HeirsandRoots
Genealogy Resources
Descendants of
John WILSON and Rachel (---)
1. John1 WILSON, born[1] 10 Jan 1725 probably in England; died (Ibid, pg. 235) 23 Oct 1776 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. He married on 16 Jan 1758 in Pasquotank Rachel (---), born 6 Feb 1719; died[2] 5 Jan 1785 in Pasquotank.
It is a tradition in the Wilson family that their early ancestors came to this country with William Penn landing in Philadelphia than drifted to different areas of the Colonial States, some to New Jersey, others remaining in Penn. and some went to Virginia and North Carolina. They were supposed to be of Irish descent. This appears to be incorrect. In John's will he mentions nephew's of his brother Francis and sisters, Mary and Martha, all in Kendal, Westmoreland, England.
John first time appears in the records of Pasquotank County when he purchases property in 1759. In his will he mentions various people from whom he purchased land and slaves. John's plantation was on Symons Creek. He owned 478 acres of land that he bought in 1769, 1771, 1774 and 1776[3]. Joseph, John's son, and his wife Sarah latter sell the same land some just before moving to Randolph Co, North Carolina. The move is documented in the Quaker records of North Carolina and verifies that this is the correct father and son[4].
John's will dated 20 Oct 1776, proved 12 Jun 1782, Pasquotank Co, North Carolina[5], when Joseph came of lawful age, he asks that his daughter, Mary Chamberlain, live and abide with his wife and son, Joseph and that they provide sufficient board and clothing from his estate, but if she chooses to leave that she receive 40 shillings proclamation money. So it would appear that she is his daughter from another marriage. He also left Mary 5 shillings proclamation money and “no more”. Joseph received the plantation he bought from John Overman containing 50 acres, the land bought from Jack Gilbert containing 153 acres and the land bought from Zephaniah White. He left his wife, Rachel the fair use of his seven slaves until Joseph comes of lawful age. After that time Rachel is to have the use of two Negroes bought from Robert Mindon called Aaron and Rachel. Rachel is also to have the uses of all the remaining part of his estate till son Joseph comes of lawful age then she is to have one bed and furniture, one chair and table “which is called hers”. If Joseph should die without heirs the land be equally divided between my brother, Francis Willson's two eldest sons, Henry and John Willson living in Kendal, Westmoreland County, England also the residue of my estate. That my two sisters Mary and Martha have 150 pounds proclamation money each and if either one is dead at that time that the 150 pounds be divided between her children. Executors: his son Joseph and two friends, Thomas Prichard of Newbegun Creek and Benjamin White of Symonds Creek his. Witness: Richard Pool. He actually owned 514 acres according to the inventory of his estate.
John is called Blacksmith in the various records, but it appears from his estate inventory [6] which gives the names of his slaves and their ages and the names of some of his horses, that he was much more. The inventory reveals far more activities than for just a blacksmith. He appears to have been well educated from the titles of the history books listed in the inventory. The inventory also shows a "30 hours clock and case; "8 days clock"; as well as a cuckoo clock, carpenter, shoemaker, blacksmith and clock tools. His estate was worth approximately 3,000 pounds according to tax records[7].
Evidently Rachel was a Quaker because on 2 7mo (Jul) 1761, she condemned her marriage out of Society [8]thereby avoiding being disowned from membership for marrying a non-Quaker (the meaning of this record is not absolutely clear, did she marry a non-Quaker or was she married in a civil ceremony?). Her son, Joseph's birth was recorded in the Pasquotank Monthly Meeting records. Rachel died at age 69y 11m. If her birthdate is correct she was 64y (69 may have been a transcription error).
Children of John WILSON and Rachel (---) were as follows:
+ 2 i Joseph WILSON, born 9 Nov 1760 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died 20 Oct 1803 in Randolph County, North Carolina. He married Sarah CHARLES.
Generation 2
2. Joseph WILSON (John1), born [9] 9 Nov 1760 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died [10] 20 Oct 1803 in Randolph County, North Carolina, aged 40y 11m 10d. He married [11] on 11 Jun 1780 at Symons Creek Meeting House, Pasquotank Sarah CHARLES, born [12] 20 Apr 1761 in Perquimans County, North Carolina; died [13]10 Oct 1803 in Randolph, aged 42y 5m 20d. She was the daughter of Samuel CHARLES and Abigail ANDERSON. (SEE CHARLES AND ANDERSON FAMILIES)
In 1779 a Joseph Wilson was reprimanded at Pasquotank Monthly Meeting for selling Negroes and in 1782 disowned for taking things not his property. I seem to have two Josephs in the minutes. One married Liddia Albertson in 1776. Joseph inherited slaves from his father, and since the estate was settled about 1778, the Joseph who sold the slaves was probably our ancestor. The estate inventory shows 8 slaves in 1778 and his tax record shows that he owned 3 in 1884. In 1796 the friends of North Carolina believed the principle of human bondage to be wrong and some liberated their slaves. For doing this they were placed under arrest and were forced to place their Negroes under bondage again. The following year legislation was passed making it a penal offense to liberate slaves. This led to the migration of members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) to Ohio. Some of our ancestors were slave owners as late as 1826 in North Carolina and 1850's in Virginia.
