New for 2009

 

Margy Miles disputes Sarah Boone's Burial Site

 

New for 2010

 

Different Parents for William "Red" Wilcoxson + Nancy Sparks

 

John Willcockson (Wilcoxson)

            Born: 6 September 1720 at Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Married: 29 May 1742 possibly at Exeter Township, Lancaster County (now       Berks County), Pennsylvania

Died: 26 February 1798 in North Carolina. Also, he was rumored to die 3 February 1782 at or near Bryan Station, Fayette County, Kentucky. This is not so, as other records give evidence for later date in North Carolina, such as 1798-1805.

            Parents: George Wilcockson and Elizabeth Powell

 

Sarah Boone

Born 7 June 1724 in Pennsylvania. Middle name reported "Cassandra" but proof lacking.

            Died 1815 Madison County, Kentucky

            Parents: Squire Boone (1696 – 1765) and Sarah Morgan (1700 – 1777)

           

2^nd Edition, Morphew/Murphy Story – J.R. Murphy, last revision 4 March 2010

 

Comments:

 

            Confusion exists on some children and grandchildren of John Wilcockson who married Sarah Boone. It is now time to review these Wilcocksons and see if the accuracy can be improved. Some of the confusion is with descendants of George and Isaac Wilcockson, brothers of John Wilcockson. This writer hopes to do this over the next several years.

 

            During this time span, surname spellings varied so widely that they will be used interchangeably.

 

Wilcocksons in Maryland - ?

 

            Don Perkins recently noted John Wilcoxson "applied for and was granted an Ordinary (Tavern) License and operated the tavern" in Frederick County, Maryland. Perkin's reference was "Carolina Cradle" by Ramsey. The problem with this entry is that there was another successful Wilcoxon (various spellings) clan in Maryland with first names who are extremely similar.

"Squire Boone, Sr. (1695-1765) In America," by Don Perkins, in "Compass", January issue 2007, page 8

 

Marriage of Sarah (Boone) Wilcockson

Movement Away from Pennsylvania

 

Sarah Boone was a Pennsylvania Quaker, and was condemned when she married outside her church to John Willcockson. They migrated to North Carolina at or about the same time as the Squire Boone family between 1750 and 1758. Later they moved to Kentucky and then returned to North Carolina.

 

John Wilcoxson in North Carolina Records

 

            John Wilcockson is entered on the 1759 Rowan County tax list, and is our first entry for him in North Carolina.

 

On 9 January 1765, Rowan County court books ordered the appointment of overseers for a road, which included John Willcox to cover the road from the South Yadkin to Israel Boon’s old place. Later in 9 May 1765, John Willcockson witnessed a deed by David Jones to Edmond Dedman in Rowan County. “John Willcox is recorded as a Constable in 1765 from South Yadkin to Israel Boon’s Old Place. Israel Boon had petitioned to keep a Public House on July 1764 and listed Squire Boon and James Carter as securities.

 

The March 1772 Rowan Count ordered John Luckey, Robert Johnson, Samuel Luckey, William and James and Morgan Bryan, John Wilcocks, James Brown, Theops Morgan, Thomas and Will Willson and Luke Lee to lay off a road from the road leading from Salisbury to the shoals of the Yadkin River. Then they were to do the same between Second and Third Creek with this road running towards Renshaw’s Ford on the South River, then along the dividing ridge between Rocky and Hunting Creek, until it intersected Hunting Creek, and from the head of the creek to the next ford above Widow Backis on the main Yadkin River, known as Samuel Bryant’s Bottom.

Bear Creek is northwest of Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, by about 20 miles in Davie County. An explanation is needed for these deeds. John Granville, who never saw his vast North Carolina lands, died in 1763, forcing his land offices to close. Consequently, it was not possible for a settler to obtain a land title between 1763 and 1778 within the Granville area. In 1778, this changed and a claim for land could be entered in county records, because British land rights ceased during the American Revolution.

 

John Wilcockson may have left Rowan County in 1778, as nonjurors in Captain Lyons District for August 8, 1778, list “John Willcoxon, Sr.” and son “Samuel Willcoxson.”

 

Wilcocksons in Early Kentucky

 

John Wilcoxson moved to Kentucky, possibly between 1778 and 1782 and was noted at Fort Boonesborough, or living nearby. Future research may better define the dates. An entry (below) by the Daughters of the American Revolution states John Wilcoxson was a soldier of Virginia, which must mean Kentucky County, Virginia. What do they mean by “soldier?” Do they know something we have not found yet?

 

 

There is a large monument at Fort Boonesborough, with the names of the settlers on it. Both John Wilcoxson and his wife, Sarah, are engraved on this monument, which is most impressive.

 

The children of John Wilcoxson, Sr. also came to early Kentucky, with Samuel Wilcoxson in 1775 and 1785, Rachel (Wilcoxson) Bryant in 1775, Daniel Wilcoxson by 1777, Israel Wilcoxson by 1779, John Wilcoxson, Jr., by 1780, Elizabeth (Wilcoxson) Cutbirth by 1790. A few stayed in Kentucky, such as Daniel Wilcoxson and Israel Wilcoxson, and others such as Samuel Wilcoxson returned to North Carolina. This is an impressive list for such an early date in Kentucky (statehood in 1792)!

In September 1778 at Fort Boonesborough, 440 Indians and 12 French-Canadians surrounded the fort and demanded surrender while displaying British and French flags. The Indians were lead by the Shawnee Chief Blackfish; Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton who sent them out to demand surrender of the Kentuckians and bring them back to Detroit as subjects of the King. The fort only had about 60 men and boys to defend it, and yet the settlers voted to fight, instead of surrender. For two days, Daniel Boone pretended to negotiate a treaty while the settlers slipped in food, cattle, hogs, horses and supplies into the fort. Finally, after the Indians attempted to grab the Kentuckians at the negotiations, the battle for Fort Boonesborough began. They attempted to torch the fort, pretended they had left the area, and began several tunnels from the riverbank into the fort. So desperate were the settlers that Daniel fashioned two wooden canons out of logs. One cannon managed to get off one shot before it burst. Little food was left after a week of fighting. Then a heavy rain developed one night, and when it ceased, the sound of digging in the tunnel could no longer be heard. The heavy rain caved-in the tunnels and caused the Shawnee Indians to quit the 9 to 11 day siege. The following morning, the people from Fort Boonesborough came out and searched the woods for Indians, but they had gone.

John Wilcockson was probably at Fort Boonesborough after this battle, between the years 1778 to 1783. Wilcockson settlers at Fort Boonesborough were:

William “Billy” Wilcox (son of George Wilcockson, born ~1725).

Daniel Wilcoxon, Sr.

Elizabeth Wilcockson, who married Benjamin Cutbirth.

John and Sarah “Sally” (Boone) Wilcoxon, Sr.

Rachel Wilcoxon, who married William Bryant.

(From “Early Settlers of Fort Boonesborough,” by H. Thomas Tudor, 1995)

 

Bryan Station is another settlement that some Wilcoxsons – Daniel Wilcoxson, Sr. and Israel Wilcoxson lived at or nearby. The station was about 5 miles northeast of present-day Lexington, Kentucky, on the southern bank of the North Fork of Elkhorn. The Bryans settled at the Station in 1779, but a cabin had been built by Joseph Bryan, a son-in-law of Col. Daniel Boone, in 1776. The history of Bryan Station included a number of Indian attacks. In one of the worst attacks in 1782, the women of the Station prevented its fiery destruction by carrying badly needed buckets of water from the spring to the station while surrounded by Indians. A memorial exists for their efforts. Men at the Station included Daniel Wilcoxen, son of John Sr. Daniel Wilcoxen was in Captain in Holder’s Company on 10 June 1779.

 

There is confusion on the name of Bryan’s Station. In 1779 and 1780, eight Bryans made 13,000 acres of land entries near the Station. Joseph, William, John, and James Bryant entered an additional 6,000 acres. The names Bryan, Bryan’s, Bryants, and Bryant Station, were used at different times by Daniel Boone.

 

Wilcocksons Move Back to North Carolina 1783

 

John is said to return to North Carolina by 1783, and lived in North Carolina until 1798 or beyond. “John Wilcoxon, Sr.” is recorded on the U.S. Census of 1790 Rowan County, North Carolina, with his wife and one male under age sixteen. In 1798, the last of his lands in Rowan County were sold to his son, William (witnessed by son, Samuel, and grandson, Squire Willcockson). He probably died shortly after this.

 

 

“Sarah Boone Wilcoxson died at the home of her daughter, Elizabeth Cutbirth in 1815 in Madison County, Kentucky. ...No will of either Sarah (Boone) Wilcoxson or her husband John have been found, and no complete list of this children” (From “The Boone Family – A genealogical History of Descendants of George and Mary Boone,” by Hazel A. Spraker, 1923). This is disputed, as the Cutbirth family was thought to be living in Tennessee at this time.

