History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 145

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826

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"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 Corn- wallis 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 trouble- some 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. Arch- ibald 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 New- ton 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 Pe- tersburgh, 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, I795. Elizabeth married Andrew McMillen, and died in'Ramp Creek valley, Licking county, July 3, 1863. David never married, and died in Dres- den, Muskingum county, Ohio, October 21, 1833. He was born December 9, 1797. William B. mar- ried a daughter of the late Colonel John Stadden, raised a large family, was very successful in the acquisition of property, and died in Newton town- ship, October 22, 1862. He was born March 18,

*Levi Cooper died November 7, 1858. His children were : Rebecca Ann Cooper, born February 22, 1807; Archibald Wil- son Cooper. born March 12, 1810; Jeremiah Cooper, born May 20, 1812 ; Jane S. Cooper, born September 9, 1814; Abra- ham Cooper, born October 25, 1818; Newton Cooper, born August 14, 1823.

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1800. John N. was born November 21, 1802; en- tered 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 Sep- tember, 1778, he entered into matrimony with Mary Miller, Rev. A. Moffitt being the officiating clergyman. In the summer of 1805, he, with his son, George, visited the Licking valley for the pur- pose of making arrangements for an early settle- ment 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 Archi- bald 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 de- ceased 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 New- wark, Ohio; Jacob, born September 15, 1781, and died October 11, 1827, near Newark, Ohio; Eliza- beth, 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 New- ark, 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 autumn of 1805, the widow of David Wilson, with her minor children, moved from Hardy county, Vir-

ginia, 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 gener- ally 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 "Wil- son 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 ground 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 matri- monial contract, in pursuance of a previous agree- ment, 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, en- dured, and enjoyed all the varied phases of pioncer life, for a period of almost a quarter of a century of married life, and for twenty years of widowbood dying April 16, 1848. She was the mother of eight children, all of whom survived. They were religiously trained, and have led lives of respects- bility, usefulness, and honor. The names, of the

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sons are David, James H. and Benjamin W., of Licking county; John, of Iowa; and Job, of Franklin county; and Mrs. Milligan, wife of Rob- ert Milligan, of Newark; Mrs. Stout, of St. Louis- ville; 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 ani- mals, 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 busi- ness 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 demonstra- tions had very promptly drawn the attention of the dogs to his case, who came to the rescue success- fully, 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 back- woodsman 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, ener- gy, 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 uni- versally 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 du- ties in the varied relations of life. Jacob Wilson's church relations and Christian character are pre- sented at more length in pioneer paper No. 32, and in pioneer pamphlet No. 1, 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 daugh- ters. His widow was still living in September, 1869, being then nearly ninety years of age. She was born April 2, 1780. Her name was Mary, usually called Mollie. John Wilson died at Phil- ippi, 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 thir- teen years old.

James was the eighth son of William Wilson. He married Harriet Jimeson, and had eight chil- dren, 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 Craw- ford 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, Illi- nois. 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 chil- dren. He lived on 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 Clay- pool, 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

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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 Ken- tucky, 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 Madi- son.

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.

Archibald.

David.

William.

John.

James.

Solomon

Elizabeth

Totals. 52 40 92

The children of William and Elizabeth Wil- son 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, Vir- ginia; Moses second, died in Hardy county, Vir- ginia; 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 sev- enteen 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 pro- genitor, William Wilson, indebted for the preserva- tion 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 resi- dence in Newark, Ohio, October 8, 1872, after an illness that extended through many months. Dur- ing 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 tather having settled near the North fork, adjoin- ing 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 man- hood, acquired those habits of industry, energy, and enterprise in business pursuits, which so prom- inently characterized his laborious, useful, success- ful 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, prom- ising future. He had had some educational ad- vantages 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 in- struction 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 judg- ment, and excellent common sense, it is not sur- prising 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 con- dition 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 recom- mended the practice of the virtues which elevate and dignify mankind, upon the young men especi- ally who were willing to recognize him as their mentor.

The characteristic energy and other qualities of Dr. Wilson, as a leader, were conspicuously do-

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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 part- ing tribute to his worth, that we have had none more'truly, more patriotically devoted to the in- terests of our country during the perilous years of the Rebellion, or who had its interests more at heart.

Dr. Wilson was mainly instrumental in establish- ing, many years ago, the "Medical and Philosophi- cal 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 Anti- quarian 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 pro- duction 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 predomina- ting characteristics. He had an extensive fund of information, acquired from books and from per- sonal intercourse with intellectual and intelligent men. His reading, during the latter part of his life, was rather confined to his profession and 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 cheer- fully 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 investi- gation 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 com- panionship 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 promi- nent 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 nu- merous acquaintances and friends.

Dr. Wilson was honored with an unsolicited membership in the "American Philological so- ciety," 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 An- tiquarian society." In literary, antiquarian, histor- ical, and scientific circles, Dr. Wilson's intelligence and attainments made him an ever welcome asso- ciate.

WILSON, ENOCH, yet living in Newark, is the youngest of the children of Captain Archibald Wil- son, 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 quali- ties was admirably adapted to meet the crisis, the trying emergency she encountered, occasioned by her husband's death. She met the crisis courageous- ly, 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, hon- ored 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 pio- neer mothers! Mr. Enoch Wilson has lived in Newark and the vicinity, nearly all his life, the ex-

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ceptions being a short residence in Dresden, Mus- kingum county, and a few years that he resided in valley, Indiana. He is one of our zens, possesses intelligence and in- cter, has always been patriotic, pub- a promoter of what he supposed advance the public welfare. Mr. en often chosen to occupy positions of trust and responsibility, and always discharged the obligations that devolved upon him with fidel- ity and honor. One of those public trusts which demands integrity and honor, quite recently con- ferred upon him unsought, is that of a member of the board of trustees of our Children's Home.

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History of Licking County, Ohio: Its Past and Present, Part 145

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr. Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages: 826

Author: N. N. Hill, Jr.
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 826