Marty and Karla Grant


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William Wilson (1777-1847) and Ann Mackey of PA, NC (Mecklenburg, Burke)


[Wilson Home] - [Table of Contents] - William & Ann (Mackey) Wilson


Jump to Children’s section | Jump to Family Group Sheet


William and Ann might be my 5 times great grandparents. I haven’t proven my connection to them yet.


There were numerous William Wilsons in Burke and environs during the time of interest. Thus, it isn’t always evident which is which in any particular record.


William Wilson was born November 1777. This is based on two bits of testimony in William’s divorce records. One, he stated he married in 1799. Two, his mother said he married in February and he’d turned 21 the prior November. That works out to Nov 1777 if the marriage was in Feb 1799 and he was 21 then. William himself said he was only 16 when he married, which works out to born ca 1782 which isn’t too far off from 1777. I trust his mother’s testimony over his own. William’s grandson “Uncle” Jake Carpenter reported William’s death as being 30 Jul 1847 at age 86. That would work out to 1761 which is way off.


William was probably born in Pennsylvania as his younger brother Robert was born in that state per his 1850 census entry. William didn’t live long enough to be on any census that lists birth places, but four of his children made it to 1880 which asked the birth place of the parents. Two of his children listed PA as their father’s birthplace, while two others listed NC. North Carolina isn’t likely, though certainly possible.


William Wilson is a proven son of Robert Wilson and Isabella (—) Wilson of Pennsylvania, Mecklenburg and Burke Co., NC. That his father is Robert is proven by an 1838 court record. That his mother is Isabella is proven by 1840 testimony in William’s divorce.


William would have been about 12 or 13 by the time of the 1790 census, so should be home with his parents in the under 16 age group. It isn’t clear where his parents were in 1790. There was a Robert Wilson in Mecklenburg who had two sons that age which works for William and his brother Robert (Jr). That could be them, but perhaps not. We do know his parents were in Mecklenburg by 1793.


William was in Burke Co., NC by Feb 1799 when he married Ann Mackey there. She was born ca 1770/1774 (per census analysis) in Pennsylvania, county unknown. She is a proven child of Samuel Mackey (alias McKey) (1730/40-1831) of PA and Burke Co., NC. I have not yet found the name of Ann’s mother. The Mackey family moved to Burke Co., NC between ca 1785 and 1790 from somewhere in Pennsylvania. I don’t know if the Mackey and Wilson families were acquainted prior to 1799, though both originated in Pennsylvania.


As noted earlier, there were several William Wilsons in this area. Add to that, many of the pre 1865 Burke County records were destroyed during the civil war, thus it is not easy to research anyone in this county. The court records survive which is helpful. Deed records did not survive. Many are mentioned in court records when they were proven in court, but details usually weren’t included.


There is only one William Wilson listed on the 1800 census in Burke Co., NC. Unfortunately this census taker sorted the listings alphabetically (roughly) so we can’t determine who any neighbors were. Despite that, he is listed next to Robert Wilson age 45+ who could certainly be his father.


1800 Census - Burke Co., NC

Page

Name
M0-9

 
M10-15

 
M16-25

 
M26-44

 
M45+

 
F0-9

 
F10-15

 
F16-25

 
F26-44

 
F45+

 
FPC

 
Slaves

 

805

Robert Wilson

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

1

~

805

William Wilson

1

~

1

~

~

~

2

~

1

~

~

~

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 16-25 (1774/1784)       William Wilson (1777)

1m 0-9 (1790/1800)            John M. Wilson (c1800) son

1f 26-44 (1755/1774)         Ann Mackey Wilson (c1770/1774)

2f 10-15 (1784/1790)         1. Sister? Sister-in-law?

                                               2. Sister? Sister-in-law?


I don’t know who the two young ladies in the household are. They could be William’s sisters, Nancy and Mary Wilson, who are otherwise unaccounted for at this time. They do fit into these age categories well enough, though their exact birth years are unknown.