 

Recently, Margy Miles disputed Sarah's possible grave location: "As for Sarah, I know that it is said that she died in Estill or Madison County in Kentucky, but don't think she is. I think she is buried beside her husband, John, at the old Mocksville Cemetery in Davie County, North Carolina. I knew an elderly descendant, William Willcockson, here in St. Louis. He told me that his father took him to visit the graves of both Sarah and John at the Mocksville Cemetery when he was a little boy. He said he remembered distinctly seeing the stone with her name on it right beside John. I have been to the cemetery and there is a broken stone in just the right place to be hers. William said it IS hers and that it was broken even back then but could still be read...."

                        (email courtesy of Margy Miles, 31 July 2009)

 

John Willcoxen “died in Rowan County, North Carolina, after which she removed to Kentucky with her Grandson, Jesse Boon Willcoxen, with whom she lived until her death which took place in the year 1814, at the age of about 97 years.” (From a 1861 letter by Jeremiah F. Willcoxen to Lyman Draper in Draper Manuscript Collection, courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Series C, Volume 24.). Another source stated that Sarah was probably buried in or near Jesse B. Wilcoxson’s farm in southern Clark County, Kentucky, not far from Boonesboro. Jesse (~1780) is believed to be the son of Samuel Wilcoxson (1755).

 

John and Sarah Wilcockson -

Oldest Original Log House in Davie County, North Carolina

 

            Apparently, the original log cabin of John and Sarah Wilcockson, thought built between 1752 and 1756 on south end of Bear Creek, has survived in Davie County, and over the years has been incorporated into newer sections of a larger private home. The original part of the house was a 17 x 33 foot room with floor planks three inches thick and over 1 foot wide, with a narrow staircase to the attic. The location of the house was not given, and is not open to the public. (From “Salisbury Sunday Post, 1B, 3 August 1975, article by Gordon Tomlinson, courtesy of Pat Frunzi)

 

Children of John and Sarah Wilcockson

Currently under further reconstruction (3/2010+)

 

Children will be noted with roman numerals (I) (II) (III), etc

Grandchildren noted with (1) (2) (3), etc.

Great grandchildren with (i) (ii) (iii), etc.

Great-great grandchildren with (a) (b) (c), etc.

Great-great-great grandchildren with (aa), (bb), (cc)

 

Comments on the Children

 

Children vary in numbers and names and more research appears to be needed. No will or probate has been found for John or Sarah Willcockson. As to their children, even Hazel A. Spraker wrote that there wasn’t a complete list of names. Jeremiah F. Willcoxen, in an 1861 letter to Lyman Draper, named six sons and four daughters of Samuel Wilcockson (From Draper Manuscript Collection, courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society, Series C. Volume 24).

 

Missing on Jeremiah Willcoxen's list of children is David Wilcoxson, Samuel Wilcoxson, and Nancy Wilcoxson. Patterns for naming Wilcoxson children would seem to exclude David Wilcoxson as a son. Formerly, he was placed here, but he appears he belongs with George Wilcoxon, brother to John Wilcoxson. Also, notice the similar 1755 birth year for Daniel Wilcockson, Jr., and Samuel Wilcockson.

 

 

Some locations for John Wilcoxson, Jr. and his sons:

           

            1778 Rowan County: John Willcoxon, Jr.

1790 U.S. Census of Rowan County: Wilcoxon, John, Jr: 3 males 16 up, 2 males <16, 2 females

            1807, 1808, 1809 Clark County, Ky. tax records: Israel Willcoxen

            1799, 1809 Clark County: Daniel Willcoxson

            1796, 1807, 1809 Clark County: David Willcoxson

            1803, 1809 Clark County: William Willcockson

            1797, 1808 Clark County: Isaac Willcockson. On 1795 Madison County tax.

1795, 1797, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1807, 1809 Clark County" John Willcoxson with 333 acres, listed in 1807 on Trader Creek. Senior or Junior was not used.

1810 – 1815: No Willcoxsons; Yearly review stopped at 1815.

1820 U.S. Census of Clark County, Kentucky with John adjacent to sons, Israel, Daniel, and Isaac Wilcoxson

1830 U.S. Census of Howard County, Missouri: John Wilcoxson 90-100 and 3 females 1 x 15-20, 1 x 40-50, 1 x 80-90 years of age. Census entry next to him is his son David Wilcoxson and family.      

 

            Clark County was established in 1792 from Bourbon and Fayette Counties. An 1809 Clark County tax record shows the following: Daniel Willcoxson, Israel Willcoxson, John Willcoxson with 333 acres, David Willcoxson, William Willcockson, and Jesse Willcockson with land at 4 Mile Creek originally owned by William Burk. Jesse Wilcockson is the only one not belonging to John Wilcoxson, Junior. + Sarah Notson, and shows up from 1797.

 

Children: (1) William Wilcoxson, 1780 to 1864, who married Mary England, (2) Martha Wilcoxson, 1785, who never married, (3) David Wilcoxson who married 10 June 1821 Howard County, Missouri, to Nancy Johnson, (4) Daniel Wilcoxson, (5) Mary M. Wilcoxson, who married on 24 July 1805 to John Mathews, (6) John Wilcoxson, (7) Israel Wilcoxson, who married Polly Fleming and moved to Boone County, Missouri, (8) Amos Wilcoxson, who married on 14 February 1816 Clark County, Kentucky to Vina Dawson, (9) Isaac Wilcoxson, who married on 25 May 1797 Clark County, Kentucky to Rebeccah White.

 

 

“My Grandfather (Benjamin Greer, Sr.), was seven months younger than Daniel Boone to the day and date ...removed to Kentucky about the year 1800 and settled there in Green County on Green River ...and died there.” (condensed from four letters dated 1884 and 1885 by Jesse Greer, Jr., at age 78, Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina – Draper Manuscript Collection/Wisconsin Historical Society, Series C, Volume 9, #23, 24, 25, 27, 29)

 

            Leah Greer Barrow relates, "Benjamin Greer was (my grand ancestor). ...My grandfather John U. Greer was born in Ashe County, North Carolina in 1867. He died in 1972 in Pike County, Kentucky. My father built my grandfather a cabin when I was about six, so I got to see him cook over an open fire and he would go into the mountains and stay for days living on what grew and what he could catch. I was born on a farm, just over the mountain of Wise, Virginia which had been in the family since the founding of Kentucky." Leah relates more about the Greer herb business in the chapter about Silas Morphew, ~1752 – 1807. (E-mail courtesy of Leah Greer Barrow, 10 April 2006)

 

Children: (1) Rachel Greer, 31 March 1768, (2) Jesse Greer, Sr., 14 November 1778, (3) David Greer, 2 February 1781, (4) William Greer

 

 

            Pat Frunzi gives the following information, courtesy emails of 2 January 2002, 23 July 2006, and 19 October 2007:

 

Known documents and locations:

 

            1778 Rowan County, North Carolina Buffalo Creek in the Forks of the Yadkin

            1784-85 reported to be a chain carrier for Daniel Boone's survey work in Kentucky under the surname of Thomas Higgins.

            1787 to 1792 Fayette County, Kentucky on or near 4 Mile Creek. Some of this land was turned over to their son, David Hagans in 1800.

            1789-1795, 1797-1799 Clark County, Kentucky (established 1792)

            1800 – 1801 Madison County, Kentucky tax records; both Sarah and Thomas. In 1807, Clay County was formed from Madison and a "Thomas Higgins" is on the first tax list, but not after that.

            1800 Madison County: William Clark witnessed a document from Thomas and Sarah Hagans to son David for their land in Clark County, Kentucky.

            May 14, 1808 Clay County, Kentucky: "Sarah Higgins" is thought to have married William Clark. Clark, a widower, born estimated 1740.

            1808 Clay County: Thomas Brinegar has 700 acres on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River. (In about 1807, the northern part of Clay County was formed from Madison County. William Bryant is also there and David Higgins has 470 acres listed on the North Fork of the Kentucky River.

            1810 Clay County, Kentucky Census: One male and one female 45+, no children. Nearby on this census were Thomas Brineger and William Bryant. Bryant married Rachel Wilcockson (~1785), daughter of John Wilcockson + Sarah Boone.

            1811 Clay County Tax List- William Clark: In 1815, part of Clay was given to Estill County.

            1818 Estill County: Isaiah Wilcoxson and widow Sarah Clark were executor and executrix of the Will of William Clark.

            1819 Estill County, Kentucky: William Clark's will was probated.

            1820 Estill County, Ravenna, Kentucky: Sally Clark alone in household, age 45+. She is between Thomas Bybee and Samuel Wilcoxen. Bybee married 1st to a different Rachael Hagans and 2nd to Deborah Wilcoxson, sister of Sarah Wilcoxson. Nearby on the 1820 census was Thomas Brinegar or Brinigar who probably married to Rachel Hagan, daughter of Thomas Hagan and Sarah Wilcoxson (born before 1755) – see (C) below.

