Holbrook line: Benjamin Wheelock 1639-1716

Benjamin Wheelock, who may have been the first Wheelock born in the American colonies, certainly has stayed out of view of family historians.  We have bits and pieces, enough to have a vague outline, but we don't know nearly as much about him as he know about his father. 

His parents were Rev. Ralph and Rebecca Clarke Wheelock. Rev. Wheelock was a graduate of Clare College at Cambridge University, and Rev. Ralph came to America as a Puritan pastor.  He is also recognized as the first public school teacher in America.  So, poor Benjamin!  His father was both a pastor and a schoolteacher; what chance did the poor kid have?

Benjamin had four older siblings and one younger sibling.  He was born January 8, 1639/40 in Dedham, Massachusetts, where his parents had gone soon after arriving in Massachusetts Bay Colony.  The family stayed there until Benjamin was about 11 years old and then they moved to Medfield, Massachusetts.  Typically boys were put into some kind of a trade or on the job training program by the time they were 14.  We don't know if this happened to Benjamin, or whether his father's more professional occupations might have allowed Benjamin to stay at home longer.  Perhaps he was needed for the chores around home, as his father was busy preparing sermons and lessons and may not have paid much attention to other things that needed to be done. 

Benjamin married Elizabeth Bullen, daughter of Samuel and Mary Morse Bullen, on May 21, 1668 in Medfield.  He was a little older than typical for his generation, about 28, but Elizabeth was about 21, about typical for young women.  Benjamin and Elizabeth stayed in Medfield, where he had a house built the year of their marriage.  He acquired other land and became known as a "proprietor", which gave him certain rights in land divisions that not every resident had. 

Benjamin and Elizabeth had at least five children, and at least four were born in Medfield.  Sometime in 1685 or 1686, the family moved to Mendon, where Benjamin is listed as a founder.  Here he was a tything man, a constable, and a selectman, so he was well regarded there.  He purchased land from Matthias Puffer and undoubtedly hoped to live out his days in Mendon, along with his wife Elizabeth.

However, Elizabeth died in 1689,  Benjamin may have married Elizabeth French, widow of Jonathan Thayer and daughter of John French, in about 1692.  It is possible that he fathered two more children with her, although some think this is not correct.  I guess I hope it is true, that he had children when he was well into middle age, because they would have kept him young, or at least helped care for him as he aged.

Benjamin died September 13, 1716 at Mendon.  I've not found a will or inventory, which is disappointing.  That might give us more insight into what Benjamin did for a living, and how well he was doing, financially.  It might also tell us what land he owned, and whether he had a library of more than a Bible and a couple of religious books. 

From what little we know, we know that he was respected in his community, that he raised a good family, and that he was at least as "religious" as his neighbors.  Being chosen as a selectman was an honor, and it's an privilege to be able to claim him as an ancestor.

The line of descent is

Benjamin Wheelock-Elizabeth Bullen
Benjamin Wheelock-Huldah Thayer
Mary Wheelock-Ebenezer Thayer
Abigail Thayer-Jesse Holbrook
Amariah Holbrook-Molly Wright
Nahum Holbrook-Susanna Rockwood
Joseph Holbrook-Mary Elizabeth Whittemore
Fremont Holbrook-Phoebe Brown
Loren Hobrook-Etta Stanard
Gladys Holbrook-Richard Allen
Their descendants