Wilson Family Line

Wilson Family Line

Levin Wilson (1820 - 1900)

Rev. Levin Wilson

Birthdate: January 6, 1820

Birthplace: Gibson, Indiana

Denomination: Presbyterian / Independent Presbytery

Death: November 8, 1900 in Cynthiana, Smith Township, Posey County, Indiana

Family 1

Spouse:

Henrietta McReynolds

1818-1883

Henrietta Wilson

Also known as: "Polly"

Birthdate: June 17, 1818

Birthplace: Grallington, Sumner County, Tennessee

Denomination: (probably) Quaker / Presbyterian

Date of Marriage: May 16, 1839

Place of Marriage: Posey County, Indiana

Death: March 20, 1883 in Cynthiana, Smith Township, Posey County, Indiana

Children:

1. Anna Electra P. (Wilson) Connet (1841-1927)

2. Comfort Elizabeth Wilson Zeigler (1843-1914)

3. Polly Aurelia (Wilson) Redman (1846-1880)

4. James C. Wilson (1849-1925)

5. Arminda Z. (Wilson) Massey (1851-1921)

6. Zilla B. (Wilson) Smith (1856-1943)

7. Levin Eli Wilson (1859-1870)

Family 2

Spouse:

Lydia A. Partridge

Birthdate: January 12, 1840

Birthplace: Gustavus, Trumbull County, Ohio

Date of Marriage: 1884

Place of Marriage: [location unknown]

Death: May 5, 1917 in Gibson County, Indiana

Immediate Family:

Daughter of Isaac Newton Partridge and Lydia Clisbee

Children:

1. Lydia Partridge

About Levin Wilson

Biography

Levin Wilson was born in Gibson County, Indiana, 1820, the son of Joshua Wilson and Comfort Knowles. In 1839, he married Henrietta McReynolds, and they had a large family. Those of their children who lived beyond infancy are:

Anna Electra P. (Wilson) Connet (1841-1927)

Comfort Elizabeth Wilson Zeigler (1843-1914)

Polly Aurelia (Wilson) Redman (1846-1880)

James C. Wilson (1849-1925)

Arminda Z. (Wilson) Massey (1851-1921)

Zilla (Wilson) Smith (1856-1943)

Levin Eli Wilson (1859-1870)

After Henrietta died in 1883, the following year, at age 65, he married Lydia A. Partridge, twenty years his junior.

Levin was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church until he left the denomination in 1855. The story of how Levin and his brother Lewis left the church is told by William Robert Black. In 1854, a fellow minister, Thomas McCormick, announced that he was “connected with the underground railroad and I do not care who knows it.” In response,

Indiana Presbytery resolved that it was “not expedient to discuss the question of American Slavery from the pulpit.” Seventeen ministers voted for the resolution; only McCormick and the brothers Lewis and Levin Wilson voted against it. ... The three men continued preaching against slavery, and at the next presbytery meeting in the spring of 1855 one of the Wilson brothers moved that slavery be declared “a great moral evil, contrary to the spirit of the Gospel.” The resolution went nowhere. Instead the presbytery deferred to the General Assembly’s resolution of 1851 and warned that further “agitation of the subject” might “result in severing the body of Jesus Christ.” In protest, the Wilson brothers and McCormick withdrew from the presbytery.

The Wilson brothers were given "letters of dismission", but McCormick was treated more severely and "suspended from the ministry". The three then formed an independent presbytery "forsaking communion with slaveholders or the abettors of slaveholders".

Among Levin's other accomplishments was writing a history of the Knowles family. Levin died in 1900 and is buried with both wives at Wilson Cemetery, Gibson County, Indiana.

Sources

↑ Note left by Susan Knight Gore on 15 Nov 2016 at Levin's Find a Grave memorial. Tartt (1884, p. 143) cites an article by Rev J. E. Jenkins which names Levin Wilson as one of the ministers of the Oakland City congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Gibson County.

↑ Black, 2018, p. 135-136.

↑ Wilson, 1898, is an address delivered to a reunion of the Kowles family, published two years before the author's death.

Find A Grave: Memorial #30162574 for Levin Wilson (1820-1900).

Black, William Robert. No Northern or Southern Religion: Cumberland Presbyterians and the Christian Nation, 1800-1877. Doctoral thesis, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 2018.

Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, Gibson County Marriage Record, 1882-1890, p. 88-89 (image 46). Marriage of James W. Massey (2nd) and Arminda Z. Wilson, 20 Apr 1884. Levin Wilson, officiate.

