Col. William Wilson, owner of "Ceeleys" plantation in Virginia was born in 1646 and died June 17, 1713, age 67 years (tombstone now destroyed). The Wilson arms engraved on tomb were described an "Sable on a Cross engrailed, between four Cherubims, or, a human heart of the first, wounded on the left side ppr. And crowned with a " Crown of thorns, Vert." Mrs. William Miller, of Tulsa. Okla. has a beautifully painted copy of these arms.

Colonel James Wilson was a brother of Colonel William Wilson, founder of the prominent Elizabeth City Wilson family. This is proven by a deed from Col. William Wilson to his nephew Willis Wilson dated June 10, 1713, as follows: "Whereas James Wilson, gent., my deceased brother did buy from me 300 acres on the Southern Branch in Norfolk and dwelt thereon upwards of 40 years, but never had any conveyance for said land, whereas the said James in his last will bequeathed same to his son Willis Wilson, therefore that the said Willis may quietly enjoy the said land being contented and paid for his said land, do hereby grant same to said Willis Wilson (D. B. 9-1710-17).

Colonel James Wilson is said to have been born about 1644 and his wife is said to be Elizabeth, daughter of John Willis. He was Sheriff of the county, Colonel of Militia and a member of the House of Burgesses 1710-12. He was also a Feofee of the Crown Land, and Attorney for the College of William and Mary. His will was dated Nov. 12, 1712, and probated Dec. 19, 1712.

CHILDREN of Col. James Wilson & wife Elizabeth Willis Wilson:

I. John (mentioned first in father's will. May have m. Frances Newman.)

II. Willis, mentioned 2nd in fathers will; named Executor with mother, Elizabeth Willis Wilson, and charged with taking care of mother. Received deed from Uncle Col. William Wilson of Elizabeth City Co., Hampton, Va., to clear title of home plantation, which Col. William had sold to his brother Col. James Wilson more than forty years before 1712, but not recorded. (Col. James Wilson's Will, Norfolk Co., Deed Book 9, p. 220).

IIL Thomas, deceased before 1712, mentioned third in will which devised to "Grandson James Wilson. son of dec'd. son Thomas Wilson, the plantation whereon my Negrow Sambo lives".

õ9õ9õ9õ9õ9õ9õ9IV. Samuel Wilson, who married Dinah Mason Thorowgood, was a son of Colonel James Wilson of Norfolk. Dinah Mason was not married at date of father's will; but soon married (1) Capt. Robt. Thorogood of Princess Anne Co., who had died before Jan. 7, 1702-03 and Dinah was Executrix of his will. Dinah Mason Thorowgood married (2) SAMUEL Wilson who died before Jan. 12, 1710. on which date his estate was appraised and Dinah Wilson signed the Inventory. Their son Willis Wilson was born after death of his father Samuel Wilson. Before Feb. 1, 1713, Dinah Mason Thorowgood Wilson had married (3) William Trevathan of Princess Anne Co., who filed settlement of estates of Capt. Robt. Thorowgood, and of Samuel Wilson dec'd in favor of their respective orphans. (P.A. Co. Va., D. B. 2, p. 195).

V. Soloman, who was a minor at death of his father, Col. James Wilson. This Solomon Wilson married and settled in Norfolk, Va., and reared young Willis Wilson, son of Samuel Wilson, deceased. Soloman Wilson was at one time Clerk of County Court. It was to this Solomon Wilson that Willis Wilson sold the 400 acres left to him by his Grandfather Col. James Wilson, the three Indentures being dated Jan. 1731-32. (Citation Norfolk County Deed Book II, page 15 et seq. "Test Solo Wilson, Clerk").

õ9õ9õ9ŸI. James received land, pistols and sword. This son became Major James Wilson, "who was also Sheriff and Magistrate of Norfolk County, whose Will signed Jan. 18, 1749-50, was proven Feb. 7, 1756. His daughter Elizabeth married several times. Her first husband to whom she was married in 1727-29 was a Sweeny; her 2nd was Maximilian Boush of Princess Anne Co., by whom she had two children, Frederick Boush and Elizabeth Boush; her third husband was Thomas Thelaball, by whom she had two daughters, Prudence Thelaball and Abigail Thelaball. Frederick Boush married Jacomine Hunter, and his sister Elizabeth Boush married Gershom Nimmo in 1753, and after his death she married, in 1766, Jacob Hunter, a brother of her brother's wife, by whom she had several children, among whose descendants the name of Wilson as a given name has been quite frequent. " (The above ten lines are quoted from the Richmond CRITIC, Vol. 3. No. 39, Sat., June 14. 1890, p. 8, re Wilson FAMILY.)

VII. 100 acres of land to Capt. George Newton Burgess, 1710 (who was husband of Affiah Wilson, dau. of Col. James Wilson. Affiah also received one-fifth of personal estate subject to life estate of Elizabeth Willis Wilson, widow).

VIII. Mary - one-fifth of personal estate subject to life interest of Elizabeth Willis Wilson, widow.

IX. Elizabeth, wife of Henry Grigany of Philadelphia: "Five pounds current money in full of her part of my estate. She had her part before. " (This is probably the eldest daughter.)

X. Lemuel - five shillings in full of his portion, he having had a sufficient part already. He is probably the eldest son. He was Clerk of Norfolk Co. Court at time of probate of his father's will. - Dec. 18, 1722. His eldest son was Lemuel Wilson, and there is a statement that he took the Record Books of the County home with him in order to record immediately the birth of his son Lemuel Wilson.

WILLIS Wilson only son of Samuel Wilson, was born about 1710 and died 1794 in Norfolk County. He married June 7, 1728, in Norfolk, Elizabeth Goodrich, dau. of Benjamin Goodrich of Chickahominy, James City Co., Va. She was a granddaughter of Col. Thomas Goodrich (See Goodrich H. S. F. 1-6). Her marriage bonds were signed Willis Wilson and Solomon Wilson (M. B. 17061708).

Willis Wilson and his wife, Elizabeth, on Jan. 20, 1731-32 "as of Chickahominy gent". sold to his Uncle Solomon Wilson of Norfolk "that tract and plantation of 400 acres, bequeathed to me by my grandfather Col. James Wilson. The consideration was 100 pounds and although in the deed he is referred to as Willis Wilson, Jr., he signed same "Willis Wilson". His eldest son Benjamin was born Dec. 26, 1733, at the home of his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Goodrich, on Chickahominy River. His second son, John P. Wilson, was born about 1736. He settled in Berkeley County, Va., where he married and had two children. One child, John P. Wilson, Jr., married his cousin, Maria Wilson, daughter of Lt. Willis Wilson, of "Bonbrook", Cumberland County.

Captain Willis Wilson was Burgess from Norfolk in 1748-49. He to said to have died in Norfolk in 1794.

Benjamin Wilson, known as "Col. Ben Wilson", eldest son of Capt. Willis Wilson, moved from James City County to Cumberland County, Va., where he died Oct. 27, 1814. He married in that County on March 25, 1754, Anne Seay. Born in York Co., March 6, 1735, died April 25, 1814, at "Somerset", Cumberland, April 25, 1814. She was the daughter of the Rev. James Seay. Huguenot. of York County. Colonel Benjamin's will was probated Nov. 28, 1814 (O B 1811-15, p. 464).

CHILDREN:

I. Capt. Matthew Wilson, born ------ 1755, at "Somerset", Cumberland Co., Virginia, married Elizabeth Trent, and lived at "Barter Hill, Cumberland Co., near Trent's Mill on Willis River. Reared 10 children, one of whom, Samuel Wilson, born Jan. 17, 1811, married (1) Susan A. Jones on Dec. 7. 1835. She died Apr. 27, 1843, survived by three children, Victoria, Matthew and Mary. Said Samuel Wilson m. (2) Cornelia W. McLaurine, daughter of Mrs. Jane McLaurine, on June 11, 1849, by Rev. Henry Brown. Their first three children were born in Cumberland Co. Va., at "View Mont", the plantation of the said Samuel Wilson; their first child, Flora Willie Wilson, b. Apr. 29, 1850; 2nd child, Dr. Samuel Eston Wilson, b. Dec. 185 1. 3rd child, Lelia James Wilson, b. Aug. 11, 1853; married William Stanley McFadden, in San Augustine Co., Texas, on Dec. 25, 1875, and they had four children, one of whom, Mabel McFadden, b. 1886, married Walter Hamilton Peck of Norwalk, Ohio. They moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they had two children: Alyne Peck and Philippa Peck. Alyne Peck married William Miller, Jr., and lived In Tulsa, Okla., at 1304 South Urbana; and have two children: Cass
Miller and Cathy Miller.

