Person:John Wheelwright (2)

the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

John Wheelwright (c. 1592–1679) was a Puritan clergyman in England and America, noted for being banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Antinomian Controversy, and for subsequently establishing the town of Exeter, New Hampshire. Born in Lincolnshire, England, he graduated from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. Ordained in 1619, he became the vicar of Bilsby, Lincolnshire, until he was removed for simony.

Leaving for New England in 1636, he was welcomed in Boston, where his brother-in-law's wife, Anne Hutchinson, was beginning to attract negative attention for her religious outspokenness. Soon he and Hutchinson accused the majority of the colony's ministers and magistrates of espousing a "covenant of works". As this controversy reached a peak, Hutchinson and Wheelwright were banished from the colony. Wheelwright went north with a group of followers during the harsh winter of 1637–1638, and in April 1638 established the town of Exeter in what would become the Province of New Hampshire. Wheelwright's stay in Exeter lasted only a few years, because Massachusetts activated an earlier claim on the lands there, forcing the banished Wheelwright to leave. He went further east, to Wells, Maine, where he was living when his order of banishment was retracted. He returned to Massachusetts to preach at Hampton (later part of the Province of New Hampshire), where in 1654 his parishioners helped him get the complete vindication that he sought from the Massachusetts Court for the events of 17 years earlier.

In 1655 Wheelwright moved back to England with his family, and preached near his home in Lincolnshire. While in England he was entertained by two of his powerful friends, Oliver Cromwell, who had become Lord Protector, and Sir Henry Vane, who occupied key positions in the government. Following Cromwell's death, the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 and Vane's execution, Wheelwright returned to New England to become the minister in Salisbury, Massachusetts, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was characterized as being contentious and unbending, but also forgiving, energetic and courageous. His sincere piety was never called into question, even by those whose opinions differed greatly from his.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} John Wheelwright, in Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration Directory. (Boston, Mass.: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Jun 2015)
   368.

   "Wheelwright, John: [Origin] Bilsby, Lincolnshire; [Emigration] 1636; [Resided] Boston; [BChR 21; WJ 1:239-40; WP 3:392; NEHGR 22:83, 24:77, 68:73-77; 74:51-53; GDMNH 743-44; NEQ 64:22-45; ODNB]."

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} John Wheelwright, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.
3. ↑ Wheelwright, John, in American National Biography Online.
4. ↑ Matthew H.C.G. (ed.), and Brian (ed.) Harrison. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: in association with The British Academy. (Oxford University Press).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} Noyes, Sybil; Charles Thornton Libby; and Walter Goodwin Davis. Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire. (Portland, Maine: Southworth Press, 1928-1939)
   743-44.

   2 Rev. John (Wheelwright), celebrated Antinomian and founder of Exeter soon aft. his banishment from Boston 2 Nov. 1637 and the disarming of those seduced and led away by the 'opinions and revelations of Mr. Wheelwright and Mrs. Hutchinson' (Mass. Col. Rec. 1: 207, 211). See Col. Soc. Mass. I: 271-303; 'Life of John Wheelwright' (Heard, 1930); Dict, of Am. Biog., vol. 20 (1936) with references, for annals of his life, beginning in Lincolnshire ab. 1592-4 (his fa. Robert of Cumberworth and Saleby) and ending in Salisb. 15 Nov. 1679 'in an advanced age and the 17th yr. of his ministry.' Educ. at Sidney Coll., Cambridge, B.A. 1614-5, M.A. 1618, and vicar at Bilsby, Lincolnshire, 1623 to 1633, when replaced, altbo appar. not resigning. At Boston he, his w. and her mo. were adm. to Ch. 12. 4m. 1636. Of Boston, Braintree, Exeter (until Mass. came in), and Wells where a large land owner (Y. D. 1: 28, gr. from Thomas Gorges 17 Apr. 1643; Y. D. 1: 137; 8: 14), and where he was liv. in May 1644 when Mass. remov. its ban (Mass. Col. Rec. 2: 67). From 12 Apr. 1647 to latter part of 1656 he was Mr. Dalton's colleague at Hampton (see Dow's Hampton, i: 352), and aft. a stay in Eng. went to Salisb., where yrs. later in conflict with Major Robert Pike whom he excommunicated (see 'The New Puritan,' pp. 67-81). … Y. D. 8: 16, has the much quoted, but forged Ind. deed of 1629. He m. lat at Bilsby 8 Nov. 1621 Marie Storre, sis. of Augustine of Ex., who was bur. at B. 18 May 1629; m. 2d Mary Hutchinson (ll), … outliving her. Will, 25 May 1675; much Wells and English prop.; his plate to be divid. among 'my latter wife's ch.'"

