Whipple, William, 1731-1785

William Whipple Jr. (January 25, 1731 [O.S. January 14, 1730] – November 28, 1785) was an American Founding Father and signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence. He represented New Hampshire as a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 through 1779. He worked as both a ship's captain and a merchant and studied in college to become a judge.

Born in Kittery, Massachusetts Bay (now part of Maine), Whipple was educated at a common school until he went off to sea, becoming a Ship's Master at age 21. He earned his fortune participating in the Triangle trade of the West Indies and Africa, with cargo such as wood, rum, and enslaved humans. He established himself as a merchant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1759. In 1775, New Hampshire dissolved the British Royal government and organized a House of Representatives and an Executive Council known collectively as a Provincial Congress, and Whipple was elected to represent Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He became a member of the Committee of Safety. Whipple was then elected to the Continental Congress, and he signed the United States Declaration of Independence.

Whipple was given his first commission by the New Hampshire Provincial Congress in 1777. At Saratoga, Whipple was placed in command of a brigade, consisting of four regiments of militia. After the war, Whipple became an Associate Justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire. He suffered from a heart ailment, and died in Portsmouth after fainting from atop his horse while traveling his court circuit. He was buried in what is now the North Cemetery.