Butts-Henry County GaArchives Biographies.....Wilson, Joseph ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Larry Knowles knonga@bellsouth.net August 31, 2004, 8:23 pm Author: Larry C. Knowles The Family of Joseph Wilson Joseph Wilson was among the early residents of Butts County, being listed on the 1830 census with his wife and son. He evidently had come to Butts from Jasper Co., as a daughter-Christian, had married Cornelius Foster there in November 1826. Prior to then the family had migrated from South Carolina, though Joseph(according to his son’s 1880 census)had been born in New York. That son, William H. Wilson, must have married soon after the family arrived in Butts Co. To date, a record of his marriage to Frances A.(unknown)has not been found. This union was quickly fruitful. By the time of Joseph’s death in Summer 1841, it had produced four sons-Joseph N., Jesse C., Henry Franklin, and Aaron J. Over the next eighteen years, nine more children were added: William B., Ransome A., John James, Marsilles, Sara, Milton Aretus, Alonza, William Artimus, and Frances Ella(#1). Four children apparently died quite young: Aaron, Marsilles, Sara, and Alonza. According to the 1860 Butts Co. census, the family appeared to be quite prosperous-16 slaves, $19,000 net worth, and six "grown sons". It was also perfectly poised for the coming war! It appears that four of the “Wilson boys”(listed by initials: J.N., J.C., W.B., & R.A.)were among the earliest volunteers, joining “Zackry’s Rangers” on July 8 1861 in adjoining Henry Co. Brother Henry had married Lucy A. Welch on August 23, 1860, and John James was still too young, but both would later serve. Surely, no other Butts Co. family could have offered more to the war effort. Lillian Henderson’s “Roster------1861-1865” provided these few facts: William B. Wilson died Nov 2, 1861 at Rome GA; Joseph N. Wilson was present April 1864- no further record(members of the unit above). Then, from Newton County's “South River Farmers”; H.F. Wilson, wounded, captured, died of wounds Oct 19, 1864 at Cedar Creek, VA ; and, R.A. Wilson, wounded right hip, captured April 6, 1865 at Sailor’s Creek, VA, and released July 1 1865. There is no record for Jeese C. Wilson, but he left an heir, Leslie Wilson(named-with Henry’s son, Ector, in the will of their father, William H. Wilson). John James Wilson served in the 3rd Georgia reserves near the end of the war. After the war ended, the remaining Wilson siblings married, and lived in the community near the homeplace-(#248/8D, as noted in the estate records of patriarch, Joseph Wilson). In fact, all of the Wilsons grew up on that place, as William H. Wilson had built a large two story, log house there on the west side of Fincherville Rd.(approximately 150 yds. south of Blankenship Rd.). Youngest daughter, Ella, and her husband Joseph C. Maddox(son of David & Rebecca Maddox)lived in the Wilson home until their deaths in 1909 & 1905. Thereafter, the house was used as tenant housing for sharecroppers, and field laborers. Today, its footprint-and well, are clearly visible-with porch pillars, and massive chimney rock falls buttressing its outer perimeter. An older homesite(rubble-on the same landlot)about one quarter mile west of this site, was likely the site of Joseph Wilson's original cabin, being just above a good spring. He, and wife Sarah[c.1795-1857]are likely buried nearby(#2). Wm. H. & Frances A. Wilson(the four sons below)and Ella & Joe Maddox are buried at Sardis Baptist Church in Henry Co. CSA memorial markers are placed for sons; Joseph N., Henry F. and William B. Wilson. Ransome A. Wilson married Mrs. Martha Lathram of Henry Co. on June 20, 1869. The couple had only one known child, Bela V. Wilson. M.A.(“Reet”)Wilson married twice. He had four sons by his first wife(E.E. unknown)-Kenneth, Lawton, James Thompson, and William C.(“Willie”). He then married Agness C. Woolsey of Henry Co. on July 26, 1888. They had one known child, John Milton Wilson. John James Wilson married Adelia A. Woolsey, daughter of Isaac Woolsey, in Henry Co. on Feb 14, 1872. William Artis("Tib")Wilson married Ella Frances Fincher, daughter of John L. and Sarah Ann(Dearing)Fincher, in Butts Co. on Dec 30, 1882. The couple had five known children: Daisy V., Homer F., Lena, Zelma, and William Artis Jr.[husband of the late Gladys Kimbell Wilson of Jackson (prominient citizen, member of the DAR, & local business woman)] Notes: #1) The Wilson Family Bible supplied names and dates for the Wilson children. The late Helen Thornton of Jackson, a Wilson descendant, provided photocopies. Custody of the bible is unknown. #2) 1850 Butts Co. census; Sarah’s death noted in James B. Knowles diary (Georgia State Archives). ______________________________________ [This summary, originally in RTF format on a single page, has been slightly revised] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/butts/bios/nbs35wilson.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb