The Black Rock section of Bridgeport was first occupied by the Wheeler family in 1644 and developed as a trading settlement. Its oldest surviving house is the John Wheeler House at 268 Brewster Street. Although traditionally dated to 1720, the steep pitch of its roof and various interior features suggest an even earlier date in the seventeenth century (c. 1680). John Wheeler was a wealthy merchant who represented Fairfield in the colonial legislature. The house was greatly altered over time: a Gothic Revival center gable with a quatrefoil window was added in the 1850s, the original central chimney was removed above the first floor and the front facade was greatly altered in the 1940s. These later alterations were removed in the 1980s when the house was restored to an early colonial appearance.
Architectural historian Abbot Lowell Cummings was called because carpenters uncovered an original casement window frame, in situ, that had been covered up by a later wall. This window supported the 1644 date of construction.
Casement windows were common until the 1730s, so in itself this feature would not indicate a 17th century date of construction.
I walked by this house so many times on field day and never knew that John Wheeler lived here. This house is located on Ellsworth st near Ellsworth park. Black Rock is such important and the fact that i never knew he lived here till now is a shame.