John and Anna had been married 26 years when Anna's father Jacob died. John Whistler was named executor to the estate, and since he was the son of Jacob's youngest daughter, he must have been well thought of by the old man. The book "The House of Spitler" by Gale Spitler Honeyman outlines the estate and how it was settled. Her book is invaluable in research on the Spitlers and the Whislers.

m. Anna Spitler 4/20/1820 Botetourt Co. VA.

 Children: Susannah 1821, Samuel 1822, Henry(himself), Esther 1828, Anna 1829, John Whisler Jr. 1831, Jacob 1834, David 1836.

John undoubtedly embraced his wifes families Moravian roots at least in the first part of their long marriage. By 1852, they had been baptised into the Church of the Brethren, and they were leaders in the new church in Udell IA, according to her obituary.