I chose Zaccheus Wilson Sr. as a target for this family genealogy because there are many different theories concerning his connection to other Wilson families. Most of the theories appear to be assemblages of several genealogies. Hopefully with additional research and documentation it can be straightened out, but at present this is the way I see it.
Zaccheus Wilson Sr. died 1795/1796 Oglethorpe Co. GA
husband of Frances Rodgers of Lancaster County PA. He was one the first to settle in NC receiving a 1754 grant in Anson County NC for 431 acres of land on the Trading Path and the south bank of Sugar Creek (later becoming Mecklenburg County in 1763) Zaccheus moved to Oglethorpe County GA around 1794. Will of Zaccheus Wilson, Oglethorpe county, Georgia, Book A, page 25. Written 30 October, probated 3 June 1796 named seven children.
Zaccheus was the-
father of Ann Calhoun born ca 1752, wife of her cousin Charles Calhoun of Williamson County TN
father of Margaret Calhoun born ca 1755 wife of her cousin George Calhoun of Williamson County TN
father of Isaac Wilson of Mecklenburg County NC, married ca 1790 Ann McCord, died June 1807.
father of Joseph Wilson
father of William Wilson
father of Zaccheus Wilson , designated executor of his father will
According to the will of Zaccheus Wilson Sr. it appears all his children, except Zaccheus, were already married and therefore received only five shillings each. On the other hand Zaccheus was heir to the plantation house, land and slaves on Long creek in Oglethorpe County and also instructed to care for his mother.
Zaccheus Wilson Sr. was the-
*brother of Elizabeth Calhoun, wife of George Calhoun of Mecklenburg County NC who died 1795
*possible brother of Dorcas Amelia Alexander who died 1800; wife of Abraham Alexander
*nephew of Mr. Wilson who died about 1753/1754 either during or shortly after migrating to Mecklenburg County NC. There is a tradition in the old Robert "Robin" Wilson family that his mother was a widow when she and her family arrived in North Carolina. It is also a tradition that her youngest child, a daughter Martha was born after the family arrived. Martha later became the wife of Captain Stephen Alexander. She was a Revolutionary War widow and applied for her pension eight days before she died. It was stated in her application that her maiden name was Wilson.
Zaccheus Wilson Sr. was the-
*cousin of Mary Harris born 1743/1746 the first wife of Robert Harris, Esq of Mecklenburg County NC Robert was the Robert Harris who had his forearm and hand severed by a British Bayonet.
*cousin of Martha Alexander born 1754 wife of Captain Stephen Alexander of Mecklenburg County NC
*cousin or brother or father of Elizabeth Lea born 1739, wife of Reverend Luke Lea ( family tradition and the Francis Powell Otken book claim she was a daughter of Zaccheus Wilson Sr. ) Other information claim she was the daughter of William Wilson, an adjacent neighbor of Luke lea who was a son of James Lea, who lived in Caswell county NC . Elizabeth Lea's first son was named James and her second son was named William Wilson Lea and another was named Zachariah Lea(not Zaccheus) This Lea genealogy has been circulating since 1906 and appeared in DAR applications. *cousin of Captain David Wilson of Sumner County TN died 1803, married Jane Sharp
*cousin of Zaccheus Wilson a surveyor and Signer of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence married
Mrs. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Conger Ross. Died in Sumner County TN 1824
*cousin of Robert Wilson Sr. died 1793 of Mecklenburg County NC married Eleanor Carrothers
*cousin of Samuel Wilson of Sumner County TN died 1814 married Sarah (?Moore)
For many years I have tried to find documentation for the idea that Zaccheus Wilson Sr. who died in Oglethorpe County Georgia was the father of all these Wilsons and was married first to a woman named Martha Armstrong. This has been repeated and circulating for many years but no one seems to know where, when and how this idea started even though they accept it and repeated it. Can anyone provide
additional documentation regarding this claim? Some on-line sources claim Zaccheus Wilson SR. was the father of twenty children and often claimed as born in 1690, 1709, 1713 or 1717. Please contact me: [email protected]
A letter written in 1865 by Zeno Campbell describes his maternal ancestor family named Rodgers who migrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Mecklenburg County (then Anson) in 1752. Joseph Rodgers and his wife Martha Poore had five sons and four daughters who all migrated to North Carolina with their spouses and children. According to his letter, their daughter Franny Rodgers married Zaccheus Wilson. The will of Seth Rodgers dated 1757 (probated 1758) Lancaster County bequeathed five pounds to Frances Wilson who was living in North Carolina. Seth Rodgers was a brother of Joseph Rodgers who married Martha Poore. The other children were John Rodgers, Robert Rodgers, William Rogers, George Rodgers, Joseph Rodgers, Martha Barnett w/o James, Margaret and Elizabeth Black w/o James.
Robert Wilson "Robin" of Sugar Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina wrote his will 14 Dec 1793 . It was probated 27 Jan 1794 and among several friends he designated "my cousin Zaccheus " to divide the plantation. At the time of 1793 there were three or possibly four men with the same name Zaccheus Wilson.
(1) Zaccheus, the surveyor and Signer in 1775 of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. He moved to Sumner County, Tennessee where he died in 1824. It is verified by the Revolutionary War declaration of Josiah Wilson (son of old Robert Wilson) that this Zaccheus was a brother of Old Robert Wilson who died 1793-4 in Mecklenburg County NC. Josiah Wilson called him Uncle Zaccheus. It seems unlikely old Robert Wilson would name his brother as "cousin".
(2) Zaccheus, the man who first settled on Sugar Creek in 1754 (then Anson County) and moved to Oglethorpe County, GA where he died in 1795. I call him Senior because he was the first of this name to appear in the records of Mecklenburg County on Sugar Creek. He seems to be close in age to old Robert "Robin" Wilson and could be his brother, although some people have suggested his father. However it is unlikely old Robin Wilson would call his father or brother "cousin" but more likely this Zaccheus was actually his cousin, both of their own fathers having been brothers.
If this is true, then there was two Wilson brothers who died before 1754 and whose children (including Zaccheus Wilson Sr.) and possibly widows migrated to the Mecklenburg county area of North Carolina, and both of these brothers had a history of naming children "Zaccheus".
(3) Zaccheus born 1765, was the son of Old Robert " Robin"Wilson . It is doubtful old Robert Robin Wilson would have called his son "cousin".
(4) Zaccheus Wilson Sr. who moved to Oglethorpe County, Georgia also had a son named Zaccheus who was old enough to be the executor of his father's will in 1795 in Oglethorpe county Georgia. This Zaccheus as executor of his father's will sold land on Sugar and Steele Creek in Mecklenburg which had belonged to his father, described as part of the "old survey". This Zaccheus Jr. lived in Oglethorpe county on land his father purchased there on Long Creek in April 1794. He was also a Georgia land lottery winner in 1805 having registered in 1803 as Georgia resident in order to qualify.
Another interesting genealogy which perhaps is worthy of investigation is that of Reverend James Renwick Willson a covenanter Presbyterian minister. This biography states: "his forefathers on his father's side, Zaccheus Willson and two other brothers, had emigrated from Rostrevor, County Down, Ireland. The year of the immigration varies" The exact date is uncertain (between 1711 and 1721) but there is agreement that Zaccheus and his family settled first in the region of Back Creek, Delaware. In time, the three Wilson brothers parted ways. Two of the brothers, Hugh and Samuel, went south to North Carolina (another version says South Carolina).
