Ancestors of Christopher John Augustine Morry

Sophia Wheeler

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: Cir 1860 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴ ^,1218 ^,1646 Christening: 13 Jan 1861 - Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁴³⁷ Death: 19 Feb 1890 - Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England ( about age 30) ¹⁶⁴⁶ Burial: 23 Feb 1890 - Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England ²⁹²⁷ Cause of Death: Died with her daughter by drowning - possible suicide
Events
• Alt. Birth: 24 Dec 1860, Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Baptism: 23 May 1880, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Court: Case of Margaret [Murrin/Murrain] Field, 19 Nov 1880, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Living: Between 1887 and 1890, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England.
• Alt. Death: 19 Feb 1890, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England. 210912 from Geoff Martin, found in the Evening Telegram, March 24, 1890, reproduced online courtesy of Google:

"Died. At Whitley, No. 24, St. Mary's Terrace, on 19th inst., aged 30, Sophia, widow of the late Mark Wilson Carr, of St. John's, Nfld., also their daughter, Gertrude Sophia, aged 7 years. Internment at Elswick Cemetery on Sunday at 2:30 p.m."

It is likely that the dates given in the St. John's newspaper were incorrect, in fact being one month out, since it would have taken that long for the information to have reached them. So when it says they died on the "19th inst." it was really the 19th of February, not March. Their bodies were found on the beach on the 20th of February according to the inquest at the time (see above). Also, therefore, the internment was most probably the Sunday following, that is, the 23rd. of February, not the Sunday following the publication date of the Evening Telegram article which would have been the 30th of March.
.
• Residence: No. 24, St. Mary's Terrace, 19 Feb 1890, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, England. 210912 from Geoff Martin, found in the Evening Telegram, March 24, 1890, reproduced online courtesy of Google:

"Died. At Whitley, No. 24, St. Mary's Terrace, on 19th inst., aged 30, Sophia, widow of the late Mark Wilson Carr, of St. John's, Nfld., also their daughter, Gertrude Sophia, aged 7 years. Internment at Elswick Cemetery on Sunday at 2:30 p.m."

It is likely that the dates given in the St. John's newspaper were incorrect, in fact being one month out, since it would have taken that long for the information to have reached them. So when it says they died on the "19th inst." it was really the 19th of February, not March. Their bodies were found on the beach on the 20th of February according to the inquest at the time (see above). Also, therefore, the internment was most probably the Sunday following, that is, the 23rd. of February, not the Sunday following the publication date of the Evening Telegram article which would have been the 30th of March.
.

Parents

Father: James Richard Wheeler ²¹ ^,24 ^,168 Mother: Jane ²⁴ ^,168 ^,731

Spouses and Children

1. *Mark Wilson Carr ²⁴ Marriage: 8 Sep 1881 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴ ^,1429 ^,2933
Marriage Events
• Minister/Priest: Henry Dunfield, 8 Sep 1881, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Witnesses: James and Margaret Wheeler, 8 Sep 1881, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Marriage Notes

14/12/02:

I have deduced from the Surname of the spouse and the fact that she has the same Christian name as one of John Thomas Carr Wheeler's siblings that she is in fact his aunt and have therefore included her as such in the family file. Also, James Wheeler, Margaret Wheeler are listed as witnesses. I have already determined that James is likely a brother of Joseph Wheeler John Thomas Carr's father.

090703: Both were previously unmarried at time of marriage to one another.

11108: From Lewis Carr: Marriages Part 2 1856 - 1882 St. Thomas Anglican Church, St John's, Nfld Sep 8 1881 St. Johns Mark Wilson CARR, 25, bach, Ch. Engineer, Stella House, Blaydronsyde? Sophia WHEELER, 21, spinster, St Johns James Wheeler, Margaret Wheeler

1304114 from NGB transcript of the Vital Records version of the St. Thomas's register:

Sep 8 1881 St. Johns Mark Wilson CARR 25 bach Ch. Engineer, Stella House Blaydronsyde (?) (Eng) Hy Dunfield James Wheeler Sophia WHEELER 21 spinster St Johns Margaret Wheeler

Note how it abbreviates and omits information from the original church register.
Children: 1. Gertrude Sophia Carr

Notes
General:

Dec 24, 1860, Jany 13, 1861, James & Jane Wheeler, Sophia, ___, S. John?s Rd., G. M. Johnson

240308: Message from Peggy Krause Hansen via Genes Reunited: "She died 20 Feb 1890 along with her mother Sophia. I have a newspaper account of that event which describes that they were both drowned in Whitley Bay. They had been living with Caroline Wheeler Carr and her family after the death at sea of Mark Wilson on 11 Nov 1887. There was an inquest into the death but the cause was ruled as accidental death with no known cause although Sophia had been despondent for some time after the death of her husband."

Peggy provided the following transcript of an account of this tragic accident, if indeed it was an accident: " TRANSCRIPT

Shields Daily News, Saturday, February 22, 1890

THE SAD AFFAIR AT WHITLEY INQUEST AND VERDICT

Last evening, Mr. Coroner, J.R.D. Lynn held an inquest at 24 St. Mary's Terrace, Whitley touching the death of Sophia Carr and Gertrude Sophia Carr whose bodies were found on the beach at Whitley on Thursday morning last, under circumstances already reported by us. Mrs. Caroline Carr, wife of Captain Carr, residing at the above address, identified the bodies of the deceased as those of her sister, Sophia Carr, 30 years of age, and Gertrude Sophia Carr, her niece, aged 7 years. Deceased was the widow of Mark Wilson Carr, a chief engineer, who was lost at sea some three years ago. The deceased had lived with her during the past five years. She last saw them alive about five minutes to eight o'clock on Wednesday night. At that time her sister had written a letter and was dressing herself preparatory to going to the Post Office. While thus engaged the child ran upstairs and said "Mamma can I go with you?" The mother's consent appeared to be given for presently the child came into the room where she (witness) was sitting wearing her hat and shawl and little slippers. Both mother and child then left the house together and she never saw them again until their lifeless bodies were brought home the following morning. Witness never noticed anything unusual in her sister's manner to cause alarm.She had never been exactly the same since the loss of her husband three years last November, but she always kept her grief to herself, and always appeared cheerful in the family. Gertrude was her only child.Nothing whatever had occurred to in any way disturb or distress her.Just prior to going out she had put witness's children to bed in the usual way, and having prepared her work for the evening, left it readyon the table for her return. Witness could not in any way account for the findings of the bodies on the beach. The post card (produced) had been duly posted and reached its destination the following morning. It was addressed to Miss M.S. Carr, Stella House, Blaydon-on-Tyne. It was to the effect that writer would bring "Gertie" to Newcastleon Friday if Miss Carr would let her know by what train she intended returning to Blaydon so that they might arrange accordingly, and concluded with "best love". Miss Carr had been teaching the child music, and the latter was going to stay for a few weeks for that purpose, as had been her custom. Alexander Henderson, a hind employed at Hartley West Farm said that at 7:30 on Thursday morning last, he was walking along the beach at Whitley, and when about half a mile south of St. Mary's Island, he foundthe body of Sophia Carr, lying on the sands. The tide was ebbing at the time and the body had apparently been left by the receding tide. On the preceding night the sea was rather high, but it had fallen considerably when he discovered the body. County P.O. Beattie said that from information received to the effectthat the body of a woman had been found on the Whitley Sands on Thursday morning he proceeded to the shore and while walking along the beach towards the spot where the corpse of the mother lay he found the body of the child about 40 paces from that of the mother. The body of Gertrude was completely embedded in the seaweed with the exception of one of her little gloved hands, which protruded above the weed. The child had neither hat nor shawl on. There were no marks of violence on the body with the exception of a few scratches on the face. He had the bodies conveyed to Heaton-------- and afterwards to the residence of Mrs. C. Carr. Catherine Brown said she made a minute examination of the bodies, andfound no marks of violence upon them The Coroner commented on the mystery in which the whole affair seemedto be enshrouded. He thought from the evidence that Mrs. Carr had committed suicide, but there was no direct evidence to show she had donethis. On the contrary, the incidents of the postcard, the fact of the child voluntarily accompanying her mother, and other circumstances appeared to preclude the idea of premeditation of any such rash act. The foreman (Mr. Taylor) suggested that they might have walked down to the banks after posting the letter and fallen down the cliffs into the sea. Some juryman said that would be an impossibility seeing thatthe tide was low at the time. Mr. Taylor said that the only verdict they could return under the circumstances was that of found drowned. The Coroner: It is certainly the safest. After a little consideration the jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned", but, as to how, when or where they got into the sea there was no evidence to show."

Also this summary of information in her family tree file: "MORE ABOUT SOPHIA WHEELER CARR:

19 Feb 1890: Was drowned off the coast of Whitley, Northumberland at Whitley Bay along with her daughter Gertrude Sophia. 'She and her daughter left the home of her sister Caroline Wheeler Carr, with whom they had been living for the past 5 years, to mail a letter, about 8 pm. The letter, which was posted, reached its destination to Miss M.S.Carr, Stella House, Blaydon on Tyne the next day. Its message was tothe effect the writer would bring "Gertie" to Newcastle on Friday if Miss Carr would let her know accordingly. Miss Carr had been teaching the child music and the latter was going to stay for a few weeks for that purpose. The bodies of the two were discovered washed up on the shore the following morning'. An inquest into the event proved inconclusive as Sophia had not exhibited any unusual manners prior to the event although was "despondent" over the death of her husband some three years previous. (Shields Daily News Feb. 22, 1890)." DATE 1890 PLAC Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, England

210912 from Geoff Martin, found in the Evening Telegram, March 24, 1890, reproduced online courtesy of Google:

"Died. At Whitley, No. 24, St. Mary's Terrace, on 19th inst., aged 30, Sophia, widow of the late Mark Wilson Carr, of St. John's, Nfld., also their daughter, Gertrude Sophia, aged 7 years. Internment at Elswick Cemetery on Sunday at 2:30 p.m."

It is likely that the dates given in the St. John's newspaper were incorrect, in fact being one month out, since it would have taken that long for the information to have reached them. So when it says they died on the "19th inst." it was really the 19th of February, not March. Their bodies were found on the beach on the 20th of February according to the inquest at the time (see above). Also, therefore, the internment was most probably the Sunday following, that is, the 23rd. of February, not the Sunday following the publication date of the Evening Telegram article which would have been the 30th of March.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
120421:

I have just discovered as a result of a posting by Edward Chafe on the Newfoundlanders and Genealogy Facebook page that this was not the first trafedy involing Sophia Wheeler. She was also a witness at the trial for murder of the wife of her first cousin, Philip Field, Margaret Murrin or Murrain for the failure to provide the necessities of life for her second child evidently due to post-partum depression or at least mental illness of some kind which may have run in her family.

Here is Edward's Synopsis and the pages he posted from the court record are contained as a PDF in the media folder.

I am endeavouring to figure out the exact relationships to the Philip Field mentioned.

"Supreme Court, 19 November 1880 – The tragic death of William Thomas Field, infant, of St. John's

Margaret (Murrin) Field gave birth to her second child, William Thomas Field, on 11 October 1879. She had a difficult time with childbirth and for weeks afterwards she was delirious. She stayed with her mother on Forest Road until Jane Murrin apparently had a nervous breakdown and was sent to the Lunatic Asylum. Margaret's husband Philip Field shared a double house on Torbay Road with his brother William Field. Margaret returned to her husband's home but was disinterested in her children. Her two year old son Robert spent most of his time at the home of his aunt and uncle, Maria and Thomas Murphy.

Relatives and neighbours were aware that Margaret's infant son William was neglected and emaciated. Philip's widowed mother Mary Ann lived with the family and often spoke to Margaret about the baby. Mary Ann asked her brother James Wheeler what she should do. Sophia Wheeler, a first cousin of Philip Field, began bringing milk to the baby. William Field's twelve year old daughter Agnes reported the baby often lay in its cradle two or three days without being changed and was covered bedsores and lice. William Thomas Field died 9 October 1880 and his mother was charged with his death."

Sophia Wheeler

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: 16 Oct 1881 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴ ^,1218 Christening: 6 Nov 1881 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴ ^,1218 Death: Jun 1899 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 17) ¹²⁷⁵ Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Alt. Birth: 17 Oct 1881, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: Mulloch St. according to John Thomas Wheeler RC Baptism Register, 17 Aug 1892, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Occupant)

Parents

Father: Joseph A. Wheeler ⁷³⁴ Mother: Mary Hannah Goss ³⁴⁵ ^,2145 ^,3599

Notes
General:

14/12/02: Newfoundland Gen Web site posted the entire records for births of St.Thomas's Anglican Church from 1867-1892 in October 2002. It was only then that I realised Joseph and Mary Hannah covered both bases by having their children baptised in the Roman Catholic Church in Torbay AND the Anglican Church in St. John's. Before then I was unaware of the existence of this child from Mom's memory of the names of her father's siblings. It would appear that the children were baptised at the Anglican church first and then subsequently re-baptised at the Catholic Church, probably under threat of excommunication for they and their mother.

111009: I'm of two minds whether to accept the dates of birth, marriage and death for family members found in the family bible. There seem to be many discrepancies, if not outright errors. In this case there is only 1 day in the difference so I am leaving the church record as the "official" birth date for now.

Sophia Jane Wheeler

Sex: F

Individual Information

Birth Date: 13 Jan 1884 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴ ^,8109 Christening: 9 Mar 1884 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ²⁴ ^,8109 Death: Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Minister/Priest: Henry Dunfield, 9 Mar 1884, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: James William Wheeler ²⁴ ^,168 Mother: Mary Jane Squires ²⁴

Notes
General:

130114 from NGB transcript of St. Thomas register:

Sophia Jane WHEELER James & Mary Jane SQUIRES b Jan 13 1884 Torbay Road bap Mar 9 1884 farmer

Living

Sex: M

Parents

Father: Capt. Edward Carson Wheeler MM, CD, ED ²¹ ^,52 ^,1912 Mother: Alvarea Geraldine Bell ¹⁹¹⁰

Spouses and Children

1. Living

Thomas Wheeler

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: 4 May 1843 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁶⁰² ^,1856 Christening: 9 May 1843 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ⁶⁰² Death: Burial: Cause of Death:
Events
• Occupation: Fisherman - Torbay Road, Between 1894 and 1897, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Philip Wheeler ²¹ ^,93 Mother: Hannah Murrain ⁴²⁸

Notes
General:

111109 from NGB: Thomas WHEELER Philip & Hannah MURRAIN b May 17 1843* bap May 9 1843* St. Johns fisherman *error here, DOB is after baptismal date.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

140414 from NGB transcript of Vital Records taken from Ang. Cathedral register:

Thomas WHEELER Philip & Hannah MURRAIN b May 17 1843* bap May 9 1843* St. Johns fisherman *error here, DOB is after baptismal date.

I have reversed the dates of birth and baptism as this error, which is found on the Vital Records transcript of the Anglican Cathedral register, is likely a simple error in transposing the information given in the register itself.

Living

Sex: M

Parents

Father: Douglas J. Wheeler ³⁴⁰ Mother: Joyce ⁷⁹⁴

Living

Sex: M

Parents

Father: Victor M. Wheeler ³⁶⁶ Mother:

Victor Wheeler

Sex: M

Individual Information

Birth Date: 26 Jun 1919 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ³⁸⁸⁹ ^,8476 Christening: Death: 27 Jul 1987 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 68) ³⁸⁸⁵ Burial: After 27 Jul 1987 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ³⁸⁸⁵ ^,3889 Cause of Death: Heart Attack ³⁸⁸⁸
Events
• Alt. Birth: 1918, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Census: Household of Joseph Wheeler, 66 Quidi Vidi Rd., 1935, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Household Member)
• Residence: 77 Queens Rd, Baker, 1949, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. I am not entirely sure this is the same man as I had no other indication of his being a baker at any point. There is at least one other Victor Wheeler in St. John's at the time and possibly more than one. This man is single at the time of the voters list being published.
• Residence: 23 York St.; Labourer, 1953, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. In 1953 he was married to Florence and was noted as a labourer. They were living in the same house as Eric and Mary Brewin. Eric was also a labourer. I don't know if there was any relationship between the two couples.
• Occupation: Civil Servant, 1963-1965, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Residence: 55 Hoyles Rd., 1963-1974, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He and Florence are both listed on the voters list in those years. No one else is listed at the same address. He is shown as a civil servant.
• Occupation: Unemployed, 1968, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
• Occupation: Watchman, 1974, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Parents

Father: Mother: Clara Wheeler ¹⁶⁸ ^,331

Spouses and Children

1. *Florence G. Cranford ³⁸⁸⁴ ^,3885 ^,3889 Marriage: Cir 1950 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada Marriage Notes

130710: This marriage was unknown before finding the gravestone. It would have happened after 1945 because Marion was the wife in the 1945 Census. Don't know what happened to her.
Children: 1. Living 2. Living 3. Victor M. Wheeler 4. Living

Notes
General:

111009: According to Mom, Clara's son Victor, born as a result of essentially a rape of this poor feeble minded girl, was raised by her mother until the time of her death and treated as her own child.

In the family bible, whether in an attempt to hide this sad event or otherwise, his birth is shown in the list of children of Joseph and Mary Hannah.

200710: On Stonepics - NF049-STJ11-7073

230310:

In the 1935 Census for St. John's East he is found living with his Uncle Joe and his age is given as 15.

1945 Census for St. John's east gives this family information which I originally thought was likely pertaining to the same person:
SurnameGiven Name RelationshipSexMSAgeBirthplace1935 Residence
WHEELERVictorNot notedMM27St. John'sSt. John's WHEELERMarionWife FM30St. John'sSt. John's
WHEELERHelenSister FS21St. John'sSt. John's
WHEELERChes JSon MS5St. John's
WHEELERVictorSon MS3St. John's
WHEELERMary BStepdaughterFS7St. John's
WHEELERBillieStepsonMS5St. John's

120714
I now believe that this is another Victor entirely and have therefore severed the relationship. His only wife was Florence, whom he did not marry until after 1950 it would seem.

Victor M. Wheeler

Sex: M
AKA: Vic Wheeler Sr. ³⁸⁸⁶
Individual Information

Birth Date: 22 Feb 1953 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ³⁶⁶ ^,392 Christening: Death: 8 May 2016 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ( at age 63) ³⁶⁶ ^,392 Burial: After 8 May 2016 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada ³⁶⁶ ^,392 Cause of Death:
Events
• Living: 22 Feb 2007.
• Living: 18 Jul 2014.

Parents

Father: Victor Wheeler ³³¹ Mother: Florence G. Cranford ³⁸⁸⁴ ^,3885 ^,3889

Spouses and Children

Children: 1. Living

Living

Sex: M

Spouses and Children

1. *Yvonne Marie Carey ¹⁷³⁷ Marriage: Children: 1. Living 2. Living

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