Joseph Wheeler Plantation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Pond Spring, The General Joe Wheeler Home
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The Wheeler House, built in the 1870s. It is the youngest of the three houses on the property.
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Wheeler, Alabama |
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| Built | 1818-80 |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000209 |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1977 |
The Joseph Wheeler Plantation, also known as Pond Spring, is a special historical place in Wheeler, Alabama. It's located in the beautiful Tennessee River Valley. This property has twelve old buildings that were built between 1818 and the 1880s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. This was because of its strong connection to Joseph Wheeler, a famous general and politician.
Contents
A Look Back: Pond Spring's Story
Early Days and the Hickman Family
The Pond Spring plantation began in 1818. The John P. Hickman family were the first to settle here. They were among the very first families in Lawrence County. By 1820, the Hickman family had 11 members. They also owned 56 enslaved people.
The Sherrod Family Takes Over
In 1827, a planter named Benjamin Sherrod bought Pond Spring. He was from Halifax County, North Carolina. He owned more than 300 enslaved people. The property was 1,760 acres (710 ha)s large.
Expanding the Home
In the 1830s, Benjamin's son, Felix Sherrod, made big changes. He greatly expanded one of the log cabins on the property. This cabin is now known as the Sherrod House. It shows a style called vernacular architecture, which means it's a local way of building. It also has features of the Federal architecture style. The smaller log cabin was used as housing for enslaved people.
General Joseph Wheeler's Time
Felix Sherrod's son, also named Benjamin, inherited the plantation. Benjamin Sherrod married Daniella Jones in 1859. She was from a nearby plantation called Caledonia. Sadly, Benjamin died in 1861.
A New Beginning
Daniella Sherrod met Joseph Wheeler in 1863. He was a general in the Confederate States Army. He was visiting the area from Augusta, Georgia. They got married after the American Civil War. For the next four years, they lived in New Orleans. In the early 1870s, they returned to Lawrence County. They built a new home right next to the older Sherrod House.
Wheeler's Public Service
Starting in 1880, Joseph Wheeler served many terms. He was a United States Representative for Alabama. He stayed in politics until 1900. In 1898, Wheeler volunteered for the Spanish–American War. He was made a major general by President William McKinley. He led the cavalry division, which included Theodore Roosevelt's famous Rough Riders.
Later Military Service and Retirement
Wheeler then served in the Philippine–American War in 1899. He commanded a brigade there until January 1900. During this time, he became a brigadier general in the regular army. He retired on September 10, 1900. He then moved to New York City, where he passed away in 1906.
The Wheeler Family Legacy
Joseph Wheeler's daughter, Annie, lived at Pond Spring. She stayed there until she died in 1955. The plantation remained in the Wheeler family until 1993. Then, the family donated it to the state of Alabama. It is now managed by the Alabama Historical Commission.
Visiting Pond Spring
The Alabama Historical Commission takes care of the property. They have finished restoring the Wheeler House. It is now open for people to visit and learn about its history.
See also
