Individual Details
Thomas Wheeler
(1561 - 11 Feb 1635)
Thomas Wheeler (abt. 1561 - abt. 1635)
The Elder
Thomas
"Of the Blake Howse, Of Wharley End-the 1st"
Wheeler
Born about 1561
in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England
ANCESTORS Son of John Wheeler and Alice (Unknown) WheelerBrother of John WheelerHusband of Unknown (Unknown) Wheeler
— married about 1589 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England [uncertain]Husband of Rebecca (Unknown) Wheeler
— married 11 Feb 1601 in Bedfordshire, EnglandDESCENDANTS Father of Thomas Wheeler, Ann (Wheeler) Halsey, John Wheeler, Priscilla Wheeler, Deborah Wheeler, Elizabeth (Wheeler) Bread, Timothy Wheeler, Susanna Wheeler, Joseph Wheeler, Abiah Wheeler, Mary (Wheeler) Dodd, Ephraim Wheeler and Thomas WheelerDied about 11 Feb 1635
in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England
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This profile is part of the Wheeler Name Study.Contents
[hide]
1 Biography
2 Name and Origin
3 Marriages and Children
4 Death
5 Research Notes
5.1 Parish Records of Cranfield Analysis
5.2 Common Errors to Avoid
6 Sources
Biography
Thomas Wheeler, yeoman of Bourne End, Cranfield, Bedfordshire was born about 1560-65, probably at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, where he lived and died. He was probably the son of John Wheeler of Cranfield (who made his will 9 February 1566/7 and died shortly thereafter).[1]Thomas lived variously at Warley or Wharley End, and "Borneend". In the survey of 1623 he had 29 acres, consisting of homesite of 7 1/4 with "Ley close adjoyning", Grove Close of 2 1/2 acres, over 4 3/4 acres of "The Brache", and 14 1/4 acres "Tadd Croft and Tyn Meade."[1] He also held lands from the Manor of Redlands. His will mentions Bourne End House (nearby to Washingley Manor House and Hill Green Farm depicted in 1765 on Jeffrey's map of Bedfordshire as a mansion house, and the most impressive building at Bourne End).Thomas Wheeler probably married twice. Evidence for the two marriages are two surviving sons both named Thomas (called Sr. and Jr. in later records to differentiate them) and children born over a period of about thirty years.[2] Thomas appears to have married first to an Unknown wife, and his second wife was mentioned in his will as Rebecca.[2]He was buried at Cranfield on 11 Feb. 1634/5 (from Bedfordshire Parish Registers) as Thomas Wheeler "of the blakehowse". He left a will naming his wife Rebecca and eleven children.About 1637, five of these Wheeler brothers Thomas, Sr, Timothy, Joseph, Ephraim, and Thomas Jr and two of their sisters Elizabeth and Susannah emigrated to New England and settled in Concord Massachusetts.Name and Origin
Name: Thomas Wheeler the Elder of Bourne End in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.Thomas Wheeler was frequently called either "the Elder" or "of Bourne End" in the records of Cranfield. This was to distinguish him from his oldest son Thomas Wheeler who was referred to as "of Wharley." There was also a third Thomas Wheeler baptizing children in Cranfield at the same time who was referred to Thomas Wheeler of the Town End or "of Austen Allen".Marriages and Children
Thomas Wheeler is thought to have married two times, though is not known with certainty. The idea that Thomas Wheeler had two wives is based on the fact that he named two surviving sons Thomas. He also had children born over a thirty year period which is unlikely to have all been from one woman. Likewise, the assignment of children is not certain to each wife is uncertain and based on their estimated dates of birth.Married: 1st -A unknown first wife about 1589, presumably in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. Again the date is roughly estimated on the birth of their first child which is also just an estimate. The first five children have been assigned to this unknown first wife. If we presume that the daughter Elizabeth baptized on 18 July 1602 was the daughter of Thomas' second wife, then this first wife must have died about 1600.Married: 2nd - Rebecca Unknown about 1601, presumably in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. The date is based on the presumption that she was the mother of Elizabeth. She was last known living when named in her daughter Abiah's will on 10 April 1637.Children of Thomas Wheeler by his (presumed) unknown first wife:It is not known for certain that these five children belong to this wife, and it may be that other children do belong to her.
Thomas Wheeler, Sr. Born about 1590. He was called "eldest son" in his father's will. He married on 5 May 1613 at Cranfield, Ann Halsey. they settled in Concord, Mass. & then to Fairfield. Conn. Where he d in 1654, she in 1659.
Priscilla Wheeler. Born about 1592. She married on 17 June 1612 at Cranfield, Stephen Cocks of Stagsden, a nearby parish; ch.: Susanna bapt. 10 Sept 1615, Ann/Agnes bapt. 27 Oct. 1616, buried 11 March 1625/6, John bapt. 30 Jan. 1619/20, buried 1 Feb. 1619/20. She was buried at Stagsden 25 Nov. 1627.
Ann Wheeler. perhaps, who m 5 May 1613 at Cranfield, Robert Halsey; no further record of them in Cranfield; if a dau., she must have d before her father's will as he didn't mention her.
John Wheeler. Born perhaps about 1596; he was alive in 1627 per his father's will
Deborah Wheeler. Born say 1598-1600. She was buried on 30 March 1600, Deborah Wheler dau. of Thos. Wheler, perhaps this Thomas.Children of Thomas Wheeler by his second wife Rebecca:As their date of marriage is unknown, assginments of children are uncertain.
ELIZABETH, bapt. 18 July 1602, "dau. Of Thomas Wheler of Wharley"; m 14 Nov. 1622 at Pulloxhill, Bedfordshire, which is 10 miles SE of Cranfield, Allen Breed, son of John & Agnes (Pratchett) Breed. He was b c. 1600 at Westoning, Bedfordshire. They settled in Lynn, Mass.; chi.: Allen bapt. 27 Jan. 1630/1, Elizabeth bapt 23 May 1632, d.y., Elizabeth bapt. 26 Dec. 1634, John b about 1638; she d & he m 2, 28 March 1656 , Elizabeth Knight; he d 17 March 1690/91
TIMOTHY, bapt. 28 Dec. 1604; m 1 , at Cranfield 30 April 1632, Susan Knight, prob. Dau. Of John Knight & bapt. At Cranfield 21 Sept. 1606; she or a 2nd wife, Jane, d at Concord 12 Feb. 1642/3; he m last, Mary Brooks ck this one, dau. Of Thomas & Grace Brooks ck this one also of Concord. He d. at Concord 30 July 1687 aged "about 85" g.s., (but actually aged 82); called Captain; ch.: Deborah bapt 12 April 1637, Sarah b. 22 June 1640, Mary b 3 Oct 1657, d 6 Oct 1660, Elizabeth b 6 Oct 1661, Rebecca b about 1666.
SUSAN/Susanna, bapt. 31 May 1607; m 20 Jan. 1633/4 at Cranfield to Obadiah Wheeler of Cranfield, son of John & Elizabeth, bap. 5 Dec. 1609; ch.: Joshua bap. 15 Sept. 1637, John b 27 Jan 1641/1, d.y., Ruth b 23 April 1642, prob. d.y., Son b 25, d 29 Nov. 1643, Samuel b 22 Feb. 1644/5, Susanna b 17 March 1648/9. She d at Concord 24 March1648/9. He m 2, had 3 more ch. He d 27 Oct. 1671 at Concord.