The principle settlement of the Covenanter society was formed in the region of Paxtang, Dauphin County; Pennsylvania. Franklin county Pennsylvania and the settlement near Octorara, Pennsylvania were also principle settlements and it was reported in the minutes of the General Meeting held in Middle Octorara, March 4, 1744 that James Wilson, was one of those given charge with revising the minutes of the General Meeting. Rev. John Cuthbertson administered to these early Covenanter Societies. He baptized on 2 Sept 1753 Zaccheus Wilson a son of James Wilson, another son named Robert on 19 April 1755 and a daughter named Rebecca on 11 April 1756 at the Cove Society on Licking Creek. James Wilson, son of Zaccheus Wilson (immigrant) eventually moved further west and settled east of the Alleghenies in the vicinity of Elizabeth Twp. at the forks of the Youghiogheny river in Rostrevor Township It is thought that the Senior Zaccheus Wilson also settled here with his son James about 1768. Someone posted on the internet a notation that Zaccheus Wilson born unknown died 1769 near Glassport, PA and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Edmundson Cemetery located on the hill above the old Edmundson brick home, between the Yough and Mon rivers. James Wilson died after 1779. Some reports claim he married Susannah Alexander. Their son was Zaccheus Wilson baptized 2 Sep 1753 died 25 April 1827 in Alleghany County PA. He was the father of Reverend James Renwick Wilson, and also a Revolutionary War soldier.
Another version of this genealogy:
The Wilson Family, Mrs. J. Ralph Wilson 1956 Louisa Printing Company
Zaccheus Wilson, probably son or grandson of Thomas Wilson (married Catharine Cathcart) fled Scotland in the 1680's went to Newry, County Down, Ireland. Suppose to have had four sons, John, James, Samuel and Hugh. Zaccheus came to this country with his son John from Rosstrevor Ireland, County Down near the head of Carlingford Lough, a deep bay and settled in Franklin county about 1730. Zaccheus Wilson was the founder of this Wilson Family of Allegany County, Pennsylvania in this lengthy published genealogy.
FiNDAGRAVE
At one time I thought FindAGrave was a good project because the information was based on actual existing tombstones and honored our deceased ancestors. However now it seems FindA Grave has become a "dumping ground" for genealogies which are most often undocumented and sometimes based on guesswork. It is too bad it has come to this situation which is handicapping the truth.
Zaccheus Wilson Sr. died 1795/1796 Oglethorpe Co. GA
husband of Frances Rodgers of Lancaster County PA. He was one the first to settle in NC receiving a 1754 grant in Anson County NC for 431 acres of land on the Trading Path and the south bank of Sugar Creek (later becoming Mecklenburg County in 1763) Zaccheus moved to Oglethorpe County GA around 1794. Will of Zaccheus Wilson, Oglethorpe county, Georgia, Book A, page 25. Written 30 October, probated 3 June 1796 named seven children.
Zaccheus was the-
father of Ann Calhoun born ca 1752, wife of her cousin Charles Calhoun of Williamson County TN
father of Margaret Calhoun born ca 1755 wife of her cousin George Calhoun of Williamson County TN
father of Isaac Wilson of Mecklenburg County NC, married ca 1790 Ann McCord, died June 1807.
father of Joseph Wilson
father of William Wilson
father of Zaccheus Wilson , designated executor of his father will
According to the will of Zaccheus Wilson Sr. it appears all his children, except Zaccheus, were already married and therefore received only five shillings each. On the other hand Zaccheus was heir to the plantation house, land and slaves on Long creek in Oglethorpe County and also instructed to care for his mother.
Zaccheus Wilson Sr. was the-
*brother of Elizabeth Calhoun, wife of George Calhoun of Mecklenburg County NC who died 1795
*possible brother of Dorcas Amelia Alexander who died 1800; wife of Abraham Alexander
*nephew of Mr. Wilson who died about 1753/1754 either during or shortly after migrating to Mecklenburg County NC. There is a tradition in the old Robert "Robin" Wilson family that his mother was a widow when she and her family arrived in North Carolina. It is also a tradition that her youngest child, a daughter Martha was born after the family arrived. Martha later became the wife of Captain Stephen Alexander. She was a Revolutionary War widow and applied for her pension eight days before she died. It was stated in her application that her maiden name was Wilson.
Zaccheus Wilson Sr. was the-
*cousin of Mary Harris born 1743/1746 the first wife of Robert Harris, Esq of Mecklenburg County NC Robert was the Robert Harris who had his forearm and hand severed by a British Bayonet.
*cousin of Martha Alexander born 1754 wife of Captain Stephen Alexander of Mecklenburg County NC
*cousin or brother or father of Elizabeth Lea born 1739, wife of Reverend Luke Lea ( family tradition and the Francis Powell Otken book claim she was a daughter of Zaccheus Wilson Sr. ) Other information claim she was the daughter of William Wilson, an adjacent neighbor of Luke lea who was a son of James Lea, who lived in Caswell county NC . Elizabeth Lea's first son was named James and her second son was named William Wilson Lea and another was named Zachariah Lea(not Zaccheus) This Lea genealogy has been circulating since 1906 and appeared in DAR applications. *cousin of Captain David Wilson of Sumner County TN died 1803, married Jane Sharp
*cousin of Zaccheus Wilson a surveyor and Signer of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence married
Mrs. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Conger Ross. Died in Sumner County TN 1824
*cousin of Robert Wilson Sr. died 1793 of Mecklenburg County NC married Eleanor Carrothers
*cousin of Samuel Wilson of Sumner County TN died 1814 married Sarah (?Moore)
For many years I have tried to find documentation for the idea that Zaccheus Wilson Sr. who died in Oglethorpe County Georgia was the father of all these Wilsons and was married first to a woman named Martha Armstrong. This has been repeated and circulating for many years but no one seems to know where, when and how this idea started even though they accept it and repeated it. Can anyone provide
additional documentation regarding this claim? Some on-line sources claim Zaccheus Wilson SR. was the father of twenty children and often claimed as born in 1690, 1709, 1713 or 1717. Please contact me: [email protected]
A letter written in 1865 by Zeno Campbell describes his maternal ancestor family named Rodgers who migrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Mecklenburg County (then Anson) in 1752. Joseph Rodgers and his wife Martha Poore had five sons and four daughters who all migrated to North Carolina with their spouses and children. According to his letter, their daughter Franny Rodgers married Zaccheus Wilson. The will of Seth Rodgers dated 1757 (probated 1758) Lancaster County bequeathed five pounds to Frances Wilson who was living in North Carolina. Seth Rodgers was a brother of Joseph Rodgers who married Martha Poore. The other children were John Rodgers, Robert Rodgers, William Rogers, George Rodgers, Joseph Rodgers, Martha Barnett w/o James, Margaret and Elizabeth Black w/o James.
Robert Wilson "Robin" of Sugar Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina wrote his will 14 Dec 1793 . It was probated 27 Jan 1794 and among several friends he designated "my cousin Zaccheus " to divide the plantation. At the time of 1793 there were three or possibly four men with the same name Zaccheus Wilson.
(1) Zaccheus, the surveyor and Signer in 1775 of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. He moved to Sumner County, Tennessee where he died in 1824. It is verified by the Revolutionary War declaration of Josiah Wilson (son of old Robert Wilson) that this Zaccheus was a brother of Old Robert Wilson who died 1793-4 in Mecklenburg County NC. Josiah Wilson called him Uncle Zaccheus. It seems unlikely old Robert Wilson would name his brother as "cousin".
(2) Zaccheus, the man who first settled on Sugar Creek in 1754 (then Anson County) and moved to Oglethorpe County, GA where he died in 1795. I call him Senior because he was the first of this name to appear in the records of Mecklenburg County on Sugar Creek. He seems to be close in age to old Robert "Robin" Wilson and could be his brother, although some people have suggested his father. However it is unlikely old Robin Wilson would call his father or brother "cousin" but more likely this Zaccheus was actually his cousin, both of their own fathers having been brothers.
