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Following are answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Answers:
Am I related to General Joseph Wheeler? -- If you are a direct descendent of General Joseph Wheeler, then you already know it. Indeed, there are very few direct descendents of the General. Although Wheeler and his wife, Daniella, had six children, direct descendents trace only from daughter, Carrie. Wheeler's youngest son, Thomas, died at age seventeen and with no children. Career soldier and eldest son, Joe Jr., never married and had no children. As such, there are no direct descendents that bear the Wheeler name. It is possible, however, that interested researchers could be descended from the extended family. There is a document on this website regarding the lineage of Wheeler ancestors (written by the General and his wife in the late 19th century). This downloadable Adobe Acrobat document outlines both sides of the family tree. <Back to Top>
Why is the property named Pond Spring? -- The name Pond Spring traces at least to the early 1800's, and is applied owing to the location of a natural artesian spring at the front of the property. Prior to formal settlement, American Indians of that time used the natural resource to great benefit, and archaeological samples from remainders of small mounds on the property confirm this inhabitation. Prior to the Civil War, the primary landholding family, the Sherrods, used the name "Pond Spring" for their plantation. During the Civil War, both Confederate and Federal soldiers referred to the name (see The Official Record of the War of the Rebellion) when describing campaigns through the Tennessee Valley region of Northern Alabama. The property was referred to as such even into the early 20th century, long after Joseph Wheeler had married Daniella Jones Sherrod (the couple made this their permanent home at Pond Spring during the early 1870's). The name "Wheeler Station" was applied during the late 19th or early 20th century, in honor of Soldier/Statesman Joseph Wheeler [Major and Lieutenant General of Confederate Cavalry in the Army of Tennessee (Civil War), US Major General of the Fifth Corps Cavalry (Spanish-American War), as well as long time Congressman from Northern Alabama]. "Wheeler Station" referred to the railroad station that was situated in front of the property and along the route of the Memphis-Charleston Railroad. <Back to Top>
How old are the buildings on the site, and who lived in them? -- The wide range of construction dates of the buildings still standing make this a most unique historic site. An early dogtrot cabin (circa 1818 to 1820) represents the period of first white settlement on the property, having been constructed during the time that the John Hickman family owned the property in partnership with Benjamin Sherrod. The Sherrods having purchased Hickman's share during the 1820's, a number of other log structures were constructed. The log barn, icehouse, and Sherrod home are thought to have been constructed during the 1830's. The wife of the grandson of the elder Benjamin Sherrod, Daniella Jones Sherrod, inherited the property upon the death of her husband, young Ben Sherrod (1861). Joseph Wheeler met the widow Daniella following his famed "Ride 'Round Rosecrans." The story is, while on a mission to disrupt Federal supply lines in middle Tennessee, General Wheeler (commanding a force of Confederate cavalry) found himself at her father's home after having just barely eluded pursuing cavalry (following a crossing of the Tennessee River at Lock A). Daniella was living at her father's home at the time, and helped to prepare supper for Wheeler and his staff. A friendship and mutual attraction subsequently resulted in the two marrying following the Civil War. After living for a brief time in New Orleans, the couple returned to Pond Spring. The largest home on the site, referred to then as the East Wing, but now known to most as The Wheeler Home, was built during the early 1870's. The growing Wheeler family utilized both the two-story 1830's Sherrod Home and the new wing. <Back to Top>
Did slaves live and work on the property? -- Census records show that a significant number of slaves must have lived on and worked the property prior to the Civil War. Furthermore, in addition to the pre-Civil War buildings themselves, there are a number of items in the museum collection (such as textiles and furniture) that are believed to have been fashioned by slaves. It is also believed that the dogtrot cabin that still stands on the property was used as a slave and/or sharecropper dwelling at some point. A cemetery location (holding approximately 40 unmarked graves) has also been discovered, and is believed to have been used first as a slave cemetery and then as a community cemetery following the Civil War. By the time that Joseph Wheeler took control of the property, post-Civil War agrarian practices had brought the sharecropper role to the forefront as being the primary means of production on large farms. <Back to Top>
Who was Miss Annie Wheeler, and why is she such a central figure? -- Miss Annie Wheeler was the second oldest daughter of the General and Daniella. She is notable not only through her life of providing varied humanitarian services, but also because it was her that sculpted the Home and property into what we are fortunate to be able to experience today. Indeed, as was the practice of her day, she built the Home into a shrine for her father. Miss Annie served as a volunteer nurse in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, placed Miss Annie in charge of nurses at the hospital in Santiago de Cuba (where the soldiers referred to her as "The Angel of Santiago"). Miss Annie also served in Europe during WWI as a Red Cross nurse. Her later years were spent helping the people of her community. Much of what we see in and around the Wheeler Home today is of direct consequence to her work. <Back to Top>
Can I visit Pond Spring - The Home of General Joseph Wheeler? -- Although the museum home was temporarily closed to the public beginning in January 2000, visitors have continued to come, tour the grounds, and talk with Alabama Historical Commission curators and historians. To preserve the collection and to ensure the safety of visitors, the closing of the home was necessary. Since that time, a number of outbuildings were preserved and restored. The previous plan to break ground on a modern, climate controlled building that would have been used to house the museum collection during the restoration process for the primary 1870's dwelling (the Wheeler Home) was placed on hold. Beginning on 29 November 2004, the grounds will be closed to facilitate new restoration work. It is strongly suggested that those considering a visit to the property first contact either the Site Director or Curator. Contact and location information for Pond Spring - the Home of General Joseph Wheeler can be found here. <Back to Top>