Four children of the first-mentioned Samuel Wilson and his 2nd wife, Cornelia W. McLaurine, who were born In San Augustine Co., Texas:

1. Rosa St. Claire Wilson, b. April 1855, m. Clark Nash Nov. 4, 1874 6 children.

2. Courtney Jennetta Wilson, b. Feb. 1857; m. Bonneau Brodnax, Nov. 1873.

3. Alice Virginia Wilson, b. Dec. 1858, d. July 23, 1867.

4. Eglantine Cornelia, b. Feb. 14, 1861; m. Sam Beckham Dec. 20, 1877. 4 children.

Samuel Wilson, b. Jan. 17. 1811, died Nov. 26, 1886, San Augustine Co., Texas. His 2nd wife. Cornelia W. McLaurine Wilson died Feb. 15, 1891, aged 71, at the home of her nephew G. C. Greer, San Augustine, Texas.

II. First Lt. Willis Wilson of the Revolutionary War was born 1756, d. at "Bonbrook" in Cumberland Co., Va., on Feb. 10, 1822. He had married Mrs. French Black, and they had one child, Maria Wilson, who married her cousin John P. Wilson, Jr., of Berkeley Co., West Va., who was the son of the second son of Willis Wilson (1710-1794). They had two children; for descendants, see p. 33, The Wilson Family: Somerset and Barter Hill Branch by Harry hearndon McLean. (Observer Printing House, Charlotte, NC, 1950).

The Will of First Lt. Willis Wilson is filed in Cumberland Co.,Va., Will Book 7, p. 105, wherein he named his wife "Elizabeth" (Elizabeth French Black Wilson), two grandsons, William Wilson and Willis Wilson, and son-in-law, John P. Wilson, the latter being the Executor.

III. Elizabeth Wilson, b. April 22, 1758. unmarried.

IV. Benjamin Wilson, born Oct. 22, 1759, in Cumberland Co., settled in Woodford Co., Kentucky, where he married on Dec. 5, 1789, Barbara Bullock, b. Sept. 1, 1768, d. Feb. 4, 1837. Benjamin d. Sept. 8, 1839. He was a member of the Committee of Safety during the Revolution (D. A. R.81352). This Benjamin Wilson is the ancestor of Miss Virginia Wilson, P. 0. Box 532, Lexington, Kentucky.

Children of Benjamin and Barbara Wilson:

1. Ann Wilson, b. 1-26-1791, d. Apr. 1838, m. 8-9-1825 Benjamin Moore

2. James Wilson, b. 2-2-1793, d. 4-2-1824. studied medicine in Philadelphia, Univ. of Pa.

3. Willis Wilson, b. 5-27-1795, m. 8-20-1819 Eliza Cosby.

4. Rebecca Wilson, b. 12-3-1797, m. 3-31-1841 to S. E. Burton.

5. Samuel Wilson, b. 1-2-1800, d. B-31-1840, m. 1-211829 to Jane Steele.

6. Benjamin Wilson. Jr., b. 4-3-1802, d. 1-19-1853. m. 10-17-1843 to Virginia Shouse.

7. Elizabeth Wilson, b. 1-26-1805.

8. Mary or Maria Wilson, b. 6-2-1807, m. 1-30-1827 to Lotus B. Chamberlain.

9. Barbara Wilson, b. 6-24-1810, m. 3-20-1835, to Dr. Robert Thompson of Versailles. Ky.

10. Unity Wilson, b. 12-24-1812, d. 11-29-1847, m. 9-251834 to William Dickey.

V. Ann Seay Wilson, b. Sept. 11, 1762, unmarried.

VI. James S. Wilson, b. Feb. 6, 1765 (Old Family Bible owned by Miss Clementine Reid Wilson in 1915, at Stovall, N.C.). He took part in siege of Yorktown. He married a Miss Cox and settled at "Clay Bank", Cumberland Co., Va. Their children were: Anne Seay Wilson, b. 1792, who married Dr. John Meredith about 1818 in Missouri, and they had four daughters:

1. Nancy, who married James Trent, 1844, and had 7 children.

2. Hettie Meredith, b. Feb. 25, 1828, m. Dr. James Willis Wilson, the 8th child of Dr. Goodridge Wilson and his wife Elizabeth Woodson Venable Wilson.

3. Sarah Cox Meredith, who married her cousin Samuel Venable Wilson in 1842, the 7th child of Dr. Goodridge Wilson and wife Elizabeth Woodson Venable Wilson, supra.

4. Lavinia Meredith in 1801 m. Frederick Bates, Jr.; (2) Samuel Conway; m. (3) Benjamin Kenny. She died in 1910 in Calif.

VII. Mason Wilson, a daughter, b. Dec. 21, 1768, m. John Meredith.

VIII. Dr. Samuel Wilson, b. Mar. 30, 1770, never married. Educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, practiced medicine at Cartersville, Cumberland Co., Va. Will Book 10, p. 319, was signed Dec. 24, 1841. He bequeathed to nephew Dr. Benjamin Wilson of Farmville, Va., and nephew Dr. John Meredith, but left main estate to nephews Samuel, Benjamin, Matthew and Goodridge Wilson, sons of his deceased brother Matthew Wilson, remainder to 6 other children of brother Capt. Matthew.

IX. Mary Wilson, b. 1772, m. Thos. Mumford.

X. Alexander Wilson, b. April 1, 1774.

XI. Dr. Goodridge Wilson, b. 3-26-1776, m. Elizabeth Woodson Venable. (See later).

XII. Martha Wilson, b. 6-1-1778, m. James Aiken, 2 children.

MM. Unity Wilson, b. 2-22-1783, unmarried.

Dr. Goodridge Wilson. b. March 26, 1776 at "Somerset", County of Cumberland, and died Sept. 30, 1849, at Johnson Shoals, Kanawha County, West Va. He married Nov. 4, 1802, at "Slate Hill". Prince Edward Co., Va., Elizabeth Woodson Venable b. Nov. 21, 1784 d. March 1, 1851. Her father, Nathaniel Venable, founder of Hampden Sydney College, b. Nov. 1, 1753, Hanover Co., Va., died Dec. 27, 1804, at Slate Hill, Prince Edward Co., m. March 29, 1755, Elizabeth Micheaux Woodson, b. June 6. 1740, daughter of Richard Woodson and his wife Anne Madeleine Micheaux (who was born at Manakintowne, Va.), and died Sept. 29, 1791, at Slate Hill.

Dr. Goodridge Wilson practiced medicine 35 years at "Millwood", Prince Edward Co., then removed to Johnson Shoals. He was a trustee of Hampden-Sydney College and was educated at Univ. of Penna. and Oxford, England.

Children:

I. Anne Thomas Wilson b. Dec. 7, 1806 m. Capt. Charles Friend Woodson (see later).

II. Dr. Benjamin Wilson, m. Mary Elizabeth Wilson (dau. of Allen Wilson of Cumberland Co., Va.) They had four children, moved to St. Charles Co., Missouri, where they built a fine brick mansion on Upper Dardenne Prairie. The eldest daughter married Fleming Bates, son of Hon. Edward Bates of St. Louis, Mo. Dr. Benjamin and his entire family moved to Texas before the outbreak of the War Between the States.

III. Nathaniel Venable Wilson, b - ------- moved to Charleston, W. Va., where he married Miss Betsy Ruffner. They had 8 children.

