd"	"2nd"	m. 2nd Pata Eliza WHITEHILL,	0Ch.
2.11. 6th Son:	Andrew WHITEHILL,	VT. 1804-1870 a66yrs VT.	m. *1837 VT. Pg566 Isabel CRAIG, Not Traced!	4Ch.
27  Known Grandchildren/1st Cousins!