6. ↑ Savage, James. A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England: Showing Three Generations of Those Who Came Before May, 1692, on the Basis of Farmer's Register. (Boston: Little, Brown, and Co, 1860-1862)
   4:502-503.

   "Wheelwright, John, Braintree, bred at Sydney Coll. Cambr. where he had his degr. 1614 and 18, was min. at Belleau, near Alford in Co. Lincoln, whence with his w. Mary, sis. prob. of William Hutchinson, and of his ch. certain. Thomas, Catharine, and prob. Samuel, perhaps all exc. John, he came to Boston in the same ship with Rev. Samuel Whiting, arr. at Boston, 26 May 1636, and on 12 June foll. he, his w. and the wid. Susanna Hutchinson, her mo. as I judge, unit. with Boston ch. and on 25 June 1637, his d. Mary was bapt. But the long troubles of the antinom. controv. had begun, and being banish. with his princip. friends and adherents in 1638, he rem. to Exeter, of wh. he is justly call. the founder, being the first signer of the civil combinat. on Friday, 4 Oct. 1639; there prob. had Rebecca and Hannah, and at his next home, prob. Eliz. and Sarah. When the N. H. planta. came under rule of Mass. in 1642, he rem. to Wells, but aft. reconcil. with Winth. and the rest of the governm. went 1647 to be collea. in the serv. of the ch. with Dalton at Hampton, in 1657 was in Eng. and had favor with Oliver Cromwell, wh. had been intimate with him at the Univ. but he came back soon aft. the restorat. and was sett. min. 9 Dec. 1662, at Salisbury, there d. 15 Nov. 1679, aged above 80 yrs. Of his s. John it may be presum. that he was oldest ch. and never came to our side of the Atlantic, but was a scholar, perhaps a preach. in Eng. wh. publish. at London, a vindicat. of his f. in Nov. 1645, against the bitter aspersions of Thomas Welde, and very likely may have thot. it useful to display equal sprit. I can have no doubt that he was d. bef. the will of his f. His will of 25 May preced. pro. 26 Nov. foll. names s. Samuel, but not Thomas, wh. prob. was d. s.-in-law, Edward Rishworth, and gr. ch. Edward Lyde, wh. was to pay something to his mo. Mary, then w. of the first Theodore Atkinson, Mary White, d. of Edward Rishworth, Mary Maverick, and William, Thomas, and Jacob Bradbury. In Lincolnsh. and in Maine he had est. to bestow in beq. to heirs, but he thot. very little of any in N. H. Several of these seem here not to be represent. but prob. they had been provid. for at earlier days, or were d. without heirs. We must look for fuller aco. to the will (made twelve yrs. bef.) of his bach. br. Samuel Hutchinson. Of the six ds. with considerable confidence, I assign. hs. to all: Sarah, the youngest, m. 1671, as his sec. w. Richard Crispe (to her, for her portion, the f. call. hims. late of Belleau, Co. Linc. gave, 22 Oct. 1677, his messuage, with appurtenanc. at Mawthorpe in the parish of Willoughby, Co. Linc. to be enj. aft. d. of donor); Eliz. m. George Parsons, Person, or Pearson; Rebecca m. 4 Dec. 1660, Samuel Maverick, and next, 12 Jan. or more prob. Mar. 1672, William Bradbury; Mary m. 4 Dec. 1660, Edward Lyde, and next, Oct. 1667, Theodore Atkinson; Hannah m. Anthony Checkley; and Catharine m. Robert Nanny, and next, Edward Naylor."

7. ↑ 1 John¹ Wheelwright, in Hoyt, David W. The Old Families of Salisbury and Amesbury, Massachusetts. (Providence, RI, 1897-1919)
   1:356-57.

