Ephraim Wheeler is buried in St. George's Cemetery about 30 feet from the north-west corner of St. George's Episcopal Church in Clarenceville, Quebec. All the tombstones were removed and are stored in the basement of the church because they were "higgely pigely" and the members voted to remove them as they did not want to take care of the cemetery.
Supposedly the inscription on Ephraim's tombstone reads:In memory of Ephriam Wheeler who died Sept 15, 1827. Age 86 yrs. Erected by his son Timothy Wheeler.
If the inscription is correct on this tomstone then the age is wrong because Ephraim was born in 1754, not 1741 in Grafton, Massachusetts. The tombstone is in the basement of St.George's Anglican Church in Clarenceville and I've never been able to gain access to it to take a photo.
Ephraim's burial record which was signed by three sons as witnesses, stating that he deceased on 4 Sep. 1827.
"On the fifth day of September eighteen hundred and twenty
seven the body of Ephraim Wheeler of Noyan farmer, who deceased on the fourth inst. was enterred in presence of the subscribing witnesses by me.
Joseph Wheeler ) sons of
Richard Wheeler) the deceased
Jubal Wheeler) Witnesses M. Towsend Rector"
Source: Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968
Ephraim is the first born child of Priscilla (Hayward), third wife of Ebenezer Wheeler of Grafton Ma. Ephraim Wheeler settled in Grafton Ma. and it appears that he never served in the Revolutionary War as the History of Grafton by Frederick Clifton Pierce on page 586 states "The oxcart ran over him and split the bones and put the ankle out of joint." Ephraim removed to Upton Ma. in 1774 and then to Alstead N.H. This History of Grafton gives a list of his children and their dates of birth, including the last born twin sons Jonathan and David in April 25 1795. However, the births of these two sons are not listed in the Grafton vital records and they may have been born elsewhere.
On October 11, 1790 we find Ephraim Wheeler Sr. and Jr. signatures are on probate records for Joseph Goodale, father of Hannah Goodell, who died in Athol, Worcester, Mass. Joseph died without writing a will so his son Joseph Goodell Jr. was appointed administrator. Thus we know that Hannah and Ephraim were still in Massachusetts in 1790.
According to Reminscences of the Wheelers written by Philander A. Wheeler May 7, 1931 at Lake Wales Florida:
Ephraim " moved from Grafton to Alstead, N.H. and then to Canada about the year 1787 and settled on the north bank of South River, a tributary of the St. Johns river, about half way between Clarenceville and Henryville, Missisquoi County, Province of Quebec.
His journey from Alstead to Quebec was an eventful one, moving his family, which consisted of his wife, four children and household effects, with two yoke of oxen and one horse team, over roads that were well nigh impassable. Their route lay over the Green Mountains in Vermont, and the roads were often obstructed by fallen trees and other obstacles, making it necessary to halt and clear away the obstructions before proceeding.
As the different routes were so obscure and no map of the roads, it was necessary for Ephraim to inspect the roads and see where it was passable to travel, this he did by going on horseback with his trusty rifle on his shoulder, and on many occasions he shot wild animals that disputed his passage. Every night he would return to the camping place of the family and give instructions for the next day's journey, thus they worked their difficult and tedious way forward to Canada.
On one occasion when he was searching for roads he was attacked by a panther, but the quick use of his trusty rifle laid the panther dead at his feet before he or his horse were injured. It might be of interest to know that this same gun that he brought from Grafton and carried on his journey from Alstead to Canada in 1787 has always been kept in the Wheeler family. Ephriam gave it to his son Timothy; Timothy gave it to his son Palmer; Palmer gave it to his son Philander, and Philander gave it to his son Lee A. Wheeler in 1921, and it is in good condition at the present time.
Tradition says that Ephriam like his father Ebenezer were the only Tories in the family. Owing to political differences Ephriam decided to leave Massachusetts at the close of the Revolutionary War, and vowed his intentions to settle under the British Flag, consequently he settled in Canada, P.Q., for his loyalty he and his family were granted a Township of land from the British Government in Hereford, P.Q., but he had already located on the north bank of South River."
[Keep in mind that Ephraim moved to Quebec about fourteen years after the Revolutionary War and the town of Grafton was after him and wanted to throw him in jail for some reason. Did he move to Quebec because he was a Tory or because he did not want to serve a jail sentence or because he could get grants of land by pledging allegiance to the King? Ephriam was a Baptist as was his father and mother. The settlers were paying high taxes to the Congregational Church. Ephraim's father, Ebenezer Wheeler, helped to establish a Baptist church and many people joined it so that they would not have to pay taxes to the Congregational Church. A few were arrested and imprisoned for not paying their taxes. Perhaps Ephraim refused to pay his taxes and that is why the town of Grafton was after him. This paragraph by Leatrice Zina.]
"There in the Wilderness of Canada he cut away the trees and erected a house and established a home, not only for himself, but for his family, purchased large acreage of land and donating it to his children, who industriously improved their holdings, and prosperity crowned their efforts. By their energy and perseverance they became the most prominent families in the County, perpetuating the leading characteristics of their English Ancestry, and never losing sight of the existence of a Supreme Being; thus they built character, honor, truth and virtue. But a dark cloud came over Ephriam's household in the loss of his wife of Hannah in year about 1797 or 98. She was stricken with Small Pox and died. The official order of the day was that any one dying of that contagious disease could not be buried in a public cemetery, consequently she was interred on their farm under the shade of a large elm tree near the south line fence of the farm."
Please note that the estimated year of death for Hannah is also wrong. If I were Ephraim I would have gone from Alstead to Charlestown, N.H. where Fort #4 is located. A military road was built from the fort to Lake Champlain, called the Crown Point Road and this would be the route I would have taken, and then I would travel the frozen Lake Champlain into Quebec to arrive there in March.
We don't know if his wife and children were with him on this journey if the twins were born in Grafton 25 April 1795. Perhaps he went back for them after he made his claim in Quebec. His grown sons probably accompanied him to make their land claims. They probably built cabins and then went back to get Hannah and the younger children.
Located in the microfilm H-1154 at the National Archives of Canada are declarations made by persons resident in Lower Canada in compliance with the requirements of the Alien Act, 1794. Thus we find the date Ephraim arrived in Canada.
"I Ephraim Wheeler Do Declare, that I arrived at South ? (River?) on the ? Day of March last. With an intention to remain and to obey and Conform to all the Laws and Ordances of the Province of Lower Canada, that I arrived from Grafton in the County Wuster, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bay, that I am a farmer by Occupation, Given under my hand this ? day of July 1794. Ephraim Wheeler"
Ephraim lived in the Second Concession, lots 5 and 6, about 200 acres on the North side of the South River. The original Seigniory was called Noyan after a Frenchman. It was also known as Christie's Manor after John Christie who bought the Seigniory from John Campbell then know as Campbell's Seigniory.
Noyan was closer to Henryville, whereas Ephraim's son Timothy settled in the Seigniory of Faucault, in the area that is now called Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada.
Ephraim requested grants in various townships in Quebec. He and his two sons, Joseph and Ephraim Jr. were granted land in Herford, Province of Quebec, in 1800 which totaled 2400 acres. Herford was granted to James Rankins and his asssociates on November 6th, 1800. Listed as an associate is Ephraim Wheeler and Ephraim Wheeler the Elder. See pages 400-401 in The History of the Eastern Townships.
DAR #A123851 claims that Ephraim Wheeler born 6-7-1754 in Grafton, Mass. died post 1795 in Alstead, N.H. and that he signed the Oath of Allegiance in Chesterfield, N.H. This is a different Ephraim Wheeler who married a woman named Susanna Wheeler, daughter of Joseph Wheeler. See The History of Chesterfield, N.H., pages 53 and page 489.
Supposedly the inscription on Ephraim's tombstone reads:In memory of Ephriam Wheeler who died Sept 15, 1827. Age 86 yrs. Erected by his son Timothy Wheeler.
If the inscription is correct on this tomstone then the age is wrong because Ephraim was born in 1754, not 1741 in Grafton, Massachusetts. The tombstone is in the basement of St.George's Anglican Church in Clarenceville and I've never been able to gain access to it to take a photo.
Ephraim's burial record which was signed by three sons as witnesses, stating that he deceased on 4 Sep. 1827.
"On the fifth day of September eighteen hundred and twenty
seven the body of Ephraim Wheeler of Noyan farmer, who deceased on the fourth inst. was enterred in presence of the subscribing witnesses by me.
Joseph Wheeler ) sons of
Richard Wheeler) the deceased
Jubal Wheeler) Witnesses M. Towsend Rector"
Source: Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968
Ephraim is the first born child of Priscilla (Hayward), third wife of Ebenezer Wheeler of Grafton Ma. Ephraim Wheeler settled in Grafton Ma. and it appears that he never served in the Revolutionary War as the History of Grafton by Frederick Clifton Pierce on page 586 states "The oxcart ran over him and split the bones and put the ankle out of joint." Ephraim removed to Upton Ma. in 1774 and then to Alstead N.H. This History of Grafton gives a list of his children and their dates of birth, including the last born twin sons Jonathan and David in April 25 1795. However, the births of these two sons are not listed in the Grafton vital records and they may have been born elsewhere.
On October 11, 1790 we find Ephraim Wheeler Sr. and Jr. signatures are on probate records for Joseph Goodale, father of Hannah Goodell, who died in Athol, Worcester, Mass. Joseph died without writing a will so his son Joseph Goodell Jr. was appointed administrator. Thus we know that Hannah and Ephraim were still in Massachusetts in 1790.
According to Reminscences of the Wheelers written by Philander A. Wheeler May 7, 1931 at Lake Wales Florida:
Ephraim " moved from Grafton to Alstead, N.H. and then to Canada about the year 1787 and settled on the north bank of South River, a tributary of the St. Johns river, about half way between Clarenceville and Henryville, Missisquoi County, Province of Quebec.
His journey from Alstead to Quebec was an eventful one, moving his family, which consisted of his wife, four children and household effects, with two yoke of oxen and one horse team, over roads that were well nigh impassable. Their route lay over the Green Mountains in Vermont, and the roads were often obstructed by fallen trees and other obstacles, making it necessary to halt and clear away the obstructions before proceeding.
As the different routes were so obscure and no map of the roads, it was necessary for Ephraim to inspect the roads and see where it was passable to travel, this he did by going on horseback with his trusty rifle on his shoulder, and on many occasions he shot wild animals that disputed his passage. Every night he would return to the camping place of the family and give instructions for the next day's journey, thus they worked their difficult and tedious way forward to Canada.
On one occasion when he was searching for roads he was attacked by a panther, but the quick use of his trusty rifle laid the panther dead at his feet before he or his horse were injured. It might be of interest to know that this same gun that he brought from Grafton and carried on his journey from Alstead to Canada in 1787 has always been kept in the Wheeler family. Ephriam gave it to his son Timothy; Timothy gave it to his son Palmer; Palmer gave it to his son Philander, and Philander gave it to his son Lee A. Wheeler in 1921, and it is in good condition at the present time.
Tradition says that Ephriam like his father Ebenezer were the only Tories in the family. Owing to political differences Ephriam decided to leave Massachusetts at the close of the Revolutionary War, and vowed his intentions to settle under the British Flag, consequently he settled in Canada, P.Q., for his loyalty he and his family were granted a Township of land from the British Government in Hereford, P.Q., but he had already located on the north bank of South River."
[Keep in mind that Ephraim moved to Quebec about fourteen years after the Revolutionary War and the town of Grafton was after him and wanted to throw him in jail for some reason. Did he move to Quebec because he was a Tory or because he did not want to serve a jail sentence or because he could get grants of land by pledging allegiance to the King? Ephriam was a Baptist as was his father and mother. The settlers were paying high taxes to the Congregational Church. Ephraim's father, Ebenezer Wheeler, helped to establish a Baptist church and many people joined it so that they would not have to pay taxes to the Congregational Church. A few were arrested and imprisoned for not paying their taxes. Perhaps Ephraim refused to pay his taxes and that is why the town of Grafton was after him. This paragraph by Leatrice Zina.]
"There in the Wilderness of Canada he cut away the trees and erected a house and established a home, not only for himself, but for his family, purchased large acreage of land and donating it to his children, who industriously improved their holdings, and prosperity crowned their efforts. By their energy and perseverance they became the most prominent families in the County, perpetuating the leading characteristics of their English Ancestry, and never losing sight of the existence of a Supreme Being; thus they built character, honor, truth and virtue. But a dark cloud came over Ephriam's household in the loss of his wife of Hannah in year about 1797 or 98. She was stricken with Small Pox and died. The official order of the day was that any one dying of that contagious disease could not be buried in a public cemetery, consequently she was interred on their farm under the shade of a large elm tree near the south line fence of the farm."
Please note that the estimated year of death for Hannah is also wrong. If I were Ephraim I would have gone from Alstead to Charlestown, N.H. where Fort #4 is located. A military road was built from the fort to Lake Champlain, called the Crown Point Road and this would be the route I would have taken, and then I would travel the frozen Lake Champlain into Quebec to arrive there in March.
We don't know if his wife and children were with him on this journey if the twins were born in Grafton 25 April 1795. Perhaps he went back for them after he made his claim in Quebec. His grown sons probably accompanied him to make their land claims. They probably built cabins and then went back to get Hannah and the younger children.
Located in the microfilm H-1154 at the National Archives of Canada are declarations made by persons resident in Lower Canada in compliance with the requirements of the Alien Act, 1794. Thus we find the date Ephraim arrived in Canada.
"I Ephraim Wheeler Do Declare, that I arrived at South ? (River?) on the ? Day of March last. With an intention to remain and to obey and Conform to all the Laws and Ordances of the Province of Lower Canada, that I arrived from Grafton in the County Wuster, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bay, that I am a farmer by Occupation, Given under my hand this ? day of July 1794. Ephraim Wheeler"
Ephraim lived in the Second Concession, lots 5 and 6, about 200 acres on the North side of the South River. The original Seigniory was called Noyan after a Frenchman. It was also known as Christie's Manor after John Christie who bought the Seigniory from John Campbell then know as Campbell's Seigniory.
Noyan was closer to Henryville, whereas Ephraim's son Timothy settled in the Seigniory of Faucault, in the area that is now called Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada.
Ephraim requested grants in various townships in Quebec. He and his two sons, Joseph and Ephraim Jr. were granted land in Herford, Province of Quebec, in 1800 which totaled 2400 acres. Herford was granted to James Rankins and his asssociates on November 6th, 1800. Listed as an associate is Ephraim Wheeler and Ephraim Wheeler the Elder. See pages 400-401 in The History of the Eastern Townships.
DAR #A123851 claims that Ephraim Wheeler born 6-7-1754 in Grafton, Mass. died post 1795 in Alstead, N.H. and that he signed the Oath of Allegiance in Chesterfield, N.H. This is a different Ephraim Wheeler who married a woman named Susanna Wheeler, daughter of Joseph Wheeler. See The History of Chesterfield, N.H., pages 53 and page 489.
Ephraim Wheeler is buried in St. George's Cemetery about 30 feet from the north-west corner of St. George's Episcopal Church in Clarenceville, Quebec. All the tombstones were removed and are stored in the basement of the church because they were "higgely pigely" and the members voted to remove them as they did not want to take care of the cemetery.
Supposedly the inscription on Ephraim's tombstone reads:In memory of Ephriam Wheeler who died Sept 15, 1827. Age 86 yrs. Erected by his son Timothy Wheeler.
If the inscription is correct on this tomstone then the age is wrong because Ephraim was born in 1754, not 1741 in Grafton, Massachusetts. The tombstone is in the basement of St.George's Anglican Church in Clarenceville and I've never been able to gain access to it to take a photo.
Ephraim's burial record which was signed by three sons as witnesses, stating that he deceased on 4 Sep. 1827.
"On the fifth day of September eighteen hundred and twenty
seven the body of Ephraim Wheeler of Noyan farmer, who deceased on the fourth inst. was enterred in presence of the subscribing witnesses by me.
Joseph Wheeler ) sons of
Richard Wheeler) the deceased
Jubal Wheeler) Witnesses M. Towsend Rector"
Source: Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968
Ephraim is the first born child of Priscilla (Hayward), third wife of Ebenezer Wheeler of Grafton Ma. Ephraim Wheeler settled in Grafton Ma. and it appears that he never served in the Revolutionary War as the History of Grafton by Frederick Clifton Pierce on page 586 states "The oxcart ran over him and split the bones and put the ankle out of joint." Ephraim removed to Upton Ma. in 1774 and then to Alstead N.H. This History of Grafton gives a list of his children and their dates of birth, including the last born twin sons Jonathan and David in April 25 1795. However, the births of these two sons are not listed in the Grafton vital records and they may have been born elsewhere.
On October 11, 1790 we find Ephraim Wheeler Sr. and Jr. signatures are on probate records for Joseph Goodale, father of Hannah Goodell, who died in Athol, Worcester, Mass. Joseph died without writing a will so his son Joseph Goodell Jr. was appointed administrator. Thus we know that Hannah and Ephraim were still in Massachusetts in 1790.
According to Reminscences of the Wheelers written by Philander A. Wheeler May 7, 1931 at Lake Wales Florida:
Ephraim " moved from Grafton to Alstead, N.H. and then to Canada about the year 1787 and settled on the north bank of South River, a tributary of the St. Johns river, about half way between Clarenceville and Henryville, Missisquoi County, Province of Quebec.
His journey from Alstead to Quebec was an eventful one, moving his family, which consisted of his wife, four children and household effects, with two yoke of oxen and one horse team, over roads that were well nigh impassable. Their route lay over the Green Mountains in Vermont, and the roads were often obstructed by fallen trees and other obstacles, making it necessary to halt and clear away the obstructions before proceeding.
As the different routes were so obscure and no map of the roads, it was necessary for Ephraim to inspect the roads and see where it was passable to travel, this he did by going on horseback with his trusty rifle on his shoulder, and on many occasions he shot wild animals that disputed his passage. Every night he would return to the camping place of the family and give instructions for the next day's journey, thus they worked their difficult and tedious way forward to Canada.
On one occasion when he was searching for roads he was attacked by a panther, but the quick use of his trusty rifle laid the panther dead at his feet before he or his horse were injured. It might be of interest to know that this same gun that he brought from Grafton and carried on his journey from Alstead to Canada in 1787 has always been kept in the Wheeler family. Ephriam gave it to his son Timothy; Timothy gave it to his son Palmer; Palmer gave it to his son Philander, and Philander gave it to his son Lee A. Wheeler in 1921, and it is in good condition at the present time.
Tradition says that Ephriam like his father Ebenezer were the only Tories in the family. Owing to political differences Ephriam decided to leave Massachusetts at the close of the Revolutionary War, and vowed his intentions to settle under the British Flag, consequently he settled in Canada, P.Q., for his loyalty he and his family were granted a Township of land from the British Government in Hereford, P.Q., but he had already located on the north bank of South River."
[Keep in mind that Ephraim moved to Quebec about fourteen years after the Revolutionary War and the town of Grafton was after him and wanted to throw him in jail for some reason. Did he move to Quebec because he was a Tory or because he did not want to serve a jail sentence or because he could get grants of land by pledging allegiance to the King? Ephriam was a Baptist as was his father and mother. The settlers were paying high taxes to the Congregational Church. Ephraim's father, Ebenezer Wheeler, helped to establish a Baptist church and many people joined it so that they would not have to pay taxes to the Congregational Church. A few were arrested and imprisoned for not paying their taxes. Perhaps Ephraim refused to pay his taxes and that is why the town of Grafton was after him. This paragraph by Leatrice Zina.]
"There in the Wilderness of Canada he cut away the trees and erected a house and established a home, not only for himself, but for his family, purchased large acreage of land and donating it to his children, who industriously improved their holdings, and prosperity crowned their efforts. By their energy and perseverance they became the most prominent families in the County, perpetuating the leading characteristics of their English Ancestry, and never losing sight of the existence of a Supreme Being; thus they built character, honor, truth and virtue. But a dark cloud came over Ephriam's household in the loss of his wife of Hannah in year about 1797 or 98. She was stricken with Small Pox and died. The official order of the day was that any one dying of that contagious disease could not be buried in a public cemetery, consequently she was interred on their farm under the shade of a large elm tree near the south line fence of the farm."
Please note that the estimated year of death for Hannah is also wrong. If I were Ephraim I would have gone from Alstead to Charlestown, N.H. where Fort #4 is located. A military road was built from the fort to Lake Champlain, called the Crown Point Road and this would be the route I would have taken, and then I would travel the frozen Lake Champlain into Quebec to arrive there in March.
We don't know if his wife and children were with him on this journey if the twins were born in Grafton 25 April 1795. Perhaps he went back for them after he made his claim in Quebec. His grown sons probably accompanied him to make their land claims. They probably built cabins and then went back to get Hannah and the younger children.
Located in the microfilm H-1154 at the National Archives of Canada are declarations made by persons resident in Lower Canada in compliance with the requirements of the Alien Act, 1794. Thus we find the date Ephraim arrived in Canada.
"I Ephraim Wheeler Do Declare, that I arrived at South ? (River?) on the ? Day of March last. With an intention to remain and to obey and Conform to all the Laws and Ordances of the Province of Lower Canada, that I arrived from Grafton in the County Wuster, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bay, that I am a farmer by Occupation, Given under my hand this ? day of July 1794. Ephraim Wheeler"
Ephraim lived in the Second Concession, lots 5 and 6, about 200 acres on the North side of the South River. The original Seigniory was called Noyan after a Frenchman. It was also known as Christie's Manor after John Christie who bought the Seigniory from John Campbell then know as Campbell's Seigniory.
Noyan was closer to Henryville, whereas Ephraim's son Timothy settled in the Seigniory of Faucault, in the area that is now called Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada.
Ephraim requested grants in various townships in Quebec. He and his two sons, Joseph and Ephraim Jr. were granted land in Herford, Province of Quebec, in 1800 which totaled 2400 acres. Herford was granted to James Rankins and his asssociates on November 6th, 1800. Listed as an associate is Ephraim Wheeler and Ephraim Wheeler the Elder. See pages 400-401 in The History of the Eastern Townships.
DAR #A123851 claims that Ephraim Wheeler born 6-7-1754 in Grafton, Mass. died post 1795 in Alstead, N.H. and that he signed the Oath of Allegiance in Chesterfield, N.H. This is a different Ephraim Wheeler who married a woman named Susanna Wheeler, daughter of Joseph Wheeler. See The History of Chesterfield, N.H., pages 53 and page 489.
Supposedly the inscription on Ephraim's tombstone reads:In memory of Ephriam Wheeler who died Sept 15, 1827. Age 86 yrs. Erected by his son Timothy Wheeler.
If the inscription is correct on this tomstone then the age is wrong because Ephraim was born in 1754, not 1741 in Grafton, Massachusetts. The tombstone is in the basement of St.George's Anglican Church in Clarenceville and I've never been able to gain access to it to take a photo.
Ephraim's burial record which was signed by three sons as witnesses, stating that he deceased on 4 Sep. 1827.
"On the fifth day of September eighteen hundred and twenty
seven the body of Ephraim Wheeler of Noyan farmer, who deceased on the fourth inst. was enterred in presence of the subscribing witnesses by me.
Joseph Wheeler ) sons of
Richard Wheeler) the deceased
Jubal Wheeler) Witnesses M. Towsend Rector"
Source: Quebec, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968
Ephraim is the first born child of Priscilla (Hayward), third wife of Ebenezer Wheeler of Grafton Ma. Ephraim Wheeler settled in Grafton Ma. and it appears that he never served in the Revolutionary War as the History of Grafton by Frederick Clifton Pierce on page 586 states "The oxcart ran over him and split the bones and put the ankle out of joint." Ephraim removed to Upton Ma. in 1774 and then to Alstead N.H. This History of Grafton gives a list of his children and their dates of birth, including the last born twin sons Jonathan and David in April 25 1795. However, the births of these two sons are not listed in the Grafton vital records and they may have been born elsewhere.
On October 11, 1790 we find Ephraim Wheeler Sr. and Jr. signatures are on probate records for Joseph Goodale, father of Hannah Goodell, who died in Athol, Worcester, Mass. Joseph died without writing a will so his son Joseph Goodell Jr. was appointed administrator. Thus we know that Hannah and Ephraim were still in Massachusetts in 1790.
According to Reminscences of the Wheelers written by Philander A. Wheeler May 7, 1931 at Lake Wales Florida:
Ephraim " moved from Grafton to Alstead, N.H. and then to Canada about the year 1787 and settled on the north bank of South River, a tributary of the St. Johns river, about half way between Clarenceville and Henryville, Missisquoi County, Province of Quebec.
His journey from Alstead to Quebec was an eventful one, moving his family, which consisted of his wife, four children and household effects, with two yoke of oxen and one horse team, over roads that were well nigh impassable. Their route lay over the Green Mountains in Vermont, and the roads were often obstructed by fallen trees and other obstacles, making it necessary to halt and clear away the obstructions before proceeding.
As the different routes were so obscure and no map of the roads, it was necessary for Ephraim to inspect the roads and see where it was passable to travel, this he did by going on horseback with his trusty rifle on his shoulder, and on many occasions he shot wild animals that disputed his passage. Every night he would return to the camping place of the family and give instructions for the next day's journey, thus they worked their difficult and tedious way forward to Canada.
On one occasion when he was searching for roads he was attacked by a panther, but the quick use of his trusty rifle laid the panther dead at his feet before he or his horse were injured. It might be of interest to know that this same gun that he brought from Grafton and carried on his journey from Alstead to Canada in 1787 has always been kept in the Wheeler family. Ephriam gave it to his son Timothy; Timothy gave it to his son Palmer; Palmer gave it to his son Philander, and Philander gave it to his son Lee A. Wheeler in 1921, and it is in good condition at the present time.
Tradition says that Ephriam like his father Ebenezer were the only Tories in the family. Owing to political differences Ephriam decided to leave Massachusetts at the close of the Revolutionary War, and vowed his intentions to settle under the British Flag, consequently he settled in Canada, P.Q., for his loyalty he and his family were granted a Township of land from the British Government in Hereford, P.Q., but he had already located on the north bank of South River."
[Keep in mind that Ephraim moved to Quebec about fourteen years after the Revolutionary War and the town of Grafton was after him and wanted to throw him in jail for some reason. Did he move to Quebec because he was a Tory or because he did not want to serve a jail sentence or because he could get grants of land by pledging allegiance to the King? Ephriam was a Baptist as was his father and mother. The settlers were paying high taxes to the Congregational Church. Ephraim's father, Ebenezer Wheeler, helped to establish a Baptist church and many people joined it so that they would not have to pay taxes to the Congregational Church. A few were arrested and imprisoned for not paying their taxes. Perhaps Ephraim refused to pay his taxes and that is why the town of Grafton was after him. This paragraph by Leatrice Zina.]
"There in the Wilderness of Canada he cut away the trees and erected a house and established a home, not only for himself, but for his family, purchased large acreage of land and donating it to his children, who industriously improved their holdings, and prosperity crowned their efforts. By their energy and perseverance they became the most prominent families in the County, perpetuating the leading characteristics of their English Ancestry, and never losing sight of the existence of a Supreme Being; thus they built character, honor, truth and virtue. But a dark cloud came over Ephriam's household in the loss of his wife of Hannah in year about 1797 or 98. She was stricken with Small Pox and died. The official order of the day was that any one dying of that contagious disease could not be buried in a public cemetery, consequently she was interred on their farm under the shade of a large elm tree near the south line fence of the farm."
Please note that the estimated year of death for Hannah is also wrong. If I were Ephraim I would have gone from Alstead to Charlestown, N.H. where Fort #4 is located. A military road was built from the fort to Lake Champlain, called the Crown Point Road and this would be the route I would have taken, and then I would travel the frozen Lake Champlain into Quebec to arrive there in March.
We don't know if his wife and children were with him on this journey if the twins were born in Grafton 25 April 1795. Perhaps he went back for them after he made his claim in Quebec. His grown sons probably accompanied him to make their land claims. They probably built cabins and then went back to get Hannah and the younger children.
Located in the microfilm H-1154 at the National Archives of Canada are declarations made by persons resident in Lower Canada in compliance with the requirements of the Alien Act, 1794. Thus we find the date Ephraim arrived in Canada.
"I Ephraim Wheeler Do Declare, that I arrived at South ? (River?) on the ? Day of March last. With an intention to remain and to obey and Conform to all the Laws and Ordances of the Province of Lower Canada, that I arrived from Grafton in the County Wuster, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bay, that I am a farmer by Occupation, Given under my hand this ? day of July 1794. Ephraim Wheeler"
Ephraim lived in the Second Concession, lots 5 and 6, about 200 acres on the North side of the South River. The original Seigniory was called Noyan after a Frenchman. It was also known as Christie's Manor after John Christie who bought the Seigniory from John Campbell then know as Campbell's Seigniory.
Noyan was closer to Henryville, whereas Ephraim's son Timothy settled in the Seigniory of Faucault, in the area that is now called Clarenceville, Quebec, Canada.
Ephraim requested grants in various townships in Quebec. He and his two sons, Joseph and Ephraim Jr. were granted land in Herford, Province of Quebec, in 1800 which totaled 2400 acres. Herford was granted to James Rankins and his asssociates on November 6th, 1800. Listed as an associate is Ephraim Wheeler and Ephraim Wheeler the Elder. See pages 400-401 in The History of the Eastern Townships.
DAR #A123851 claims that Ephraim Wheeler born 6-7-1754 in Grafton, Mass. died post 1795 in Alstead, N.H. and that he signed the Oath of Allegiance in Chesterfield, N.H. This is a different Ephraim Wheeler who married a woman named Susanna Wheeler, daughter of Joseph Wheeler. See The History of Chesterfield, N.H., pages 53 and page 489.
Inscription
In memory of Ephriam Wheeler who died Sept 15, 1827. Age 86 yrs. Erected by his son Timothy Wheeler.
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