Harold Whittaker

Harold Whittaker

Voiced by

Chuck Bolte
Ben Bode

Episode appearances

4

Episode mentions

5

Nickname

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Occupation

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Religion

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Type

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First episode

065

#49: “Thank You, God” (1988)

Last episode

927

#889: “Young Whit and the Revolutionary Secret” (2020)

First episode mention

018

#2: “The Life of the Party” (1987)

Last episode mention

882

#844: “Charlotte” (2018)

Character History

Harold Whittaker was an American scholar, World War I veteran, and the father of John Avery Whittaker. A man of mystery and discipline, he was deeply affected by personal loss and wartime experiences, shaping his reserved and enigmatic nature. His connection to historical artifacts, particularly a mysterious journal, suggests his involvement in a larger, long-hidden family legacy.

Early Life and Military Service

Harold Whittaker was born in Scotland and grew up in an era of rapid technological advancement. As a young man, he reportedly witnessed one of the Wright brothers' early flights, sparking a lifelong interest in aviation. During World War I, Harold became a pilot and fought in the skies over France. He was wounded in a dogfight at Verdun, crash-landing before being rescued by David McClintock, the brother of his future wife, Janneth Dee McClintock Whittaker.

His war injury left him with a permanent limp, though he refused to discuss the details of his service. When his son, Johnny, inquired about the war, Harold responded curtly, “Some of us don’t like to talk about our pasts.” This reserved nature extended into many aspects of his life, leaving much of his personal history shrouded in mystery.

Family and Move to America

Harold married Janneth Dee McClintock, with whom he had a son, Johnny. However, tragedy struck when Janneth died of smallpox when Johnny was almost five years old. The following year, Jackson McClintock, Harold’s father-in-law, was killed in a mining accident in Kinglassie, Scotland. These back-to-back losses prompted Harold to move his family to the United States, seeking a fresh start in Provenance, North Carolina. Harold remarried Fiona, who became Johnny’s stepmother.

The Trunk Dispute and Family Tensions

A significant source of conflict between Harold and his late father-in-law, Jackson McClintock, revolved around an old trunk filled with McClintock family heirlooms. Though Harold believed the trunk should belong to him—especially since it contained mementos of his late wife—Jackson was insistent that it be given to Johnny instead. The only explanation Jackson provided was the cryptic phrase: “Neamhnaid fìor prìs ... beatha fhada” (“Pearl of great price ... long life”).

Harold’s frustration over this decision created strain between him and Johnny, particularly as Johnny uncovered more about his family’s past through the trunk’s mysterious contents.

Family

Main article: Whittaker family

His wife, Janneth Dee McClintock Whittaker, Whit's mother, died of smallpox when Whit was still a child. He later married Fionna Donneral, becoming the father of her daughter, Charlotte.

His brother-in-law was David McClintock.

Episodes

Harold Whittaker has appeared in 4 episodes, has been voiced by 2 actors.

#49: “Thank You, God” (1) #211: “The Mortal Coil, Part 1” (2) #789: “The Journal of John Avery Whittaker” (3) #889: “Young Whit and the Revolutionary Secret” (4) #49: “Thank You, God” (1) #211: “The Mortal Coil, Part 1” (2) #789: “The Journal of John Avery Whittaker” (1) #889: “Young Whit and the Revolutionary Secret” (2)

Harold Whittaker has been mentioned in 5 episodes.

#2: “The Life of the Party” (1) #94: “Operation Digout” (2) #717: “Great Expectations” (3) #822: “There and Back Again, Part 1” (4) #844: “Charlotte” (5)