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George Wheeler |
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Katherine Pin |
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George Wheeler ★ (Thomas) was baptized as George Wheler, the son of Thomas Wheler, on March 23, 1605/6, according to the parish records of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England CO42. John Brooks Threlfall stated that in the early 1600s in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England, there were two men named Thomas Wheeler and there were three infants christened with the name George Wheeler TH46. Threlfall believed that the George Wheeler who relocated to Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts was the son of the Thomas Wheeler “of the Town End”, rather than the Thomas Wheeler “of the blakehouse” because Thomas Wheeler “of the blakehouse” wrote a will prior to his death in 1634/5 which did not mention a son named George TH46. The parish records of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England state that George Wheler married Catharine Pin on June 8, 1630 CO42. Lemuel Shattuck stated in his History of the Town of Concord that his wife’s name was Katherine and that George, Joseph, and Obadiah Wheeler were among the first settlers of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, with Ephraim, Thomas, and Timothy Wheeler arriving later in 1639 SH23. He stated that the surname was so common in Concord that there were six infants named John Wheeler who were born between 1650 and 1670 SH23.
George Wheeler took the oath of fidelity and was made a freeman on June 2, 1641 PA23. He signed his name with fourteen other men, including Thomas Wheeler and Joseph Wheeler to a petition to the court sometime prior to June 5, 1644 SH23. This group of fifteen men were writing as members of the church of Concord on behalf of their “brother Mr. Ambrose Martin”, who were pleading with the court to waive the fine that Ambrose Martin had received for “some unadvised speeches uttered against the church-covenant” SH23.
George Wheeler, along with eleven other men, signed a petition to the General Court which was presented on May 14, 1645 SH23. This petition stated that the land at Concord was particularly poor quality and wet (“the povertie and meannesse of the place we live in… together with the badness and weetnes of the meadowes”), and toward the end of the past summer, a seventh or eighth part of the inhabitants of the town departed south with Reverend John Jones, leaving many houses abandoned SH23. They stated that they feared the dissolution of the town and that “if more go from us we shall neither remayne as a congregation nor a towne” and their “humble request is you would be pleased to consider how unable we are to beare with our brethren the common charges, the premises considered” SH23. Essentially, the men of Concord were petitioning to have a reduced tax rate because they had fewer inhabitants SH23. The court responded by stating that a consideration of the rates for Concord should occur, but they left that decision to the assessors SH23. This petition may have been effective, because Concord paid a colony tax of twenty-five pounds in 1642 but fifteen pounds in 1645 SH23.
“Georg Wheler”, “Thomas Deene”, and several other men of the town of Concord signed their names to an agreement between the church of Concord and the “Colledge att Cambridge”, which was Harvard University, which stated that their church would pay five pounds annually to the college for the term of seven years PU8. Exceptions to the signatures included John Heald and William Hartwell, whose signatures did not appear on this document PU8. A transcription of this agreement has been provided and was taken from the image of the document which was included in the Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Volume XII. This transcription is only very slightly different than the transcription which was provided in the aforementioned Volume XII PU8:
An agreem[en]t made and agreed upon by the towne and Church of Concord concerning the Colledge att Cambridge, made Aug · 22 · 1653 ·
It is agreed by the company of the sayd towne and church, to give yearely the sum[m]e of five pounds for the use of the sayd Colledge to be leavyed upon the same towne after the same manner as the other rates are leavyed, and to be payd in att or before the last of ye moneth of May. the sayd yearely sum[m]e of 5li to continue for the space of seven yeares, and then to be ether renewed if it shall appeare that it may be improved for good, or otherwise we to be att libertye to doe according to the state of things then being . And for the terme of seven yeares aforesayd, the sayd towne of Concord doth desire that this order may be recorded in the court, and confirmed by the autiritye [this word was probably meant to state “authority”] of the same. In wittnes of our consent hereto, we haue hereto sett our handes, the day and yeare above written.
On March 7, 1654 (perhaps 1654/5), the men of Concord decided that certain individuals should have the ability to purchase additional land if they were “short in lands, paying 12d. per acre, as others have don, and 6d. per acre, if the towne consent thereto” SH23. George Wheeler was permitted to have an additional twenty acres of land; the other men who were permitted extra land were Obadiah Wheeler, Michel Wood, Thomas Daken, Thomas Batman, and Bapties Smedly SH23. They also divided the town into three sections (which they called quarters), selected overseers for each section, and outlined the duties of the overseers for each quarter SH23. They selected William Hartwell and Ensign Wheeler to be overseers for the east quarter, George Wheeler, James Hosmer, George Heaward, and Sergeant Buss to be overseers for the south quarter, and John Smedley and Thomas Batman to be overseers for the north quarter SH23. The duties of the overseers have been provided below SH23:
We doe choose overseeres in ech quarter for the faithful performance of there duty in that case all particulers, so far as may conduce for the profit and good of there quarters, as to make rates to pay workmen and to see that all persons come in seasonable time and keepe them to there bisiness faithfully, and keep accounts and so see the worke suffisiently done; and they are impoured [empowered] to call fitt men and cattle in there quarter to the worke and pay them there wages; and if any shall refeuse to attend these nesery workes there names shall be returned to the selectmen of the towne, who shall impose findes according to law upon all such ofenders in that case. Also the overseeres as aforesaid shall keep an exact account of there owne time expended, and shall have suffisient satisfaction for the same.
It should be noted that the town record of these new town laws were signed by nine men, including “Georg Wheler” SH23. George Wheeler, Thomas Brooks, Timothy Wheeler, Joseph Wheeler, George Heaward, and John Jones signed their names to a document presented to the General Court in May 1655 SH23:
To the Honored Generall Court assembled at Boston. The returne of the nommber of acres of land granted as an addition to the Towne of Concord according to the order of the General Court in 1654. Whereas the Court was pleased to grannt to our Towne a village some fouer years since upon condition they should improve it before others, but neglecting theire opportunity, the plantation of Chelmsford have taken a good parte of the same, also Nattatawants [Tahattawan] having a plantation granted him which takes up a good some also, we whose names are subscribed have taken a survey of the rest remayning, and wee finde about seven thousand acres left out, of which Major Willard hath two thousand acres, except a little part of one end of his farme which lyes in the place or parcell of vacant land, that was since given to Shawshine, this tract of land being by the last Court granted to our Towne on this condition that at this Court we should acquaint the Court of the quantitye of what wee have.
The names of George Wheeler and William Hartwell were on a petition to the General Court to grant them “ease in the charge” of the bridges within Concord MA70:
To the Right Wor[shipfu]ll the Governor, deputy, and Assistants wth the rest of the Members of the honored Generall Cort mett at Boston Octobr 18th 1659 the Humble Petition & declaracon of the Inhabitants of the Towne of Concord
Humbly Sheweth, that whereas there was an order made by the honored Court that each County should mainteyne the bridges wthin it that are County bridges, And wee understand, that there was something since Concluded in the Court concerning the severall Townes in this County of Middlesex bearing the Charges of the bridges wthin their bounds, except Mystick bridge, & that which is betweene Billerekay [Billerica] and Chelmsford, which wee yor Petitioners here never consented unto, and therefore have divers times made of Complaint to our County Cort concerning it, but not being there releived but referred by them to the consideracon of this honored Court. Wee therefore humbly Intreat that our Condition in this respect may bee seriously weighted and that wee may have such releife as this prsent Court shall in their wisedome Judge Just & equall for us to receive. And that the honored Court may the better discerne, what the Charge hath beene, & is like to bee about the County bridges in o[u]r Towne, bee pleased hereby to understand that the length of the Archworke of these bridges over the Rivers which at prsent is & hereafter must be is about sixty rods besides all the other Charges about them, & severall other smaller bridges which frequently need repaires; For ease in the charge whereof wee humbly crave yor helpe, And yor Petitioners shall pray for the gracious prsence of the Lord wth you in all yor weighty occasions.
Edward Bulkely
Timothy Wheeler
Robert Fletcher
George Wheeler
Willm Hartwell
Thomas Wheeler
He was part of a committee selected by Concord to distribute land to Major Willard in May 1660 MA70:
The 21d May 1660
A Com[m]ittee Chosen by the Towne of Concord to lay out the Major Willards one thousand acres of land, with the Major himselfe Thomas Brooke Robert Fletcher and George Wheeler: the dimensions [the previous word is uncertain] of it as followeth
the first line Corner begining upon Chelmsford line run[n]ing southward 170 Rods
the second line westward 360 Rods
the third line northward meeting with Chelmsford line 390 Rods
the fourth line eastward along Chelmsford line 640 Rods
This was done by a mutuall consent of the Major Willard and the Com[m]ittee Chosen by the Towne: Witness their hands here unto
Thomas Brooke
Robert Fletcher
George Wheeler
James Hosmore Thomas Browne and John Howe be witnesses here unto setting to our hands
James Hosmore Thomas Browne John Howe
I consent hereto witness my hand Simon Willard
George and Timothy Wheeler purchased about 725 acres of land in several parcels mostly in Concord from Grace Bulkely, the widow of Reverend Peter Bulkely, on September 30, 1663 for the sum of four hundred pounds MI29. The last part of this deed stated that George and Timothy Wheeler were partners in this venture, but that George would own one quarter of all of the land sold by Grace Bulkely, whereas Timothy would own three quarters of the land MI29. Gershom Bulkely, the son of Grace Bulkely, consented to the deed on the same date MI29. The transcription of this deed follows MI29:
Concord. Septemb[er] 30th 1663.
