Family of Isaac Wheeler, Jr.

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1.  ISAAC4 WHEELER, JR.  (ISAAC3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born August 06, 1673 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut, and died June 25, 1737 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.  He married MARY SHEPARD, daughter of JEREMIAH SHEPARD and MARY WAINWRIGHT.  She was born 1679 in Lynn, Essex County, MA, and died September 20, 1761 in Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.  Isaac and Mary are buried at the Paul Wheeler Yard #40 in Stonington.

 

Notes for ISAAC WHEELER, JR.:

THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON, CT, BY Wheeler, page 637.

 

THE WHEELER FAMILY IN AMERICA,THE DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS WHEELER, STONINGTON, CONN., pages 289 through 349, by Inez E. Coolby-Brayton, 1934. Located in the DAR Library, Washington, DC.

     The HISTORY OF STONINGTON, CONN., says of him:

     "Isaac Wheeler erected him a house in Stonington, on lands given him by his grandfather, Thomas Wheeler, where he brought his bride on their wedding trip, and commenced life at farming. But his wife aspired to a more active business life, and to gratify her wishes he changed and enlarged his house, making it two stories on the south and one on the north, with show windows on the west, which were utilized for a variety store by Madam Wheeler, who became the leading merchant of the town, buying all of the surplus farm products of the region round about, which she sent to Boston and the West Indies for a market, in exchange for goods necessary for the planters of the town. Alone she made equestrian trips in Boston, where she purchased her dry goods. She was not only the leading merchant of the town, but her mansion house was the center of all the neighborhood families. Her store was not only a place of business, but a political center, where slates were made for all the offices of the town. She became wealthy, and at her death was the richest woman of the county. Both united with the First Congregational Church in 1697, and were active and useful members.

 

   Sources: Wheeler; Potter-Richardson Memorial.

   Memorial: Isaac Wheeler Jr. married Mary Shepard. Lists one line of descent.

   Wheeler: Isaac Wheeler, born 6 Aug. 1676; died 25 June 1737; married Mary Shepard.

 

   Diary of Joshua Hempstead, page 170, 1 June 1726, mentions shearing two sheep at Isaac Wheeler's and three at Richard Williams's at Groton.

 

   Dairy of Joshua Hempstead, page 156, says, "Aftern I went to Stonington. I finished Cutting the gravestones (6 pr) of Mr Wheelers. I have 3 pr not Cut. 2 Red & 1 black."  The entry was dated March 30, 1725. Was Isaac, or a brother, having headstones cut for his father and grandfather and/or other family members?

 

 

Notes for MARY SHEPARD:

THE HISTORY OF STONINGTON, CT, BY Wheeler, page 637.

 

   Source: Wheeler.

   Wheeler: Mary Shepard, born 1679, daughter of Rev. Jeremiah Shepard, first pastor of Lynn, Mass., and Mary (Wainwright) Shephard. Mary Shepard persuaded her husband to enlarge their house in Stonington where she established a variety store. She was the leading merchant of Stonington and upon her death, 20 Sept. 1761 at age 83, she was the richest woman in New London County.

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Mary and her husband, Isaac, lived in a new house on lands in Stonington passed down through Isaac's father from his grandfather. He begin living there immediately following his marriage and began farming. However, Mary aspired to a more active business life, and to gratify her wishes he changed and enlarged his house, making it two stories on the south, and one on the north, with show windows on the west, which were utilized for a variety store, by Mary, who became the leading merchant of the town, buying all of the surplus farm products of the region round about, which she sent to Boston and the West Indies for a market, exchanging the same for goods necessary for the planters of the town. Mary made Equestrian trips to Boston alone, where she purchased her dry goods. She was not only the leading merchant of the town, but her mansion house was the center of all the neighborhood families. Her store was not only a place of business, but a political center, where slates were made for all the offices of the town. She became wealthy, and at her death was the richest woman of the county.

 

2. Isaac and Mary joined the First Congregational Church of Stonington in 1771.

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Children of ISAAC WHEELER and MARY SHEPARD are:

              i.   MARGARET5 WHEELER, b. September 16, 1698, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; m. SAMUEL FRINK, May 26, 1714, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; b. February 14, 1692/93.

 

Notes for MARGARET WHEELER:

Source: Wheeler.

   Wheeler: Margaret Wheeler, born 16 Sept. 1698; married Samuel Frink.

 

 

More About SAMUEL FRINK and MARGARET WHEELER:

Marriage: May 26, 1714, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut

 

              ii.   THOMAS WHEELER, b. February 15, 1699/00, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut1; d. October 23, 1755, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut2; m. MARY MINOR, November 25, 1718, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut3; b. August 04, 1699, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut; d. July 28, 1750, Stonington, New London Co., Connecticut.

 

Endnotes

 

1.  Barbour, Lucius Barnes, Barbour Collection - Stonington Vital Records prior to 1850, Vol 1, page 89.

2.  Barbour, Lucius Barnes, Barbour Collection - Stonington Vital Records prior to 1850, Vol 3, page 89.

3.  Barbour, Lucius Barnes, Barbour Collection - Stonington Vital Records prior to 1850, Vol 3, page 10, Thomas m. Mary Minor Nov. 25, 1718, by Rev. James Noyes.