Generation #4 - Martin Wheeler

Martin Wheeler ^{1, 2, 3} (John , John , Henry ) was born before 1703 in Bertie Co., North Carolina. He died ⁴ about 1772 in Granville Co., North Carolina.

The first mention of Martin Wheeler was when his name appeared on a list of those who had failed to appear for jury duty at the November 1724 court session in Bertie Co., N.C. In Bertie Co., N.C. Deed Book G, p. 337, Edward Roberts and wife Mary, "of Society Parish" sold 400 acres on Ahotsky Swamp, "adjacent [to] Martin Wheeler at Turkey Swamp". Then on 4 October 1750, a deed was recorded in Bertie Co. where Edward Roberts and his wife Mary, in a deed of gift, convey to their "well beloved Son In Law Martin Wheeler" 250 acres of land on the southwest side of Ahoskie Swamp, at the end of the great island, at Cabin Branch. By the following year Martin Wheeler was in Granville Co., N.C. On 6 September 1751, he bought two hundred acres of land on a branch of Grassey Creek in the northwest part of the county. He then sold the land in Bertie Co., given to him by his father-in-law, to Moses Bonner. They must have sent back good reports on Granville Co. because in July 1756, Edward Roberts, "of Granville Co.", gave the rest of his land in Bertie Co. to his son Charles and moved to Granville County. Charles in turn, sold the land and moved to Granville Co. a few years later.
Early settlers in Granville County were farmers. They were lured there by the abundant wildlife and fertile fields. Corn, wheat and tobacco were the predominate crops grown. Almost everything they wore or used was produced or manufactured on the farm.
At the March session of court in Granville Co. a Priscilla Wheeler brought a suit of trespass against a Lydia Roberts. In that time period "trespass" had a different meaning. Farm animals were given free range, while the crops were enclosed. When the animals did manage to get into someone's crops, the owner of the animals was sued for allowing their aniamls to trespass and damage the other person's crops. In this case, Lydia Roberts was found not guilty.
Martin Wheeler was listed on the militia rolls of Granville Co. in 1754-55 in the company of Capt. John Sallis. (Capt. Sallis left Granville Co. a couple of years later and moved to Georgia.)
No record of Martin Wheeler has been found after he witnessed a bill of sale which was recorded in Orange Co., N.C. court 21 November 1771.
Nothing has been found that names the children of Martin Wheeler and his wife. They may have been the parents of the Benjamin Wheeler who, on 31 Jan 1746, bought land on Swift Creek in what was then in Edgecombe County. In 1762 another deed was recorded, this time in Granville County, which mentioned "Benjamin Wheeler's line." There is no other record of him buying or selling property but in 1769, and again in 1771, he was shown on the tax lists of the Dutch District of Granville County. This Benjamin Wheeler is likely the ancestor of the Wheelers who later lived in the Wilton area of southeast Granville County. A Henry Wheeler was mentioned only once in Granville County records (1771 Militia list). He was also likely a son of Martin Wheeler.

Martin married (1) Miss about 1730 in Bertie Co., North Carolina. Miss was born about 1705. She died possibly before 1745 in Bertie Co., North Carolina.

There is no record of a marriage for Martin Wheeler. Only the ages of his supposed children suggest two marriages.

Martin and Miss had the following children:

+

14

M

i

William Wheeler

Martin married (2) [Priscilla?] Roberts daughter of Edward Roberts and Mrs. Edward (Mary) Roberts in Bertie Co., North Carolina. [Priscilla?] was born before 1730. She died in Granville Co., North Carolina.

They had the following children:

+	15	F	ii	Melvina Lavonia Wheeler
+	16	F	iii	Sarah Wheeler