Esther Crane (Williams) - Wrong parents? Or wrong birthdate?

I just noticed a data conflict on this profile's maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Wheeler. A merge done by "the Geni team" in February of this year, leaves him with conflicting fathers of the same name but obviously not the same person. And I have a feeling the mothers shouldn't have been merged, either.

It seems the long-running confusion about the maiden name of Nathaniel's mother may have resulted from the confusion between the two different Thomas Wheelers (born many years apart and living in completely different American colonies, Connecticut and Massachusetts).

Nathaniel Wheeler, of Newark

Lt. Thomas "of Milford" Wheeler

Sgt. Thomas Wheeler, Sr., of Concord

Sgt. Thomas Wheeler, Sr. of Concord, Massachusetts shares the same avatar with Nathaniel Wheeler. I don't know if it should though.

You would think that since Nathaniel was born in Connecticut, his father must have lived there, too.

The footnote on the image source on Nathaniel's profile states: "Nathaniel Wheeler b. Fairfield, CT., 1639; d. 4th Oct. 1726 and buried in the cemetery of the old Presbyterian church in Orange, New Jersey.

"He was a son of Lt. Thomas Wheeler (b. in Wales, who came to New England with his father Capt. Thomas Wheeler Cator (later known as a famous Indian fighter);

Capt. Thomas "The Indian Fighter" Wheeler

"His mother was Joanna the daughter of Robert SEABROOK of Stratford, CT.

[Note that since Nathaniel's father, Lt. Thomas Wheeler arrived in New England from Wales with his father, then Joanna SEABROOK of CT must have been Nathaniel's mother. Not his grandmother.]

Joanna Wheeler

"Nathaniel m. Esther Botsford of Milford, CT. b. 1645 and d. at Orange, NJ. and was the mother of Esther Wheeler who became the wife of Samuel Williams."

Samuel Williams' will mentioned "my father Wheeler" (so, his father-in-law), and names his minor daughter, Esther Williams (later to be Mrs. John Crane). His father-in-law's will proves that Samuel's wife, Esther Wheeler (Nathaniel's daughter), predeceased all three of them.

The same source clearly explains why Esther (Williams) Crane could NOT have been the wife of James Pierson, which I won't go into here. Suffice it to say he had another wife also named Esther, who was proven to be living after she died (or something of the sort).

The source posted as images to the profile of Nathaniel Wheeler are from the published Williams Family genealogy.

Turns out there's an excellent Wheeler genealogy published in 1914 (two volumes). Working back in time from Nathaniel Wheeler, we now take a look at his thoroughly researched ancestry:

2712. NATHANIEL WHEELER, son of Thomas (2704) and Joan (BRYAN) Wheeler. Bapt. Feb. 20, 1642; died Oct. 4, 1726. Married Esther BOTSFORD, the dau. of Henry Botsford. (The date of this marriage is given by the History of Exeter Co., N. J,, as June 21, 1676.)

He removed from Milford, Conn., to Newark, N.J., where he died and is buried in the Cemetery of the Mountain Society. He was Fence Viewer 1670, 1679, 1681; and Constable 1682.

Will of Nathaniel Wheeler.

