Notes: Minnig Family History

You are currently anonymous

Notes

Matches 1 to 50 of 4,643

Notes

Linked to

17 Apr 1821 ?

Benjamin Wheelock

(12 Dec 1678 - 13 Sep 1746)

Benjamin Wheelock, third generation Wheelock in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was born in Medfield, Massachusetts, 12 Dec 1678; the first male child of Benjamin Wheelock, Sr. and Elizabeth (Bullen) Wheelock. His grandparents, Rev. Ralph Wheelock, Rebecca (Clarke) Wheelock, Samuel Bullen, and Mary (Morse) Bullen were all early settlers of both Dedham and Medfield. [1]

Benjamin, Sr. was a proprieter of the town of Mendon, and moved there with his family circa 1685, thus becoming one of the founding settlers of the town. Benjamin, Jr. was but six or seven years old at the time. His father, a large landholder in Mendon, was the third owner of the Albee Cornmill. In 1713, when Benjamin, Jr. was 25 years of age, his father deeded mill priveledges to he and his brother, Obadiah. [2] Thus Benjamin became established as a miller and a farmer in Mendon, where he remained for the rest of his life.

Benjamin married twice; first to Hulda Thayer, whose grandfather, Ferdinando Thayer was the principle founder of Mendon [3], and second to Rebecca Kinney. Having married Rebecca fairly late in life, all of Benjamin's children were born to his first wife, Hulda. [5]

In 1721, Benjamin aquired a parcell of land in Oxford, Mass, which he passed to his son's Jonathan, David, and Paul circa 1735. This land later was annexed to Charlton (in 1757), where the three brothers played principle roles as early settlers and leaders of town affairs. [4]

Benjamin served as a selectman of Mendon in 1737. [6]

On 13 Sep 1746 Benjamin died in Mendon, leaving his wife, Rebecca, and eight children. His will is on file with the Worcester Probate Office, case number 63618. In it, he leaves bequests to his wife Rebecca (to sustain her for the rest of her life, or until she remarries); land to his sons Benjamin, Daniel, Silas, and Peter; money to his sons Jonathan, David, and Paul; money and miscellaneous domestic items to his grandchildren Peter Thayer, Mary Thayer, and Abigail Thayer (the children of his deceased daughter Mary Wheelock); money to his daughter Hulda (Wheelock) (Sanford) Rice; money and other items to his grandchildren Seth and Mary Sanford (children of Hulda).

Written by Roderick B. Sullivan, Northborough, MA, May 1998

References

1."History of the Town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650 to 1886", William S. Tilden, published 1887 by George H. Ellis, Boston. 2."The Wheelock Family in America, 1637-1969", Walter T. Wheelock, Uxbridge, MA, privately published in 1969. 3.A historical plaque in the center of Mendon lists the founders of Mendon. Ferdinando Thayer appears first on this list. Benjamin Wheelock, Sr. also appears, but much farther down. 4.March 1997 phone interview with Charles Hultgren, member of the Charrlton Historical Society, specializing in the history of the Charlton Northside (where Jonathan, David, and Paul lived). 5.Though it has not been proven at the time of this writing (May 1998), Benjamin's first wife (Huldah) may have been his stetep sister. According to Marcus W. Waite, in his book "The Wheelock Family of Calais, Vt.", Huldah's mother was Elizabeth (French) Thayer. This may be the same Elizabeth French that married Benjamin, Sr. If this is the case, then Elizabeth Frencch would have been the stepmother of Benjamin, Jr.; and Huldah Thayer would have been his stepsister. They would have lived together as children from the time she was seven (and he 12), marrying when she was 18 (and he 22). Walter T. Wheelock, in his book "The Wheelock Family in America, 1637-1969" draws a similar conclusion. 6."Annals of the Town of Mendon, Mass", J. G. Metcalf, 1880

?

