Subject: Moses Wheeler, Lunenburg, Groton & Fort No. 4 Source: Groton Historical Series by Dr. Samuel A. Green Vol I Chapter X p.32 Moses Wheeler late of Lunenburg, Mass., now a resident of Groton, m. Dec 14, 1748, Elizabeth Holden of Groton. Subject: Moses Wheeler Source: History of Charlestown, N.H., the Old Fort No. 4, by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson, 1876. p.612 Moses Wheeler of Groton, Mass., m. Dec 14, 1747/8, Elizabeth Holden, also of Groton, Mass. See below, Ensign Moses Wheeler, "The Strong Man." Their Children: 1. Sarah Wheeler b. Sept 4, 1748. 2. Elizabeth Wheeler b. June 24, 1750, m. July 6, 1768, Oliver Farnsworth Insert: Farnsworth Memorial Samuel Farnsworth Line - whose 3 sons founded Fort 4, in 1740. p.362 Stephen Farnsworth, one of the 3 brothers who in 1740 founded Fort No. 4, Charleston, N.H.; m. Eunice Hastings. Their first child was Oliver Farnsworth b. Dec 8, 1742; m. July 5, 1768, Elizabeth Wheeler, b. June 24, 1750, dau. of Moses & Elizabeth (Holden) Wheeler of Groton. They lived at Charlestown, N.H. about five years before moving to Woodstock, VT., where they purchased a 420 acre farm in District Nine. He held several public offices and the D.A.R. lists him in Civil Service and Patriotic Service. He was a printer and probably the first of the family to learn the art. He was taken sick about Nov 1, 1785 and died shortly after in Woodstock. Children: (Farnsworth Memorial, p.364) Children of Oliver Farnsworth and his wife, Elizabeth Wheeler: 1. Havilah Farnsworth b. May 11, 1769, d. Feb 8, 1834 in Euclid, Ohio. He m. Abigail Huffington b. Mar 29, 1767, dau. of John & Mehitable (Steele) Hunt- ington of Tolland, CT. He was first in the printing business in Newport, R.I. with his brother, Oliver, but later became a doctor and removed to Euclid Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He was the first physician in the township. He had a large practice and was locally famous as a physician and surgeon. His visits were on horseback and often went fifteen or twenty miles. 2. Abijah Farnsworth b. Mar 12, 1770, m. Betsey Peck. 3. Biel or Abial Farnsworth b. Dec 25, 1772, m. in Woodstock, VT., Elizabeth ____. He went west, probably with his uncle, Warren Cottle; was in St. Charles Co., MO., in 1830. 4. Oliver Farnsworth, Jr. b. Dec 10, 1775; d. Sept 23, 1859 at Newport, R. I. He m. Nancy Mumford. Oliver Farnsworth, Jr. and his brother (above) Havilah, both learned their father's trade and June 14, 1797, commenced the publication of a newspaper at Suffield, Conn., called "The Impartial Herald." They contin- ued for one year when they sold out to other parties and removed to Newport, R.I. where they opened a printing office and the Schedules of the General Assembly of that State bear the imprint of "H. & O. Farnsworth." In the year 1799, Oliver Farnsworth Jr. commenced the publication of the "Rhode Island Republican" and continued it about two years in the interest of the Jeffer- sonian party. Oliver also published a life of George Washington under the title, "A Memory of Washington, Comprising a Sketch of His Life and Character and the National Testimonials of Respect. Also a collection of Eulogies and Orations with a copious Appendix. - Newport, R.I., Printed by Oliver Farns- worth, 1800." It was the first attempt at a collection of the most important of Washington's papers as well as an account of his life, that was made after his death. It is a creditable work when the time is considered, and the author's facilities for procuring information. After leaving Newport he went to Cinncinnati, Ohio, then the "far west," on the verge of the wilderness. There he opened the first printing office and published the first newspaper in that region of the country. In his old age he returned to Newport, R.I. 5. Elizabeth Farnsworth. 6. Phoebe Farnsworth. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth 3. Moses Wheeler,Jr. b. Aug. 29, 1752; m. Pamela, dau. of Ebenezer & Mary Putnam. 1. Laura Wheeler b. oct 31, 1784; m. Robert Rand. 2. Horace Wheeler b. May 12, 1794; m. Martha Church on Jan 23, 1812. Children: 1. Simeon Church Wheeler 2. Moses William Wheeler. 3. Horace Church Wheeler. 3. William Wheeler b. Jan 15, 1796. 4. Lucia Wheeler b. Sept 13, 1800. 5. Marcia Wheeler b. Feb 7, 1803, m. ____ Kingsbury of Honeyoye Falls, N.Y. 4. Eunice Wheeler b. Oct 3, 1755; m. Jonathan Hubbard, Jr. 5. Lydia Wheeler b. Nov 5, 1757. 6. Phebe Wheeler b. Dec 23, 1760. 7. Maria Wheeler b. April 20, 1768. 8. John Wheeler b. Oct 31, 1769. He m. Hannah Thurston (published Sept 21, 1788) Children: 1. Laura Wheeler b. Aug 28, 1789. 2. Ralph Wheeler b. Feb 9, 1792. Ensign Moses Wheeler (Sr.) The Strong Man. Ensign Moses Wheeler as he was called, as he held that office in the company of Capt. Hobbs, was in some of the fiercest encounters of the old French and Indian Wars. He was a soldier on the frontier as early as 1746 and was one of the company of Capt. Stevens in his cele- brated defense of Fort No. 4 from April 4th to April 8th, 1747. He was a very large man, yet of good proportions and was said to have been, in his prime, the strongest man in the cordon of forts on the frontier. One time Wheeler and five others were detailed to take a cannon to the top of Hoosac Mountain. It appeared to some of them a hard task and they stood around the cannon a long time earnestly discussing the way in which it should be done. At length, tiring of their suggestions, Wheeler threw up his arms, at the same time exclaiming, "Stand aside, boys, I am going to take this cannon up the mountain myself." And suiting the action to the word he immediately seized it and swinging it upon his shoulder bore it to the place which had been designated for it, pausing only once for rest upon the way. It is related that the reason of his pausing as he did was to get a drink from a spring which he saw bubbling up beside his path. As soon as he saw this he flung his cannon from his shoulder and throwing himself flat on his stomach, the more readily to get at the water, he commenced drinking as the soldiers expressed it, "like a horse." Thinking he would kill himself they warned him to desist, but as he gave no heed to their admonition three of them seized one leg and two the other and drew him forcibly away. He thought it rather hard usage but concluded on the whole it was best to submit to it. After resting awhile he again resumed his cannon and bore it to its place, when he found that he had burst his shoes open which were new when he started from the foot of the mountain and his pantaloons were such a wreck that they were good for nothing afterwards. The officers and soldiers were, however, so pleased with his exploit that they clubbed to- gether and very generously more than made up his loss. After this he became quite a hero with the Indians, who, whenever they came where he was, always wanted to see "The Strong Man." He was one of the grantees, under the New Hampshire Charter and was elected highway surveyor at the first town meeting held August 14, 1753. Mr. & Mrs. Wheeler died in Charlestown, N.H. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth