Capt. John Wilson was a grandson of Thomas Wilson, who came from Ireland to Boston about the middle of the eighteenth century. He was about fifteen years of age when he reached New England. Evidently he came of good stock, and in making his way to our shores he brought with him a resolute purpose to make the most of himself. In some way his attention was directed toward the wilds of Maine, and in 1752 he made his way to Topsham, where, as a settler, he took up a large tract of land, on the banks of the Androscoggin. When the Indian War opened he returned to Boston. After the restoration of peace, however, he again made his way to his home in Maine, and here he continued to reside until his death.

Thomas Wilson married Ann Cochrane of Londonderry, N. H., a town settled by Scotch Presbyterians from the northern part of Ireland. Their children were as follows:

I. William, born in Boston in 1741. He married in 1769, Mary, daughter of Robert Patten, of Arundel, afterward Kennebunk, and died in Topsham, April 15, 1826, aged eighty-four years. The children of William and Mary Wilson were: first, Robert (married first Margaret Owen, second Mary Preble); second, Lettice (married David Owen of Wayne); third, Actor; fourth, Ann (married Actor Patten, mother of John S. Patten); fifth, Thomas (unmarried, lived in Bowdoinham); sixth, Isaac, of Strong; seventh, Mary (married Josiah Sandford, selectman of Topsham); eighth, Rachel (married Joel Thompson of Lisbon); ninth,

Adam, a graduate of Bowdoin College, class of 1819, and founder and first editor of Zion's Advocate.

II. James, born in 1744. His wife was Ann, a daughter of James Henry of Providence, R. I., who removed to Harpswell and thence to Topsham. James Wilson built the Wilson homestead, still standing in Topsham, selecting himself every stick of timber in it From the land which he received from his father he gave the land for the county buildings in Topsham, then the shire town of Lincoln County. "I well remember the court-house," writes Mrs. Pendleton, "and the ringing of the court-house bell when the court was in session in the busy, bustling court week." The lot given to the county was one of the finest in the village. James Wilson was one of the selectmen of Topsham from 1782 to 1788, inclusive, and again in 1798. He died in Topsham in June, 1803, and his widow March 3, 1840. Their children were: first, Henry, born September 25, 1775. He was a merchant in Topsham and died unmarried in 1813; second, Thomas, born January 14, 1778. He was engaged in mill operations and died unmarried in 1810; third, John, who commanded the force at the mouth of the Kennebec in the war of 1812. He was born April 8, 1780, and married in 1818, Eunice, daughter of Alexander Thompson of Topsham, a Revolutionary soldier. He died February 6, 1832. Mrs. Eunice Wilson, widow of Gen. Wilson, died in Topsham in December, 1878, aged ninety years and nine months. Fourth, Hannah, born January 6, 1783; fifth, Charles, born

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December 15, 1785, and died unmarried July 8, 1812, while a member of the junior class in Bowdoin College. "He was a young man of promising abilities, amiable manners and correct habits." Sixth, James, born July 30, 1789, and died in Topsham, October 17, 1880, in the ninety-second year of his age.

III. Thomas. He went to sea and never was heard from. He was unmarried.

IV. Lettice, who married

Martin of Bruns

wick, and died about a fortnight after marriage.

V. Margaret, who married first John Hunter and second Alexander Rogers, father of George R.

VI. Mary, who married June 18, 1776, John Sandford.

VII. Elizabeth, who married November, 1772, William Porterfield.

John Wilson, the third son of James Wilson, spent his youth on his father's farm, assisting his father in the care of the farm, and attending the village school. In the division of his father's property he received a farm about two miles from Topsham village, and he not only busied himself with the care of his farm, but he was engaged also in lumbering occupations. The farm was on the Androscoggin River road to Lisbon. On this farm, on a pleasant site, he erected a two-story dwelling house, now owned by Henry Harley. He left two children, Ann H. and Theodosia W. Ann H. married Rev. A. B. Pendleton, a Baptist clergyman. Theodosia W. was a teacher of public and private schools in Topsham and Brunswick about

thirty-four years. In the History of Brunswick, Topsham and Harpswell it is said of her: "She was well known in the community as a successful and experienced teacher, as well as an accomplished and estimable lady." Mr. Wilson was highly esteemed by all classes of people. He was six feet or more in height, and his personal appearance was commanding. He had military inclinations from his early years. In 1809 he was sergeant of a company of artillery in the Third Regiment, First Brigade, Eleventh Division of the Militia of Massachusetts. Daniel S. Wilder was at that time captain of the company. He was succeeded December 18, 1809, by John Wilson, whose commission signed by Gov. Gore of Massachusetts and William Tudor, secretary of the commonwealth, bore date February 2, 1810.

At the beginning of the war of 1812, in order that the Maine troops might be ready for any emergency, orders were issued, and the following were found among Capt. Wilson's papers :

DIVISION ORDERS.

BATH April 30, 1812.

The orders of the Commander in Chief under date of the 25th instant directing a detachment from the Division of six hundred & ten men including officers are now handed down. The Major General expects the most prompt attention to this order & requests the Brigadier Generals in their returns to state particularly the day that the Commanders of the different Regiments make their returns as it will be noticed hereafter in further Division orders. Lt. Col. Charles Thomas will command the regiment detached from this Division. Lt. Col. Denny McCobb at present commanding the first

Brigade of this Division will detail one major & apportion the company officers & detach two hundred fourteen men from the Infantry -officers including men from the Cavalry & twenty-one from the Artillery-including officers. Brigadier General Payson will detail one major apportion the Company officers, & detach three hundred & thirty six men from the Infantry including officers twenty from the cavalry & ten from the artillery including officers.

The commanding officers of Brigades, Regiments, & Battalions will give orders for filling up all vacancies that now do or may exist in the respective Brigades, Regiments & Battalions the present year.

The several Regiments composing the first Brigade will be paraded the present year either in Regiments or Battalions of Regiments, Regard being had to the scattering situation of the Troops for inspection & discipline at such times in the month of September or October as the Commanding officer of the Brigade shall determine of which he will give seasonable directions embracing the cavalry and artillery. The several Regiments comprising Gen. Payson's Brigade will asse mble the present year within the month of September for Review, Inspection & discipline at such times as the Brigadier General shall order, who will give seasonable directions embracing the Cavalry and Artillery within the Brigade. By order of Maj. General King, commanding the 11th Division. Joseph F. Wingate, aide de camp orderly officer of 11th Division.

BRIGADE ORDERS.

April 30th 1812.

The commanding officers of the several Regiments & Battalions in the first Brigade, 11 Division, will use the most speedy & effectual means to carry into effect the foregoing Division Orders for detaching two hundred and fourteen men officers including the Infantry, nine men from the Cavalry, 21 men from the Artillery officers included, agreeable to the schedule hereunto annexed, to be formed into three companys of Infantry (the Cavalry & Artillery will remain a minor corps) They are to be organized and equipped agreeable to the present Militia Law, and held in readiness to assemble & march at a moments Warning, conformable to the General Orders