Wheelock, Benjamin II (P44552001)

Benjamin Wheelock

(1639/40 - ABT 1720)

?enjamin 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. [1]

In 1669 he received a small grant of land in Medfield "between his house and the brook, taking in some part of the brook". [2] In 1675 he is listed in the Medfield town records as a proprietor, along with his brother Gershom, and his father, Ralph. [3]

Sometime around 1688 he removed with his family to Mendon. [8] The first notice of him in the Mendon records is in 1688 when he aquired land from Mathias Puffer: "Mathias Puffers forty Acre Lott Now Benjemin whelocks with all the Rights and Priuiuelidges there unto belonging or any wayes Appertaining: As appears by A Deed of Sale baring Date Aprill 25: 1688". [4] A year later, he appears on a list of those paying taxes to "defray Mr. Rawson's [minister] Salary." Benjamin Wheelock's name appears as a proprietor on a historical plaque in the center of Mendon, though his name does not appear on the original list of proprietors in 1660.

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 posession of the "ancient" Benjamin Alby corn mill, which he?o his sons Obadiah and Benjamin, Jr. Later, in 1719, all three deeded the mill to Josiah Wood. [6]

Benjamin is reported to have lived on the "Old Rehoboth Road, near where Andrus Wheelock lived and died". [6,7] According to the proprietors records, "The House Lott being foty Acres Laid out upon the East side of the Road Leading to Rehoboth Nere the Round Medow : and bounded as followeth Weasterly on the Aboue sd 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 --" [4]

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"?n 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.

No record of death is found for Benjamin, nor has any record been found for the settlement of his estate.

(Written by Roderick B. Sullivan, Northborough, MA, Nov 1998)

Notes and References

1."History of the Town of Medfield, Massachusetts, 1650-1886", William S. Tilden, 1887, Boston, George Ellis Publishers, pg 507. 2.ibid, pg 508 3.ibid, pg 84 4."The Proprietors Records of the Town of Mendon, Mass., 1667-1816", Boston, Rockwell and Churchill Press, 1899, pg 221. 5."The Annals of the Town of Mendon, Mass.", John G. Metcalf, 1880, Providence, RI, E. L. Freeman and Company, pg 83. 6."History of the Town of Milford, Worcester County, Mass, From Its First Settlement to 1881"", by Adin Ballou, published by the Town of Milford, 1881, Boston, Franklin Press. 7.A map of Mendon, dated 1890, shows that "A. Wheelock"?e intersection with Quisset Rd. This map, found in an old Almanac of Worcester County, places "A. Wheelockk" near Round Meadow Brook, not far from Mill River, fully consistent with the proprietors records of Benjamin's house lot. 8.Eliazer Wheelock, Benjamin's brother, removed to Mendon at an earlier date. The town records take first notice of him in 1681. But he later moved back to Medfield, where he died and is buried. 9."The Pioneers of Massachusetts, A Descriptive List Drawn from Records of the Colonies, Towns, Churches, and other Contemporaneous Documents", Charles Pope, Boston, MA, 1900

?

Wheelock, Benjamin (P44552005)

James' remains were moved to the Amberson Cemetery later, by a Fegan descendant.

From the Rootsweb World Connect page on James Fegan, by Fredric Z. Saunders:

James Fegan was born about 1748. He was allegedly born in Kent County, Maryland, although no record of him there has been found. He was married to Honora Timmons who had been born about 1750.1

On 4 November 1770 James Fegan, Taylor of York Town, York County, Pennsylvania stood bound to Daniel Ragan for 200 pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania, for the payment of 100 pounds due in eight payments, those being 10 pounds each of the firsrst of October of 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776 and 1777, and 20 pounds each on the first of October 1778 and 1779, plus interest. To secure the debt, James Fegan sold a certain half lot on the West side of Water Street in the Town of York, now iin the occupation of the said James Fegan, being one half of an undivided lot of ground which Herman Updegraff, Esquire, deceased willed to his wife Anna Ursula to be held by her during her natural life, the said will dated 19 July 1758. If James Fegan paid the debt [mortgage] then the above deed was void. The deed was signed by James Fegan and witnessed by Joseph Garretson and Wm. Leas. James acknowledged the deed on 6 February 1770. It was written in the margin that Daniel Regan on 20 March 1772 acknowledged that he had received the full sum of the deed of mortgage.2 No record was found of what became of this land.

On 2 May 1775, James Fegan and John McMillan were witness to a deed from Richard Blatchford of Warrington Township, York County who mortgaged a tract of land in Manahan Township to Richard Eggleston of Manahan Township.3 On the same date Eggleston sold the tract to Blatchford, with the same witnesses.4

In York County at the April 1776 Court term was the case of James McMullen vs. James Feagan and Daniel McCurdy on a Capias Debt.5 At the July 1776 term was the case of James McMullen assee vic vs. James Fegan and others on a summons debt.6

James was in Cumberland County by about 1775, when at the April 1775 Court Session was the case of The King vs. James Feagen for assault and battery. The case was continued to July 1775, then to January 1776, and then to April 1776, where is waas to be continued to July 1776.7 The next court records after the April 1776 Court were in October 1777, so it is not known what became of the case. As there were cases against James in York County in 1776, and he did not appear in the tax lists for Cumberland County, he may have only been visiting there, perhaps seeing whether he wanted to move there, when the case for the assault and battery was brought against him.

James appeared in the tax list for 1778 for Fannet Township, Cumberland County as James Fagan.8 In 1778 he was listed with 37 acres of land, 1 horse, and 2 cows. James had not been listed there in the previous list, that being 1776 but there did appear a Hugh Feagan, in Fannet Township listed with 64 acres, 1 horse, 1 cow and 2 sheep.9

James continued to appear in Fannet Township tax lists through 1782. In 1779 as James Fegan he was listed with 100 acres, 2 horses and 2 cows.10 As James Feagin in 1780, he had 232 acres, 2 horses and 4 cows.11 For 1781 as James Fegin his listings were 230 acres, 2 horses and 3 cows.12 In 1782 as James Fegon he was listed with 236 acres, 2 horses, 2 cows, and 7 sheep.13 There are no extant lists for Cumberland County for 1783 and 1784, and in 1784 Fannet Township became part of the newly formed Franklin County.

On 18 May 1778 inhabitants of Path Valley in Cumberland County sent a memorial to the Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania. They stated that their militia had received orders for four classes to march immediately to Camp. "The Indians (or rather the tories) is Murdering our Neighbours close by us, no further than Bedford, and what active men is of use here is Entirely Defenceless, for want of arms and ammunition." They requested the Council send them rifled gun and ammunition, and to order the militia back against the Indians, for if the men marched off to Camp, the women and children would fall a sacrifice to "Savage Cruel Barbarity." A number of tories had joined with the Indians to conduct them "to murder the Whigs (as they call us)." They asked for rifles, as muskets were of little use in woods against Indians. The memorial was signed by 55 men, including two men named James Fegan.14

A second Memorial of residents of Cumberland County was signed on 29 June 1778 by 53 men, including one James Fegan. They stated that the Indians had penetrated their borders, and they lived on the verge of said county, and that all beyond them had either fled or forted, so they were in immediate danger. They were in great fear, as there were repeated alarms of the Indians heading toward them. The harvest was near, and they were not able to both man the forts they intended to build and reap the grain at the same time. If they lost their crops, they could not subsist in forts. If they left the Valley, what they could take would not last them long, and the settlement at Carlisle would then be the frontier, which would be a detriment to the State. They wished to stay, and were asking for guards to join them, either to reap the grain, guard their forts, or scout the woods beyond them.15

James Fegan on 24 May 1779 was in Captain James Askey's Company of the First Battalion of the Cumberland County militia commanded by Colonel James Dunlap and a member of Class 8. On 10 April 1781 he was under the same officers, but it was called the 6th Battalion. On 17 April 1781 listed as the 8th Class of the 2nd Company of the 6th Battalion, they marched upon a tour of duty ordered by the Council on 14 March 1781. He was also listed as a member of Captain Askey's Company on 27 August 1781 and 14 August 1782. For those latter two dates, also a member of the same 8th class was a James McMullen.16 Whether it is the same James McMullen that sued him in York County is unknown.

In 1784, Fannet Township where James Fegan lived became part of newly formed Franklin County. On 14 December 1785 he had a warrant granted, that was surveyed on 15 November 1786 as 117 acres "in Ambersons Valley near the head thereof on or near the line between Cumberland & Franklin Counites." A note stated that the land was wholly in Fannet Township in Franklin County since the settlement of the County line.17 This tract was resurveyd on 10 November 1844 on the head waters of Conococheague Creek, Amberson's Valley, Fannet Township for Robert Rea as 109 acres and 154 perches, in right of warrant to James Fegin of 14 November 1785. A small part of the original was struck off of it.18

