WHEELER, Samuel, blacksmith, born in Weccaco, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, in 1742; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 May, 1820. During the Revolution he served in the American army. His reputation as a blacksmith reached General Washington, who one day sent for him and told him he wished a chain made to place across Hudson river at West Point, to arrest the British ships. Wheeler said he could make it, but not away from his forge. " Then," said Washington, "I cheerfully give you dismissal from the army. Badly as we want men, we cannot afford to keep such a man as you." Wheeler made the chain; it was moved in links through New Jersey, hung across the river, and did good service. He made a cannon out of bars of iron, by welding, which was used at the battle of the Brandywine, and was the wonder and admiration of the American officers. It was without hoops, lighter than brass ordnance, had a longer range, and was more accurate in its effect. Napoleon I. took it as a model, and had cannon for his flying artillery manufactured after its pattern, it having been captured at the Brandywine, and sent to London, where it was exhibited in the Tower. Wheeler also made many improvements in mechanics, among which were scale-beams that would weigh a ton, and could be turned by a 12 1/2-cent piece; hay-scales, hoisting-machines, screws, and lanterns for light-houses. He also adopted a successful mode for laying the stone for light-houses, and superintended the building of that at Cape Henlopen, Delaware, and that at Castle Williams, Governor's island, New York harbor.