   "1 John¹ Wheelwright, Rev., Mr., b. ab. 1592-'4, in Lincolnshire, Eng.; m. 1st, Nov. 8, 1621, Marie Storre [Story] (Rev. Thomas), of Bilsby, who d. in Eng.; 2d, Mary Hutchinson (Edward of Alford, Eng.) [sister of Wm. and Samuel Hutchinson of Boston, Mass., the former afterwards of R. I.]. He grad. Cambridge University, 1614, where he was acquainted with Oliver Cromwell; was vicar of Bilsby, Eng., 1623-'31; came to Boston, Mass., in 1636; preached at Mt. Wollaston [Braintree] ; but sympathy with the views of his relative, Anne (Marbury) Hutchinson [wife of Wm. Hutchinson], led to his banishment from Mass. He founded Exeter in 1638, but in 1642 it was declared within the limits of Mass., and he rem. with part of his chh. to Wells, Me., of which he was one of the original proprietors. After a reconciliation with the government, he returned to Mass. in 1646; was the third minister of the Hampton chh., ab. 1647-'58 ; went to Eng. but returned in 1660, and became the second minister of the Salisbury chh., Dec 9, 1662; d. in S., Nov. 15, 1679[Salisbury VR]; will May 25, 1679 [G.[enealogical] R[egister]. 1861, p. 271]. [See also 'Wentworth Genealogy;' G. R. 1847, pp. 151, 299, 325 ; 1867, p. 363.]"

8. ↑ Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States. Exeter Combination. (Exeter, Rockingham, New Hampshire, United States)
   4 May 1639.
   
9. ↑ Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States. Vital Records of Salisbury, Massachusetts, to the End of the Year 1849. (Topsfield, Massachusetts: Topsfield Historical Society, 1915)
   631.

   "Wheelwright, John, Rev., 'Pastor of ye Church of Salisbury,' [2d minister in Salisbury, called from Wells, apoplectic fit. (church record, East Parish Church.), [died] Nov. 15, 1679. [in an advanced age, and 17th y. of his ministry, (church record, East Parish Church.)]"

10. ↑ Rev John Wheelwright, in Find A Grave.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3} Estate of Rev. John Wheelwright of Salisbury., in Massachusetts, Probate Court (Essex County). The Probate Records of Essex County, Massachusetts. (Salem, Massachusetts: The Essex Institute, 1916, 1917, 1920)
    3:345-46.

    "'The last will & Testam^t, of y^e Reverend M^r John Wheellwright, who: died y^e 15^th of Novem^br: 1679. In y^e name of god Amen May y^e 25:1679 I John Wheelright Pasto^r of y^e church of Christ att Salisbury in y^e county of Norfolk in New england although aged in yeares & weake in body yet pfect in & of a disposed minde: Doe make & declare this to bee my last will & Testamen^t in writing: Revokeing all my former wills & testaments whatsoever heretofore by mee made & declared: ffirst I doe com end my soule into y^e hands of all mighty god, confidently belieuing in him to bee saved through y^e riches of his grace by faith in Jesus Christ my Savio^r & redeemer. And my body I comitt to y^e Earth in an assuered hope of a blessed resurrection of y^e same at y^e last day to enjoy that happie fruition of y^e kingdome p^rpared in heaven for all his elect. As concerning my estate lands, & worldly goods: I will & do dispose of them as followeth 1 I doe giue unto my grand child Edward Lyde that part of my Messuage being & scituate in Mumby in Lincolnsheire in ould England w^ch part consists of Ten acres of pasture lying & beeing in Langhum, bee it more or less, & all y^t land of mine w^c lieth in Minge with the lands of Mr Newcomin being in Mumby for w^ch my pasture in Minge y^e sd Newcomin payeth mee three pounds per anum as appeareth by a lease w^c hee hath of it, & it is my will that my aforesd Grand childe Edward Lyde shall haue y^e aforesd part w^th all y^e privilidges & appurtenances therunto beelonging to him & his heires forever, pvided that y^e sd Lyde do pay or cause to bee payd unto his mother Mary Attkinson or her order the anuall rent or pduoe of y^e say'd lands duering y^e terme of her naturall life, but in case that Edward Lyde should die before he cometh to y^e age of twenty one Yeares, then I doe giue y^e lands afore mentioned unto my Sone Samuell Wheelwright unto himselfe & his heires forever hee paying or causing to bee payd y^e rent & produce of the said lands unto my daughter Attkinson duering y^e continuance of her naturall life. 2 I doe giue & bequeath unto my grand daughter Mary Mavericke all y^e rest of my land being part of y aforesaid Messuage lying and scituate in Mumby aforesd my house w^th all y^e pasture arrable meadow & comones with all privilidges & appurtenances thereunto belonging to that part of my Messuage being lately in y^e occupation of Ea^wst and his widdow, unto y^e sd Marv Mavericke & unto her & her heires forever, who of her body shalbe Lawfully begotten 3 I doe giue & bequeath unto my sone in law Edw. Rishworth fifty acres of upland & twenty acres of marsh land: & my will is after his decease I doe giue y^e sd land & meadow w^th all y^e privilidges & appurtenances thereto belonging unto Mary White my grand Childe daughter of y^e said Rishworth to her & her heires forever, & for want of & for want of such heires I giue it unto my Sone Sam¹¹ Wheelwright & his heires forever w^ch upland & meadow is thus to bee divided lying in y^e township of Wells, y^e bounds on y^e South west is Ogunquet River & soe to runne y^e breadth of my farme in that part of it vntill y^e fifty acres of upland bee compleated, & twenty acres of marsh to runne y^e full breadth lying upon y westerly end of my farme next adjoyning to or neare y^e Estermost part of y^e sd land
    
