The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-07-20

KEEP WILSON
on Tuesday, July llth. 1916.
axe and gun. No coward could have
lived in that section of country at that
time. We may state on general knowl-
edge of the times that he was often
compelled to protect his home and fam
lily by joining expeditions against raid
ing Indians. During the wars with the
French and Indians in l744-1748 and
ll34-lI63 there were many times when
the outermost settlements in MARYLAND
were threatened and the men of the ex-
posed districts were called upon to de-
fend their people. 1t Is probable that
our ancestor had MANY experiences
which would make him stand out a
strong character in this chronicle. but
at this late date his deeds and adven-
lures are forgotten. More is the pity.
because it is from him that all the Will
sons hereinafter mentioned may trace
their descent
Unfortunately papers and documents
relating to family history were destroy
ed in the time of the third Thomas Will
son, so We know but little of the second
generation Of Wilson's IN America. 1t
is believed that the first Thomas raised
fairly large family, though we have
definite knowledge of but three sons
Thomas, Joseph and Michael.
OF these, Michael was probably the
youngest, for in 1897 he was living and
was able to move from the Old Home
stead on the Monocacy to Centerville.
Indiana. At this time he must have
been quite an old man. His family con-
sisted of four children-three boys
and girl. The girl married
Halfmaner, and lived at Woodsboro.
Maryland. His sons Michael and Thorn
as moved with him to Indiana and Will
liam, the youngest settled in Illinois.
Later the second Michael bought a
stock farm in Kansas and gave it to his
sons to manage.
Joseph settled in Rockingham County.
Virginia, but we know little of him. He
is not mentioned in some old letters con-
corning the family.
Of Thomas ii we know quite a little.
He was born at the Old Homestead
April 5, l740. HIS youth, and, in fact,
his whole life, was full of adventure
and he was noted throughout the colony
for strength of body and fearlessness of
spirit. In l776 he married Elizabeth
Hays, the daughter of highly respect
able family living near his home in
Frederick County, Maryland Some
time after his marriage, he moved to
Cresaptown, few miles west of Cum
berland, where he lived the remainder
Of his life
He was the father of nine children
Thomas III, Joseph, James, Jonathan,
Mary, Michael Elizabeth. Esther and
William
Thomas ii was perhaps the most re-
markable man Of whom we shall write.
His life was a series Of adventures from
all of which, if we are to believe tradi-
ton, he came out triumphant His
force Of character marked him a leader
among his fellow men, and his physical
prowess made him respected by the
rough men of that rough time. Until
very late in life he was a tlreless fight
er, and much has been said of his en-
counters with the DULLES.
Concerning his fighting there seems
to be general misunderstanding. He
has been spoken of as a man glorying
in his strength and eager to display it
whenever there was an opportunity for
fistic encounter; but nothing could be
farther from the truth. He was, in
fact, very modest concerning his abili-
ties and fought only when forced to do
so or in defense of someone unable to
take care of himself. 1t is related that
he learned of his abilities by mere ac-
cident.
In his youth he had never had occasion
to engage in anything more serious than
friendly tussles with boys of his own