1. JAMES WHEELER was born 26 Nov 1748 in Greenwich, Massachusetts. He married RACHEL _______. They settled in Chesterfield Twp, New Hampshire where their children were born.
The History of the Wheeler Family in America by Albert G. Wheeler incorrectly asserts that "The History of Chesterfield, N.H., says that his father's name was Joseph, also that he was a brother of Benjamin Wheeler No. 10172." In actuality, The History of Chesterfield, Cheshire County, N.H. (by Oran E. Randall) does not identify James Wheeler's father. It states:
WHEELER, JAMES, said to have been the brother of Ephm., Benjamin, 2nd, and Randall Wheeler (q.v.), may have been in Chfd. in 1773. His wife was RACHEL ______. Selectman 1792 (?), 1800, '01. His name disappears between 1815 and '19.
It is generally accepted that these brothers are the sons of EPHRAIM WHEELER and HANNAH MARKS of Greenwich (Quabbin), Hampshire County, MA.
The majority of JAMES WHEELER'S family had moved to Jefferson County, NY by 1819, settling in Brownville, Henderson, and Ellisburgh. JAMES WHEELER died in Brownville in 1835. Many of his children and grandchildren later moved on to Wisconsin and Minnesota in the mid 1840's. Some remained in Jefferson County.
Children of JAMES and RACHEL WHEELER:
2. HANNAH WHEELER b. 12 Mar 1775
3. JONATHAN WHEELER b. 18 Apr 1777
4. SILAS WHEELER b. 21 May 1780 m. SALLY BISHOP
5. RACHEL WHEELER b. 3 Nov 1782 m. _______ SCOTT
6. EPHRAIM WHEELER b. 26 Jan 1785
7. LEONARD WHEELER b. 14 Jul 1787 m. EUNICE DAGGETT
8. ROSWELL WHEELER b. 11 May 1790
9. LEAH WHEELER b. 23 Jun 1792 m. EATON GROW
10. FANNY WHEELER b. 1 Dec 1794 m. ________ CROSBY
In JAMES WHEELER'S will of 1834, he also named an additional child, probably an adopted orphan:
11. PAUL HILDRETH
References:
1) The History of the Wheeler Family in America, by Albert G. Wheeler, 1914.
2) Will of James Wheeler of Brownville, Jefferson County, NY, probated 1835.
3) History of Chesterfield, Cheshire County, NH, by Oran E. Randall, 1882.
4) "Descendents of Leonard Wheeler" in Lyme Heritage Center Wheeler Family File.