Avery Wheeler^1,2,3 son of Wheeler was born on Nov 23, 1783 in Franklin Co, NC.^2,3,4

Avery Wheeler , the first of the Sumter County Wheelers, was born inFranklin County, NC on 23 Nov 1783.

1790 Franklin Co NC- 5 Wheelers: Joseph Whellor Sr and Jr, 2 WilliamsWhelar's, and John Wheler.

1805 not listed in the GA Land Lottery

Sometime before 1810, he left NC and settled in Baldwin Co GA. Thereis some evidence to indicate that he came to GA with a group of hisrelatives.

Jesse Wheeler is listed with Avery Wheeler in the Baldwin County TaxDigest of 1810, both living in Captain Watson's District.

On 21 Aug 1810, Avery Wheeler married Miss Mary Moore of BaldwinCounty GA. She was the daughter of Luke Moore and his wife, Suzannah(Susan Ann) Bowers.

In Sep 1816, Mary's mother died. Her father remarried in 1817 anddied in Baldwin Co GA.

In the 1820 census of Baldwin Co there appears: Francis Asberry B.Wheeler B 1794-1804, Jesse Wheeler b. 1775, Rachael Wheeler b. 1775.

Shortly after this, Avery and Mary began their move west. By 1827they had settled on the banks of Lime Creek in what was then the newlyformed Lee Co GA (now Sumter). They appear with their family in thefirst Lee Co census of 1830.

In 1832, Avery and his son-in-law, Jacob Cobb, were appointed alongwith others, to select the site for the new county seat for Sumter CoGA. Sumter Co had been formed from their part of Lee Co in 1831.

As they had lived in the area for some time, the Wheelers and Cobbshad formed an association with some of the local Muckalee Indians.According to family tradition, an Indian friend suggested to Avery thesite which was to become the city of Americus. The Indian said thatthere was a legend among his people that the hill was protected fromall storms, and the Indian name for the place meant 'safety from theelements fo fury.'

Having chosen the site the commissioners removed there, set up a campand began to lay out the town. Green Moore Wheeler, eldest son ofAvery Wheeler, was 19 years old and ready to establish his own home.He came with his father and brother-in-law to the new town site, andwhile the commissioners laid out the principal four streets, GreenMoore Wheeler begain work on his own homesite near the present site ofthe depot. As late as 1885, the street (which is now an extension ofPrince Street) was called Wheeler Street and ran past the site.

When the time came to choose a name for the new town, suggestions wereput into a hat. The winning name, 'Americus,' had been drawn forth byJoseph Absalom Cobb, the 3 year old son of Commissioner Jacob W. Cobb,and grandson of Avery Wheeler.

RESEARCH NOTES:

[016] Ann, Benj, Joh, Patience, and William listed. No Avery.Franklin Co not includeed.

[043] no Wheeler listed

[048] Joseph Wheeler, B Wheler, and Benj Wheler listed. No AveryWheeler.

Avery married Rebecca Cunningham on Oct 10, 1804 in Greene Co, GA. he-20, she-21.²

Bef 1810 in Baldwin Co, GA Avery. from North Carolina Type: MOVED TO GA.³

The family of Avery Wheeler moved bef 1810.

In 1810 in Capt Watsons District, Baldwin Co, Georgia Avery. Avery Wheeler Type: TAX LIST.³

Avery married Mary Moore daughter of Luke Moore and Suzannah Bowers on Aug 21, 1810 in Baldwin Co, GA. he-26, she-26.^3,5

Avery lived in Baldwin Co, GA in 1820.

Avery lived in Pulaski Co, GA in 1820.¹

Lee Co GA was formed on Jun 9, 1825 from Creek Indian lands.

Avery lived in Lee Co, GA in 1827.

Avery Wheeler was the Head of Household in the census in 1830 in Lee Co, GA. Avery Wheeler p 18/21: males 1<5, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 40-50; females 1<5, 1 5-10, 1 15-20, 1 40-50.⁶

Avery lived in Lee Co, GA in 1831.

Sumter Co GA was formed from the northern part of Lee Co in Dec 1831.

Avery Wheeler was the Head of Household in the census in 1840 in Dist 687, Sumter Co, GA. Avery Wheeler p56/67: males 1<5, 1 10-14, 1 15-19, 1 50-59; females 1<5, 1 10-14, 1 15-19, 1 50-59.⁷

Avery Wheeler was the Head of Household in the census in 1850 in Sumter Co, GA. Avery Wheller p 89/94 67 NC farmer, Mary 63 NC can't r/w, Frances 15 GA.

Avery died on May 7, 1857 in Baldwin Co, GA.^2,4 He was buried in Oak Grove Cem, Americus, Sumter Co, GA. Find A Grave Memorial # is 5070833.⁸

Rebecca Cunningham² and Avery Wheeler had the following children:

Mary Moore^2,4 was the daughter of Luke Moore (bef1760-1819) and Suzannah Bowers (1763-1816). She and Avery Wheeler had the following children: