Seven sons and the father enlisted in one day. (Rev. War). When the mother was asked if she didn't hate to see all her sons enlisting in the war, she replied, "No indeed, I only wish I had ten more to put by their sides to fight for liberty and Independence."
My grandmother, (Mary O. Derrick Coleman speaking) Nancy Agnes Shields
Elliot has told me that she remembered her great grandmother, Eleanor Mitchel
Wilson relate incidents of the War.
Robert and Eleanor lived to a good old age, Robert passing away in 1810 and Eleanor in 1812.From Garret and Goodpasture History
Robert Wilson, Sr. and son John, while bringing supplies for Gen. Sumpter's Army were captured by the British, having been brutally threatened with hanging on the nearest tree. Among others captured were Andrew Jackson, Col. Isaacs and Gen. Rutherford, all were placed in jail at Camden. Gen. Cornwallis left a lieutenant in command at Camden and he marched to Charlotte on Sept 26, 1780, there he and Col. Tarlton camped on the Wilson plantation and occupied the house of Eleanor Wilson. Finding her husband and sons were his prisoners in Camden, he tried to enlist her in the King's Cause. He said, "madam, your husband and sons are my prisoners and the fortunes of war may place all your sons and kinsman in my power, if you would induce your family to leave the rebels and take up arms for their lawful soverign. If you will pledge yourself to induce them to do so I will immediately order their discharge and they may hope for rank and honor and wealth." She replied, "I have seven sons who are now bearing arms, indeed my eighth son, Zacheus, who is only 15 years old, I yesterday assisted to join his brothers in Gen. Sumpter's Army. Rather than see one of my family turn back from the glorious enterprise for liberty, I would take these boys and would myself enlist under Gen. Sumpter's standard and show my husband and sons how to fight and if necessary die for the freedom and liberty of my country."
The story of Zacheus, who was captured the next day and brought to
Cornwallis. On finding out his name, Cornwallis took him along for a guide
to the best ford in the river. The army entered at the point designated by
Zacheus, and seemed to find themselves in deep water and drawn down stream.
Cornwallis believing the boy had purposely led them into deep water, drew his
sword and swore he would behead him for his treachery. Zacheus replies, "You
have the power to do so as I have no arms, but Sir, don't you think it would be a cowardly act to strike an unarmed boy with you sword. If I had but half of your weapon it wouldn't be so cowardly, but then it wouldn't be so safe
either." Cornwallis was impressed by the boys cool courage and told him he was a fine lad and that he wouldn't hurt a hair of his head.
Having discovered the ford was shallow enough to cross safely, he dismissed Zacheus and told him to go home and take care of his mother and tell her "to keep her boys at home," but Zacheus didn't go home.
Descendents of Joseph Wilson still have a Bristish sword that Joseph won in a fight with a British soldier.
The Wilson's were Scotch-Irish.
William Mitchel of Penn.
From Shields Geneology by Mary O'Derick Coleman. Pg. 10
Robert Wilson and his three brothers, Zacheus, Samuel and David immigrated from Penn. into NC settling near Hopewell Church in Mechlinburg Co. in 1745.(This may make them Quakers)
See pg. 26 Perquimans MM, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Gen., N.C. Vol I, by William Wade Hinshaw.
Minute Book, 1680-1774
Isaac Wilson
Ann Wilson
CH: Robert b. 8-10-1680
Ann 7-16-1692
Benjamin 10-01-1694
Minutes. Jacob Wilson, an elder of Wells Particuliar Mtg. d. 9-20-1793.
There are a few other Wilson's here of a later date than what I am looking for at this point.