To all [people to] whom this present writeing shall come to be seene or read. Know ye that I mrs Grace Bulkly the relict widow of mr Peter Bulkeley Sometime minister of the word of God in Concord, in the Coun[ty] of Midlesex in the Colony or Jurisdiccon of the Massachusets Bay in New England Have granted bargained & sold aliened enfeoffed & confirmed, and by these presents do fully clearly and absolutely grant bargain & sell alien, enfeoffe, and confirme, unto Timothy Wheeler yeom. and George Wheeler both of the same Towne and County their heyres and assignes forever: All the messuage and tenemt or tenemts whereof I the said mrs Grace Bulkeley am possessed in Concord, and do also otherwise belong to my sonne Gershom Bulkely as his propper estate after mee the said messuage & tenemt or tenemts conteyneing these severall particulars following. Imprimis, one dwelling house and out houses, with the garden or orchard & backesides and all lands lying thereto, and to mee belonging both above and below the high way. as also a peece of ground below the house com[m]only called the calou [the previous word is uncertain] pasture, except ten acres thereof to be layd out to mr Edward Bulkely as that corner of the ground next to his the said mr Edward Bulkly his dwelling house where now it is, and to be layd out so also as may be least p[re]judiciall to the aforesaid Timothy & George Wheeler, in the benefit of the residue of the said peece of land, provided also that the said Timothy and George Wheeler be not at any time charged with the maintenance of any part of the fence that shall divide betweene the said ten acres, and the residue of the ground, but hee the said mr Edward Bulkely wholly mainteyne ye same) Item, the great lott being about one hundred acres more or less behind the Hills as also seaventy two acres of meadow more or less, in the great meadow, and twenty acres more be it more or less in the same meadow, a little below it It[em]. foure acres of meadow at the Faire Haven five acres or meadow more or less in the Towne meadow, and eight acres more or less and foure more (if it can be found,) in elme brooke meadow, Item. thirty acres of land more or less by Goodm[an] Stratten. Item. about two hundred acres of land more or less in the hog pens, and about one hundred & fifty acres more or less by the Cedar Swamp, as also one hunded and twelve acres more or less by mr flint. It[em] a peice of land [the previous word may have been a longer descriptive word describing the type of land, but the first half was illegible] called ye Hole [the previous word is uncertain] between the aforesaid seaventy two acres of meadow & the river, and Twenty acres of comom [sic], I say these severall particulars with all their priviledges & appurtenances To have and to hold the said messuage or tenemt with all & singular the priviledges & appurtenances to the same in any wise belonging (except that I the said mrs Grace Bulkely do reserve to my selfe, my heyres Executors adm[ini]strators or Assignes for ever, the priviledge of a sufficient water course from the mill to the river throw [perhaps this word was meant to be “through”] the meadow between the said milne and river) To have & to hold I say to them the said Timothy and George Wheeler their heyres, Exeuctors, adm[ini]strators, & assignes for ever, to their only propper use & behoofe. further more I the said mrs Grace Bulkly aforesaid for and in the behalf of my selfe, heyres, Excecutrs [sic] and adm[ini]strators & assignes do covenant, p[ro]mise and grant to and with [the previous word is uncertain] The said Timothy & George Wheeler, their heyres & assignes for ever by these presents that they have, hold, occupy possesse & injoy the premises in & by these presents granted, bargained and sold with out the lawfull lett [the previous two words are uncertain], trouble, eviccon, expulccon, suite [the previous word is uncertain], molestaccon, disturbance, contradiccon or deniall of mee the said mrs Grace Bulkely, my heyres executors adm[ini]strators or assignes or any other person or persons whatsoever claimeing and haveing any lawfull right and interest therein, or to any part or parcell of the abovesaid granted & bargained p[re]mises or hereby intended to be granted bargained & sold by, from, or under mee the said mrs Grace Bulkely or by any other mann[er] of wayes & meanes whatsoever, And all this I do sell & bargaine as above said to the said Timothy & George Wheeler as above said, for and in consideraccon of foure hundred pounds sterl: [the previous word is uncertain but resembles an abbreviated form of the word “sterling”] to mee the said mrs Grace Bulkly well and truly payd by the said Timothy and George Wheeler. concerneing paymt whereof in manner and time, I have received full sattisfaccon in bond from the aforesaid Timothy & George Wheeler In witnes whereof I the said mrs Grace Bulkly have hereunto put my hand and seale, this present day of the date here of. The one thing only to be minded That where as Timothy & George Wheeler are Joyned both together as partners in this bargaine and sale. Bee it hereby knowne that the abovesaid George Wheeler hath only one fourth or quarter part therein the other three quarters are granted and belonging to the aforesaid Timothy Wheeler as abovesaid, witness I say my hand & seale the day of the date hereof.
