DAR Ancestor # A127794
WILSON, ROBERT SR Ancestor #: A127794

Service: NORTH CAROLINA Rank(s): PATRIOTIC SERVICE
Birth: CIRCA 1720
Death: POST 12-14-1793 MECKLENBURG CO NORTH CAROLINA
Service Source: PENSION OF ROBERT WILSON JR, *W216; NC REV WAR PAY VOUCHERS, #59, ROLL #S.115.135
Service Description: 1) FURNISHED SUPPLIES; PRISONER OF WAR

COMMENTS (Overview)
1) EL - PATRIOT'S SON, ZACCHEUS WILSON A127924, DID NOT MARRY ALSIE GRAHAM. SEE DATACF. 4/2018

RESIDENCE
1) County: MECKLENBURG CO - State: NORTH CAROLINA

SPOUSE
Number Name
1) ELEANOR X

Child [Spouse #] Spouse

1. ROBERT, JR [1] JANE MC DOWELL Robert Wilson
2. ZACCHEUS [1] ALSIE GRAHAM (INCORRECT WIFE) Zaccheus Wilson
3. JOSEPH [1] NANCY FURGUSON [2] ANN MITCHELL Joseph W. Wilson
4. SAMUEL [1] MARTHA CLARK Samuel W. Wilson
5. JOHN [2] SUSAN X (who is 1?) John Wilson
6. JAMES [2] SARAH OGILVIE (Who is 1?) James Wilson
7. JOSIAH [1] MARY X Josiah Wilson
8. THOMAS [1] ANN MILLER Thomas Wilson

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/43583299/robert-wilson

Named son in his will:
sons

1. Zaccheus
2. John,
3. James,
4. Robert,
5. Josiah;
6. Aaron,
7. Moses,
8. Thomas
9. Josiah,
10. Joseph

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Had 11 sons, 7 of whom fought in Revolutionary War (Source?)
After his death in Mecklenburg County, his sons went west into North Georgia and Tennessee, settling primarily in Sumner, Williamson, Maury and Marshall Counties:

1. Joseph Joseph W. Wilson
2. John John Wilson
3. James James Wilson
4. Aaron Aaron A. Wilson
5. Robert Robert Wilson
6. Samuel Samuel W. Wilson
7. Zaccheus Zaccheus Wilson
8. Josiah Josiah Wilson
9. Moses Moses Wilson
10. Thomas Thomas Wilson
11. one other

(children presently showing:
1 Joseph W. Wilson;
2 Aaron A. Wilson;
3 John Wilson;
4 James Wilson;
5 Robert Wilson;
6 Samuel W. Wilson;
7 Thomas Wilson;
8 Zaccheus Wilson;
9 Josiah Wilson;
10 Moses Wilson;
11 Jonah Wilson;
1Sarah Wilson;
2Eleanor Wilson;
3Rachel Wilson and
4Jane Wilson (Russell))

Robert Wilson was an active Whig of Mecklenburg County, NC.
He and his son John were delivering goods to people active in the fight against England when they were captured along with some others by Lord Cornwallis.
They were released and Robert went back to his family.
His older sons fought against the British.
His wife, Eleanor, stood up to Lord Cornwallis after he asked her to influence her husband and sons to fight for the crown.
Robert's brothers also were influential men and prominent in the Revolutionary War and in the building of the United States.
After Robert's death, several of his sons moved to Tennessee where their uncle, David Wilson, lived.
Robert's Will written October 1793, proved January 1794 in Mecklenburg County, NC:

From sickness of body admonished of my "approaching dispotation",
I will to my wf Eleanor, during her lifetime, my Negro Abby, and if the sd Abby survive my wf
I will a third of her value to my son Zaccheus at the demise of my wf, and he is to distribute equally two-thirds of her value among my sons John, James, Robert, and Josiah;
if the sd sons cannot agree as to her value the matter is to be decided by three or four me (selected by my exrs). I will the plantation on which I now live to my sons Aaron, Zaccheus, Moses, and Thomas which is to be divided as follows;
to Zaccheus 220 A(cres) including the improvements, to Aaron 30 A, and Moses and Thomas are to divide the balance.
The division on my plantation is to be made by the following: my friends Col. Robert Erwin, my cousin Zaccheus Wilson, James Spratt, Sr., Joseph Swann, and John McDowell.
My wf is to be permitted to remain in my old house on the portion willed to Zaccheus who is also to be responsible for her maintenance.
Furthermore, my sons Zaccheus, Moses, and Thomas are to pay $50 to each of their brothers Robert, James and Josiah, a third in cash and two-thirds in the property.
I will to my son John my body clothing, a bed and bedclothes to my wf, to my son Aaron a black walnut chest, and the remainder of my household furniture is to remain the joint property of my wf and son Zaccheus.
From the collection of debts owed to me the house in which I live is to be put in good repair and a room added for my wf;
my son Joseph is to have the bay filly, and my wf the bay mare.
All the remainder of my property is to be appraised by James Spratt, Sr., John McDowell, and James Taylor and equally divided among my sons Aaron, Zaccheus, Moses and Thomas.
Exrs: John McDowell, David Vance and Aaron Wilson. Wit: James McRee, Jurat, John Taylor and William Lees.

The history of the Steel Creek Presbyterian Chuch can be found at: http://www.cmhpf.org/S&RR/SteeleCreek.html

The church cemetery has some of the oldest graves in Mecklenburg County.
Among them are to be found the names of many pioneering families of that part of the county: Allen, Bigham, Davis, Grier, Hart, Herron, McDowell, Neely, Porter, Sloan, Tagart, and Vance.
Thirteen veterans of the Revolutionary War are buried there, and a number of families who buried members as far back as 1763 still attended in the 1970s, and thus span seven generations: Berryhill, Bigham, Cathey, Clark, Freeman, Grier, Herron, Knot, Mitchell, McDowell, Neel, Neely, Porter, Price, Sloan, Spratt, Stilwell, Whiteside and Wilson.
The cemetery has four sections: the eastern quarter was the original burying ground; the western quarter was used after 1840; the middle between the two was opened in 1884, and the north side was added in 1884.
The Steele Creek Presbyterian Church is an excellent example of the founding Presbyterian churches of the early Scotch-Irish settlers in the county and the role it played as the center of that rural community.

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SOURCE?
Perhaps from Our Valiant Men: Soldiers and Patriots of the Revolutionary War who Lived in Williamson County, Tennessee, by Louise Lynch, 1976, page 188. Or from The women of the American Revolution, Volume 3 by Elizabeth Fries Ellet, 1856, pp. 347-356 (available online on Googlebooks)

Robert 1727-1801 and wife, Eleanor ____-1810 had 11 sons, 7 of whom fought in Rev. War and _?_ came to Sumner Co., Tenn. after the war.

Robert and Eleanor Wilson left their home in Pennsylvania and settled on Steele Creek in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, about 1760. They were the parents of 11 sons, 7 of whom served in the Revolutionary War, as well as the father.

The Wilson Family

Robert Wilson of the Colony of Pennsylvania, together with his three brothers, settled in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina about 1760.
One of his brothers, Zaccheus, representing all his kinsmen, signed the Declaration of Mecklenburg May 20, 1775.
This declaration is considered by many historians to be the first assertion of independence from Great Britain made in any of the colonies.
Thus the Wilsons of Steel Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, were heavily involved in the Revolutionary War.

Robert Wilson, frequently referred to as “Old Robin”, and his wife Eleanor were the parents of eleven sons. Both he and all his sons served in the Continental Army.
Aaron became a lieutenant and Robert, a captain.
Eleanor was said to be "a woman of singular energy and devoted to the American cause.”
Once when her husband and one son were British prisoners the British army hatted for the night on the Wilson plantation.
Gen. Cornwallis occupied the house of Mrs. Wilson. On learning that her husband and son were his prisoners, he proposed that she persuade them to join his army in return for their release.
She replied that sooner than see one of my family turn back" she would herself join the Continental Army,

Robert and his wife lived to a good old age on Steel Creek and both died in 1810.

About 1792 to 1794 at least ten of the eleven sons moved near Bledsoe’s Lick in the Cumberland Valley.
They were Joseph, John, James, Aaron, Robert, Samuel, Zaccheus, Josiah, Moses, and Thomas. The eleventh son not mentioned as moving to Tennessee was Jonah. Not long after arriving in the Cumberland Valley about 1796 with all their families moved to Harpeth Lick (Near Allisona).

Robert, the first man who crossed the Cumberland Mountains with a wagon, settled on what is generally known as the old John Taylor place.
There he built a log house which still stands in a fairly good state of preservation.

Robert married Jane McDowell, the daughter of William and Ellen McDowell.
Robert fought with William at Hanging Rock and it was as a reward for his gallantry there that he gave him his daughter Jane.

The McDowells were a brave family.
William, Joseph, and Charles fought in the Battle of King’s Mountain. Ellen and her daughter Jane heard the firing and the mother went to the scene to tend the wounded. Jane is said to have molded bullets for the battle.

Both Robert and Jane, together with their children, are buried in the family cemetery near the log house which he had built.

Robert and Eleanor Wilson left their home in Pennsylvania and settled on Steele Creek in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, about 1760. They were the parents of 11 sons, 7 of whom served in the Revolutionary War, as well as the father.

Robert Wilson, II and his brother, Joseph, served under Col. Lyle with Lincoln at Charleston and were taken prisoners but were given parole and allowed to return home. They had scarcely reached their home when the British General declared the country subdued and required all militiamen to join in the fight. Refusing to fight against their country, they joined the Company of Gen. Sumpter and was in the Battle of Hanging Rock, among others.

Joseph Wilson killed a Tory and carried off his rifle which was in the possession of his son, David Wilson, of Maury County, Tennessee in 1850.

