We may all wish, that we came from royalty or some famous hero, but I am pretty happy to say I come from, hard-working humble roots. Ancestors whom worked the land, the mines and helped build our towns or cities, roads etc.
This weeks ancestor made a working class, honest living, and that’s just fine with me.
His name is Alfred William Wheeler, my maternal 3rd Great-Grandfather.
Before I take you on his journey, let me tell you a little about his family name – Wheeler.

Wheeler is an occupational name for a maker of wheels (for vehicles or for use in spinning or various other manufacturing processes), from an agent derivative of Middle English whele ‘wheel’. The name is particularly common on the Isle of Wight; on the mainland it is concentrated in the neighboring region of central southern England.
The Wheeler family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Wheeler families were found in the USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 4,194 Wheeler families living in London. This was about 22% of all the recorded Wheeler’s in the UK. London had the highest population of Wheeler families in 1891.
In 1881, a less common occupation for the Wheeler family was Farmer. The most common Wheeler occupation in the UK was Agricultural Labourer. 5% of Wheeler’s were Agricultural Labourers. Agricultural Labourer, Labourer and Carpenter were the top 3 reported jobs worked by Wheeler.
Contemporary Notables of the name Wheeler (post 1700)
• Leonard Richmond Wheeler (1888-1948), British educationalist and philosopher of biology in the West Indies and British Malaya, Fellow of the Linnean Society in 1939, known for his books Scouting in the Tropics (1926), Vitalism: its history and validity (1939) and others
• Sir Neil Wheeler (1918-2009), British Air Chief Marshal
• George Wheeler (1858-1947), English entomologist
• Sir Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler,(1890-1976), English archaeologist
• Sir Charles Wheeler (1892-1974), English sculptor
• Christina Wheeler (b. 1982), Australian professional tennis player
• George Montague Wheeler (1842-1905), American explorer and cartographer, leader of the Wheeler Survey
• Billy Edward “Edd” Wheeler (b. 1932), American songwriter, performer, writer, and visual artist
• Daniel Michael “Dan” Wheeler (b. 1977), American Major League Baseball pitcher
• Pete Wheeler (b. 1978), New Zealand artist

Let’s go back to 1856, to a village called Wonston, on the outskirts of Winchester.
Wonston covers an area of 5,493 acres of which 8 are covered by water.
Alfred comes from a long line of Agricultural Labourers and Watercress farmers from the near by parish of Bullington, Hampshire.

Alfred William Wheeler was born on June 1, 1856, to Mary Allen, age 42, and Alfred Wheeler, age 41, at Wonston, Mitcheldever, Winchester, Hampshire, England.
His Father Alfred was working as an Agricultural Labourer, at the time of his birth and his Mother Mary registered his birth on June 13, 1856.

Alfred’s brother Harry Wheeler, was born in the January – March, quarter of 1859, in the Winchester, district. The 1861 and 1871 census give his place of birth as, Wonston, Hampshire, England.

Alfred’s Brother, William Wheeler, was born in the January – March, quarter of 1861, in the Winchester district.
The 1861 and 1871 census give his birth location as, Wonston, Hampshire, England.

Alfred William Wheeler lived at, Loudon Street, Wonston, Hampshire, England, on the 7th April 1861, when the 1861 census was taken, with his Father Alfred, Mother Mary and his two Brothers, Harry and William.
His Father Alfred, was working as an Agricultural Labourer.
The census gives his age as, 4 years old and his place of birth as, Wonston, Hampshire.

Name	Age
Alfred Wheeler	25
Mary Wheeler	25
Alfred W Wheeler	4
Harry Wheeler	2
William Wheeler	2/12

Alfred’s Brother, Edwin Wheeler, was born in the April – June, quarter of 1863, in the Winchester district. The 1871 census give his birth location as, Wonston, Hampshire, England.
The 1901 and 1911 census gives it as, Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, England.

Alfred’s Sister, Alberta Wheeler, was born in the January – March, quarter of 1870, in the Andover district.
The 1871, 1881 and 1891 census’s give, his birth location as, Bullington, Hampshire, England. The 1901 shows it as Hampshire, the 1911 as, Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, England.
Alberta would later marry, Thomas William Alexander, in 1900 in the Winchester district.

Alfred William Wheeler lived at Frog Island, Bullington, Hampshire, England, on the 2nd April 1871, with his mother and Father, Mary and Alfred and his 4 siblings, Alberta, Harry, William and Edwin.
Alfred was working as an Agricultural Labourer (aged 14) and his Father Alfred, was working as a Water Cresser. The census gives his age as, 14 years old and his place of birth as, Wonston, Hampshire.

Name Age Alfred Wheeler 35 Mary Wheeler 36 Alfred Wheeler 14 Harry Wheeler 12 William Wheeler 10 Edwin Wheeler 8 Alberta Wheeler 1

Alfred’s Brother, Herbert Wheeler, was born in the October – December quarter of 1871, in the Andover district.
The 1881 and the 1911 census give his birth location as, Bullington, Hampshire, England. Herbert would later marry, Mary Shepherd and Emily Jane Moore.

Alfred’s Brother, Josiah Wheeler, was born in the 15th September 1874, in Bullington, Hampshire, England. (Date of birth from the 1939 register.)

Josiah, would marry Edith Anna Thorp, in the October quarter of 1906 in Alton, Hampshire, England.
In 1939 Josiah, was a patient at the Public Assistance Institutions, St Paul’s Hill, Winchester, Hampshire, England, due to being, incapacitated.

Alfred’s Mother, Mary Wheeler Nee Allen, passed away on the, 19th October, 1875, at, Upper Bullington, Hampshire, England, when she was 40 years old.
She died from Premature Labour and Exhaustion, 10 Days.
Jane Wheeler was present at her death and registered it on, October 13, 1875. Her Husband Alfred, was working as a Farm Labourer, at the time of her death.

Alfred’s Father Alfred, remarried. He married Jane Ashfield Nee Shrimpton, on the 4th August 1877 when he was 42 years old and a Widower.
Jane was 43 and a Widow.
They married at, The Parish Church Of Basingstoke, Southampton, Hampshire, England.
Alfred occupation was a Water Crop Grower and Jane was a Domestic Servant.
Alfred was residing at, Bullington and Jane at, Church Square, Basingstoke.
Alfred’s Father, Thomas Wheeler, was working as a Water Crop Grower and Jane’s Father, George Shrimpton, was a Labourer.
Their witnesses were, Thomas Shrimpton and Jane Beale.

Shortly after his Fathers marriage, Alfred William Wheeler married Emily Shinkfield, Daughter of Matthias Shinkfield and Amelia Shinkfield nee Penny, on October 21, 1880, at St. Mary’s Church, St Mary’s, Southampton, Hampshire, England, when he was 24 years old. Emily was 23 years old.
Alfred was a Bachelor and Emily a Spinster.
Alfred was working as a Labourer, as was his Father Alfred. Emily’s Father Matthias, was working as a Mariner.
Alfred and Emily, we’re residing at, Melbourne Street, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Alfred William Wheeler lived at, Sutton Street, Wonston, Hampshire, England, in 1881, with his wife Emily Wheeler Nee Shinkfield and their Niece, Edith E Robinson.
Alfred was working as an Agricultural Labourer.
The census gives his age as, 25 and his place of birth as, Sutton Scotney, Hampshire.

Name Age Alfred W. Wheeler 25 Emily Wheeler 26 Edith E. Robinson 3

Alfred and Emily’s first child, a Son, was born on, January 22, 1882, in Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, England.
They named him Ernest Alfred Wheeler.
Alfred was working as a Labourer.
Emily registered Ernest’s birth on the 27th February, 1882.

Alfred and Emily’s first Daughter was born, October 26, 1884, at Norton, Wonston, Hampshire, England.
They named her Florence Kate Wheeler.
Alfred was working as a Labourer.
Emily registered her birth on the 4 December 1884.
She would later marry, George Williams.

Emily gave birth to my Great, Great-Grandmother, Ethel May Wheeler, on the 25th May 1886, at Cowdown, Micheldever, Hampshire, England.
Alfred was working as a Carter.
Emily registered, Ethel’s birth on the 8th June 1886.
Ethel would later marry by Great, Great-Grandad, John Cornelius O’Connor.
You can read all about them here and here.

Alfred and Emily’s second Son was born, August 20, 1890, at Moorgreen Farm Cottage, Moorgreen, Hampshire, England, a beautiful Grade II listed former farmhouse with origins dating back to the 16th century.

They named him, Albert Edwin Wheeler.
Alfred was working as a, Farm Carter.
Emily, registered his birth on the 3rd September 1890.

