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Emails Between Michael Wilson and Wayne McKinstry From Michael Wilson Hello Wayne. I came across your website searching for information on William "Paddy" Wilson, who I believe is my great-great-great grandfather. My great-great grandfather was William Edgar Wilson, who I believe is the brother of Horace and Calvin, along with their other siblings Mary Stonecipher, Annie Pierce, Catherine Ellis, and Harriet. I'm wondering if you have come across any of these other names, or have ever seen the name William Edgar in any of your search efforts to give me more confirmation. I have come across some sources indicating that William Edgar was a great grandson of Captain Archibald and Nancy Newman. If you would like, I also have some more information on the Wilson side that you may be interested in, including Captain Archibald's ancestors from Scotland, dating back to Henry Wilson, born in Scotland in 1584, who would be Captain Archibald's great, great, great-grandfather. From
Wayne McKinstry Hello there! I would have replied sooner but I was on vacation away from my computer. Yes, some of these names are familiar. The website has what I know. I think you have already seen the page linked below. What I know comes mainly from my Mother, June McKinstry, and some things from ancestry.com. What else can you tell me about your branch of the family? You know some things that I don't about your ancestors. Thank you for using the contact page, I think you are the first person to do that. https://www.wayneandshirley.name/William-Paddy-Wilson.html Wayne McKinstry
Hi Wayne, no worries, hope you had a nice vacation. I appreciate you taking the time to get back to me. It feels like I am on the right trail, but with a lot of this type of work, as I’m sure you’ve learned firsthand, a lot of trails lead down a rabbit hole. I have spent a lot of time on ancestry.com as well, but it seems like there have been a fair amount of false leads and misinformation. A lot of my initial information came from my mother as well, then began to seek out additional information from a long line of cousins, etc to put some additional pieces in place. This branch of the Wilson family has also largely been established in Illinois. I believe mostly southern Illinois initially, Wayne County / Jefferson County, but my great-grandfather, Lester, moved to northern Illinois (Dixon, hometown of Ronald Reagan), sometime after my grandfather was born, who I believe was born in Mt. Vernon. We’ve mostly remained in the area. Although my aunt on the Wilson side (Lester’s granddaughter) and her family now reside in California. Coincidentally, my grandmother, Mary Jane Drake, was also born and raised in the Mt. Vernon / Benton area, although my grandmother and grandfather did not meet until they were both in Dixon. I have attached a copy of my “working” family tree for you to take a look at if you’re interested, which appears to date back to the first Wilson to move to America, which was William Sr, who came to America around 1737. I have typed some things in red, meaning it may have conflicting information on another source. This is all predicated on the assumption that Paddy’s parents were George and Rachel. I have read your letter from Jerry Wilson, and am now questioning whether or not this is correct. If this does turn out to be incorrect, I’m afraid I don’t know much history past William “Paddy”. And much of the link to Archibald and prior history would be moot. I’ve also attached some history of the Henry Wilson family I discovered online, and printed out. This was not my work or research, but it seemed to largely support the information I was able to find even before reading it. This is the lineage from Henry to George Washington Wilson, but there still may be a missing link between George and Paddy that I have not been able to confirm. But I did notice Archibalds history on your page as well, which has me hoping you have verified this. I’m curious to know your thoughts, and if you are able to give me some corrections or shine some light on any of this, I am welcome to any new information. It looks like you have a great family, and look forward to hearing from you. Take good care, Mike
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Descendants of Henry Wilson (Scotland) Henry Wilson (deceased) - Genealogy (geni.com) https://www.geni.com/people/Henry-Wilson/6000000002238736279 1. Henry Wilson II, born 1584, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, married Katherine 2. Andrew D “Dan’d” Wilson, born 1629, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, married Bessie Pierson, born 1622 3.
David Davis Wilson was born in in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland on
August 29, 1658. He married Elisabeth (Elspet) Hunter in 1670 in
Scotland, who was born in 1654 in Inverness, Inverness-shire,
Scotland as the daughter of James Hunter, died in 1770.
Children of David Davis
4.
David Davis Wilson (Willson) II was born 1685 in Ireland, to David
Davis Wilson of Scotland, died in 1746 in Capon District, Hampshire,
Virginia, buried in Wilson Cemetery. He
married Deborah Op Den Graef in 1710 in Perthshire, Scotland, born
1685 in Scotland, her father, Herman Isaacs Op den Graeff, was 38 and
her mother, Deborah van Bebber, was 25(married to Agnes Or Margaret
Aytoun also?
Children of David and Deborah
5.
William Wilson, Sr. was born on November 16, 1722 in Diocese of
Armagh, Ulster, Northern Ireland. Came to America with relative
named White (Cousin) at age 15, settling near Winchester, Virginia,
and died on June 12, 1801 in or around Wardensville, Hardy County,
Virginia. He married Margaret “Elizabeth” Blackburn
in 1746, who
was born in 1725 in
Ireland, and
died in December 1806, buried in “Wilson’s
graveyard” in
Wardensville, Virginia.
Children of William and Margaret “Elizabeth”
6.
Captain Archibald Blackburn Wilson (Revolutionary War Veteran) was
born on June 13, 1749 in Winchester, Frederick, Shenandoah County,
Virginia, British Colonial America, and died on March 27, 1814 in
Newark, Licking County, Ohio. He married Nancy Newman on August 31,
1791 (also married to Ann Claypool on June 21, 1775), who was born on
June 10, 1770 in Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia (or possibly
England), died on September 23, 1836, and buried in Cedar Hill
Cemetery in Wardensville, Hardy County, West Virginia.
Children of Archibald and Nancy
7. George Washington Wilson was born on October 31, 1795 in Illinois, died on September 3, 1872 in Illinois. He married Rachel (nee Caldwell) Wilson, who was born circa 1792 and died 1818. Children of George Washington and Rachel
8.
William “Paddy” Wilson was born on August 12, 1812
in Ohio, died
on February 20, 1890, and is buried in the Bradford Cemetery in Wayne
County, Illinois. He married Susan Vergereau Boudinot in 1835, who
was born on October 29, 1816 in Cayuga, New York, died on May 24,
1874, and is buried in Bradford Cemetery in Wayne County.
Children of William and Susan
9.
William Edgar Wilson was born on November 12, 1854 in Farrington
Township, Jefferson County, Illinois, died on November 5, 1914, and
is buried in the Garrison Temple Cemetery in Wayne County, Illinois. He
married Mary Ann Wilson, who was born on October 5, 1854 in
Illinois, died on February 16, 1945, and is buried in Garrison Temple
Cemetery.
Children of William E. and Mary Ann
10.
Lester Arthur Wilson, who
was born on
January 8, 1896, died on July 5, 1964 in Dixon, buried in Chapel Hill
cemetery in Dixon. He married Margaret Ellen McConnaughhay was born
on October 1, 1896 in Marion, Illinois, died on January 3, 1978 in
Dixon, Illinois.