Grace Bulklely
Signed sealed, & delivd. In the presence of us
Thomas Dane
Jno Jones
On April 9, 1669, George Wheeler and thirteen other men of Concord signed their name to a new town ordinance regarding passage for carts through the Great Meadow and the allowance for proprietors to drive their cattle down the riverbank CO43. This record was mostly legible, aside from some words on the right side of the page and a few illegible words, and it has been transcribed below CO43:
Where as there hath been summe differance a mongst the proprieters of the Great meadow with Respect to a high way from Humphry Barot [the word following “Barot” was written in superscript or interlined was not legible but may have started with the letter “l”] meadow unto the head of the Great meadow it is now Loveingly agreed by us whose names are under written that from hence forth or from this time every proprieter shall have free Liberty with out purchace to Cart over every of our medows: as his need my Require every one helping from time to time to make & maintayne the passages for Carts according to his property: & no parson to go out of the way where by Dammage may be don to any parson. and if any proprie[tor] shall leave downe any mans shutt Rayles or Gates he shall pay five shillings to the parson that owns [the preceding word is uncertain] the sayd Rayles or Gates this ninth of Aprill one Thousand sixhundred sixty nine. and further it is agreed [the preceding word is uncertain] that those that shall have need to drink their cattle at any time to feed [the previous word is uncertain] on their medow shall [the next word is missing or rubbed away] a way Layd out upon the upland for their perticuler use. by such vas the select men shall Appoint for that end. according to law and John Smedly & Humphry are to make or mend the cartway up the River Banck and to Receive pay of every owner according to his propriety. and in the latter end of the year when the hay is gotten out [the previous word is uncertain] of the medo. Any proprieter hath liberty to Drive his cattle down ye River banck to feed. but not to doo any proprieter Damage with out Due sattisfaction and every parson is to put in Cattle according to his propriety. and the cattle to be put be put [sic] into the [the following word is illegible] no longer then the major part of the proprieters shall conclude signed this 9th. 2. 69
Edward Bulkley Georg wheeler Robert miriam Timothy wheeler william Busse John scotchford John Flint John smedly John Heywood Humphry Barat William Butterick Edmond Wigley James Blood John Wheeler
He, along with William Buss and John Scotchford, were appointed by the selectmen of Concord to lay out all the highways in the south quarter of Concord on May 14, 1670/71, beginning with the road through Samuel Streaton’s land CO43:
14 may 70/71 ameting [a meeting] of the selectmen about the Townes afares [affairs]; samewell streaten, desiared that the highway belowe his house may be altred, It is granted by the selectmen, to be layed out by the Comity Chosen for that end, to lay out all highwayes, that are to be laied out in that south querter; which are Georg wheler, ensign william Buss, & John schotchford: there Returne as foloweth;
We Georg wheler, william Buss & John schotchford being appointed by the selctment of Concord to lay out a highway through the land of samewell streaton; having acordingly don the same, with the Consent of the above said samewell streaton, aprill the last, and laied out the way, to toune into samewell streatons land at the east Corner of mr Joseph eastbrooks house lot, Runing betwene the above said, samewels dwelling house and barne so Runing through the said samewls land south, with aline of marked treese on the westerly sid [the previous word was at the edge of the document and is uncertain, but may have stated “side”] to be four Rods wid to the east, by aline of marked trees or stakes, the said samewel to a low wood from his owne land; this high way is adrifte [the previoys word is uncertain] oppen way and to be mended, and mad good as the Rest of the townes Contry wayes are mad and Repayved; and the former [the previous word is uncertain] is Relinquesed into the said samewels hands; and Georg meriam; Joseph wheeler, luke potter and Thomas Cane, are to have liberty to Ceart ther hay. & drive their Catle throug[h] the above said samewel streatons land, and so the way forwards to goe along on a ridg [there may be a word missing; as with most of the uncertain words in these Concord town records, this uncertain word is positioned at the extreme right edge of the page] on the top of the ridg of the hill, and to tawne up at the end of the hill, so strait the Contry Road way;
The land owned by George Wheeler was described in the town records of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts on May 20, 1673 CO43:
The Land of George Wheeler yt he is possessed of in the Town of Concord this twentyeth day of may in the year one thousand six hundred and seventy three
Imprimis his house Lott Eleven acres more or less first division, and is bounded noreast with the Town highway and North west with the highway, west wit[h] Land of John Scotchford, south and southeast with land of Joshua wheler
It[em] Nine acres Lying over the mill Brook first division more or less and is Bounded south with land of Thomas Dane, and East with Land of John haywood, north with Land of Humphery Baret, west with the Town highway
It[em] thirteen acres and an half of medow in the great medow more or less first division with a part of the hoult adjoyning to it and is bounded with medow of Capt Timothy Wheeler west, and medow of John wheeler East, and medow of Samuel Jones south
