A letter by John McBride WILKINSON, whose father was Allen WILKINSON, whose grandfather Neille WILKINSON 
who moved from Scotland and settled in Cumberland County establishes that Neille was, apparently 
depending on how written down, McQuilkin, McCuikan, McKulcan and he anglicized it to Wilkinson.  A land 
warrant dated Nov 11, 1771 states that Neill McCuilkan enters 200 ac in Cumberland Co.  Later land purchases 
are signed as Neil Wilkinson. One military supplies certificate in 1783 was signed as Wilkinson. 

(Letter to Cecil Wilkinson)
Well Cecil after some delay I will try and comply with my promise (viz) give you a history of our family 
origin. In the first place, I will say our ancestors was a clan inhabiting the highlands of Scotland, near 
Edinburg, and their origin was back to the days of Robert Bruce and went by the affiliation of Clare McKulkin 
and retained that cognoman till 1650, or thereabouts. My grandfather's name was Niell, born about 1720 in 
the Highlands near Edinburg and emigrated to the Colony of North Carolina about 1765. My grandmother's name 
was Mary - they had 8 children, as follows: John, Neill, Allen, Angus, Dunken, Daniel and Archy-sons: Mary, 
only daughter. Several of grandfather's cousins came to Virginia about the time he came to North Carolina,

In Scotland, they were always noted for bravery, honesty and integrity, and a lover of freedom. My grandfather 
[Neill Wilkinson] was a soldier under Marion, Sumter, and Green, and was in the battle of Kings Mountain, 
where the British Commander Turgison [Patrick Ferguson] was killed.

My father [Allen Wilkinson] emigrated to Tennessee about 1795 and taught school for number of years and 
married mother in 1798 and settled on the old homestead, where all of us were born and raised. Father died 
in April, 1819.

The Wilkinson Family, so far as I know, were for their honesty, truthfulness, independence, bravery and 
good sense, and I hope they will keep up the good name to the end. The origin of the Hesson family, I am 
not so well acquainted with. My grandfather was Arthur. He was raised in the city of Dublin and bound to 
the Tailor's trade at an early age. He came to Pennsylvania about 1766 and worked at his trade till the 
battle of Lexington, Concord. He at once laid down his shears and enlisted in the war as a private for 
seven years, or during the war. The first battle he was in was Bunker's Hill, then Saratoga, Cowpens, 
White Plains, and all the other battles down to Yorktown. He married a girl in Pennsylvania by the name of 
Jane Dorsey. They had seven children as follows: Andrew, Peter, Rachel, Margret, Elizabeth, John and Polly.

Grandfather Hesson settled on Paytons Creek about the year 1795. His sons were all in the war with England, 
1813 to 1815. My father commanded a company in Creek war, and his company was the first to storm the Indian 
breastworks a Horseshoe Bend, which ended the Creek war. I had 8 or 9 uncles in the war with England. So 
you see, there is a little war blood in us from both sides of the house, and I hope it will ever remain. 
In the rebellion, my boys and self was the only representation I know of the Union Side that took up arms 
for the Union. Now, Cecil, let us try and keep up the good old name "Wilkinson" and not let it be stained 
with dishonesty and cowardice of the most degrading principles of the honored race.

Your grandmother Sanderson was also of an old staunch family from the Highlands of Scotland. Their name is 
McMillan, who left Scotland about the time the Wilkinsons did and came to North Carolina, and afterwards 
came to Tenn. And settled near father's. Malcom McMillan was father's orderly- your other grandfather 
Sanderson was my father's First Lieutenant. Now, Cecil, transcribe and correct all mistakes. I could write 
much more on this subject, but my strength is about exhausted. I am near 86 years old.

I remain your old grandpa, J. M. Wilkinson [John McBride Wilkinson; his father was Allen Wilkinson and his 
grandfather Neille Wilkinson.]

(Copied for myself Barbara, Aug. 2, 1915)

Neill died in 1820 and his burial place is still not known. I am still looking. Mike.

