James Wheeler

James Wheeler (27 May 1667–22 April 1753) was an ancestor in Barbara’s family branch and the 8th great-grandfather of the subject of this tree. He was associated with Salisbury, Rehoboth, and Swansea, Massachusetts, and was the husband of Grizzle Squire according to the supplied family-tree notes.

James Wheeler was born 27 May 1667, reportedly in Salisbury, Massachusetts. He was the son of Henry Wheeler and Abigail Allen. A family-tree note also states that he was a common ancestor of George Bush and President James Garfield.

About 1690, James married Grizzle Squire, daughter of Philip Squire and Rachel Ruggles. Grizzle was born 14 May 1668 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and was living after 1738. Their listed children were William, born in 1691; Abigail; Mary, born in 1694; James, born in 1697 and deceased by 1740; Philip, born in 1698; Rachel, born in 1701 and died in 1755; Squire, born in 1703; and Ann, born in 1705.

Before 1691, James moved from Salisbury to Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The supplied notes say that all of his children except Mary were born in Rehoboth. On 3 April 1722, the earmarks for his animals were recorded in the Rehoboth records. He was living in Swansea in 1738.

James made his will on 11 August 1741. The will names his wife as Elizabeth; his sons William, Phillip, Squire, and James, who was then deceased; and his daughters Abigail, wife of John West; Mary, wife of John Dyer; Rachel, wife of Samuel Thurber; and Ann, wife of Azariakim Peirce. It also names Henry, James, John, Nathaniel, Jeremiah, Elizabeth, Mehitable, and Hannah, identified as the children of his deceased son James.

James Wheeler died 22 April 1753, with the supplied notes placing his death in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The notes describe the death more generally as occurring in April 1753.

Historical context

James Wheeler’s recorded movements among Salisbury, Rehoboth, and Swansea place his life in colonial Massachusetts. His 1722 animal-earmark record and 1741 will are among the surviving record types noted for him.

Sources & research

[423] Supplied family-tree note for James Wheeler; full bibliographic information was not provided.
[424] Supplied citation for the 3 April 1722 Rehoboth animal-earmark record; full bibliographic information was not provided.
[425] Supplied citation for James Wheeler’s residence in Swansea in 1738; full bibliographic information was not provided.
[325] Supplied citation for James Wheeler’s will dated 11 August 1741; full bibliographic information was not provided.