Slevin, Ruth M. Posey County Indiana Marriages, Book 2 (1832-1846), Part 2 (Brides). Unknown publisher, 1900, p. 22. Marriage of Henrietta McReynolds and Levin Wilson, 16 May 1839 (#824).

Tartt, James T. History of Gibson County, Indiana, with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers. Edwardsville, IL: Jas. T. Tartt & Co., 1884.

Turman, Robert E. Genealogy Newspaper Columns of Robert E. Turman. (Ed. by Bettie Anne Cummings Cook). Evansville, IN: Tri-State Genealogical Society and Willard Library, 1981.

US Census, Indiana. FamilySearch database with images.

1850, Gibson County, Montgomery Twp, p. 61A (image 35), family 798, lines 14-21. Family members: Leven Wilson (30 IN, merchant), Henrietta (2 TN), Annie E (8 IN), Comfort E (6), Polly A (4), James C (1), Mary A Knowles (10), David L Knowles (22).

1860, Gibson County, Montgomery Twp, p. 37 (image 37), family 252, lines 20-28. Family Members: Elvan Wilson (40, clergyman), Herieta (42 TN), Anna E P (18), Comfort E (16), Polly R (14), Jas C (11), Arminta Y (9), Tirpy T (4), Levinia (1).

1870, Gibson County, Montgomery Twp, p. 28 (image 28), family 199, lines 27-31. Family members: Levin Wilson (50, farmer), Henrietta (51), James (21), Arminda (20), Tebayila [sic] (14), Eli (11).

1880, Gibson County, Montgomery Twp, ED 110, p. 3 (image 3), family 22, lines 34-38. Family members: Levin Wilson (60, minister), Henrietta (61), Armuda Z (29), Debazillia [sic] B (23).

1900, Gibson County, Montgomery Twp, ED 8, sheet 14A (image 26), family 300, lines 42-44. Family members: Levin Wilson (80-Jan1820, Lydia A (60-Jan1840), Aurelian (19-Nov1880, grandson).

Wilson, Levin. Reunion of the Knowles Family of the United States: Historical Address. Princeton, IN: Press of the Clarion, 1898.

Rev. Levin Wilson

Cumberland Presbyterian Minister

1820 - 1900

Left the Cumberland Presbyterian Church March 30, 1855.

1850

Elder representative from Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Levin Wilson

Levin Wilson received as a candidate in Indiana Presbytery.

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 28 & 30, 1850, pages 79 & 81]

1851

Candidate present - Levin Wilson

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 5, 1851, page 85]

1851

Candidate present - Levin Wilson

Levin Wilson was licensed by Indiana Presbytery.

"Br. Levin Wilson supply New Salem & Montgomery until next Pres."

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 2 & 4, 1851, pages 93 & 98 & 99]

1852

Licentiate absent - Levin Wilson

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 2, 1852, page 100]

1852

L. Wilson Elder Commissioner from Indiana Presbytery to General Assembly, May 18-25, 1852, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Served on the Committee on the Records of Hernando Synod.

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, May 18-25, 1852, pages 4 & 9]

1852

Licentiate absent - Levin Wilson

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 17, 1852., page 107]

1853

Licentiate present - Levin Wilson

Levin Wilson ordained by Indiana Presbytery.

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 30 & April 1, 1853, pages 113 & 119]

1853

Minister present - Levin Wilson

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 2, 1853, page 121]

1854

Minister absent - Levin Wilson

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 4, 1854, page 149]

1854

Levin Wilson - Owensville, Indiana

Minister - Indiana Presbytery - Indiana Synod

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1854, page 88]

1854

Minister present - Levin Wilson

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 29, 1854, page 157]

1855

Minister present - Levin Wilson

"The regular order of business suspended to grant letters of dismission & recommendation to Brs. Levin & Lewis Wilson, which on motion were granted."

[Source: Minutes of Indiana Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 30, 1855, pages 163 & 170]

Bibliography

Wilson, Levin. A Declaration of Principles and Church Policy, of the Independent Presbyterians. Evansville, Ind.: 1855.

References:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHKB-BLN

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-4112

https://www.geni.com/people/Levin-Wilson/5643092902700128570

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30162574/levin-wilson

http://www.cumberland.org/hfcpc/minister/WilsonLevin.htm

http://casmaer.com/genealogy/wilson_1.htm

Henrietta McReynolds

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHKB-BY8

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/McReynolds-548

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/138208899/john-berry-mcreynolds

https://www.geni.com/people/Henrietta-Wilson/6000000006920272042

Lydia A. Partridge

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/KWJR-TQ5/lydia-partridge-1830-1875

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30162580/lydia-a_-wilson

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 2x Great-Grandfather:

My 4x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 5x Great-Grandfather:

Children:

1. Aseneath Wilson 1807–1837

2. Lewis Wilson 1808–1859

3. James Wilson 1809–1882

4. Elizabeth Wilson 1812–1839

5. Rev. Lewis Wilson 1814–1890

6. Nathan Wilson 1817–1839

7. Rev. Levin Wilson 1820–1900

8. Anna Wilson 1822–1842

9. Henrietta Wilson Wilson 1825–1844

10. Amasa Palmer Wilson 1829–1869

About Joshua Wilson, Jr.

Biography

Son of Joshua Wilson, Sr. and Catherine Hough.

Marriage to Comfort Marvel Knowles, April 9, 1807 in Greene County, Georgia.

Burial in Wilson Family Cemetery, Southern Gibson County, Indiana near Knowles Station on C & El RR. There is a monument to Joshua and Comfort Wilson. One side of the monument says "Joshua Wilson Born in VA June 18, 1775. Raised in NC. Died in IND Apr 11, 1839". The opposite side says "Comfort M Knowles Born in 1790 Raised in GA Died in IND 31 DEC 1868". The side between says "Joshua Wilson & Comfort M Knowles were married on Apr 9, 1807. Settled this section of land Dec 1811 and raised a family of 4 daughters and 5 sons. This monument erected in 1882 by their two loving children Lewis Wilson, Levin Wilson".

The following bio is drawn from a historical address given by Joshua Wilson's son, Levin Wilson, to a reunion of the Knowles family on September 24, 1896, in Gibson County, Indiana.

Joshua was born June 18, 1775, and after a protracted sickness of winter fever died April 11, 1839. His father’s name was Joshua and was of Scotch descent, and from either Maryland or Virginia. Joshua Sr. moved into North Carolina when his son was but a babe, where he died, leaving a wife and several children, among them his namesake. Joshua worked at the cooper’s trade for several years in North Carolina. He spent a few years in Georgia, where he was farm overseer. He returned to his old home and friends in North Carolina. But they offered him better wages in Georgia, so he went back and several years he was the superintendent of Mr. Amasa Palmer’s farms previous to his coming to Indiana.

Comfort M., the only daughter of James and Patience Knowles, was married to Joshua Wilson on the 9th of April, 1807. Joshua was a farm superintendent for Mr. Amasa Palmer and had but few equals in his business. To Joshua and Comfort were born a daughter and a son in Georgia. In getting ready to move to Indiana Joshua swapped a woman and child for a horse to work in his cart. The woman was considered of more value than the horse; the remainder was paid in money years afterward.

All things being ready, about November 1st, 1811, James and Patience Knowles, having condensed their property, procuring all the money possible – Patience, with the household goods, in the wagon, the four boys afoot, and James on “the near horse” – moved off and left Georgia forever. Then followed Prettyman Knowles with his cart, wife and four children. After them came James Knowles with his cart, wife and two children. The son-in-law, Joshua Wilson, brought up the rear with his cart, wife and two children. Besides this family of twenty, two or three young men came with them. They traveled slowly, but each day shortened the distance. They passed through the Cherokee Indian country and found them friendly, willingly furnishing them with all the provision needed. The Indians were “sharp” and as well posted in regard to the value of eatables as the Knowles’.

They met with some mishaps in the mountain region by turning over and breaking down carts. But they were prepared for almost any emergency with tools and a knowledge of how to use them. They were an independent traveling community, doing their own cooking, sleeping on their own beds, having their own camp fires. They were not destitute of morals, for their head was a Presbyterian elder and the Sabbath was remembered by them. However, one Sunday as they were camped some wild fowls settled on a tree near by, and he said, “Nathan, get the gun and shoot one.” He obeyed and down came the bird. The boy, with fowl in hand, approached his father and said, “This will be good, for I killed it on Sunday.” Thus the old man was reproved, for he had given the order without thinking it was the Sabbath.

They had two objectives points, Nashville and the Red Banks. Before reaching the first, upon Lookout Mountain, part of their company were below in the midst of a hard rain storm while the others were above in the beautiful sunshine. Having reached Nashville, they replenished their stock of provisions, crossed the Cumberland River, and for many miles had a fine road which was highly appreciated by them. The weather was mild and pleasant and they were healthy, full of life and hope.

However, the warmth of their glee was cooled on hearing of the battle of Tippecanoe, on Nov. 5th, where many were slaughtered while it was yet dark, by Tecumseh’s Indian warriors, marshaled under the Prophet; and the herald reported that “it was owing to the imbecility of General Harrison who was made the dupe of the Prophet.” Someone brought up a proposition to stop in Kentucky, but it was at once voted down, saying. “We started for Indiana and to Indiana we will go.” They slowly but perseveringly traveled on until the Red Banks were reached and in full force the Ohio River was crossed, and at evening tide of Dec. 16th they encamped upon its northern shore, the very border of the “promised land.”

That night they were called to witness, as a remembrance, the earth reel to and fro like a drunken man. It was the time of the great earthquake of 1811. James, senior, as he lay in his wagon, was aroused by the shaking and, hearing others up, said, “Jimmy, I wish you would scare the hogs away from my wagon, for they are shaking it terribly.” A young Mr. Reed who was sleeping by the fire, on awaking cried out, “The chairs are at it, too.” This was one of the times the Knowles’ were much frightened, but soon prepared and ate their first breakfast in Indiana, and with greater haste than usual took up the line of march.

A few miles brought them to Mr. Wagoner’s, where to their great joy they met Jesse Knowles and John Marvel, who came to meet them and pilot them to Old Fort Branch, and late in the day of the 17th of Dec. 1811, to the joy of all, they arrived at Prettyman Marvel’s. After a day’s rest they came down here, by way of Mr. Walter Montgomery’s, and about eighty rods from where we are today, on this quarter section of land, they built their cabin of poles, of which there were plenty, and procured some provisions from Mr. Nicholson, who resided where our esteemed friend and relative, John L. Knowles, now lives. He gave them all the pumpkins they wished, of which he had plenty uninjured by the frost. It was here in a dense forest, surrounded by howling wolves, screaming panthers and grunting bears, they spent their first Christmas in Hoosier land, with thoughts running back to the Cross and the redemption of the world by it.

On their arrival in Indiana Joshua bought the quarter section of land adjoining Prettyman Knowles on the south, where Mrs. Elinor Wilson now lives. Four years later he bought the quarter section west. He afterwards bought two other quarter sections and the eastern half of the Daniel Fisher quarter section. They were living on the first named land at Christmas, 1811, in a camp made by placing one end of poles in forks and the other on the ground, with cross poles upon which the covering of boards was laid. There were boards set up on end at the sides. The beds were where the roof came near the ground and the fire in the opposite end. They remained there all winter and comfortable and happy. It was in this tenement their third child was born March 12, 1812. That spring they put up a neat house of round logs and lived in it until the year 1822. Joshua put up a shop at the west end of the cabin and there plied his trade with success. About seventy rods south from where he first settled he built three large rooms of hewed logs and lived in them until the day of his death.

Joshua and Comfort raised nine children, their names as follows: Asenath, James, Elizabeth, Lewis, Nathan, Levin, Anna, Henrietta and Amasa Palmer. These all lived to have families of their own. Joshua and Comfort were very strict with their children; however, they gave them the utmost liberty in the right, but none in the wrong. Not one of these children at any time of their lives was heard to swear an oath. The Bible was made the source of council from their youth all through life. James, Lewis and Amasa were popular school teachers in their young day. James was associate judge for some years. He studied medicine and practiced for several years. Lewis and Levin turned their attention to the study of theology and became noted ministers of the gospel through their strong opposition to slavery and received their share of persecution. Nathan was accidently killed by the falling of a log at a house raising. Amasa was an excellent mathematician; he died before he was old. They are all dead but Levin and he has lived longer than any one of the others.

Sources

Geni.com Profile for Joshua Wilson, Jr.

Colonial Georgia Marriage Records from 1760-1810, Author: Frances T. Ingmire, Publication: St. Louis, Missouri: self published, 1985, Page: 144.

Transcribed by Jimmy D Wilson and originally shared on Ancestry.com, 12 Aug 2010.

The Knowles Family History, published 1896 for a family reunion held in Gibson County, Indiana. A copy of the booklet is in the possession of descendant Ruth Montgomery. It was passed down through the family by Louisa Knowles Montgomery, daughter of Nathan Knowles and Temperance Boren Knowles.

Cited at Geni.com Profile for Joshua Wilson, Jr.

Find A Grave: Memorial #30162565 for Joshua Wilson (1775-18390.

Turman, Robert E. Genealogy Newspaper Columns of Robert E. Turman. (Ed. by Bettie Anne Cummings Cook). Evansville, IN: Tri-State Genealogical Society and Willard Library, 1981.

Spouse:

Comfort Marvel Knowles

b. 14 Feb 1790, Sussex Co., DE

d. 31 Dec 1868, Gibson Co., IN (Age 78)

Joshua (age 31) married Comfort Marvel (Knowles) (age 17), and together they raised a large family. Some of their children were born in Greene Co., GA, but most were born in the Indiana Territory after the family migrated from GA to IN, probably after 1809 but before 1814.

Children:

Aseneath (Wilson) Knowles (1807)

James Wilson (29 Dec 1809)

Lewis Wilson (15 Oct 1814)

Nathan Wilson (13 Jun 1817)

Malinda Smith Wilson (22 Nov 1819)

Levin Wilson (6 Jan 1820)

Anna Wilson (7 Nov 1822)

Henrietta Wilson (14 Jul 1825)

Amasa Wilson (13 May 1829)

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Joshua-Wilson-Jr/368791635250012220

http://www.esva.net/ghotes/lank/i0000146.htm

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-4108

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L1S9-287

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30162565/joshua-wilson

http://casmaer.com/genealogy/wilson_1.htm

Comfort Marvel Knowles:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LC7S-2KH

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Knowles-487

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Grandy's 3x Great-Grandfather:

My 5x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 6x Great-Grandfather:

Joshua Wilson, Sr. (1740 - 1775)

Birthdate: ca. 1740

Birthplace: Fairfax County, Colony of Virginia

Denomination: (probably) Presbyterian

Liberty Bell, signifying a person in an accepted NSSAR or NSDAR lineage.

The Liberty Bell displayed here simply acts as a means to easily identify a patriot recognized by the NSDAR or NSSAR who was a participant in the fight for American Independence or a person of direct, recognized lineal descent from a patriot appearing in one or more accepted applications to NSDAR or NSSAR. The image is a "marker" visible in certain tree views and serves no other purpose or meaning.

Joshua Wilson was born in of Broadkill, Sussex Co., Del about 1735. will of william wilson

Joshua Wilson Sr. came to America from Scotland in Colonial times. He lived in Virginia.

Levin Wilson, Joshua's grandson, tells us in his historial address to the Knowles Family Reunion on September 24, 1896 that "Joshua was of Scotch descent, and from either Maryland or Virginia. Joshua Sr. moved into North Carolina when his son, Joshua Jr. was but a babe. He died there, leaving a wife and several children, among them his namesake."

He died in the Revolutionary War!

References (wrong father):

https://www.geni.com/people/Joshua-Wilson-Sr/368791987020011429

https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Joshua_Wilson_(5)

http://www.esva.net/ghotes/lank/i0000146.htm

Often Confused with this Joshua Wilson, Sr. (different line):

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-8467

Catherine Hough:

https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LB76-998/catherine-hough-1748-1820

https://www.geni.com/people/Catherine-Wilson/6000000033793301452

https://www.geni.com/people/Catherine-Huff/6000000010730937099

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Grandy's 4x Great-Grandfather:

My 6x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 7x Great-Grandfather:

Often confused with the following individuals:

Matthew Wilson, Jr. (1715-1771)

Born: Londonderry, Armagh Town, County Tyrone, Ireland

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LK45-PT1

Capt Matthew Wilson (1726 - 1804)

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-28353

Captain Matthew Wilson (1755-1835)

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-18510

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/Capt-Matthew-Willson/6000000003263375637

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LK9Z-JHG

Wrong Birthplace:

https://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/thomas-wilson-24-2ytx7

Wrong Person:

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G9J6-G81

https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Matthew_Wilson_%284%29

Wrong Father:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-28353

Martha Ann Guilliam

https://www.geni.com/people/Thomas-Gilliam/6000000014272384653

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 5x Great-Grandfather:

My 7x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 8x Great-Grandfather:

Family

Spouse:

Children:

1. Robert Willson 1672–1745

2. Margaret Wilson 1678–

About John Willson

Biography

John was born in 1646. He passed away in 1750.

Have found no proof or even evidence that he went to Maryland.

References:

https://www.geni.com/people/John-Willson/6000000001013112343

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L2XQ-KH9

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wilson-48582

________________________________________________________________________________

Grandy's 7x Great-Grandfather:

My 9x Great-Grandfather:

Laila Laemmel-Gordon's 10x Great-Grandfather:

James Willson (1620 - 1690)

James Wilson

Birthdate: 1620

Birthplace: Renfrewshire, Scotland

Denomination: (probably) Presbyterian

Death: 1690 in Renfrewshire, Scotland

Parents:

Robert Wilson

1600-1674

Isobel Bogill

1600-1678

Family

Spouse: