Amos WHEELER

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After his marriage, as before, he lived with his father upon the old homestead, until 17 Fe 1764, when he purchased one half of the homestead and his father went to Hardwick to live with another son who resided there. Subsequently he purchased additional land in the vicinity and after the death of his father he came into full possession of the homestead. A deed executed 14 April, 1769, from "Daniel Wheeler, gentleman, of Hardwick, Nathan Wheeler, yeoman, and Thomas Wheeler, yeoman, both of Hardwick, for and in consideration of ninety-four pounds eleven shillings and eight pence," deeds to "Amos Wheeler, yeoman, of Worcester, all the right, title and interest we ever had, now have, or should have in and unto a certain tract or parcel of land laying and being in Worcester aforesaid, containing by estimation twenty-six acres, more or less, and is part of the home stade which was our honored fathers Thomas Wheeler late of Hardwick deceased and lays and bounds as follows, vx. southerly on land of Amos Wheeler foresaid being pate of said home stade, westerly partely on land of Jabes Green and partly on land of said Amos northerly on land of said Amos Easterly on said Amoses land partly and partly on our land being part of said home stade left us by our father aforesaid by will together with the dwelling hous the barn and other Buildings thereon standing, to have and to hold," etc.

Amos Wheeler was a large, portly man, over six feet in height, with a high forehead and a bald head. He was a man of excellent judgment and of more than ordinary intelligence for the time in which he lived, and his advice was frequently sought in business and other matters. he was of an argumentative disposition, and was fond of discussing political and religious questions; and although he was earnest in his discussions and strong in his convictions, he was good-natured and charitable toward his opponent.

In middle life he was in excellent circumstances. He owned a large and valuable farm, well stocked, and with a good dwelling-house and farm buildings. His house was well furnished, and he is said to have owned the handsomest carriage in Worcester. he was very hospitable, and his guests were from the wealthiest and most cultivated families in Worcester and Boston.

About the year 1790 he had a severe attack of rheumatism, which left him lame and obliged him to use crutches the rest of his life. this misfortune prevented his working upon his farm or having a proper oversight of the work which was performed by hired help. Subsequently he leased the farm to "halves," but for want of proper supervision it rapidly deteriorated, the buildings were neglected, and at last, in 1814, his son-in-law, Elijah Warren, in order to save the property from further depreciation, prevailed upon him to sell it. This was done, and Amos, his wife, daughter Charlotte and granddaughter Mary B.H. Wheeler, whom he had adopted, went to Leicester and lived in a part of Mr. Warren's house.

Mrs. Wheeler was a very superior woman. Rev. Dr. Nelson, in his remarks at her funeral, said of her: "It was her happiness to be born of parents who knew the value of education, and who were capable of forming her mind to habits of intellectual exertion, refinement and virtue. At the same time they impressed upon her mind and walked before her in all Christian example. Her only intercourse was with the higher classes in society. Her associates were the intelligent, the accomplished and the religious. Hence religion with her had peculiar charms. Being associated with all tat was graceful and winning in its exterior deportment, it was set off, if we may so speak, with the graces of affability, kindness and good breeding."

Before her marriage she had received attentions from both the brothers Charles and Amos Wheeler. Both tried to win her, and being compelled to choose between hem, she accepted Charles who was a physician and well educated, and therefore was, perhaps, more congenial to her than Amos, whose education was more limited. The doctor, however, died before their wedding day arrived. After the death of Charles, Amos renewed his suit and was accepted. Several silver tablespoons now in the family marked "C. W. to M.B.H.," were given by Dr. Charles Wheeler to Miss Mary Belcher Henshaw in anticipation of their intended marriage.

Amos married Mary Belcher HENSHAW on 2 May 1762. Mary (daughter of Daniel HENSHAW and Elizabeth BASS) was born on 20 Jun 1739 in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts; died on 20 Nov 1824. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth WHEELER was born on 4 May 1763; died on 30 Mar 1800.
2. Amos WHEELER was born on 5 Aug 1764 in Worcester, Worcester Co., Massachusetts; died on 17 Nov 1806 in Woodstock, Vermont.
3. Mary Belcher WHEELER was born on 19 Dec 1774; died on 15 Aug 1851.
4. Charlotte WHEELER was born on 4 Oct 1778; died on 1 Aug 1870 in Topsham, Maine.

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Thomas Wheeler appears to have sold out his possessions in the old part of Concord on 13 Dec., 1722, and to have removed to the "village," or "new grant," which was afterward (in 1735) set off as Acton. He was the first Town Clerk of Acton, in 1735-6; he was also a member of the Board of Selectmen of the town the same years. He removed to Worcester, between 22 March 1739 and 18 May 1740. His dismissal from the church in Acton to that in Worcester, was dated 22 march 1741. He was one of the Selectmen of Worcester, in 1743, 1744, 1745, 1749, 1751 and 1753. He was elected deacon of the First Church in Worcester, 14 January, 1748 and held the office until his death in 1769.

In Worcester he resided upon his farm which adjoined the Leicester line on the old road to Leicester.

Soon after the marriage of his son Amos, in 1762, he went to Hardwick, Mass., where three of his sons resided and died there, 31 Jan. 1769. His gravestone is still to be seen in Hardwick, though much worn, and with its inscription nearly obliterated. Deacon Wheeler was evidently a man of considerable wealth, as is shown by conveyances of property from and to him, as recorded in the Middlesex and in the Worcester Registry of Deeds.

Thomas married Mary BROOKS. Mary was born on 2 Mar 1699/70 in Concord, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts; died on 18 May 1740 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Fact: Daughter of Daniel Brooks and Ann Meriam