Capt. James Wilson, Sr.

A Patriot of the American Revolution for GEORGIA (Soldier). DAR Ancestor #: A127374

DAR lists birthplace as SCOTLAND, birthdate as about 1730.

Capt. James Wilson was born Abt. 1740 in Scotland, and died 01 March, 1825 in Effingham Co., GA9. He married (1) Sarah Woodward Abt. 1765 in NC10. He married (2) Ann Elizabeth Gordon Before 1785 in Effingham Co., GA.  Notes for Capt. James Wilson. The progenitor of our American Wilson's was James, who with his wife Mildred (nee Moore), lived and died in Scotland. His children were thus born there. James and his three brothers -- William, Jesse, and John -- came to America at a relatively young age about 1750, settling first in NC. They may have entered via the port of Wilmington.  James was commissioned Captain 19 Apr, 1777, Tenth NC Regiment; resigned 20 May 1778; then joined Captain James Michell's Company 31 May 1778, remaining there until 01 Jan 1780. He was taken prisoner at Charleston 12 May 1780. He later served as Lieutenant and Captain in the SC Artillery Regiment. The "New Wilson Paper" reports that he took part in the following battles:  Point PleasantOctober 10, 1774  Siege of SavannahOctober, 1779  Fall of CharlestonMay 12, 1780  Battle of CamdenAugust 16, 1780  Battle of Kings MountainOctober, 1780  Battle of Putaw SpringsSeptember 8, 1781

[Above information summarized by Mrs Branch LaFar, 02 Jul 1916. Information also provided by Margaret Stapleton, Rt. 1, Box 596, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 (both communications in possession of William C. Hilles. Substantiation includes Heitmans Register of Continental Officers; NC Revolutionary Records, Vols. 10, 16 & 17; Office of Secretary of State, Atlanta, GA, Book 3K's, p. 407; Appendix in Smmith's History of GA and GA People; DAR Cert. # 56136.) Settling in GA about 1769, Capt. James brought from VA his first wife, Sarah, and three sons: John, James, Jr. and Jesse [Milton D. Wilson from FL). He became a planter and a stock trader. He received bounty grant for his Revolutionary War services during the 1770s and early 1780s. Several Effingham Co., GA deeds [copies in possession of WCH] show this county's location of the family and different family relationships; James' land holdings were as follows: 07 Mar 1769, granted 200 a. 06 Dec 1784, warrant for 100 a. on Turkey Branch; property bordered Dasher Hangliter 03 Apr 1786, warrant for 100 a. on Wills Branch; vacant land on all sides 03 Apr 1786, warrant for 200 a. on Three Runs; vacant land on all sides 02 Aug 1786, granted 100 a. in Turkey Branch area; property bordered lands of John Wilson, Solomon Gnann, Leonard De Younge 28 May 1788, granted 100 a.; deeded 50 acres of the tract later (20 Jul 1793) to Elijah Tiner 28 May 1788, granted 200 a.; resurveyed for Philip Jones 29 Aug 1816, showing 270 a. 30 Oct 1792, warrant for 200 a. on Turkey Branch at Three Runs 20 Nov 1794, James Wilson, planter, to his brother Jesse, planter, both of Effingham Co., GA, deed for 200 acres less 5 acres reserved for mill stream. Witnesses: Elijah Tyner, John Wilson, Millie Harper. [Georgia Court-House Records: Effingham Co. Deed Bk C-D, p. 315] The following transactions may have been those of his son, James (1773-1833) 01 Aug 1803, warrant for 100 a. on Turkey Branch; vacant land all sides 28 Nov 1808, granted 200 a. via indenture from Ephraim Davis 21 Dec 1810, indenture from James & wife, Elizabeth, to Christopher Baillie 100 a. on Mill Branch 28 Sep 1812, 285 a. resurveyed for him -- Three Runs area 03 Feb 1813, granted 100 a. on Turkey Branch via indenture from JohnTullis (originally granted to Samuel Ryalls on 20 May 1795) 02 Dec 1813, indenture from Jonathan Backley & wife, Mary, to James Wilson for 100 a., surrounded by land held by Backley, Reiser, Toosing (originally granted to Solomon Gruber by Gov. John Milledge 23 Feb 1803) 11 Oct 1814, indenture from Tryon Pace & wife, Mary, to James Wilson for 200 a., surrounded by land held by Reiser, Piggs, Cronenberger

From the "New Wilson Paper," it is recorded that James was of medium size, of a very genial nature and was optimistic with few worries. He appears to have been an alcoholic. The following account of Capt. James was provided from interviews with Benjamin Davis in 1904. He had married Caroline Wilson Zipperer, the eldest granddaughter of Capt. James, and was over 80 at the time he recounted his wife's recollections. He was 16 years younger than his wife, who at the time of his marriage was the widow of Jefferson Zipperer. Capt. James persona is described as follows:

As a planter and stock raiser, he owned many slaves. His favorite saddle horse was a milk white stallion named "General George Washington." He allowed nothing but white fowls around his house. I any colored chickens strayed up from the quarters, they were immediately shot. He called his white fowls his "angels." When he sold his cattle and horses in Savannah markets, he laid in a supply of stores and provisions and household things, never omitting a ten gallon cask of Monogahela whiskey, which was always to be found on his sideboard. At times he drank to excess and on those occasions he would make his slaves dance for days for his amusement until they were completely exhausted. He kept great quantities of gold money about him always, and it was no uncommon sight for his grandchildren to play with it, filling up quart measures and pouring it out, he looking on and enjoying it greatly.

Capt. James' second wife, Elizabeth Gordon was of Scotish origin. She was reportedly a small brunette, possessing for that time an unusual knowledge of medicine and was consulted for miles around. She gave freely of her knowledge and services, riding horseback long distances, even at night, to minister to the sick. She also was said to have had brothers serving in the British Army ["New Wilson Paper"] When under the influence of drink, he would sometimes vent himself by breaking crockery, etc. until finally upon an occasion, his wife gave him a "Roland for his Oliver." When he dashed down a cup and saucer, she did likewise without comment. When one plate fell another kept it company. Dish followed dish with perfect precision, noted only by a look of surprise from the gentleman.' At last he said "Ann Gordon you are breaking all my china." The lesson cured him and he never entertained himself again in like manner.