In the name of God Amen This Twenty first day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Twenty four I Nathaniel Wheeler of Newark in the County of Essex and Eastern Division of New Jersey Yeoman being aged & Infirm of body but of soimd & perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto god therefore calling imto mind the Mortallity of my Body & knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to dy do make & ordain this my last will & Testament that is say Principally & first of all I Commit & Recommend my soul into the hands of Ood that gave it hopeing through the alone Merritts of Jesus Christ to have Etemall Life and my Body I recommend to the earth being dead to be Burried in a Decent Christain Manner at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named Nothing Doubting but at the General Besurrecti'on I shall receive the same again through the Almighty power of God and as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give Devise and bequeath the same in manner & form following Imprimis I Give Devise & bequeath imto my Dearly beloved wife ESTHER by name after Just Debts being first paid all the Personall Estate I shall Dye Possessed off (Excepting my wearing apparell & working tools & Tackling herein after mentioned) the same to be to her her heirs & Assigns forever Also I give and Bequeath the sole use and Improvement of all my Lands not otherwise Disposed of by other writtings unto her my said wife During her naturall life as her Dowry from me. Item I give Bequeath And Devise unto my Son NATHANIEL Wheeler all my Lands Meadows & Tenements in the Town of Newark that is not already Disposed of (that is to say) all that part that is not Esteemed att (&called) the Mountain Plantations Together with one half of my wearing apparell above mentioned the same real and personall Estate to be and remain to him the said Nathaniel & to his Heirs and assigns forever Item I give bequeath & devise imto my Son SAMUEL Wheeler all that Land Called the Mountain Land not as yet other wise Disposed of and all my Lands over on the West of the moimtains (Excepting one hundred acres) Together with one half of my wearing apparell above mentioned the same to be possessed & Enjoyed by him after my said wifes Decease all the said Real and Personal Estate to be and remain to him the said Samuel & to his heirs and assigns forever. Item I give Devise and bequeath imto my Grandson David Williams by name one hundred acres of Land to be taken up over on the west side of the mountain where he can find on the Accord and by Virtue of my Purchase of the heathen Indian Natives Together with all and singular my working Tools Tackling & Utinsells for husbandry as hoes Ploughs Carts Axes Chains &c. as also one yoke of Oxen fitt for work & the Trees whare in his Nusery when fit to set out the same both Real & Personall Estate to be by him possessed and Enjoyed & to be and Remain to him the said David Williams & to his heirs and assigns forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my Children of my Daughter ESTHER WILLIAMS DECEASED five Pounds and to the Children of my Daughter HANNAH WILLIAMS DECEASED five pounds and to my Daughter Elizabeth Ogden five Pounds the said Sums to be Paid to them (in money or that which may be Equivalent thereunto) by my Executors within one year after my wife's Decease if the same be not paid by her in the time of her life. Item I do hereby Ordain Constitute & appoint my said Sons Nathaniel and Samuel Joint Executors of this my Last will & Testament and do hereby utterly disallow Revoke and Disannull all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies & bequest & Executors by me in any wise before named willed & bequeathed Ratifying & Confirming this and none other to be my last will and testament In Witness whereof I have hereimto set my hand and seal the Day and year first above written And I would leave this at my Hearts Desire that my said Children may act & live in Love & peace that so the God of peace may be with them. And I do further Desire my Loveing friends John Cooper & Joseph Peck of Newark wold be assisting in & take care that this my Last Will will be Duely Executed according to the True Intent and meaning thereof.

Nathaniel Wheeler Seal

Signed Sealed Published Pronounced and Declared by the said Nathaniel Wheeler to be his Last Will & Testament in Presence of us the Subscribers, Daniel Taylor, Joseph Harrison, Richard Harrison Newark this 24th day of February 1726/7 then personally appeared before me Michael Kearny Surrogate appointed by his Excell' Wm Burnet Esq'- Cap*- (Jenr^ & Govemour in Chief of New Jersey & Daniel Taylor and Richard Harrison two of the Evidences of the Newark 24th February 1726/7 then Personally appeared before me Michael Keamy Surrogate appointed by his Excellency Wul Burnet Esq'- Cap*- Gen^; & Gov'- in Chief &c. Nathaniel Wheeler and Samuel Wheeler the Executors mentioned in the Last Will and Testament within mentioned who being swom on the Holy Evangelist of almighty God do depose to the True & faithfull performance of the office of Executors &c. Jurat Coram me Mich. Kearny Surr

Children:

2741. NATHANIEL WHEELER, born 1677.

2742. SAMUEL WHEELER.

2743. HANNAH WHEELER, died Nov. 13, 1719. She m. Amos Williams. Ch: David W .

2744. ELIZABETH WHEELER, married John Ogden.

2745. ESTHER WHEELER. [m. Samuel Williams]

_________________________________

Nathaniel Wheeler's father, Thomas Wheeler (2704):

THOMAS WHEELER, son of Thomas (2700) and Anne (HALSEY) Wheeler. Bapt. at Cranefield, Bedfordshire, England, April 8, 1620. Married Joan BRYAN, the daughter of Thomas Bryan of Aylsbury, England.