Cornwallis and Tarleton occupied the house of Mrs. Eleanor Wilson requiring her to prepare a meal for them. When Cornwallis found out her husband and son, Robert and John, were prisoners in the Camden jail, he attempted to enlist her in the King’s cause.
She stated that she had 7 sons bearing arms, the youngest, Zaccheus, being only 15 years old, and if necessary would enlist under Sumpter and show her husband and sons how to fight and if necessary to die for their country.

The youngest son, Zaccheus, was taken prisoner the next day and Cornwallis was so impressed by his courage, sent him home and told him to take care of his mother.

About 1792, the sons of Robert and Eleanor moved to Tennessee.
Robert Wilson, II was said to have been the first man to cross the Cumberland Mountains with a wagon.
He married Jane McDowell, daughter of William and Ellen McDowell of York County, South Carolina.
Both Jane and her mother went to King’s Mountain after the battle and remained several days caring for the wounded soldiers.
It was said that William McDowell gave his only daughter in marriage because of the bravery that Robert Wilson displayed at King’s Mountain.
Jane McDowell Wilson was a very courageous woman, also molding bullets for Gen. McDowell and his men for the Battle of King’s Mountain.
Robert Willson, II was born in 1760 and died in 1819. Jane Wilson was born in 1761 and died in 1853.
They are buried in a family graveyard in the part of the county that is now in Rutherford County, between Allisona and Eagleville.
Their children were:
1. Eleanor
2. Jane
3. Mary
4. Asenath
5. Cynthia
6. Martha
7. Louise
8. Matilda

• Daughters of American Revolution Ancestor #: A127794
• Service: NORTH CAROLINA Rank: PATRIOTIC SERVICE
• Birth: CIRCA 1720
• Death: POST 14 Dec 1793 MECKLENBURG CO NORTH CAROLINA
• Service Source: PENSION OF ROBERT WILSON JR, *W216; NC REV WAR PAY VOUCHERS, #59, ROLL #S.115.135
• Service Description: 1) FURNISHED SUPPLIES; PRISONER OF WAR
• Notice: PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED WITH AT LEAST ONE PREVIOUSLY VERIFIED PAPER - SEE ANCESTOR’S FULL RECORD (There is a problem with the lineage on at least one previously verified application or supplemental, but that there are other papers on this ancestor that are ok. SAMUEL WHO MARR MARTHA CLARK DIED BET 1804-1812, WILLIAMSON CO TN - HIS DAU MARGARET MARR THOMAS WILSON IN 1805. SEE PROBATE REC-THIS MARGARET IS NOT THE MARGARET WHO MARR WM SHIELDS AS CLAIMED IN 2 PUB SHIELDS GENS.)

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Robert Wilson in the Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots
Name: Robert Wilson Location: Steele Creek NC 56
Source Citation Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots; Volume: 4; Serial: 11999; Volume: 8
Source Information Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.

Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Vol. 1-4. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.

Notes

The Wilson Family

Written by Jay Guy Cisco From Historic Sumner County, Tennessee; 1909 Retyped for the page by Diane Payne and Danene Vincent, 1999

Prominent among the early settlers of Sumner County was the WILSON family.

Zaccheus WILSON was one of three brothers who removed from Pennsylvania and settled in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, about 1760. At that time of the Mecklenburg Convention, May 20, 1775, he was present and signed the Mecklenburg Declaration, pledging himself and his extensive family connection to its support and maintance. He was a member of the Convention that formed the State Constitution of North Carolina in 1776. He was a man of liberal education, and very popular in the county in which he lived. His family were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians.

His eldest brother, Robert, removed with him to Tennessee, and to Sumner County soon after the close of the Revolutionary War.

Zaccheus lived to an advanced age, and lies buried in an unmarked grave about one half mile south of Gallatin on the old cotton factory grounds.

Samuel WILSON married Miss. KNOX, daughter of Captain Patrick KNOX, who was killed at the battle of Ramseurs Mill.

Major David WILSON, brother of Zaccheus, a native of Pennsylvania, was an officer of the War of Independence, and for his service received from the State of North Carolina, a track of land in Sumner County, Tennessee, where he settled. He was a member of the Territorial Assembly in 1794, and was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a magistrate of Sumner County as early as 1787. His residence was about two miles east from Gallatin. He was a valuable member of the new settlement, and took an active part in all public affairs and in the Indian wars. Wilson County was so named in his honor. He married Sallie MCCONNELL, sister of General James WHITE the father of Hugh Lawson WHITE. His remains lie in an unmarked grave near Gallatin.

Pierce's Register APPENDIX , page 485. Reference Pages: 234. Manuscript Pages: Zaccheus Wilson, signer of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence; member of provincial Congress of 1776, etc. Found online at http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/i/l/Larry-E-Wilson-OK/...

• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-4556
• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 16 2023, 20:56:25 UTC WITH ERRORS

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