JOSEPH, bapt. 18 Feb 1609/10; m.\\ 1, Elizabeth --- who was buried 19 July 1642 at Concord; ch.: Ephraim b 14 April 1640 – buried 19 July 1652, Joseph b 1 Dec. 1641 – buried 18 July 1651. He m 2, Sarah Goldstone; ch.: Mary b 20 Sept. 1643, Rebecca b 6 Sept. 1645. He m 3, Frances (Watson)(Wheeler)(Cook) Greene, widow of Isaac Wheeler of Charleston, Richard Cook, then of Thomas Greene of Malden. He was called Lieutenant. He was alive in 1681, aged 71.
ABIAH, bapt. 17 Jan. 1612/13; buried 18 April 1637 at Cranfield. 10 April 1637 the will of ABYA WHEELER of Cranfield in the county of Bedford, spinster, being weak of body to be buried in the churchyard of Cranfield ... unto Ephraim Wheeler my brother one acre of arable land with the appurtenances laying on a furlong called Waker furlong in Perrie field, late the land of Henry Taylore ... unto Tymothie Wheeler my brother 40s ... unto Elizabeth Bread my sister 10s. ... unto Susan Wheeler my sister 40s ... to Agnes Underwood 40s. ... the aforesaid sums all to be paid within five years by my brother Ephraim ... all my good whatsoever I do give and bequeath unto Rebecka Wheeler my loving mother whom I do make sole executrix. Signed by mark. Witnesses: Thomas Baker, Obadiah Wheeler. Proved 25 May 1637. (Bedfordshire Wills 1637/110).
MARY, bapt. 20 Oct. 1615, dau. Of Thomas Wheler of Bornend; she ("Alice" sic) m 16 Oct. 1634 at Cranfield, John Billington, son of George, bapt. 14 Feb. 1612/13; a dau. Mary b & d 1635; she ("Mary" in rec.) was buried 19 April 1636, 4 days after her baby; he m 2, 2 June 1637, Mary Bright. Alice Wheeler daughter of Thomas of Warley, was baptised at Cranfield on 15 Jun 1616.
Alice Wheler married John Billington at Cranfield, Bedfordshire on 16 Oct 1634.[2]
John Billington baptised a daughter Mary on 14 Feb 1635/6, who was buried at Cranfield on 15 Apr 1636, and on 19 Apr 1636 Mary Billington was buried at Cranfield. But on 15 Dec 1636 at Cranfield Alice Billington was buried.[3]
I think the burial of Mary Billington on 19 Apr 1636 is a red herring and it was Alice Wheeler Billington who was buried on 15 Dec that same year who was the wife of John, which still works for John Billington to have remarried in 1637.
EPHRAIM, bapt. 16 March 1618/19; freeman at Concord 1639; m Ann Turney; moved to Fairfield, Conn. 1644; ch.: Isaac b 23 Dec. 1642 at Concord, Mary, Ruth, Hannah, Rebecca, Judith, Abigail, Samuel b about 1658, Timothy b about 1660, Ephraim. He d at Fairfield, Conn. 1670?
THOMAS, Jr, bapt. 9 April 1620, "youngest son" per his father's will; married Ruth Wood, dau. Of William; 7 known ch.; settled in Concord, thence to Fairfield, returned to Concord where he d 10 Dec. 1676; apparently in Marlborough, Mass. 1664-70; Lt., Capt. In King Philip's War, was wounded in battle at Manameset near Brookfield in Aug. 1675 when he & his men, against the advice of their Indian allies, advanced along a trail between a hill & a swamp & were caought in an ambush. His son Thomas, Jr., although severely wounded, rescued him. He wrote an account of the battle which has been widely referred to.[2]
NOTE: The above are the only documented children of Thomas and his wives. The following children have been claimed by others, without evidence or citation:
George Wheeler
Eunice Wheeler
Richard WheelerDeath
Buried: as Thomas Wheeler "of the blakehowse" on 11 February 1634/5 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.[2]Will of Thomas Wheler sen of Cranfield in the County of Bedf. Yeoman.Made on 7 December 1627; codicil 18 June 1633; proved on 24 February 1634.Summary:Rebeca my wifeJoseph Wheler my sonneThomas Wheler my youngest son (then under 21)Efraim Wheler my sonneThomas Wheler of Warley my eldest sonPrisilae Cocks my daughterJohn Wheler my sonne,Elizabeth Bread my daughterSuzana Wheler my daughterAbiah Wheler my daughterMarie Wheler my daughterTimothie Wheler my sonne (executor).Note: Thomas's will follows, certain parts crossed out just as in the original document.In the name of God amen the seaventh day of December in the yeare of our lord god one thousand Sixe hundred Twenty and Seaven I Thomas Wheler sen of Cranfield in the County of Bedf. Yeoman weake in bodie but of good and pfecte remembrance Gods holie name be praised doe make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge That is to say ffirst I give and bequeath my soule unto allmightie god my Creatorhoping assuredly through the merittes of Jesus Christ to be made ptaker of life everlastinge And my bodie to the Earth whereof it is made Item I give and bequeath unto Rebecca my wife (for and during the terme of her life if she keepe herself a widow) all that Capitall messuage or tenement with the apptences lying and being in the Towne end of Cranfield aforesaid wch I lately purchased of John Vause Esquire And after the decease of the said Rebecca my wife or day of her marriage with any pson whatsoever I give and bequeath the said Capital messuage or tenemente with all houses edifices buildings yards and gardens groundes commons pfitts and apptenances thereto belonging to Joseph Wheler my sonne and his heirs for ever upon these condicons followinge vis that he the said Joseph my sonne shall well and truly pay or cause to be payd out of my said messuage and pmisses the full sume of Thirtye pounds of lawfull money o fEngland to my executor or executrix hereafter named or to such other pson or psons as my said executor or executrix shall nominate and appoynte of debts where I owe And also pay or cause to be payd out of my said Messuage with the apputenances unto Thomas Wheler my youngest son the full sume of Twenty poundes of lawfull money of England wch sumes of Thirty poundes and twenty pounds are to be payd by the said Joseph when he cometh to the full age of one and twenty years within one yeare after my decease And for the better payment of the said sumes by him the said Joseph I have surrendered to his use Twelve acres of Coppie hold land Provided allwaies and my will and minde absolutely is that if the said Joseph my sonne or his assigns doe not pay the said sumes of Thirty and twenty poundes in such maner and forme at such dayes and to such pson or psons as afore is expressed then the gift and bequest of the said Messuage or tenement with the apptenances shalbe voyd and of none effect to all intents and purposes whatsoever And I give and bequeath the said Messuage wth the apptenances commons and pfitts whatsoever to the said Thomas Wheler my yongest sonne and his heires for ever and for default of such issue the remainder thereof to Efraim Wheler my sonne and his heirs for ever anything herein to the contrarie hereof in anie wise notwithstanding Item I give and bequeath to Thomas Wheler of Warley my eldest sonne the sume of Twelve pence Item I give to Priscila Cockes my daughter twelve pence Item I give to John Wheler my sonne twelve pence Item I give to Elizabeth Bread my daughter twelve pence Item I give to Suzana Wheler my daughter one ewe lame a table and fframe standinge in the plor at Berne and house Item I give to Abiah Wheler my daughter one white weaninge calfe and Two table clootes Item I give to Marie Wheler my daughter one standinge bedsted and Two Table Clootes Item I give to the said Joseph my sonne one fframe scovell standing in the yead at my messuage at the towne end the old carte and ould wheeles and a