           

            William Clark died in Estill County, Kentucky with his will written 29 July 1818 and probated May 1819. The will named his wife Sarah, sons David and Henry, granddaughter Leah Clark. It also mentioned Thomas Clark, Sarah Parker Clark, and Leah York Clark. Executors were his wife Sarah Clark and Isaiah Wilcoxon."

 

Children of Thomas and Sarah Hagan (Hagans) were:

 

(1) David Hagans was born ~1772 in North Carolina and died 1 August 1854 in Clark County, Kentucky.

 

(2) Sarah Hagans was born 1783/84 in North Carolina and died after 1850. From Pat Frunzi: On an 1850 Census, she is recorded age 66 and born in North Carolina.

 

(3) Rachel Hagans was born between 1770 – 1775 in North Carolina and died 6 May 1832 in Estill County, Kentucky. Rachel probably married Thomas Brinegar (not certain), who lived close by to William Clark/Sarah Clark on Clay County 1810 and Ravenna, Estill County 1820 Census records.

 

            There is a 1799 will filed by George Willcockson in nearby Jefferson County, Tennessee, (will book 1, page 82) which has not been seen and possibly is his. He married 1^st to Elizabeth Beam on October 20, 1767 in Rowan County, North Carolina (county record). George married 2^nd to Elizabeth Pinchback on 23 February 1789 at Rowan County, N.C. The following Tennessee land grants may belong to our subject, George Wilcockson:

 

(A) George Willcockson: Green County on north side of French Broad River: (1) undated, 150 acres, and listed Sevier-Green Counties, (2) entered 29 October 1783 and granted 1 November 1786, 150 acres, (3) entered 10 November 1788 and granted 18 August 1795, 400 acres.

 

(B) George Willcockson: Green County on Dumplin Creek: (1) entered 14 April 1780, granted 12 July 1794, 150 acres, (2) entered 21 April 1784 and granted 1 November 1786 on the waters.

 

 

            After Isaac Wilcockson died in ~1783, his wife Ruth continues:

 

            10 October 1783 State of North Carolina Land Grant #257: To Ruth Wilcockson, 320 acres in Rowan County on the water of Dutchman's Creek...James Nolands corner and on William Whitaker's line.

                        Rowan County Deed Book, Volume 9, page 513.

 

            18 July 1786 Rowan County deed: Ruth Wilcoxson of Rowan County deeded to James Noland for 60 pounds a parcel of land, estimated 90 acres, in Rowan on Dutchman's Creek, corner on William Whitaker's line...James Read's line...to said Nolands line. Registered August 1787.

                        Rowan County Deed Book, Volume 11, page 77.

 

            (Date missed, about 1787) State of North Carolina grant #1252 to Ruth Wilcoxon, a tract of land 107 acres in Rowan County on the waters of Dutchman's Creek...on John Johnson's line on the west...to said Thomas Thompson line...to Isaac Johnson's line.

                        Rowan County Deed Book, Volume 11, 688-689

 

            (Needs missing date), Ruth Willcoxon of Rowan County do make constitute, ordain, and appoint Major John Johnston of Rowan County, lawful attorney for me and in my name to grant bargain and __ unto Basil Gaither, his heirs, a parcel of land in Rowan County where the Widdow Barns? Now lives and also 30 acres adjoining out of a tract of land I now live on, and also all my estate rights, little property, (and so on). (Signed) Ruth Willcoxson. Witnesses: James Reid, Martha Gray. John Johnston, my attorney who may think needful in keeping fully and clearly given under my hand as above.

                        Rowan County Deed Book, Volume 13, page 939.

 

                        24 July 1789 Fayette County, Kentucky List Record: Aaron Wilcocks, David Willcocks, Daniel Wilcocks, Ruth Wilcocks, John Willcocks..

 

            1795 Woodford County, Kentucky: Ruth Wilcoxson, Daniel Wilcoxson

The 1795 (Reconstructed) Census of Kentucky by T.L.C> Genealogy, 1991.

           

            Reported by 1799, Ruth Wilcoxson and her son Joseph Wilcoxson are in Shelby County, Kentucky.                  

 

The children of Isaac Wilcoxson and his wife Ruth are:

 

(1) Joseph Wilcockson (23 August 1775 to 20 July 1841 Randolph County, Missouri) married 21 August 1809 Shelby County, Kentucky to Elizabeth Woolfolk.

(2) Margaret Wilcockson (1782 to about 1857 Morgan County, Kentucky) married 11 January 1800 at Shelby County, Kentucky to William Congleton III.

