James Wilson came from Burnt Cabin, Bedford County, Penna, in 1781 and purchased lot 291 where Smith's store now is. On it he erected a log house and on the 3rd of October at the first term of court in Washington County, Penna, he was licensed to keep a tavern. Later he bought lot 21, where Charlton's confectionary now is on the east side of Main Street. This lot was purchased on a certificate. In 1792 he passed his title to his son Hugh Wilson. A deed had previously been made to Hugh Wilson, August 15, 1786. A house was built on this lot which at that time was the largest in the town and in it the shows that visited the place and various amateur performances were held. Dr J Julius Le Moyne first opened his drug store in this house. After his removal, Mrs Baker's Female Seminary was located here until her removal in 1815 to a house on Maiden Street. James Wilson lived in the house he built on the corner of Main and Beau Streets until his death and his widow lived there several years after. He died in 1792 and by his will left to his wife, Margaret, the use of two hundred acres of land adjoining the town until James Wilson, the youngest son, should be of age; then the farm was to be divided equally between James Wilson, Thomas Wilson and John Wilson. Hugh Wilson, the oldest son, had been previously provided for by property set off to him among which was the lot on Main Street near Maiden Street. The house and lot where James Wilson Sr lived and died was left to his younges son, James Wilson, but it later came into possession of Hugh Wilson by whom it was owned many years. A daughter of James Wilson, Matty Wilson, became Mrs Bryson. James Wilson, the younger son, was a coppersmith and lived in the town several years. Of the other sons, except Hugh Wilson, nothing is known. Hugh Wilson, in addition to the property obtained from his father purchased from James Marshel in 1786 a lot on which now stands Morgan & Hargreaves's store. He opened a store on lot 21 before 1795 and was a merchant for many years. He married for his first wife, Rachel Leet, daughter of Isaac Leet and sister of Major Daniel Leet, by whom he had five children: Rebecca Wilson, Margaret Wilson, Rachel Wilson, Hugh W Wilson and Eliza Wilson. Rebecca Wilson became the wife of James Blaine who in 1809 opened a dry goods store next door to Hugh Wilson. Later he purchased the stone house built by David Bradford. In this house they both lived and died leaving no children. He was elected justice of the peace in 1817 and served three terms. He was also county treasurer from 1815 to 1817. Margaret Wilson, the second daughter of Hugh Wilson, became the wife of John Marshel, the son of Col James Marshel. He was sheriff of the county in 1835 and before the expiration of the term was appointed cashier of the Franklin Bank, now First National. This position he retained until 1857 when he resigned and returned to a farm near Washington where he died. Mrs Dr Matthew H Clark of Washington, and Mrs S A Clark of Pittsburgh are his daughters. Rachel Wilson, the third daughter of Hugh and Rachel Wilson, became the wife of Richard Harding and settled first in Alabama and later at Wheeling. Mrs Harding now resides at Philadelphia with her daughter, Mrs Rebecca Harding Davis, well known to the public as an authoress. Mrs John L Gow of Washington is also a daughter to Mrs Harding. Hugh W Wilson, the only son of Hugh and Rachel, settled in South STrabane township on the farm his grandfather purchased and where his father built the residence in which James W Wilson, the son of Hugh Wilson, now lives. Hugh Wilson, after the death of his first wife, married Margaret Fleming, a widow with one daughter who afterwards became the wife of the Rev John McFadden of Pittsburgh. By the second wife he had one daughter, Eliza Wilson, who became the wife of the Rev Thomas Swain of Philadelphia who was pastor of the Baptist Church at Washington, Penna, from 1846 to 1850. After his resignation as pastor of that church, they returned to Philadelphia. After the death of Margaret, the second wife, Hugh Wilson married a Miss Spencer, an English lady who survived him several years. History of Washington County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men / edited by Boyd Crumrine. Illustrated. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts and Co., 1882. p482-3 http://digital.library.pitt.edu/fulltext/simple.htm ________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for Juno Platinum Internet Access Today Only $9.95 per month! Visit www.juno.com