JOSIAH WILSON (1787-1851) AND SARAH MCBRIDE (1801-Bef. 1851) /Early Wayne County, Missouri Pioneers
Josiah Wilson (1787-1851) and Sarah McBride (1801-Bef. 1851) / Early Wayne County Missouri Pioneers
Family Origins and Legacies
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| Based on early descriptions of homesteads in this era, we can suppose the first of Josiah Wilson and Sarah McBride in Wayne County, Missouri did not look too different from this modern-day reproduction. |
Josiah Wilson was born in the year 1787 on Craig's Creek, located today within the borders of Botetourt County, Virginia.
Situated in the mountainous portion of the state, Botetourt County is bordered by two major ranges, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Botetourt County was created in 1770 from part of Augusta County and was named for Norborne Berkeley, known as Lord Botetourt. It originally comprised a vast area, which included the southern portion of present-day West Virginia and all of Kentucky. Portions were set off to form new counties beginning in 1772, until the current borders were established in 1851.
All research now indicates Josiah was the son of John Wilson, born 1764 also on Craig's Creek, and mother Elizabeth Williams, born 26 January 1764 of the same location. John was likely Elizabeth's second husband. Her first was James Merritt Knight 1750-1831, and their marriage seems to have ended badly, but not before producing 10 heirs. If this information as to Josiah's maternal line is correct, in all his mother would be matriarch to 16 children, 10 from her marriage to James Knight and 6 with John Wilson. The Wilson offspring were: James born 1786 ; Josiah born 1787 (our first Wayne County Wilson); Thomas born 1788; Marjory born circa 1790; John born circa 1796; and Jane born circa 1799. All were born in Botetourt, Virginia on the Craig's Creek homestead.
Further evidence as to relationships I provide as probate records: Botetourt County, Virginia Will Book C p. 304, screens 696-697 the following excerpt:
Re: Estate of John Wilson, deceased: Agreeable to the directions of Joseph Hannah, James Hannah and John Allen commissioners appointed to Botetourt Court. I have laid off and divided the land of John Wilson, deceased amongst his children if agreeable to the annexed plat of the same.
The figure comprised of the real lines ABC and the red and other lines CVOTSRPO and up the creek 46 1/2 poles to near a gum and poplar corner to the tract of 240 acres thence with a line of the same crossing the creek N 10 E 55 poles to (?) on the top of the bank of the creek along the top of the creek to the bank as it meanders to opposed to opposed to the beginning thence crossing the creek to the beginning containing one hundred and seventeen acres of land including the creek and one hundred and seven acres excluding the creek is laid off to John and Josiah Wilson and Margery (Marjory) Wilson and as is appears that John Wilson has purchased the shares of his brother and sister Josiah and Marjery the same is assigned to John Wilson...(continues). (Author's note: Of course, Josiah would have been receptive to sale and the resulting monies since he was already in Wayne County, Missouri married with a child. Also included in the probate records is reference made to Thomas.)
Extracts from the private papers of Kinfolks of William Parke and Synah Perry and Josiah Wilson and Sarah Crow (this Josiah is a relation, very probably his father's brother but not our family patriarch) detail and pass on verbal and written histories that leads us currently to believe our Josiah Wilson line, as I have speculated before, originates in Scotland and comes to America after briefly passing through Northern Ireland. I have not been able to secure the entirety of these papers but have been able to request and receive, through the local library's assistance, a number of pages that lead me to currently consider the paternal ancestry of our Wilson line to date as follows:
James Wilson born 3 May,1696 Auchterderran, Fife, Scotland. Fife is located in east central Scotland on the bay across from Edinburg. Auchterderran is located inland, roughly center of the county and peninsula. Christened 3 May,1696 Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. Marriage to Marjory Hodge.
James Wilson born 1717 Londonderry, County Londonderry, Ireland. Christened Auchterderran, Fife, Scotland 25 December 1720. (Note: Whatever circumstance had his father in Londonderry it was a brief stay as evidenced by this James' Christening back in Scotland) Marriage about 1750 to Rebecca Wilson? in Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. Died in Brownsburg, Rockbridge County, Virginia, 15 February 1828. Either lived a very long life or there is a missing generation represented here.
As to the two James Wilsons above, I am substantially confident of their validity as to being the grandfather and great-grandfather of our Josiah. Census and land records substantiate, and they have been accepted by the Church of Latter-Day Saints and now have been assigned I.D. numbers. I am not as sure of the maternal heritage and research is ongoing to establish more data.
John Wilson born 1764 Rockbridge or Botetourt, Virginia in 1764. Married to Elizabeth Williams 21 October 1783 in Virginia. Died 1820 on Craig's Creek, Botetourt, Virginia. Proof is strong that this is the father of Josiah (I am in possession of probate records at time of John's death acknowledging his children and division of land as previously noted in abbreviated form) >
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| Botetourt County, Virginia |
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| Craig's Creek, Botetourt Virginia |
Clarence Madison Wilson born 22 September 1891 Black River Township, Wayne, Missouri. Marriage to Bessie Edith Moore in the home of Dan Moore, Black River Township, Wayne, Missouri. Died 23 July 1946 at his home in Greenville, Wayne, Missouri. >
The children from this marriage were Anna Marie, Francis Marion (Hank), Iva Delores, Sylvia Maude, Clarence Madison, JR, Herbert Daniel, Russell Roy (died in infancy), Mary Louise, Cecil Wayne, and Bessie Beverly. I descend from Iva Delores.
Previous publications have supposed that Josiah Wilson came to Wayne County after serving in America's Second War of Independence in Tennessee. But my research has verified his service was actually performed in his birth state of Virginia.
I submit this abstract of the petition file of Josiah Wilson of Wayne County to obtain land due him. Josiah died before ever having a resolution to his claim, though it was substantiated as legitimate as I have outlined below. His heirs continued the pursuit of bounty land promised to their father after his death in October of 1851.
State of Missouri, County of Wayne:
On this 20th day of February AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me Nixon Palmer, clerk of the county clerk within and for Wayne County and state aforesaid Josiah Wilson aged sixty four years a resident of Wayne County and state aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Josiah Wilson who was a corporal in the company commanded by Captain Joseph Johnson in the war with Great Britton(sic) declared in the year 1812, that he volunteered at Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia on or about the last of the month of August in the year A.D. 1814, for the term of six months and continued in actual service in said war for the term of six months and was honorable discharged at Camp Rear of the lines north of Gordon Battery Fort Barbour (Norfolk) on the 22nd day of February A.D. eighteen hundred and fifteen on account of expiration of term of service as will appear by my original certificate of Discharge herewith presented and by the muster rolls of said Company. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States, passed September 28, 1850. Signed Josiah Wilson. (author's notes: that it was signed by Josiah verifies Josiah's literacy. Additional: these records clearly indicate that Josiah was not afforded the luxury of accommodations at Fort Barbour during the winter of 1814-15 but was bivouacked with his company of riflemen north of that location).
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year written above, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Josiah Wilson to be the identical man who served as aforesaid and that he is of the age above stated. In testimony whereof I, Nixon Palmer, clerk of the county clerk within and for the County of Wayne have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court at the office in the town of Greenville, this 20th day of February A.D. 1857.
Discharge Papers: Camp Rear of the Lines, North of Gordon Battery, Fort Barbour, February 22, 1815:
Josiah Wilson, a Corporal in my Company of Riflemen, now in the service of the United States, attached to the 4th Regiment, Virginia Militia, commanded by Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Wooding, having faithfully performed a tour of duty of six months at this Post, is hereby honorable discharged.
Signed: Joseph Johnson, captain.
By some means Josiah engages an attorney in Washington on February 20, 1851, to pursue his land claim from the United States government. He would not live to see his claim realized.
Nixon Pamer again serves as the Wayne County clerk of the court.
Wayne County Court, November 1852
Estate of Josiah Wilson, deceased. Madison Wilson and George Wilson, minor heirs of said deceased over the age of fourteen years come into the court and asks the court to appoint James M. Wilson (their older brother) as Guardian for their persons and estate and he being in court and accepting such appointment now_____ by the court presents his bond as such guardian in the sum of two hundred dollars with John W. Wilson (also an older brother) and A. Sloan as security which bond is approved by the court and ordered to be filed.
