This may help:

First Generation

1. Joshua WILSON Sr. was born estimated 1771. Joshua Wilson, Sr. came from Ireland sometime before 1784 and bought land in the forks of Clark's Creek. Some accounts say he came to fight against the British in the Revolutionary War. On November 22, 1791 he married Rebecca Wilson daughter of Thomas Wilson. They had four children. Joshua Jr. born December 5, 1797; Nathaniel born August 19, 1801;Abigail and Rebecca. Joshua Jr. married Pricilla Wilson, and became a prominent surveyor and farmer. Nathaniel Wilson married Mary C. Templeton in September 1825. He was a farmer and a three term member of the N. Carolina House of Representatives. He was instrumental in the creation of the present Catawba County; having broken away from the larger Lincoln County in 1842. Quoting from Preslars' History of Catawba County, "We shall split the lightning rods upon the Lincoln Co. Courthouse". This proclamation of equal division was repeated by Nathaniel Wilson, fiery proponent of the plan to divide Lincoln Co., until he was chosen by popular vote to do so. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons of the state legislature from Lincoln Co. in 1842. In December of that year, he introduced a bill entitled, "An Act to lay off and established a new County -- Catawba". Nathaniel Wilson was elected to the legislature in 1842, 1844 and 1846. It is also felt that the new County Seat of Newton was named for Wilson's son who was born two years previously. In 1852 he was again a candidate for the legislature, but was killed on July 13, by a son-in-law, Wilson England. The tragedy resulted from a disagreement concerning family affairs.

The 1810 census of Lincoln County indicates that Joshua had 4 sons and two daughters.

Joshua WILSON Sr. and Mary Rebecca (Rebecca) WILSON were married on 22 Nov 1791. Mary Rebecca (Rebecca) WILSON (daughter of Thomas WILSON and [unk wife of Thomas WILSON) was born estimated 1772. Joshua WILSON Sr. and Mary Rebecca (Rebecca) WILSON had the following children:

+2 i. Joshua WILSON Jr., born on 5 Dec 1797, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina; married Priscilla WILSON, on 11 Jun 1829, Lincoln County, North Carolina ; died on 29 Nov 1862, Catawba County, North Carolina.
+3 ii. Nathaniel WILSON, born on 19 Aug 1801, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina; married Mary C. TEMPLETON, on 29 Sep 1825, Lincoln County, North Carolina; died on 13 Jul 1852, Catawba County, North Carolina.
4 iii. Abigail WILSON was born estimated 1803.
5 iv. Rebecca WILSON was born estimated 1805.

Second Generation

2. Joshua WILSON Jr. (Joshua-1) was born on 5 Dec 1797 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. He signed a will on 15 Sep 1858 in Catawba County, North Carolina. The last will and testament of Joshua Wilson, 17 September 1858; probate date January 1863. Catawba County Will Book #1, page 173 (Source "Catawba Cousins," Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1991, pages 158-59 as transcribed by Edwin B. Washington, Jr., 5810 Galloway Dr., Oxon Hill, MD 20745)

I, Joshua Wilson of the County of Catawba and State of North Carolina being of sound mind & memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earth existence, do make and declare this my last will & Testament in manner form following that is to say

First that my executor (hereinafter named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations & friends and pay all funeral expences, together with my just debts, however & to whomever owing out of the money that may come into his hands as a part or parcel of my Estate

Item. I give and devise to my son in law, Rufus England and his wife Vilet Sophia England (who is my daughter) all my lands or real estate I now own either in this County or elswhere (sic) and all the interest I have any (in) lands either by Patent, deed, entry or otherwise to have and to [hold] said lands in equal proportion share & share alike to them & their heirs in fee simple forever

Item. I also give and devis (sic) to my said son in Law and daughter Rufus England & Vilet S. England my negro man named Prince and all other personal property that I now own or may own at the time of my Death or Moneys that may be on hands, or debts owing to me at the time of my death. I give to them in equal proportions share & share alike to them & (their) personal representatives, Forever.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son in Law the [said] Rufus England my lawful Executor to all intents & purposes to Execute my last Will & Testament according to the true intent and meaning of same hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and Testaments by me heretofore made

In Witness whereof I the said Joshua Wilson do hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of September 1858.

