Second Generation

2. Joshua WILSON Jr.¹ was born on 5 Dec 1797 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina. He signed a will on 15 Sep 1858 in Catawba County, North Carolina. The last will and testament of Joshua Wilson, 17 September 1858; probate date January 1863. Catawba County Will Book #1, page 173 (Source: Catawba Cousins, Vol. 5, No. 4, April 1991, pages 158-59 as transcribed by Edwin B. Washington, Jr., 5810 Galloway Dr., Oxon Hill, MD 20745)

I, Joshua Wilson of the County of Catawba and State of North Carolina being of sound mind & memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earth existence, do make and declare this my last will & Testament in manner form following that is to say

First that my executor (hereinafter named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations & friends and pay all funeral expences, together with my just debts, however & to whomever owing out of the money that may come into his hands as a part or parcel of my Estate

Item. I give and devise to my son in law, Rufus England and his wife Vilet Sophia England (who is my daughter) all my lands or real estate I now own either in this County or elswhere (sic) and all the interest I have any (in) lands either by Patent, deed, entry or otherwise to have and to [hold] said lands in equal proportion share & share alike to them & their heirs in fee simple forever

Item. I also give and devis (sic) to my said son in Law and daughter Rufus England & Vilet S. England my negro man named Prince and all other personal property that I now own or may own at the time of my Death or Moneys that may be on hands, or debts owing to me at the time of my death. I give to them in equal proportions share & share alike to them & (their) personal representatives, Forever.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son in Law the [said] Rufus England my lawful Executor to all intents & purposes to Execute my last Will & Testament according to the true intent and meaning of same hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and Testaments by me heretofore made

In Witness whereof I the said Joshua Wilson do hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of September 1858.

Signed Sealed Published and Joshua Wilson (seal)
declared by the said Joshua Wilson to be his last Will & Testament in presence of us who at his request have subscribed our names as
Witnesses thereto
George W. Norwood
Almena Wilson
Newton Wilson

He appeared in the census on 8 Aug 1860 in Newton Township, Catawba County, North Carolina as follows:²
519/508 Joshua Wilson, 62, M, farmer, 3,000/3,000, b. NC
Rufus England, 32, M, County Lawyer, b. NC
Violet England, 28, F, b. NC
Julia Ann England, 27, F, b. NC
Napolean B[onaparte] England, 8, M, b. NC
Abigail I[zzy]England, 5, F. b. NC

and living next door:

520/509 Joanna Wilson, 60, F, farmer, 10,000/10,270, b. NC
Hiram Wilson, 62, M, 1,000/ b. NC

Joshua became a prominent surveyor and farmer. During the 1850's, he was Justice of the Peace.
He died on 29 Nov 1862 in Catawba County, North Carolina and was buried in Old Hass Cemetery, Newton, North Carolina.

Joshua WILSON Jr. and Priscilla WILSON were married on 11 Jun 1829 in Lincoln County, North Carolina.³ by J T Alexander (Witness), Nathaniel Wilson, bondsman.
Priscilla WILSON (daughter of Nathaniel (Tom) WILSON and Margaret ______) was born estimated 1800.