Descendants
of Benjamin Willson
[This
tree provides the link to William Peter Willson Tree. It does not, at this
time, include all of Benjamin's descendants]
Generation
No. 1
1. Benjamin1 Willson was born Bef. 1787 in New
Jersey, and died Bef. February 1809. He
married Sarah.
NOTES
FROM THOMAS WILSON TREE, New Jersey
Thomas
Wilson published his tree in 1967 and has all the branches of the Benjamin
Willson tree as he knew it at that time. This
tree travels the line to William Peter Willson and his descendants. Tom has done
a remarkable job. He also had collaboration
from others -the late Mrs. Arthur Willson of St. Thomas; Mrs. Helen Dunwell,
Mrs. Grover Brough; Mrs. Mary Petrie of East Jordan, Michigan; Mrs. Vivian
Gibbard of East Jordan, Michigan; Mrs. Theodore Engel of Gaylord, Michigan; Mrs.
Harry Gifford of Wainfleet, On; Mrs. Walter Marshall of London, ON; Mr. Lynn
Robertson of Blenheim, ON; Miss Edith I. Willson of Edmonton, Alberta; Miss
Mildred and her aunts Miss Annie and Miss Charlotte Willson of Wainfleet, ON.
Benjamin
was born in New Jersey prior to 1787 because in 1787 he came to the Niagara
region - 7 miles below Fort Erie. His
land petition, undated, but received by the clerk of the Executive Council on
May 2, 1797 stated "came to the province in the year 1787 with his family
where he has ever since continued to reside - that your Petitioner rec'd upon
coming to the province 200 for himself and 350 acres for his family."
Certificates
were attached from two well known magistrates who had known him in New Jersey.
"These are to certify that I was well acquainted with the Barer Benjamin Wilson in the state of New Jersey and that he Supported the Character of an honest industress man and was firmly attached to the British Crown & Constitution and that in the Time of the Late War between Great Britain and America he exerted himself in assisting the persons who came from the British Army in Gitting Recrutes & forwarding them into the British lines & was at Great Expense in Suckering them & their Recrutes by means whereof he Suffered mutch in his property by being apprehended & confined in different County's and in places of Confinement under the then Ruleing powers in the States. Certified by Nath'l Pettie, J.P."
"I
do hereby certify that Benjamin Wilson came into the Province in the year 1788
with his wife and six children.
Isaac Swayze"
When his
land petition was presented, John Warren gave the following certificate:
"I
hereby certify that the bearer Benjamin Wilson, Esqr, has been settled in the
township of Bertie for ten years during which period his conduct as a Subject
& a Neighbor has gained the good will of all that know him.
John Warren, J.P."
At this
time a recommendation was made for a grant of an additional 650 acres to make a
total of 1200 acres which he was apparently promised earlier.
NOTES
ON LAND GRANTS TO BENJ. WILLSON
Benjamin
Willson was granted 1200 acres of land in Canada which was considerably more
than the amount generally granted He
was granted 200 acres in Bertie Township on May 3, 1791 which consisted of Lot 8
in the Cross Concession from Niagara and Lot 22 in the 2nd Concession from Lake
Erie. The former lot apparently was his home farm as it fits the description of
Joseph Moore that Benjamin lived along the River about six miles above Ft. Erie.
Lot 22 was given by Benjamin to his grandson Benjamin son of John Willson of
Bertie as appears by the will of John and also by deed records of Welland
County.
He was
subsequently granted 350 acres as family lands under an Order in Council dated
Oct 8, 1796, but he himself did not locate lands under this grant. They were
located April 29, 1811 by Crowell Willson Esq. ,"heir at law of Benjamin
Willson" in Wainfleet'.. being the North three quarters of Lot 33 and all
of lot 37 in the 4th Concession~ ["Township
Papers" at the Ontario Archives, Toronto].
Under
the Order in Council of May 2, 1797, Benjamin was granted 650 acres to complete
1200 acres. It is his petition for this land which has been preserved.
