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William Rotch

Male 1734 - 1828  (93 years)  Submit Photo / DocumentSubmit Photo / Document


Personal Information    |    PDF

  • Name William Rotch 
    Born 4 Dec 1734  Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Occupation With his father he was part of Joseph Rotch & Sons. They ended up becoming involved in all aspects of the whaling industry and controlled the majority of the industry in Nantucket and New Bedford. 
    Thar She Blows!
    Thar She Blows! (11)
    While many cultures and countries engaged in whaling this page is concerned with the history of the New England whaling industry. In no way should this be seen to justify modern whaling.




    Thar She Blows!




    Commercial whaling in the United States began in the 17th century in New England. The industry peaked in 1846–1852 when the availability of petrochemicals and over-hunting made the practice increasingly impractical.




    At one time whale oil was absolutely necessary. It's main uses were for household lighting and lubrication of machinery. There were alternatives to whale oil, but they were inferior in performance and cleanliness of burn. While the oil was the primary driver there were secondary products. The baleen some whales used to strain food from the sea were a secondary harvest. They were used in applications that would be accomplished in the modern world with plastic or steel. Simply put whale hunting allowed civilization to grow and prosper.
    Died 16 May 1828  New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Siblings 2 siblings 
    Headstones Submit Headstone Photo Submit Headstone Photo 
    Person ID I66172  Nagel
    Last Modified 28 Nov 2022 

    Father Joseph Rotch, Sr,   b. 6 Mar 1704,   d. 24 Nov 1784, Dartmouth, Bristol, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Love Macy,   b. 20 Jun 1713, Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 Nov 1767, Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 54 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Married 21 Feb 1734  Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F20723  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Barney,   b. 3 Jun 1735, Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 14 May 1824, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years) 
    Married 31 Dec 1754  Nantucket, Nantucket, Massachusetts Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 Nov 2022 
    Family ID F20724  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart