1886 Levuka a peaceable and orderly community; recollections of David Whippy

“Contrary to Suva, which is entirely the growth of the last five years, Levuka possesses some claims to antiquity, and has a history of its own, the first settlement by whites here dating back nearly 50 years.
The first settlers on Ovalau were, however, a very rough lot, being composed mostly of runaway sailors from American whaling ships, or beche-de-mer or sandalwood trading vessels, together with a few escaped convicts from Norfolk Island.
Some of these original settlers, In other parts of Fiji, lived under the protection of individual chiefs, and made themselves notorious by taking part in the intertribal wars, in which their possesssio of  arms rendered them formidable and valuable allies but those who settled
Ovalau seem to have formed a more peaceable aud orderly community, and lived quietly at Levuka under tho protection of its chief, acknowledging the jurisdiction of one of their number, named ( David) Whippy, who was eventually appointed to represent the first Amerlcan Consul in Fiji, Mr. J. B. Williams, who was Consul for New Zealand and Fiji, and resided at the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, until he came to Fiji, where he remained permanently until his death in I860.
Whippy’s authority received the countenance of the commanders of tho various men-of-war which occasionally looked in. Some of these earlier settlors still survive, and tell thrilling stories of adventure during the “good old cannibal days”.
The Mercury Supplement, (Hobart, Tasmania)  Saturday 13 February, 1886.  This item appears written by a Levuka resident in early 1886, or late 1885.  It encourages tourism to Levuka, as a rest from an overheated Australia.  Author uses the name “Tasmanian”. Possibly Frederick Langham   Perhaps ship-owner and trader with a long term trading relationship with Levuka and Suva, for at least five years – since 1880.

1 May 1840: Levuka resident, David Whippy warns Wilkes of United States Exploring Expedition, to “never completely trust the Fijians”

The United States Exploring Expedition vessel, Peacock arrived on 1 May and the scientists assigned to it, including Agate, returned to their assigned berthing. Three days later the squadron left for the Fiji Islands.
David Whippy meets the Americans: “On arriving at Ovalu Island they were met by David Whippy, a Nantucket sailor who had settled there. Whippy proved himself useful, acting as interpreter and advisor on local customs. An important piece of advice he offered was to never completely trust the Fijians”.
Missionaries warn of stories of treachery and murder: “Both Whippy and the local missionaries told stories of treachery and murder among the island’s cannibal population. In response, Wilkes issued orders for extra care when in contact with the islanders. Landing parties could only leave the ships when absolutely necessary and officers should be armed.”
Department Of The Navy — Naval Historical Center The Alfred Agate Collection: The United States Exploring Expedition (Porpoise, Flying Fish, Vincennes Peacock) , 1838-1842 http://www.history.navy.mil/ac/exploration/wilkes/wilkes14.html Accessed 16 August 2008

David WHIPPYS’s Levuka dynasty; five Fijian partners and 12 known children with Adi TULIA, Yunus, Dorcas DELAU, and Tosaka LEVUKA

The photo shows Nantucket sailor and trader, David Whippy, a bold and commercially-minded adventurer, who created a Fijian dynasty; myriads of Whippys descended from this Levuka gene-source. He was recorded as married in Fiji 1827. This first David Whippy of Levuka was in Fiji by the age of 25, and died in Fiji, age 69. The first recorded child of his was born 1828.
At least 12 children: He had 12 recorded children – and perhaps more, were unrecorded – from at least six partners. Carol Riley, in her impressively researched family tree reported the first David Whippy in Levuka, was born 15 February 1802, in Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA. His father was David WHIPPY b. circa 1769, d. 1812; and his mother Keziah BUNKER b. 22 September 1770.
The three David Whippys: : He also had a son called David Whippy. The first Levuka Whippy – father of David Junior – had at at least six partners; and at least 12 children. David senior, died 27 October 1871, Wainunu, Vanua Levu, Bua, Fiji and was buried in the “Old People’s Cemetery”, Wainunu, Vanua Levu, Bua, Fiji,
Family one: A Marriage was recorded 1827, Namara, Tailevu, Fiji, to Adi Tulia. One child was recorded as David (Junior) WHIPPY b. 1828, d. 1867, according to an interview, with William Eason in 1985.
Family 2: A marriage was reported but not verified) in to 1831 to “Yunus”. Children were Thomas WHIPPY b. c 1850, d. 17 Dec 1934, Daniel WHIPPY b. c 1852.
Family 3: Unnamed Fijian woman; one child Peter WHIPPY+ b. c 1834, d. 26 Feb 1889
Family 4: A Marriage was reported around 1836, Methodist, Levuka, Ovalau, Lomaiviti, Fiji to Dorcas DELAUS. the children recorded were Alameda WHIPPY+ b. c 1836; Samuel WHIPPY+ b. c 1837, d. 1910; Kezia WHIPPY+ b. c 1838, d. 6 Jul 1898; Julia WHIPPY+ b. c 1840; Mary WHIPPY+ b. 1842; Sarah WHIPPY b. c 1845; and Elizabeth WHIPPY b. c 1847, d. 2 Aug 1882.
See more at http://www.caroleriley.id.au/familyTree/p101.htm#i6294