William was born on December 28, 1805, birthplace not known. His parents were Philo Huntley (Sr.) (9/18/1761 – 7/27/1855) and Hannah (Reid) Huntley (1781 – 2/201855). Philo Sr. was born in Colchester CT. Both he and his wife are buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London. They had nine children, three of whom were engaged in the whaling business: William, Philo (AM2780, born in 1814), and George (AM2770, born in 1816). While not appearing in AOWV, New London Crew Lists shows Philo Sr. serving as a crew member on several ships, but none could be verified. He was issued Seaman’s Protection Certificate #3133 on October 11, 1806, the certificate showing him as age 25 and born in Colchester.
A family history book (see Sources) provides information about the children of William and Hannah, his parents, particularly William (#683). “William, b. Dec. 28, 1805, known as Captain and probably a sea captain. Died Mar, 16, 1882 and buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery. He married Oct. [?] 1846 Frances E. Bolles of Livonia, N.Y., b. Middleton about 1809 died August 3, 1884 daughter of – – and Sarah Bolles. No children”. Decennial census reports for Waterford CT for 1850-1880 record William living with Frances with ages generally consistent with their birth dates. William is shown consistently as “farmer”. In some of the reports, shown living with William and Frances are names of young people who could have been their children, but there is no consistent name, so it is questionable whether they were their children. Note the family history says “no children”.
William died on March 16, 1882 and is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London where other members of his family are buried.
William served as master for only one voyage on one ship, home port New London:
COLUMBUS (AS0143): (brig, 153 tons, length 73 ft., built in Westport MA in 1822, condemned in “Johanna” in September 1850). She sailed on May 28, 1844 for the Atlantic, returning on March 16, 1846. Dennis Wood Abstract 2-156. Williams & Barnes was the agent. AV03100.
Prior to becoming a master, William served on the crew for four voyages on three ships, all with New London as home port: MANCHESTER PACKET (AS1834) for her 1828-1829 and 1829- 1830 voyages, FLORA (AS1369) for her 1831-1832 voyage, and JULIUS CAESAR (AS1737) for her 1833 – voyage.
Sources used: see sidebar and sources cited in text. Family history book John Huntley, of Lyme CT and His Descendants (p. 96) found online under William’s name.
George Shaw
American Institute for Maritime Studies
Mystic Seaport Museum
May 2026