He was one of the early settlers and patentee in Jamaica, Long Island, NY. Magistrate (justice of the peace). Ranger-general (commander of all military forces), and served on committees of safety and for the building of a meeting house. Representative to the Colonial Assembly. Major in the local militia. A Jacobite and a trustee of the Parish Church.

Will dated 13 Nov 1703 and proved 30 Oct 1704. It disposes of lands in Jamaica, Oyster Bay, Hempstead, and Flushing, plus land in Orange and Suffolk counties in New York, and in the state of Connecticut. He left bequests to his wife Abigail, to his sons Jonathan and Thomas and to his daughters Amy (Doughty), Deborah (Hicks), Elizabeth (Waters), Mary (Burroughs), Mercy (Betts) and Abigail (Stebbins). He also left a bequest to his son-in-law Daniel Denton (?) and to his brother Daniel Whitehead (?).