    '4 I doe giue & bequeath unto my grand children Thomas & Jacob Bradbury forty pounds Sterlg: a peece to each of them in Currant money of New england, by my Executo^r when they doe come unto y^e age of ^xone & twenty^x years, either of them dying before they doe come to that age then y^e pson Surviveing shall haue y^e whole fower score pounds 5 I do giue & bequeath unto my Sone Sam^ll : Wheelwright of Wells all my land lying in y^e towne of Crafft in y^e County of Lyncolne in ould England neare Waneflitt in y^e same County w^th all y^e privilidges & appurtenances thereunto belonging to him & his heires for ever and I doe further giue unto him my aforesd Sone Samuell all my houses lands Marsh meadows scituate & being in y^e township of Wells in y^e County of York in New england with all y^e privilidges & appurtenances therunto belonging [excepting before excepted] that land & marsh w^ch by mee was giuen as aboue specified unto my Sone in law Edward Rishworth To my aforesd Sone Samu^ll: Wheelwright to his heires & assignes for ever: And I do further giue unto my Sone Samuel Wheelwright my clock & all my library & bookes & all my Apparrell & all y^e rest of my estate & goods not disposed of in this will excepting the rents I haue owing to me in ould england halfe whereof I do giue unto my Execute^r & y^e other halfe to bee divided equally between my three grand childeren William Thomas & Jacob Bradbury In case my Executo^r do recover it & if it so happen that one or more of those three childeren shall die before they come to age then hee or those y^t doe surviue shall haue y^e part of him or those that are deceased 6 And further I do giue unto my latter wyfes Childeren all my plate to bee equally divided amongst them by two indifferent psons chosen by themselues to make that division: Lastly I doe make ordeine & constitute my Sone Sam^ll. Wheelewright of Wells aforesd to bee y^e sole Executo^r of this my last will & Testament by whom care is to bee taken for payment of my just debts & discharging of y^e legasies & funerall expences In wittness wherunto I haue hereunto affixed my hand & seale at y^e day & date hereof.'
    
    John Wheelwright (SEAL)
    
    Witness: Jno. Flood, John Price, Henry Ambross.
    
    Sworn in court in Boston Nov. 26, 1679, by Jno. Flood aged 27 years, before Hum. Davie, Assist.
    
    Sworn in the Norfolk court Dec. 4, 1679, by Henry Ambros, before Nath. Salstonstall, Esq. and Capt. John Gillman.
    
    Allowed upon the above evidence, Dec. 4, 1679.
    
    Norfolk Records, vol. 3, leaf 235."

12. ↑ Wikidata.