A Patriot of the American Revolution for NORTH CAROLINA. DAR Ancestor # A127316

[Note: Another David Wilson also lived in Mecklenburg County at the same time and he was probably the one who married Sarah McConnell, confusing many early researchers ]

Major David Carroll WILSON. Born in Penn. c. 1729 and emigrated with family to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Served as Major during American Revolution, Speaker of the House of Representatives for Territory South of the Ohio River, staunch Scotch-Irish Presbyterian, Jeffersonian Republican, called to ratify United States Constitution for North Carolina, owned plantation and approximately 40,000 acres in Sumner County, Tennessee, Wilson County, Tennessee named in his honor. One branch of his family later moved to northeastern Henderson County, Tennessee and persisted there as modest farmers.

First Speaker of the TN House of Representatives [ Denise Joyner <djoyner@hcol.net> http://www.hcol.net/~djoyner/oldwilson.htm]

Fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain, American Revolution; moved from NC to TN by 1780s.

In 1784: Grant 3 Book 7 Page 284 2000 acres in Greene County, NC (now TN)

from research of Mrs. Laura Waddle: http://www.hcol.net/~djoyner/wilson.htm

David Wilson moved from North Carolina to Tennessee at least by 1780's d. 1803 in Sumner Co., TN

According to David's will proven 1804 (see below), children of David include:

• William (co-Exec)
• James S.
• Jonathan
• Zaccheus (co-Exec)
• David
• Mary

Sons in law listed in the Will include:

• Zaccheus Wilson (wife daughter Elizabeth Wilson)
• William Steel (wife daughter Ibby Wilson)
• Jonathan Wilson (wife daughter Narcissa Wilson)

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Migrations Project Researcher: Brian Clay Johnson http://www.migrations.org/individual.php3?record=16397

Major David Wilson was born circa. 1733 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. His family were of Scots-Irish Presbyterian stock who had fled Scotland and eventually Northern Ireland to pursue a better life in the New World.

David Wilson and at least two of his brothers, Zaccheus and Robert ^Old Robin^ Wilson, migrated to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina circa. 1753 and settled in the Poplar Tent region of that county.

All three of the Wilson brothers served the American Cause with distinction during the American Revolution. David was commissioned as a Major and both Zaccheus and Robert were commissioned as Captains.

Major David Wilson fought in several battles in the Carolinas during the Revolution was said to be a hero of the Battle of Ramsaur's Mill (North Carolina) on June 20, 1780. In addition to his service in the American Revolution,

• Major David Wilson was very active in the political affairs of Mecklenburg County and later of Sumner County, Tennessee.
• He served as: legislator in the North Carolina House of Commons from 1778 to 1784,
• Sumner County Magistrate in 1787,
• called by North Carolina to ratify the United States Constitution,
• he was Sumner County Register (appointed in September 1794),
• he was elected to represent Sumner County in the House of Representatives for the Southwest Territory (Tennessee) in 1794 two years before Tennessee became a state (served until Tennessee was admitted to the Union in 1796),
• he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Southwest Territory, and
• Wilson County, Tennessee is named in his honor.

Major David Wilson died in 1804 in Sumner County, Tennessee and is buried just outside of Gallatin.

Captain Zaccheus Wilson, Major David Wilson's brother, joined him in Sumner County after his wife passed away in North Carolina.

• His brother, Captain Zaccheus Wilson, was a signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence which was the first such declaration in the Colonies. ever to be released against the British Crown. Captain Zaccheus Wilson fought at the Battle of King's Mountain.
• Zaccheus Wilson was an Elder in the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church.

Captain Robert Wilson, Major David Wilson's brother, remained in North Carolina and is buried in the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church cemetery in Mecklenburg County.

• Captain Robert Wilson fought at the Battle of Hanging Rock under General Sumter.
• During the war, British General Lord Cornwallis set up temporary headquarters at Captain Robert and Eleanor Wilson's plantation and Eleanor was forced to serve Lord Cornwallis his meals.
• When Lord Cornwallis attempted to get her to persuade Robert and his sons to turn their back on the Cause of Liberty and fight for the crown, she quickly told the British General that her ^husband and sons had embarked in the holy cause of Liberty; have fought and struggled for it for five years, never faltering for a moment.^ Mrs. Wilson continued, telling the General that ^I have seven sons who are now, or have been, bearing arms. Indeed, my seventh son, Zaccheus, who is only fifteen years old, I yesterday assisted to get ready to go and join his brothers in Sumter's Army. Now, sooner than see one of my family turn back from the glorious enterprise, I would take these boys (pointing at some of her youngest sons) and would myself enlist under Sumter's standard, and show my husband and sons how to fight, and, if necessary, to die for their country.^
• Another British officer, Tarleton, had heard this exchange and responded to Cornwallis by saying ^Ah General, I think you've gotton into a hornet's nest!^ Cornwallis replied, ^Never mind, when we get to Camden, I'll take good care that old Robin (Robert) Wilson never comes back.^
• However, Cornwallis never lived up to this threat.

David Wilson's Land Grant From The State of North Carolina For His Service in the American Revolution is as follows:

“The State of North Carolina. To All Whom These Present Shall com Greetings: Know ye that we for cirvis and vallor of David Wilson pursuant to an act of the General Assembly to amend an act for the relief of the officers and soldiers of the Continental line and for another purposes in and for the consideration expressed in the reports of our said Assembly have given and granted and by thee present to give and grant unto David Wilson a tract of land containing 2000 acres lying and being in our County of Green in the Middle District of the Western land lying on Caney Spring Creek on the north side of Duck River, beginning at a cedar tree on the river band about 5 poles above the mouth of a gutter coming into said river and run north 100 chains to a white ash tree, in a piece of cedar land, then east 150 chains to a (illegible) in all 200 chains to a walnut tree thence south 100 chains to an Elm standing on a ridge thence west to the river an down the river to the beginning.

As by the plot hereunto annexed doth appear together with all woods waters, mines, minerals hereditaments and appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining to hold to the said David Wilson, his heirs and assigns forever yielding and paying to us said sums of money yearly or otherwise as our General Assembly may from time to time direct, provided always that the said David Wilson shall cause this Grant to be signtured in the register's office of our said County of Green within twelve months from date hereof otherwise the same shall be void and of no effect In testimony whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent and our Great Seal to hereunto affixed.

Witness - Alex Martin, Esquire, our Governor, Captain, General and Commander-in-Chief at Newbern this 19th day of November in the 9th year of our independence and in the year of our Lord 1784. Alex Martin By his Excellency's command. J. Glasgow, Secretary.

Source: Book 7, Page 284, Grant No. 3, Year 1784 Land Grant, Tennessee State Library and Archives.

A Letter from Major David Wilson to General Daniel Smith, Governor Pro Tem of the Southwest Territory Appears as follows: Wilson's Station July 23 1793

^Dr Sir: The Indians have done no damage in your neighbourhood since you left this county. In the brave defense made at Greenfield [Station] mentioned in my last, James Hay, a young man, behaved with great bravery for which he deserves the notice of his countrymen. I shall give you a list of those killed and wounded since my last May 20th.

• John Hacker, a Spy killed on Drakes Creek June the 25th,
• James Stell and his oldest daughter was killed and his son wounded going from Greenfield to Morgan's Station.
• June the 4th, Adam Flenar, Richard Robeson and Wm. Bartlett killed and Abraham Young and John Maxfiled wounded at the Gilead Spring on the road to B. Barrow.
• June 29th Isaac Heaton and Jos. Heaton killed and a negro wounded at Heatron's Lick;
• July 1st Jacob Casselman killed and Joseph Casselman wounded near Hays Station.
• July 15th, William Campbell wounded near Nashville.
• July 1th, Mr. Joslen wounded at this own house.
• July 19th, William Smith killed at Johnson's Lick.

The Barbarious Circumstances attending the above murders, I mention not, as you can readily have an idea from what you have seen and known yourself. Dr Sir, I received letters from you from which I thank you. One of them respecting the number and value of the horses taken by the Indians. Whether any method be taken to ascertain the same, I know not, as we told the President in our address we would not mention our property; it is to be lamented that our horses are no sooner taken by the Indian, than they are in the hands of our fellow citizens of Holston. They must certainly be men of consequence that are concerned in this business, or they could not carry it on under the very eye of government with impunity.

Sir, our court paid no regard to the acts of the Governor or Judges as they refused to take bond of the Clerk and Register agreeable to such acts; the Federal Constitution capitation or Direct Tax shall be laid only agreeably to the General Census; if then the Governor's power does not originate in the General Government, from whence is it: Sir, this District considers it a great grievance that the paymaster of the Territory does not attend to pay the Militia for their services.

Sir, the people look up to you for redress of this grievance. Sir, I send you enclosed a 5-Dollar Treasury warrant on the state of South Carolina. If you will sell it for me, you will much oblige your Most obedient Honourable Humble Servant.

[Signed] David Wilson”

Major David Wilson's Will Appears as follows: Will of Major David Wilson

“In the name of God Amen: I David Wilson of the state of Tennessee and county of Sumner, I do hereby make this my last will and testament viz: as follows.

I do bequeath unto my beloved wife Jean during her life one half of the house I now live in also all my household furniture, the use of a Negro woman named Rose and a Negro girl named Nancy and my roan horse.

I give and bequeath unto my son William two hundred and fourteen acres of land being half the tract including Honey's lick on Ginnon's Creek- also five hundred acres on Caney spring creek a branch of Duck River.

I give and bequeath into my son James five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River.

I give and bequeath into my son-in-law Zacheus Wilson five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River.

I give and bequeath into my [son?] Jonathan Wilson five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River.

I give and bequeath into my [son-in-law?] William Steel five hundred acres of land on Spring Creek a branch of Duck River.

I give and bequeath into my son Zacheus the plantation I now live on with all its improvements as above excepted. Beginning at my son James south east corner running thence south to the old original line, thence west with original line to the old corner a mulberry. Then north to James Wilson south west corner, also 50 acres transferred to me by Joseph Motheral adjoining the original tract on the west - also one thousand acres of land at the mouth of Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River being the half of the 2,000 acres tract to be divided equal to quantity and quality - also one sorrel mare and colt now on this plantation - also one half of my farming tools - also one Negro man called Ceasar, provided said Zacheus pays to each of my legatees thirty five dollars - also five hundred acres on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River.

To son David - one hundred and sixty acres of land being part of the plantation I now live on. Beginning at William Wilson’s south east corner thence with the line north to William Wilson’s south west corner - also one thousand acres of land on Duck River at the mouth of Caney Spring Creek being a part of a two thousand acre tract to be divided according to quantity and quality - also one sorrel horse with half of my farming tools, with two cows and calves and such part of any hogs and sheep as my said wife shall choose to give to him - she being considered the possessor during her life - also one hundred dollars to be paid to him by my executor as soon as they can raise the money out of my indisposed lands, - also five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary five hundred acres of land on Caney Spring Creek a branch of Duck River - also one bed and furniture - also a young Roan Mare - also four cows and calves.

The property above mentioned to my beloved to her at her absolute disposal both in her life and at her death - also the disposal of my clothes to whom she pleases - it is also provided of the above mentioned five hundred acres on Caney Spring Creek to each of my legatees shall be taken from the East side four thousand ninety six acres tract, said two thousand acres taken off divided into eight equal shares shall be lotted for any legatee.

The remaining two thousand ninety six acres of said tract with all my other lands which I have not hereby disposed of I leave at the absolute disposal of my executors for the purpose of discharging of any just debts or [creditors claims?] that may come against my estate.

It is also hereby directed that my executors make a deed in fee to my son-in-law Jonathan Wilson for one hundred and twenty acres of land out of any of the lands not hereby disposed of, of equal value to the Harpeth lands which he was to receive. Also a deed in fee to my brother Zacheus Wilson one hundred acres of any of my lands, not hereby disposed of, equal in value to what he was to receive of me on Harpeth.

It is hereby provided that all my stock of cattle in Wilson County shall be equally divided into eight lots and lotted for, four head of horse creatures not hereby disposed of I leave to the disposal of my executors - it is also hereby provided that my executors have paid all my just claims against my estate. The remainder to be equally divided amongst all my legatees after my executors have received a just compensation for their trouble. It is hereby provided that my executors or heirs lay any of my duplicate warrants they shall have half the land for laying the same. If any of my heirs should not be satisfied with their lots, if any difference should arise I do hereby request them to settle it by arbitration and not go to law and lastly I do hereby [name?] and appoint [my son William Wilson and my son Zacheus Wilson?] my executors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made.

In testimony whereof I do hereby set my hand and affix my seal, this nineteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and three.

David Wilson

seal Signed and sealed in presence of: Zack Wilson James S. Wilson”

Source: Carolyn G. Smith – Transcriber, Sumner County, Tennessee Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Will Book I, pp. 77-79, Monday, March 3, 1804 at Sumner County Courthouse in Gallatin, Tennessee, Will proved by Zacheus Wilson and James S Wilson, subscribing witnesses; William Wilson and Zacheus Wilson sons of Major David Wilson, Will signed on December 19, 1803.

David Wilson is listed several Sumner County tax lists. These lists show that he owned the following acreage in the following years: 1787: 3,640 acres 1788: 9,535 acres 1790: 11,075 acres (only James Montflorence owned more land on that tax list)

Major David Wilson's descendants, as well as those of his brothers, today live in several areas of the nation, including, but not necessarily, limited to: Sumner County and the greater Nashville area, Henderson County, Tennessee, and Grayson and Collins Counties in Texas.

