U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Wilson, Benjamin (1747-1827) ------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Harrison County, West Virginia, From the Early Days of Northwestern Virginia to the Present. by Henry Haymond Acme Publishing Company, Morgantown, W.Va., 1910 Pages 388-389, Colonel Benjamin Wilson. Benjamin Wilson was born in what is now Shenandoah County, Virginia, November 30, 1747, of Scotch ancestry. When a small boy his father moved to what is now Hardy County. His first appearance in official life was as a Lieutenant in Lord Dunmore's expedition against the Ohio Indians in the Sciota Valley and he served on the Governor's staff. On his return East from this expedition in the Fall of 1774 with a small party, he passed through the beautiful Tygart's Valley and was so much pleased with it that he bought out the Tomahawk rights of two settlers about four miles from Beverly and moved his family there shortly afterwards and built what is known as Wilson's fort. As Captain of Militia he took an active part in the pursuit of Indian marauders and was always prompt to relieve the suffering inhabitants and conducted his Military operations with marked ability and prudence. When later during the Revolutionary period he was appointed Colonel he was the organ through which most of the Military affairs in his part of the State was conducted, and he performed his duties with such skill and good judgment, as to become a tower of strength to the frontier settlers, and more than once by the exercise of his influence, prevented the whole settlement from being abandoned and the inhabitants retiring Bast of the mountains, on account of the repeated depredations of the Indians. Colonel Wilson was several times a delegate to the Virginia Legislature, was a member from Randolph County of the convention of 1788 that adopted the constitution of the United States, was a Justice of the Peace and Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County from its formation in 1784 to 1814 when he was succeeded by his son John. Besides his public duties he conducted large business operations and in many ways contributed to the development of the County. Randolph County was formed from Harrison in 1787 and a short time afterwards Colonel Wilson, removed from his home in the Valley back into Harrison County, it being necessary for him to do so in order to retain his position as Clerk of the County Court. He purchased 400 acres of land of William Lowther on Simpson's Creek below Bridgeport, and moved on to it, built a flour and saw mill, woolen mill and engaged in other enterprises. The subject of this sketch was twice married, first September 4, 1770, to Ann Ruddell of Hampshire County, and second on December 15, 1795, to Phoebe Davisson of Harrison County. Colonel Wilson had born to him by the first wife twelve and by the second one seventeen children. Twenty-four of these children reached adult age and were living at the time of his death. The last of these children Rachel was born July 20, 1820, and died July 31, 1906, near Quiet Dell. She was twice married, first to Lewis Haymond and second to W. D. "Wilson and left several children. Colonel Wilson died at his residence in Harrison County December 2, 1827, two days after his 80th. birthday, leaving surviving him twenty-four children, seventy-three grandchildren, thirty-two great grand children and one great great grand child making one hundred and thirty descendants. Colonel Wilson is described as a man of affairs, of extensive information, of large experience of a genial kindly disposition, good conversational powers, of sound judgment and good sense, of stalwart person and dignified bearing, a vigorous intellect and a daring and courageous frontiersman. His character and integrity was without a blemish, and he was of commanding presence and possessed of that elegance of manner pertaining to a gentleman of the old school. In his time he was the most prominent figure in the Monongahela Valley and a natural leader of men. In politics he was a Federalist. Col. Wilson was present at the treaty made with the hostile Indians at Camp Charlotte on the Sciota River, Ohio by Lord Dunmore. Cornstalk, the great Shawnee Chief, who had commanded at the battle of Point Pleasants October 10, 1774, took part in the Council and his appearance is described elsewhere. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Harrison County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/harrison/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------