From the Scrapbook of Shirley Sorrell 3

by Glenn N. Holliman


In this post, we present more photographs from the family of John (1855-1928) and Rebecca Wilson (1862-1954) who raised ten children to adulthood in their isolated farm cove in Sutherland, North Carolina. John's father, Isaac Wilson, settled the high mountain land prior to the Civil War, and died by bushwhackers while plowing his corn in June 1864. 

After Isaac's death, the land was divided amongst his widow, Caroline Greer Wilson, and the seven children.  John and Rebecca remained on their portion of the land for the rest of their lives.

John and Rebecca would have 14 children, a not terribly unusual number in Ashe County in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, but a family size becoming increasing rare for the United States as a whole.  Urban families and mechanized farm families did not need so many children to help with the family agricultural enterprise.  To this day, the uplands of Ashe County, except for bottom lands, remain generally unsuited for large farming equipment.

Four children Nora (1881-1887), Edgar (1883-1885), Boyd (1885) and Nancy (1912) died in infancy or early childhood.   Ten made it to adulthood and lived long lives. 

 Below front row left to right is John holding Preston (1900-1989), his wife Rebecca, holding Ruth (Hurt, 1903-1999).  Far right is Conley (1882-1957).

 Back row with her hand on her father is Mayme (Donnelly, Shirley Sorrell's grandmother) (1892-1975), William Don (1890-1975), Bessie (Wilson, 1887-1976), Maggie (Duncan, 1894 -1992), Minnie  (Osborne, 1896-1987) and Callie Frances (Wilson, 1898-1999).  Robert Earl Wilson is not present, being born in 1906, died in 1987.

 

A few years later in their finest white dresses, the girls gathered around their mother, Rebecca, for a formal photograph. Front row left to right would be Callie, Rebecca, Ruth and Minnie. Back row are Mayme, Margaret (Maggie) and Bessie.

 

 

From 1881 until 1912, a period of 31 years from ages 18 to 49, Rebecca Wilson Wilson gave birth to 14 children of whom only 10 lived to adulthood.  Despite the many pregnancies and the labor of the farm, Rebecca lived to be 92 years old! 

 

If a child of John and Rebecca's made it to adulthood, they lived a long life.  The four sons averaged 82.5 years at death.  The daughters averaged a staggering 93 years at passing!

 

Below Rebecca in later years.

 

 

 

 More information on the relationships of Greers, Wilsons, Osbornes, Stansberys, Forresters and others can be found at this writer's Ancestry.com site. Please write glennhistory@gmail.com for access or to add information.