William Witherell
William Witherell was living in Taunton, in the Plymouth Colony, by August 1643. That month he was listed among the Taunton men able to bear arms, beside Nicholas White and Jeremiah Newland. Where he came from is not known. Family tradition says he crossed the Atlantic as a cabin boy. The genealogist James Savage thought he was possibly a nephew of the Rev. William Witherell of Scituate, but no record connects them.
He was admitted a freeman of the colony and served Taunton as constable in 1662 and often as a selectman. He represented the town at the colony's General Court in 1671 and 1685. In July 1671 the colony pressed a hundred men for an expedition against the Indians, and "Mr. William Witherell" of Taunton was named one of its two sergeants. In 1685 he was still called sergeant.
He lived near Watson's and Winnecunnet ponds. In October 1666 he, George Watson and Gyles Gilbert sued the owners of the Taunton saw mill for blocking the herring run up Mill River, and won.
His wife was named Dorothy. Their children were William, John, Ephraim and Dorothy. Their daughter Dorothy married Elias Irish at Taunton on 26 August 1674, and after his death William Wood, on 1 April 1686. He made his will on 15 August 1691, naming his sons William, John and Ephraim, his daughter Dorothy and his grandson Jeremiah. Ephraim had in fact died before the will was made. The will was proved in November 1691.
Sources
If William Witherell is in your family, start your own tree.
Cite: Heirology, "William Witherell (d. 1691)", https://heirology.com/ancestors/william-witherell-1691-5c319a.