The family first lived in Pasquotank near Nixonton then in the Uwarrie area of Randolph County, North Carolina. Many families left the Pasquotank and Perquimans area and moved to Randolph Co, to escape yellow fever, which was prevalent in the swampy areas along the eastern coast. It is ironic that he and Sarah, died only a few months after this move. At Randolph County February Court in 1811, the last settlement of Joseph's estate was made to Abigail, Henry and Mary Wilson by their guardian, who may have been Benajah Hiat. Joseph left provisions in his will for the care of his sister, Mary Chamberland (sic), she was probably at least 47 years old at the time of Joseph's death.
It was often said that slaves owned by Quakers might as well be called freeman.
On 19 Feb 1803 the family received a certificate to Back Creek MM in Randolph County North Carolina. On 25 Jun1803 the family was rocf (received on certificate from) Symon's Creek MM, Perquimans at Back Creek.
On 15 Mar 1794 at Symons Creek MM one of Kezia Tatlock's children was reported bound to Sarah Wilson wife of Joseph.[14].
Children of Joseph WILSON and Sarah CHARLES were as follows:
3 i Rachel WILSON, born [15]20 Sep 1781 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died 13 Jul 1784 in Pasquotank aged 2y 9m 23d[16].
+ 4 ii John W. WILSON, born 13 Jul 1784 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died 17 Jun 1864 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Back Creek Cemetery, Grant County. He married Mary Polly WINSLOW. (SEE WINSLOW BOOK The Quaker and Southern Winslows, Vol. 1 and 2, by Elizabeth Doherty Herzfeld).
+ 5 iii Samuel WILSON, born [17]28 Jan 1787 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died in Leavenworth County, Kansas. He married 13 Apr 1809, Randolph County, North Carolina [18]Ruth THORNBROUGH .
6 iv Joseph WILSON, born [19]8 Sep 1788 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; [20]17 Oct 1788 in Pasquotank aged 1m 9d.
+ 7 v Henry WILSON, born [21]8 Apr 1791 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died[22]. 12 Jul 1863 in Washington County, Indiana; buried in Blue River Cemetery. He married[23] 9 Oct 1816 in Guilford County, North Catolina Deborah COFFIN.
+ 8 vi Mary WILSON, born [24]31 Aug 1793 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died [25]23 Sep 1876 in Orange County, Indiana; buried in Lick Creek Cemetery. She married 30 Sep 1819, Washington County, Indiana Owen LINDLEY.
+ 9 vii Abigail WILSON, born[26]. 22 Mar 1796 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died Willard Heiss, Abstracts Of The Society Of Friends In Indiana (Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis 1970), Part four; 55, Book In My Possession. 17 May 1875 in Wayne County, Indiana. She married [27]8 Jul 1818, Randolph County, North Carolina Thomas SYMONS.
10 viii Nathan WILSON, born [28]29 Nov 1800 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died [29]3 Jan 1801 in Pasquotank aged 5 weeks.
Generation 3
4. John W. WILSON (Joseph2, John1), born [30]13 Jul 1784 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina; died[31]. 17 Jun 1864 in Grant County, Indiana; buried [32]in Back Creek Cemetery. There is no probate record for John. Probably because he provided for everyone before he died. He married [33]on 2 Mar 1816 (bond) in Randolph County, North Carolina Mary “Polly” WINSLOW, born 20 Jul 1797 in Randolph; died 4 Nov 1870 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Back Creek Cemetery, Grant County. She was the daughter of Henry WINSLOW and Elisabeth NEEDHAM. (SEE WINSLOW BOOK AND NEEDHAM FAMILIES)
In his father's will John and his brother Henry were given the land that their father lived on. John may have received more as Henry did, but the will is to dark to read in places (last will of Joseph Wilson dated 18 10th mo (Oct) 1803, Randolph County, North Carolina[34].
John may have gone to Whitewater MM, in Wayne County, Indiana in 1812 and returned to North Carolina in 1814.