(3) Patty Wilcockson married 8 September 1796 Woodford County, Kentucky to Daniel Bromley.

 

 

T. S. Calloway reported Benjamin Cutbirth, Sr. on hunting and trading trips to the Mississippi River and New Orleans between 1765-1770. In 1767, the author, John Bakeless, recorded him hunting with Daniel Boone and that Cutbirth’s explorations helped Boone to become interested in Kentucky. In 1783, Elizabeth (Wilcoxson) Cutbeard was noted as a member of Eaton’s Church in Rowan County, North Carolina and apparently married Benjamin about 1773.

 

“I am unable to tell you where Grandfather Benj. Cutbirth, Sr., went to from this country (North Carolina). His son Benjamin settled in what is now Johnson County in Tennessee. ...Uncle Benjamin finally moved to the State of Iowa and was living there in 1842, but I have not heard of him since.” (From T. S. Callaway, Ashe County, North Carolina, as written to Lyman Draper on 25 December 1883; Draper Manuscript Collection/Wisconsin Historical Society, Series C, Volume 9, #133)

 

Some locations for Benjamin Cutbirth, Sr. (Cutbeard, Cutberth, etc.)

 

1783 Rowan County, North Carolina

1787 Wilkes County, North Carolina

1790 Fort Boonesborough, Kentucky

1796, 1798 Carter County, Tennessee tax record: Benjamin Cutberth, Sr.

 

Children: (1) Daniel Boone Cutbirth, 1760/62, (2) Benjamin Cutbirth Jr., ~1764, (3) Mary Cutbirth, ~1770, (4) Sarah Cutbirth (~1772 - ~1845), married Elijah Calloway

 

 

In a reminiscence written in 1898 about Daniel, a son related what a grandmother had told him regarding an Indian attack near Bryant Station. ...”When plowing time came Daniel Wilcoxson and his brother were in the fields, Daniel was plowing and his brother sitting on a log picking the flint of his gun (one would plow and the other watch for Indians) when an Indian slipped up and tomahawked one on the log. Daniel ran, the Indian after him. The Indian was so near that when Daniel was on top of the fence, the Indian was at the bottom. ...Daniel barely escaped with his life.” From Filson Club History as related by Hazel A. Spraker in “The Boone Family”.

 

 

10 June 1779, Daniel Wilcoxon is listed as a pioneer soldier with Captain John Holder’s Company in present-day Madison County, at and near Boonesborough.

 

In 1795, he is on the Woodford tax lists as Daniel Wilcoxson. In the 1810 U.S. Census of Woodford County, Kentucky, Daniel Wilcoxson was noted as head of a family of eight.

 

In 1835, Daniel Wilcoxen, Lieutenant, was listed on an 1835 Revolutionary War pension list (North Carolina line) in Shelby County, Kentucky, beginning 2 March 1833 with $120 annual allowance. No age was given.

 

Children: (1) William “Black-Head” Wilcoxson, (2) Patsy “Martha” Wilcoxson, (3) Polly “Mary” Wilcoxson, (4) Isaac Wilcoxson, (5) Frankie Wilcoxson, (6) Annie Wilcoxson, (7) Louis Wilcoxson, (8) Sallie Wilcoxson, (9) Josephine Wilcoxson, (10) Daniel Wilcoxson Jr.

 

 

            “Israel Wilcockson” is listed as a Virginia solder in the Revolution – probably Kentucky County, Virginia (Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia,” by Eckenrode, 1911).

 

Possible Land Worked by Israel Wilcoxson

 

            10 December 1780: Levi Todd Assee of Israel Wilcox this day claimed a preemption to a tract of land of 400 Acres at the State price in the District of Kentucky lying between the lower Blue Licks to Limestone run and Lawrence Creek about 10 Miles from the Licks and two Miles from Wm. McConels, including a spring and improvement by the said Wilcox making an Actual settlement in April 1779, satisfactory proof being made to the Court, they are of Opinion that the said Todd has a right to a preempt’n of 400 Acres of land to include the above Location and that a Certificate issue accordingly (From Certificate Book of the Virginia Land Commission 1779-1780,” by the Kentucky Historical Society, 1981). This land is about 10 miles northeast of Blue Licks Battlefield State Park and closer to the Ohio River.

 

 

 

            Dorothy Wulfeck wrote in her book* that William died before November 1828 in Barren County, Kentucky. Several other people believe that the Barren County Wilcoxsons belong to Isaac Wilcoxson, son of George Wilcoxson.

*Wilcoxson and Allied Families, Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, 1958, pages 40 & 43.

 

What is known about William Wilcoxson, son of John + Sarah Wilcoxson:

 

            William Wilcoxson (various spellings), son of John and Sarah Wilcoxson, can be identified in the following locations:

 

            1787 Rowan County Tax List of Captain Pearson: Samuel Wilcoxon - 3 males 21+, 1 male <21 or 60+, 3 females; John Wilcoxon – 3 males 21+, 1 male <16 or 60+, 3 females; William Wilcoxon - 1 male and female 0-20 or 60+.

Rowan County, North Carolina Tax Lists 1757-1800, by Jo White Linn, 1995.

                       

            1790 U.S. Census of Rowan County, North Carolina: William Wilcoxon has household of 3 males 21+, 2 males under 21 or over 60, and 2 females. Adjacent to his name on the census list is John Wilcoxson, Sr. and John Wilcoxson, Jr.

           

            26 February 1798. John Willcockson, of Rowan County, North Carolina, deeded to William Willcockson of Rowan County, for 525 pounds a parcel of land containing 165 acres on both sides of Bear Creek...part of tract of 640 acres granted unto Jacob Koller, conveyed by J. Koller to John Willcockson and now by John Willcockson to William Willcockson. Witnesses were Samuel Wilcockson and Squire Willcockson. Signed: John (x) Willcockson.

                        (Rowan County Deed Book 19, page 254)

 

           26 February 1798. John Willcockson of Rowan County, North Carolina deeded to William Willcockson for 250 pounds, estimation of 160 acres on Bear Creek including John Rowland’s line, now Edward Parkers to Jacob Keller corner. Witnesses were Samuel Willcockson and Squire Willcockson. Signed John (x) Willcockson.                              (Rowan County Deed Book 19:256)

            William Wilcoxson has several more Rowan County deeds which have not been reviewed - Deed Book 10/page 1, Deed Book 14/page 104, Deed Book 17/page 223, Deed Book 19/page 185), Deed Book 21/page 95. Hopefully, something here will help.

           

            1800 U.S. Census of Rowan County, North Carolina: William Wilcoxon has now a household of one male and female 0-10, 1 male and female 16-26, 1 male and female 45+.

 

            Comments: One interpretation of the 1787 tax list might suggest William Wilcoxon was less than age 21. If so and if he was age 20, that would give him a speculative birth date of 1767. No children are listed for this date and gives cause that William Willockson might be the last child of John and Sarah Willcoxson. Let's see if anything else appears to confirm or refute this.

 

            The 1790 Census is not much help. There may be another family living with him.

 

            Regarding the 1800 census, let's say for speculation sake that William and his wife are about age 45. That would place his birth date 1755 or earlier. That conflicts with the 1787 census. Supposing he is that male 16-26 and someone older is living with them. If his speculative age was 26, that would make his birth date 1774. We now have two speculative birth dates of 1774 and 1777. His mother Sarah was born 1724 and that may be pushing her age and ability to have one last child. Evidence so far presented might suggest William Wilcoxson was one of the youngest and had a small family, but there is room for debate.    

           

 

            In 1796, they were living in Claiborne County, Tennessee.

Children: (1) Nathaniel Walker (10 June 1784 to 9 November 1859 Saline County, Missouri - twin), (2) John Walker (10 June 1784 – did not live long- twin), (3) Mary Walker (1780), (4) Samuel Wilcoxson Walker (13 August 1782 – 16 March 1849 Lafayette County, Missouri), (5) Jesse P. Walker (1783 to 1871 Whitley County, Kentucky), (6) Diana Walker (1787/8), (7) Joel Hayden Walker (8 December 1789 – 18 January 1875 Johnson County, Missouri), (8) Jane D. Walker (6 November 1794 – 20 February 1875 Bates County, Missouri), (9) Rachel Boone Walker (~1791), (10) Elias Walker (~1793), (11) Pleasant Philip Walker (8 March 1796 – 24 May 1879 Henry County, Missouri), (12) Sarah Walker (~ 1798 - >1870), (13) George W. Walker (16 September 1800 – 24 December 1886 Henry County, Missouri)

 

William Bryant was noted at Fort Boonesborough in 1775 and later is an early settler of Bryan’s Station and helped to build a blockhouse there. He returned to North Carolina and enlisted three times in the American Revolution in 1780 and 1781, and was at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and Siege of Yorktown. William and his wife are alone in their household in 1810 Estill County, Kentucky. William was part of an interesting lawsuit in 1815, which involved his son, Hiram Bryant, and Squire and Elijah Wilcoxson (see details in Samuel Wilcoxson Chapter under Squire Wilcoxson). Later William and Rachel Bryant moved on to Missouri. He applied for a pension at Boone County, Missouri on June 25^th, 1833.