There are two William Wilsons on the 1810 census in Burke Co., NC. Neither is a perfect match for our William. Neither are listed near other Wilsons. The one on page 304 is the better match, especially regarding his sons. However, this William is much older than he should be, and the apparent wife is too young and there are no apparent daughters listed. I strongly suspect it is our William, but I could easily be wrong.


1810 Census - Burke Co., NC

Page

Name
M0-9

 
M10-15

 
M16-25

 
M26-44

 
M45+

 
F0-9

 
F10-15

 
F16-25

 
F26-44

 
F45+

 
FPC

 
Slaves

 

304

Wm Wilson

4

~

1

~

1

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

323

William Willson

1

~

~

1

~

3

~

1

~

~

~

~

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 45+ (before 1765)        William Wilson (1777) *** Age is way off.

1m 16-25 (1784/1794)       Brother? Son?

4m 0-9 (1800/1810)            1. John M. Wilson (c1800) son

                                               2. Samuel C. Wilson (c1801) son

                                               3. Robert C. Wilson (1800/1810) son

                                               4. James R. Wilson (1805) son

1f 16-25 (1784/1794)         Ann Mackey Wilson (1770/1774) wife *** Age is way off.


How do we reconcile this 1810 census entry? Two explanations come to mind. One, it might not be our William at all, though the sons fit quite well. Two, it is him, but perhaps the information was reported by a neighbor thus not very accurate.


On the chance it isn’t our William, I should note there are four Williams in neighboring Buncombe County. There are two in neighboring Rutherford County and one in Mecklenburg. Could one of those be our William instead?


1810 Buncombe Co., NC

William Wilson                    250         20001-11010-0-0

William Wilson                    255         20100-10100-0-0

William Wilson                    270         20010-00100-0-0

William Wilson Senr           294         10011-10110-0-5


1810 Mecklenburg Co., NC

Wm J. Wilson                       458         20010-10010-0-7


1810 Rutherford Co., NC

William Wilson                    451         31010-11010-0-0

William Wilson*                  460         32110-10100-0-0                * Might say Wesson


Regarding the other Williams in 1810, we can take out all four in Buncombe as none have the requisite number of sons at home, as our William had four at this time. Likewise, the one in Mecklenburg can also be removed from consideration. Both of those in Rutherford have enough sons at home. The second of those entries is likely a Wesson and not a Wilson, though it can be read either way. While William on page 451 is a reasonably good match with ours (1777), there is evidence that this is a different William born ca 1775 who died 1836 in Macon Co., NC.


That means that the best match for our William in the entire region in 1810 is the one in Burke with the four sons under 10 years old.


The 1820 census entry is a little more obvious for our William. He is in Burke Co., NC next to his brother Robert Wilson, his father-in-law Samuel Mackey and brother-in-law Fielder Norton. There is little doubt about this being our William. There are also two other William Wilsons in Burke in 1820.



1820 Census - Burke Co., NC

Page

Name

M

0

-

9

M

10

-

15

M

16

-

17

M

16

-

25

M

26

-

44

M

45

+

F

0

-

9

F

10

-

15

F

16

-

25

F

26

-

44

F

45

+

F

P

C

S

l

a

v

e

s

21

William Wilson

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

25

William Wilson

1

1

2

3

1

~

~

1

~

~

1

~

~

25

Robert Wilson

1

2

1

1

1

~

4

1

~

1

~

~

~

25

Samuel McKey

1

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

1

1

~

~

25

Fielder Norton

2

1

1

1

~

1

2

1

1

1

~

~

1

55

William Wilson Esq

1

1

~

~

1

~

1

1

1

~

~

~

~

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 26-44 (1775/1794)       William Wilson (1777)

3m 16-25 (1794/1804)       1. John M. Wilson (c1800) son

                                               2. Samuel C. Wilson (c1801) son

                                               3. Robert C. Wilson (1800/1810) son

2m 16-17 (1802/1804)       ** two of above

1m 10-15 (1804/1810)       James R. Wilson (1805) son

1m 0-9 (1810/1820)            William Athan Wilson (1810) son

1f 45+ (before 1775)           Ann Mackey Wilson (1770/1774) wife

1f 10-15 (1804/1810)         Elizabeth Wilson (c1803) daughter


There are two William Wilson entries on the 1830 census in Burke. Neither are good matches for our William. Sons Samuel and Robert were married by 1830 and both had their own households. Neither had anyone their parents age living with them. Son James was head of his own household with three males in their 20s which is James himself and probably his brothers John and William. He also has a female age 15-19 which could be sister Elizabeth though the age is too young for her.


So where is William and Ann in 1830? It could be that they were already separated by this time and neither were listed as a head of household. We do know they divorced in 1840, so perhaps they were having trouble long before then. There are four William Wilsons in Buncombe in 1830. All of them are positively identified (more or less) and aren’t likely to be our William. There are two in Macon Co., NC, neither of whom are ours. There is one in Rutherford and he’s too young to be ours. There are four in Mecklenburg. Three are too young. The fourth, William J. Wilson, is not him.


1830 Census - Burke Co., NC

Page

Name

(Males first row, females on second)
0-4

 
5-9

 
10-14

 
15-19

 
20-29

 
30-39

 
40-49

 
50-59

 
60-69

 
70-79

 
80-89

 
90-99

 
100+

 

132

William Wilson

~

~

~

1

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

~

 

 

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

205

Wm Wilson Sr

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

 

 

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

On 31 Mar 1831, a deed was made in Mecklenburg County naming the heirs of Nancy Thompson Purviance. While it never says that Nancy is a sibling to the others, it is strongly implied.

Whereas heretofore Nancy Thompson before her marriage with Joseph Purviance executed a marriage contract or settlement whereby she secured to herself of certain Negros viz Kitt and Sylvia during life & afterwards to be divided among her heirs at law and appointed Robert Wilson her trustee. Now we the sd Robert Willson, Wm Willson & Levi Fincher the heirs at law of sd Nancy Thompson have agreed among ourselves to divide sd negroes & it is agreed that Wm Willson shall take the negro Woman Sylvia, Robert Willson to take the three children, Jim, Sila & a young child name not known & Levi Fincher to take negro man Kitt & in consideration of this division we each of convey to the other all the right & tittle to the negroes thus divided Robert Willson & Wm Willson hereby convey negro man Kitt to Levi Fincher, Robert Willson & Levi Fincher convey negro woman Sylvia to Wm Willson & Wm Willson & Levy Fincher convey the three children Jim, silas & the youngest child to Robt Willson, with all the interest title & claim we have to them as before mentioned. Witness our hands & seals March 31st 1831.

               Signed: Robert Willson, Wm Willson, Levi Fincher.

(Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed Book 22, page 96.)


Proof that the above William in Mecklenburg is the same William in Burke is that his brother Robert of Burke gave his son Ripley M. Wilson power of attorney in Mecklenburg to deal with this.


In Apr 1832 in Burke court, a deed from James Murphy to James R. Wilson for 140 acres dated 1 Jul 1827 was proven in court by the oath of William Wilson a witness. I’m not certain this is William Sr, for it could just as easily be his son William A. Wilson who was about 22 then.


In 1832, William Wilson’s father in law Samuel Mackey died in Burke Co., NC. The earliest record in the estate is dated Jan 1832. There are numerous documents, but the heirs are named as William Wilson in right of his wife Ann, Michael Trout* in right of his wife Jane (* Michael Trout is frequently written clearly as Michael Grant, but the surname is indeed Trout.), Ripley Norton, Martha McKey, Fielder Norton in right of his wife, and Robert Wilson in right of his wife Mary. Another document includes heirs James McKey and John McKey as heirs. James Askew and wife Nancy are also mentioned, though I believe they are not heirs, but were part of a suit that the estate had to deal with.


A prosecution bond in the Samuel McKey estate dated 24 Jul 1832 was signed by William Wilson and Samuel C. Wilson (his son).


A bond dated 27 Jul 1835 in Samuel McKey’s estate was signed by William Wilson, John Fleming, James R. Wilson and John M. Wilson. The last two were sons of William.


