Mary Spellman

Family/Spouse: Hugh Wheelock. Hugh was born in 1450 in Chester, Cheshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Humphrey married Margaret Winter about 1560. Margaret was born in 1535 in England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth Rogers on 3 May 1595 in Dorrington, Shropshire, England. Elizabeth was born in 1568 in Nesse Strenger, Shropshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Reverend Ralph Wheelock, Puritan, educator, and founder was born in Dorrington, Shropshire, England on 14 May 1600. His family origins can be traced back to the tenth century in Wheelock Village, near Sandbach, in the County of Cheshire. Ralph was educated at Cambridge University, Clare Hall. He matriculated in 1623, obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1626, and a Master of Arts in 1631.

At that time, Cambridge was the center of the dissenting religious movement that gave rise to Puritanism. His contemporaries at Cambridge University included John Milton and John Eliot, whose liberal views he seemed to share. The persecution of those with Puritan beliefs ran high during this period, which undoubtedly motivated Rev. Wheelock to participate in "The Great Migration" which brought many new immigrants to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. By one account, 20,000 came to New England during the peak years of the migration between 1630 and 1640.

On 6 May 1630, in England, Rev. Wheelock was ordained priest by Francis White, Bishop of the Norfolk Diocese. Shortly thereafter, on 17 May 1630, he married Rebecca Clarke. At least three children were born to the family in England (Mary Wheelock, baptised in Banham, County of Norfolk, 2 Sep 1631; Gershom Wheelock, baptised in the village of Eccles, County of Norfolk, 3 Jan 1632/33; and Rebecca Wheelock, baptised in the village of Eccles, County of Norfolk, 24 Aug
1634). There is strong evidence that Rev. Wheelock served clerical duties at the parish in Eccles, where Gershom and Rebecca were baptised. This is evidenced by his signature as "local curate" on the register pages that record his childrens baptism.

Rev. Wheelock, his wife Rebecca, and at least three children sailed for the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1637, just 7 years after Boston was first settled, and during the peak of the "Great Migration". Some Wheelock historians have suggested that Rebecca gave birth to a daughter aboard ship, but no definitive proof is available.

Upon arrival, Rebecca and Ralph Wheelock settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. There Rev. Wheelock participated in a plan to create a new settlement further up the Charles River, to be called Contentment (later renamed Dedham). In 1638 Rev. Wheelock became one of the earliest settlers and a founder of Dedham. He lived there with his wife for more than a decade, and played a leading role in the affairs of the town. The records at Dedham show that children Benjamin, Samuel, Record, and Experience were born into the family of Ralph and Rebecca while at Dedham.

In July 1637, Rev. Ralph Wheelock signed the 'Dedham Covenant' which was in effect the founding constitution of the settlers of Dedham. In 1639 he and seven others were chosen for "ye ordering of towne affayers according unto Courte Order in that behalf." The powers that these eight men had were probably similar to the town selectmen of modern times. He was also appointed to assist the surveyor
("measurer") in laying out the boundaries of the town.
On 13 Mar 1638/9, Rev. Wheelock was declared a freeman [5]. In those days, one had to be a "freeman" in order to exercise the full right of suffrage, or to hold public office. To become a freeman, it was necessary to be a member in good standing of a local church, and to appear before the General Court to take an oath whose essential elements swore to good citizenship and good religious character.

In 1642, Ralph Wheelock was appointed the General Court clerk of writs. The General Court was the central court of the Bay Colony, with powers granted by the British Crown to decide legal matters, to dispense lands, and to establish laws. At this point in time (1643), the population of the Bay Colony was about 18,000.

In 1645 he was appointed one of the commissioners authorized to "solemnize" marriages, which at the time was a civil rather than religious duty.

Although Rev. Wheelock was an ordained minister, his greater
inclinations were toward teaching, which he did with great fervor and in various capacities throughout his life. Though the records are sketchy, it is likely that Rev. Wheelock was the first public school teacher in America. On 1 Feb 1644 a Dedham town meeting voted for the first free school in Massachusetts, to be supported by town taxes. Rev. Ralph Wheelock was the first teacher at this school. Three years later, in 1647, the General Court decreed that every town with 50 families or more must build a school supported by public taxes.

By the late 1640's Dedham was becoming quite populous, and it was decided to establish a new township further up the Charles River, out of a tract of land that was then part of Dedham. Rev. Wheelock was appointed leader of this effort, and in 1649 he and six others were given the duties of erecting and governing a new village, to be called New Dedham, later renamed Medfield.

In May, 1651, the town of Medfield was granted the full powers of an independent town by the General Court of Massachusetts. In this year Rev. Ralph Wheelock and his family removed to Medfield, where he lived the remaining 32 years of his life. The records at Medfield show that Eleazar Wheelock was born to Ralph and Rebecca at Medfield. Eleazar's grandson would become the founder of Dartmouth College, in New Hampshire.

Though others participated in the establishment of the Town of Medfield, the Rev. Ralph Wheelock is considered to be it's primary founder. As leader of the previously mentioned committee of seven, it is almost certain that Rev. Wheelock wrote the document called "The Agreement" which, for a time, every new settler of Medfield had to sign. "The Agreement" stated that the signatories were to abide by the town ordinances and laws, maintain orderly conduct, and resolve differences between themselves peaceably.

Rev. Ralph Wheelock was granted the first house lot in Medfield (12 acres), and served on the first Board of Selectmen (1651). He subsequently served on the Board of Selectmen in 1652-1654, and again in 1659. In 1653 he took up a collection for Harvard College, the first college in America. Fund raising for Harvard was probably a regular event, being a primary source of revenue for the fledgling institution.

In 1655, the town voted 15 pounds to be used to establish a "schoule for the educataion of the children, to be raised by a rate according as men have taken up lands, and the rest of the maintenance to be raised upon the children that goe to schoule" [8]. Rev. Ralph Wheelock was the first schoolmaster. In his book "Mr. Ralph Wheelock, Puritan", the Rev. Lewis Hicks speculates that Rev. Wheelock remained schoolmaster for a period of 8 years.

Every year, Medfield chose a representative to the General Court in Massachusetts. Rev. Wheelock held this position in the years 1653, 1663, 1664, 1666, and 1667.

Rebecca Clarke Wheelock died on 1 Jan 1680/1 in Medfield. Two years later, Rev. Wheelock died, in the 84th year of his life.

Rev. Wheelock played an active and important role in the settling of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was instrumental in establishing two new towns, and held virtually every office of importance in both of them. Furthermore, he was at the forefront of establishing the educational foundations of the country.

His descendents would also prove to play an important a role in settling New England and the rest of America. His son, Benjamin, was a founder of the Town of Mendon. Among his great-grandchildren were founders of several New England towns, as well as Eleazar Wheelock, the founder of Dartmouth. Succeeding generations would push farther west, settling the frontiers in New York, Michigan, Illinois, Nova Scotia, and Texas, establishing impressive credentials as teachers, writers, soldiers, founders of towns, and creators of business.

(Written by Roderick B. Sullivan, 1 Mar 1998, Northboro, Mass., revised 28 Sep 1998)

Ralph married Rebecca Clarke on 17 May 1630 in Wramplingham, Norfolk, England. Rebecca (daughter of Thomas Clarke and Mary Canne) was born on 26 Aug 1610 in Banham, Norfolk, England; died on 1 Jan 1681 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; was buried in Vine Lake Cemetery, Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The baptism record for Gershom was found in the Register at the village of Eccles, near Banham, Norfolk, England. The record reads as follows: "Gersham Wheelocke filius Radolphi Wheelocke baptisatus fuit 3 die Jan:1632/33". (Source: "Mr. Wheelock's Cure", by Christopher Gleason Clark, published in the July 1998 issue of New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol 152.) William S. Tilden, "History of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650-1886", 1886, writes the following about Gershom: "Gershom was in the list for Mr. Wilson's rate in 1657 [1], and probably came of age about that time. He married Hannah Stodder, daughter of John of Hingham, in 1658. In 1663, he had liberty from the town to cut "200 sedar plank" in the common swamp. His house stood on the Harbor Island road, a short distance south-west of the present residence of Charles Hamant. He rung the bell and swept the meeting-house in 1674, for which the town paid him 2 pounds, 15 shillings. The next year, he assisted in thatching the meeting-house. His house was burned by the Indians in 1676, and it appears to have been rebuilt on the same spot [2]. He died in 1684, and in 1690 his heirs sold the homestead to Joseph Plimpton."
Note [1]: Mr Wilson was the first minister in Medfield.
Note [2]: King Philips War.

Gershom married Hannah Stodder on 18 May 1658 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Hannah (daughter of John Stodder) was born in 1638; died in 1684 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; was buried in Vine Lake Cemetery, Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Benjamin Wheelock, b. 8 Jan 1639/40 in Dedham, Massachusetts, was probably the first Wheelock born in the American colonies. The Dedham Vital Records record the birth date of Benjamin as follows: "Benjamin born 8 of the 1[0] Month of 1639". His baptism date is given as follows: "ye 12 of ye 11th month 1639". He lived for about ten years in Dedham, where his father, Rev. Ralph Wheelock, was an active leader in town affairs. He moved with his family to Medfield, MA in 1651, the year of its founding and first settlement. He married Elizabeth Bullen in 1668. The Medfield Town records indicates that he owned a house in that same year. In 1669 he received a small grant of land in Medfield "between his house and the brook, taking in some part of the brook". In 1675 he is listed in the Medfield town records as a proprietor, along with his brother Gershom, and his father, Ralph. Sometime around 1688 he removed with his family to Mendon. The first notice of him in the Mendon records is in 1688 when he acquired land from Mathias Puffer: "Mathias Puffers forty Acre Lott Now Benjemin whelocks with all the Rights and Priuelidges there unto belonging or any wayes Appertaining: As appears by A Deed of Sale baring Date Aprill 25: 1688". A year later, he appears on a list of those paying taxes to "defray Mr. Rawson's Salary." Benjamin Wheelock's name appears as a proprietor on a historical plaque in the center of Mendon, amongst the third group of settlers. In 1693 Benjamin served the town as a "Tything Man", along with two others. According to the Annals of Mendon "tithing men were to present all the idle and disorderly persons, profane swearers or cursors, Sabbath-breakers and disorderly persons, that they may be duly punished and discouraged." In 1696 he served as a Constable, in 1700 as a selectman, and in 1701 on a special committee to "give the selectmen instructions". In 1706, or thereabouts, Benjamin Wheelock acquired possession of the "ancient" Benjamin Alby corn mill, which he purchased from Mathias Puffer. In 1713 he deeded mill priveledges to his sons Obadiah and Benjamin, Jr. Later, in 1719, all three deeded the mill to Josiah Wood. Benjamin is reported to have lived on the "Old Rehoboth Road, near where Andrus Wheelock lived and died". According to the proprietors' records, "The House Lott being forty Acres Laid out upon the East side of the Road Leading to Rehoboth Nere the Round Medow : and bounded as followeth Weasterly on the Abouesd Road Northerly upon the Land of Samuel Thayer Easterly Partly upon the Mill Riuer : and Partly on Medow and southerly upon Comon Land -- Laid out by Joseph White --" There is some uncertainty about the second wife of Benjamin. The Mendon Vital Records indicate that his first wife, Elizebeth, died in 1689, yet show two additional children born to "Benjemen and Elizebeth" in 1693 and 1695. There is no marriage record for Benjamin indicating a second marriage. Walter T. Wheelock, in "The Wheelock Family in America, 1637-1969" asserts that Elizabeth French, widow of Jonathan Thayer, was "probably" his second wife, but cites no sources. Charles Pope, in his book "The Pioneers of Massachusetts" indicates that "John French [father of Elizabeth French] died 1692, age 80 years. Division of estate was made to Dependence, Thomas, Samuel, to Temperance, wife of John Bowditch, to Elizabeth Wheelock of Mendon, and the child of Mary Lamb, deceased." The Elizabeth referenced here was probably his daughter, Elizabeth French. By process of elimination, it seems likely that Elizabeth French must have married Benjamin Wheelock. Torrey agrees with this conclusion, and lists the marriage in "New England Marriages Prior to 1700". No record of death is found for Benjamin, nor has any record been found for the settlement of his estate.

Benjamin married Elizabeth Bullen on 21 May 1668 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. Elizabeth was born on 3 Feb 1645/1646 in Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; died on 22 Oct 1689 in Mendon, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Lydia Rice in 1681. Lydia was born on 4 Jun 1668 in Sudbury, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 8 Apr 1756 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Joseph Wheelock and his brother Samuel were heirs to their father's estate in Medfield, which they sold in 1690 to Joseph Plimpton. (Src: "History of Medfield", Tilden; Suffolk Deeds, 17-63). This, presumably marks the approximate date when Joseph moved to Lancaster. His brother, Timothy, is reported to have fought in an "expedition" against Canada circa 1688. He lived in Lancaster at the time, suggesting that Joseph may have arrived with his brother earlier than 1690. (Source: "The Story of Colonial Lancaster", by Marion Fuller Safford, 1937, The Tuttle Publishing Company, Rutland, Vt.) "The Early Records of Lancaster, MA, 1643-1725", editted by Henry S. Nourse, Lancaster, 1884, makes numerous references to Joseph Wheelock. During Queen Anne's War (1701-1713), Joseph Wheelock signed a petition along with 20 others, dated 1703, to His Excellency, Joseph Dudley, Esq., regarding, "Inasmuch as the inhabitants of the Town of Lancaster were driven out by the Enemy and the place wholly deserted, their maintenance of the Minister is now null and void". [pg 141] A document, dated April 1704 lists all the garrisons of Lancaster. Joseph Wheelock is listed "on ye West Side Penicook River Called ye Neck - Serg't Josiah White, a Garrison Himselfe Comander - Joseph Wheelock, John Glazier, George Glazier, Joseph Glazier". [Pg. 143] The Lancaster Vital Records record the date on which Joseph and his wife Elizabeth became members of the Church of Christ in Lancaster, under John Prentice, Pastor, 2 Feb 1728/29. Joseph died in 1752, and left a will, Worcester County Probate case 63717. The will, written in 1743, lists (in order) his wife Elizabeth, eldest son Joseph, son Jonathan, eldest daughter Elizabeth Sawyer, daughters Mary Osgood, Abigail Eames, Ruth Houghton, Martha Houghton, granddaughter Dorothy Eames, and son John Wheelock, to whom he leaves all his real estate and appoints as the sole executor of the estate. Joseph added a codicil in 6 Mar 1752 (1750?) ammeding the will to reflect the death of his wife, which is recorded in the Lancaster VRs as 9 Feb 1751. The will was proved 20 July 1752.

Joseph married Elizabeth Bullen about 1694. Elizabeth was born on 29 Jan 1673 in Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; died on 9 Feb 1751 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Hulda Thayer. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Gershom married Abigail Flagg on 1 Jan 1719 in Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Abigail was born on 16 Apr 1694 in Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; died on 17 Oct 1762 in Worcester, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married Jathro Eames on 10 Sep 1718 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married Jonathan Sawyer in 1715. Jonathan (son of Caleb Sawyer and Sarah Houghton) was born in 1690 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 30 Sep 1746 in Harvard, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ruth married Benjamin Houghton on 20 Jul 1720 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Benjamin (son of Jacob Houghton and Rebekah Whitcomb) was born in 1700 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 28 Feb 1764 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The first three sons may not be children of Martha, however the
Houghton genealogy believes it to be so(I think they may be sons of
Isreal's cousin Daniel).

Martha married Israel Houghton on 21 Jul 1723 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Israel (son of Jacob Houghton and Rebekah Whitcomb) was born in 1705 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 29 Jun 1777 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Abigail Manning. Abigail was born in 1706; died in 1751 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was buried in Old Settlers Burial Field, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Elizabeth Russell on 11 Sep 1735 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Martha Wight. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Hannah Albee. Hannah was born in 1718; died in 1803. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Phoebe. Phoebe was born in 1728 in Massachusetts; died in 1758 in Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Will dated 21Dec1797, Bolton, MA names wife Ephah, children Jonathon, Betty and Caleb. Will probated June 1798, Inventory of estate 13Jun1798 in Bolton,MA.

NOTE: Not to be confused with the Paul Sawyer, son of Paul, of Lancaster.

Paul married Ephah Houghton on 03 Jul 1755 in Bolton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Ephah (daughter of Lieutenant Jonathan Houghton and Thankful White) was born on 19 Aug 1731 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; was christened on 26 Sep 1731 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abijah married Alice Joslyn on 1 Mar 1746 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Alice was born on 25 Sep 1726 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 5 Feb 1808 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Vaughn. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lois married Paul Sawyer on 07 Mar 1758 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Paul (son of Bezaleel Sawyer and Judith White) was born on 19 May 1733 in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts; died on 02 Jul 1783 in Princeton, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Manning. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Aquilla Jewett. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Achsa Whitcomb on 14 Oct 1763. Achsa was born on 07 Apr 1743; died in 1815. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Israel married Elizabeth Wilder on 18 Feb 1766. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Jonathan served in the Revolutionary War, campaign against Burgoyne.
Removed to Waterford,Maine in 1795. Petitioner for incorporation of
that town in 1795. Taxpayer on its first road, 1797. Leading man in
town. Selectman 1805-1807.

Family/Spouse: Mary Bryant. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Jonathan married Rachel Hale on 26 Jun 1783. Rachel was born on 02 Aug 1765. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Allen. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Alice Page on 04 Nov 1751 in Leominster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. Alice was born in 1730; died on 11 Mar 1820; was buried in Old Settlers Burial Field, Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Rachel Drury. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Simeon married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]