 

Probable locations that William Bryant lived:

 

Fayette County, Kentucky, perhaps 1775 to before 1780

Madison County, Kentucky

Montgomery County, Kentucky

Estill County, Kentucky

Boone County, Kentucky?

Callaway County, Missouri?

Caldwell County, Missouri

Children of William Bryant and Rachel Wilcoxson:

(1) Hiram Bryant, ~1792, (2) Rachel Bryant, (3) Susan Bryant, ~1800, (4) George Bryant, (5) Jeremiah Bryant, 20 August 1791 to 11 July 1834 Missouri, (6) Thomas Bryant, 10 January 1795 to 5 September 1845 Ripley County, Missouri, (7) Benjamin Bryant, ~1797, (8) Henry Bryant, ~1802 to 1840, (9) William Bryant, 1822

Old Historical Wilcoxson Letter:

 

 

December 23, 1863

Dear Sir:

            I received your letter inquiries. I have heard my father say a great deal about Boone’s acts as a soldier, as they were old hunters together, but the particulars now seem dim to me: One only seems fresh in mind – that is, Boone’s daughter and two of Mr. Callaway’s at Boonesborough, took a canoe across the river to hunt grapes. Five Indians captured them. The girls knowing their fathers would follow them would gore(?) their high heel shoes in the ground and make all the sign they could. The Indians would shake the tomahawk over their heads – the girls holding their heads to them and saying “hit.” The Indians would laugh and say “good sojer.” They then put them on a horse, when they would fall off, and pretend they couldn’t ride. The Indians would again shake the tomahawk’s over their heads. The girls would hold their heads, and tell them “hit.” The Indians would laugh and say, “Good Sojer.” Between sunset and dark, (after) they camped on a small creek, the fathers crawled up the creek opposite to them. Three of the Indians were blowing up the fire and two getting wood, and the girls sitting on the log. They fired on them, killed the three at the fire, and recaptured the girls, and got them home safely. Yours,

Wm. Wilcoxson

Rowan County Tax Records for the Wilcocksons

 

1759: John Wilcockson

1761: Isaac Wilcockson 1 wp.

John and “son Georgie.” (part of Rowan County that became Davie county)

1768: John Willcockson/David Wilcocks – 2

Isaac Wolcokson - 1 (future Davie County area)

1772: Isaac Wilcox/William Wilcox – 2

George Wilcox – 1

Joshua Wilcockson – 1

Peter Wilcockson – 1

1778: John Willcoxon 3.0.0 (valuation numbers in English money)

John Willcoxon Jr 1.0.6

George Willcoxin 2.7.6

Isaac Willcoxen 2.17.1

George Wilcoxen 4.4.8

1782: List of Rowan County men whose property faced confiscations:

George Wilcockson

John Wilcockson

David Willcockson

Isaac Wilcoxson

1787: Rowen County:

Samuel Wilcockson – 3 wm up to 21 and 50+, 1 wm 21-50, 3 wf

John Wilcockson - 3 wm up to 21 and 50+, 1 wm 21-50, 3 wf

William Wilcockson – 1 wm 21-50, 1 b. (In Davie County area)

1789: Rowen County – John Wilcockson 200 A. 1 wp (later became Davie County)

1790: U.S. Census Wilkes County, North Carolina

Wilcox, William, 3 males 16+, 4 males 16-, 3 females

Greer, Benjamin, 3 males <16, 6 males 16+, 1 female.

1790: U.S. Census Rowan County:

Wilcoxon, John, Sr: 1 male 16 up, 1 male <16, 1 female

Wilcoxon, John, Jr: 3 males 16 up, 2 males <16, 2 females

Wilcoxon, William, 1 male 16 up, 4 males <16, 6 females.

The above 3 are listed next to each other.

1793-1794: Rowan County Petition for a separate election: William Willcockson, John

Willcoxon

1795: Rowan County tax delinquents: John Wilcockson

 

EARLY TAX RECORDS IN KENTUCKY FOR THE WILCOCKSONS

 

Tax Records of Kentucky:

Fayette County – 7/24/1789: Aaron Wilcocks, David Willcocks, Daniel Wilcocks,

Ruth Wilcocks, John Willcocks

Madison County – 1795 (Isaac Wilcoxon)