Profile Text
Whitman in 1887, by George C. Cox, restored by Adam Cuerden
Birth Name: Walter Whitman
Date of Birth: May 31, 1819
Place of Birth: West Hills, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: March 26, 1892
Place of Death: Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, Dutch, Welsh
Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist.
Walt was the son of Louisa (Van Velsor) and Walter Whitman. Among his ancestors were Puritans who had moved to Huntington in the 1600s.
Walt’s paternal grandfather was Jesse W. Whitman (the son of Nehemiah Whitman and Phoebe/Phebe “Sarah” White). Jesse was born in New York. Nehemiah was the son of John Whitman and Ann Snedeker.
Walt’s paternal grandmother was Hannah Platt Brush (the daughter of Tredwell Brush and Hannah Platt). Hannah was born in New York. Tredwell was the son of Isaac Brush and Sarah Platt. Hannah was the daughter of Epenetus Platt and Sarah Scudder.
Walt’s maternal grandfather was Cornelius Van Velsor (the son of Garrett Van Velsor and Margrietje/Maragrieta Pegge Rydar/Ryder). Cornelius was born in New York. Margrietje was the daughter of Maretie Demarest.
Walt’s maternal grandmother was Naomi Amy Williams (the daughter of John Williams and Mary Woolley). Naomi was born in New York.
Sources: The Solitary Singer: A Critical Biography of Walt Whitman , 1955, by Gay Wilson Allen
Genealogies of Walt Whitman – https://famouskin.com https://www.wikitree.com https://www.geni.com
Walt Whitman on the 1850 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org