The Latin branch of the Wheelock name was established by Thomas Wheelock known as the “Migrant”.
His parents were Thomas Wheelock of Hodnet and Elizabeth Walford His father was the steward to the Earl of Lichfield and responsible for the Earl’s estate. (See Shugborough)
Thomas was the youngest of a family of 7 and it seems when he was very young he decided to migrate to South American like many other Europeans of the era to make his fortune in commerce.
He married Maria Osambela heiress to one of the richest Families. of the country. From Their union they had 6 children. He also to fit into Latin American society he converted to Catholicism.
Carlos Wheelock (1841-1883) was the most notable of the first generation he served with distinction during the war of 1866 against Spain when it tried to re-conquer the Viceroy of Peru and was part of the army that defeated the Spaniards in the region of Callao on the 2nd of May 1866.
When Chile invaded Bolivia an Peru in the late 1870’s as part of its expansionist policies . He was a Captain of the 1st Company of the Army reserve and posted as part of the Lima Garrison.
After the War due to his prominence he was assassinated by anti-government Forces. His involvement in local politics seems to have been great as he was awarded posthumously a Medal for his involvement in the war of 1866. The inscription says “ To the Greats of Callao”. A family member recently provided a copy of the certificate that shows the inscription and has the signature of the President of the day.
Due to the war against Chile it seems most Europeans fled the country among them some of the first generation of Wheelock’s.
The only known Wheelock’s from the first generation born in Peru to have gone back to the United Kingdom were Thomas Alfred and Henry Thomas .
Thomas s listed in the 1881 census as living in Middlesex.
Henry never married and died in 1918 in France.
Carlos Wheelock had 3 sons, Carlos Enrique, Thomas and Wilfred. After finishing their education at the turn of the Century in the United Kingdom they’ve decided to live in Nicaragua. Researching the history of the region and in trying to find a plausible reason for their move to such an isolated part of the world. The only thing that makes sense is that it was believed at the time Central America would be the next Gold Rush like South America or the Western United States. However this did not happen but because of their experience in commerce and trade, they were able to build a successful business in Cotton, wool and Coffee.
As the family expanded so did their business and political interests.
From the Branch of Thomas Wheelock We have Jose Francisco Jorge Jaime Santiago Wheelock who fought in WWII as a Pilot in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force He was killed in Action while flying Mosquito's on the 22nd of November 1944
Latin American History
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