Children of Lester Wilson and Margaret Ellen
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WILSON FAMILY.-The founder of this family in America was William Wilson, who was born in Ireland, November 16, 1722. He was the son of David Wilson, of Ireland, who was the son of David Wilson, of Scotland William came to America with a relative named White, about the age of fifteen years, settling near Winchester, Virginia. He is found in the Shenandoah valley in 1744-5, where he married Margaret Blackburn in 1746. He was the progenitor of the Wilsons of the Shenandoah valley, and of most of those who subsequently settled in Licking county. Little is known of him after he settled on his lands located in what is now Hardy county, Virginia, except that he was industrious and prosperous, owning a good farm, a grist-mill, a distillery, blacksmith shop and "weaving-house," making his household somewhat independent, after the custom of well-to-do farmers of that day. He resided here until his death in 1801; his widow survived him a few years, dying in December, 1806. Both were buried on that portion of the farm owned by their son, Solomon, in a place near a church, in what was known as "Wilson's graveyard." Their tombstones are still standing, together with that of their son, Moses, who died in infancy, in the year 1760; the inscriptions upon them being still perfectly legible, as has been recently ascertained. The following register gives the time of the birth and death of each of the sons and daughters of William and Elizabeth Wilson, one of whose sons (Archibald), with many grandchildren, settled in the valley of the Licking: Benjamin Wilson, born November 30, 1747, died December 2, 1827; Archibald Wil-
800 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. son, born June 13, 1749, died March 27, 1814; David Wilson, born September 8, 1751, died August 12, 11805; William Wilson, born February 8, 1754, died January 1, 1851; John Wilson, born April 12, 1756, died April 12, 1827; Moses Wilson, born May 1, 1758, died February 7, 1760; Moses Wilson (second), born April 8, 1761, died April 7, 1784; James Wilson, born July 25, 1763, died August 13, 1822; Solomon Wilson, born July 2, 1766, died September 8, 1819; Elizabeth Wilson, born July 2, 1766, died March 20, 1849; Margaret Wilson, born April 7, 1769, died September 19, 1826. WILSON, COLONEL BENJAMIN, was the oldest son and first born of William and Elizabeth Wilson. He was born November 30, 1747, in that portion of Frederick county, Virginia, which is now included in Shenandoah county. The county of Frederick, at the time of Benjamin Wilson's birth, was bounded on the east by the Blue ridge, on the west by the western boundary of the State; and embraced most of the northern portion of the Shenandoah valley, extending nearly a hundred miles southwardly from the Potomac, its northern boundary. In 1772 the southern portion of Frederick county was formed into the county of Dunmore, named in honor of Lord Dunmore, then governor of the colony of Virginia. The governor taking the side of England against the colonists, in the opening year of the Revolution, became exceedingly unpopular with the Virginians. Fearing their vengeance he fled from the city of Williamsburgh and took refuge on the British fleet in the harbor of Norfolk, in August, 1775, and on the first day of the year 1776 he ordered the bombardment of the town by said fleet, which resulted in the destruction of the greater part of the business portion of Norfolk. By way of retaliation for his act of barbarity, the legislature of 1777 changed the name of Dunmore county to Shenandoah, which it still retains. Within its present limits, as before stated, the subject of this sketch was born. But little is known of Benjamin Wilson during his minority, except that he made himself useful to his father, on his farm on "Trout run," sometimes as a miller, again as a distiller, then again as a general farm laborer. Educational facilities were quite limited in the new settlement in which he grew into manhood, but Benjamin Wilson made good- use of his leisure hours, by dedicating them to studies which fitted him for a prosperous business career. These he pursued eagerly by the firelight of the mill and distillery, as well as by the lamplight and pine knot light of the farm house. From the family record we find that he entere into the married relation with Anne Ruddell on th fourth of September, 1770. Soon after his marriage we find him a resident of Tygart's valley, west of the Alleghany mountains, in what is now Randolph county, West Virginia. An incident in his life on the frontiers, by way of illustrating the hardships and perils of the pioneers among the Alleghanies, is not without interest, and will bear relating in this connection. While making a horseback journey over the Alleghany mountains in winter, the weather suddenly durning very cold, and the ground being covered with snow, so retarded his speed as to throw him much behind time in reaching his destination. He was following a path in which the snow was probably not much broken, and when it became dark he was still some miles distant from the mountaineer's cabin in which he intended to spend the night. But seeing safety in perseverance only, he pushed along until he became so much benumbed from the cold as to almost lose consciousness, and dropped into the condition of drowsiness which usually precedes death by freezing. Soon sleepiness overcame him, and, yielding to his feelings, he gut off his horse, and, taking the sheepskin on which he rode, with him, placing it upon the snow he laid down with it under his head. After being in this perilous condition a few moments, having dropped asleep, he dreamed that his life was in danger from a pack of wolves, and that they were then pulling the sheep-skin from under his head. This frightful dream so thoroughly aroused him that he suddenly sprang to his feet to defend himself against the wolves, but hearing or seeing none he at once realized his condition, and how narrowly he escaped death in the woods that night by freezing. He, therefore, by an almost superhuman effort, sprang upon his horse and pushed forward on his lonely path until he reached his destination, where a large fire, a warm supper, and a good sleep fully restored him. Thus was a valuable life providentially preserved for many years of activity and usefulness. Benjamin Wilson served as a lieutenant in the Dunmore war, as it was called, which was an expedition against the Indians in 1774. While negotiations with the Indians were going on at Camp Charlotte, now near Westfall, Pickaway county, Ohio, Lieutenant Wilson served as aide to Lord Dunmore, the commander in chief; and it is not unlikely that he held the same position until the army was disbanded. He is said to have "acquired by his zeal and attention to duty, the confidence of his superior officers." Early in the Revolution Lieutenant Wilson was appointed a captain in the Virginia forces, and rendered essential services, principally on the frontiers. During the war he was the organ through which most of the military and civil business of
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 801 the part of the State in which he resided was transacted. Captain Wilson frequently served as commander of forces suddenly raised to pursue marauding parties of Indians, who had made incursions into the settlements on the frontiers, and had stolen the horses, burned the cabins and murdered the helpless women and children of the settlers in the wilderness, or carried them into captivity. In December, 1777, the Indians, in considerable force, entered the upper extremity of Tygart's valley, and killed Darby Connoly and his wife and three children, and John Stewart and his wife and child, besides making prisoners of four members of those families. With great promptitude Captain Wilson raised the requisite number of men, who . took the trail and pushed forward in pursuit of the savages. He also commanded the volunteers raised to pursue the Indians that murdered and scalped Lieutenant John White in Tygart's valley, in the following year. In these expeditions Captain Benjamin Wilson was prompt, influential, and conspicuously courageous, as well as prudent and judicious. The late Elias Hughes, the first settler of Licking county, was frequently in the pursuing parties under command of Captain Wilson, and always bore testimony to his good sense, sound judgment, skill and bravery. Captain Wilson's valuable services and distinguished abilities secured him a colonel's commission in 1781. Colonel Wilson was a member of the legislature of Virginia from Monongalia, several sessions, previous to the year 1784, in which year the county of Harrison was established, and at the organization of the county he became the clerk of the county court. The duties of