WHEELER, John

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: WHEE.J003

Notes:

NOTES FROM STEPHEN GREGORY "STEVE" LUKE (1947-2002):
Born Jan Wieler, Sweden 1631, as a boy he immigrated with his parents to New Sweden. Possibly his father wanted to escape miltary service during the terrible war in Europe 1618-48 in which Sweden played a prominent part. However when Jan was 17 war broke out with the Dutch of New Amsterdam. Jan served as a soldier in the following battles: Fort Beversrede 1648, Fort Casimir 1653 & 55, and Fort Christina 1655. The Swedes lost the war. In 1659 Jan refused to live under Dutch rule any l longer and moved to English territory, Charles Co. Maryland. In 1664 the English conquered the Dutch colonies. New Amsterdam was renamed New York , New Sweden was renamed New Jersey. In 1676 John Wheeler, as he was now known, was commissioned an officer in the Maryland militia to fight the Conestoga and the Susquehanna. Following this victory he fought in the Bacon rebellion when he helped lead an invasion of Virginia, capturing Jamestown, however the Marylanders were soon defeated and forced to evacuate by ship to Maryland. John remained in the militia achieving the rank of major in 1680. Died in 1694.

Family/Spouse: ?, Mary. Mary was born in 1635 in England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]