If this is true, then there was two Wilson brothers who died before 1754 and whose children (including Zaccheus Wilson Sr.) and possibly widows migrated to the Mecklenburg county area of North Carolina, and both of these brothers had a history of naming children "Zaccheus".
(3) Zaccheus born 1765, was the son of Old Robert " Robin"Wilson . It is doubtful old Robert Robin Wilson would have called his son "cousin".
(4) Zaccheus Wilson Sr. who moved to Oglethorpe County, Georgia also had a son named Zaccheus who was old enough to be the executor of his father's will in 1795 in Oglethorpe county Georgia. This Zaccheus as executor of his father's will sold land on Sugar and Steele Creek in Mecklenburg which had belonged to his father, described as part of the "old survey". This Zaccheus Jr. lived in Oglethorpe county on land his father purchased there on Long Creek in April 1794. He was also a Georgia land lottery winner in 1805 having registered in 1803 as Georgia resident in order to qualify.
Another interesting genealogy which perhaps is worthy of investigation is that of Reverend James Renwick Willson a covenanter Presbyterian minister. This biography states: "his forefathers on his father's side, Zaccheus Willson and two other brothers, had emigrated from Rostrevor, County Down, Ireland. The year of the immigration varies" The exact date is uncertain (between 1711 and 1721) but there is agreement that Zaccheus and his family settled first in the region of Back Creek, Delaware. In time, the three Wilson brothers parted ways. Two of the brothers, Hugh and Samuel, went south to North Carolina (another version says South Carolina).
The principle settlement of the Covenanter society was formed in the region of Paxtang, Dauphin County; Pennsylvania. Franklin county Pennsylvania and the settlement near Octorara, Pennsylvania were also principle settlements and it was reported in the minutes of the General Meeting held in Middle Octorara, March 4, 1744 that James Wilson, was one of those given charge with revising the minutes of the General Meeting. Rev. John Cuthbertson administered to these early Covenanter Societies. He baptized on 2 Sept 1753 Zaccheus Wilson a son of James Wilson, another son named Robert on 19 April 1755 and a daughter named Rebecca on 11 April 1756 at the Cove Society on Licking Creek. James Wilson, son of Zaccheus Wilson (immigrant) eventually moved further west and settled east of the Alleghenies in the vicinity of Elizabeth Twp. at the forks of the Youghiogheny river in Rostrevor Township It is thought that the Senior Zaccheus Wilson also settled here with his son James about 1768. Someone posted on the internet a notation that Zaccheus Wilson born unknown died 1769 near Glassport, PA and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Edmundson Cemetery located on the hill above the old Edmundson brick home, between the Yough and Mon rivers. James Wilson died after 1779. Some reports claim he married Susannah Alexander. Their son was Zaccheus Wilson baptized 2 Sep 1753 died 25 April 1827 in Alleghany County PA. He was the father of Reverend James Renwick Wilson, and also a Revolutionary War soldier.
Another version of this genealogy:
The Wilson Family, Mrs. J. Ralph Wilson 1956 Louisa Printing Company
Zaccheus Wilson, probably son or grandson of Thomas Wilson (married Catharine Cathcart) fled Scotland in the 1680's went to Newry, County Down, Ireland. Suppose to have had four sons, John, James, Samuel and Hugh. Zaccheus came to this country with his son John from Rosstrevor Ireland, County Down near the head of Carlingford Lough, a deep bay and settled in Franklin county about 1730. Zaccheus Wilson was the founder of this Wilson Family of Allegany County, Pennsylvania in this lengthy published genealogy.
FiNDAGRAVE
At one time I thought FindAGrave was a good project because the information was based on actual existing tombstones and honored our deceased ancestors. However now it seems FindA Grave has become a "dumping ground" for genealogies which are most often undocumented and sometimes based on guesswork. It is too bad it has come to this situation which is handicapping the truth.