On 29 6mo (Jun) 1816, John was disowned for marrying out of union by Back Creek MM in Randolph County[35].
The following was written by Dr. A. Henley before 1917.
"John Wilson and wife, Mary, with a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, came over the mountains from Randolph County, North Carolina, in May, 1837. John bought a half-section of land that was bounded on the south by the present County and Township line (it will be remembered that the Grant County line once extended a half-mile south of where it now is), erected a cabin and proceeded to the making of a farm. The family consisted of Jesse E., Nathan D. Cyrus, Henry, Nancy, Micajah, Elizabeth, Eliza, John Milton, Lindsey, Samuel and Abigail.
John Wilson was an energetic, enthusiastic farmer, and with the low cost of labor of those days and the assistance of his boys, he in a few years had a self-sustaining farm, with grain and stock to sell to those that came in later. John had the reputation of raising good horses, good corn and large melons.
He had the advantage of some in receiving a good education, and was a fine scribe. Very few excelled him with a pen. He was a good writer and composer, and wrote the life history of Joseph in poetry, which was worthy of preservation. At the beginning of each chapter there was a verse different in style from the balance, but appropriate to that chapter.
John met with quite a misfortune on election day, as I now recall it. The election was held in the woods near my father's house. John had ridden a spirited animal to the election, which he hitched to a limb or bush not far away. The animal managed to get loose and started for home. The way was but a trail for near a mile through the thick woods. The animal evidently was running, and in making a short, quick turn, struck one hind leg against a sapling and broke the bone below the knee. The only remedy was to shoot the horse and relieve its suffering. I passed by that skeleton many times.
John Wilson gave each of his children a good start in life, and lived to see the country develop into good farms, and when too feeble to longer attend to his farm, sold out and moved to town, where he died in June, 1864, at the ripe old age of eighty years[36].
The Wilsons moved west to Indiana in April of 1837 by covered wagon. Their journey was easy without difficulties that frequently occurred on the way. On 20 Mar 1837 John bought 80 acres of land from the government at Fort Wayne, Indiana land office[37]. The description of that land is NE Quarter of SE Quarter, Section 3, Township 23, N of Range 8 and NE Quarter of SW Quarter of Section 2 in Township 23, W of Range 8. The Wilsons were prosperous, they purchased 360 acres of land in section 6 of Fairmount Township. John drove a fourhorse wagon on trips to sell wheat and other things in Cincinnati and bring back salt. He sold wheat for forty-five cents a bushel. These trips generally took twelve days. Most members of the family were farmers and active in their community and the Society of Friends. John was a birth right member of the Friends church, but was a non-member according to the Back Creek MM in Grant County, Indiana at the time of his death.
Mary and the children first joined Mississinewa MM in Grant County. Then later joined Back Creek MM in Liberty Township, Grant County. John was called a non-member probably because he and Mary were not married in the Quaker way and because Mary was already pregnant when they married there must have been some stricture set on them. If he did not condemn his actions at the Quaker Meeting he would have lost his membership in the society.[38]. On the other hand on 27 Jul1816 Mary disowned (no reason given). She must have condemned her action because of her continued membership.
When they migrated to Indiana they may have used Daniel Boone's Trail or gone north to pick up the national road that was in the building process
The 1840 US Census, Liberty Township, Grant County, Indiana,[39] shows John Wilson with 2 males 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 2 males 15-20, 1 male 20-30, and 1 male 50-60, 1 female 0-5, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 40-50 (this doesn't quite match up to the ages, but that is not unusual).
1850 US Census Liberty Township., Grant County, Indiana[40]
John Wilson age 65, property worth 2500, born in North Carolina; Mary Wilson age 52, born North Carolina; John M. Wilson age 19, born North Carolina, Lindsey Wilson age 17, born North Carolina; Samuel C. Wilson age 15, born North Carolina; Eunice Wilson age 9, born Indiana; Harmond Lytle age 6, born Indiana The last two children were their daughter, Nancy Ellen's children.
The 1870 U.S. Census for Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana (Pg. 50B, Image 28, ancestry.com) shows Mary living in Jesse's household.
The Wilson family was active in the Underground Railroad along with many others in Fairmount. The only thing that one of his grandchildren remembers about John is the back of his red flannel vest.[41]
Children of John W. WILSON and Mary Polly WINSLOW were as follows:
+ 11 i Jesse Ewell WILSON, born[42] 14 Jul 1816 at 3:00 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[43] 5 Apr 1883 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Back Creek Cemetery, Grant County. He married[44] 21 Jun 1838, Grant County, Hannah HILL.
+ 12 ii Nathan Darwin WILSON, born[45] 21 Dec 1817 at 2:30 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[46] 15 Feb 1881 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Park Cemetery, Grant County. He married[47] 21 Mar 1839, Grant County, Mary HILL.
+ 13 iii Cyrus WILSON, born[48] 21 Nov 1819 in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[49] 16 Nov 1864 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Back Creek Cemetery, Grant County, Indiana He married[50] 1st 20 Nov 1845 at Back Creek MM, Grant County Mary HARVEY; 2nd 22 Jan 1851, Grant County, Pharaba OVERMAN[51].
+ 14 iv Henry WILSON, born[52] 27 Dec 1821 in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[53] Jun 1863 in Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana He married[54] 22 Aug 1844, Grant County, Keziah PARSONS.
+ 15 v Nancy Ellen WILSON, born[55] 15 Dec 1823 at 10:00 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[56] 2 Mar 1913 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Park Cemetery, Grant County, Indiana. She married[57] 1st 26 Aug 1843, Grant County, Harmon LYTLE; 2nd 5 Nov 1846, Grant County, Lewis JONES; 3rd 12 Oct 1855, Grant County, Elam DOHERTY[58]. (SEE DOHERTY FAMILY)
16 vi Micajah WILSON, born[59] 17 Feb 1825 at 9:00 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[60] 1 Jul 1906 in Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana; buried in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana. Micajah married Margaret Neal (b.1 Nov 1825, Ohio, d.1908, buried at Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana), 9 Apr 1846 in Grant County, Indiana They adopted Verlinda Wooten (b.22 Feb 1848). Verlinda was the daughter of Lydia and Jacob or Joel Wooten. 1850 Census for Mill Township, Grant County Indiana (Pg. 152, Image 21, ancestry.com): Joel Wooten age 27 born Indiana; Lydia age 28 born Ohio; Verlinda age 2 born Indiana; Lewis age 1/2 born Indiana. Margaret had a sister named Lydia so Verlinda was probably her niece. Micajah was a merchant. Margaret was the daughter of Mahlon (b.13 Nov 1785, d.22 Jul 1851, buried Oak Ridge Cemetery, Grant County, Indiana and Rachel Duncan (b.15 Apr 1792). Mahlon and Rachel were married at Union Friends MH in Ohio on 9 Apr 1823. The 1870 US Census for Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana (page 56) shows Micajah age 45 real estate valued at $1800 and personal property at $8500, he was a Dry Goods merchant, born in North Carolina, Margaret age 45 born Ohio, Eva L. M. Pierce age 8, born Ohio. (I don't know if Eva was related to Margaret or just a boarder).
+ 17 vii Elisabeth WILSON, born[61] 22 Feb 1827 at 2:00 AM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[62] 12 Jun 1901 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana She married[63] 23 Oct 1845, Grant County, John William COX.
+ 18 viii Eliza Ann WILSON, born[64] 2 May 1829 at 2:00 AM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[65] 4 Oct 1856 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Back Creek, Grant County, Indiana. She married[66] 21 Dec 1848, Grant County, Eli NEAL.
+ 19 ix John Milton WILSON, born[67] 8 Feb 1831 at 11:00 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[68] 7 May 1895 in Wabash, Wabash County, Indiana; buried in Wabash. He married[69] 15 Nov 1855, Wabash, Mary Jane HUTCHINS.
+ 20 x Lindsey WILSON, born[70] 19 Dec 1832 at 8:00 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died[71] 2 May 1906 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Park Cemetery, Grant County. He married[72] 13 Dec 1854, Grant County, Jane DAVIS.
+ 21 xi Samuel Charles WILSON, born[73] 14 Oct 1834 at 4:05 PM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died 1919 in Grant County, Indiana; buried in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana. He married[74] 10 Jan 1867, Grant County, Elizabeth JESSUP. [75]
22 xii Abigail WILSON, born[76] 13 Dec 1836 at 2:00 AM in Randolph County, North Carolina; died about 1845 in Grant County, Indiana Abigail was born at 2:00 on a Tuesday. There is nothing else known about her.