Of Neill's sons and daughters: 
1. John moved to Amite County, Mississippi in 1802.  He served in the First Regiment of Mississippi 
Volunteers during the War of 1812. 
2. Allen moved to Smith County Tennessee where he was a teacher and married Rachel Hesson. He served 
as a Captain in the 3rd Regiment of Tennessee Militia. They were in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Allen's 
descendant moved on to Wayne County, Missouri. Read 1804 Letter to Allen from his father
3. Archibald moved to Smith County Tennessee and then to Amite County Mississippi. 
4. Duncan married to Jane Buie, moved to Amite County, Mississippi in 1802.   
5. Angus moved to Amite County, MS marrying Catherine Ray.  He served in the Mississippi Militia. He 
also was a representative at Constitutional Convention of 1817 for incorporation of the state of Mississippi.  
He was a surveyor and school teacher. 
6. Daniel first traveled to Smith County Tennessee, married Mary Langford. He served in the 2nd Regiment 
of West Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen.  They were part of General John Coffee's brigade that fought at 
Pensacola and New Orleans. His wife died and single daughter was raised by brother Duncan and sister Mary 
Jane. Daniel after the war briefly settled in Amite County then moved to being a constable in Union Church, 
Jefferson County, MS. He married Elizabeth Braiden for which they had seven children. His descendants some 
remained there and some moved on to west Texas (William Jackson Montgomery Wilkinson, my g-grandfather). 
7. Mary Jane moved to Amite County and stayed with Duncan Wilkinson.  She helped raise Daniel's first 
daughter. 
8. Neil Jr stayed in Cumberland County, NC.  He inherited the lands and possessions of Neill Sr.  Upon 
his death all possessions were given to the church for the spreading of the gospel. (Still need to find out 
more on this). 

North Carolina Land Entries in records of Court of Deeds and Quarter Sessions for May 1769 to Nov 1771.  
Warrant dated Nov 11, 1771 Neill McCuilkan enters 200 ac in Cumberland Co on Cutt Swamp, border William 
Farmer and on both sides of Locks Creek.  (Also on Nov 14,1771 for Arch'd McGrogan 50ac on Locks Creek 
between John McLaren and Duncan McLaren).   

August 11, 1783 Neil Wilkinson issued a receipt for military supplies in District of Wilmington, State 
of North Carolina.  Account #1461. states "as auditors of the District of Wilmington, this is to certify 
that Neil Wilkinson exhibited his claim to and was allowed the sum of five pounds, two shillings specie" 
Lewis Holmes, clerk, signed W. Dickson and Thomas Sewell. "This certificate was issued for supplies furnished 
the militia". 

January 31st 1815 letter from Neill Wilkinson of Cumberland County to son Allen Wilkinson of Smith County 
indicates Neill not in best of health and indicates that Allen born in July 1768, Archibald in October 1770, 
and Duncan in December 1772. Then says and so on???? I guess referencing the other sons and daughter as being 
approx 2 year increments.  Letter was well written in its verbiage. 

Cumberland County Court Records indicate that on June 6, 1820 Neile Wilkinson Jr. was appointed executor for 
Neile Wilkinson estate with Margaret Wilkinson (Neile Wilkinson Sr wife) concurrence. There was an inventory 
of the estate signed by Neill Wilkinson (Jr) wherein multiple household and farming items as well as large 
steer, cow, a yearling, another yearling with calf, and a horse were sold at auction. A bond was included 
with Neill Wilkinson, David Howie (?) and Charles McAlaster for five hundred dollars signed June 5, 1820. 
This was sealed and delivered in presence of Tho Aranby (???). 

Letter - - John McBride Wilkinson, Grandson wrote in recollections on Oct 15, 1893. 

Genealogy of the Wilkinson family as far as I know through tradition and otherwise.  My great 
grandfather was born and raised in the highlands of Scotland sometime in the 16th (ed. Note probably 
meaning late 1600s) century, date not known, and belonged to the clan McKulkin, who afterward took the 
name of Wilkinson.  My grandfather Wilkinson was born early in the 17th century. (ed. note probably meaning 
1700s) His name was Neil.  Had seven sons and one daughter.  Names as follows John, Allen, Daniel, Dunkin, 
August (Angus), Archie and Neil.  Daughters name was Mary.  All of them born in Scotland and came to the 
Carolinas about 1765 or 6. My father's family (ed. note this is Allen) consisted of five sons and three 
daughters as follows; Margarett, Neil, Jane, Peter, John, Daniel, Archy and Mary.  The dates of our births 
are as follows; Margarett in the year 1800, Neil 1803, Jane 1806, Peter 1809, John 1813, Daniel 1818, Archy 
and Mary 1818, they being twins. There were a good many of our kin and name emigrated to the Carolinas about 
the time my grandfather did.  Most of them went to Virginia.  The rest with my grandfather to North Carolina. 
They left Scotland because of religious oppression, they being Presbyterian.