History of Alexander Whitaker

History of Alexander Whitaker

from Bill Whitakers book, attached as a source.

The first Whitaker to immigrate to the colonies was Reverend Alexander Whitaker. He graduated with a Master of Arts degree in 1604 from St. John's College, where his father, William Whitaker, was Master. Alexander Whitaker became a minister of

the Church of England. Prior to Reverend Whitaker's sailing for Jamestown, one of his fellow ministers had this to say about him. "I hereby let all men know that a scholar, a preacher, a graduate, well-born and befriended in England, not in debt or disgrace, but completely provided for, liked and beloved where he lived; rich in possession, and more in possibility of himself, without any persuasion but God and his own heart, did voluntarily leave his warm nest and to the wonder of his kindred and the amazement of those who knew him, undertook his hard, but in my judgment, heroic resolution to go to Virginia and help bear the name of God to the gentiles." In 1611, Reverend Whitaker went with Sir Thomas Dale to Jamestown, where in 1614, he married John Rolfe and Pocahontas in the recently founded St.

John's Church. In 1616, he baptized Pocahontas. While crossing the James River in 1617, Alexander Whitaker was drowned. His will, proven August 4, 1617, lists brothers and sisters, but no record of a wife or children was found.