ENDNOTES
[1] Edgar M. Baldwin, The Making of a Township, Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana, 1829-1917; reprint Heritage Books, Bowie, MD 2001), page 235, book in my possession, hereafter called Making of a Township
[2] Ibid., page 235; Hinshaw, William, Encyclopedia of American Quakers, Vol. 1; 125 (Edwards Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich. 1936, hereafter called Encyclopedia of American Quakers
[3] Pasquotank Co, North Carolina, Deed Book (DB) F-G, pg 353; DB I, pg 151, 219, 432 & 616; DB J, pg 264; DB P, pg 317; DB Q, pg 65 deeds for John and Joseph Wilson
[4] Encyclopedia of American Quakers; page 177
[5] Original wills at the North Carolina Historical Society archives, Raliegh, CR.075 801.25, John Wilson 1778, copy in submitters possession; Research was done by Timothy Kearney of Raleigh, North Carolina hereafter called Original wills of the North Carolina.
[6] Pasquotank Co, North Carolina Estates at the North Carolina Historical Society archives, Raliegh, # 075.508.199, John Wilson, dated 2 Sep 1778, copy in submitters possession; Research was done by Timothy Kearney of Raleigh, North Carolina
[7] Original wills of the North Carolina CR.075.801.25
[8] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 176
[9] Ibid., page 125
[10] Ibid., page 706
[11] Ibid., page 135
[12] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 125
[13] Ibid., page 706
[14] Ibid., pages 176 & 177
[15] Ibid., page 125
[16] Ibid., page 125
[17] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 125
[18] Ibid., page 735
[19] Ibid., page 125
[20] Ibid.
[21] Ibid.
[22] Heiss, Willard, Abstracts Of The Society Of Friends In Indiana (Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, 1970), Part 5; 90, Book In My Possesion. Blue River MM, hereafter called Indiana Quakers
[23] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 582
[24] Ibid., page 125
[25] Indiana Quakers, Part 5; 12, Lick Creek MM.
[26] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 125
[27] William Wade Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, CD (Family Archive Viewer, CD192, The Learning Company, Inc.), page 772, hereafter called Encyclopedia of American Quakers CD.
[28] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 125
[29] Ibid.
[30] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 125
[31] Kirkpatrick, Ralph D., Back Creek Friends Cemetery Burial Records (Heritage Books, Inc., Bowie, MD), page 114, In My Possesion, hereafter called Back Creek Cemetery Records
[32] Ibid.
[33] North Carolina Randolph County, Randolph County, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, page 48, Family History Library (FHL) Microfilm #1421868
[34] Ibid.
[35] Encyclopedia of American Quakers, page 737
[36] Making of a Township, page 98-99
[37] Doc. # 7209 & 7210, Bureau of Land Management, glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch
[38] Making of a Township, pages 102 & 242, 243, 245
[39] page 92
[40] page 171, image 7, ancestry.com
[41] Making of a Township, page 145
[42] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[43] Ibid.
[44] Making Of A Township, page 238
[45] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[46] Ibid.;Park Cemetery Records, Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana Sec 4C.
[47] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 142
[48] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[49] Back Creek Friends Cemetery Records, page 113.
[50] Indiana Quakers, Part 3; 142, Back Creek MM
[51] Back Creek Friends Cemetery Records, page 114; Indiana Quakers, Part 3; 84, Mississinewa MM.
[52] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[53] Shinn, Benjamin G.,Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana (The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1914), page 539, hereafter called Blackford and Grant Counties
[54] Indiana Quakers, page 88
[55] Ibid, part 3; 106
[56] Ibid., part 3; 328; Park Cemetery Records, Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana Lot 345.
[57] Heiss, Willard (edited by), Indiana Source Book, part 3; 84, (Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, 1970, Book in my possession.
[58] Ibid., Vol. III; 83
[59] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[60] Blackford and Grant Counties, Indiana, page 539; Park Cemetery Records, Sec 4B.
[61] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[62] Park Cemetery Records, Sec. 4A.
[63] 1880 US Census Liberty Township, Grant Co, Indiana page 486D, familysearch.com.
[64] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[65] Blackford and Grant Counties, page 539; Back Creek Friends Cemetery Records, page 74
[66] Indiana Quakers, Part 3; 130, Back Creek MM
[67] Ibid., page 106
[68] Ibid., page 229.
[69] Ibid., page 252.
[70] Ibid., page; 106.
[71] Tombstone at Park Cemetery and Park Cemetery Records, Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana, Sec 5A.
[72] Making of a Township, page 244
[73] Indiana Quakers, part 3; 106
[74] Making of a Township, page 243
[75] Blackford and Grant Counties, page 540; Park Cemetery Records, Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana Sec 4C.
[76] Indiana Quakers part 3; 10
Home | My Families | Publications | Winslow Genealogy | Articles | Contact
Elizabeth L. Herzfeld
Professional Genealogical Record Specialist
For more information please email
genealogist.milw@gmail.com