It[em] three quarters of an acre more or less medow and upland first division and is bounded with land of James Smedly north, northeast with the mill Brook, southeast and south with the highway, west with the burying place
It[em] twenty Eight acres of second division land more or less lying in the north quarter: and is bounded with land of Timothy wheeler on the East, with land of Thomas Brown Senr on the north, and with land of william Butterick west
It[em] five acres lying in the no[r]th quarter Common
It[em] in spring medow two acres and a half of first division medow more or les with some upland adjoyning to it on the side of the hill to the brow of the hill, and is bounded with Land and medow of Thomas Dakin west and north, Samuel Wheelers medow south west, and the River south east
It[em] Seventy six acres of first and Second Division upland and medow lying on both sides of Brook medow Brook and is bounded with land of Obadiah Wheeler on the East and the South, and with undivided land west, and the highway and land of John Miles and medow of John Wheeler west and northwest, north with the highway, and land of John Wheeler northeast
It[em] Six acres of first division medow more or less lying above fair haven and is Bounded with the River East, South with medow of Obadiah wheeler north with medow of Samuel Wheeler
It[em] three acres of first division medow more or less and is bounded with the River East medow of Luke Potter South, medow of James Horsmer junr north
It[em] Seventy six acres of medow and upland first and second division and is bounded on land of John Scotchford Southeast and the Cartway East, on undivided land north, and on land of Obadiah Wheeler west, and on Nathaniel Billing west
It[em] Sixteen acres of Land Second division more or less joyning to Sudbury Town Lyne Sudbury Town line bounding it Southwest, and land of James Horsmer junr west and undivided land north and East
It[em] one acres in the ash swamp bounded South by James Horsmer Seenr
It[em] ten acres of pine land Second division more or les and is bounded north and East with land of John Miles, and undivided land west and the high way South
It[em] three acres of land Second division more or les and is bounded with the white pond South, and the Swamp north west and East with undivided land
It[em] two acres Second division more or les and is bounded South with the white pond, and undivided land west north and East
It[em] thirteen acres Second division more or les lying in the South field and without the field and is bounded East with land of Samuel Stratton, and the high-way west and land of Joshua wheeler north
It[em] forty four acres of Second division more or les lying on the north side of walden pond and bounded with land of John Scotchford west, and land of mr Edward Bulley [Bulkley] on the South, with land of Samuel Stratton on ye East, and land of Thomas Brooks north
It[em] five acres of Second division land more or les lying by mr Flints pond and is bounded with the ditch on the East, with the pond South, Joshua wheelers land west and land of John wheeler north
It[em] fourteen acres of upland and medow Second division more or les and is bounded with the Brook west and the River north and land of Nathaniel Billing junr east
It[em] two acres in muddy medow Swamp Second division more or les and is bounded with land of Edward Bulkley South and west, and land of James Horsmer Seenr North, and land of James Smedley on the East
It[em] four acres of medow first division more or les lying by the River in John mileses pasture bounded west with the River
It[em] six acres of Second division more or les lying beyond Thomas Gobles and is bounded with the Spruce Swamp South and with land of John Heywood Southwest and with land of John Scotchford northwest
It[em] two acres in the Spruce Swamp and Seven acres adjoyning to watertown line
It[em] twenty nine acres more or les upland and medow, first and second division wheron Thomas Wheelers house Stands, and is bounded South east with the high way, East with land of Michael wood, northeast by land of James Horsmer junr North west by the River Southwest by land of John wheeler
It[em] in dungie hole two acres and a half of medow more or les Second division and is bounded South with Sudbury Town bounds west with undivided land, north with medow of Luke Potter, and univided land East
It[em] in Chestnut field half an acre first division bounded with the fence north East with the highway
On January 23, 1681/2, he granted land to his daughter, Ruth Hartwell, which he acknowledged to be his act and deed on the same date; a transcription has been provided below CO43:
Know all men by these p[r]esents that I George Wheeler of the Town of Concord in the countey of middx in new england, For & by reason of the Love & Affection which I bear to my well beloved daughter Ruth Heartwel have given granted Assigned & set over unto her the aforesd my daughter, Ruth, six Acres of upland more or less Bounding to my son John Wheelers land, & to Nathan Stowes southwest, an Leftt Joseph wheelers south & East, and five Acres of meadow towards the Lower end of the elmbrook meadow Bounded to my son Francis Fletchers meadow west, & on ye East to my son John Wheelers meadow. and upon ye north & south to upland, And five Acres of upland Joining to my son Eliphelet Foxes swamp northeast And Leftt Joseph Wheelers land south. To Have & to hold these parcells of Land promised, & Every part & parcell thereof, to her ye aforesd my daughter Ruth Hartwell her heires & Assignes for Ever. In witness where of I do set to my hand & seal this twenty third day of January in the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundred eighty & one.
Georg wheelers mark & a seal
In ye p[re]sence of us
Edward Bulkley
Luke potter
He wrote his will on January 28, 1684, a transcription of which follows AM1:
I Georg Wheeler Senir in the Town of Concord in the County of Middlsexes in the Massachusets Colony in new England: being in A Compident measuer of memory & understanding: praised be God: doe make this my last Will & Testament in manner and forme as followeth: first my Soul I Commite to God yt [that] gave it me believeing in the lord Jesus Christ my onely lord & Saviour who will raise my body att the last & great day to life eternall: & my body to decent buryall: first I will yt my due debts be honestly paid & Funnerall Charges satisfied: for my Temprall estate as followeth: first I will that my whole estate shall stande engaged & be responseable for my Comfortable mainetenance in all respects during the terme of my life: & also my Funnerall Charges to be borne by my whole estate also the Charges of execution & all Court Confirmation and enroulment be borne by my whole estate: I will to my Two Sons Thomas wheeler & John Wheeler my mansion dwelling house barnes Cow houses & orchards with yt part of the home lot joyning to sd house & orchards down to the Cross fence yt stood Cross ye sd lot in equall right of p[ro]priety: the lower part of sd lot down to John Scocthfords [Scotchford’s] house I give to my Son Thomas & yt part of my lot lying between Joshua Wheeler & John Scocthford [Scotchford] I give to my son John: I give to my two sons Thomas & John my Six acers bought of Gershon Bulkeley lying over the hills equally in right: also I give to my sones Thomas & John my Twenty eight acers of woodland lying in the north quarter over the river equall in right: also I give to the Children of my Son William deceassed as a legacy out of my estate the sume of Sixty Six pounds Seven shillings to be paid to them by the executors of this my will in equall right of propriety onely my will is yt my medow at brooke medow on both sides of the brooke exceepting yt p[ar]t I give to my Son Thomas as also my one acer in ash swamp at faire haven: be by the executors of this my will be dispoossed of to my son williams Children & to be as p[ar]te of ye above sd legacy: also the Two acers & a halfe of medon [meadow] on the north west Side of the brake at brooke medow joyning to my Son williams pastor [pasture] it is not my said Son williams but I will it to my executors to administer upon it as my estate: I give to my Son Thomas my piece of medow at brooke medow joyning to John Wheeler medow lying on the northwest side of the brooke Three acers more or less: I give to my Son John my Two acers & a halfe of medow in spring medow more or less: I give to my Two sones Thomas & John my medow in ye medow called The great medow with my p[ar]te of the host in equall right: I give to my son John my fourteen acers at the south field on the east Side of the Country way a gainst [against] Comyes house also Two acers in muddy medow Swamp: I give to my sones Thomas & John my fourty four acers lying north of Walden pond in equall right: I give to my son Thomas my fourteen acers lying on the south east of the south river joyning to nathaniel & John Billings: I give to my son john my six acers joyning to daniel dane south ea[s]t from mounttaber [Mount Tabor]: I give to my sones Thomas & John my eight acers joyning to Mr Flints pond lying by the east quarter lyne in equall right: I give to my son John my four acers in John Milles pastor joyning to the south River: also I give to my two sons Thomas & John out of my moveable estate five pounds [the previous word is an absolute guess, since there is a hole in the center of this document] A piece:: I give to my son Thomas Ten pounds out of my moveable Estate in Consideration he is short of his brothers in receit of parts [the following short word is faded as it is in a crease] I give to my daughter Foxes Children six pounds equall amongst them: I give to my four daughters Elizabeth Fletcher: Sarah Dudly, Ruth Hartwell & Hanah Fletcher: the sume of fifteen pounds A piece in good & Currant Countery pay to be paid to them in Concord Corrant price: allso I will & Reserve to my selfe during my life A Comfortable maintenance in all respects & ye Charge of my maintenance upon my estate did begine in the year one thousand Six hundred eighty & Two on to the day of my death : which said Charge is to Come out & be leavied upon my estate I meane this my estate in this my will given & legacyes bequeathed: & my will is yt when that all Charges Concer[n]inge my maintenance & decent buryall & other wise be satisffied: yt then each legacye & estate given doe Then abate their due & true & Juste proportion: what ye executors of this my will shall bring in account truly due all & each of my Children Sons & daughters resting Contented with their due parte of my estate in this my will given be it more or less ye whole ore but parte here given: for I Know not the day of my death & so not what my Comfortable maintenance may spend: I give to my Sons Thomas & john my seven acers lying in ye Corner nere watertown lyene: also my will is that no legacy shall be required untill Two years after my death: These lands I give to my Two sones Thomas & John their heirs & a ssignes [assigns] be it more or less: also I will Constitute & make my Two Sones Thomas Wheeler & John Wheeler the executors of this my will & equally to pay all legacys each his equall p[ro]portion: This I Georg Wheeler Senir make this my laste Will all my former Wills to be anullity & voide Witness my hand & Seal thistwentyeightday [this twenty eight day] of jenuary in the year one thousand Six hundred eighty & four
George Wheeler
His Marke
Signed & sealed in p[re]senc of
Samuell Meriam
Jonathan Hubard
John Scocthford
The will of George Wheeler was proved by Samuell Meriam and Jonathan Hubard on July 2, 1687 AM1. The inventory of his estate occurred on August 16, 1687 and was conducted by Eliphelet Fox, Stevenn Hosmer (who wrote the letter “s” backwards in his names), and John Smedly, Jr. AM1. The value of his estate was worth over 163 pounds, and debts which were due from his estate included a debt of ninety pounds to his son, John Wheeler, a debt of over twenty-four pounds to the estate of Thomas Wheeler, a debt of over three pounds to “Margaret his maid servant”, and a debt of over eight shillings to Nathaniel Harwood AM1. A transcription of his inventory has been provided AM1:
A Just and true Inventory of the goods and Estate of George Wheeler sen:r Late of Concord deceased taken and appraised by us whose names are hereunto subscribed the Sixteenth Day of August Anno Dom:i 1687
Cloathing and bedding… In Iron ware and pewter of sundry sorts… One house and 8 acres of broken up Land and an Orchard… 6 acres of Upland in the field over the hill… 28 acres of Upland in the North Quarter… 9 acres of Meddow in brooke meddow… 1 acre of Swamp… 2 acres and a halfe of Meddow at Spring Meddow… 15 acres of Meddow in the great Meddow with his part of the Hoult… 14 acres Upland neare the South field… 2 acres of Swamp in Muddy Meddow Swamp… 14 acres of upland at Walden pond… 14 acres of Upland neare the South River… 13 acres of upland neare mount Tabor and Watertowne Line… 8 acres of Upland neare M:r Flints pond… 4 acres of Upland neare Fairehaven pond… Lumber
Katherine Pin ★ was the mother of Elizabeth, Mary, Ruth, and John Wheeler, “and perhaps other children” SH23. Three of her daughters, Sarah, Mary, and Ruth, were married on the same date: October 26, 1665 MA26. She was likely the mother of William, Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, Mary, Hannah, and Ruth Wheeler.