dung carte Item I give to the said Efraim Wheler my sonne one frame scovell at the ould timber under the little scovelles in the close yard at Borne end and one weaning calfe And my will is that Thomas Tomkins shall lawfully convey and assure That ffrehold I bought of him to the said Efraim my sonne and his heires for ever Item I give to the said Thomas Wheler my youngest son one pott one Tegg and five pounds of lawful money of England to be payd to him by my executor and executrix at the age of 24 years Item I give to Allin Broad my sonne in law one carte Bodie lying behinde the stoles in the ould barne and 2 broad ristes Item I give and bequeath to the said Rebecka my wife all my movable goodes wthin my two dwelling houses at Borne end and the towne end (unbequeathed) and two heffers the one a red the other a little browne one and one ewe sheepe And also my will is that Timothie Wheler my sonne shall have halfe of my messuage closes lands and medowes at Borne end aforesaid and half the benefit and pfitt thereof for Thre yeares next after my decease (for an ease or helpe towards the payment of my debts) All the rest of my goods and cattelles as well reales as psonales unbequeathed I give and bequeath to the said Timothie my sonne whome I make my full and sole executor of this my last will and testament And if he the said Timothie refuse to be executor of this my will then I make Rebecka my wife executrix of this my last will and I doe hereby utterly revoke and annul in deed and in law all former willes testaments legaces bequests and executors by me formerly made And lastly my will is that the legacy of xx? shall be payd by the said Joseph to the said Thomas my youngest sonne out of my said messuage with the appurtenances when he cometh to the age of xxi years In witness whereof I the said Thomas Wheler the elder have to this my last will and testament sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written.Signed Thomas Wheler the elderPostscrip the 18 daie of June 1633. Itm I give and bequeath unto Efraim Wheeler my sonne one little pshtle late Thomas Tomkins containing one rood and halfe with the appurtenances to the heires and assignes of the said Efraim for ever(signed) Thomas Wheler the elderSigned and delivered in the psence of Tho: Arnald. Richard Arnald, Thomas Baker. No inventoryProbate 24 February 1634 granted to the executors named at the Archdeaconry Court of Bedford.[2][3]Wife, Rebecca, was last recorded as living in her daughter Abiah's will of 10 April 1637. Within a year or two, Rebecca and the children all left for New England. This can be deduced, as many of the children were underage at the time, and surely would not have gone to New England without their mother. However, no record of Rebecca in New England has been found, so she apparently did not live long after.[2]Research Notes
The American Genealogist, Vol XIV, No.1 (July 1937), "The Father of the Concord Wheelers." The author contends that Elizabeth Wheeler who married Allen Breed was the daughter of Thomas Wheeler (1565-1634) by his first wife, name not known. (His second wife was Rebecca). He includes as documentation a verbatim copy of this Thomas Wheeler's will (made 18 June 1633, proved 24 Feb 1634), in which he names wife Rebecca and children: Joseph, Thomas, Efriam, Prisila Cockes, Elizabeth Broad (sic), Suzana, Abiah, Marie, and son-in-law Allin Broad (sic). The assumption that Elizabeth is Daughter of Thomas Wheeler by his first wife is obviously in error. First wife, Mary Mynsterly, died in 1600 (possibly as a complication of the birth of daughter, Deborah, who died in infancy). Elizabeth Wheeler was born in 1602 (after the Death of Mary and after his second marriage to Rebecca Unknown). Elizabeth is definitely the daughter of Rebecca .[3]
So far 7 Thomas profiles have been located in the time frame of 1561-1620. The profiles of 5 of the Thomas state they immigrated to America from England. Its likely some need to be merged, but a closer review of the sources need to be done. The Wheeler Name Study has started a section that will review these seven profiles and their sources. The section can be found here The Many Thomas Immigrants
The only source in this profile is the .pdf document. It seems to be relying on Raymond David Wheeler, The Wheeler Genealogy - The Ancestral Wheeler Family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England whose Descendents Settled in Colonial New England (Dolgville, New York: Kinsystems, 1994).
The pdf document does not cite to the page number of Raymond David's book. The Raymond book is found in many profiles without page numbers. There is much confusion about this family line, if someone has specific page numbers please provide them. The pdf source has the following information about Thomas and his father:
John3 Wheeler (2829) (Henry2, Thomas1) was born circa 1533 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.2. He married Alice Sayre (2830), daughter of William Sayreb(2834) and Alice Squire (2835), circa 1558 at Bedfordshire, England.2. He died on 16 April 1567 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.2 Alice Sayre (2830) was born in 1541 at Odell, Bedfordshire, England.3 She died on 15 April 1567 at Cranfield,Bedfordshire, England.4 Children of John3 Wheeler (2829) and Alice Sayre (2830) both born at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, were as follows:
Thomas4 (2828) was born in 1561 (estimated). He married as his first wife Unidentified Wife (9408) before 1588 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. He married as his second wife Rebecca Sayre (2831), daughter of William Sayre (4248) and Elizabeth Squire (4249), on 11 February 1600/1 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.
Also on Page 3:
11. Thomas4 Wheeler (2828) (John3, Henry2, Thomas1) was born in 1561 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England,(estimated).1 He married as his first wife Unidentified Wife (9408) before 1588 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 He married as his second wife Rebecca Sayre (2831), daughter of William Sayre (4248) and Elizabeth Squire (4249), on 11February 1600/1 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 Yeoman of Bourne End. Also lived at Wharley End c. 1602.1 He left a will on 29 December 1627 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. He died before 11 February 1634/35 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 He was buried on 11 February 1634/35 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 Unidentified Wife (9408) was born circa 1560 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, (estimated).1 She died before 1600 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 Children of Thomas4 Wheeler (2828) and Unidentified Wife (9408) all born at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, were as follows:
In the above the author seems to be citing to footnote 1. which is Raymond David Wheeler, The Wheeler Genealogy - The Ancestral Wheeler Family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England whose Descendents Settled in Colonial New England (Dolgville, New York: Kinsystems, 1994). Hereinafter cited as Wheeler Genealogy - England.
Raymond David Wheeler's book has not been independently found yet or the page citation of his book is missing for this profile.
