1st wife of Thomas "the elder" Wheeler

The will of Thomas Wheeler “The Elder” of Cranfield, co. Bedford, England, was dated 20 Dec. 1627. A codicil was added on 18 June 1633, and they were proved 24 Feb. 1634, by the Archdeaconry Court of Bedford, Register 18, folio 80.

Father of the Concord Wheelers:

Thomas Wheeler "the elder" 1560/65 - 1634/35

• &  first wife
• & Rebecca  of "the blakehouse" Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England

1st wife was mother of

1. Thomas "of Worley" Wheeler (1591-1654) married Ann Halsey
2. Priscilla
3. John, & perhaps
4. Deborah

GEDCOM Note

Biography

Thomas Wheeler is thought to have married two times, though this is not known with certainty. If so, the name of the first wife is completely unknown. She would have been born, married and died before the parish records in Cranfield begin.
:The idea that Thomas Wheeler had two wives is based on the fact that he named two surviving sons Thomas. He also had children born over a thirty year period which is unlikely to have all been from one woman. :The first five children of Thomas Wheeler are assigned to this unknown first wife, namely Thomas, Priscilla, Ann, John and Deborah. There are no baptism records for these first five children.

Birth

Born: Say 1565 to 1570. This is a very rough estimate based onthe birth of her first child being born around 1590. Given that her oldest child's birth date is itself a rough estimate based on his marriage, she could have been born a few years earlier than this.

Marriage and Children

Married: Thomas Wheeler about 1589, presumably in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, England. Again the date is roughly estimated on the birthof their first child which is also just an estimate.
:Children of Thomas Wheeler by his (presumed) unknown first wife:

It is not known for certain that these five children belong to this wife, and it may be that other children do belong to her.

1. Thomas Wheeler, Sr. Born about 1590. He was called "eldest son" in his father's will. He married on 5 May 1613 at Cranfield, Ann Halsey. they settled in Concord, Mass. & then to Fairfield. Conn. Where he d in 1654, she in 1659.
2. Priscilla Wheeler. Born about 1592. She married on 17 June 1612 at Cranfield, Stephen Cocks of Stagsden, a nearby parish; ch.: Susanna bapt. 10 Sept 1615, Ann/Agnes bapt. 27 Oct. 1616, buried 11 March 1625/6, John bapt. 30 Jan. 1619/20, buried 1 Feb. 1619/20. She was buried at Stagsden 25 Nov. 1627.
3. Ann Wheeler. perhaps, who m 5 May 1613 at Cranfield,Robert Halsey; no further record of them in Cranfield; if a dau., she must have d before her father's will as he didn't mention her.
4. John Wheeler. Born perhaps about 1596; he was alivei n 1627 per his father's will
5. Deborah Wheeler. Born say 1598-1600. She was buried on 30 March 1600, Deborah Wheler dau. Of Thos. Wheler, perhaps this Thomas.

Death

:Died: By 1600. :If we presume that the daughter Elizabeth baptized on 18 July 1602 was the daughter of Thomas' second wife, then this first wife must have died about 1600.

Common Errors to Avoid

Incorrect name: The first wife of Thomas Wheeler was previously called Mary Mynsterley, married 3 Feb 1587 in Chelmarsh, Shropshire, England. There is absolutely no evidence to support this name, marriage date or marriage place.

Made on 7 December 1627; codicil 18 June 1633; proved on 24 February 1634.
Summary:

• Rebeca my wife
• Joseph Wheler my sonne
• Thomas Wheler my youngest son (then under 21)
• Efraim Wheler my sonne
• Thomas Wheler of Warley my eldest son
• Prisilae Cocks my daughter
• John Wheler my sonne,
• Elizabeth Bread my daughter
• Suzana Wheler my daughter
• Abiah Wheler my daughter
• Marie Wheler my daughter
• Timothie Wheler my sonne (executor).

Wife, Rebecca, was last recorded as living in her daughter Abiah's will of 10 April 1637. Within a year or two, Rebecca and the children all left for New England. This can be deduced, as many of the children were underage at the time, and surely would not have gone to New England without their mother. However, no record of Rebecca in New England has been found, so she apparently did not live long after.[2]

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/99951433/thomas-wheeler

Thomas and DOROTHY HOLLOWAY were married 13 Apr 1600 in Chalgrave, Bedfordshire, England. To this union, 11 children were born: John, b. 1597; Thomas, b. 20 Nov 1603; Timothy, b. 28 Dec 1604; George, b. 23 Mar 1605/06; Susanna, b. 16 Feb 1606/07; John, b. 23 Oct 1608; Joseph, b. 18 Feb 1609/10; Abiah, b. 17 Jan 1612/13; Richard, b. 13 Jun 1614; Mary, b. 20 Oct 1615; and Ephriam, b. 16 Mar 1618/19.

Links

• http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Wheeler/wheelert.htm
• http://trees.wmgs.org/getperson.php?personID=I41470&tree=Schirado
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wheeler-195