William Wheler, the son of George Wheler, was baptized on July 24, 1631, according to the parish records of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England CO42. Will Wheeler married Hana Busse on October 30, 1659 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. John Brooks Threlfall stated that William and Hana Wheeler had eight children TH46, but only six of their children were located in the Concord records MA26. These were Hana (or Hanna), who was born on October 23, 1660 but died on April 8, 1673, Rebake, born on February 25, 1661, Elizabeth, born on January 2, 1663, William, born on February 8, 1665, John, born on May 10, 1668, and Richard, born on September 19, 1672 MA26. William was called deceased in the will of his father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1. William Wheeler died on November 31, 1683 (“31. 9. 83”) in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. His son, Richard, died on March 31, 1689 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Thomas Wheler, the son of George Wheler of Wharley End, was baptized on August 14, 1633, according to the parish records of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England CO42. Thomas Wheeler married Hana Harrod on October 10, 1657 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Hana’s surname may have also been spelled “Harwood” TH46. Thomas and Hana Wheeler were the parents of three children whose births were recorded in Concord MA26. These were Hana, who was born on October 25, 1658 but died on August 12, 1659, Thomas, who was born on January 1, 1659, and John, born on September 2, 1661 MA26. John Brooks Threlfall stated that Thomas and Hana Wheeler had eleven children and that Thomas died on December 16, 1686 TH46. Thomas was mentioned in the will of his father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1. He died sometime before July 9, 1687 when the inventory of his estate was conducted by John Smedly, Jr. and Steeven Hoosmer, which stated AM1:
An Inventory of the Goods and Estate of Thomas Wheeler Son of George Wheeler Late of Concord decd taken and appraiz’d bus [by us] whose names are hereunto Subscribed the Ninth day of July 1687
Weareing apparrell… 6 yds [yards] Carsey [probably “kersey”, a coarse woolen cloth]… 3 yds serge [a twill fabric]… 7 yds branched stuffe… 4 peure [pair] of sheets… 2 table cloaths… 1 dozn Napkins… 12 pillow beers… 3 sheets… 15 yds of Linn cloth… 1 Fether bed… 2 pillows… One Rugg… A Bedd with furniture… a bed & bedding to it… A Trundle Bed and bedding to it… abedsted & bedding to it… A carpett… 1 pr [pair] old Curtaines… 5 boxes… 1 chest… 1 ditto… a trunke… 3 fowling peices… 1 halbert… In Pewter… In brass… tin ware… Iron Potts and Kettles… afrying pan… and Irons… Tramille… Earthen ware, glass bottles… a stone Jugg… Utensells for husbandry… In axes… planes… Carpenters Tooles… A Hitchell… table and Forme… Chaires… In Bookes… Copper Ware… Spinning Wheeles… A Mortar and Smoothing Iron… a Saddle… Lumber… Six Oxen… Ten Cowes… Calves [this item may have stated “3 Calves” but it was unclear if the “3” was meant to describe the number of calves]… Two horses… ahorse… The mansion house, Barne and Cowe houses & Land thereto belonging… The Field 30 acres… Six acres of Meadow… Two Acres of meadow & Swamp… 30 acres of Upland… Sixteen acres of Upland… 3 acres of upland… 30 Acres of Upland… 140 acres of wilderness Land toward Marleborrough… Ten acres att the Saw mill
Hannah Wheeler and Thomas Wheeler were the administrators of his estate, which was was valued at over 326 pounds, but it owed over forty-one pounds in debts due to John Smedly, John Miles, Peter Bulkely, Esq., Nathanael Harwood, and John Heywood, Sr. AM1.
Elizabeth Wheler, the daughter of George Wheler, was baptized on January 3, 1635/6, according to the parish records of Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England CO42. Elizabeth Wheeler married Francis Fletcher SH23. Elizabeth Wheler married “Francies” (probably Francis or Frances) Fletcher on October 11, 1656, according to the register of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Elizabeth and Francis (or Frances) Fletcher were the parents of eight children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Samiwell, born on October 6, 1657, Joseph, born on April 15, 1661, Elizabeth, born on August 24, 1663, John, born on February 28, 1665, Sarah, born on February 24, 1668, Hesicia, a son (who probably was also called Hezekiah), who was born on April 6, 1672, Hanna, born on October 24, 1674, and Bengiman (Benjamin), who was born on December 1, 1677 MA26. Elizabeth Fletcher was mentioned in the will of her father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1. Elizebeth, the wife of Francis Fletcher, died on June 14, 1704 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Sarah Wheeler, the daughter of “Georg” Wheeler, was born on March 30, 1640 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Sarah Wheeler married Frances Dudly on October 26, 1665 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Sarah and Frances Dudly were the parents of five children whose births or deaths were recorded at Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26, but John Brooks Threlfall stated that she was the mother of seven children TH46. The children with birth records in Concord were Mary Dudly, who was born on February 7, 1666, John Dudly, born on March 10, 1674/5, Benjamin Dudley, who died on March 6, 1681/2, Saml (Samuel), who was born on June 27, 1682, and Sarah Dudly, who died on August 4, 1701 MA26. Lemuel Shattuck stated that Sarah and Francis Dudley were the parents of Mary (who married Joseph Fletcher), Joseph (who married Abigail Gobble in 1691 and died in 1702), Samuel (who married Abigail King in 1704 and died in 1775), Sarah, John (who married Hannah Poultier in 1697), and “perhaps other children” SH23. Sarah Dudly was mentioned in the will of her father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1. Sarah Dudly, the wife of Frances Dudly, died on December 12, 1713 in Concord, which was just one week before the death of her sister, Ruth (Wheeler) Hartwell, who died on December 19, 1713 MA26.
John Wheeler, the son of “Georg” Wheeler, was born on March 19, 1643/4 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. John Wheeler married Sarah Larken on March 25, 1663 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. He may have been the John Wheeler who owned sixty-seven acres of land in the south quarter of Concord, Middlesex County in 1666 SH23. John and Sarah Wheeler were the parents of thirteen children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Samewell, born on July 6, 1664, Sarah, born on December 12, 1666, Edward, born on July 17, 1669, Johanna, born on December 21, 1671, Mary, born on September 15, 1673, Lidia, born on October 27, 1675, Ester, born on December 1, 1678 (“1. 10. 78”), twins Ebenezer and Thankfull, born on June 3, 1682 (“3. 4. 82”), John, born on February 6, 1683/4, Sarah, born on November 11, 1686, Abegail, born on December 29, 1689, and Thomas, born on June 24, 1692 MA26. John was mentioned in the will of his father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1. He may have been the John Wheeler was chosen as a selectman for Concord in 1703 and 1704 SH23. John Wheeler died on September 27, 1713 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts SH23, MA26. Sarah (Larkin) Wheeler died on August 12, 1725 SH23.
Mary Wheeler, the daughter of George and Katherine Wheeler, was born on September 6, 1645 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Mary Wheeler married Elifelet Foxce on October 26, 1665 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Mary and Eliphelet (Eliphelit, Eliphilit, or Eliphalett) Fox (or Foxce or in some transcriptions “ffox”) were the parents of six children whose births were recorded in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were Thomas Foxce, born on September 10, 1666, Eliphelit Foxce, born on November 15, 1668, Samiwell Foxce, born on September 11, 1670, Mary Foxce, born on June 30, 1673, Joseph Foxce, born on July 17, 1675, and Benoni ffox (Fox), born on February 17, 1678/9 MA26. Mary, the wife of Eliphalett ffox (Fox), died on February 24, 1678/9 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Mary likely died of infection or complications related to giving birth to Benoni. Mary was indirectly mentioned in the will of George Wheeler (as “daughter Foxes Children”) in his will dated January 28, 1684 AM1.
Hannah Whealer, the daughter of George Whealer of Concord, married Samuell Fletcher, the son of William Fletcher, on July 5, perhaps in 1673 (the transcript of this record stated that the record was torn) in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. Hannah (or Hanah) and Samuell (or Samuel) Fletcher (or Flecher or Flatcher) were the parents of nine children whose births were recorded in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26. These were William Flecher, born on October 23, 1673, Hannah Flatcher, born on July 30, 1676, Elisabeth Flecher, born on March 6, 1678/9 (this record stated that Elisabeth was the daughter of Samuell Flecher, Jr. and did not name her mother) Sam[ue]ll Fletcher, born on September 28, 1683, Samuell Flecher, born on September 5, 1684, Sarah Fletcher, born on February 1, 1686, Lydia Flecher, born on May 29, 1689, Susana Flecher, born on May 17, 1692, and Isaac Fletcher, born on August 27, 1694 MA26. Hanah Fletcher was mentioned in the will of her father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1. Hannah, the wife of Samuel Fletcher, died on December 11, 1697 in Chelmsford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.
Ruth Wheeler was (as Ruth Hartwell) mentioned in the will of her father, George Wheeler, which was dated January 28, 1684 AM1.
Katherine Wheeler, the wife of George Wheeler, died on January 2, 1684/5 (“2. 11. 84”) in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts MA26.