from "Printers and Printing in Providence, 1762 - 1907"
prepared by a committee of Providence Typographical Union #33 as a
souvenir of the 50th anniversary of its institution
printed in 1907
"The Journeymen" (part 194)
p. XCI.
"BENNETT WHEELER - Died Providence April 13, 1806, in the 52d year of
his age. He was a native of Halifax, N. S., where he learned the
printing trade. He came to Providence Sept. 20, 1776, and worked
first in the book and job office of J. Douglass McDougall. In a few
months he went to the Gazette office, continuing there until
December, 1778, when he joined with Solomon Southwick, and in March,
1779, the firm of Southwick & Wheeler issued the first number of the
'American Journal and General Advertiser,' the second newspaper
printed in Providence. Mr. Southwick retired from the partnership in
December, 1779, and the paper was continued by Mr. Wheeler alone
until Aug. 29, 1781. From Jan. 31, 1781, it had been a semi-weekly.
After the suspension of the Journal he continued in the job business.
On the 1st of January, 1784, Mr. Wheeler began the publication of the
United States Chronicle, the third Providence newspaper. He continued
the Chronicle until Dec. 29, 1803, when he turned over the paper and
business to his oldest son, John Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler advertised in
the Gazette of Nov. 17, 1804, that he had established a large general
store 'on the Hill, next door east of Jabez Olney,' at the sign of
the Silver Bee-Hive. April 13, 1805, he removed his store to the
house of Mr. Daniel Teft, nearly opposite the town pump, in Broad
street. During the Revolutionary war Mr. Wheeler was successively
appointed to the different grades of rank in the militia; and in 1791
he was Brigade Major for the county of Providence and Inspector
General of the Militia of the State.
BENNETT H. WHEELER (son of Bennett Wheeler) - Born Providence Aug.
18, 1788; died there May 17, 1863. He began to learn printing in 1799
in his father's office in Providence; in 1804 he worked in Manning &
Loring's office in Boston, Mass., and in May, 1806, in Portland, Me.,
as a journeyman. In January, 1807, upon the death of William Olney,
publisher of the Providence Phenix, the office was leased to Mr.
Wheeler and Josiah Jones, and in 1809 they bought the establishment.
Mr. Wheeler was connected with the paper for 16 years, as editor, and
during that time 'the paper was a terror to the Federalists of Rhode
Island.' In 1824 he was appointed Postmaster, retaining the office
until 1831, when he was removed by President Jackson. From that time
until his death Mr. Wheeler took little interest in public affairs.
HOWARD H. WHEELER - Born Providence May 14, 1885; learned printing at
E. A. Johnson's, beginning in 1902; participated in effort for
eight-hour day in 1906; now located in Providence.
JEWEL R. WHEELER (Miss) - Learned printing at Fredericton, N. B.;
initiated into Providence Union Oct. 31, 1897.
JOHN WHEELER (son of Bennett Wheeler) - Born Providence in 1781. He
learned printing in the office of the United States Chronicle, and
from Dec. 29, 1803, until May 17, 1804, when it suspended, that paper
was published by him; after the death of his father he administered
the estate; he died in Charleston, S. C., in August, 1807."
continued in part 195.