Dr. Wheeler registered three slaves on December 02, 1782--pretty much at the last minute according to Pennsylvania law. The three slaves were "Rachell," aged 16, Daniel, aged 19, and Nero, aged 34. Rachel and Daniel both appear in the 1800 Septennial Census with Dr. Wheeler, both aged 40 years, illustrating how slave ages were estimated, even in official records. Nero had disappeared from the family by 1800, his fate not yet known.

The other slaves mentioned in the will were probably younger than age 12, or Dr. Wheeler had not yet acquired them, in 1800, which is why they do not show up on that tax census.

George Nagle
Afrolumens Project
Note: The Afrolumens Project will return to the internet in 2009--being down for over a year. It is being overhauled and improved.