Joseph Wilson (1787-1870)

Upon their passing, Joseph and Catherine were buried in the family plot, in the family cemetery in Startown. Their stones are directly next to Joseph's first cousin, Joseph Wilson, son of Andrew and wife, Catherine Detter. For many years, confusion existed as to the identies of the Joseph Wilson cousins.

Today, gravestones in a lot on the edge of a field are the in only signs that the community ever existed, and few people know about the gravestones "It's just something that people have passed down by word of mouth," said Derick Hartshorn, a local genealogist.

Weeds three and four feet high grow along the field's most recent human labor, a chain-link fence constructed a half-century ago.

Just inside the fence, a second, older boundary mark made of stone slabs and a single chain runs along the inner perimeter. It dates back to around the turn of the century

Inside, shaded under a canopy of dense foliage, rests the bones of Matthew Wilson, an Irish immigrant who settled in Catawba County in 1752. His son, Andrew Wilson, 1761-1845, and 25 other. Catawba County ancestors are buried here alongside him. These graves are some of the earliest graves in Catawba County.

The cemetery holds the body of Elias Wilson, 15; Liney Angel; 14;;Andrew Q. Wilson, 5; and Andrew Wilson, 18 months. The bodies of, Joseph Wilson and Catherine Debtor Wilson lie beside the bodies of another Joseph Wilson and Catherine Robinson Wilson.

One gravestone depicting the Angel of Death marks the grave of James Robinson who died June, 1817. "I know that Matthew Wilson probably died sometime before 1790," said Hartshorn: "Most of the graves that are in this cemetery are family members, Robinsons and Wilsons." Hartshorn said he did not think any of the grave stones had been replaced.

Their servants' remains lie in graves outside the fence. Rocks still mark some graves. Another 50 or more are buried there. Until 1960, a board fence protected the slave graves. The boards no longer stand.

A memorial marker erected in 1912 states that Matthew Wilson and his wife Charity Smith Wilson married in Ireland in 1740. They came to America in 1745. In 1755, North Carolina Provincial Governor Arthur Dobbs issued to Matthew Wilson a 510-acre land grant.

The couple moved to Catawba County before the French and Indian War, when migration into Catawba County stopped for eight years. "Pioneers either came before or after, and they all came the same way, down the great wagon road from Philadelphia to Lancaster, Pa., down through Winston-Salem, down to alongside the Catawba River.

But the cemetery with so much history has long since started to deteriorate. Dead limbs and weeds make the ground indistinguishable from that of nearby woods.

"A lot of these trees are growing up through markers and are being permanently destroyed or lost," said Hartshorn.

The cemetery now belongs to the First Presbyterian Church in Newton, and the :Church is responsible for the site's' care.

The church, agreed to take the cemetery in 1978 after Thomas W. Warlick, a Newton attorney, and his sister, Martha Warlick Brame of North Wilkesboro took a turn looking after the site. Warlick said volunteers for the job are scarce, but the church would welcome any assistance.

"If the cemetery was deeded to a church, they should keep it up, If they are not willing to do so, then Catawba County or the City of Newton should see that it is maintained as a historical site," said Marti Sherrill, a Wilson descendant who now lives in Auburn, Georgia.

"My wife and I visited the cemetery about four months ago and were appalled at the condition we found the site to be in. While this is off the beaten path, those buried there are family members," said Joe Brown of Hickory, husband of another Matthew Wilson descendant.

"I cannot believe those entrusted with the responsibility of caring for this hallowed place would permit it to get in the shape it's in. I want to believe the church entrusted with this is unaware of the responsibility they were given. In this cemetery are the relatives of Judge Wilson Warlick and many others who contributed to Catawba County.

The Historical Association might be interested in this project," said Brown.

"I'm disappointed, of course. I think cemeteries deserve better care," said Sidney Halma, director of the Catawba County Museum of History.

However, the Catawba County Historical Association could not take over the site until it meets three requirements: First, family cemeteries must have a fence around its perimeter. The chain link fence surrounding the cemetery now has some historical significance and will require yet another fence to protect it.

Second, someone must treat the cemetery to an initial cleaning. That means, someone will have to rid the area from intrusive roots, weeds, and trees.

Third, organizers must set for the Association an endowment fund to pay for future upkeep. Since the Historical Association is a private nonprofit organization, it relies on donations. Taking care of family cemeteries like Wilson-Robinson would drain the Association's resources, said Halma.

The cemetery fails to meet all three conditions.

Halma said he believed the First Presbyterian Church should assume responsibility for the cemetery's maintenance. Failing that, the descendants of those buried in the cemetery should take over the task.

"I believe it is the custom of families to take care of graves of the families," said Wilson descendant Alice Wrenn of Newton.

To get to the Wilson-Robinson cemetery, go south 1.6 miles past the intersection of Startown Road and Highway 10. A wooden stake propped against a brick column on the right denotes the address, "4687." The paved road turns into dirt. Park at the end and walk or else open a gate to the right and drive through the pasture, following the trail left by tires. Close all gates. One may find the cemetery under a grove of trees past the power lines. The land surrounding the cemetery belongs to Buddy Sherrill of Hickory.