John Wheelwright
Privacy Level: Open (White)

John Wheelwright (1592 - 1679)

Rev. John Wheelwright
Born in Saleby, Lincolnshire, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 8 Nov 1621 in Bilsby, Lincolnshire, Englandmap
Husband of — married 1629 in Alford, Lincolnshire, Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 87 in Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colonymap
Profile last modified | Created 21 Feb 2011
This page has been accessed 4,750 times.
The Puritan Great Migration.
John Wheelwright migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 368)
Join: Puritan Great Migration Project
Discuss: pgm

Contents

Biography

Rev John Wheelwright (1592-1679)

John son of Katherine Mawer & RIchard grew up with 3 sisters (Elizabeth, Katherine & Ellen) in LIncolnshire, England. John attended Sidney Sussex College (now of Cambridge University)[1]

In 1614, Rev John Wheelwright, graduated from Sidney Sussex College of Cambridge University. His yeoman father, Robert was financially independent, capable of affording a college education & John was his only son.

John Wheelwright was ordained as a deacon on 19 December 1619 and appointed vicar of Bilsby (near Alford in what is now East Lindsey, Lincolnshire) in 1623,[2] and was succeeded in that position by Philip De La Motte in 1632,[3] having been ejected from the benefice after being convicted of simony.[4]

On 8 Nov 1621, John married Marie Storre at Bilsby near Alford, Lincolnshire.[5] John helped raise 4 children (John II, Thomas, William Wheelwright (1627-1628) & Susannah, but then Marie died in 1628.[5]

Rev John remarried the same year to Mary Hutchinson, a puritan, which changed John’s life forever. Mary & John had 2 more children Katherine & Marie in Bilsby before moving to Laceby where Elizabeth & Samuel were born.[5]

To avoid persecution within the Church of England, the Wheelwright family emigrated to the colonies, landing 26 May 1636 in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony (MBC) in British Colonial America (BCA).[6]Mary was born and Rev John was established as the pastor a church at Mount Wollaston (now Braintree).[6]

Rev John became sympathetic with the religious opinions of his sister-in-law, Ann Hutchinson. Her belief concerning the Antinomian Controversy was a problem for the Colonial administrators.

19 January 1637, Rev John's sermon at the occasion of a fast, generally well received by his congregation, was generally denounced by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony because it "caused dissensions". John was tried by the General Court and found guilty of sedition and contempt “for that the court had appointed the fast as a means of reconciliation of differences, and he purposely set himself to kindle them".[6]
November 1637, Rev John Wheelwright was banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony[6]
3 Apr 1638 John within the company of friends (and family), founded the new colony of Exeter, New Hampshire (NH), British Colonial America (BCA) and became their pastor. [[Wheelwright-184}Hannah]] was born in Exeter.
“John Wheelwright with some loyal friends removed to the Piscataqua region about 50 miles (80 km) north of Boston and purchased the rights of the Indian sagamore of Wehanownouit and his son and founded the town of Exeter, New Hampshire. He was the leader in the foundation of the town, where he filled the office of pastor of the church and active citizen. This little republic had a short life however, as the Massachusetts Bay Colony planted a settlement at Hampton, which included Wheelwright’s purchase in its jurisdiction.“

In 1641, “John Wheelwright and his associates moved to the coast of the English Royal Province of Maine, where, by agreement with the agent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges (1566-1647), he was allowed to take up land and organize a church in Wells, Maine. He purchased 400 acres (1.6 km2) of land on the Ogunquit River and built a one-story house and sawmill. In 1643, after the murder of Anne Hutchinson by the Indians, Wheelwright wrote Governor Winthrop seeking pardon of the Bay Colony. His sentence was revoked by the general court in 1644, and he was restored to the freedom of the colony. ”

In 1644, the banishment of Rev John was revoked on the condition that he accept admission of partial guilt. Rev John returned as pastor to Hampton, Essex, MBC, BCA for six years. Sara (1648-1727) was born in Hampton, Essex, MBC, BCA.

By 1649, John & Mary made Salisbury, Essex, MBC, BCA would be their final home (after a return tour of England). Their youngest daughter Rebecca (1649-1678) was born in Salisbury. Essex, MBC, BCA.

1657 Rev John returned to England and was well received by Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658. Note: John was a classmate of Oliver Cromwell at Cambridge University.[6] Reverend John Wheelwright's son John Wheelwright is buried in Lincolnshire, England.

1660, John returned from England and settled in Salisbury, becoming pastor in 1662.

1679. Rev John died and is buried at the Salisbury Colonial Burying Ground, Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.[7]

Writings

Rev John Wheelwright (1592-1679)

John's Writings Including His Fast-Day Sermon

The genuineness of an Indian deed to Mr. Wheelwright, dated 1629, has been the subject of much controversy. He published "Mercurius Americanus" in answer to Thomas Wilde's "Rise, Reign, and Ruin of the Familists, Libertines, etc., in New England" (London, 1645), and his "Vindication " (1654). The sermon that caused his banishment is in the possession of the Massachusetts historical society, and was published in its "Collections," edited by Charles Deane (1867). His "Writings, with a Paper on the Genuineness of the Indian Deed of 1629, and a Memoir," by Charles II. Bell, have been published by the Prince society (Boston, 1876).

Time Line

Rev John Wheelwright (1592-1679)

b. 1592 s/o Catherine Mawer (1573-1605) & Robert W Wheelwright (1565-1612) @ Saleby, Lincolnshire, England
edu. 1614 Sidney College, Cambridge University[6]
edu. 1618 MA Sidney College, Cambridge University[6]
emp. 9 Apr 1623 Vicar of the Church of England @ Bilsby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England (Bilsby near Alford, England)[6]
m. 8 Nov 1621 Marie Storre (1573-1629) d/o mother & Thomas Storre (1570-1623) @ Bilsby near Alford, England d. Bilsby near Alford, England[6][8]
b. John Wheelwright II (1622-) @ Bilsby near Alford, Lincolnshire, England
d. Bilsby near Alford, England before his father's emigration or on his father's return trip to England and is buried there.
b. Thomas Wheelwright (1624-1679) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
d. 1679 near Wells, York, Maine, British Colonial America (BCA)
b. William Wheelwright (1627-1628) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
bap. 10 Feb 1626 @ Bilsby near Alford, England
d. May 1628 @ Bilsby near Alford, England
bur. 22 May 1628 @ Bilsby near Alford, England
b. Susannah Wheelwright (1628-1674) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
m. Edward Rishworth (1617-1689), d. 1674 @ York, Maine, BCA
m. Mary Hutchinson (1605-1679) d/o Susannah Turtle (1566-1646) & Edward Hutchinson (1564-1632) @ Alford, England
b. Katherine Wheelwright (1630-1716) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
m. Robert Nanney
m. 1666 Edward Naylor @ Boston, Suffolk, MBC, BCA, d. Boston, MBC, BCA
b. Marie Wheelwright (1632-1632) @ Bilsby near Alford, England d. Bilsby near Alford, England
b. Elizabeth Wheelwright (1633-) @ Laceby, Lincolnshire, England
m. George Pierson (1626-)
b. Samuel Wheelwright (1635-1700) @ St Peters Parish, Laceby, Lincoln, England, d. York, Maine, BCA
b. Mary Wheelwright (1637-1711) @ Boston, Suffolk, MBC, BCA
m. Edward Lyde (1630-)
m. Theodore Atkinson (1614-1701)
b. Hannah Wheelwright (1642-1675) @ Exeter, New Hampshire, BCA
m. Anthony Checkly (1642-1675) d. Boston, Suffolk, MBC, BCA
b. 1648 Sara Wheelwright (1648-1727) @ Hampton, Norfolk, Maine, BCA
m. Richard Crisp (1623-1701)
b. Rebecca Wheelwright (1649-1678) @ Salem, Essex, MBC, BCA
m. Samuel Maverick (1630-1663)
m. William Bradbury (1649-1678)
d. before 25 May 1679 @ Salisbury, Essex, MBC, BCA (date of husband’s will)
d. 15 Nov 1679 @ Salisbury, Essex, MBC, BCA[7]
bur. Salisbury Colonial Burying Ground, Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA[7]

