James Wilson, Sr. and Margaret [Unk]

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Husband James Wilson, Sr. ^{1 2 3}

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           Born:  - Ireland
     Christened: 
           Died: 1792 - Washington, Washington Co, PA 2
         Buried: 

       Marriage: 

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Wife Margaret [Unk] ²

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           Born: 
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           Died: 
         Buried: 

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Children

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1 M James Wilson ^{1 2 3}

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           Born: 
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2 M Thomas Wilson ^{2 3}

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           Born: 
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           Died: 
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3 M John Wilson ^{2 3}

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           Born: 
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4 M Hugh Wilson ^{2 3 4}

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           Born: 1763 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 13 Apr 1832 - ? Washington, Washington Co, PA 2
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Rachel Leet (1769-1818) 2 4
           Marr: 18 Aug 1788 2

         Spouse: Margaret Hamilton (      -      ) 4 5

         Spouse: Eliza Spencer (      -Aft 1832) 2

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5 F Matty Wilson ¹

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           Born: 
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         Spouse: [Unk] Bryson (      -      ) 1

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General Notes: Husband - James Wilson, Sr.

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He came to Washington, Pennsylvania, from Burnt Cabin, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1781, and purchased lot 291, where Smith's store was later located. On it he erected a log house, and on the 3d of October, at the first term of court in Washington County, he was licensed to keep a tavern. Later, he bought lot 21 (where Charlton's confectionery-store later stood), on the east side of Main Street. This lot was purchased on a certificate. In 1792 he passed his title to his son Hugh. A deed had previously been made to Hugh (Aug. 15, 1786). A house was built on this lot, which at that time was the largest in the town, and in it the shows that visited the place and various amateur performances were held. Dr. J. Julius Le Moyne first opened his drug-store in this house. After his removal, Mrs. Baker's Female Seminary was located there until her removal, in 1815, to a house on Maiden Street. James Wilson lived in the house he built on the corner of Main and Beau Streets until his death, and his widow lived there several years after. By his will he left to his wife, Margaret, the use of two hundred acres of land adjoining the town until James, the youngest son, should be of age; then the farm was to be divided equally between James, Thomas, and John. Hugh, the oldest son, had been provided for by property set off to him previously, among which was the lot on Main Street near Maiden. The house and lot where James Wilson, Sr., lived and died was left to his youngest son, James, but it later came into possession of Hugh Wilson, by whom it was owned many years. [HWC 1882, 482]

He was born in Ireland, but the date of his emigration to America is not known. He left Burnt Cabins, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, in 1781, and settled four miles east of Washington, Pennsylvania, on what became the National road. Coming, later, to the town of Washington, he purchased original lot No. 291, erected a log house thereon, and opened a tavern under license granted by the first court held in the county, October 3, 1781. Some time later he purchased the certificate to lot No. 21, original town, on the east side of Main street, deeding this new purchase to his son, Hugh, August 15, 1786, and in 1792 conveyed to him the certificate, and made the title perfect in him. The house erected on lot No. 21 was the great hall of the town, where meetings and entertainments were held, until Dr. John Julius LeMoyne opened his drug store therein; subsequently, until 1815, Mrs. Baker conducted a "Female Seminary" within its walls. James Wilson, Sr., resided in his pioneer house until his death. He bequeathed that property, with 200 acres adjoining the town, to his widow, for her use until James, their youngest son, should become of age, when it was to be equally partitioned between John, Thomas and James Wilson. Hugh, having previously received a liberal endowment in improved and vacant property in and near the town, was not named in the will; subsequently, however, he acquired title to the pioneer house from his youngest brother, James, and was owner for a long period. Hugh was well known as a business man, and he acquired quite a large amount of property in and near the town. [CBRWC, 1423]

1 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 482.

2 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 1423.

3 Joseph F. McFarland, 20th Century History of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., 1910), Pg 1049.

4 Boyd Crumrine, History of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L. H. Everts & Co., 1882), Pg 483.

5 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893), Pg 249.