A list of heirs of Samuel McKey in his estate papers is dated 24 Mar 1838. On the back, John H. Pearson, Sheriff, stated that James Mackey, John Mackey and Robert Wilson & wife Mary are not residents of the state. We know that Robert and Mary had moved to Missouri by then. I don’t know where the Mackey brothers had gone.


In January 1838 court in Mecklenburg Co., NC a petition was filed by the heirs of Robert Wilson Sr which proves three of his children. His death date was left blank.

 

To the Worshipful County Court of Mecklenburg the Petition of Robert Wilson, Levi Fincher, who intermarried with Mary Wilson & William Wilson, all of the County of Mecklenburg aforesaid, represents unto your worships that Robert Wilson Signr departed this life in the year ----, intestate seized & possessed of the following tracts of land lying in the County of Mecklenburg aforesaid, being on the waters of four mile, adjoining the lands of Benjamin Fincher, John Ritch & others. Your Petitioners further represent unto your worships , that they are the heirs at law of the said Robert Wilson decd and entitled to the aforesaid land as tenants in common. Your petitioner further represent unto your worships, that Levi Fincher who intermarried with Mary Wilson & Robert Wilson have transferred and conveyed their interest in said land unto Joseph Starnes.

 

May it please your worships to appoint five commissioners unconnected with the parties to lay off, and make partition of the aforesaid land between your Petitioners, Robert Wilson Joseph Starns & William Wilson agreeable to law, and your Petitioners as in duty bound will pray

Signed: Jno Hutchison atto for Petitioners.

 

(Source: Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Court fo Pleas and Quarter Sessions, filed with Perquimans Co., NC Probate Estate Files for some reason.)


The above document was found in Perquimans Co., NC estate records for some reason. It was either misfiled, or there was some legal reason they needed a copy of it in that north eastern North Carolina county which is quite far from Mecklenburg.


Note that the document lists all heirs as residents of Mecklenburg Co., NC. That wasn’t true, as Robert (Jr) and William resided in Burke at that time. This is proven by other documents which also prove it’s the very same Robert and William in both counties. Levi and Mary Fincher did reside in Mecklenburg.


Another petition was filed in October 1838, this one showing that Nancy was another heir, though it doesn’t explicitly say she was a child of Robert, it does show that William, Robert and Mary Wilson Fincher were her heirs, so that places her in the same family.

 

To the worshipfull the Justices of said Court, The Petition of - Benjamin Fincher - Ripley M Wilson Levi Fincher & his wife Mary Fincher - Robert & William Wilson represents unto your worships, that, Nancy Purvines some time in the year 1830 - departed this life seized & possed of of a Tract of land situated in said County , on the waters of Four Mile Creek , adjoining the lands of Andrew Wintz - John Hodgs & others Containing Two hundred & ninety five acres - Your petitioners further represent, that the said Nancy Purvines, died intestate, leaving the following heirs - William Wilson, Robert Wilson & Mary Fincher, who are entitled to the said lands, as tenants in Common - Your petitioners further represent, that the said Ripley M Wilson - Levi Fincher & his wife Mary Fincher, have bargained sold, aliens? & confirmed unto the said, Benjamin Fincher the heirs & assigns forever, all their title, interest, in that part or piece of land aforesaid - Your petitioners pray your Worship to appoint five Commissioners good & lawful men of said County, to go on the premises and divide the said land, agreeably to law & in duty bound your petitions will in pray

               Signed: G W Caldwell

Commissioner

               John Williamson

               Thos O. Black

               Robert Small

               Thos J. Williamson

 

From Mecklenburg Co., NC Probate Records 1873


On 24 Nov 1838 a deed was made in Burke Co., NC by John H. Pearson, Sheriff of Burke, to James R. Wilson of Burke as a result of a court order against:

 William Wilson & Ann his wife

 James Mackey

 John McKey

 John McKey (sic, is listed twice)

 Fielder Norton & wife Ripley

 Martha Mackey

 heirs at law of Samuel McKey decd

For 320 acres on Waters of Paddys Creek on Thomas Cuthbertson’s line ... James R. Wilson was the highest bidder. This deed was proven in Oct 1840 court. The only reason it survived the Civil War is that someone apparently had a copy of it and re-filed it on 22 Dec 1885. (Burke Co., NC Deed Book M, pp. 173-175.)


William Wilson is listed on the 1840 census in Burke Co., NC, living by himself. He is next to son Samuel C. Wilson whose household would appear to contain William’s then estranged wife Ann and William’s mother Isabella.


1840 Census - Burke Co., NC

Page

Name

(Males first row, females on second)
0-4

 
5-9

 
10-14

 
15-19

 
20-29

 
30-39

 
40-49

 
50-59

 
60-69

 
70-79

 
80-89

 
90-99

 
100+

 

284

Wm Wilson

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

 

  Slaves=100000-201000

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

~

284

Saml C. Wilson

1

1

~

3

~

~

1

~

~

~

~

~

~

 

 

~

2

3

1

~

~

1

~

1

~

~

~

1

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 50-59 (1770/1780)       William Wilson (1777)

4 Slaves

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 40-49 (1790/1800)       Samuel C. Wilson (c1801)

3m 15-19 (1820/1825)       1. Nicholas C. Wilson (c1821) son

                                               2. William Fielder Wilson (c1822) son

                                               3. Son?

1m 5-9 (1830/1835)            Samuel N. Wilson (c1830) son

1m 0-4 (1835/1840)            James Wilson (c1840) son

1f 100+ (before 1740)        Isabella (—) Wilson (c1735) grandmother

1f 60-69 (1770/1780)         Ann Mackey Wilson (c1770/74) mother

1f 40-49 (1790/1800)         Elizabeth Norton Wilson (c1801) wife

1f 15-19 (1820/1825)         Daughter?

3f 10-14 (1825/1830)         1. Nancy C. Wilson (c1825) daughter

                                               2. Daughter?

                                               3. Daughter?

2f 5-9 (1830/1835)              1. Elizabeth Ann Wilson (1831) daughter

                                               2. Matilda Wilson (1835) daughter


In 1840, William Wilson’s wife Ann Mackey Wilson filed for a divorce in Burke Co., NC. The court records are quite interesting and include a great deal of testimony including from several of the children as well as William’s mother Isabella, then aged 105! Other children were mentioned but didn’t testify. William does not come out looking very good in this. His own mother’s testimony against him was rather damning.


Some interesting tidbits from the divorce case:

 

∙           William married Ann in 1799 and lived with him until the last two years.

∙           William claimed he was 16 when he married Ann, though his mother stated he was 21 when he married. William claimed Ann was a much older woman, though census records seem to indicate she was perhaps only about five years older than him.

∙           William deeded a slave named Lucinda to Robert C. Wilson for the care of Ann Wilson. Robert is their son.

∙           Samuel C. Wilson is their son.

∙           William E. Wilson is their son. This same William is listed as William A. in other records, and as Athan Wilson in others. Probably pronounced Ethan or similar thus the various spellings.

∙           Son John Wilson moved to Alabama.

∙           Mother Isabella was 105 years old.

∙           William was accused of being intimate with one of his slaves. His mother said so also. William denied it.


There is a concurrent case, perhaps only tangentially related to the divorce wherein William Wilson (Sr) sued his son William Athan Wilson for non payment for a slave named Cynthia that William Sr deed to him. This case is on file at the NC Supreme court and runs from 1840 to 1842. It is a large case with much testimony from his children and neighbors in Burke and Yancey County. His daughter Elizabeth, wife of William Carpenter is proven to be his child by her testimony herein.


Ann Mackey Wilson apparently died on 20 Oct 1842 in Burke Co., NC. Her death was reported by her grandson Jacob Carpenter (“Uncle Jake” Carpenter) in his “Anthology of Death on Three Mile Creek.” I say “apparently” because he got two big particulars wrong, but it does appear he’s speaking of Ann. He wrote:

"Elizabeth Wilson age 82 died oc 20 1842 She wars my granmother"


Her name was Ann, not Elizabeth, so he got that wrong. The second error is her age of 82. That would put her birth at ca 1760 which does not match any of her census records and is out of range with her siblings as well.


How did he get it wrong? For one, he recorded this a few years after the fact. Two, he might not have known his grandmother’s given name. His own mother was named Elizabeth Wilson Carpenter, so perhaps he got confused when writing it down. A third option is that he’s actually not referring to Ann Mackey Wilson. However, records are very clear that she was William Wilson’s wife and the mother of Elizabeth Wilson Carpenter.


Regarding her age, that is easy enough to get wrong as he probably just didn’t know her correct age. If her census entries are to be believed, she was born ca 1770/1774, so she was between 68 and 72 when she died.


I don’t know where she is buried, though perhaps in a long lost plot on the family property or an unmarked grave at the nearest church.


William Wilson died on 30 Jul 1847 in Burke Co., NC. Jacob Carpenter also recorded his death:

"Wm Wilison age 86 dide Jul 30 1847 hey wars my grn father"


Once again the age is way off, but the death date is probably accurate. He was actually 69 when he died.



Children


William and Ann had at least six children as proven by his divorce records (1840-1841) and the court case (1840-1842) where he sued his son William Athan Wilson. There may be others not named in those records, but census analysis does not suggest there were others. That fact is disappointing to me as I badly want my ancestor, Mrs. David Carpenter (c1810/1815), to be in this family. She married David ca 1829/1830. See her section below for reasons I think she might belong here, and reasons why she might not.

 

1.         John M. Wilson was born ca 1800 which is a very rough estimate as I’ve not found any record of him showing his age in his lifetime. His nephew Jacob Carpenter reported his death in 1870 at age 80 which would put him born ca 1790. That doesn’t work of course as his parents didn’t marry until 1799 and his father was only 12 in 1790.

 

He may have been named for his uncle John Mackey, but that’s just a guess as I don’t know what his “M” initial stands for.

 

John appears in several court records in Burke Co., NC and is named in his parents divorce records. The above mentioned records state he moved to Alabama. “Uncle Jake” Carpenter’s death notice for him also mentions Alabama:

"John Wilison ag 80 dide augus 15 1870 in Alabam wars hard work in coten fild"

 

From the above it sounds like he died while working in the cotton field at an advanced age, though he couldn’t have actually been 80. I think 70 is the maximum age for him at that point. John M. Wilson would have been Jacob Carpenter’s uncle, thus why he was mentioned.

 

John M. Wilson wrote a letter to his brother Samuel C. Wilson in 1840 addressed from Double Springs, Alabama. He stated that any reply should be sent to Robert E. Wilson at Turkey Town Post Office since he didn’t know where he’d be then. Robert E. Wilson (c1803-aft 1850) is probably a cousin but I don’t know where he fits in. He resided in Cherokee County, Alabama which is where John was for a time, apparently.

 

I was unable to find John M. Wilson the 1840, 1850, 1860, or 1870 census! There is a John in 1840 Walker Co., AL that could be him, but I don’t know for sure. That John has a large family.

 

One problem is that there are a large number of John Wilsons in the census records, though only a few are born in NC and are age compatible. However, I’ve not found one that is likely to be this John M. Wilson yet. It is certainly possible that he never married and moved around a lot, thus managed to miss every census.

 

2.         Samuel C. Wilson was born ca 1800/01 per his ages on the 1850 census (49) and 1870 census (69). He was probably named Samuel for his grandfather Samuel Mackey. I don’t know what his “C” initial stood for. He has a 1st cousin named Samuel E. Wilson also born ca 1801. Samuel C. married Elizabeth Norton ca 1820/1821 in Burke Co. NC. She was born ca 1800/01 in South Carolina, a daughter of Fielder Norton and Ripley Mackey, making her Samuel’s 1st cousin. They remained in Burke County. He died there on 4 Jun 1885 as reported by his nephew Jacob Carpenter. Elizabeth died 22 Jun 1887 also reported by Jacob Carpenter. They had nine children as named in Samuel’s estate records.

 

3.         Robert C. Wilson was born ca 1800/1810 per his ages on the 1830 and 1840 censuses. He was probably named for his grandfather Robert Wilson and his uncle Robert Wilson. I don’t know what the “C” initial stands for. There is also a Robert E. Wilson (c1801) who is connected to this family, but I’m pretty sure that Robert C. is the son of William and Ann primarily because William deeded him a slave meant to be Ann’s helper (William’s wife, and Robert’s mother). That deed was signed by R.C. Wilson. Also, Robert C.’s death was reported by “Uncle Jake” Carpenter (his nephew) but Robert E.’s death was not. (He didn’t use an initial in that record, but the date confirms which Robert it was.)

 

Robert Wilson married Tabitha Mashburn (spelled Mashbourn) on or shortly after 11 Jul 1824 in Burke Co., NC. David Mashbourn was the bondsman. That’s her brother, I believe. Tabitha was born ca 1799 in Burke Co., NC, possibly a daughter of William Daniel Mashburn and Mary Jane —.

 

Robert Wilson “(Smith)” is listed on the 1830 census in Burke. He was apparently a blacksmith, thus the occupation listed after his name to distinguish him from other Robert Wilsons in the county then.

 

Robert Wilson is listed on the 1840 census in Burke.

 

Robert’s death was recorded in his nephew Jacob Carpenter’s “Anthology of Death”:

"Robert Wilison (sic) ag 45 dide oc 10 1845 ware harde workman"

 

Robert’s widow Tabitha and children are listed on the 1850 census in Burke with son Caleb as head of household. The ages are off for everyone, which is a fairly common census problem, though this is a particularly egregious example of it.

 

Their oldest daughter Salina moved to Cherokee Co., NC between ca 1847 and 1850. Tabitha and the rest of the children joined them there in the 1850s.

 

Tabitha is living alone on the 1860 census in Cherokee Co., NC and with daughter Martha on the 1870 census. She died sometime after 1870. Her nephew-in-law Jacob Carpenter did not record her death, probably not hearing about it due to the distance involved and perhaps a loss of contact between their families.

 

4.         Elizabeth Wilson was born ca 1803 in Burke Co., NC. She married William Carpenter on 15 Nov 1831 in Burke Co., NC. They lived in the part of Burke that became Yancey just after their marriage, and the same section became Mitchell in 1861. They are listed on the 1840, 1850 and 1860 censuses in Yancey, and 1870 and 1880 in Mitchell.

 

William Carpenter died on 15 Nov 1881 per his son Jacob Carpenter:

"William Carpenter age 76 dide nov 15 1881. Wars fine honter, cil bare and wolves by 100 der by 100."

 

Elizabeth Wilson Carpenter died on 21 Jul 1886. Her son Jacob only wrote this about her:

“Elizabeth Carpenter age 72 did July 21 1886.”

 

5.         James R. Wilson was born 23 Feb 1805 in Burke Co., NC. He may have been named, in part, for his uncle James Mackey. I don’t know what his “R” initial stood for.

 

James was listed on the 1830 census in Burke Co., NC apparently with some of his unmarried siblings living with him. He deeded land in Burke in 1839 and apparently moved away that same year. I was not able to find him on the 1840 or 1850 census.

 

He married Louisa — ca 1850/51 in Cherokee Co., AL. I don’t know her maiden name. They are on the 1860 census in Cherokee Co., AL with two children both under 10.Those children apparently died shortly after 1860. James and Louisa are on the 1870 and 1880 censuses in Etowah Co., AL.

 

James died on 23 Feb 1889 per his obituary:

1 Mar 1889 The Coosa River News, Centre Alabama

Died - At his home near this place, on February 23rd, Jas R. Wilson, in the 85th year of his age--his birth day. he died triumphtly (sic), in full faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. His death was in perfect ease like a child falling asleep. He closed own eyes and mouth, and crossing hands upon his breast queitly (sic) passed away. He leaves only an aged wife to mourn his loss, who will soon follow him to that Land of Rest beyond the Leathean River. He is and old resident of this county, and has been a strict member of the church more than sixty years.