this office did not, however, withdraw him entirely from the theater of politics, although he retained it very many years, even well along until near the close of his long life. Colonel Wilson was elected and served as a delegate in the convention of Virginia in 1788, which ratified the Constitution of the United States. In politics he was a Federalist, and was one of the acknowledged leaders of the Federal party in western Virginia, until after the close of the War of 1812, when party lines were obliterated, party names abolished, and parties themselves dissolved, the consummation being the election of Colonel James Monroe to the Presidency of the United States, whose administration for eight years (two terms) was sustained by almost the entire people, without distinction of party. In 1802 Colonel Wilson purchased of John Rathbone a tour thousand two hundred and eighteen acre tract of land, being a quarter township of two and a half miles square, and designated on the surveys as the northeast quarter, section one, township two, and range twelve, of United States military lands. This eventuated in a sort of family purchase, whether so intended or not, for it is authentically ascertained that twenty families, that were the descendants of William .Wilson, have lived upon this celebrated "Wilson section," the southern boundary of which was within a few rods of the northern out-lots of Newark. Among the Wilsons who settled upon it were three of the children of Colonel Wilson, viz: Cornelius, Elizabeth (Mrs: Martin), and General Thomas W. Wilson, now deceased. Mrs. Ann Brice, Dr. Noah L. Wilson, Mrs. Julia Robinson, and Mr. Daniel D. Wilson are four other children of Colonel Wilson who settled in Licking county, the two latter being still residents. Colonel Wilson's wife died after a married life of nearly a quarter of a century, having given birth to twelve children. He thereupon formed a second matrimonial alliance on the. fifteenth of December, 1795, with Phebe Davidson, who became the mother of sixteen children, making twentyeight by the two marriages, twenty-four of whom reached adult age. Twenty-four of the twentyeight children of Colonel Wilson were living at the time of his death, which occurred December 2, 1827, two days after he had closed the eightieth year of his useful, honored, eventful life. Not only honors, but wealth came to him in profusion, so that he made, liberal provision for his large family of children. The posterity of Colonel Wilson, living at the time of his death, consisted of twentyfour children, seventy-three grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, making a total of one hundred and thirty-six! And the number has been greatly augmented since. The names of Colonel Wilson's children are as follows, given in the order of their birth: Mary, born July 9, 1771; William, January 23, 1773; Stephen, October 21, 1775; Benjamin, June 13, 1778; Sarah, September 11, 1780; Ann, January 17, 1786; John, July 5, 1788; Archibald, July 25, 1790; Cornelius, April 7, 1795. In addition to these three others were born who died in infancy, and all were children of the first wife. The children of the second wife were: Josiah, born October 112, 1796; David, February 18, 1798; Edith, November 9, 1799; Elizabeth, October 18, 1801; Thomas W., May 12, 1803 ; Margaret, March 26, 1805; Deborah, October 17, 1806; James, June 9, 1808; Daniel, January 30, 1810; Phebe, August 29, 1811; Martha, January 23, 1813; Phillip, June 29, 1814; Noah L., March 9, 1816; Julia. Ann, September 28, 1817; Harriet, November 13, 1818, and Rachel, July 20, 1820. Of these children two died in Licking county, viz.: Ann, wife of the late Dr. John J. Brice, and mother of General B. W
802 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. Brice, late paymaster general in the United States army, and Elizabeth, wife of the late William Martin. Colonel Benjamin Wilson was a man of affairs, of extensive information, of large experience, of keen observation, of genial temper, of mild disposition, of much knowledge of human nature and of the world, of excellent conversational powers, of sound judgment and good sense, of most dignified bearing, of stately deportment, of stalwart person, of vigorous intellect, of courage, energy, enterprise, of generosity and hospitality, of the adventurous daring becoming a frontiersman, of undoubted patriotism, of unimpeached and unimpeachable integrity of character, of fine address, of commanding presence, of high toned morality, and of the elegance of manners that characterized the true "Virginia gentleman of the old school," which he was. In 1810 the late Hon. William Stanbery spent a number of days in Clarksburgh, at the residence of Colonel Wilson, who had then reached the full maturity of his intellect, the dignity that characterized him in his more advanced years, and the elegant manners for which he was so distinguished The young and accomplished Ohio lawyer, having letters to Colonel Wilson, soon made his acquaintance, and in a late conversation the writer had with him, he remarked that in dignity, address, appearance and manners, Colonel Wilson reminded him more of General Washington than any person he had ever seen. It is well also to observe of Colonel Wilson that he was not unmindful of the claims of religion upon him, but sustained, to the close of his life, an irreproachable Christian character, and by precept, and not less by his example, exerted a large influence in behalf of Christianity. Being an influential leader among those who formed public opinion, it is readily inferred that the interests of sound morality, and of religion were greatly the gainers from his life and example, and correspondingly the. losers by his death. WILSON, ARCHIBALD, was the second son of William Wilson, and was the oldest brother of Colonel Benjamin Wilson, the subject of the preceding sketch. He was born in the Shenandoah valley, near Winchester, Virginia, on the thirteenth of June, 1749. Comparatively little is known of his early life. There is now a book in the possession of his youngest, and only surviving, son (Enoch), entitled "Cocherel's Arithmetic," which bears an English imprint. Upon the blank leaf of this centenarian family relic is found this record, claimed to be in Archibald Wilson's hand writing: "Archibald Wilson, his book, bought of James Cam. Doud, at his store on Old street, in Winchester, August 14, 1771, I say bought by me, Archibald Wilson." This fact brought to view in the early life of the subject of this brief sketch raises the presumption, at least, that at the above date, when he was twenty-two years of age, he had got so far along in his studies as arithmetic. His education, like that of most of the young men of his day, in that then frontier country, was most likely obtained in an irregular, piece-meal manner, and by no means thorough- rather "picked-up" than systematically acquired. As Archibald Wilson was a farmer to the close of his life, it is highly probable that he spent the years of his minority upon his father's farm, assisting in farm work principally: In 1774 Archibald Wilson joined the Dunmore army, and proceeded with it on the famous expedition against the Indian towns on the Scioto. At Camp Charlotte, near the Scioto, Dunmore attempted to unite all the Indians in a treaty, but the Mingos declined, so a force of about three hundred men was organized and placed under the command of Major Crawford (who was afterwards burnt on the Sandusky plains by the Indians), to destroy one of their villages up the Scioto, and to otherwise chastise them for their obstinacy. Archibald Wilson was in this expedition. He says that few Indians were to be seen when they arrived at the Mingo village, one warrior and a squaw, however, were shot and a few prisoners taken. While in the pursuit of the savages he endeavored to capture an Indian boy who, however, was on the alert, and for some time dodged his pursuer in the woods. Under the excitement of the chase Archibald raised his tomahawk to strike him, but fortunately, before the blow was made, the young savage sprang into a tree-top, lying upon the ground, when he was easily captured. It was in after years, and to the close of his life, a matter of rejoicing with Archibald Wilson that he had done no injury to the Indian boy. This scene "came off" near where is now the village of Franklinton, in Franklin county. The killing of the squaw, who was not a beligerent, was an un-soldier-like, brutal act, but it was alleged to have been unintentional. She was killed by a shot fired by a man named Vance, who, at first sight, took her to be a warrior. After the Dunmore army had reached the Ohio river, on their homeward march, Archibald Wilson, and John and William White (his cousins) were discharged, at their own request, preferring to take their own time, and to pursue their own chosen route for their homes., in the Shenandoah valley. They thereupon left. .the army at the mouth of the Hock-Hocking, crossed the Ohio river, and passed up it, on the Virginia side, to near the mouth of the Little Kanawha, where they found some beautiful bottom land. They thereupon proceeded to make what was called "a tomahawk
