Wheelock, John , 1754-1817
Biography
John Wheelock was born on January 28, 1754, in Lebanon, Conn.He was the eldest son of Eleazar Wheelock who was the founder and first president of Dartmouth College; John Wheelock succeeded his father as the College’s second president.
Wheelock began his higher education at Yale, then followed his father to Hanover, NH when his father founded Dartmouth and completed his studies there, where he was a member of the College’s inaugural graduating class in 1771.
In 1776, Wheelock became a leader of the United Committees, a group of disgruntled New Hampshire citizens angry at their lack of representation in the state legislature and the distance of the state capital; in retaliation for these slights, Wheelock and others led twelve New Hampshire towns to secede from the state and attempt to join Vermont. The next year, 1777, as the Revolutionary War raged, Wheelock briefly served in New York and Vermont as a lieutenant colonel in Colonel Bedel's Regiment.
Upon his father's death in 1779, John Wheelock assumed the presidency of the College, despite the fact that he was neither an academic nor a minister.
During his almost forty years as Dartmouth's president (1779–1815), Wheelock oversaw the construction of Dartmouth Hall and the founding of Dartmouth Medical School, the fourth-oldest medical school in the country; he also maintained the College’s fiscal solvency throughout the Revolutionary War, mainly through the Vermont legislature’s grant of 23,000 acres (93 km²) in Wheelock, Vermont.
During the latter half of Wheelock's tenure, he became embroiled in a dispute with Dartmouth’s Board of Trustees. Wheelock proceeded to convince the governor of New Hampshire to fill the Board with supporters and turn Dartmouth College into a state-controlled Dartmouth University. The original, private Board resisted and eventually sued. The case, Dartmouth College v. Woodward, went through various judicial courts, before the United States Supreme Court decided in the Board's favor in 1819, the result of a brilliant peroration by Dartmouth alumnus Daniel Webster, class of 1801, who had, ironically, graduated under Wheelock's tenure. However, by this time, Wheelock, who had been forced out of the presidency in 1815 by failing health and poor relations with the Board, had died.
Found in 673 Collections and/or Records:
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Jedidiah Morse informing him that he will endorse the new edition of the American geography. Thanks Morse for copies of his Thanksgiving sermon given the college. Messrs. Fisk and Burton have received their copies.
John Wheelock letter
Four-page letter from Wheelock of Dartmouth College to the French Ambassador stating the loss of the contributions to the College from England, by reason of the War, and soliciting aid from France.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock in Hanover to Rev. Jedidiah Morse, Secretary, informing him that he is forwarding My Mr. William Woodward a statement of the school accounts with a bill.
John Wheelock letter
Wheelock of Dartmouth college explaining to Hutchinson of Charlestown, NH that he accepted payement due on note to the Trustees from Mr. Wright of Hartford since Hutchinson and Woodward were not able to.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock at Dartmouth College to Henry Jonathan Williams in Boston, Massachusetts, informing him that he will rejoice in Williams' welfare and prosperity. "Great are your obligations to God...cherish those sublime principles which actuate you conduct.." Enclosing letter to his father. Enclosure lacking.
John Wheelock letter
Three page letter from John Wheelock of Hanover to (Dr. Kemp), Secy.
John Wheelock letter
Two page letter from John Wheelock of Hanover to Rev. Peter Thacher, Secy. informing him that he incloses a letter for the Society in Scotland in regard to a mission to the Indians in Tennessee, Mr. Fisk's letter respecting the state of the savages.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Joseph Lathrop of West Springfield, [Mass.] in which he acknowledges receipt of addressee's second volume of sermons for the College Library.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Hanover to Jon. Freeman recommending a Sophomore, Adams for aid in paying college expenses.
John Wheelock letter
Two-page letter from John Wheelock to Rev. Jedidiah Morse, Secretary telling him that William Woodward will inform him of the affairs of the School. Intercourse with Canada is obstructed. The cost of board for the Indian boys.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock in Hanover, New Hampshire to Ward Bradley in Wheelock, Vermont, requesting that he collect the rents of the school to be able to pay certain monies to the estate of Mr. Curtis (Photocopy)
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock to Charles Adams, requesting Mr. Adams to deliver the next commencement address in English.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Jon. Freeman with a discussion of the college church trouble.
John Wheelock letter
Three page letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Jonathan Freeman of Philadelphia informingin him that Messrs. Haskell and Burroughs are recommended for a school. Josiah Dunham is recommended highly. Writer gives his opinion of Congress.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Jon. Freeman about College fire engine.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Jon. Freeman informing him that the damage of the College in the fire was $100.00. Desires addressee to get engine and see insurance Companies about insuring the college. "It seems we have no alternative left but to defend ourselves with arms or resign our sovereignity as a nation to French."
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock of Dartmouth College to Jon. Freeman informing him that the instruction of the Executive of France and management of our envoys will probably weaken the Jacobin's and unite the U.S.. Discusses fire engine.
John Wheelock letter
Letter from John Wheelock in Hanover, NH to Dartmouth College Trustees, recommending that deserving students from Moor's Charity School be admitted to Dartmouth College.
John Wheelock letter
Two-page letter from John Wheelock in Hanover, New Hampshire to Rev. Jedidiah Morse, Secreary, and Mr. Elijah F. Willey, the bearer of the letter. The two Indians who returned to Canada have not been heard from.
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