Parish Records of Cranfield Analysis
There were three Thomas Wheelers baptizing children at the same time in Cranfield. This is an attempt to show how the children were separated out and assigned to each father.Parish records of Cranfield – baptisms1602 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheler of Warley 18 July- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1603 Thomas son of Thomas Wheler 20 Nov- son of Thomas of Town End1604 Timothy son of Thomas Wheler 28 Dec- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1605 George son of Thomas Wheler 23 Mar 05/06- son of Thomas of Town End1607 Susan dau of Thomas Wheeler 31 May- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1608 John son of Thomas Wheeler 23 Oct- son of Thomas of Town End1609 Joseph son of Thomas Wheeler 18 Feb 09/10- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1610 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheeler 27 Feb 10/11- dau of Thomas of Town End1612 Abia dau of Thomas Wheeler 17 Jan 12/13 [buried 18 Apr 1637]- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1613 Ann dau of Thomas Wheler jun 30 Jan 13/14 [buried 16 July 1615]- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Died 1615.1614 Richard son of Thomas Wheler of the Towne ende 13 June- son of Thomas of Town End1615 Mary dau of Thomas Wheeler of borne ende 20 Oct- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1616 Alice dau of Thomas Wheeler of Warley 15 June- dau of Thomas of Wharley End.1617 Ann dau of Thomas Wheler 15 Feb 17/18- dau of Thomas of Wharley End. Same as dau Hannah in will.1618 Ephraim son of Thomas Wheeler 16 Mar 1618/19- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1620 Thomas son of Thomas Wheeler 9 Apr- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1621 Thomas son of Thomas Wheeler 8 Dec- son of Thomas of Wharley End. Named in will.1622 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheler of Wharley 4 Nov- dau of Thomas of Wharley End.1624 John son of Thomas Wheler 27 Feb 1624/25- son of Thomas of Wharley End.Named in will.1627 Mary dau of Thomas Wheler 17 Feb 1627/281628 Sarah dau of Thomas Wheler, 10 August- son of Thomas of Wharley End. Named in will.1630 Susan dau of Thomas Wheler tenant to ye Lordship 4 Apr1630 Sarah dau of Thomas Wheler of ye Woode 20 June1635 Mary dau of Thomas Wheler 24 Feb 1635/361637 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheler joiner 7 jan 1637/38Parish records of Cranfield – marriages1613 Thomas Wheler & Ann Halsey 5 May1635 Thomas Wheler & Mary Beckley 6 AprParish records of Cranfield – burials1600 Deborah Wheler dau of Thomas Wheler 30 Mar1611 John son of Thomas Wheeler 27 Dec1615 Ann dau of Thomas Wheeler 16 July1634 Thomas Wheler of the Blakehouse 11 Feb 1634/35Thomas Wheeler of Bourne End: Of the 11 children named in his will, 3 were born before the baptism records start (Thomas Sr., Priscilla, John), and 8 found in the baptism records. They are Elizabeth 1602, Timothy 1604, Susan 1607, Joseph 1609, Abiah 1612, Mary 1615, Ephraim 1618/9 and Thomas 1620.Thomas Wheeler of Wharley: The record of his first daughter Ann he is called jun., and in two others he is called Thomas of Warley. His and his wife's wills name eldest son Thomas, dau Sarah Sherwood, dau Hannah Bennett, and son John. So as children we have Ann 1613/4, Alice 1616, Ann/Hannah 1617/8, Thomas 1621, Elizabeth 1622, John 1624 and Sarah 1628.Thomas Wheeler of Town End: There were five children who did not fit in well with Thomas of Bourne End, or Thomas of Worley. The last is Richard who was specifically named as the son of Thomas of Town End; the other four march out perfectly so they are all the children of Thomas of Town End. They are Thomas 1603, George 1605/6, John 1608, Elizabeth 1610/11, Richard 1614.Unplaced are Mary 1627/8, Susan 1630, Mary 1635/6 and Elizabeth 1637/8. Since Mary cannot be a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Wharley, I think this is evidence that a 4th Thomas Wheeler started baptizing children in Cranfield. Are they children of Thomas Wheeler bp 1603 son of Thomas Wheeler of Town End? or of Thomas Wheeler bp 1606 son of Richard Wheeler.Note: Mary (Wheeler) Dodd with birth date of 20 October 1615 is currently attached as a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Wharley. This cannot be right.Note: Rebecca (Wheeler) is currently attached as a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Wharley. Likely wrong - she is not on the baptism list or named in wills.Note: Need to figure out what is going on with Sarah Wheeler-714 and Sarah Wheeler-1198. They are both claiming to be the same person.Note: It fits much better if we flip the parents of Thomas born in 1620 and Thomas born in 1621.Common Errors to Avoid
Incorrect wife's name: The first wife of Thomas Wheeler was previously called Mary Mynsterley, married 3 Feb 1587 in Chelmarsh, Shropshire, England. There is absolutely no evidence to support this name, marriage date or marriage place.Date of second marriage: This profile previously stated that he married his second wife Rebecca on 11 February 1601 in Bedfordshire, England. No such marriage occurs in the Cranfield parish records. No record of any kind has been found to support this date.Sources
Footnotes and citations:
↑ 1.0 1.1 Email from Madeline Dodd, Page: 11 June 1999
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Threlfall, John Brooks, 50 Great Migration Colonists to New England and Their Origins. (Madison, WI, 1990): pages 504-508. FamilySearch
↑ 3.0 3.1 The American Genealogist. (Vol 14 1937-38 Pages 1-) New Haven, CT: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database accessed August 26, 2015. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)Source list:
The American Genealogist, vol. 12 (1935): pages 4-17. Captain Thomas Wheeler and some of his Descendants, by Homer W. Brainard. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 14 (1937): pages 1-4. The Father of the Concord Wheelers, by Donald Lines Jacobus. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 20 supplement (1943): pages 37-38. Additions and Corrections to The Families of Old Fairfield: Wheeler, by Donald Lines Jacobus. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 27 no. 1 (January 1951): pages 35-40. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 1, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 27 no. 2 (April 1951): pages 119-125. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 2, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 28 no. 3 (July 1952): pages 139-148. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 3, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 28 no. 4 (October 1952): pages 257-259. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 4, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
New England Historical and Genealogical Register vol. 87 no. 2 (April 1933): 115-120. The Parents of Elizabeth (White) Wheeler and Anna (White) Hayward of Concord, Mass., by Howard Dakin French. AmericanAncestors.org link.
Threlfall, John Brooks, Fifty Great Migration Colonists to New England and Their Origins. (Madison, WI, 1990): pages 504-508.
Wheeler, Raymond David. The Wheeler Genealogy: The Ancestral Wheeler Family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, whose descendants settled in Colonial New England, vol. 1. (1993).
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JWXM-W8M : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheler in entry for Elizabeth Wheler, 18 Jul 1602; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7MG-53J : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheler in entry for Timothy Wheler, 28 Dec 1604; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP1N-3F4 : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Susannah Wheeler, 31 May 1607; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP1N-3F4 : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Susannah Wheeler, 31 May 1607; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP1N-H4D : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheler in entry for Joseph Wheler, 18 Feb 1610; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7MG-GH9 : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Abia Wheeler, 17 Jan 1613; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JWXM-4LF : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Thomas Wheeler, 09 Apr 1620; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.Acknowledgements:
This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import. Wheeler-5952 was created by Lisa Edwards through the import of Edwards Family Tree.ged on Apr 9, 2014.