Archibald was the second son of William Wilson. He was born in the Shenandoah Valley, near Winchester, Virginia, on the thirteenth of June, 1749. [1] [2] [3] In 1774 he joined the Dunmore army and proceeded with it on the famous expedition against the Indian towns on the Scioto. After the Dunmore army had reached the Ohio River, on their homeward march, Archibald and John and William White (his cousins) were discharged, at their own request, preferring to take their own time, and to pursue their own chosen route for their homes in the Shenandoah Valley. [1] [2] Archibald married Ann Claypool at the house of Cuthbert Harris on 21 June 1775. They had 6 children: Abraham C., Archibald, Margaret, Jane, and 2 that died in infancy. Ann Claypool Wilson died on 6 May 1788. [1] [2] [3] On 20 January 1776, Archibald was commissioned as a lieutenant in the militia of Dunmore County. The following year he was appointed Captain, the rank he maintained until the end of the war. His company was present at the taking of Cornwallis at Yorktown in Virginia in October of 1781. [1] [2] Archibald married Nancy Newman on 31 August 1791, and they had 6 sons and 2 daughters: Benjamin, George, Elizabeth, David, William B., John N., Winnefred Ann, and Enoch. [1] [2] [3] Archibald died on 7 March 1814 in Newark, Ohio. [4] [2] [3] Daughters of the American Revolution Records
Information obtained online from Ohio Cemetery Records - "Old Northwest" genealogical quarterly, Volumes 12-14 Soldier of the Revolution Died near Newark, OH He was a magistrate under the crown, but on January 12 ,1776, took an oath of allegiance to the cause of the colonists, the document being at present in the possession of a descendant. In march, 1806, he settled upon a portion of the "Wilson Section" near Newark, now on Buena Vista Road, in a "log cabin build by the spring." He "brought from Va. a willow sprout which he planted in the spring." says an old record, and it may be interesting to know it still flourishes, shading the ever abundant flow of clear cold water that runs into a trough by the roadside where hundreds of people stop during the summer to water their horses. Near this spot, he died and was buried in the 'family lot' on the hill top, but was transferred to Cedar Hill Cemetery. "Mr. Hill was an enterprising man of affairs and was much given to lead in all movements tending to subserve public interests." He m (1) Ann Claypool June 12, 1775 (2) Nancy Newman, Aug. 31, 1791. Buried in Section 5 Lot 529. He was originally buried in The Sixth Street Cemetery.
Ann Claypool Wilson 1754–1788 Nancy Newman Wilson 1770–1836
Archibald Claypool Wilson 1781–1836 Margaret Wilson Cooper 1783–1858 Jane Wilson Scott 1786–1862 Elizabeth Wilson McMillen 1803–1863 BurialCedar Hill Cemetery Newark, Licking County, Ohio, USA Sources
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 803 improvement" for each one, which was done by blazing the trees and cutting their initials and date upon them. They intended at some future day to occupy. those lands, as such titles were valid under . the laws of Virginia at that time. But John White, who was -appointed a lieutenant, and operated against the Indians, was killed by them at Tygart's valley, in 1775, and William White was killed near Fort Buchannon, in West Virginia. Just as these young heroes completed there tomahawk claims they came across some fresh signs of Indians, whereupon they struck out for the mountains, and towards their homes; but fearing to fire their guns, on account of the probable nearness of hostile Indians, to kill game, and being unable to procure food otherwise much of the distance, they almost starved sometimes on their homeward journey. The other Whites that were related to the Wilsons emigrated to Kentucky soon after the Revolution. Archibald Wilson and Ann Claypool were married at the house of Cuthbert Harris, June 21, 1775, in Dunmore county, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. Peter Muhlenburg, who was at this time a Lutheran minister in Woodstock, the shire town of Dunmore, now of Shenandoah county, who the next year entered the Revolutionary army, and served with distinction to its close, when he took rank as a major general. The issue of this marriage was six children, named Abraham C., Archibald, Margaret, Jane, and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Ann (Claypool), Wilson died May 6, 1788. On the twentieth of January, 1776, Archibald Wilson was commissioned as lieutenant of the militia of Dunmore county, by the committee of safety of the colony of Virginia, which was composed of Edmund Pendleton, John Page, Thomas Ludlow Lee, Dudley Diggs, W. Cabell and P. Carrington, all of whose names are attached to Lieutenant Wilson's commission, which remains in the hands of his son, Enoch. The following is a copy of this commission THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR THE COLONY OF VIRGINIA. "To Archibald Wilson, Gentleman: "By virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be Lieutenant of a Company of the Militia of the County of Dunmore; and you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Trust reposed in you, by disciplining all Officers and Soldiers under your command. And we do hereby require them to obey you as their Lieutenant. And you are to observe and follow all such Orders and Directions as you shall from Time to Time receive from the Convention, the Committee of Safety for the time being, or any superior Officers according to the Rules and Regulations established by the Convention. "Given under our Hands at Williamsburgh, this twentieth day of January, Anno Domini 1776." The next year he was appointed captain, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. His company was present at the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in Virginia, in October, 1781, but he was absent on account of sickness in his family. The chief service of his company was to keep the Tories in check, who were very troublesome in his section of the State, and on the South Branch Having been a magistrate "under the Crown," Captain Wilson had to take an oath of allegiance (a copy of which is still preserved) before he assumed military authority. Captain Archibald Wilson contracted a second marriage, which was consummated with Nancy Newman, on the thirty-first of August, 1791. She was of English parentage. As the fruit of this marriage six sons and two daughters were born, named respectively, in the order of their birth, as follows: Benjamin, George, Elizabeth, David, William B., John N., Winnefred Ann, and Enoch. Of the eight sons and four daughters only the last named is living. They all attained to adult age. Abraham C. was born June 20, 1776, and died on his farm near Newark, June 8, 1830. He was in the army that subjugated the "whiskey boys" in 1794, and also, as well as his three next younger brothers, served a tour of duty in the War of 1812. He was universally regarded as a most excellent man. Abraham C. Wilson never married. Archibald was the first merchant of Newark, having sold goods here in 1804. He was well educated, and served for a term on the staff of General Gaines during the War of 1812; and was also clerk of the first board of commissioners of Licking county. He was born October 18, 1781, and died in Newton township in 1835 School teaching had been his profession. Margaret married Levi Cooper,* and died August 8, 1828. Jane married Rev. James Scott, the pioneer Presbyterian preacher of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where she died, August 6, 1852. Benjamin was born July 9, 1791, and died in Petersburgh, Illinois, November 4, 1847. George also married, and had sons and daughters, who, with himself, removed to Illinois, where he died, September 3, 1872: He was born October 31, 1795. Elizabeth married Andrew McMillen, and died in Ramp Creek valley, Licking county, July 3, 1863. David never married, and died in Dresden, Muskingum county, Ohio, October 21, 1833. He was born December 9, 1797. William B. married a daughter of the late Colonel John Stadden, raised a large family, was very successful in the acquisition of property, and died in Newton township, October 22, 1862. He was born March 18, • Levi Cooper died November 7, 1658. His children were Rebecca Ann Cooper, born February 22, 1807 ; Archibald Wilson Cooper. born March 12, 1810 ; Jeremiah Cooper, born May 20, 1812; Jane S. Cooper, born September 9, 1814; Abraham Cooper, born October 25, 1818 ; Newton Cooper, born August 14, 1823.
804 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. 1800. John N. was born November 21, 1802; entered the medical profession in 1828, and pursued it with energy and success, until within a few years of his death, which occurred October 8, 1872, aged seventy years. Winefred Ann, was the wife 'of Isaac McMillen. She was born May 17, 1805, and died some years ago. WILSON, DAVID, born September 8, 1751; was the third son of William Wilson, the progenitor of the Wilsons that settled on the Wilson section near Newark, Ohio. On the twenty-fourth of September, 1778, he entered into matrimony with Mary Miller, Rev. A. Moffitt being the officiating clergyman. In the summer of 18o5, he, with his son, George, visited the Licking valley for the purpose of making arrangements for an early settlement upon his land, he having previously bargained for a portion of the Wilson section. On their homeward journey both father and son were taken sick. When they reached the residence of Archibald Wilson in Wood county, Virginia, George was so ill that he could go no further, and there he died on the thirtieth of July. The stricken father then pursued his journey to Clarksburgh, Harrison county, Virginia, where, at the residence of his brother, Benjamin, on the twelfth of August, he also died. His youngest son, Enoch, also deceased while the father and his brother, George, were in Ohio. David Wilson was the father of twelve children, eleven of whom were living when he left home. The death of two of them, during this summer, still left nine, most of them in their minority, and to be cared for by their widowed mother. The following record gives the names and time of birth and death of each of the children of David and Mary Wilson: John, born November 15, 1779, and died September 6, 1834, near Newwark, Ohio; Jacob, born September 15, 1781, and died October 11, 1827, near Newark, Ohio; Elizabeth, born January 27, 1784, and died in infancy; George, born March 19, 1785, and died July 30, 1805, in Wood county, Virginia; Job, born October 15, 1787, and died November 14, 1812, near Newark, Ohio; Isaac, born January 6, 1790, and died April 1, 1851, near Newark, Ohio; Barbara, born February 20, 1792, and died February 2, 1822, in Licking county, Ohio; Sarah, born October 8, 1794, and died October 13, 1872, near Newark, Ohio; Margaret, born April 18, 1797, and died May 1, 1866, in Wayne county, Ohio; Abel, born March 21, 1799, and .died April 14, 1870, near Utica, Ohio; Jesse, born October 3, 1801, and died December 16, 1827, in Morgan county, Ohio; Enoch, born October 21, 1803, and died July 4, 1805, in Hardy county, Virginia.In the autum of 1805, the widow of David Wilson, with he minor children, moved from Hardy county, Virginia, and settled upon the portion of the Wilson section, purchased by her late husband. Her house stood.between the Mount Vernon road and the North fork. John, the oldest son, located on the eastern part of the section, where his son, George, now lives. Job, next oldest to Jacob, settled on the Mount Vernon road, on what is now known as the Dickinson farm. Isaac settled on the adjoining farm upon which his widow lived until November, 1880. Barbara intermar ried with John Thompson, Margaret with James Robinson, of Wayne county, and Sarah became the wife of the late David Moore, one of the original proprietors of Mary Ann furnace, and an early, enterprising, successful business man, as well as a respectable and most highly esteemed citizen. The widow of David Wilson, and mother of the foregoing children, Aunt Molly, as she was generally called, was a woman of wonderful adaptation to pioneer life. She met with genuine heroism the privations, labors, hardships and trials incident to widowhood, and to life on the frontiers, and had her reward in the respectability, the usefulness, the honor and virtue of her large family of sons and daughters. Highly esteemed was she, while living, for her many excellencies and matronly virtues, and the memory of such heroic pioneer women should be gratefully cherished. She died in February, 1837, in Licking county, Ohio. WILSON, THE PIONEER -Jacob, second son of David, was "the pioneer Wilson" in the Licking valley. He came, accompanied by Evan Payne, in the spring of 1803, and settled upon the "Wilson section." He built his cabin near the big spring, where James Haggerty lives, east of the North fork, about a mile north of Newark. He brought with him a willow switch, cut on the Alleghany mountains. on the way out, which he stuck into the groud at the "big spring," and which grew into a large tree and is still flourishing. After raising a crop of corn, which he did on the open land in the North fork bottom, he returned to Hardy county, Virginia, where his father then lived. In March, 1804, he consummated a matrimonial contract, in pursuance of a previous agreement, with Nancy Colville, of Shenandoah county, Virginia, and immediately brought her to his cabin at the aforesaid "big spring," where the "bride of the valley" entered upon her career of life in the wilderness. Here she witnessed, experienced, endured, and enjoyed all the varied phases of pioneer life, for a period of almost a quarter of a century of married life, and for twenty years of widowhood dying April 16, 1848. She was the mother of eight children, all of whom survived. They were religiously trained, and have led lives of respectability, usefulness, and honor. The names of the
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 805 sons are David, James H. and Benjamin W., of Licking county; John, of Iowa; and Job, of Franklin county; and Mrs. Milligan, wife of Robert Milligan, of Newark; Mrs. Stout, of St. Louisville; and Mrs. Arabella Stanton, of Opelousas, Iowa, are the daughters. The "Pioneer Wilson" commenced here in the wilderness while everything about him was in a primitive state. Nature had not yet been despoiled by the hand of man. The native savages were still lingering in a scattering condition, feeble, small in numbers, and by no means desirable neighbors. Birds of prey, venomous reptiles, marauding animals, and ferocious beasts of the forest abounded. These natural enemies of man were more or less troublesome, and by frequent raids on the poultry yard, the chicken-coop, the pig-sty, the sheep-pen, and the barn-yard, rendered it a precarious business to raise poultry, sheep, and calves. The foxes, minks, weasels and skunks called for our pioneers poultry, as . well as the hawks and owls-the wild-cat and the bear were fond of their young pigs, the sheep were called for by the wolf, and the panther very naturally took to his half-grown swine and tender calves. The incident is related that the subject of this sketch was suddenly called to his cabin door, one morning in the autumn of 1805, by a great noise and commotion among his pigs, one of which had been seized for a breakfast, by a huge panther. The pig's noisy demonstrations had very promptly drawn the attention of the dogs to his case, who came to the rescue successfully, and not only relieved him, but treed the panther. Just at this crisis the pioneer hunter reached his cabin door, and spied the beast upon the tree, the faithful dogs surrounding it, holding him in check. Of course the first impulse of the backwoodsman was to bring his trusty rifle into use, which he did instanter, and the panther fell among the dogs at the first fire. Jacob died at fifty-six years of age, upon the farm which, from a wilderness, he had by industry, energy, and much hard labor, converted into fruitful fields. And it is due to the just man's memory to say that none of our pioneers ever died more universally regretted than Jacob Wilson. None more uniformly practiced the virtues that constitute a good citizen, an upright man and faithful Christian. None among us more faithfully discharged his duties in the varied relations of life. Jacob Wilson's church relations and Christian character are presented at more length in pioneer paper No. 32, and in pioneer pamphlet No. I, written by Rev. H. M. Hervey. BRIEF STATISTICS OF THE OTHER CHILDREN OF WILLIAM WILSON. - William was the fourth son and came next to David. He married and had eight children, four sons and four daughters. In his old age he lived in Belmont county, Ohio, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. He was a man of equable temperament, social, boyish, mild, good disposition, musical, and happily adapted to the enjoyment of life always contented and happy. The notes from which we write represent that when heard from in his old age he was playing the violin to his grand and great-grandchildren. John was the fifth son of William Wilson. He married Mrs. Mary Westfall, a widow, and was the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters. His widow was still living in September, 1869, being then nearly ninety years of age. She was born April z, 178o. Her name was Mary, usually called Mollie. John Wilson died at Philippi, Barbour county, West Virginia. Moses, the first, died when less than two years old, at the ancestral homestead in Hardy County, Virginia. Moses, the second, died there also, when thirteen years old. James was the eighth son of William Wilson. He married Harriet Jimeson, and had eight children, five sons and three daughters. The sons were named in the order of their birth: William, Harvey, Presley, Vastine, and Isaac Newton. James Wilson continued to reside on a part of the old homestead until 1814 (after the decease of his parents), when he sold out and removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, where he remained three years, and then removed to Palestine, now Crawford county, Illinois, and died there in 1822. William, Harvey, and Vastine died in Crawford county, Illinois. Presley died in California in 1850, and Isaac Newton is living in Olney, Illinois. The three daughters married respectively, Jacob Sperry, Guy Smith, and J. D. Shepherd. Mrs. Sperry died. at Utica, Licking county, Ohio. Mrs: Guy Smith removed to Iowa and died there. Solomon was the. ninth, and youngest son of William Wilson. He married and had two children. He lived oil one end of the farm of his father, and died in Virginia, probably on the old ancestral homestead. Elizabeth Wilson was the first daughter, and tenth child of . William and Elizabeth Wilson. She entered into the married relation with Abraham Claypool, who died May 5, 1845, she outliving him nearly four years. They had ten children, six sons and four daughters, namely: Solomon, Jacob, Ann, Peggy, Newton, Wilson, Abel, Isaac, Sallie B. and Maria E. .Four of the foregoing have died, to-wit: Solomon, Peggy, Newton and Isaac, Abraham Claypool and Elizabeth, his wife, lived in Randolph county, West Virginia, where also he died. In the paper which announced his death it was stated that
806 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. he had travelled through the Northwest Territory as early as 1799. Several of his youngest children live in Ross county, Ohio. Margaret Wilson, eleventh child and second daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilson. She married Cornelius Ruddell and removed to Kentucky, and from thence into Iudiana, settling at Madison, or near it, in said State, probably while it was yet the territory of Indiana. It has not been ascertained certainly where she died, but it was probably in Indiana, and perhaps near Madison. The following table presents the number and sex of the grandchildren of William and Elizabeth Wilson, so far as they have been ascertained: NAMES. SONS. DAUGHTERS. TOTAL. Benjamin..........................14 14 28 Archibald ......................... 9 6 15 David............................... 8 4 12 William........................... 4 4 8 John ................................. 5 4 9 James................................ 5 3 8 Solomon .......................... 1 1 2 Elizabeth ......................... 6 4 10 Totals............................. 52 40 92 The children of William and Elizabeth Wilson died in the following places: Benjamin died in Clarksburgh, Harrison county, West Virginia; Archibald died near Newark, Licking county, Ohio; David died in Harrison county, West Virginia; William died in Belmont county, Ohio; John died at Philippi, Barbour county, West Virginia; Moses, first, died in Hardy county, Virginia; Moses second, died in Hardy county, Virginia; James died in Crawford county, Illinois; Solomon died in Virginia, probably on the old homestead; Elizabeth probably died in Randolph county, West Virginia; Margaret probably died in the State of Indiana. WILSON, Dr. JOHN N.-In concluding this family history it is but an act of simple justice to the memory of the late Dr. John N. Wilson to say that he collected most of the facts presented in the foregoing pages. He also wrote the first seventeen pages of manuscript, when he became so ill as to be unable to finish it according to his plan. It was his own conception, and for several years he was engaged, by correpondence and otherwise, in the collection .of the information necessary to carry out his plan. As he had thus interested himself in the history and genealogy of the branch of the Wilsons, with which he and many others in the Licking valley were identified, it is meet and proper that a more extended notice be given of him. To him are the descendants of their progenitor, William Wilson, indebted for the preservation of the facts presented herewith, and for their publication, which he contemplated. By another pen the concluding pages were written-the same pen presents the following biographical sketch of the co-writer of this family history, the late Dr. John N. Wilson: The late Dr. John N. Wilson died at his residence in Newark, Ohio, October 8, 1872, after an illness that extended through many months. During the closing weeks of his protracted illness he endured much suffering, which he bore patiently and with philosophic composure. Dr. Wilson was the son of Captain Archibald Wilson, and was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, November 21, 1802, and was, therefore, near the close of his seventieth year when he died. Sixty-six of those years were spent in Newark and its vicinity, his lather having settled near the North fork, adjoining the then very small village of Newark, in 1806. Here he grew into manhood, and here our de. ceased friend, during the years of his early manhood, acquired those habits of industry, energy, and enterprise in business pursuits, which so-prominently characterized his laborious, useful, successful professional career. He qualified himself for the practice of medicine, under the direction and instruction of the late Dr. John J. Brice, and after attending a course of lectures in one of the medical colleges of Cincinnati, he entered upon the practice of his profession. This he pursued energetically, successfully, persistently 'for more than thirty years, having had a widely extended practice during all that time. Dr. Wilson entered upon his professional career with a hopeful, promising future. He had had some educational advantages denied to most of the young men who grew up with him. He .was a member of a class that pursued the study of Latin, under the able instruction of Rev. Thomas D. Baird, with whom also he was engaged in studying other branches of learning. His opportunities in professional studies were also favorable, and moreover, being endowed with fair intellectual powers, with sound judgment, and excellent common sense, it is not surprising that he attained the position and success that were the objects of his ambitious aspirations. Dr. Wilson was one of the most public-spirited citizens, and never failed to interest himself in any movement that promised to ameliorate the condition or promote the welfare of the people. In educational enterprises he always took an active part, and it is most probable that his influence and efforts tended largely to their. success. It is due to his memory to say that his influence was always found in favor of good morals, and that he recommended the practice of the virtues which elevate and dignify mankind, upon the young men especially who were willing to recognize him as their mentor. The characteristic energy and other qualities of e Dr. Wilson, as a leader, were conspicuously dis
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 807 played during the Rebellion. Eminently patriotic he, as a member of the "military committee," was active in. securing the enlistment. of Licking county's quota of soldiers, his only son being of the number. .And generally, throughout the whole war, he was active in promoting the interests of the government of the country. And none did more to give success to our "sanitary fair" than Dr. Wilson; and it may be justly said in this parting tribute to his worth, that we have had none more truly, more patriotically devoted to the interests of our country during the perilous years of the Rebellion, or who had its interests more at heart. Dr. Wilson was mainly instrumental in establishing, many years ago, the "Medical and Philosophical society, of Licking county," an association whose meetings were of great interest to those of philosophical tastes. Atheneums, lyceums, lecture associations, reading rooms, library companies, clubs, and institutions having for their object the advancement of knowledge, invariably found in him a patron and friend He, too, was one of the founders of the "Pioneer Historical and Antiquarian society," in 1867, and labored much in its behalf. A number of the most interesting and valuable of the published papers of the society, in which he brought matters of great historic and antiquarian interest. under review, were the production of his pen. Archaeology, geology, and ethnology were the most attractive studies. Integrity of character, candor and devotion to truth, together with those requisites of a successful physician already mentioned, were his predominating characteristics. He had an extensive fund of information, acquired from books and from personal intercourse with intellectual and intelligent men. His reading, during the latter part of his life, was rather confined to his profession anal to those sciences that incidentally related to it. In early life it was more varied. His knowledge had a wide range, embracing a great variety of subjects, other than the natural sciences, which, during the closing years of his life, were favorites with him. Dr. Wilson, in social life, had popular qualities, being a good conversationalist, and always cheerfully imparted information to those that desired. He had a logical mind, good reasoning powers, and enlargement of thought. He was outspoken, frank, faithful to his convictions, never professing faith in anything falsely, nor professing belief in anything, without arriving at such belief by investigation and thorough examination. He was an acknowledged leader among us in the investigation of scientific truth; and as a student of nature, and of nature's works and laws, he had made fair progress. His companionship and conversation were, therefore, attractive to those of similar tastes; and his presence was always desirable among the respectable, intelligent, and most enlightened of social circles. The small circle, especially, of his chosen friends, with whom in almost daily companionship for many years so much of pleasure was enjoyed, highly appreciated him, and greatly deplore his death. They realize that the central figure of their little group is gone, and that none will be found to take his place or act his part. Dr. Wilson entered into the marriage relations with Belinda, daughter of the late judge Holmes, who, however, died-soon thereafter. His second marriage was with Sabra Newton, of Greenfield, Massachusetts, who deceased June 1, 1871. A son and a daughter survive their parents. The death of Dr. Wilson created a vacancy in this community in which he led so active and prominent a part for so many years, that will not soon be filled. He is greatly missed, and his death is sincerely mourned by endeared relatives, and numerous acquaintances and friends. Dr. Wilson was honored with an unsolicited membership in the "American Philological society," and also of other associations having in view the promotion of literature and science. He also had the distinction of being a member of that time-honored institution, the "American Antiquarian society." In literary, antiquarian, historical, and scientific circles, Dr. Wilson's intelligence and attainments made him an ever welcome associate. WILSON, ENOCH, yet living in Newark, is the youngest of the children of Captain Archibald Wilson, and the only survivor. He is the custodian of the Revolutionary commission of his father, a copy of which appears above. He is the father of two children, a son and a daughter, both deceased, though they have left a number of children. The daughter married Captain Wallace. Enoch Wilson was born May 4, 1810, and was, therefore, but four years old at the time of his father's death, in 1814, and was the youngest of a large family of children thus left without a father. But the mother was one of those heroic pioneer women who by her good sense, sound judgment, and many excellent qualities was admirably adapted to meet the crisis, the trying emergency she encountered, occasioned by her husband's death. She met the crisis courageously, discharged her duties, highly responsible as they were, with great fidelity and success, trained her children to the practice of the moral virtues, so that they became industrious, useful, upright, honored men and women. All honor to the memory of "Aunt Nancy," whom the writer knew so well, and venerated so much, and to all such heroic pioneer mothers! Mr. Enoch Wilson has lived in Newark and the vicinity, nearly all his life, the ex-
808 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. ceptions being a short residence in Dresden, Muskingum county, and a few years that he resided in the Wabash valley, Indiana. He is one of our best known citizens, possesses intelligence and integrity of character, has always been patriotic, public spirited, and a promoter of what he supposed would tend to advance the public welfare. Mr. Wilson has been often chosen to occupy positions of trust and responsibility, and always discharged the obligations that devolved upon him with fidelity and honor. One of those public trusts which demands integrity and honor, quite recently conferred upon him unsought, is that of a member of the board of trustees of our Children's Home. In 1804 Captain Archibald Wilson, with his whole family, removed from his home on Cedar creek, in the northern portion of Shenandoah county, Virginia, to the county of Wood, on the western borders of the same State, and near to where he made his "tomahawk claim," thirty years before. Here he remained two years when, in March, 1806, he removed to the Licking valley and settled upon the portion of the "Wilson section" nearest the then four-year-old village of Newark, having previously purchased a few hundred acres of said section from his brother, Colonel Benjamin Wilson. In the previous autumn Abraham C. Wilson, his oldest son, and his daughter Jane, came to the Licking valley and spent the winter preparing for the reception of their father's family the ensuing spring. Captain Wilson's effects, in part, and Mrs. Wilson with the smaller children, were brought up the Muskingum river to Zanesville in a pirogue, which narowly escaped wrecking on Duncan's Falls. By the slipping of the pole of one of the boatmen, the bow of the boat was whirled out into the rapidly flowing current, and soon turned down stream with great speed, being entirely beyond control. Before reaching the foot of the falls it passed by and barely escaped a large rock, which, if it had struck squarely, going with such great speed, would inevitably have wrecked it, and most likely have resulted in the drowning of most on board. The family were then taken around the falls by land. Their narrow escape, and the incidents connected with their passage, by pirogue up the Muskingum, were oftentimes, in after years, the subject of remark in the family circle. A negro boy, a slave, named Ben Wilcox, the property of Captain Wilson, accompanied him from the Shenandoah valley to Wood county, an from thence to Ohio. Ben and his owner had pre viously arranged that if he (Ben), w ho was the twenty years of age, would serve faithfully until h was twenty-four years old, that he should then set free. Ben served faithfully-was a member o Captain Wilson's family, in fact and at the stipu lated time not only became a free man, but for many years after continued to make the Wilson homestead his headquarters, although at work elsewhere. He was attached to the family, especially the children, and they liked him. He received some schooling,; and when free had a fair outfit of good clothes. The late Dr. Wilson related the following facts in connection with the journey from the Ohio river to the Licking valley. He said that all the family were on the pirogue except his brother George, his sister Margaret, Ben Wilcox and himself, who came on horseback. He, being only four years old, generally rode behind George, sometimes behind Margaret. When their destination was reached he was riding with Margaret. His sister, Jane, who came the previous autumn, ran out of the cabin; and took him off the horse, and carressed and made a great ado over him. The. house was small into which they entered; there was but a small clearing around it, enclosed by a low fence; there were woods and swamps all around in full view. All this he remembered, and also that the impression these surroundings .produced upon his youthful mind were decidedly unpleasant. He further remarked that what he saw on this occasion, and the impression produced, remained distinct on his mind through life, while he remembered no event in his life before that time, nor for a year after. Captain Wilson entered courageously upon pioneer life in the Licking valley, after he had passed the meridian of life, being then fifty-seven years old, and of course he and his family shared largely in the laborious work of clearing up the land and converting the wilderness into fruitful fields. He displayed much skill, energy and enterprise as a pioneer, and was distinguished for his early efforts in the erection of school-houses, and employing teachers, and generally in the promotion of educational interests. Captain Wilson, upon the organization of Licking county, in 1808, was elected one of its first commissioners, and continued to serve with fidelity and acceptability in said office until his death. His widow, who was a woman of rare excellence and piety, survived him twenty-two years. Being left a widow, with a large family of children, some of them young, ample opportunities presented themselves for the display of those superior qualities which characterized many of our pioneer women, and for the practice 'of the womanly virtues which are the glory of the sex. Mrs. Nancy Wilson was one of the most excellent of women, and has an honored memory that is still tenderly cherished. The fragrance of gentleness, kindness, charity, always pervaded her home circle-it was ever redolent of matronly virtues, and of Christian graces. She was one of the early members of the Presbyterian church of Newark, and died in its
HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. - 809 communion. Mrs. Wilson, or "Aunt Nancy," as she was familiarly and almost universally called, was born June 10, 1770, and died in Newark, September 23, 1836, in the sixty-seventh year of her age. Captain Wilson was a man of sound judgment, of integrity, and of great usefulness. The impulse of patriotism with him was strong-his sense of justice and right was keen, his discrimination accurate. He was an upright and faithful public officer, a good neighbor, a just man, an intelligent citizen, a first-class pioneer. Captain Wilson was public-spirited, enterprising, and much given to taking the lead in movements tending to subserve public interests. He died, greatly regretted, at his home near Newark, March 27, 1814, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. But few, if any, of the early time settlers of Licking county had deceased before him, whose death was deemed so great a public loss, for he commanded the confidence and respect of the community, and deservedly, too, to a large extent. Captain Archibald Wilson, having borne himself worthily and honorably throughout his eventful career, and having faithfully discharged the duties that devolved upon him in all the relations of life, it could not be otherwise than that he should be esteemed while living, and mourned in death. WILSON, MRS.. HATTIE, was born in Liberty township, Licking county, December I5, 1843, She was married to Charles B. Wilson, June 23, 1870. He was born in Newark, and died March, 1, 1876, aged forty years. Mrs Wilson has three children-Alice, born March 30, 1871; Winniefred, December 26, 1873; Charles C., December 8, 1875. Her parents, Mahlon Conard and wife, of Newton township, are living, and are pioneers of the county. Her husband learned cabinet making, expecting to make it his future business, but, on account of ill-health, was obliged to give it up. He then went with his father 1n the grocery business, in which he was engaged-about fifteen years prior to his death. His father and mother, Enoch Wilson and wife, are now living on Locust street. Mrs. Wilson has a pleasant home at No. 6m Mt. Vernon street. WILSON, HON. JAMES F.-Hon. James F. Wilson is a native of Ohio, born in Newark, Licking county, October 19, 1828, where he continued to reside until April,. 1853, when he removed to the then recently organized State of Iowa, locating at Fairfield, Jefferson county, and where he still resides. He studied law in Newark, first in the office of William B. Woods, esq., recently appointed as sociate justice of the supreme court of the United States, in place of judge Strong, resigned; and completing his law studies in the office of the late Hon. Lucius Case, with whom he subsequently formed a law partnership. This partnership continued until 1852, when for another year he continued the practice of his profession in the courts of Licking county. On settling in Iowa in 1853 he immediately entered upon the active and successful practice of law. He was elected a member of the convention for the revision of the constitution of Iowa in 1856. In 1857 he was elected a member of the lower house of the general assembly of the State; and in 1859 he was elected a member of the State Senate, of which body he was chosen president pro tern. The governor of Iowa had meanwhile (in 1857) appointed him assistant commissioner of the Des Moines river improvement. In 1861 Hon. James F. Wilson was elected a member of the Thirty-seventh Congress, to serve out the unexpired term of the late General Samuel R Curtis, who had resigned to enter the army. He served as a member of the judiciary committee. He was re-elected a member of the Thirtyeighth, Thirty-ninth, and Fortieth Congress, serving throughout as chairman of the judiciary committee. He also served as chairman of the committee on unfinished business, and as a member of the committee on the Air. Line railroad to New York Mr. Wilson was also one of the managers of the impeachment trial of President Johnson. In March, 1869, President Grant tendered him the position of Secretary of State, which he declined. In the same year the President appointed him a commissioner for the Pacific railroad. He accepted this position, and at the same time entered upon a course of active business pursuits and the practice of his profession, a line of policy which he has steadly pursued to the present time, uniformly and persistently declining official position. Hon. James F. Wilson is a gentleman of ability and decided talents, and always acquitted himself handsomely in whatever public stations he has occupied. He sustained the war measures and the policy of the Republican party generally, while a member of Congress, with much ability, and held a high rank in that body as an outspoken, earnest patriot, and as a statesman of more than ordinary shrewdness and foresight. As a thinker he is cool, deliberate, judicious, profound, philosophic. In argument he is logical, and able to present the strong points in all questions of law or politics, that he has fully considered. It is but truth to say of Hon. James F. Wilson, that he is a good lawyer, a close thinker, a writer of ability, a philosophic statesman, a good speaker, a man of integrity, and a conscientious politician, who, on all suitable occasions, gives free utterance to his convictions. WILSON, SAMUEL, saddler and harness maker. He was born in Salem, Massachusetts, October 4,
810 - HISTORY OF LICKING COUNTY. 1812; came to Newark in 1839, and was marriedto Mary Cordelia Sites, April 12, 1842. Mrs. Wilson was born in Harrisonburgh, Rockingham county, Virginia, March 27, 1821. They have five daughters-Amanda H., born April 8, 1843, who is now the wife of George Markley, furniture dealer in Newark; Malinda S., born October 16, 1845, died May 25, 1853; Anna E., born December 31, 1847, now the wife of Warren Wright; Mary Effinger, born June 17, 1850. Mrs. Wilson is the daughter of William Sites, an old pioneer of Licking county, who died when Mrs. Wilson was but fourteen years old. Her mother is yet living with Mr. Thomas Sites, on Locust street, at the age of seventy-eight years.
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