Robeson County, NC - Malcom Wilkerson, 1839-1902 ~~~~~~~~~~ Malcom Wilkerson was born in Lumberton, North Carolina on October 10, 1839. Although the proper spelling of his name is Malcolm, all records are spelled Malcom. His parents were Alexander and Helen Wilkerson who had immigrated to the United States from Scotland. According to the U.S. Census of 1850, his brothers and sisters were; John b. 1830, Mary b. 1832, Elizabeth b. 1836, James B. b. 1840, Margaret b. 1846, and Alexander Jr. b. 1848. The next recorded event found for Malcom was when he was baptized at Black Swamp Baptist Church. It was in August 1856. On December 13, 1856, he was married to Crissie Jane Prevatte, daughter of Wright and Ann Prevatte. Their children were; Harriet b. 1857, William James b. September 3, 1865, John C. b. September 30, 1866, and Crissie J. b. May 15, 1869. His wife Crissie Jane, died on July 10, 1869 and their youngest daughter Crissie died on May 15, 1870. She and her daughter are buried in the Prevatte Cemetery on HWY 41 near Lumberton. On October 20, 1869, Malcom married a second time to Martha Ann Tuner b. May 26, 1845, daughter of James and Judith Powers Turner, both from Marion County, South Carolina. From this marriage, the children were; Roxie b. 1882, Ella, Bessie, Archie b. June 25, 1878, Edward b. October 16, 1879, and Amanda b. June 17, 1885. During the Civil War, Malcom, a farmer enrolled into Captain Willis P. Moore's Company known as the Clay Valley Rangers, in Robeson County on February 28, 1862. On April 10, 1862, in Wilmington, North Carolina, he was mustered in by Colonel John L. Cantwell for three years or the war. The Clay Valley Rangers subsequently became, Company E, 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry (State Troops). He was 25 years old at the time, standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall in height. The 51st North Carolina served in the battle defending Kinston, North Carolina before being stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. It was in Charleston where Pvt. Wilkerson’s service came to an end. The official records show that his left leg was amputated from wounds received at Battery Wagner on Morris Island, South Carolina on July 18, 1863. After careful research, it was discovered that he was wounded on July 16 rather than the 18th. This was determined after the discover of a copy of the Charleston Courier newspaper dated July 18, Saturday morning. In that paper, Malcom was among a list of "wounded soldiers in the action on James Island." One of the muster cards in his files at National Archives has him wounded on July 17. For once, the newspaper seems to be more accurate. The battle on James Island took place on July 16, 1863. He was listed among the soldiers brought to Trapman Street Hospital from that action. Malcom recovered from his wound while under the care of Dr. William H. Huger at the Trapman Street Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. The last record from his service, September 8, 1863, shows that he was paid for four months — a total of $44.00. This pay was for time through August 31, 1863, when it is believed he was retired from active duty. North Carolina Archives and History records of "Artificial Limbs for Confederate Soldiers" show that he received his artificial limb for upper left leg on August 13, 1866 He returned to Lumberton where he lived until 1902. He was buried in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Dillon, S.C. His grave marker shows he died on May 3, 1902. An obituary in the Robesonian newspaper dated November 11, 1902 stated "Mr. Malcom Wilkerson, an old Confederate soldier died at his home near here last week. He was a member of Company E, 51st N.C. Regiment and lost a leg in the service. He was an honest citizen, a kind parent and a good neighbor, who will be missed in his community. His death imposes the fact that those who make the brightest page in Southern History are too rapidly passing away." It is most likely that he may have died on November 2, 1902. His second wife, Martha Ann Turner Wilkerson is buried at his side. She died August 6, 1935. On the granite marker at the head of Malcom is engraved a Masonic Symbol. ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Tim Bradshaw - lawtonka@peoplepc.com ______________________________________________________________________