First Generation

1. Joshua WILSON Sr.¹ was born estimated 1771. Joshua Wilson, Sr. came from Ireland sometime before 1784 and bought land in the forks of Clark's Creek. Some accounts say he came to fight against the British in the Revolutionary War. On November 22, 1791 he married Rebecca Wilson daughter of Thomas Wilson. They had four children. Joshua Jr. born December 5, 1797; Nathaniel born August 19, 1801;Abigail and Rebecca. Joshua Jr. married Pricilla Wilson, and became a prominent surveyor and farmer. Nathaniel Wilson married Mary C. Templeton in September 1825. He was a farmer and a three term member of the N. Carolina House of Representatives. He was instrumental in the creation of the present Catawba County; having broken away from the larger Lincoln County in 1842. Quoting from Preslars' History of Catawba County, "We shall split the lightning rods upon the Lincoln Co. Courthouse". This proclamation of equal division was repeated by Nathaniel Wilson, fiery proponent of the plan to divide Lincoln Co., until he was chosen by popular vote to do so. Wilson was elected to the House of Commons of the state legislature from Lincoln Co. in 1842. In December of that year, he introduced a bill entitled, "An Act to lay off and established a new County -- Catawba". Nathaniel Wilson was elected to the legislature in 1842, 1844 and 1846. It is also felt that the new County Seat of Newton was named for Wilson's son who was born two years previously. In 1852 he was again a candidate for the legislature, but was killed on July 13, by a son-in-law, Wilson England. The tragedy resulted from a disagreement concerning family affairs.

The 1810 census of Lincoln County indicates that Joshua had 4 sons and two daughters.

Joshua WILSON Sr. and Mary Rebecca (Rebecca) WILSON were married on 22 Nov 1791. Mary Rebecca (Rebecca) WILSON (daughter of Thomas WILSON and [unk wife of Thomas WILSON) was born estimated 1772. Joshua WILSON Sr. and Mary Rebecca (Rebecca) WILSON had the following children: