Jacob and Anne Elizabeth Wheeler and a family connection

I have come to think of those buried in Radnor Street Cemetery as belonging to one, very big, family.

This week I have been researching the life and times of Jacob and Anne Wheeler and fortunately I have been able to discover a lot about them – see below the accounts of their Golden Wedding anniversary and their obituaries published in the local press.

Then studying their family tree, a name suddenly jumped out at me. When Jacob Wheeler died in 1936 Probate was awarded to his son Richard Wheeler, a fitter and turner, and to his son-in-law Frank James Richman, a grocer.

My friend and colleague, Mark Sutton, military historian and author of Tell Them of Us – Remembering Swindon’s Sons of the Great War 1914-1918, would often talk about the two Richman brothers, killed in action during WWI.

Graham Carter, friend and co-founder of the Swindon Heritage magazine published 2013-2017 recently wrote about Mark:

‘Nobody ever did more for preserving the memory of Swindon war heroes than Mark, or knew more about their sacrifices. Whenever I spoke to him about it, it was almost as if he had been there with them. Swindon owes him a debt for what he did for those men.’

And so it was with the Richman brothers.

Frank was the elder brother of Archibald David and Alfred George Richman. He started work in the GWR offices at the age of 13. In 1909 he married Annie Mary Wheeler and at the time of the 1911 census they were living at 86 Kent Road with their baby daughter Phyllis. The couple went on to have more children and eventually Frank would take over the family’s grocery business. He didn’t go to war. Annie died in 1957 and Frank in 1969.

Swindon Veterans

Golden Wedding of Mr and Mrs J. Wheeler,

Family Re-Union

Mr and Mrs Jacob Wheeler, of 12 Deacon Street, Swindon, celebrated their golden wedding on Sunday. They were married on 30 December, 1879, at the old Baptist Chapel, at the corner of Fleet Street and Bridge Street, by the Rev. Frederick Pugh, who was the last Pastor at that Church, prior to the building of the Baptist Tabernacle, in Regent Circus.

Mr Jacob Wheeler is a Wiltshireman, being a native of Trowbridge, and his wife, Mrs Ann Elizabeth Wheeler, is eldest daughter of Mr Richard Harris, is a Swindonian and has resided in the town practically all her life.

Coming to Swindon in 1873, Mr Wheeler entered the service of the GWR Company and was for 38 years employed as a machineman in the Locomotive Department. For over 40 years Mr and Mrs Wheeler – Mr Wheeler is 78 years of age, and his wife three years his junior – resided in Haydon Street and removed to Deacon Street seven years ago. Mr and Mrs Wheeler have a family of four children – three daughters and one son – and 13 grandchildren.

Family Congratulations

There was a happy family re-union at her eldest daughter’s (Mrs Richman’s) home, 86 Kent Road, on Monday, and the aged couple have been the recipients of many congratulations and presents.

Mr Wheeler is one of the oldest members of the “Briton’s Pride” of the North Wilts District of the Ancient Order of Foresters. Both he and his wife have been for many years members of the Baptist Church.

During their long residence in Swindon they have witnessed the wonderful growth of the town. The district in which they now reside was green fields when Mr Wheeler came to Swindon.

North Wilts Herald Friday January 3, 1930.

looking down Deacon Street

Mrs A. Wheeler

Funeral of a Swindon Baptist Worker

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon of Mrs Annie Elizabeth Wheeler, wife of Mr Jacob Wheeler, of 12 Deacon Street, Swindon.

Mrs Wheeler, who was 77 years of age had resided in Swindon practically all her life. She was the oldest member of the Baptist Church, having joined it when the services were held in the old church at the corner of Bridge Street and Fleet Street, many years before the Tabernacle was built. It is not long since Mr and Mrs Wheeler celebrated their golden wedding.

The first portion of the funeral service was conducted at the Tabernacle, where there was a large congregation of mourners. Mr. A.E. Ford was at the organ and played the “Dead March,” and the hymn “For ever with the Lord,” was sung.

The Pastor (the Rev. E.W. Probert) conducted the service and also officiated at the graveside in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Extracts North Wilts Herald Friday November 13, 1931.

The Late Mr J. Wheeler

Funeral of a Swindon Octogenarian

The funeral of Mr Jacob Wheeler late of 12 Deacon Street, who died at his daughter’s residence 31, Downs View Road, at the age of 84 years, took place on Monday afternoon. The service at the Baptist Tabernacle was conducted by Rev. C.H. Cleal, who also officiated at the interment in Radnor Street Cemetery.

Mr Wheeler, who was a native of the Westbury district, had lived in Swindon over 60 years and retired a quarter of a century ago from his employment as a machinist in the old G Shop of the GWR Works. For over 50 years he had been a member of the Baptist Church. He leaves a son and three daughters.

Extracts North Wilts Herald, Friday, 11 September, 1936.

Anne and Jacob Wheeler are buried together in grave plot A1095.

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