Sources

  1. "Athenae cantabrigienses" by Cooper, Charles Henry, 1808-1866; Cooper, Thompson, 1837-1904; Gray, G. J. (George John), b. 1863 (https://archive.org/details/athenaecantabrig00coop_0/page/468/mode/2up?q=sidney+sussex), Rev. Robert Phelps, D.D. master of Sidney College (https://archive.org/details/athenaecantabrig02coop_0/page/n8/mode/2up?q=sussex) on Gabriel Goodman (https://archive.org/details/athenaecantabrig02coop_0/page/318/mode/2up?q=sussex) on Nicholas Bond (https://archive.org/details/athenaecantabrig02coop_0/page/466/mode/2up?q=sussex), on Francis Aldrich (https://archive.org/details/athenaecantabrig02coop_0/page/524/mode/2up?q=sussex), on Samuel Wright (https://archive.org/details/athenaecantabrig02coop_0/page/530/mode/2up?q=sussex)
  2. "John Wheelwright (CCEd Person ID 155795)", in The Clergy of the Church of England Database 1540–1835. http://www.theclergydatabase.org.uk, accessed 21 December 2023.
  3. "Phillip De la Motte (CCEd Person ID 12097)", in The Clergy of the Church of England Database 1540–1835. http://www.theclergydatabase.org.uk, accessed 21 December 2023.
  4. Green, Samuel A. "Rev. John Wheelright". Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, series 2 volume 8 (1892-1894), pages 505-517. See page 510.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Sanborn, Victor Channing. "The Lincolnshire Origin of Some Exeter Settlers." The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, volume 68 (1914), pages 64-80.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Bell, Charles Henry. History of the Town of Exeter, New Hampshire (J.J. Little & Co., Astor Place, New York, 1889) Page 5, Page 38-9 (https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofe00bell/page/n23/mode/2up)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Find A Grave: Memorial #13656308 Rev. John Wheelwright
  8. https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbor%2fphillimoremars%2fyplin10%2f0051&parentid=gbor%2fphillimoremars%2fyplin10%2f0051&highlights=%22%22

See also:





Is John your ancestor? Please don't go away!
 star icon Login to collaborate or comment, or
 star icon contact private message private message private message private message a profile manager, or
 star icon ask our community of genealogists a question.
Sponsored Search by Ancestry.com

DNA
No known carriers of John's DNA have taken a DNA test.

Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.



Comments: 11

Leave a message for others who see this profile.
There are no comments yet.
Login to post a comment.
Time Line

Rev John Wheelwright (1592-1679)

b. 1592 s/o Catherine Mawer (1573-1605) & Robert W Wheelwright (1565-1612) @ Saleby, Lincolnshire, England
edu. 1614 Sidney College, Cambridge University<ref name="HofE_JW"/>
edu. 1618 MA Sidney College, Cambridge University<ref name="HofE_JW"/>
emp. 9 Apr 1623 Vicar of the Church of England @ Bilsby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England (Bilsby near Alford, England)<ref name="HofE_JW"/>
m. 8 Nov 1621 Marie Storre (1573-1629) d/o mother & Thomas Storre (1570-1623) @ Bilsby near Alford, England d. Bilsby near Alford, England<ref name="HofE_JW">https://archive.org/details/historyoftownofe00bell/page/n23/mode/2up</ref>
b. John Wheelwright II (1622-) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
d. Bilsby near Alford, England
b. Thomas Wheelwright (1624-1679) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
d. 1679 near Wells, York, Maine, British Colonial America (BCA)
b. William Wheelwright (1627-1628) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
bap. 10 Feb 1626 @ Bilsby near Alford, England
d. May 1628 @ Bilsby near Alford, England
bur. 22 May 1628 @ Bilsby near Alford, England
b. Susannah Wheelwright (1628-1674) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
m. Edward Rishworth (1617-1689), d. 1674 @ York, Maine, BCA
m. Mary Hutchinson (1605-1679) d/o Susannah Turtle (1566-1646) & Edward Hutchinson (1564-1632) @ Alford, England
b. Katherine Wheelwright (1630-1716) @ Bilsby near Alford, England
m. Robert Nanney
m. 1666 Edward Naylor @ Boston, Suffolk, MBC, BCA, d. Boston, MBC, BCA
b. Marie Wheelwright (1632-1632) @ Bilsby near Alford, England d. Bilsby near Alford, England
b. Elizabeth Wheelwright (1633-) @ Laceby, Lincolnshire, England
m. George Pierson (1626-)
b. Samuel Wheelwright (1635-1700) @ St Peters Parish, Laceby, Lincoln, England, d. York, Maine, BCA
b. Mary Wheelwright (1637-1711) @ Boston, Suffolk, MBC, BCA
m. Edward Lyde (1630-)
m. Theodore Atkinson (1614-1701)
b. Hannah Wheelwright (1642-1675) @ Exeter, New Hampshire, BCA
m. Anthony Checkly (1642-1675) d. Boston, Suffolk, MBC, BCA
b. 1648 Sara Wheelwright (1648-1727) @ Hampton, Norfolk, Maine, BCA
m. Richard Crisp (1623-1701)
b. Rebecca Wheelwright (1649-1678) @ Salem, Essex, MBC, BCA
m. Samuel Maverick (1630-1663)
m. William Bradbury (1649-1678)
d. before 25 May 1679 @ Salisbury, Essex, MBC, BCA (date of husband’s will)
d. 15 Nov 1679 @ Salisbury, Essex, MBC, BCA<ref name=”fg_JW”/>
bur. Salisbury Colonial Burying Ground, Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, USA<ref name=”fg_JW”>Find A Grave: Memorial #13656308 Rev. John Wheelwright</ref>
posted by Richard Schamp
Please enter the reference for this in the bio itself: "HofE_JW". As it is, it doesn't result any links in the sources section because the main reference appears to be in a comment - not within the profile. This results in an error. Thank you in advance for fixing it.
posted by S (Hill) Willson
If you like it, please use the following as a biography or an edition thereof:

Narrative Rev John Wheelwright (1592-1679)

In 1614, Rev John Wheelwright, graduate of Cambridge University, went straight to work for the Church of England as a Vicar of Bilsby near Alford in what is now East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England, UK.

Married at Bilsby near Alford in 1621 to Marie Storre, John helped raise 4 children (John II, Thomas, William Wheelwright (1627-1628) & Susannah, but then Marie Storre died in 1628.

Rev John remarried the same year to Mary Hutchinson, a puritan, which changed John’s life forever. Mary & Rev John had 2 more children Katherine & Marie in Bilsby before moving to Laceby where Elizabeth & Samuel were born. On 26 May 1636, The Wheelwright family (excluding John Wheelwright II) emigrated landing in Boston in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.<ref name="HofE_JW"/> Mary was born and Rev John was established as the pastor a church at Mount Wollaston (now Braintree).<ref name="HofE_JW"/>

Rev John became sympathetic with the religious opinions of his sister-in-law, Ann Hutchinson. Her belief was controversial. John’s sermon on 19 January 1637, generally well received by his congregation at the occasion of a fast appointed by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony caused dissensions. John was tried by the General Court and found guilty of sedition and contempt “for that the court had appointed the fast as a means of reconciliation of differences, and he purposely set himself to kindle them.”<ref name="HofE_JW"/>