He removed to Fairfield [CT] in 1640 with his father and the followers of Rev. John Jones, and settled at Milford, where his wife Joan joined the church, and his children John and Samuel were baptized, Aug. 16, 1640. He was living in Milford and had a house-lot there in 1646. In 1649 he had a dwelling and several pieces of land at Fairfield, where he was then living on the east side of Uncoway Brook. This dwelling-house and house lot he sold Jan. 21, 1663, and removed to Stratford, as is declared in the following deed of land from the Indians. [Etc.]

[I don't know if this Thomas, son of Thomas Wheeler and Anne Halsey, was an "Indian Fighter". But I gather he was born in Cranefield, England, and was likely a grown man upon the family's arrival in Massachusetts. He married JOAN BRYAN and moved with his wife's favorite preacher to Milford, Connecticut.]

[He also purchased property in Fairfield, CT, then a few years later sold that land and moved again, to Stratford, CT, where he purchased land in a deal with the local Indians.]

In 1659 he was residing on that land, but in 1664 he sold it to ALEXANDER BRYAN for £200. He died at Milford Nov. 26, 1672, providing for his wife Joan, his son John and his daughters; [his son Nathaniel and his wife Esther,] who had removed to Newark, N.J.; and his sons Ephraim, Thomas and Joseph. He mentions his brother William of Stratford, and children William, Thomas and Sarah. His widow Joan died in January, 1673.

Ohildren:

2710. JOHN WHEELER, baptized Aug. 16, 1640.

2711. SAMUEL WHEELER, baptized Aug. 16, 1640.

2712. NATHANIEL WHEELER, baptized Feb. 20, 1642. [m. ESTHER BOTSFORD]

2713. OBADIAH WHEELER, baptized March 10, 1644; d. 1668; m. Ruth, who after his death m. July 28, 1669, Ephraim Stiles.

2714. EPHRAIM WHEELER, baptized March 26, 1646; m. Sept. 8, 1675, Mary Holbrook, the dau. of Richard Holbrook Ch: 1. Son. 2. Son. 3. Mary W. who m. Eliphal Gillett. 4. Abigail W.

2715. ELIEZER WHEELER, bom 1648; d. 1649.

2716. THOMAS WHEELER, baptized July 28, 1650.

2717. JOSIAH WHEELER, bom June 5, 1653; d. young.

2718. JOSEPH WHEELER, bom Nov. 23, 1655; d. young.

2719. JOSEPH WHEELER, born March 13, 1656-7.

_________________________________

DESCENDANTS OF THOMAS WHEELER (2700), FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT:

2700. THOMAS WHEELER May be a brother of Ephraim No. 7900.

He was undoubtedly bom at Cranefield, Bedfordshire, England. The dates of his birth and baptism are not available, as the parish registers at that place were not kept until 1600, but it is recorded in these registers that Thomas Wheeler and ANNE HALSEY were married as early as May 5, 1613.

He may have come to America with the Rev. John Jones' Company in the ship Defiance, which landed in New England Oct. 3, 1636, for, with his wife, children, and most probably some grandchildren, he was in Concord (Massachusetts) as early as April 17, 1636-7, when he was made freeman there.

Of his life in Concord, substantially nothing is known. Being a supporter of the Rev. John Jones at the time of the dissension in the Church at Concord, he became one of those who removed with him to Fairfield in 1644, settling at Pequonnock, on Uncoway Brook, where his home lot of 2.5 acres is recorded, Jan., 1649. This was at Black Rock.