As the years passed he became more serious and developed a strong religious feeling. He would take a chair to an orchard about a mile away and, sitting under a tree, would read and meditate upon his Bible for hours. He requested that he be buried there and marked the place with two stakes. He died Tuesday evening, March 1, 1825, and his wife was subsequently laid to rest beside him at that spot. JW's will was executed by Howell Hines and Benjamin Blitch, indicating family relationships with them (i.e. Blitch via Harriet, a granddaughter, and Hines via Margaret (or Martha), a niece). Long after he had passed away, his old home in GA -- on the direct route to Savannah from the northwest -- was destroyed by Union soldiers marching southeast in 1864; they also reportedly took the old officer's swords. Notes for Ann Elizabeth Gordon: "New Wilson Paper" (Jean Giliberto) states that Ann Gordon probably came from Scotland with the emigration to NC "and it appears they were royalists. One brother, a Captain in the British Army, was anti-American; the other, was loyal to American independence. The latter's wife, Mrs. Margaret Gordon sought protection from the Governor of NC for her property until she was able to return from SC (which then included GA) on 07 Feb 1782) Children of Capt. Wilson and Sarah Woodward are: 10 i.John3 Wilson, born 1768 in NC or GA11; died 178412. Notes for John Wilson: According to "New Wilson Papers" (Jean Giliberto), "He got into difficulty in Savannah and his friends smuggled him off withh a sea captain. He was next heard from in Galveston, TX." A large estate was advertised for his heirs in 1885, "but none of the family here investigated it. He was in the battle of New Orleans and did service in Mexico." 11 ii.Grace Wilson13, born 03 January, 1772 in Ebenezer, Effingham Co., GA13; died Unknown. + 12 iii.James Wesley Wilson, born 1773 in NC or GA; died November 1833 in Effingham Co., GA. 13 iv.Jesse Wilson, born 1774 in NC or GA14; died Unknown in Effingham Co., GA. He married Elizabeth Cook 10 August, 1799 in Effingham Co., GA15. Notes for Jesse Wilson: There are some reports that the family relocated to Illinois. Children of Capt. Wilson and Ann Gordon are: + 14 i.Luke3 Wilson, born 02 June, 1785 in Egypt, Effingham Co., GA; died 23 April, 1861. + 15 ii.Gabriel Wilson, born 17 October, 1787 in Effingham Co., GA; died 1819 in Effingham Co., GA. + 16 iii.Jeremiah Wilson, born 1795 in Effingham Co., GA; died 1877. + 17 iv.Elihu Wilson, born 22 March, 1796 in Effingham Co., GA; died 1856. + 18 v.Allen Fulford Wilson, born 09 October, 1798 in Effingham Co., GA; died 23 October, 1885. 19 vi.Sarah Frances Wilson, born Unknown in Effingham Co., GA; died Unknown. 5. JESSE2 WILSON , M.D. (JAMES1) was born Abt. 1745 in Scotland or NC, and died Abt. 1832 in Effingham Co., GA16. He married ELIZABETH WAY17 27 September, 1768 in Midway, Liberty Co., GA18. Notes for JESSE WILSON , M.D.: The following chronicles transactions in the life of Jesse: Deed granted 100+ acres to him 28 May 1788; subdivided to Solomon Gnann; next to William Wilson (brother) and Joshua Gnann. Served on the Grand Jury in Erfingham Co., 26 Aug 1790, along with Henry Gindrat (foreman), John Martin Dasher, among others. Deeded 200 acres (less 5 acres reserved for mill stream)in Effingham Co., GA by brother, James, on 20 Nov 1794 (GA Court-House Records). Deed of gift to son, William Wilson, "carpenter," both of Effingham Co. on 03 Dec 1799 for 50 acres, being 1/2 part of 100 acres, adj. J.G. Neidlinger on Jack's Branch and the road to Savannah. Witnesses: Peter Hawthorn, Henry W. Williams, Clerk Superior Court. [Annals of GA, Effingham Co. Records] According to "New Wilson Papers" (Jean Giliberto), Dr. Jesse had a silver Masonic medal which was lost in Springfield, GA, and found by a Negro, Scipio, who gave it to Dr. William Howell Wilson, a "great nephew" (probably great grandson). We are assuming that William W[atkins ?] and Elihu Wilson were close relatives since they were appointed Administrators of his estate on 09 Nov 1832 [Guardianship Letters -- Effingham Co., GA Court of Ordinary (1830-1856)] Notes for ELIZABETH WAY: Son-in-law Howell Hines applied for administration of estate 31 Jul 1832 [Georgia Intestate Records, Jeannette Holland Austin, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1986] According to Effingham Co., GA Records, Elizabeth provided for her grandson, William Wilson, when she died. Children of JESSE WILSON and ELIZABETH WAY are: + 20 i.WILLIAM3 WILSON, born Abt. 1769 in Effingham Co., GA; died Aft. 1823 in Effingham Co., GA. + 21 ii.Margaret (Martha) Wilson, born Abt. 1775 in Effingham Co., GA; died Aft. 1835 in Effingham Co., GA. 22 iii.David Wilson, born Abt. 1780 in Effingham Co., GA; died Unknown. He married Polly Temples 30 September, 1806 in Effingham Co., GA19. 6. Robert2 Wilson (JAMES1) was born Unknown, and died Unknown. He married Rachel ?20 Bef. 1771. Child of Robert Wilson and Rachel ? is: 23 i.Zacharias3 Wilson, born 12 April, 1771 in Ebenezer, Effingham Co., GA21; died Unknown.
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© Copyright 1996-98, Broderbund Software, Inc. All rights reserved. More About James Wilson, Captain and Sarah Woodard: Marriage: 1765, NC. More About James Wilson, Captain and Eliza Ann Gordon Pace: Marriage: 1784 Children of James Wilson, Captain and Sarah Woodard are: John Wilson, b. 1762, d. Abt. 1784. +James Wesley Wilson, Jr, b. 1764, d. November 1833, Effingham County, Georgia. Jesse Wilson, b. Abt. 1774, d. date unknown. Grace Wilson, b. 1772, Ebenezer, Effingham County, Ga, d. date unknown.

Children of James Wilson, Captain and Eliza Ann Gordon Pace are: +Allen Fulford Wilson, b. October 9, 1798, Effingham County, Georgia, d. October 23, 1855, Thomasville, Georgia. +Luke Wilson, b. June 1, 1785, Effingham County, Georgia, d. April 23, 1861, Effingham County, Georgia. Gabriel Wilson, b. October 1787, d. May 9, 1815, Effingham County, Georgia. +Jeremiah Wilson, b. 1792, d. January 1877. +Elihu Wilson, b. March 22, 1796, d. March 19, 1856. Henry Wilson, b. September 1801, d. June 3, 1817. Sarah Frances Wilson, d. date unknown.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71365990/james-wesley-wilson