Thomas Cleaver PRICE
[4910] [S160] Personal notes Merle R Price PRA
[12894]
[S188]
Personal notes Nancy Brown
John Percy NIELDS US District Attorney for DE
_Thomas CRAVEN Carpenter_+
| (1767 - 1814) m 1794
_David Stewart CRAVEN of the steam ship "Reybold_|
| (1802 - 1862) m 1831 |
| |_Mary ASPRIL ____________+
| (1775 - ....) m 1794
_Thomas Jenkins CRAVEN of Salem NJ_|
| (1837 - 1922) m 1862 |
| | _Christopher VANDEGRIFT _+
| | | (1768 - 1818) m 1803
| |_Rebecca Jane VANDEGRIFT ________________________|
| (1811 - 1874) m 1831 |
| |_Jane FORD ______________
| (1783 - 1828) m 1803
|
|--Mary Blanchard CRAVEN
| (1875 - ....)
| _________________________
| |
| _James C HOW ____________________________________|
| | |
| | |_________________________
| |
|_Esther Clark HOW of St Georges DE_|
(1842 - 1879) m 1862 |
| _________________________
| |
|_Letitia HAMILL _________________________________|
|
|_________________________
[6325] [S24] Journal of Susannah Elizabeth Vandegrift
[6324] [S118] "Colonial Families of the United States of America"
[15825] [S24] Journal of Susannah Elizabeth Vandegrift
[11848] [S14] "History and Genealogy of the Stonesifer Family of MD and PA"
William Hyland WILSON
+John A WILSON Philadelphia
+Margery WILSON
+Alexander WILSON
Julian WILSON
Mary WILSON
[3165]
It is believed that Alexander Wilson was born in Scotland, probably around 1780. At the present time no arrival date or ship has been discovered. Why did he choose the Elk Neck area of MD? There were several Wilson families already established in this area. One could conjecture that a distant family connection to these Wilsons was already established to attract him to settle in this area. In 1804, the first record of Alexander Wilson is found in the Cecil Co Tax Assessments fifth district (Elk Neck) 134 acres, 75 acres and two children under the age of 8. In 1806, "Captain" appears in front of Alexander's name for his 134 acres in the fifth district. It has not been determined if this is a military rank or a designation of Captain for a boat.
Alexander was married first to Deborah Roach and they produced a son George. She died and Alexander was married a second time on June 4, 1804 to Mary Hyland, the daughter of Edward and Julian Arrants Hyland both from the Elk Neck, MD. A son William born was in 1808, then John born in 1809. Our third great grandfather Alexander Wilson, pictured here, was born in 1813. There were also three female siblings for Alexander: Julian, Margery, and Mary. [Picture of Alexander]
One of the properties that Alexander bought was a tract of land named "Wadmore's Neck." He purchased the land 23 Sept 1807 JS3 p 303 MD Archives. The picture of Walnut Lane Farm taken in 1978 featured in the book Head of the Bay describes the property being sold to Alexander Wilson by Lambert and Ann Hamm Foard his wife. (Lambert is Mary Hyland Wilson's 2nd cousin 1 time removed and her future stepson, son of Capt. John Ford). The book states: "The present log house was probably built either by the Hamms, Foards, or Wilson." If the house was already built, then it is likely that Alexander his son was born in the home in 1813. [Picture]
The Cecil County map published by Simon J Martenet in 1858 shows several farms in the area near Elk Neck with Alexander Wilson (the son) as the owner. The furthest southeast one corresponds to the present-day map location of Walnut Lane. There also appears to be the Wilson Fishery business located on the shoreline of the farm. [Link to Map]
Alexander lost his father on August 26, 1820 when he was age seven. His father died without a recorded will. Alexander's widow Mary remarried two years after his death to Captain John Ford (Foards) who was appointed guardian of the minor children of Alexander Wilson.
Captain Ford was a colorful character with a distinguished military career. This military experience would have been a great common bond with his wife's Hyland family extensive military careers. This fact alone could have cemented this union between two great Revolutionary War service families.
Captain Ford was commissioned on 21 April 1778 and fought in the Battles of Long Island, Germantown, Monmouth, King's Mountain, Gilford Courthouse, and Camden, SC. He was taken prisoner at Camden on 16 Aug 1780."
While he was involved in fighting for the Cause of Independence, the British, under General Howe, landed at Oldfields Point and seized his property. An inventory of his loss included: 3 horses, 4 cows, 38 sheep, 13 large hogs, 36 geese, 100 bushels of corn, 8 bushels of herring, 1 dozen shad, and a pound of salt. The Ford house was used as Headquarters of the Hessians under General Knyphausen after the landing on 25 and 26 Aug 1777. Part of the home was destroyed during and after the British invasion.
Captain John Ford was 25 years older than Mary and lived only another two years after their marriage.
On April 11, 1831 William Wilson, the oldest son of Alexander and Mary Hyland Wilson, petitioned the court to evaluate the property owned by the deceased father. In the petition, there is a reference that the widow of Alexander Wilson had remarried John Ford and all the children of the deceased were alive. George was living in New Castle Co DE, two of the sisters had married, and our great grandfather Alexander was mentioned. He was about 18 when this petition was filed. His mother was made the guardian of all the minor children because Captain John Ford had died in 1824.
One tract of land to be evaluated was named " Wadmore's Neck" containing two hundred acres mentioned above. Another tract of land called "Hyland's Discovery" containing one hundred and thirty six acres purchased of Col. Stephen Hyland (Mary Hyland Wilson's 1st cousin two times removed).
The court appointed five men to evaluate and report the division. George Alexander's half brother had already deeded his rights to Mary Ann Wilson, his stepmother, on Sept 14, 1826.
Mary Hyland Wilson Ford never remarried and is buried behind her son Alexander Wilson in the Hart's Methodist Church Cemetery in Elk Neck MD. This church over looks the original Hyland land called "John and Mary Hylands." The view is spectacular and the historical marker at the church describes Generals Howe's invasion of Maryland. "Harmony Hall" was the ancestral home of John Hyland, our eighth great grandfather on the Hyland lands.
Immigration records for several possible Alexander Wilson entries into America:
*1769 Alexander Wilson age 14 Transported "Discovery" Felon from London to America? (b1755)
*1774 Alexander Wilson age 24 NY (Cameron Viola Roots Emigrants from Scotland to America) (b1750)
1778, March 2 Cecil Co MD Oaths of Fidelity Book 1 page 2 ALEXANDER WILSON
1778, April 21 Cecil Co MD List of Military officers 2nd Battalion Ensign Alexander Wilson in Capt. Samuel Evan's Co Elk Battalion 9MD State Papers Box 9 91-95 6636-9-93 location 1/7/3/29
1778, October Cecil Co MD List of Military officers Lt. Alexander Wilson in Capt. Samuel Moffetts Co
*1794 Alexander Wilson na immigrated to Delaware (Whyte a Dictionary of Scottish Emig to the USA)
1798, March 13 Cecil Co MD Minutes Liber 1795-1799 folio 172 "Alexander Wilson was naturalized in open court by taking the oath prescribed by the act of Congress. James Tilghman Esq. Chief Justice.
1799, Cecil Co MD Witness B 49-93 Alexander Wilson age 50 (b 1749) IF this is our Alexander Wilson then the immigration in 1774 of Alexander Wilson age 24 to NY may be the right match.
1800 Cecil Co Census Elk Neck: Alexr Willson 1 male 26-45, 1 female 16-26, 1 Free person, 4 slaves
Paper in Wilson file of Cecil Co Historical Library Elkton MD (unknown researcher) has this Alexander born in Scotland Naturalized 1797 Cecil Co Md
Only one stone for Alexander Wilson in the Hart Methodist Cem. There is a John A Wilson d 10/26/1875 other side of the monument is Sibella B Wife of John A Wilson d 6/26/1879 age 67 [born abt 1812] A mystery is a stone marker for Addie L Wilson 4/4/1850-6/24/1889 [age 39] next to John A Wilson-- same name as Geneva's sister who marries Dan Cochran and is buried in Forest Middletown DE
Court Document:" Be it remembered that on the eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight and thirty one, William Wilson by John C Groome Esquire, his attorney refered to the Judges of Cecil County Court here his petition in form following to wit: The Petition of William Wilson of Cecil County respectfully represents that Alexander Wilson the father of your petitioner departed this life about the twenty sixth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty intestate seized of sundry tracts parts of tracts, parcels or lots of land lying and being in Cecil County aforesaid that is to say a tract or parcel of land called Wadmore's Neck containing two hundred acres which the said Alexander Wilson purchased of a certain Lambert Foard and Ann Foard his wife Also a tract of land called Hyland's Discovery containing one hundred and thirty six acres purchased of Col Stephen Hyland Also a lot of land containing two acres purchased of John McCracken. That the said Alexander Wilson left a widow Mary Wilson who afterwards intermarried with a certain Foard and who is still living and a widow having survived her said last mentioned husband that the said Alexander Wilson left the following children his heirs at Law all of whom are still living viz: George Wilson who resides in New Castle County in the State of Delaware, your petitioner William Wilson who resides in Cecil County, and John Wilson who resides in the city of Philadelphia, all now of full age and Julian who intermarried with a certain George Moore, Alexander Wilson, Margery who intermarried with a certain James Rutter, and Mary Wilson all infants under the age of twenty one years and all residing in Cecil County a foresaid. That the said George Wilson by deed bearing date on the fourteenth day of September in the year one thouseand eight hundred and twenty six conveyed all his right title to tracts, of parcels of land called Wadmore's Neck, Hylands Discovery and the lot of land described as purchased of John McCrackon unto the a foresaid widow Mary Foard. That as many of the said parties are minors and a division of the said and premised a foresaid connot be had without the aid of this Honorable Court. Your petitioner therefore prays your Honors to direct a commission to be issued to five sensible and discreet persons to value and divide the said tracts, part of tracts, parcels or lots of land according to the provisions of the det of assembly to direct descents and the several suplements there to due your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray tell."
John H Ford, James Mercer, Franncis B Gottier, Thomas L Thomas, and Johnson Simpers were appointed. Mary Ford is appointed guardian to the minors.
Administration CC vol 13 pages 652,685,697: Jacob Hyland and Benjamin Maulden appointed by orphans court to evaluate the land of Alexander Wilson for its heirs Alexander the son is mentioned. John Ford is the guardian of the heirs of Alexander Wilson. Mary Wilson is mentioned as the widow.
The estate highlights are:
Homeplace,Fishery, dwelling House 20 by 30 feet, stone barn 28 by 40 feet, kitchen 28 by 40 feet, log corn House and smoke House, fish house on the shore 20 by 18 feet, shed 30 by 25 feet, fencing, 120 acres, cleared tillable sand and 80 acres woods the whole tract 200 acres being a tract of land called 'Wadsmore Neck'.
The upper Place log dwelling house, shed room 18 by 20 smoke house 12 by 14, barn 17 by 19, dwelling house 18 by 20, new log house 20 by 22, whole tract of land 130 acres called 'Hyland Adventure'
Next place Log dwelling house with shed room 10 by 22, corn house and barn 16 by 20 Fish house, meat house, hen house, 194 acres of land called 'Convenient'
Negros Dan, Pollone, Mint, Sal, Eve, Mary, Luee, and Nance. and six boys ages 7 to 2 years.
bills were paid by the executors Mary Wilson and Nicholas Hyland. One was to William C Penington for a coffin. Could this be his brother in law who married Amelia Hyland???????
Araminta married Benjamin Mauldin. He may be a brother to Zebulon Mauldin who's dau., Catherine is the first wife of Alexander Wilson the younger
This may have bearing on the linage or not-------
(another) Alexander Wilson Probate B 9 493 4/29/1851 Cecil Co Md Signed 3/31/1837
wants to be buried at the head of Christianna (River?)
Children; Thomas, Mary (George McDaniel), Margaret (Samuel Beck), Jane (Talmadge), Eliza (George W. Jones), Hannah, Mitchell, grandson Alexander son of Thomas, grandson Alexander son of decd son Samuel.
[15478] may have been May 23 1804
[3166] [S57] Family File, Wilson
[3160] [S57] Family File, Wilson
[3162] CC Historical Lib
[3163] [S171] Maryland Archives
[3164] Administration papers Aug 25 1822 Vol 13 page 652,685,697
[15476] [S57] Family File, Wilson
[15477] [S176] Cecil Co Historical Library Family file:
Copyright Ruth Stonesifer [Home] [Surname List]