IV. Elizabeth Woodson Wilson, b - ------- m. Col. Charles Ruffner. Their grandaughter, Naomi Simmons, married Dr. George T. Klipstein, of Alexandria, Va., and she is now living at 565 West Sierra Madre, Sierra Madre, Calif. (1958). (See
later for Charles Ruffner)

V. Dr. Goodridge Alexander Wilson, b. Oct. 7, 1815, m. 1837 Miss Margaret Nicholson Reid.

VI. Rev. Wm. Venable Wilson, D. D., m. Miss Grace Ann Wilson; they had 8 children. He died 1908.

VII. Samuel Venable Wilson, to Mo. 1846, married his cousin Sarah Cox Meredith. 9 children

VIII. Dr. James Willis Wilson, to Mo. married his cousin Hettie Meredith. 9 children. to Texas.

IX. Martha Agnes Wilson, after the death of her parents moved to No. with her eldest sister, Anne Thomas Wilson Woodson (Mrs. Charles Friend Woodson), where she married as his 2nd wife, Judge Robert Bentley Frayser, of St. Charles Co., Mo. They had two children.

Samuel Venable Wilson, Son of Dr. Goodridge Wilson (1776-1849), m. 1842 Sarah Meredith, daughter of Dr. John Meredith and Ann Seay Wilson and he was a farmer in St. Louis, Co., Missouri. Children:

I. Goodridge, b. 1843, d. age 20.

II. James Meredith m. M. F. Combs (see later).

III. Nancy m. Thadeus Sparkman.

IV. Samuel Venable m. Mattie Batterton.

V. Robert Farris, m. Georgie Combs, sister of M.F. Combs.

VI. Benjamin Franklin, m. Nancy M. Wilson (cousin).

VII. Elizabeth Venable, m. John Sparkman, brother of Thadeus.

VIII. Sarah Stonewall, m. Nathaniel V. Wilson (cousin).

IX. Hettie Meredith died age 10.

James Meredith Wilson b. Sept. 23, 1845, at Kanawha. W. Virginia, died Dec. 14, 1933, at Dardanne, St. Charles Co., Mo. Married Sept. 22, 1870 at Cane Creek, Butler Co., MO., Mary Francis Combs, daughter of Rev. Wm. Ryan Combs, and Francis Catherin Orr. She was born Dec. 14, 1854, at Lexington, Ky., died March 28, 1926, St. Charles, Mo. James was a farmer, Baptist, and resided at Butler Co. (Ten Mile Creek).

Children:

I. Hettie Meredith Wilson, b. Aug. 19, 1871. m. Bernard Chenoweth.

II. William Combs Wilson. (See later).

III. Sarah Agnes Wilson, b. Oct. 24, 1875, m. Harry Hatcher.

IV. Elizabeth Venable Wilson, b. March 25. 1877; m. Dr. John F. Bumpus, D. 0.

V. John Meredith Wilson, b. Oct. 7, 1882; m. Mable Campbell Watson.

VI. Mary (May) Frances Wilson, b. Feb. 17, - 1885; m. George Muschany.

VII. Martha Viola (Matt) Wilson, b. Jan. 1, 1888; m. Henry H. Yates Yates.

VIII. James Venable Wilson, b. Aug. 2, 1898; m. Hazel McCormick.

Dr. William Combs Wilson, son of Mary Frances Combs and James Meredith Wilson, was born August 10, 1873, at Cane Creek, Butler County, Mo., married Oct. 9, 1902, at O'Fallon, St. Charles Co., Mo., Carrie Harris Watson, daughter of Ada Harris and Thomas Watson, who was born Oct. S. 1877, at Dardenne, Mo. William is an Osteopathic Physician and was educated at Kirkwood, Mo. (A.S.O.) He resided at 401 N. Kingshighway, St. Charles, Mo.

Children:

I. Clifford Combs Wilson, d. April 18, 1905, at the age of two years.

II. Catherin Hannis Wilson, b. April 16, 1908; m. Rev. Andrew McGaffin.

III. Gordon Goodridge Wilson (twin), b. April 16. 1908. m. Margaret E. Chamberlain.