WHIPPLE, William, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Kittery, Maine, 14 January, 1730; died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 28 November, 1785. His father, William, a native of Ipswich, Massachusetts, was bred as a maltster, but, removing to Kittery, engaged in a seafaring life for several years. The son was educated at a public school in his native town, and afterward became a sailor, having command of a vessel before he was twenty-one years of age. He engaged in the European, West India, and African trade, and brought large numbers of negro slaves to this country, but afterward, during the Revolution, liberated those that belonged to him. In 1759 he abandoned the sea entirely and entered into business in Portsmouth with his brother Joseph, which connection lasted till about two years previous to the Revolution. At an early period of the contest between the colonies and Great Britain he took a decided part in favor of the former. He was elected a delegate from New Hampshire to the Continental congress in 1775, taking his seat in May, was re-elected, 23 January, 1776, took his seat on 29 February following, and signed the Declaration of Independence in July. He was re-elected to congress in 1778, and declined to be chosen again, but was a member of the state assembly in 1780-'4. He was commissioned a brigadier-general in 1777, commanded a brigade of New Hampshire troops at the battles of Saratoga and Stillwater, and, after the surrender of Burgoyne, signed the articles of capitulation with Colonel James Wilkinson on behalf of General Horatio Gates. General Whipple was afterward selected as one of the officers under whose charge the British troops were conducted to their place of encampment on Winter hill, near Boston. In 1778 he participated in General Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island, and he resigned his military appointment, 20 June, 1782. In 1780 he was appointed a commissioner of the board of admiralty, which post he declined. He was state superintendent of finances in 1782-'4, appointed judge of the supreme court, 20 June, 1782, and justice of the peace and quorum throughout the state in December, 1784, and acted in this capacity till his death.