Henry Withington

     Henry Withington was baptized on 22 February 1590 at Leigh, Lancaster, England. He was the son of George Withington and Margaret Pinington. Henry Withington married Anne Leech in September 1615 at Leigh, Lancaster, England. Henry Withington married Elizabeth Smith on 30 September 1622 at Leigh, Lancaster, England. Henry Withington married Margery Turner in June 1662 at Dorchester, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts. Henry Withington died on 2 February 1666 at Dorchester, Suffolk Co, Massachusetts, at age 75.
     According to an article in the Register [NEHGR, Vol 74 (1921), p. 143], Henry Withington, his second wife, Elizabeth Smith, and his four children probably came to Dorchester by way of the "James", arriving 16 August 1635.
He was one of the signers of the Covenant by which the Dorchester Church was founded, and was the first ruling elder there, holding that office some 29 years until his death. He was active in both town and church affairs, and shared in the division of Dorchester lands. He was a blacksmith by trade and was one of the founders of the first ironworks in the American Colonies, on Mill River in Taunton. James Leonard, Sr obviously intended to name the works after Henry Withington, but the name was somewhat corrupted to "Whittington" and "Whittenton". His will was written 8 November 1664 and his estate was valued at more than 850 pounds on 6 March 1666/7.
Again, according the Register article [written by Frederic Scherer Withington of Des Moines, Iowa], "Many records attest the fact that he was universally beloved, respected and trusted. Rev. Richrad Mather called him `Beloved Friend', and made him overseer of his will in 1664. Rev. Samuel Danforth said of him: "A man that excelled in wisdom, meekness and goodness".