There are not many people who would recognize in the name Samuel Wheeler a person who did valuable service for our country in the war of the Revolution. It was he who made the famous chain that was stretched across the Hudson River to stop the British war-ships from ascending the stream. At the time General Washington was puzzled about defending the river.
"I wish I could get a chain made; but that is impossible," he said; and General Mifflin, overhearing the remark, exclaimed:
"Not so. We have a man in the army, a townsman of mine, one Wheeler, who can make you such a chain."
General Washington had Wheeler brought to him, and said:
"I want a chain to put across the North River to stop the British ships. Can you make it?"
"I can," replied Wheeler, "but I cannot do it here."
"Then," said Washington, "I will cheerfully give you dismission from the army to do so, for badly as we want such men as you, I cannot afford to keep you."
Mr. Wheeler made the chain, and its links were hauled across New Jersey, to be finally strung across the river, where it did good service. By building a fire under one of the links and then using a sledge-hammer and a chisel, it was ultimately cut apart.