The 2014 Wilson, Greer and Associated Families Forum 5

by Glenn N. Holliman

 In July 2014 a number of descendants of Greers, Wilsons and Osbornes gathered in Boone, North Carolina to share and learn more about their ancestors who had braved in the late 1700s the wilds of the southwestern Virginia and northwestern mountains of North Carolina.  Here are some photographs and lineages of those in attendance.  Any errors belong to this writer, and I welcome corrections and additions. - GNH

 Left, Gloria Wilson Heimburger and her husband, Wilbur, drove down from Illinois to attend the opening dinner.  Gloria is the daughter of Boyd (1911-1972) and Lexie Lawrence Wilson (1912-1982), grand daughter of Arlie G. (1885-1956) and Bessie Wilson (1887-1976), who was a daughter of John (1855-1928) and Rebecca Wilson (1862-1952). 

 Therefore, Gloria is of the generation of whom Isaac (1822-1864) and Caroline Greer Wilson (1828-1911) are great, great grandparents.

Right, back row, left to right: Gloria Wilson Heimburger as a young teenager with Robert Wilson, Lexie Wilson and Boyd Wilson. Front row kneeling: William 'Bill' Wilson and Ann Wilson Trivette.  This picture was taken on the 4th of July, 1950 at the Wilson farm.  Sadly Bob Wilson died on August 16, 1950 of leukemia, a few weeks short of his 18th birthday.
Photograph courtesy of Gloria W. Heimburger.

Below, a year later in 1951, Rebecca Wilson's surviving children met a year before Becky's death in Sutherland, North Carolina. Left to right sitting Conley (1882-1959), Rebecca and Bessie (Gloria's grandmother).  Standing left to right are Mayme (1892-1975), Preston (1900-1989), Robert (1906-1987, Ruth (1903-1999, Cal (1898-1999), 'Meg' Margaret 'Maggie' (1894-1992) , Don (1890-1975) and Minnie (1896-1997). Picture courtesy of Shirley Sorrell.

 Next posting, more on the lineages of those who attended the July 2014 gathering in Boone, North Carolina.

All are invited to join in building the family tree at Wilson-Greer-Osborne-Forrester-Donnelly and Associated Families of Western NC at Ancestry.com.  Just write to glennhistory@gmail.com for an invitation.

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.