Zaccheus Wilson (1765 - 1842)

Born Nov 1765 in North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy Graham — married 1782 in Rowan, North Carolina, USA

Husband of Elizabeth Wilson — married 24 Nov 1790 in Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee

Descendants

Died 21 Oct 1842 at age 76 in Williamson, Tennessee, USA

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Note

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 provided 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 whoare 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 Oct1803. Zaccheus Wilson is also listed on the 1799 Tax List of Mecklenburg Co.in the same district as Aaron, Joseph and James Wilson.

Possible Wives

MRS. NANCY WILSON.

Various records give three wives for Zaccheus; 1. Alsie Graham or Alsie Nancy Graham 2. Rachel Mitchell and 3. Nancy White, married 1 Sep 1831Williamson Co. TN. (Read about Capt. Zaccheus Wilson & Nancy White) Another possible marriage is that of Zaccheus to a daughter of David Russell of Mecklenburg County, NC. Zaccheus Wilson was named in David Russell's will as a son-in-law and executor, Mecklenburg County, NC, 13Mar 1797. Will Bk. F-129. He appeared in court April 1802 to present the will along with the widow Jane Russell. And yet another marriage for Zaccheus Wilson is that to Nancy Long, which is proven through the LONG deeds. My thought is Zacheus's first wife was a daughter of David Russell and his second wife was Nancy Long. I have found no documentation to even suggest the names Alsey Graham, Rachel Mitchell and Nancy White. There were several men by the name of "Zaccheus" and apparently the genealogies of these have been confused and mixed-up. Also I have noted that "Alsey Wilson", age 67 NC is listed on the 1850 census in Sumner Co. TN

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.

Will

Williamson Co. Tennessee, Will Bk. 7-588

16 Oct 1842, probated 1842

Named in Will

Wife Nancy, daughter Mary C. Wilson, Jane S. Whitehead, son Hugh C. Wilson, grandson John Wilson, sons John S. and E. S. Wilson

Executors: John S. and E. S. Wilson

Negro woman Violet and her child Amy, Negro girl Malinda, Negro girl Alsada, Negro boys Silas, Ames, Amos

I ZACCHEUS WILSON do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at time made.

First I direct that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid as soon as possible after my death out of any monies I may rec. profited of or may first come into the hands of my executors.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my wife Nancy my Negro woman Violet and her child Amy and her increase after this time to dispose of as she may think proper at an time after my death, I also give her all of the farming tools a sufficiency to carry on this farm. I also give her the half of my ---- and three choice milk cows, three farm horses and my Negro man Sam with my house hold and kitchen furniture for her natural life, and at her death to be sold and the money equally divided among my children. I also desire that she shall have a full years provision out of that which may be in our hand at my death. If said Sam should become disobedient I wish him to be hired out by my executors and the money paid over to my wife as soon as collected.

Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary C. Wilson one Negro girl named Malinda.

Fourthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane S. Whitehead one Negro girl named Alsada to have and to use her natural lifetime and at her death to be given to the -- of her body.

Fifthly I give and bequeath unto my son Hugh C. Wilson one good horse and saddle and two hundred and fifty dollars to be paid to him when he shall become of age by my executor.

Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Wilson when he shall be of age one horse and saddle to be worth a hundred dollars and to be sent to school to do any ---- business if he stays with the family till of age.

Seventhly I desire that my family live together as a family until my youngest son becomes of age, and have the use of the entire plantation till that time. Then I desire that the other half of the plantation be rented until the death of my wife and the money divided among my children, and at her death to be sold and divided among them all who ----to be sold under the direction of my executors.

Eighthly I give and bequeath unto my children the three following named Negro boys Silas, Abram and Amos, but the boys are to have the privilege of choosing their master amg any my sons and to be valued to them by administrated Judges.

Ninthly I desire that all the property which is given to my wife for her natural lifetime may remain at her death to be sold and divided equally among them.

Lastly I authorize and appoint my sons John S. and E.S. Wilson my executors and do not require any security of them and ---- to be qualified by the court having full confidence in their honesty.

Williamson Co. TN Records Book, Vol. 5, Louise Lynch

1847 Articles of Agreement between heirs of Zacheus Wilson, dec'd

To Nancy Wilson, widow

Daughter-Mary C. Wilson

Daughter- M. F. Whitehead, wife of James S. Whitehead signed by S. E. Wilson, Mathew Wilson, R.W. Mitchell, H. C. Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Mary C. Wilson, James W. Whitehead, M. F. Whitehead, Robert Ramsey, D. R. Wilson, James G. Wilson, J. L. Wilson Grimes Co. Texas- George J. Scott and his wife Sarah E. Scott having money coming to Sarah E. in Tennessee through her grandfather Wilson -Sarah E.formerly Sarah E. Wilson and daughter of Zacheus Wilson of Nashville, Tenn. atty. in fact. May 12, 1860

Deposition of Mathew Wilson - 22 Nov 1851

The children of Zacheus Wilson, dec. were:

1. David R. Wilson

2. Margaret, wife of Robert W. Mitchell

3. Mathew Wilson

4. James G. Wilson

5. Thomas P. Wilson

6. Mary C. Wilson

7. Jane S. Wilson, wife of M. F. Whitehead

8. William S. Wilson

9. Hugh C. Wilson

10. Simon E. Wilson

11. John L. Wilson, lately dec'd having received his part.

Heirs of Zacheus Wilson, dec'd

David R. Wilson and John L. Wilson, children of Robert Wilson.

Mary R.P. wife of ---Patterson, Nancy E. Ramsey, Jane J. Garrett wife of F. C. Garrett, Z. W. Ramsey, Elizabeth wife of G. W. Garner, Lucinda wife of James Marcum, Thomas J., James M., and John L. Ramsey, children of Elizabeth wife of Robert Ramsey.

William F. Wilson and 4 others that I do not know the names of who were children of Zacheus Wilson, Jr. Dec'd.

Zacheus died in 1842. He left a will. He left a widow and children. Three of the children are now dead. He owned 247 acres of land bounded by Cowden McCord, John Scales, Samuel Browder and Thomas Wilson.

Deposition of William Lanier - Nov. 1848 - There are 14 legatees - Nancy the widow is about 60 or 65 years old and in good health.

Deposition of W. M. Nunn - He thinks Nancy should have $400 for her share.

David R. Wilson of Lowdes Co. Ala a son and heir of Robert Wilson, dec'd formerly of Tenn. appoints my brother John T. Wilson of Williamson Co. my attny. at law to receive my share of the estate of my grandfather Zacheus Wilson, Dec'd

Zacheus Wilson, Jr. left children; William F., Parmelia A., Mary M.,George Z. and Sarah E. Wilson.

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, 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.) The settlement of the LONG family indicates Nancy and Zaccheus were married before 1816.

Circuit Court Minute Book 12, page 207: March 10, 1847

Nancy Wilson et al Exparte. Zacheus Wilson died in 1842 leaving a will.He left a widow Nancy Wilson and 11 children now living and the descendants of three of the children who are now deceased. Zacheus left a tract of land containing 247 acres bounded on the east by Cowden McCord, north by John Scales' land, west by Samuel Brown, south by Thomas Wilson. Nancy is willing to take a sum of money for her dower instead of the land.

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 14May 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) Thomas White, William S. Hatcher and John L. Wilson.

Census

1820 US Census Williamson Co. TN p.41

Zacheus Wilson 321102-11010

Zacheus Wilson born before 1775

Here are nine children born after 1794, and there were four born after the 1820 census;.his daughter Elizabeth was married before 1820, which accounts for 14 children.

1830 US Census Williamson Co. TN p.232

Zacheus Willson 112120001-01100001

Zacheus is age 60-70 (born 1760-1770 )and wife is 50-60 (born 1770-1780)

living adjacent to Elizabeth White

1840 US Census Williamson Co. TN p.193

Zacheus Wilson 0022300001-00011001

Zacheus is age 70-80 (born 1760-1770) and wife is 50-60 (born 1770-1780)

Death

Lauree Leyland says Zacheus Wilson, son of Robert & Eleanor Wilson died in Franklin, TN and was living in his son Mathew's home at the time of his death. Her great great grandfather, Benjamin Thomas Wilson was a child in the home when he died. lauree@mcwd.com

Sources