Wilsons in Williamson County TN http://members.aol.com/joypjh2/zacheus2.htm Researched, created and maintained by Paulette Haynes Descendants of Zaccheus Wilson
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ZACCHEUS WILSON, son of ROBERT, was born in Nov 1765 in Mecklenburg Co, NC, and died 21 Oct 1842 in Williamson Co TN . He is buried in the cemetery near Allisona, TN Notes for ZACCHEUS WILSON: Zaccheus Wilson was among the seven sons of Robert and Eleanor (Carothers) Wilson of Steele Creek, Mecklenburg County, NC who served in the American Revolution. Women of the Revolution, Elizabeth Ellet, 1852, has the story of the Wilsons as it was written by Colonel Milton Andrews Haynes. When Lord Cornwallis approached Charlotte in October 1780, he with his staff , and Tarleton occupied the house on the Wilson plantation near Steele Creek, seizing their provisions and requiring Mrs. Wilson to provide for them. Cornwallis encouraged Mrs. Wilson to persuade her husband and sons to join the British army in which he pledged they would gain rank, honor and wealth. Mrs. Wilson replied. "I have seven sons who are now, or have been, bearing arms, - indeed my seventh son, Zaccheus, who is only fifteen years old, I yesterday assisted to get ready to go and join his brothers in Sumpter's army. Now, sooner than see one of my family turn back from the glorious enterprise, I would take these boys (pointing to three or four small sons) and with them would myself enlist under Sumpter's standard, and show my husband and sons how to fight, and if necessary, to die for their country." On the next day's march a party of scouts captured Zaccheus, who was found on the flank of the British army with his gun, endeavoring to diminish the number of His Majesty's forces. He was immediately taken to the head of the column, and catechized by Cornwallis, who took the boy along with him on the march, telling him he must act as his guide to the Catawba, and show him the best ford. Arriving at the river, the head of the army entered at the point designated by the lad, but the soldiers had scarcely gone half across before they found themselves in deep water- and drawn by a rapid current down the stream. Believing that this boy, on whom he had relied to show him the best ford, had purposely brought him to a deep one in order to embarrass his march, the General drew his sword, and flourishing it over him, swore he would cut his head off for his treachery. Zaccheus replied that he had the power to do so, as he had no arms, and was his prisoner; "but, sir" said he, "don't you think it would be a cowardly act for you to strike an unarmed boy with your sword? If I had but the half of your weapon, it would not be so cowardly; but then you know it would not be so safe." Struck by the lad's cool courage, the General became calmer- told him he was a fine fellow, and that he would not hurt a hair on his head. Cornwallis dismissed Zaccheus, telling him to go home and take care of his mother, and to tell her to keep her boys at home. Zaccheus Wilson moved to middle Tennessee sometime around 1803. He was administrator of his mother's estate (Eleanor Wilson) of which he presented an inventory and amount of sales in the July 1802 Mecklenburg County Court. He sold 113 acres of land to Upton Williamson on 4 Oct 1803. Zaccheus Wilson is also listed on the 1799 Tax List of Mecklenburg Co.in the same district as Aaron, Joseph and James Wilson. MRS.
NANCY WILSON. Bedford Co. Deed Bk. F, page 528: Heirs of John Long to Rustly Anders. 20 Jul 1816. Sarah Long, widow of John Long, deceased, late of Sullivan Co., TN, Zacheus Wilson and Nancy his wife formerly Nancy Long, daughter and heir of John Long, deceased, and Charles Long, William Long, John Long, Simon C. Long, Richard Long and Hugh Long, sons and heirs of John Long, deceased, and Hugh Wall and his wife Jane Wall formerly Jane Long, daughter of John Long, deceased of Bedford Co., TN sold to Rustly Anders of Sullivan Co., TN land of 560 acres in Hawkins Co., TN on Panther Creek formerly known as Buffalo Creek and on north side of Clinch River. This land conveyed to John Long, deceased by William Burk of Mason Co., Kentucky by deed dated 23 Dec 1794. The widow Nancy Wilson, who died after 1857 in Pontotoc County, MS was 70 years old on the 1850 census. She was living in the household of her son William Wilson, along with his two children, her son Hugh Wilson, his wife and her daughter Mary Wilson. If these were indeed her children as was stated in her will, then she was married to Zaccheus many years before 1831 and was almost 46 years old when the youngest child, Hugh C, was born in 1826. (That rules out the Nancy White marriage in 1831. Nancy White actually was married to Zacheus Wilson Jr.) Circuit
Court Minte Book 12, page 207: March 10, 1847 It has also been said that Zaccheus Wilson and his sons David and John T. were buried in a graveyard on their farm in the Flat Creek Community, Bedford County, TN. The land on which the Flat Creek Primitive Baptist church was donated by Zaccheus Wilson, and it was at this church his son Robert Wilson preached for several years. (Deed Bk. Q page 422 dated 14 May 1841 has Zacheus Wilson deeded 2 1/2 acres off the tract of land where he now lives on Grove Creek to the commissioners for the Cumberland Presbyterian Church) 1820 census Williamson Co. TN p.41 Zacheus
Wilson 321102-11010 1830 census Williamson Co. TN p.232 Zacheus
Willson 112120001-01100001 1840 census Williamson Co. TN p.193 Zacheus
Wilson 0022300001-00011001 The names of fourteen children was determined by a deposition in a lawsuit brought by heirs to settle the estate of Zaccheus Wilson. Probate records for Zaccheus Wilson. Children of ZACCHEUS WILSON are:
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