The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-06-08
4 Mexican War Veteran.

4 Mexican War Veteran.
In the death Of Mr.. John Wilkerson
Abbeville loses It's last veteran OF the
Mexican War. One by one they have been
passing away until now, and now the last
answers the last roll call from this county,
In the person Of Mr.. Wilkerson.
Mr.. Wilkerson's father was a British
soldier who settledin Mecklenburg County,
n. c.. in the yer 1912. Mr.. John Wilker,
son was born In Mecklenburg County in the
year 1896. He married Miss Sara Hill
Verellin Laurens County, Dec. 20, 1852.
She was a daughter Of DR.. DR.. John Verell,
After their marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Wilker'
son moved to Ninety Six where his six
children were born.
OF these, Laura E. Wilkorson was born
Nov. 20, 1853 and died August 16, 1856.
Augustus B. and Ella D. Wilkerson,
twins, were born March l, 1856. Ella was
married twice. The first time with F. N.
Blyth Of New Market, and the second
time with A. J.. Pounds OF Bradley. She
died In 1886. Augustus died in the year
1889. he was never married.
Lod 81. Wilkerson was born March 26,
1858. Forty years ago he moved to White
Hall, from which place he moved to Able
Vile about I'VE years ago. At present he
Is q resident Of this community.
Lula Belle WIlkerson was born October
%, 1860 and was married April 20, 1884 to
Mr.. VIC. Chapman. They have lived at
Abbeville ever since their marriage.
Mr.. John II. Wilkersor was born Feb.
9s, 1868. He married Miss Lula Mann,
daughter Of the late W. D. Mann. To them
were born five sons, being the only grand
children Of Mr.. Wtlkerson.
He suffered none, but passed away quiet
~ on Friday morning, at his home here,
June s. 1910, aged 81 years,
While not rich In the general acceptance
Of the term today, still he had a compe.
tencs Of this worlds goods, and lived the
life Of an humble, honest, respected citizen.
His wife was born In the same year that
he was born, 1885. They lived together
S6s years, and she Is now In fairly good
health; mentally and physically. Their
married life was most happy, they were
loversieveai until the dGy@of his death.
Mr.. Wileefsonw WAS perfectly reoonciled
to his fate Hstefd Rev. Mr.. Stokes, bis
spiritual sdSisaar, that the Lord had been
good to him. and had biest him with health
and freedom from pain for many long
years
The funeral at;thshouse was conducted
on Saturday morning by the Rev. Henry
Stokes in the presence Of q goodly com
pany composed largely Of the older citizens
who had come t6pay honor to the Oldest
man In the community andto his bereaved
family.
John Wilkerson left Abbeville In the
year 1s47 In the Company commanded by
Captain j. Foster Marshall, which com
pany was q part Of the Palmetto Regiment
In the Mexican War. The company con-
sistedof 100 able bodied men'of whom not
one-third returned. Some were killed but
many more died from diseases due to
different climatic conditions and impure
drinking water. At that time we had no
railroads and the company marched from
here to Augusta, Ga, by way OF Edgefeld.
They camped the first night at Whartons
gin house on Curl tall creek. 1t rained all
night and next day they waded the
branches which they crossed.
The next day they stopped at Roop's
where an elegant dinner was served them,
but the rain ruined nearly every thing
except tho brandy. The second night they
stopped at Winter Seat and built great
camp fires and dried their clothes. The
next day people in the neighborhood car
rled them to Edgefleld In wagons.
The soldiers we're treated royalty every
where they went. They were met On the
way from Winter Seat to Edgefield by a
band OF music, and great walters ladened
with whiskey punch. At Edgefeld they
wersinvited to q magnificent feast at the
hotel where they were served with all
that coaldsatisfy the appetite or gladden.
the heart. =
The people Of Edgefeld carried them In
wagons to Aiken the next morning, where
the company for the first time saw steam
cars. They boarded the train and went to
Charleston where they stayed for 3 week
or ten days before returning to Augusta,
Ga.
They went thence to, Atlanta by rail and
from that point they again resumed travel
on the peoples line" and walked ITO miles
toward: Montgomery. At Montgomery
they went aboard a boat and were taken
to q small island In the Gulf of Mexico
The army was in command Of Genera.
Scott. And upon arrival at Vera Cruz he
demanded the surrender Of the Mexicans
Instead Of surrendering they fired on him
Like all Mexican soldiers who have sur
vived during the,last twenty years, what
aver their financial condition, Mr.. Viii
kerson was granted q pension by the Fed
eral Government. This was originally
eight dollars per month, afterward raised
to twelve. Members Of the family express
themselves very gratefully for the work
Of Congressman Aiken In having his
pension raised to twenty dollars pei
month, by putting through a special &C
NJ Couorees for that nprnoce Mrs vii