His will was dated Jan. 16, 1653-4, and proved Aug. 23, 1654, mentions his wife ANN.

To his eldest son THOMAS he gave all of his property in Concord [Massachusetts].

He also mentions his daughter Sarah Sherwood and her son Thomas Sherwood;

...and his grandchildren Mary, James, Thomas and John Bennett.

His son John was made executor and was to receive the estate in Fairfield [Connecticut].

The will of his widow ANN was dated Aug. 21, 1659, and probated Oct. 20, 1659, showing that her death occurred between those dates.

Children: (bom at Cranefield, England.)

2701. MARIA WHEELER, baptized Oct. 20, 1616.

2702. ANNA WHEELER, baptized Feb. 20, 1617. (Called HANNAH) Married 1639, James Bennett, of Fairfield, Conn. Ch: 1. Sarah B. who m. John Osborn. 2. Hannah B. 3. James B. 4. Thomas B. 5. John B. 6. Mary B. 7. Jane B.

2703. WILLIAM WHEELER, baptized March 16, 1618.

2704. THOMAS WHEELER, baptized April 8, 1620. [m. ANN HALSEY]

2705. JOHN WHEELER, baptized Feb. 27, 1624.

2706. SARAH WHEELER, baptized Aug. 10, 1628; m. Thomas Sherwood. Ch: 1. Thomas S. 2. Sarah S. who m. John Whitlock

https://archive.org/details/genealogicaland00genegoog/page/200/mode...

Of Nathaniel's daughter Esther:

2746. ESTHER WHEELER, dau. of Nathaniel (2712) and Esther (Botsford) Wheeler. Born about 1666-7; died 1706.

Married Samuel Williams of Elizabethtown, N.J., who was born at Weathersfield, Conn., Jan. 4, 1653-4, son of MATTHEW Williams and SUSANNA ([UNKNOWN]) Williams.

Samuel Williams' will dated May 4, 1706, mentions the following Children:

JOSEPH WILLIAMS.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS.
NATHANIEL WILLIAMS.
DAVID WILLIAMS.
JOSIAH WILLIAMS.
SUSANNA WILLIAMS.
HESTER WILLIAMS. [m. John Crane? or not?]
SARAH WILLIAMS.

The Wheeler genealogy doesn't delve into the marriages and descent of the Williams families (Amos Williams who married her sister, Hannah; and Samuel Williams to whom Esther was married).

From what I gather though, IF she married John Crane she could not have also married James Pierson whose wife Esther is documented living after her own death.

And of course the Wheeler genealogy is of no help with the ancestry of that particular John Crane, as he isn't even mentioned in this book. Nor are any husband of Esther/Hester Williams.

So for her and any husbands she may have had; and for John Crane whoever he was -- we have to turn to the Williams and Crane genealogies for answers.

_______________________

So in the Denman genealogy we find corroboration that "Esther Williams" did marry "John Crane":

Philip Denman was born in 1704. at Newtown on Long Island, as were all the children of John Denman and Mary Gano, and died at Springfield, N.J., in 1780.

He married SARAH, daughter of John CRANE and Esther WILLIAMS, and had a family of two daughters, — Mary and Abigail, and six sons, — Joseph, Jacob, William, Philip, Mathias and Samuel.

https://archive.org/details/denmanfamilyhist00harr/page/n136/mode/1...

(Philip was one of the brothers of John IV of Westfield, NJ.)

I think we got the Wheeler ancestry sorted out to my own satisfaction at least. Still looking at the Williams and Crane ancestries, as pertains to the profile under discussion here, Esther Crane

Hi,
I have a few questions regarding the footnote in the photos of the book pages in Nathaniel Wheeler, of Newark s profile which you quote as:

"Nathaniel Wheeler b. Fairfield, CT., 1639; d. 4th Oct. 1726 and buried in the cemetery of the old Presbyterian church in Orange, New Jersey.

"He was a son of Lt. Thomas Wheeler (b. in Wales, who came to New England with his father Capt. Thomas Wheeler Cator (later known as a famous Indian fighter);"

1. Where did the name Cator come from, do you think? If the son's surname was Wheeler, why isn't the father's surname just Wheeler also?

2. Why does this source say Lt. Thos. W., father of Nathaniel, was born in Wales, when most others say he was born in Cranfield or Cranefield, Bedfordshire, England?

3. I agree that the footnote indicates Nathaniel's mother's name was Joanna (Seabrook). So how does that line up with the claim that Lt. Thos.W.'s wife's name was Joan (Bryan)? None of the other sources I've seen in the last few days for Lt. Thos. W. of Milford mention a Joanna Seabrook.

4. Nathaniel's burial location given in the footnote is not the one given in his profile which is the Cemetery of the Mountain Society - Newark, Essex co., NJ, USA.

Much confusion on my part!

I can appreciate your interest in the subject, as well as your concerns with regard to the details.

As to the last question, I read somewhere recently that "Cemetery of the Mountain Society" is the old name for the Presbyterian Church burial ground which is on land he donated to the church. As I recall, what is now the Presbyterian Church in Orange, NJ, was originally known as "The Mountain Society", of which he was a founder (they probably held services in one another's homes, or under trees in nice weather, etc.).

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6819479/nathaniel-wheeler

As for your other questions, I agree there is some conflicting information here and there; and I too have more questions than answers. I just keep searching, gradually collecting facts and trying to make sense of it all. There are a lot of missing pieces to the puzzle.

But we are fortunate that several of the old NJ families who intermarried a lot published their own individual genealogies, for comparison. Occasionally details omitted from one may be found in another.

Cator is very obscure. I found nothing about it, so can only speculate (assuming it isn't a textual error of some sort). It may be an archaic term for "senior".

Or maybe a reference to his occupation as a merchant ship captain. Apparently Cator / Cater as a surname means "buyer" which might translate to 'wholesaler'. A wholesaler is somebody or a company that purchases goods in bulk from the producer and sells them in smaller units to retailers and other businesses.

Wheeler ranks in Wales nearly as frequent as in England, so it's possible (unless there is irrefutable proof that they're from England): "The surname Wheeler frequency/commonness ranks as follows in the British Isles: ENGLAND (220th), WALES (227th), Scotland (778th), Northern Ireland (1,229th), and Ireland (1,357th)."

I've noticed several old NJ families claiming Welsh ancestry, including the Williams.

As for Seabrook vs. Bryan, imho either is possible and I haven't seen irrefutable proof for either one.

We should always take into consideration the fact that texts like "Genealogies and Biographies of Ancient Wethersfield" are far more generalized and rely mainly on secondary sources, than individual family histories which are often better researched by the authors.

Many American founding families and institutions lost records (including presumably, family bibles) during the Revolution, which had to be reconstructed based on little more than censuses, recollection, memories, family oral traditions, and whatever scraps of paper they could salvage afterwards.

I'm reminded of the story of the 'fighting reverend' who used pages from his bible as musket or cannon batting (wadding).

"Always consider the source." Or the lack thereof, I suppose.

Thanks for the quick reply and the info on the cemetery and the name or occupation "Cator".

Like you say, the source is important. While doing some further research on my tree I came across a note on the profile of Richard Ogden, of Lees which says:
"NOTE: Anything from the Wheeler genealogy for any ancestors prior to John and Jane Ogden is basically fraudulent. All research on English ancestors was done by a hired "expert," not Wheeler himself, and was later discovered to be completely made up by that researcher. There is no "Bradley Plain, Hampshire," in England! However, research on American ancestors is basically valid."
So there is that to consider. Maybe the Wales thing is true!
Cheers, Lianne