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOTS OF MARSHALL COUNTY, TENNESSEE Compiled by JANE WALLACE ALFORD American Bicentennial Publication of Robert Lewis Chapter

Daughters of the American Revolution 1976

Major David Wilson is included in this book on Marshall County because he received several thousand acres of land that is now in Marshall County. He was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, about 1737, migrated to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, with a large family where he was active in the American cause. He died in Sumner County, Tennessee, at the end of 1803 or beginning of 1804. He is buried in an unmarked grave near Gallatin, Tennessee.

Major David Wilson fought in the Revolutionary War as a Captain and later as a Major. He must have performed extra-ordinary service, for the state of North Carolina, by an Act of the General Assembly, granted him 2000 acres of land “for cirvis and vallor” as an officer in the Continental Line. This land is located in the Middle District at the mouth of Caney Spring Branch, north of Duck River, dated 1784. He held another grant in Marshall County of 4096 acres, granted to him by North Carolina, which he divided among his eight heirs. The Sumner County tax list for 1787-88 shows that he owned 10,325 acres of land.

David Wilson represented Sumner County in the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1789, and later in the Territorial Assembly of the Territory South of the River Ohio in 1794. He was elected speaker of this assembly and presided throughout the session in which the State of Tennessee was set up and named. He was appointed a magistrate of Sumner County in 1787 and served as such until his death (1804). He was a member of two North Carolina conventions—that of 1788, called to consider the U. S. Constitution, and that of 1789, called to ratify the U. S. Constitu-tion. At the time of his death he was register of Sumner County. Wilson County is named for him.

In his will registered in Sumner County he mentions his wife, Jean, and names the following children:

1. William Wilson, married 1787, Sally Brevard Wilson.

2. James A. Wilson, married July 5, 1803, Peggy Graham.

3. Zaccheus Wilson.

4. David Wilson, married 1804, Jenny Carothers.

5. Elizabeth Wilson, b. ca. 1775, d. ca. 1839, married 1790 Zaccheus Wilson, b. ca. 1770, N. C.; d. prior to 1809.

6. Narcissus Wilson, b. Ca. 1775, d. ca. 1825, married ca. 1795 Jonathan Wilson.

7. A daughter who married William Steel.

8. Mary Wilson, married 1806, Mark Dodd.

References:

North Carolina State Records, Vol. 24, Laws 1777-88, p. 484.

Tennessee Grant #3, Book 7, p. 284.

Sumner County, Tennessee Will Book, 1803.

Sumner County, Tennessee Court Minutes, Vol. 4, p. 43, 568.

Merritt, History of Wilson County, p. 46-47.

Cisco, Historic Sumner, p. 305-306.

North Carolina Society, DAR, Roster of Soldiers of North Carolina in the Revolutionary War, p. 401-402.

Moore, John Trootwood, The Volunteer State, Vol. 1, p. 136.

Ramsey, Annals of Tennessee, p. 707.

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been confused with at least FOUR different David Wilsons’

Major David Wilson (1729-1803 married Jean Sharpe Wilson he is not his son David Wilson (Jr.) born 1774 who married Jenny Jane ‘Catherine’ Wear (Weir) nor is he is cousin David Wilson or or/older David Wilson born ca.1762 please DON"T MERGE

Major David Wilson moved to what is now Sumner county, Tennessee from Mecklenburg county, North Carolina in 1785.selling their 215 acres of land on Coddle Creek in Mecklenburg county prior to moving to Tennessee, David was very active in North Carolina affairs, serving for six years, from 1778 thru 1784 in the General Assembly as a delegate or representative of Mecklenburg county. Another David Wilson also lived in Mecklenburg county at the same time and he was probably the one who married Sarah McConnell, confusing many early researchers

David also served as a trustee of the Davidson Academy along with Andrew Jackson, Daniel Smith and others. 10 Land grant No. 55, dated April 17, 1786, for 640 acres on Indian Creek and located in Sumner county may have been where he built Wilson's Station. An earlier grant, No. 3, for 2,000 acres was located on the Duck River in Marshall county and in the 1780's was still Indian land according to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson in a report he wrote to President George Washington for congress in 1791

David received land grant No. 3 for 2,000 acres, November 19, 1784 from the state of North Carolina "For Cirvis and Vallor", located in Middle District at mouth of Caney Spring Branch, North of Duck River

his will December 19, 1803 named his wife Jean and all of his living children or their spouses, son William, son James, son-in-law Zacheus Wilson, my [son-in-law] Jonathan Wilson, my [son-in-law] William Steel, son Zacheus Wilson, son David Wilson, daughter Mary Wilson. Also named in the will were three slaves, Ceaser, Rosie and Nancy.