William W. Wheeler ca. 1780

William W. Wheeler, Sr.

Born: ca. 1780 North Carolina
Died: between 1830 and 1840 probably in Wayne Co., IL

Buried: unknown

Married: by 1812 Ann Mathis (?)

Records:
1809-1812 - Illinois, Wayne Co. - Hargraves Rangers:

Then in the order were the rangers, the first of whom were organized as early as 1809 in this State. They were called into existence by the law of self-protection from the Indians, who, in 1811, commenced their raids and perpetrated many terrible massacres, burning houses, stealing stock and capturing the women and children. The Indians were secretly aided and encouraged in this attack upon the whites by English emissaries, and they were the first and provoking cause that culminated in the war of 1812-15.  Nearly all the first white English settlers were identified with these rangers, and they pursued the murderous midnight marauders, and at times visited upon them summary, terrible, but deserved punishment . . .

These rangers did much to make this country habitable for the whites. They intimidated the Indians, and in their marches and pursuit of the fleeing marauders, they were led to view for the first time many portions of this beautiful land, and after their return from the service they would call up the pictures here and there where they had camped, and where they longed to make their future homes. In this way, Capt. Willis Hargr18ave's company of rangers, by camping one night just north of the present town of Fairfield, furnished the first settlers for this portion of the county.  . . . The following is a list of Capt. Hargrave's company, of whom many names will be recognized by the old settlers as familiar names here among the early settlers: . . . Enlisted men, James Garrison . . . Henry Wheeler . . . William Wheeler . . . [History of Wayne & Clay Counties, Illinois, 1884]

1830 - Illinois, Hamilton Co. - census:
William Wheeler Sr. family
2 males 10-14 Thomas, Martin
1 male 15-19 Daniel? 
1 male 60-69 - William Sr.
1 female 10-14 daughter?
1 female 20-29 daughter or possible wife of Daniel
1 female 40-49 Ann (?)

1832, March - Illinois, White Co., Probate of a William Wheeler's estate, box 53

1989 - Feb. 5 - Letter from J.E. "Gene" Wheeler to Robert G. Wheeler - While doing my research, I discovered the work done by W.R. Jones, as mentioned in the recent newsletter. As you saw, Jones confirmed that your ancestor, William W. Wheeler (Jr.) was the brother of my ancestor, John Wesley Wheeler and they were the sons of William W. Wheeler.  The enclosed relationship chart shows how we are both descended from William W. (Sr.) [descendant chart not included in materials received from Becky (Wheeler) Garrison].

My objective now is to try to find out more about William W. Sr. and his family. I haven't been able to learn when or where in North Carolina he was born; or when and where he died. I presume he died somewhere around Wayne County [Illinois].  He appeared in the 1830 Wayne County census, but not in the 1840 census for either Wayne or White County. However, in 1840 his sons Daniel, Thomas, and Martin show up in Wayne County as heads of households. It is presumed William W. Sr. died between those years. I have a letter of administration dated March 1832 from the White County courthouse regarding the estate of a William Wheeler, but haven't found anything else about his will or estate or anything to identify him. [emphasis added].

Children:
unnamed daughter? b. between 1801-1810
Daniel b. between 1811 and 1815
Thomas b. 1814, d. before 1860? md. ca. 1844 E. (--?--), possibly his second wife
  • W.R. male b. 1845 - could be the Robert Wheeler living with Martin in 1860
  • C. male b. 1850 - could be the Charles Wheeler living with Martin in 1860
unnamed daughter b. 1816-1820

Martin Marion b. 1820 in KY, d. 1897 Wayne Co., IL, buried Cincinnati Cemetery md. ca. 1842 Elza / Elsa Harris b. 1820 KY, d. 1890
  • Samantha b. 1842, d. 1913 buried Pin Oak Cemetery md. 1870 Alfred Malone, children Frank and Charles 
  • Sabina b. 1845
  • Levi b. 1847, d. 1919 buried Pin Oak Cemetery md. 1) Nancy Dawson & 2) Martha Jane White, children: Richard, Sarah, Mary, Pink, Mandy, Sadie & Emmer (female)
  • Leander / Lee b. 1849 by 1870 md. Sarah E. (--?--) b. 1855, children: Miles O., Ida B., Adaline
  • Bayless Odell male b. 10/2/1852, d. 1/26/1915, Memphis, TN md. 1898 Margarette Marie Gunsher, children: John Densil, Annie, Frank Jones, William Robert, Bayless Odell Jr., Margarette Marie
  • David / Curtis b. 1857 md. 1890 Salila Nichols 
  • Emma b. 1861
  • Wesley b. 1863
William W.
John Wesley b. 1835 md. Mary Harlan
  • William Henry b. 1858 md. Sarah Ann Epperson, children: Eugene, Mamie, Ernest, Verna
  • John b. 1855 
  • Florence V. b. 1860 md. Jasper Files, children: Frank, Mary, Cordelia, Charles, Artie, Thomas, Carson, Loren, Laura & P----

Revised 6/8/2019

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