Signed Sealed Published and Joshua Wilson (seal)
declared by the said Joshua
Wilson to be his last Will &
Testament in presence of us
who at his request have
subscribed our names as
Witnesses thereto
George W. Norwood
Almena Wilson
Newton Wilson He appeared in the census on 8 Aug 1860 in Newton Township, Catawba County, North Carolina as follows:
519/508 Joshua Wilson, 62, M, farmer, 3,000/3,000, b. NC
Rufus England, 32, M, County Lawyer, b. NC
Violet England, 28, F, b. NC
Julia Ann England, 27, F, b. NC
Napolean B[onaparte] England, 8, M, b. NC
Abigail I[zzy]England, 5, F. b. NC
next door

520/509 Joanna Wilson, 60, F, farmer, 10,000/10,270, b. NC
Hiram Wilson, 62, M, 1,000/ b. NC
He died on 29 Nov 1862 in Catawba County, North Carolina. He was buried in Old Hass Cemetery, Newton, North Carolina. Joshua became a prominent surveyor and farmer. During the 1850's, he was Justice of the Peace.

Joshua WILSON Jr. and Priscilla WILSON were married on 11 Jun 1829 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. by J T Alexander (Witness), Nathaniel Wilson, bondsman.
Priscilla WILSON (daughter of Nathaniel (Tom) WILSON and Margaret (_____)) was born estimated 1800.


3. Nathaniel WILSON (Joshua-1) was born on 19 Aug 1801 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1840 in Lincoln County (Upper Military District), North Carolina as follows: He appeared in the census in 1850 in Newton Township, Catawba County, North Carolina as follows: 289/289 Nathaniel Wilson 48 M Farmer, 2000/ , all b. Catawba
Mary A. Wilson 38 F
Emeline Wilson 23 F
Jasper Wilson 19 M
Cassia Ann Wilson 15 F
Isabella Wilson 13 F
Elmina Wilson 11 F
Newton Wilson 10 M
Rebecca Wilson 8 F
Nathaniel Wilson 6 M
Ephraim Wilson 4 M
Francis Wilson 2 M
Julia Ann England 17 F
Wilson England 24 M Tailor
He made a will in 1852 , He died on 13 Jul 1852 in Catawba County, North Carolina. Aged 50y 10m 27d He was buried in Old Hass Cemetery, Newton, North Carolina. He was a farmer and a three-term member of the N. Carolina House of Representatives. He was instrumental in the creation of the present Catawba County; having broken away from the larger Lincoln County in 1842. Quoting from Preslars' History of Catawba County, "We shall split the lightning rods upon the Lincoln Co Courthouse." This proclamation of equal division was repeated by [Nathaniel Wilson,] the fiery proponent of the plan to divide Lincoln Co, until he was chosen by popular vote to do so. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons of the state legislature from Lincoln Co. in 1842. In December of that year, he introduced a bill entitled, "An Act to lay off and established a new County Catawba" Nathaniel Wilson was elected to the legislature in 1842, 1844 and 1846. It is also felt that the new County Seat of Newton was named for Wilson's son who was born two years previously. In 1852 he was again a candidate for the legislature, but was killed on July 13, by a son-in-law, Wilson England The tragedy resulted from a disagreement concerning family affairs. [Bryce R. Peterson]


Nathaniel WILSON and Mary C. TEMPLETON were married on 29 Sep 1825 in Lincoln County, North Carolina. Mary C. TEMPLETON (middle initial in 1850 census is 'A.') Nathaniel WILSON and Mary C. TEMPLETON had the following children:

+6 i. Emeline WILSON, born on 6 Nov 1826, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina; married Allen B MCMILLIAN, on 10 Jun 1869 .
7 ii. Gideon WILSON was born on 9 Apr 1828 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. He died on 20 Aug 1845 in Catawba County, North Carolina.
+8 iii. Levina WILSON, born on 9 Jul 1829, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina ; married William W. NORWOOD, on 8 Aug 1848.
+9 iv. Jasper WILSON, born on 24 Feb 1831, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina; married Octavia NORWOOD, on 5 Jul 1855; died probably Jefferson Co. Kansas.
+10 v. Julia Ann WILSON, born on 5 Feb 1833, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina; married Wilson ENGLAND, estimated 1845.
11 vi. Cascyan WILSON was born on 14 Sep 1834 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.
12 vii. Isabel WILSON was born on 10 Feb 1836 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.
+13 viii. Almena WILSON, born on 17 Feb 1838, Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina; married Walter Hogshead CLARK, on 17 Jan 1866, Catawba County, North Carolina .
14 ix. Newton WILSON was born on 17 Feb 1838 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. He died of wounds on 3 Jul 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the Civil War. His record in the War Between the States is as follows: WILSON, NEWTON, Private, Co E, 32nd Regiment, NC Troops - Resided in Catawba County where he enlisted at age 20, August 14, 1861. Present or accounted for until wounded in the back at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863. Died at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, of wounds.
15 x. Rebecca WILSON was born on 3 Apr 1842 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.
16 xi. Nathaniel WILSON was born on 9 Mar 1844 in Catawba County, North Carolina. He died on 12 Aug 1862. He was buried in Old Hass Cemetery, Newton, North Carolina. Stone reads: Nathaniel Wilson, Died in Camp, VA, August 12, 1862, Aged 18y 5m 5d
His record in the War Between the States is as follows: WILSON, NATHANIEL, Private, Co E, 32nd Regiment NC Troops - Resided in Catawba County where he enlisted at age 17, August 14, 1861. Present or accounted for until he died in hospital at Petersburg, Virginia, August 12, 1862, of "febris remittens."
17 xii. Ephraim WILSON was born on 21 Feb 1846 in Catawba County, North Carolina. He died on 16 Oct 1854 in Catawba County, North Carolina.
18 xiii. Frances WILSON was born on 14 Mar 1848 in Catawba County, North Carolina.


Third Generation

6. Emeline WILSON (Nathaniel-2, Joshua-1) was born on 6 Nov 1826 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.

Emeline WILSON and Allen B MCMILLIAN were married on 10 Jun 1869. Allen B MCMILLIAN


8. Levina WILSON (Nathaniel-2, Joshua-1) was born on 9 Jul 1829 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.

Levina WILSON and William W. NORWOOD were married on 8 Aug 1848. William W. NORWOOD (son of [unknown] NORWOOD) was born about 1827. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Catawba County, North Carolina as follows: 252/247 William Norwood 33 M House carpenter 1100/350 NC
Lovinia 30 F NC
Mary 10 F NC
Sarah 7 F NC
Theodocia 2 F NC
He appeared in the census in 1880 in Jacob's Fork Township, Catawba County, North Carolina as follows: 206 217 Norwood, William W M 54 Farmer-Consumption
Lovina F 54 Wife
Fanny F 20 Dau
William M 16 Son
Jacob M 14 Son
Ida F 11 Dau
Yoder, Alfred W M 15
Albert M 12 Brother
Harbany M 10 Brother
Newton M 5 Son
Levina WILSON and William W. NORWOOD had the following children:

+19 i. Mary Margaret "Maggie" (Smith) NORWOOD, born about 1830; married Andrew REINHARDT, on 7 Dec 1886, Catawba County, North Carolina ; married George SMITH, about 1850.

9. Jasper WILSON (Nathaniel-2, Joshua-1) was born on 24 Feb 1831 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1860 in Catawba Station Twp., Catawba, North Carolina as follows: 1121/1104 Jasper Wilson, 29 M Farmer; 2800/1130, b. NC
Octava A. 23 F
Mary C. 2 F
Gilbert Stamper, 24 M Farm laborer
He appears in the following account book: Acount Agants Jasper Wilson (cents)
to a pare of old shoes one toed 10
to two new twisters 60
to triming twister and sharping 15
to cuting 3 and makeing 2 screws 15
to steepels and ribits 10
to one new clevis 18 3/4
to one pare of old shoes 12 1/2
to sharping two twisters 10
to makeing sige shovel 25
to sharping twister 05
to sharping two twister 10
to one old shoe 06 1/4
to sharping one twister 10
to one old shoe 06 1/4
He died in probably Jefferson Co. Kansas. His record in the War Between the States is as follows: Jasper Wilson was a Capt. in the 89th Regiment, NC Troops, a reserve unit. Jasper Wilson, his wife Octavia and her sister, Rebecca Norwood, migrated from Catawba County in November 1868, settling in Jefferson Co Kansas in November 1868.

Jasper WILSON and Octavia NORWOOD were married on 5 Jul 1855. Octavia NORWOOD (daughter of [unknown] NORWOOD)


10. Julia Ann WILSON (Nathaniel-2, Joshua-1) was born on 5 Feb 1833 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.

Julia Ann WILSON and Wilson ENGLAND were married estimated 1845. Wilson ENGLAND (son of Alexander ENGLAND and Abigail HEFNER) was born about 1826 in Henderson County, North Carolina. He appeared in the census in 1850 as follows: He is listed as a tailor, living in his father-in-law's house, along with his wife, Julia Ann. She is age 17. Wilson England murdered his father-in-law, Nathaniel Wilson in a fit of rage over the fact that his wife, Julia Ann, daughter of Nathaniel Wilson had been cut of of the will because of her ungrateful conduct. Wilson left home after the dastardly deed and does not ever show up in the census again. He must have seen his wife as she has another child.

The only other mention I find of Wilson England (whom many historians here wonder about his whereabouts thereafter) is found in The Annals of Lincoln County: "Gov. Reid on December 9, 1852, advertised, offering a reward of $300.00 for Wilson England, late of Catawba County, who stands charged with the murder of one Nathaniel Wilson of said county."

1850 Census, Catawba County, NC - Wilson and Julia Ann lived in the home of her parents. He was a sailor. Wilson left North Carolina in late 1853, and never returned to Catawba County.

1860 Census, Catawba County, NC - Julia Ann England and children lived in the home of Rufus and Violet England. (Rufus and Wilson were brothers.)

Two stories regarding Wilson England: (1) Julia Ann's father, Nathaniel Wilson, was running for reelection in Lincoln County, North Carolina. He proposed the creation of Catawba County, North Carolina and was running on that platform. Shortly before the election, there was a family disagreement and Wilson England stabbed his father-in-law Nathaniel and he was killed. The reason for this tragedy is not known for sure - one record said he was drinking. Another was that Nathaniel had cut Julia Ann and her sister Isabelle out of his will. Wilson was put in jail but escaped. The governor of North Carolina offered a $300 reward. As far as we know, he was never found or formally charged. (2) Wilson England left North Carolina for the gold fields out west and made a strike and was on his way back to North Carolina when he was killed for the gold. Either way, we have no date or place of death for Wilson England. Julia Ann WILSON and Wilson ENGLAND had the following children:

+20 i. Napoleon Bonaparte ENGLAND, born on 20 Feb 1851, Catawba County, North Carolina; married Sarah Ann ROBINSON, on 15 Oct 1868, Catawba County, North Carolina; died on 10 Jan 1923, Smyrna, White, Arkansas.
21 ii. Abigail Izzy ENGLAND was born on 18 Aug 1854 in Catawba County, North Carolina. She died on 14 Oct 1874.

13. Almena WILSON (Nathaniel-2, Joshua-1) was born on 17 Feb 1838 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. In 1860 she was a school teacher in the county school system. (Also know as Elminah Celia "Elmira" "Nina.")


Almena WILSON and Walter Hogshead CLARK were married on 17 Jan 1866 in Catawba County, North Carolina. by Geo. Setzer, C.C., R. England, bondsman. Walter Hogshead CLARK was born estimated 1845. They had children: Benjamin Berdie, Walter, Lorena Zora, and Mary Mallie.Walter went to Texas to find land. While there, his wife died and Almina's sister Frances brought the children to him and ended up marrying Walter Clark. We already know that Almina had two sisters, Frances and Becky.

We know little of Walter H. Clark's background, except that he was also from NC, that he served in the Civil War, and that he had two brothers, Jim Clark (who had land close by), in San Gabriel, and lived his life there with wife Mattie and a large family of children). Taylor Clark (who settled in Trinidad, Colorado, and had a daughter named Ruth), and one sister who supposedly settled in North TX. Grandfather Clark owned the gin and general store in San Gabriel, and served on the school board. Having the only cotton gin in the community contributed to his financial success, and he owned land on which he raised cotton, and owned slaves.

When Grandfather Walter Clark came to TX, to search for a suitable place to settle, he left his wife and 4 small children in NC. During his absence, his wife Almena died, and when at last he was located, he asked his wife's sister, Frances, to bring the children to him. She stayed for awhile with his sister in North TX, with the children. And it was here that Frances and Walter married, then journeyed on to San Gabriel, TX, to settle down. Three of the children died, before they were 7 years old, leaving only Lorena Zora to be raised by her aunt, who also was her stepmother. When Lorena Zora died in childbirth, her baby girl, Zora Clark Fokes, was taken to her grandmother and grandfather to live. She soon had a foster sister. A young German girl was hired to help around the house, and had an illegitimate baby girl, who was named Zelma. Grandmother Clark agreed to keep the baby, when the young woman wanted to leave. So, although she never able to have children of her own (which was a grief to her), Grandmother Frances Wilson Clark provided a loving home for 6 children.

Walter Clark is buried in Locklin Cemetery in San Gabriel, TX. (Theresa Connor Minor has picture of headstone).

1910 Precinct 5, District 66, Milam County, Texas:
Walter H. Clark, self, 65, born in NC, parents born in NC
Frances Clark, wife, 61, born in NC, father born in NC, mother born in TN
Zora Clark, 18, granddaughter, mother born in NC, father born in TX

1920 Precinct 5, District 129, Milam County, Texas:
Walter H. Clark, self, 76, born in NC, parents born in NC
Frances Clark, wife, 72, born in NC, father born in NC, mother born in NC
[Theresa Minor]

Forgive the computerese. That's the way it comes out.
derickh@charter.net