Silas Wheeler
Encyclopedia
Silas Wheeler, called "Captain", was a soldier in the army of the American Revolution
, and the founder of the town of Wheeler
, Steuben County
, New York
.
He was born on March 7, 1752 or 1753 at Concord, Massachusetts
, and died on November 28, 1828, at Wheeler, New York.
and accompanied Benedict Arnold
on his expedition from Maine
to Quebec
. Many starved to death along the way, and others deserted. After several days with no food, a group of Indians brought Silas a dog
- he said it was the sweetest food he had ever eaten. In Quebec, he was captured by the British and caught smallpox
while in prison. Wheeler became bald from the illness and remained permanently so. After his exchange, he returned to Rhode Island, became a privateer, and was recaptured on the high seas by the British. He was sent to a prison camp at Kinsale
in Ireland
. After a year he escaped and was helped by Henry Grattan
to make his way to a ship bound for Dunkirk, France, and thence to America.
After the war he moved to Albany County, New York
, then on to Steuben County
where he founded the town of Wheeler.
, named for Silas' rescuer Henry Grattan, served as a U.S. Representative
from New York.
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and the founder of the town of Wheeler
Wheeler, New York
Wheeler is a town in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 1,263 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Captain Silas Wheeler, an early settler.The Town of Wheeler is in the northern part of the county, north of Bath NY....
, Steuben County
Steuben County, New York
Steuben County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,990. Its name is in honor of Baron von Steuben, a German general who fought on the American side in the American Revolutionary War, though it is not pronounced the same...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
He was born on March 7, 1752 or 1753 at Concord, Massachusetts
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
, and died on November 28, 1828, at Wheeler, New York.
Revolutionary War
He was at the Battle of Bunker HillBattle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
and accompanied Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
on his expedition from Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. Many starved to death along the way, and others deserted. After several days with no food, a group of Indians brought Silas a dog
Dog meat
Dog meat refers to edible parts and the flesh derived from dogs. Human consumption of dog meat has been recorded in many parts of the world, including ancient China, ancient Mexico, and ancient Rome. According to contemporary reports, dog meat is consumed in a variety of countries such as...
- he said it was the sweetest food he had ever eaten. In Quebec, he was captured by the British and caught smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
while in prison. Wheeler became bald from the illness and remained permanently so. After his exchange, he returned to Rhode Island, became a privateer, and was recaptured on the high seas by the British. He was sent to a prison camp at Kinsale
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. After a year he escaped and was helped by Henry Grattan
Henry Grattan
Henry Grattan was an Irish politician and member of the Irish House of Commons and a campaigner for legislative freedom for the Irish Parliament in the late 18th century. He opposed the Act of Union 1800 that merged the Kingdoms of Ireland and Great Britain.-Early life:Grattan was born at...
to make his way to a ship bound for Dunkirk, France, and thence to America.
After the war he moved to Albany County, New York
Albany County, New York
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
, then on to Steuben County
Steuben County, New York
Steuben County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,990. Its name is in honor of Baron von Steuben, a German general who fought on the American side in the American Revolutionary War, though it is not pronounced the same...
where he founded the town of Wheeler.
Family life
Silas married Sarah Gardiner (born in Rhode Island) and they had two daughters: Ruth, who married Nathan Rose, and Sarah, who married William Holmes. His son, Grattan Henry WheelerGrattan H. Wheeler
Grattan Henry Wheeler was a U.S. Representative from New York.Born near Providence, Rhode Island, Wheeler attended public and preparatory schools....
, named for Silas' rescuer Henry Grattan, served as a U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York.