William and James Wilson

From "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher, published sometime after 1975.

FAMILIES OF WILLIAM AND JAMES WILSON

William Wilson came to America from Ireland in 1790 and settled in Pennsylvania near his cousin, also named William Wilson. He married his cousin's oldest daughter Margaret and they lived in Washington County, Pennsylvania for many years. They had eight sons, two of which died during childhood. In 1815 the family moved to Ohio and in 1816 came down the Ohio River on flat boat to Southern Indiana and settled on the Madison Road about two miles east of Lexington. William bought a small 40 acre farm and built a log cabin near a spring which provided a good supply of water.

He was very active in community affairs and gave a lot from his farm for the building of a school, church and cemetery. The log school, when completed, was used for church services, school and other meetings. e Al-though the foundation of the church was laid, it was never built. A split divided the Irish settlement concerning what rules they would follow in the church. The church was finally moved into the town of Lexington itself. The cemetery had only one person buried in it -- James Wilson, Sr.

On September 5, 1842, William sold the 40 acre farm to James Wilson, Sr., who had moved from Clark County, Ohio, to Scott County. After settling in Lexington he became active in politics and the life of the new community. He was, in fact, sheriff of the county at one time.

James and Ann Bratton Wilson had a family of three girls and two sons -- Rebecca, William, James, Elizabeth and Julia Ann.

James Wilson, Sr., willed the 40 acre farm to his son James. This son (James II) married Sarah Glendy of Lexington and they had a family of nine children -- William, Mary Agnes, Sarah Alice, Julia Ann, Thomas Franklin, Margaret Elizabeth, Eliza Jane, James Edgar and Ida Estella. His son James (III) did not take over the farm. Instead his son Thomas Franklin stayed on the farm and married Hattie Amos. They had a family of three -- Robert, Blanch and Mae.

Robert, after inheriting the farm, rented it out on several occasions for a period of years and finally sold it to someone outside the Wilson family, as he had no children.

William Wilson died in 1855 and the first James in 1891. There are many living descendants from this Wilson line still living in the surrounding community today.

The above picture shows two members of the seventh generation of William Wilson who came to America in 1790 -- James Fredrick (R) and Brian Fredrick McAllister (L) -- holding the powder horn that James Wilson, Sr., first used when he came to Lexington in 1842. This particular powder horn has been passed down through the generations along the James line going to those sons given the name "James."

Powder horns originated with the invention of gun powder. They were used to safely carry the powder to be used in a man' s musket. The powder horns that were utilized by the earliest of settlers were actually horns from animals that were carried by the individual slung over his back. The horn was excellent for this purpose for it never rusted, could not be dented, and was easily obtained and, therefore, inexpensive.

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