Alfred William Wheeler, was resding at Moorgreen, South Stoneham, Hampshire, England, on the 5th April 1891, with his wife Emily and their children, Ernest, Albert, Florence and Ethel.

Alfred was working as an Agricultural Labourer.
The census gives his age as 34 and his place of birth as, Southampton, Hampshire.

Name Age Alfred W Wheeler 34 Emily Wheeler 34 Ernest Wheeler 9 Florence Wheeler 6 Ethel Wheeler 4 Albert Wheeler 7/12 Edwin Wheeler 27

Alfred William, his wife Emily and three of their children, were residing at, Number 14 Endle Street, St Mary’s, Southampton, Hampshire, England, on March 31, 1901.
Alfred was working as a Coal Porter.
They were inhabiting 1 house.
The census gives his age as 44 and his place of birth as, Sutton Scotney, Hampshire.

Name Age Alfred Wheeler 44 Emily Wheeler 43 Florence Wheeler 16 Ethel Wheeler 14 Albert Wheeler 10 Edwin Wheeler 37 Robert Airey 43 Charles Sail 49 Henry Sail 19

On on August 9, 1902, Alfred and family, were more than likely celebrating as Edward VII and his wife, Alexandra, took their place in history as the new rulers of the United Kingdom.
I’m sure living near Winchester the old capital of England, people would have been celebrating.

On the 26th December 1908, Alfred was working as a Coal Porter. (Information from his daughter Ethel May Wheeler, marriage certificate.)

Alfred William Wheeler lived at Number 16, Millbank St, Northam, Southampton, Hampshire, England, on April 2, 1911, with his wife Emily and sons, Earnest and Albert. Also his Brother Edwin Wheeler.
Alfred, Ernest, Albert and Edwin were all working as Labourers at the docks.
Ernest was a Labourer at Shipping.
Alfred and Emily had been married 30 years and had, had 4 children, all which were still living.
They we’re residing in a 4 room dwelling.
The 1911 census, gives his birth location as Sutton Scotney, Hampshire and his age as 53.

Name Age Alfred William Wheeler 53 Emily Wheeler 52 Earnest Alfred Wheeler 29 Albert Edwin Wheeler 21 Edwin Wheeler 47 Ann Brown 78

Alfred’s Father, Alfred died on the 13th December 1911, at Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, England.
He died from, Asphyxia, 2 hours, Oedema of Lungs and Heart Disease. He was 76 years old.
Alfred’s (Jnr) Uncle, Josiah Wheeler, registered Alfred death on the 14th December 1911, he was present at his death.
Alfred’s Father Alfred occupation was given as a, Water Cress Grower.

Alfred’s Brother, Edwin Wheeler died on March 24th 1914, in the Southampton district. (Date of death from his Probate record)

Alfred and his family, laid him to rest on the 28th March 1914, at Southampton old Cemetery, Southampton, in Row N, Block 147, Grave 104

Alfred’s Wife Emily, died on the 18th August, 1931, at number 13, Laburnum Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Her Cause of death was, Carcinomas of the Pancreas.
Alfred William Wheeler, registered her death on the 19th August and he was working as a, Nights Watchman at the Gas Works.

Emily was buried at Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton Hampshire, on the 22nd August. 1931. at the age of 74.
She is buried in Row C, Block 173, Number 68.

Unfortunately this is where Alfred’s story comes to an end.
Alfred William Wheeler, died on 4th January 1933, at Number 13 Laburnum Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England, when he was 76 years old.
He died from, Bronchitis Pneumonia and Senility.
His Daughter Florence Kate Williams Nee Wheeler, was present at his death and registered his death on the 4th January 1933.
His occupation was given as a, Night watchman (Retired).
A post-mortem was held.

Alfred was laid to rest on the 07 January, 1933, at Southampton Old Cemetery, Southampton, Hampshire, England, in Row N, Block 147, Number 104.
Alfred’s Address was given as Number 13, Laburnum Road, Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Alfred had a humble life, he married the love of his life, his soul mate and he fathered 4 children, who all survived into adulthood, which was not heard of very often back then. That a pretty big achievement in my books. He made an honest living and brought up his children the best he could. That’s something to be very proud of and I am extremely proud of him and Emily.
Although his story is over, he lives on in our hearts.

May he rest peacefully.
Alfred Wheeler
1856-1933

🦋🦋🦋

I have brought and paid for all certificates throughout, Intwined.blog.
Please do not download or use them without my permission.
Thank you.