Wheat, John Thomas, 1801-1888

John Thomas Wheat was a native of Washington, D.C., and a Protestant Episcopal minister, teacher, and professor in Maryland, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

John Thomas Wheat (1801-1888), a native of Washington, D.C., was educated at Asbury College, Baltimore, Md.; directed a private school in Washington, D.C., and then in Alexandria, Va. In 1825 he married Selina Blair Patten and soon after was ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. He worked variously as a minister, teacher, and professor in Maryland, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

John Thomas and Selina Patten Wheat has six children that grew to maturity: Chatham Roberdau, John Thomas Junior, Leonidas Polk, Dexter, Selina, Josephine May, and Mary.

Chatham Roberdau Wheat (1825-1862) was studying law in Memphis, Tenn., when the Mexican War broke out, whereupon he volunteered immediately and served under General Winfield Scott. He was admitted to the bar in Louisiana and was also a state legislator briefly. He joined the Lopez expedition to free Cuba, and later served with General William Walker in Nicaragua and Garibaldi in Italy. He was a major in the Confederate Army (Louisiana Tigers) and died near Richmond, Va.

John Thomas Wheat Junior (1830-1862) was a practicing lawyer in New Orleans, La., when the Civil War broke out. He was Secretary of the Secession Convention of Louisiana and later a Confederate officer with Company A, 1st Louisiana Regiment. He was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.

Leonidas Polk Wheat (1841-1915) was a musician and studied for several years in Europe. He is reputed to have married an heiress.

Selina Wheat married Dr. John Seay of Louisiana.

Josephine May Wheat, usually called May, married Francis E. Shober of Salisbury, N.C. Her husband was a lawyer and businessman. He was a member of the North Carolina State Legislature and also served in the United States House of Representatives.

Mary Wheat lived in California and was married to a Mr. Morgan. Neither Mary Wheat nor Dexter Wheat are mentioned in the biographical clippings on John Thomas Wheat, however their correspondence suggests that they are also children of John Thomas and Selina Patten Wheat.