State of Missouri, County of Wayne
On this 10th day of February 1853 personally appears before me G.W. Creath, clerk of the County Court for the county and state aforesaid James M. Wilson, resident of the county of Wayne in the State of Missouri who being duly sworn according to law declares as he appears from the record that he is the Guardian for Madison Wilson and George Wilson whose ages are about 18 and 16 years respectively and who are minor heirs of Josiah Wilson, deceased who died on or about the 28th day of October 1851 (this is first info confirming date of Josiah's passing) leaving no widow (confirms Sarah McBride was first to pass) who now survives him and who was a Corporal in the company commanded by Captain Johnson in the Regiment commanded by Lieut. Col. Thomas H. Wooding in the War with Great Brittain(sic) 1812 that he believes he entered the service at Norfolk in the State of Virginia for the term of six months which said six months he actually served and was (discharged as?) an act of the expiration of the term of service which will more fully appear as reference (?) had to his certificate of discharge now on file at your office for which a bounty land was issued for the said service makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which said minor may be entitled under the act of Congress of September 28, 1850.
Signed James M. Wilson, guardian of Madison Wilson and George Wilson, minor heirs of Josiah Wilson, deceased
Letter to L.P. Mudd(?) Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C. from Greenville, Missouri February 14, 1854:
Sir:
Will you be so kind as to suffer me to call your especial attention to the claims of James M. Wilson, Guardian of Washington Wilson and Jefferson Wilson, minor children of Josiah Wilson, deceased for Bounty Land under the act of 28 September 1850 and to whom a warrant was issued some time in the years 1851 or 1852, but was issued after the death of said Josiah Wilson, and was by me returned to the office of (?) some time about the middle of November 1852, at which time I was notified to furnish certain certified copys(sic) of the records of our county clerk in regard to the appointment of James M. Wilson of Wayne County as a guardian aforesaid which was promptly forwarded about that time and since that time we have heard nothing from the matter. You have proof...of the justice of this claim as you did receive the original warrant of which we were notified at the time and I beg to assure you that if the warrant was reissued in the name of said minors that it has not been received by them or their guardian or my self received.
I am hoping you will not think us hasty on this application as some 15 months have elapsed since we have had any news from it.
Very respectfully for Yours: D.V. Parrish, attorney for claimants.
State of Missouri, County of Wayne
Be it remembered that on this 10th day of June AD 1854 before me the undersigned clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County of Wayne aforesaid, personally appeared David V. Parrish and Sylvanus Sutton, both of lawful age and who by me duly sworn depose and say that they were personally acquainted with Josiah Wilson and his wife during the lifetime of the said Josiah and his wife (Sarah McBride) and that the said Josiah Wilson and his wife are both now dead and there is no widow of said Josiah Wilson and that Madison and George Wilson are the only minor children of the said Josiah Wilson, deceased, under the age of twenty one years. Signed David V. Parrish and Sylvanus Sutton. (Note for family: This Sylvanus Sutton, born 1819, was the same that would sire Margaret Sutton, the first wife of our ancestor, Daniel Moore. This proves a social relationship between the Wilsons and Suttons and likely the community known today as Rucker.)
State of Missouri, County of Wayne: I, George W. Creath, clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the county of Wayne and State of Missouri do hereby certify that James M. Wilson, Guardian of Madison Wilson and George Wilson comes and presents a record of the said Josiah Wilson, deceased, a part of which records is the following words and figures, to wit:
Madison Wilson was born September the 14th, 1833
George Wilson was born the December 8, 1834
And I also further certify that the above two lines is truly and correctly copied from the record presented by the said James M. Wilson and said to be the family record of Josiah C. Wilson, deceased. (This verifies Josiah Wilson's middle initial for the first time and makes Josiah's son, Josiah C. Wilson a junior or Josiah C. Wilson II.)
Signed George W. Creath, 30th October 1854.
October 30, 1854:
Attorney for the Claimants, D. V. Parrish, writes again to the Commissioner of Pensions, Wahington, D.C.:
Sir--Accompanying you will receive the certified copy of the family record of Josiah Wilson, deceased so far as to pertains to Madison Wilson and George Wilson heirs of said Josiah Wilson and this is in accordance with your instructions under date of 29th June 1854. This is all that claimants intend to do. You will see from the statement already referred to that Madison Wilson in now of Lawful age since 14th of September last but was a minor at the time. All and every effort was made to obtain their rights.
You are most respectfully reminded that the Bounty was issued to Josiah Wilson and by his heirs returned consequently their land be no __?__ on the government. (The indistinguishable passage most probably is in reference to no response from the government on the bounty land promised). Since that time we have been put to considerable trouble to get their rights or to have them resected. If now the Office or powers that be are not satisfied, I will just say, what we claim is honestly our rights; but we can live without this bounty so keep and make the best you can of the whole.
Signed: Very respectfully: D. B. Parrish, attorney.
State of Missouri, County of Wayne:
On this 28th day of April AD One thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me, Clerk of County Court of the County of Wayne aforesaid James Wilson, Guardian of the minor children of Josiah Wilson, deceased aged twenty (five or six) years a resident of Wayne County in the State of Missouri who being duly sworn according to law, declare that he is the identical James Wilson, Guardian of the minor heirs of Josiah Wilson, aforesaid who was a private (in error as records indicate he was a corporal) in the Company commanded by Captain Johnson's Virginia Militia is the War of 1812 for the term of six months and continued in actual service for said war for fourteen days that he has heretofore made application for bounty land under the Act of September 20, 1850, and receiving a land warrant No. 57646 (this appears to be a second issuance of a land bounty earned by Josiah Wilson's War of 1812 service) which is herewith returned. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty and to which the said George Wilson, minor heir of Josiah Wilson, deceased may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855. He also declares that he has never applied for nor received under this or any other act of Congress any bounty land warrant except the one above mentioned. (Implication is that the first land bounty warrant was never received).
Signed James M. Wilson
Certified by Pinckney Mabrey
Along with the above papers were several copies submitted of the muster rolls and the jackets of the various petitions and letters listed above. There is no further indication as to whether either of the minor heirs of Josiah Wilson, my own great grandfather Madison or his younger brother George (George perished in the Civil War), ever received the bounty land promised.
Sometime immediately after the War of 1812 concluded a number of historical accounts have Josiah Wilson in the Missouri Territory of Cape Girardeau County, from which Wayne was later formed. To be clear, he was within the borders of today’s Wayne County.
Sometime after his arrival, he met, fell in love, and married a Scottish girl named Sarah McBride, also born in the Virginia highlands. Sarah was much younger than Josiah (13 years younger) and may be his second wife. Since no children are with him, if so, it is likely his first wife may have died from childbirth, disease, or foul play. Sarah and Josiah were married by 1817, she being only 16 years of age and Josiah approaching 30. They may have met at some point of the travel west to the Indian Territory of Southeast Missouri, but more likely fell in love in the early wilds of Wayne County.
Scotch and Scotch-Irish clans traveled, settled, married, and raised families together in those times--out of necessity--and it may be that our Wilson/McBride heritage represents long family ties and relationships since their chronology matches. Some of the notes I made from private papers indicate that Sarah still had some of the Scottish brogue.
So, sometime after February 1815 Josiah entered the Indian Territory of what is today’s county, likely late fall 1815 or spring 1816. The Scotch-Irish clans would have re-located together and it is thought they came from Virginia (imagine that journey in those times) probably through Kentucky (Josiah's paternal uncle Josiah settled for a while in Adair County, Kentucky before continuing on to the early county of St. Charles, Missouri and then to Arkansas) or the Nashboro (Nashville)/Cumberland settlements and into Southeast Missouri together with the Hales, another well-known Wayne pioneer family. Josiah and Sarah located their cabin just south of today’s Bethel Church and Cemetery on the west side of the St. Francis River. The Hales located just across the river from them, on the east bank.
It was a wild country, fur-trade the most lucrative endeavor for the few hardy Europeans that arrived in those early times. There was a large Fur Trading Post and settlement of Shawnee and Delaware Indians utilizing it next to the Great Mingo Swamp. Bears, Elk, grey and red wolves were common and few excursions into the deep, dark recesses of the woods and swamps resulted without some presence of danger from man or beast. Indian corn was the only early staple crop, but the kitchen garden would have included herbs and cabbage and greens and root crops such as turnips, mustard and beets.
The St. Francis River, adjoining the original Wilson homestead, was teeming with fish and would have provided necessary protein and a variety in the diets. Sturgeon was once common and plentiful. The common carp found in abundance today in every stream of notable size, had not made its presence known from its home waters of Asia, but bass, panfish, freshwater drum, buffalo fish, and catfish were in numbers only dreamed of by today's anglers.
Sarah and Josiah had, or so the census’ records over the years would indicate, 12 children that would survive to be enumerated, and 13 of record. It would have been certain that other children would have perished before becoming of age to be counted on a census, and one is known after this census. Children on the 1850 United States Census include:
1. Elizabeth Wilson (1818-1859). There is no doubt that their first-born daughter was named for Josiah's mother Elizabeth. Elizabeth married Hiram W. Hale and from that marriage 4 children were born. The Hales are suggested to have a relationship for some time with the Wilsons from either Virginia or travels resulting in their settlement in Wayne County in Cletis Ellinghouse's book “Wayne County's Lost River Settlements” and they continued to reside close-by in subsequent years, the Wilsons on the West side of the St Francis and the Hales directly opposite, on the East.
2. Reverend John W. Wilson (1824-AFT 1887). Their second child and first son, Josiah named John, after his father. It is almost certain that the 6-year differential between the births of Elizabeth and John indicates that were little graves to dig in between. John married Elizabeth Whitt, the Whitts another of the pioneer families living just North of the Wilson properties which were located South of the Bethel Baptist Church. It was Elizabeth Whitt's second marriage, the first to Stephen L. Hale, the brother to Hiram W. Hale that his sister Elizabeth Wilson married. Elizabeth Whitt and Stephen Hale's son, the Reverend William H. Hale founded Hales College on Otter Creek. It is likely that John inherited the original properties of his father Josiah, and along with the Whitt properties, became a landowner of some merit. John W. Wilson and Elizabeth (Whitt) (Hale) Wilson had 9 children, one of which, Doctor Nathaniel Grant Wilson becomes of interest to the descendants of our Family Tree. Dr. Wilson filed a claim against the estate of his Uncle Madison Wilson at the time of Madison's death for monies owed him from the care of his uncle in his terminal years. For a number of years John W. Wilson was the Pastor of the Oak Grove Baptist Church.
3. Eliza Wilson (1828-UNK). Eliza could be a victim of lost records (Wayne County records perished three times over the years due to fires and a theft after the Civil War) or have died early. She would have been 22 at this census, and as of yet unmarried. This may be circumstance or speak to illness, injury, or disease. Research ongoing.
4. Josiah C. Wilson (1829-1880). Named for the elder Josiah as was the custom of the era: first son for father, first daughter for mother, second son for the sire, third son for grandfather. Josiah was with brother Madison at the Battle of Old Greenville in the Civil War and was wounded in the leg. Since he and Madison rode in and signed up together for the Union Army, it is likely that these two were close in civilian life as well. Josiah's injury left him a cripple for life, and he would never be healthy or able to be a substantial provider again. He married Mary (LNU-last name unknown) and they had one child, which they named after his brother George that perished in the Civil War. The last time I find records for George, the son of Josiah C. and Mary Wilson is on the census of 1870 where he is listed as 4 years old. On this 1870 census, Madison, Josiah C., and John W. Wilson are listed on consecutive households, likely these properties the original tracts owned by their parents. George may have died early or may have been assimilated into another household if his mother remarried.
5. James Wilson (1830-UNK). Named for Josiah's Grandfather, James Wilson of Londonderry, Ireland, Auchterderran, Scotland and Rockbridge, Virginia and the subject of the court records provided as to Josiah the senior's military service, pursuit of the bounty land to which his father had begun and was entitled and guardianship of his minor brothers, Madison, George, Washington, and Jefferson. James' history trail is fragmentary at this point, but I do have evidence of a James Wilson with this birth date and state, in both Mississippi and Scott Counties in Missouri that I believe is our ancestor. This James also served in the Civil War, but due to the number of James Wilsons serving, I cannot ascertain more at this time. This James married Nancy J. Welch in Mississippi County and they had at least 5 children that I can document, 3 girls and 2 boys. The two sons were named John W. Wilson and George Wilson, the name of his oldest brother and a younger brother that gave his life in the Civil War. This is too much of a coincidence for me and I believe cements him as the “long lost” brother of the Wilson boys. I will continue research and update as required, as there can be no doubt that his willingness to raise four of his younger brothers to legal age and doggedly pursue land for them from Josiah's promised bounties deserves respect and further acknowledgement.
6. Henry Wilson (1831-UNK). Henry shows up never again in records for Wayne County that I have researched. He was 19 at this census and could have succumbed to disease, died in the war, or just went off to discover the great wide world. He does not appear on the 1860 census and is not found on anyone's ancestral tree in the Ancestry website.
7. Maria Wilson (1832-UNK). 18 at this census. History trail still under research.
8. Madison Wilson (1833-1893). My own direct ancestor about whom much I have already written. He was one of the minor children at his father's death in 1851 to be petitioned and granted guardianship to his older brother James. Father to Clarence Madison Wilson that married Bessie Edith Moore. Civil War injuries left him incapable of serious farming or application of his trade as a blacksmith. Died intestate, meaning without a will. Married first Sarah (maiden name under research) and fathered three children, Zillah Wilson, Henry Wilson (named for his brother), and Sarah Wilson (namesake of both his mother and wife). Second marriage was to Leoto Gardelia Toller (my Great Grandmother), daughter of Missouri (Johnson) (Toller) Williams and Doctor John Toller. Dr. Toller is reputed to have been both Doctor to the native Americans in the area, and Reverend to the general populace. The marriage of Madison and Leoto produced Eliza Dolly Wilson (named for his sister that may have died early) and CLARENCE MADISON WILSON, from whom I am descended For those that may want to acknowledge Madison Wilson's unmarked grave, as you travel the gravel road past the Moore Spring and reach the end of the road, exit your vehicle and notice the hill rising up from the plain in your front and right (the old Moore planting fields) by Wet Fork Creek. During a visit there with Uncle Junior, Clarence Madison Wilson, JR., he related as a young man he was taken there by his older brother, my Uncle Hank Wilson, and shown the place of Madison Wilson’s burial. Unmarked, except for two stones, a large one and a small one, it is the place of his interment and eternal repose.
9. Mariah C. Wilson (1836-UNK) Upon the death of her sister Elizabeth that married Hiram W. Hale, she became Hiram's second wife. It is not hard to imagine her caring for her sister in declining health, and the children of Hiram and Elizabeth during that time. Hiram probably found her to be in nature and appearance much like her sister and both necessity and attraction led to a proposal and marriage in 1861, two years after Elizabeth's death. Altogether I find record of 4 children from this marriage.
10. George W. Wilson (1837-1865). One of the minor subjects of the Guardianship proceedings following the death of his father, Josiah. On the 1860 census prior to the war, George is listed on his brother John's farm as a blacksmith. He married Emily Caroline Mabry at some point during the hostilities and they had one son, George W. P. Wilson that lived only four years (1864-1868). His service for the Union Army had him in Nashville in May of 1865, where he perished from disease at age 27.
11. Mahala Wilson (1839-UNK). Records lost or she perished from disease. She was between 10-11 years of age on the 1850 census.
12. Washington Wilson (1843-UNK). He was 7 on the 1850 census. Mother Sarah was between 42-43 years of age at the time of the birth of her last child of record. Washington was the final child enumerated on this census. listed as one of the minor children of Josiah and Sarah enumerated in the request for guardianship by brother James, and no further record can be located as to his existence, I am of the conclusion that he perished before 1851.
Jefferson Wilson though not enumerated on the 1850 census but was acknowledged as an heir in 1851 by correspondence to L. P. Mudd in Wayne County Court, February 14, 1854. after the death of Josiah, would have been the 13th child living as the time of Josiah's death in 1851. (Court documentation included previously) It must be considered that his birth to Sarah McBride Wilson at such a late point in her life may have been cause for her early demise at around 49 years of age. Further records not found. Research ongoing.
I think it worthwhile to note that Wayne County was hit hard by the Black Cholera epidemic of 1849--an epidemic that ravaged the whole nation. The coincidence of so many deaths surrounding that timeframe in my own family tree emanating from Wayne County lends a credible explanation of cause.
It is likely that Josiah and Sarah are buried somewhere on their old property south of Bethel, if not in unmarked graves in Bethel itself. Their journey and story are remarkable, from Virginia to Missouri in those times. Where other men and women felt safe and content in the relative safety of the settled eastern populace of our country’s early geography, our Wilson and McBride ancestors struck west, leaving those comforts behind to help settle the early Missouri Indian Territories of Wayne County, Missouri.
Theirs is not a story of wealth and glory, it is a story of the indomitable spirit of courageous pioneers.
Keith Wayne Ragan: Maternal Grandson of Clarence Madison Wilson, Great Grandson of Madison Wilson, Great-Great Grandson of Josiah Wilson, Great-Great-Great Grandson of John Wilson, Great-Great-Great-Great Grandson of James Wilson, Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandson of James Wilson.
Original Copyright by the author July 23, 2017. This narrative and its contents may not be reproduced or published in graphic form without the written consent of the author, Keith Wayne Ragan. It is intended for private family collections and family may reproduce or copy for family files only.
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