Putnam patriot., 1910-09-09
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VICINITY.
Ihs Old Wilson Homestead Of Thsnpsea
 and Putnam i7ls-lS3S.

.,rsseut residence of MT. Andrew J '. Kennedy in Putnam recalls the memo " of the first resident proprietor of thai ancient homestead-James Will .son of Lexington, Mass. lie wss somewhat advanced in years, having married for his second wife, the wid- ow. Margaret Russ Peters. 1t was probaaly her experience of Indian atrocities on New Hampshire frontier, having seen husband and brothers massaered, m that led to their removal te this peaceful corner of Connecticut, al- ways remarkably exempt from Indian disturbance. Two miles south of the Wilson purchase on the Joseph Cady farm was nook devoted 10 medicinal and sacred herbs where Indians of diff ferent tribes met in harmony. Captain Joseph Cady had much authority and influence over his Indian neighbors An old squaw thus greeted him on his return from warfare: 70 Massa Cady. ] glad to see you. l so glad 1 could drink a whole quart of rum.9
 Here the Wilson's found 8 safe re- treat, joined the Fort church of Killing lv and settled their sons on farms around them. James aided in build- Ing the Meeting house in Thompson parish and became consistent mem- Der of it's church in 1730. Margaret, daughter of their son Thomas, who lived with the old people, hearing and tfeasnring their old.time stories, and to her we are indebted for our knowl- edge Of the family history. Living to great age in her married home in Yer mont, these stories were carefully noted by her grandchildren and placed on record
 They take us back across the ocean to the days lof the Civil War John Wilson, the progenitor of our family is a stout young Englishman living near the Border. There is trouble on the frontier. The Scotch are on the war-path with a giant champion and John rides over to see what is going on. He sees gigantic Highlander march, ing up and down the lines-defying all England to single combat. John has read of David and Goliath and has a good horse under him. Without much thought he dashes up to the giant and after few sword thrusts manages to get his feot under that of the giant and spurring his horse, down came the big fellow and in an instant John is on his feet, cuts eff the giants head with his own sword and carries it over the Line in triumph that makes him a hero, that wins the heart and hand of fair maiden of somew hat higher social po- sition. They are married and live in great happiness when news came that the Scotch are coming in force to avenge their champion. IL is one thing to ride up to a foe in heat of battle and quite another to live in dread of secret assault or face an enraged multitude, so John yields to the entreaties of his wife and they take passage for Ameri- ca. Fate overtakes them al Boston Harbor where the ship founders and they lose all their belongings, even the clothes for the new baby. For time il is hard struggle. John trundles a wheelbarrow, the dainty young Wife takes in washing, moistening garments with her tears. But after time they make headway. John becomes ffee' holder in Woburn and they bring up their family in comfort. Margaret hears about them all, and of her grand- mothers family with their frightfui Indian experiences And after the old people have passed away she has experiences of her own 10 be recalled in later eyears, for the French and Indian War comes on and her father, Thomas Wilson, is one ot the hrst to take Ihe field under Putnam al fort Edmond. Soon he is taken prisoner and hurried off 10 Canada. There ne has terrible time; k only kept ali4e through the kindness of an e4d 4aaw. By her aid he escapes and reaches home after a perilous journey and fourteen months absence, where ne Is received as one raised from the dead. In fact, the neighbors say thai one weeks delay would have given his wife second husband.
 The homestead meantime had des- cended to his brother Jonathan, who was not too old to go out after the Lex ington Alarm. The Wilson share Ill the Revolutionary struggle was iRosl conspieuousiy claimed by Jonathan 5 son John, who served as drummer n Captain Joseph Eiliotts company oi Putnam's Regiment of May, l'7o, and had the honor of assisting i'll holding the Fort and guarding the retreat al Bunker Hill. My grandfather, MaJor tand later GeneralD Daniel Larned, oc- cupied the farm below Wilson ; ana that corner was most popular renaez' vous through the war-sometimes a scene of panic as well as brave exploit But of all the military champions seen by my father none impressed his oes- ish fancy like Drummer John Wilson with his "red coat, and he cnerished the promise that when he grew up ne should marry Anne Wilson and nave the red coat. But the fair Anne and her brother John emigrated 10 the ho'