Matthew Whipple was born about 1560 in Bocking, Essex, England. His parents names are unknown. His will identifies his occupation as "clothier."

Matthew married a woman named Joan in 1582. They had nine children:

Matthew died about 1619.

Among the bequests in his will was the following, left to his daughter Jane: "two silver spoons, two pewter platters of the greater sort, one pewter candlestick, one half headed bedstedle, my best flock bed, a flock bolster, a coverlet, a pair of blankets and the little chest which was her mothers."