The genuineness of an Indian deed to Mr. Wheelwright, dated 1629, has been the subject of much controversy. He published "Mercurius Americanus" in answer to Thomas Wilde's "Rise, Reign, and Ruin of the Familists, Libertines, etc., in New England" (London, 1645), and his "Vindication " (1654). The sermon that caused his banishment is in the possession of the Massachusetts historical society, and was published in its "Collections," edited by Charles Deane (1867). His "Writings, with a Paper on the Genuineness of the Indian Deed of 1629, and a Memoir," by Charles II. Bell, have been published by the Prince society (Boston, 1876).

Rev John was banished in November 1637.<ref name="HofE_JW"/> In 1638 within the company of friends (and family), John founded the new colony of Exeter, New Hampshire (NH), British Colonial America (BCA) and became their pastor. [[Wheelwright-184}Hannah]] was born in Exeter.

“John Wheelwright with some loyal friends removed to the Piscataqua region about 50 miles (80 km) north of Boston and purchased the rights of the Indian sagamore of Wehanownouit and his son and founded the town of Exeter, New Hampshire on 3 April 1638. He was the leader in the foundation of the town, where he filled the office of pastor of the church and active citizen. This little republic had a short life however, as the Massachusetts Bay Colony planted a settlement at Hampton, which included Wheelwright’s purchase in its jurisdiction.“

Five years later, John and his associates acquired a land grant from Sir Fernando Gorges who had established the English Royal colony of Wells in the newly created Royal Province of Maine, British Colonial America. This colony owed its loyalty to the catholic King Charles I (1625-1649).

“John Wheelwright and his associates moved to the coast of Maine, where, by agreement with the agent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, he was allowed to take up land and organize a church in Wells, Maine, in 1641. He purchased 400 acres (1.6 km2) of land on the Ogunquit River and built a one-story house and sawmill. In 1643, after the murder of Anne Hutchinson by the Indians, Wheelwright wrote Governor Winthrop seeking pardon of the Bay Colony. His sentence was revoked by the general court in 1644, and he was restored to the freedom of the colony. ” In 1644, the banishment of Rev John was revoked on the condition that he accept admission of partial guilt. Rev John returned as pastor to Hampton, Essex, MBC, BCA for six years. Sara was born in Hampton, Essex, MBC, BCA.

Soon the catholic King Charles I was overthrown and consequently, the Massachusetts Bay Colony extended their governorship over the former Royal Province of Maine. In 1649 Rebecca was born in Salisbury. Essex, MBC, BCA. Later, in 1657, Rev John returned to England and was well received by Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658.<ref name="HofE_JW"/> Rev John returned in 1660 to become pastor in 1662 for Salisbury, Essex, MBC, BCA.

posted by Richard Schamp
edited by Richard Schamp
The lengthy section about his descendant ought to be detached from this profile and attached to that descendant's page.
posted by Lois (Hacker) Tilton
Yes Lois, I agree with you. It should be moved to the correct individual’s profile.
I've removed it. I could not find a profile for descendant William b 1798 (and I did look down each of his male branches). So if/when we do create such a profile, the data can be pulled from the Changes tab here.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Wheelwright-8 and Wheelwright-7 appear to represent the same person because: -8 is a mistaken duplicate.
posted by Jillaine Smith
Wheelwright-172 and Wheelwright-7 appear to represent the same person because: This duplication occurred because of a problem with his wife Marie and her children. I do apologize, I created Wheelwright-172 in error.
Beautiful profile.
posted by Jennifer Cady
Wheelwright-7 and Wheelright-3 appear to represent the same person because: Same person other than spelling of surname which should be Wheelwright.
posted by Jack Wise
This profile has been identified as a duplicate by Phil Smith, an Arborist. Please review the proposed merge - bottom of the profile on the left. If they are duplicates please approve the merge. If you have questions or would like assistance please ask. Thank you.
posted by Philip Smith