Via newspapers.com

 

Louisa died sometime after James. The wording of his obituary implies she was already at death’s door when he passed, so perhaps she died very shortly after he did. I don’t have her date of death. “Uncle Jake” Carpenter did not mention either of their deaths in his records, probably due to loss of contact with them after their move to Alabama.

 

6.         William Athan Wilson was born 27 Jul 1810 in Burke Co., NC. He is probably named in part after his father William Wilson. I don’t know where the “Athan” middle name comes from.

 

He married Anna Louise Green(e) ca 1839/1840 in Burke Co., NC. She was born 24 Dec 1818. Her parents are Joseph Green and Mary Collis per other researchers. I haven’t confirmed that.

 

William and Anna are listed on the 1840, 1850 and 1860 censuses in Yancey Co., NC and in Mitchell Co., NC for 1870, 1880 and 1900.

 

William Athan Wilson died either on 9 Sep 1902 per Jacob Carpenter or just over a week earlier on 31 Aug 1902 per his tombstone.

"A. A. Wilison ag 95 dide Sep 9 1902. wars my eunkel"

 

Although Jacob lists him as “A. A.”, this is certainly William Athan he is referring to as there is no other person it could be.

 

Anna Louise Greene Wilson died either on 10 Jul 1904 (per tombstone) or five days later on 15 Jul 1904 per Jacob Carpenter.

"Ane Wilison ag 84 did July 15 1904 nice old lady"

 

They had six children.

 

7.         Miss Wilson (c1810/15-c1838). This is my ancestor, the wife of David Carpenter (c1806-1870s). I place her in this family because David’s brother William married Elizabeth Wilson who was of this family, thus it makes sense that David’s wife and William’s wives were sisters. However, while that is common enough, I don’t have any actual proof in this case.

 

First, I have never found a record showing the name of David’s 1st wife. He married her before 1830 (their first child born Nov 1830). Mrs. Carpenter died before 1840, possibly in childbirth with their fourth child, born ca 1838/39.

 

Second, I have no direct evidence that Mrs. Carpenter was a Wilson, but circumstantial evidence suggests she might have been. Their second son was named Wilson Carpenter, born 1834. Why would they name him that if not closely related to the Wilson family? Possible explanations for the name:

 

1. Mrs. Carpenter was a Wilson, thus the son was named in her honor.

 

2. David Carpenter’s mother was a Wilson, thus he was named in her honor. Possible, but I’ve found no proof that David’s mother was a Wilson, not even circumstantial evidence. If this is the correct explanation, then Mrs. David Carpenter is definitely not a child of William and Ann Mackey Wilson. However, I don’t think this is the explanation.

 

3. Mrs. David Carpenter had a brother with a given name of Wilson, and the child was named in his honor. If so, that still suggests a Wilson connection, albeit perhaps a generation removed. There was a Wilson Young (1793) and a Wilson Burleson (c1805) in the neighborhood, both named for Wilson ancestors, I believe. Either of those could be her brother. There is also a Wilson McKinney in the area, born ca 1780/1784. He could be her father, and thus explain the naming of her son Wilson Carpenter.

 

4. Named for a friend of the family, thus no close relationship.

 

On the assumption that explanation 1 is the correct one, then you can understand why I suspect Mrs. David Carpenter may be a sister to Elizabeth Wilson Carpenter, wife of David’s brother William. This is only a suspicion and I can’t prove it. However, I should note that while it would make sense for this to be the case, without real evidence of it, I may be barking up the wrong tree. However, DNA evidence shows that I am related to descendants of both William Wilson and his brother Robert Wilson. That could still be true even if I weren’t descended from either of them, but from another member of their extended family.

 

Thus, I’m going to leave Mrs. David Carpenter, born ca 1810/15, as a member of this family, but with an asterisk (*) since I can’t prove the connection.





For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for William Wilson and Ann Mackey.



Revised: September 25, 2025


Copyright © 1996-2025 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.


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