Dr. Robert G. Wilson

He was the son of John and Mary (Wray) Wilson, and was born in Lincoln county, North Carolina, December 30th, 1768. He graduated at Dickinson College, Pennsylvania in 1790, and studied theology under the direction partly of his pastor, the Rev. Mr. Cummins, and partly of the Rev. William C. Davis. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of South Carolina, April 16th, 1793, and on May 22d, 1794, was ordained and installed pastor of Upper Long Cane Church, in Abbeville district. He had, at the same time, the charge of the Church at Greenville. During his connection with these churches his labors were signally blessed to their edification and enlargement.

He was offered a professorship in South Carolina College, and was also invited to become Principal of an academy, in Augusta, Georgia, with very flattering pecuniary prospects in each case, but he declined these offers, and accepted a call to the pastorate of a small charge, then lately organized in Chillicothe, Ohio with a salary of only four hundred dollars. [Apparently the congregation had difficulties paying a minister. Rev. Wilson's installation was postponed several times because the congregation owed the previous minister, Rev. Speer substantial arrearages, $337, and the dispute was heavily arbitrated at the meetings of the Washington Presbytery.] Here he gave half his labors, for seven years, to Union Church, five miles from the town. He was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity, by the College of New Jersey, in 1818.

Dr. Wilson remained pastor of the church at Chillicothe nineteen years, greatly beloved by his people and fellow citizens, and signally blessed in his labors. In 1824 he resigned his charge, by advice of Presbyery, and accepted an invitation to the Presidency of the Ohio University, at Athens. Over this Institution he continued to preside, until 1839, when, on account of the increasing infirmities of age, he resigned the office and returned to Chillicothe. Not content to remain inactive, he here labored as a stated supply for Union Church for seven years. He died April 17th, 1851. Dr. Wilson, as a preacher, was solemn, instructive, impressive, and often affecting, in respect to both manner and matter. He excelled as a member of the judicatories of the Church.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 14 2020, 14:54:00 UTC