James Fegan on 12 May 1785 for 64 pounds, 12 shillings and 3 pence Pennsylvania money "sold" to David Elder and John Elder, Junior, 236 acres in Fannet Township that was adjacent to Barnabas Clark. Adam Turner had a warrant for the tract on 10 June 1767. Turner sold it on 18 September 1769 to Samuel Perry who sold it to Patrick Henry, who had sold it to James Fegan on 7 April 1778. The transaction was actually a mortgage, and if James Fegan paid the sum with interest within three years, then the transaction was void, otherwise to remain in effect.19

James died in Franklin County, his estate being appraised on 29 November 1791 by James Wodney and Barnabas Doyle and his widow Honora Fegan signed with her mark that it was a true inventory.20 Included in the inventory were 2 mares, 1 horse, a "philly," 6 cows, 3 heifers, 4 last spring calves, 11 sheep and 10 hogs. There was a variety of farm equipment, including a wagon, a saddle, ploughs, hoes, spades, and a pitchfork. There were two "falling axes" for cutting down trees, and a log c chain for moving them. The household furniture included 3 beds, one chest, one dresser, 2 chairs, a loom, two pair of wool cards, as well as the normal various pots and hooks for hanging them over a fire, tubs, kettles, a coffee pot, 3 lanterns, a smoothing iron, a cutting knife and a hatchet. The total value of the appraisement was ?88.17.17. His widow Honora was made administrator of his estate.21

A petition was presented at court on 13 June 1815 by his son James Feagan "one of the heirs and Representatives of James Feagan late of Fannet Township" showing that "the petitioners father died intestate before the year One Thousand seven hundred and ninety four leaving a widow to wit, Honor Feagan & issue ten children to wit, John Feagan the eldest son, Peter Feagan, Catherine Feagan who is intermarried with [blank] Harkins, Thomas Feagan, Elizabeth Feagan, Mary Feagan who intermarriied with Victor Graham, Barnabas Feagan, Eleanor Feagan who intermarried with Robert Rhea, Nancy Feagan and the petitioner." He died with a "plantation or tract of land situate in Fannet Township, Franklin County, adjoining lands of James Riddle, John & Thomas Shields, & lands of the petitioner containing 200 acres or thereabouts also a tract of Wood land situate in the township aforesaid adjoining lands of Jacob Heage, and [unclear] knob containing one hundred and seventeen acres or thereabouts." He asked that the court award an inquest to determine whether the land could be divided between the widow and all the children without prejudice and spoiling the whole.22 A jury of twelve men decided that each tract would accommodate only one heir, the first tract being valued at $983.55 and the second at $117.23

On 5 March 1816 Peter Fegan and Bridget his wife of Cambria County, Pennsylvania sold to James Riddle of Chambersburg, Franklin County, counselor at law, for $90 all the right of Peter and Bridget out of the estate of James Fegan, late of Fannet Township.24

On 10 June 1817 the court "on motion of Mr. James Riddle rule on the heirs of James Fegan late of Ambersons Valley in the county and commonwealth aforesaid to appear at the court house in Chambersburg at an orphans court to be held on the third Tuesday of October next and then and there accept or refuse the real estate of the said James Feagan at the valuation thereof.25 Over the next several years there were several notices to the heirs to appear in court and accept or refuse the valuation. On 8 June 1819 the court showed that only James Fegan had appeared and refused the premises at the valuation and desired that it be sold. It was ordered by the court that the land be sold at public sale.26

James Fegan's widow Honora was living as late as 26 November 1820 when Barnabas Clark in his will left seven dollars to Honora Fegan, widow.27

John Fagan of Mill Creek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania sold on 30 March 1822 for $70 to Robert Rea Fannet Township, Franklin County, all his right in two tracts of land in Amberson Valley in Fannet Township in which he had claim as an heir of James Fegan, deceased. John claimed two shares.28

Thomas Fegan being one of the heirs and legal representatives of James Fegan, deceased, was entitled to one undivided eleventh part of a tract of land in Amberson Valley, Franklin and Perry Counties. Thomas and his wife Susan sold for $10 on 15 October 1825 to James Fegan his share. The residence of Thomas was not stated, but he and Susanna acknowledged the deed before a Judge in Mifflin County.29