The Elder
Thomas
"Of the Blake Howse, Of Wharley End-the 1st"
Wheeler
Born about 1561
in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England
ANCESTORS Son of John Wheeler and Alice (Unknown) WheelerBrother of John WheelerHusband of Unknown (Unknown) Wheeler
— married about 1589 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England [uncertain]Husband of Rebecca (Unknown) Wheeler
— married 11 Feb 1601 in Bedfordshire, EnglandDESCENDANTS Father of Thomas Wheeler, Ann (Wheeler) Halsey, John Wheeler, Priscilla Wheeler, Deborah Wheeler, Elizabeth (Wheeler) Bread, Timothy Wheeler, Susanna Wheeler, Joseph Wheeler, Abiah Wheeler, Mary (Wheeler) Dodd, Ephraim Wheeler and Thomas WheelerDied about 11 Feb 1635
in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England
Profile managers: Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree [send private message], John Ellis [send private message], and Donald Gradeless [send private message]Profile last modified 1 Oct 2021 | Created 12 Sep 2010This page has been accessed 14,975 times.
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This profile is part of the Wheeler Name Study.Contents
[hide]
1 Biography
2 Name and Origin
3 Marriages and Children
4 Death
5 Research Notes
5.1 Parish Records of Cranfield Analysis
5.2 Common Errors to Avoid
6 Sources
Biography
Thomas Wheeler, yeoman of Bourne End, Cranfield, Bedfordshire was born about 1560-65, probably at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, where he lived and died. He was probably the son of John Wheeler of Cranfield (who made his will 9 February 1566/7 and died shortly thereafter).[1]Thomas lived variously at Warley or Wharley End, and "Borneend". In the survey of 1623 he had 29 acres, consisting of homesite of 7 1/4 with "Ley close adjoyning", Grove Close of 2 1/2 acres, over 4 3/4 acres of "The Brache", and 14 1/4 acres "Tadd Croft and Tyn Meade."[1] He also held lands from the Manor of Redlands. His will mentions Bourne End House (nearby to Washingley Manor House and Hill Green Farm depicted in 1765 on Jeffrey's map of Bedfordshire as a mansion house, and the most impressive building at Bourne End).Thomas Wheeler probably married twice. Evidence for the two marriages are two surviving sons both named Thomas (called Sr. and Jr. in later records to differentiate them) and children born over a period of about thirty years.[2] Thomas appears to have married first to an Unknown wife, and his second wife was mentioned in his will as Rebecca.[2]He was buried at Cranfield on 11 Feb. 1634/5 (from Bedfordshire Parish Registers) as Thomas Wheeler "of the blakehowse". He left a will naming his wife Rebecca and eleven children.About 1637, five of these Wheeler brothers Thomas, Sr, Timothy, Joseph, Ephraim, and Thomas Jr and two of their sisters Elizabeth and Susannah emigrated to New England and settled in Concord Massachusetts.Name and Origin
Name: Thomas Wheeler the Elder of Bourne End in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.Thomas Wheeler was frequently called either "the Elder" or "of Bourne End" in the records of Cranfield. This was to distinguish him from his oldest son Thomas Wheeler who was referred to as "of Wharley." There was also a third Thomas Wheeler baptizing children in Cranfield at the same time who was referred to Thomas Wheeler of the Town End or "of Austen Allen".Marriages and Children
Thomas Wheeler is thought to have married two times, though is not known with certainty. The idea that Thomas Wheeler had two wives is based on the fact that he named two surviving sons Thomas. He also had children born over a thirty year period which is unlikely to have all been from one woman. Likewise, the assignment of children is not certain to each wife is uncertain and based on their estimated dates of birth.Married: 1st -A unknown first wife about 1589, presumably in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. Again the date is roughly estimated on the birth of their first child which is also just an estimate. The first five children have been assigned to this unknown first wife. If we presume that the daughter Elizabeth baptized on 18 July 1602 was the daughter of Thomas' second wife, then this first wife must have died about 1600.Married: 2nd - Rebecca Unknown about 1601, presumably in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. The date is based on the presumption that she was the mother of Elizabeth. She was last known living when named in her daughter Abiah's will on 10 April 1637.Children of Thomas Wheeler by his (presumed) unknown first wife:It is not known for certain that these five children belong to this wife, and it may be that other children do belong to her.
Thomas Wheeler, Sr. Born about 1590. He was called "eldest son" in his father's will. He married on 5 May 1613 at Cranfield, Ann Halsey. they settled in Concord, Mass. & then to Fairfield. Conn. Where he d in 1654, she in 1659.
Priscilla Wheeler. Born about 1592. She married on 17 June 1612 at Cranfield, Stephen Cocks of Stagsden, a nearby parish; ch.: Susanna bapt. 10 Sept 1615, Ann/Agnes bapt. 27 Oct. 1616, buried 11 March 1625/6, John bapt. 30 Jan. 1619/20, buried 1 Feb. 1619/20. She was buried at Stagsden 25 Nov. 1627.
Ann Wheeler. perhaps, who m 5 May 1613 at Cranfield, Robert Halsey; no further record of them in Cranfield; if a dau., she must have d before her father's will as he didn't mention her.
John Wheeler. Born perhaps about 1596; he was alive in 1627 per his father's will
Deborah Wheeler. Born say 1598-1600. She was buried on 30 March 1600, Deborah Wheler dau. of Thos. Wheler, perhaps this Thomas.Children of Thomas Wheeler by his second wife Rebecca:As their date of marriage is unknown, assginments of children are uncertain.
ELIZABETH, bapt. 18 July 1602, "dau. Of Thomas Wheler of Wharley"; m 14 Nov. 1622 at Pulloxhill, Bedfordshire, which is 10 miles SE of Cranfield, Allen Breed, son of John & Agnes (Pratchett) Breed. He was b c. 1600 at Westoning, Bedfordshire. They settled in Lynn, Mass.; chi.: Allen bapt. 27 Jan. 1630/1, Elizabeth bapt 23 May 1632, d.y., Elizabeth bapt. 26 Dec. 1634, John b about 1638; she d & he m 2, 28 March 1656 , Elizabeth Knight; he d 17 March 1690/91
TIMOTHY, bapt. 28 Dec. 1604; m 1 , at Cranfield 30 April 1632, Susan Knight, prob. Dau. Of John Knight & bapt. At Cranfield 21 Sept. 1606; she or a 2nd wife, Jane, d at Concord 12 Feb. 1642/3; he m last, Mary Brooks ck this one, dau. Of Thomas & Grace Brooks ck this one also of Concord. He d. at Concord 30 July 1687 aged "about 85" g.s., (but actually aged 82); called Captain; ch.: Deborah bapt 12 April 1637, Sarah b. 22 June 1640, Mary b 3 Oct 1657, d 6 Oct 1660, Elizabeth b 6 Oct 1661, Rebecca b about 1666.
SUSAN/Susanna, bapt. 31 May 1607; m 20 Jan. 1633/4 at Cranfield to Obadiah Wheeler of Cranfield, son of John & Elizabeth, bap. 5 Dec. 1609; ch.: Joshua bap. 15 Sept. 1637, John b 27 Jan 1641/1, d.y., Ruth b 23 April 1642, prob. d.y., Son b 25, d 29 Nov. 1643, Samuel b 22 Feb. 1644/5, Susanna b 17 March 1648/9. She d at Concord 24 March1648/9. He m 2, had 3 more ch. He d 27 Oct. 1671 at Concord.
JOSEPH, bapt. 18 Feb 1609/10; m.\\ 1, Elizabeth --- who was buried 19 July 1642 at Concord; ch.: Ephraim b 14 April 1640 – buried 19 July 1652, Joseph b 1 Dec. 1641 – buried 18 July 1651. He m 2, Sarah Goldstone; ch.: Mary b 20 Sept. 1643, Rebecca b 6 Sept. 1645. He m 3, Frances (Watson)(Wheeler)(Cook) Greene, widow of Isaac Wheeler of Charleston, Richard Cook, then of Thomas Greene of Malden. He was called Lieutenant. He was alive in 1681, aged 71.
ABIAH, bapt. 17 Jan. 1612/13; buried 18 April 1637 at Cranfield. 10 April 1637 the will of ABYA WHEELER of Cranfield in the county of Bedford, spinster, being weak of body to be buried in the churchyard of Cranfield ... unto Ephraim Wheeler my brother one acre of arable land with the appurtenances laying on a furlong called Waker furlong in Perrie field, late the land of Henry Taylore ... unto Tymothie Wheeler my brother 40s ... unto Elizabeth Bread my sister 10s. ... unto Susan Wheeler my sister 40s ... to Agnes Underwood 40s. ... the aforesaid sums all to be paid within five years by my brother Ephraim ... all my good whatsoever I do give and bequeath unto Rebecka Wheeler my loving mother whom I do make sole executrix. Signed by mark. Witnesses: Thomas Baker, Obadiah Wheeler. Proved 25 May 1637. (Bedfordshire Wills 1637/110).
MARY, bapt. 20 Oct. 1615, dau. Of Thomas Wheler of Bornend; she ("Alice" sic) m 16 Oct. 1634 at Cranfield, John Billington, son of George, bapt. 14 Feb. 1612/13; a dau. Mary b & d 1635; she ("Mary" in rec.) was buried 19 April 1636, 4 days after her baby; he m 2, 2 June 1637, Mary Bright. Alice Wheeler daughter of Thomas of Warley, was baptised at Cranfield on 15 Jun 1616.
Alice Wheler married John Billington at Cranfield, Bedfordshire on 16 Oct 1634.[2]
John Billington baptised a daughter Mary on 14 Feb 1635/6, who was buried at Cranfield on 15 Apr 1636, and on 19 Apr 1636 Mary Billington was buried at Cranfield. But on 15 Dec 1636 at Cranfield Alice Billington was buried.[3]
I think the burial of Mary Billington on 19 Apr 1636 is a red herring and it was Alice Wheeler Billington who was buried on 15 Dec that same year who was the wife of John, which still works for John Billington to have remarried in 1637.
EPHRAIM, bapt. 16 March 1618/19; freeman at Concord 1639; m Ann Turney; moved to Fairfield, Conn. 1644; ch.: Isaac b 23 Dec. 1642 at Concord, Mary, Ruth, Hannah, Rebecca, Judith, Abigail, Samuel b about 1658, Timothy b about 1660, Ephraim. He d at Fairfield, Conn. 1670?
THOMAS, Jr, bapt. 9 April 1620, "youngest son" per his father's will; married Ruth Wood, dau. Of William; 7 known ch.; settled in Concord, thence to Fairfield, returned to Concord where he d 10 Dec. 1676; apparently in Marlborough, Mass. 1664-70; Lt., Capt. In King Philip's War, was wounded in battle at Manameset near Brookfield in Aug. 1675 when he & his men, against the advice of their Indian allies, advanced along a trail between a hill & a swamp & were caought in an ambush. His son Thomas, Jr., although severely wounded, rescued him. He wrote an account of the battle which has been widely referred to.[2]
NOTE: The above are the only documented children of Thomas and his wives. The following children have been claimed by others, without evidence or citation:
George Wheeler
Eunice Wheeler
Richard WheelerDeath
Buried: as Thomas Wheeler "of the blakehowse" on 11 February 1634/5 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.[2]Will of Thomas Wheler sen of Cranfield in the County of Bedf. Yeoman.Made on 7 December 1627; codicil 18 June 1633; proved on 24 February 1634.Summary:Rebeca my wifeJoseph Wheler my sonneThomas Wheler my youngest son (then under 21)Efraim Wheler my sonneThomas Wheler of Warley my eldest sonPrisilae Cocks my daughterJohn Wheler my sonne,Elizabeth Bread my daughterSuzana Wheler my daughterAbiah Wheler my daughterMarie Wheler my daughterTimothie Wheler my sonne (executor).Note: Thomas's will follows, certain parts crossed out just as in the original document.In the name of God amen the seaventh day of December in the yeare of our lord god one thousand Sixe hundred Twenty and Seaven I Thomas Wheler sen of Cranfield in the County of Bedf. Yeoman weake in bodie but of good and pfecte remembrance Gods holie name be praised doe make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge That is to say ffirst I give and bequeath my soule unto allmightie god my Creatorhoping assuredly through the merittes of Jesus Christ to be made ptaker of life everlastinge And my bodie to the Earth whereof it is made Item I give and bequeath unto Rebecca my wife (for and during the terme of her life if she keepe herself a widow) all that Capitall messuage or tenement with the apptences lying and being in the Towne end of Cranfield aforesaid wch I lately purchased of John Vause Esquire And after the decease of the said Rebecca my wife or day of her marriage with any pson whatsoever I give and bequeath the said Capital messuage or tenemente with all houses edifices buildings yards and gardens groundes commons pfitts and apptenances thereto belonging to Joseph Wheler my sonne and his heirs for ever upon these condicons followinge vis that he the said Joseph my sonne shall well and truly pay or cause to be payd out of my said messuage and pmisses the full sume of Thirtye pounds of lawfull money o fEngland to my executor or executrix hereafter named or to such other pson or psons as my said executor or executrix shall nominate and appoynte of debts where I owe And also pay or cause to be payd out of my said Messuage with the apputenances unto Thomas Wheler my youngest son the full sume of Twenty poundes of lawfull money of England wch sumes of Thirty poundes and twenty pounds are to be payd by the said Joseph when he cometh to the full age of one and twenty years within one yeare after my decease And for the better payment of the said sumes by him the said Joseph I have surrendered to his use Twelve acres of Coppie hold land Provided allwaies and my will and minde absolutely is that if the said Joseph my sonne or his assigns doe not pay the said sumes of Thirty and twenty poundes in such maner and forme at such dayes and to such pson or psons as afore is expressed then the gift and bequest of the said Messuage or tenement with the apptenances shalbe voyd and of none effect to all intents and purposes whatsoever And I give and bequeath the said Messuage wth the apptenances commons and pfitts whatsoever to the said Thomas Wheler my yongest sonne and his heires for ever and for default of such issue the remainder thereof to Efraim Wheler my sonne and his heirs for ever anything herein to the contrarie hereof in anie wise notwithstanding Item I give and bequeath to Thomas Wheler of Warley my eldest sonne the sume of Twelve pence Item I give to Priscila Cockes my daughter twelve pence Item I give to John Wheler my sonne twelve pence Item I give to Elizabeth Bread my daughter twelve pence Item I give to Suzana Wheler my daughter one ewe lame a table and fframe standinge in the plor at Berne and house Item I give to Abiah Wheler my daughter one white weaninge calfe and Two table clootes Item I give to Marie Wheler my daughter one standinge bedsted and Two Table Clootes Item I give to the said Joseph my sonne one fframe scovell standing in the yead at my messuage at the towne end the old carte and ould wheeles and a dung carte Item I give to the said Efraim Wheler my sonne one frame scovell at the ould timber under the little scovelles in the close yard at Borne end and one weaning calfe And my will is that Thomas Tomkins shall lawfully convey and assure That ffrehold I bought of him to the said Efraim my sonne and his heires for ever Item I give to the said Thomas Wheler my youngest son one pott one Tegg and five pounds of lawful money of England to be payd to him by my executor and executrix at the age of 24 years Item I give to Allin Broad my sonne in law one carte Bodie lying behinde the stoles in the ould barne and 2 broad ristes Item I give and bequeath to the said Rebecka my wife all my movable goodes wthin my two dwelling houses at Borne end and the towne end (unbequeathed) and two heffers the one a red the other a little browne one and one ewe sheepe And also my will is that Timothie Wheler my sonne shall have halfe of my messuage closes lands and medowes at Borne end aforesaid and half the benefit and pfitt thereof for Thre yeares next after my decease (for an ease or helpe towards the payment of my debts) All the rest of my goods and cattelles as well reales as psonales unbequeathed I give and bequeath to the said Timothie my sonne whome I make my full and sole executor of this my last will and testament And if he the said Timothie refuse to be executor of this my will then I make Rebecka my wife executrix of this my last will and I doe hereby utterly revoke and annul in deed and in law all former willes testaments legaces bequests and executors by me formerly made And lastly my will is that the legacy of xx? shall be payd by the said Joseph to the said Thomas my youngest sonne out of my said messuage with the appurtenances when he cometh to the age of xxi years In witness whereof I the said Thomas Wheler the elder have to this my last will and testament sett my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written.Signed Thomas Wheler the elderPostscrip the 18 daie of June 1633. Itm I give and bequeath unto Efraim Wheeler my sonne one little pshtle late Thomas Tomkins containing one rood and halfe with the appurtenances to the heires and assignes of the said Efraim for ever(signed) Thomas Wheler the elderSigned and delivered in the psence of Tho: Arnald. Richard Arnald, Thomas Baker. No inventoryProbate 24 February 1634 granted to the executors named at the Archdeaconry Court of Bedford.[2][3]Wife, Rebecca, was last recorded as living in her daughter Abiah's will of 10 April 1637. Within a year or two, Rebecca and the children all left for New England. This can be deduced, as many of the children were underage at the time, and surely would not have gone to New England without their mother. However, no record of Rebecca in New England has been found, so she apparently did not live long after.[2]Research Notes
The American Genealogist, Vol XIV, No.1 (July 1937), "The Father of the Concord Wheelers." The author contends that Elizabeth Wheeler who married Allen Breed was the daughter of Thomas Wheeler (1565-1634) by his first wife, name not known. (His second wife was Rebecca). He includes as documentation a verbatim copy of this Thomas Wheeler's will (made 18 June 1633, proved 24 Feb 1634), in which he names wife Rebecca and children: Joseph, Thomas, Efriam, Prisila Cockes, Elizabeth Broad (sic), Suzana, Abiah, Marie, and son-in-law Allin Broad (sic). The assumption that Elizabeth is Daughter of Thomas Wheeler by his first wife is obviously in error. First wife, Mary Mynsterly, died in 1600 (possibly as a complication of the birth of daughter, Deborah, who died in infancy). Elizabeth Wheeler was born in 1602 (after the Death of Mary and after his second marriage to Rebecca Unknown). Elizabeth is definitely the daughter of Rebecca .[3]
So far 7 Thomas profiles have been located in the time frame of 1561-1620. The profiles of 5 of the Thomas state they immigrated to America from England. Its likely some need to be merged, but a closer review of the sources need to be done. The Wheeler Name Study has started a section that will review these seven profiles and their sources. The section can be found here The Many Thomas Immigrants
The only source in this profile is the .pdf document. It seems to be relying on Raymond David Wheeler, The Wheeler Genealogy - The Ancestral Wheeler Family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England whose Descendents Settled in Colonial New England (Dolgville, New York: Kinsystems, 1994).
The pdf document does not cite to the page number of Raymond David's book. The Raymond book is found in many profiles without page numbers. There is much confusion about this family line, if someone has specific page numbers please provide them. The pdf source has the following information about Thomas and his father:
John3 Wheeler (2829) (Henry2, Thomas1) was born circa 1533 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.2. He married Alice Sayre (2830), daughter of William Sayreb(2834) and Alice Squire (2835), circa 1558 at Bedfordshire, England.2. He died on 16 April 1567 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.2 Alice Sayre (2830) was born in 1541 at Odell, Bedfordshire, England.3 She died on 15 April 1567 at Cranfield,Bedfordshire, England.4 Children of John3 Wheeler (2829) and Alice Sayre (2830) both born at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, were as follows:
Thomas4 (2828) was born in 1561 (estimated). He married as his first wife Unidentified Wife (9408) before 1588 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. He married as his second wife Rebecca Sayre (2831), daughter of William Sayre (4248) and Elizabeth Squire (4249), on 11 February 1600/1 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.
Also on Page 3:
11. Thomas4 Wheeler (2828) (John3, Henry2, Thomas1) was born in 1561 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England,(estimated).1 He married as his first wife Unidentified Wife (9408) before 1588 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 He married as his second wife Rebecca Sayre (2831), daughter of William Sayre (4248) and Elizabeth Squire (4249), on 11February 1600/1 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 Yeoman of Bourne End. Also lived at Wharley End c. 1602.1 He left a will on 29 December 1627 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. He died before 11 February 1634/35 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 He was buried on 11 February 1634/35 in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 Unidentified Wife (9408) was born circa 1560 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, (estimated).1 She died before 1600 at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England.1 Children of Thomas4 Wheeler (2828) and Unidentified Wife (9408) all born at Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, were as follows:
In the above the author seems to be citing to footnote 1. which is Raymond David Wheeler, The Wheeler Genealogy - The Ancestral Wheeler Family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England whose Descendents Settled in Colonial New England (Dolgville, New York: Kinsystems, 1994). Hereinafter cited as Wheeler Genealogy - England.
Raymond David Wheeler's book has not been independently found yet or the page citation of his book is missing for this profile.
Parish Records of Cranfield Analysis
There were three Thomas Wheelers baptizing children at the same time in Cranfield. This is an attempt to show how the children were separated out and assigned to each father.Parish records of Cranfield – baptisms1602 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheler of Warley 18 July- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1603 Thomas son of Thomas Wheler 20 Nov- son of Thomas of Town End1604 Timothy son of Thomas Wheler 28 Dec- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1605 George son of Thomas Wheler 23 Mar 05/06- son of Thomas of Town End1607 Susan dau of Thomas Wheeler 31 May- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1608 John son of Thomas Wheeler 23 Oct- son of Thomas of Town End1609 Joseph son of Thomas Wheeler 18 Feb 09/10- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1610 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheeler 27 Feb 10/11- dau of Thomas of Town End1612 Abia dau of Thomas Wheeler 17 Jan 12/13 [buried 18 Apr 1637]- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1613 Ann dau of Thomas Wheler jun 30 Jan 13/14 [buried 16 July 1615]- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Died 1615.1614 Richard son of Thomas Wheler of the Towne ende 13 June- son of Thomas of Town End1615 Mary dau of Thomas Wheeler of borne ende 20 Oct- dau of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1616 Alice dau of Thomas Wheeler of Warley 15 June- dau of Thomas of Wharley End.1617 Ann dau of Thomas Wheler 15 Feb 17/18- dau of Thomas of Wharley End. Same as dau Hannah in will.1618 Ephraim son of Thomas Wheeler 16 Mar 1618/19- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1620 Thomas son of Thomas Wheeler 9 Apr- son of Thomas of Bourne End. Named in will.1621 Thomas son of Thomas Wheeler 8 Dec- son of Thomas of Wharley End. Named in will.1622 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheler of Wharley 4 Nov- dau of Thomas of Wharley End.1624 John son of Thomas Wheler 27 Feb 1624/25- son of Thomas of Wharley End.Named in will.1627 Mary dau of Thomas Wheler 17 Feb 1627/281628 Sarah dau of Thomas Wheler, 10 August- son of Thomas of Wharley End. Named in will.1630 Susan dau of Thomas Wheler tenant to ye Lordship 4 Apr1630 Sarah dau of Thomas Wheler of ye Woode 20 June1635 Mary dau of Thomas Wheler 24 Feb 1635/361637 Elizabeth dau of Thomas Wheler joiner 7 jan 1637/38Parish records of Cranfield – marriages1613 Thomas Wheler & Ann Halsey 5 May1635 Thomas Wheler & Mary Beckley 6 AprParish records of Cranfield – burials1600 Deborah Wheler dau of Thomas Wheler 30 Mar1611 John son of Thomas Wheeler 27 Dec1615 Ann dau of Thomas Wheeler 16 July1634 Thomas Wheler of the Blakehouse 11 Feb 1634/35Thomas Wheeler of Bourne End: Of the 11 children named in his will, 3 were born before the baptism records start (Thomas Sr., Priscilla, John), and 8 found in the baptism records. They are Elizabeth 1602, Timothy 1604, Susan 1607, Joseph 1609, Abiah 1612, Mary 1615, Ephraim 1618/9 and Thomas 1620.Thomas Wheeler of Wharley: The record of his first daughter Ann he is called jun., and in two others he is called Thomas of Warley. His and his wife's wills name eldest son Thomas, dau Sarah Sherwood, dau Hannah Bennett, and son John. So as children we have Ann 1613/4, Alice 1616, Ann/Hannah 1617/8, Thomas 1621, Elizabeth 1622, John 1624 and Sarah 1628.Thomas Wheeler of Town End: There were five children who did not fit in well with Thomas of Bourne End, or Thomas of Worley. The last is Richard who was specifically named as the son of Thomas of Town End; the other four march out perfectly so they are all the children of Thomas of Town End. They are Thomas 1603, George 1605/6, John 1608, Elizabeth 1610/11, Richard 1614.Unplaced are Mary 1627/8, Susan 1630, Mary 1635/6 and Elizabeth 1637/8. Since Mary cannot be a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Wharley, I think this is evidence that a 4th Thomas Wheeler started baptizing children in Cranfield. Are they children of Thomas Wheeler bp 1603 son of Thomas Wheeler of Town End? or of Thomas Wheeler bp 1606 son of Richard Wheeler.Note: Mary (Wheeler) Dodd with birth date of 20 October 1615 is currently attached as a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Wharley. This cannot be right.Note: Rebecca (Wheeler) is currently attached as a daughter of Thomas Wheeler of Wharley. Likely wrong - she is not on the baptism list or named in wills.Note: Need to figure out what is going on with Sarah Wheeler-714 and Sarah Wheeler-1198. They are both claiming to be the same person.Note: It fits much better if we flip the parents of Thomas born in 1620 and Thomas born in 1621.Common Errors to Avoid
Incorrect wife's name: The first wife of Thomas Wheeler was previously called Mary Mynsterley, married 3 Feb 1587 in Chelmarsh, Shropshire, England. There is absolutely no evidence to support this name, marriage date or marriage place.Date of second marriage: This profile previously stated that he married his second wife Rebecca on 11 February 1601 in Bedfordshire, England. No such marriage occurs in the Cranfield parish records. No record of any kind has been found to support this date.Sources
Footnotes and citations:
↑ 1.0 1.1 Email from Madeline Dodd, Page: 11 June 1999
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Threlfall, John Brooks, 50 Great Migration Colonists to New England and Their Origins. (Madison, WI, 1990): pages 504-508. FamilySearch
↑ 3.0 3.1 The American Genealogist. (Vol 14 1937-38 Pages 1-) New Haven, CT: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database accessed August 26, 2015. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .)Source list:
The American Genealogist, vol. 12 (1935): pages 4-17. Captain Thomas Wheeler and some of his Descendants, by Homer W. Brainard. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 14 (1937): pages 1-4. The Father of the Concord Wheelers, by Donald Lines Jacobus. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 20 supplement (1943): pages 37-38. Additions and Corrections to The Families of Old Fairfield: Wheeler, by Donald Lines Jacobus. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 27 no. 1 (January 1951): pages 35-40. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 1, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 27 no. 2 (April 1951): pages 119-125. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 2, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 28 no. 3 (July 1952): pages 139-148. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 3, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
The American Genealogist, vol. 28 no. 4 (October 1952): pages 257-259. The Wheelers of Bedfordshire and New England, part 4, by John Insley Coddington. AmericanAncestors.org link.
New England Historical and Genealogical Register vol. 87 no. 2 (April 1933): 115-120. The Parents of Elizabeth (White) Wheeler and Anna (White) Hayward of Concord, Mass., by Howard Dakin French. AmericanAncestors.org link.
Threlfall, John Brooks, Fifty Great Migration Colonists to New England and Their Origins. (Madison, WI, 1990): pages 504-508.
Wheeler, Raymond David. The Wheeler Genealogy: The Ancestral Wheeler Family of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, whose descendants settled in Colonial New England, vol. 1. (1993).
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JWXM-W8M : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheler in entry for Elizabeth Wheler, 18 Jul 1602; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7MG-53J : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheler in entry for Timothy Wheler, 28 Dec 1604; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP1N-3F4 : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Susannah Wheeler, 31 May 1607; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP1N-3F4 : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Susannah Wheeler, 31 May 1607; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP1N-H4D : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheler in entry for Joseph Wheler, 18 Feb 1610; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J7MG-GH9 : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Abia Wheeler, 17 Jan 1613; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.
"England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JWXM-4LF : 6 December 2014), Thomas Wheeler in entry for Thomas Wheeler, 09 Apr 1620; citing CRANFIELD,BEDFORD,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 845,460.Acknowledgements:
This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import. Wheeler-5952 was created by Lisa Edwards through the import of Edwards Family Tree.ged on Apr 9, 2014.
Events
| Birth | 1561 | Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England | |||
| Death | 11 Feb 1635 | Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England | |||
| Marriage | Unknown Unknown |
Families
| Spouse | Unknown Unknown ( - ) |
| Child | Sgt Ephraim Wheeler (1619 - 1670) |