1. Major J. C. Fegan, The Fegan Line 1782-1929: One of the Branches of the Fagan or Fegan Family Tree, (no location: no place, 1929), Family History Library (FHL), Salt Lake City, Utah, microfilm1,017,041, item 6.
2. York County, Pennsylvania Record Book for Deeds D:322-323, FHL microfilm 0,022,097.
3. York County, Pennsylvania Record Book for Deeds F:276-277, FHL microfilm 0,022,098.
4. York County, Pennsylvania Record Book for Deeds F:324-325, FHL microfilm 0,022,098.
5. "Civil Court Records, York County Continuance Docket, April Term 1776," Codorus Chronicles, Volume 6, Number 2, (August 1989), 20.
6. "Civil Court Records, York County Continuance Docket, July Term 1776," Codorus Chronicles, Volume 6, Number 3, (November 1989), 14.
7. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Quarter Sessions Docket 5, 1772-1776, pp. 201, 211, 245 1/2, 266, FHL microfilm 1,011,065.
8. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1778 tax rates, Fannet Twp., p. 102, FHL microfilm 0,021,088.
9. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1776 tax rates, Fannet Twp., p. 101, FHL microfilm 0,021,089.
10. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1779 tax rates, Fannet Twp., p. 120, FHL microfilm 0,021,089.
11. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1780 tax rates, Fannett Twp., p. 89, FHL microfilm 0,021,089.
12. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1781 tax rates, Fannet Twp., p. 105, FHL microfilm 0,021,090.
13. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 1782 tax rates, Fannet Twp., p. 108, FHL microfilm 0,021,090.
14. Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series, Volume 3:166-168.
15. Pennsylvania Archives, 2nd Series, Volume 3:185-186.
16. Pennsylvania Archives, 5th Series, Volume 6, pp. 62, 132, 407, 410, 424 and 442.
17. Pennsylvania Original Surveys, C66:1, FHL microfilm 1,004,904.
18. Pennsylvania Original Surveys, C66:2, FHL microfilm 1,004,904.
19. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Deed Book 1:261-262, FHL microfil 0,323,795.
20. James Fegan estate file, Franklin County, Pennsylvania estate file #203, FHL microfilm 1,465,869.
21. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Orphans Court Docket A:64, FHL microfilm 0,323,837
22. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Orphans Court Docket B:151, FHL microfilm 0,328,837.
23. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Orphans Court Docket B:194, FHL microfilm 0,328,837.
24. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Deed Book 14:593, FHL microfilm 0,323,804.
25. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Orphans Court Docket B:260, FHL microfilm 0,328,837.
26. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Orphans Court Docket B:317, FHL microfilm 0,328,837.
27. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Will Book C:532, FHL microfilm 0,323,865.
28. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Deed Book 14:594, FHL microfilm 0,323,804.
29. Franklin County, Pennsylvania Deed Book 14:595, FHL microfilm 0,323,804.

According to Volume A, page 219 of Abstracts of Wills and Administrations by Franklin County Registered at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, letters of administration for James' will were granted to his wife Honora on November 23, 1791.

Also found in Abstracts of Wills and Administrations by Franklin County Registered at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (Volume C, page 43) is the will of a George Fegan, for which letters of administration were granted to Elizabeth Fegan on March 18, 1812. This could be a brother of James'.

Fegan, James (P44559590)

Cadwgon ab Iorwerth (I100024212)

Efa ferch Llywelyn (I200009017)

Silbil of Barcelona (I445652445)

De Maurienne, Count of Savoy Amadeus III (I445652450)

King of Aragon Pedro II (I445653169)

Jimenez, King of Pamplona Sancho Garces III (I445668573)

Family (F1273)

Family (F226194)

Family (F226492)

Family (F227763)

Source (S1374182237)

Source (S1666328422)

Source (S1736831525)

Source (S1736834615)

Source (S1806609556)

Source (S-2133504460)

Source (S-2131723192)

Source (S-2107833948)

Source (S-2107181968)

Source (S-2098475090)

Source (S-2098075241)

Source (S-2091928094)

Source (S-2090984586)

Source (S-2062963897)

Source (S-2047676570)

Source (S-2000773278)

Source (S-1884243866)

Source (S-1127123712)

Source (S-1062351428)

Source (S-1008298415)

Source (S-860909757)

Source (S-776623633)

Source (S-709897952)

Source (S405468286)

Source (S530404904)

Source (S530500885)

Source (S573942287)

Source (S724173004)

Source (S767453346)

Source (S779758670)

Source (S787882557)