The 650 acres were located by Benjamin in Blenheim Township on July 6,
1801 under a reconfirming grant dated June 30, 1801. Lot 23 of Con 10 was deeded
on June 4, 1806 by "BenjaminnWillson
of Bertie . .. for love, affection and goodwill which I have and do bear towards
my loving grandson Benjamin Willson (son of my oldest son, Cromwell Willson
Esquire) of the Township of Willoughby. "
The original deed is preserved in file #6844, at the Oxford County Deed
Registry, Woodstock. The grandson Benjamin Willson "of Yarmouth" sold
this lot on Dec 14, 1850.
Lot 24
of Con 10 was deeded on Feb 10, 1816 by Crowell Willson of Crowland is
"heir at law" to Gilman Willson of Dunwich. Gilman in turn sold the
land on Sept 18, 1817 Lot 24 of the 11th Con was deeded Nov 14, 1853 by Stephen
Willson of Wainfleet and Ann his wife to John and Robert Riesberry. Stephen was
a son of Crowell Willson and thus a grandson of Benjamin, but it isn't clear
from the deed by what means he had right to dispose of the land. The south
quarter of Lot 24 of Con 12 was also sold by Stephen Willson in a deed dated Nov
22, 1852 to John Riesberry.
The deed
of gift from Benjamin to his grandson in 1806 is the last record so far
discovered concerning him. It is only known that he was deceased by January
1809.
BENJAMIN
WILLSON IN SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Before
removing to Canada, Benjamin was a resident of Wantage Township in Sussex
County, New Jersey. There are many records relating to him in that place, but
there are only two New Jersey records known which refer to a Benjamin Willson as
a Loyalist. In March 1777 it was ordered by the Council of Safety of New Jersey
that Benjamin Wilson and others be returned to that State from their places of
imprisonment in Fredericksburg, Maryland. It appears that they had been sent
there after having been arrested for going on board a British ship. (Minutes of
the Council of Safety of New Jersey, 1777-1778, p. 10)
Another
reference to a Benjamin Willson is contained in the Minutes of the Sussex County
Court of Quarter Sessions On the
docket for the May Term 1778 is listed the case of the State vs. Benjamin Wilson
At that time Benjamin and Josias Decker, fellowbondsman, were required to
enter into recognizance in the sum of £300 each on the condition that Benjamin
appear at the next session and not depart the county without leave of the court
It was in 1778 that the counties of New Jersey on the instructions of the
Council of Safety began indicting known Loyalists The dockets of most of the County courts at that time were
filled with these cases If the
defendant failed to appear in court and answer the charges against him, he was
attainted of treason and his property was confiscated
Benjamin Wilson of Sussex escaped that severe penalty
At the August Term 1778 he was discharged by proclamation
These
are the only records so far discovered pertaining to a Benjamin Willson of New
Jersey as a Loyalist Nathaniel
Pettit stated in the certificate cited above that he had been well acquainted
with Benjamin Willson in New Jersey and that Benjamin had aided in the securing
of recruits and was imprisoned for Loyalism. Nathaniel Pettit was formerly a
resident of Sussex County, a justice of that place and a member of the last
Assembly of New Jersey to meet under Royal government. He and Col. Joseph
Barton, also of Sussex, were instrumental in raising a company of men, primarily
from Sussex County, for the New Jersey Volunteers, a Loyalist battalion which
served with the British forces throughout the Revolution. A captain of the New
Jersey Volunteers was Joseph Crowell of Wantage, Sussex County, a neighbor of
Benjamin Willson's and possibly his brother-in-law. Documentary proof that
Benjamin and Nathaniel Pettit were acquainted in New Jersey is contained in a
deed record. On May 27, 1775 Benjamin Willson attested before Judge Nathaniel
Pettit of Sussex County as to the validity of a deed, a formality to enable the
deed to be registered. (East Jersey Deeds H3:108)
There is
a record which suggests that Benjamin's son, Crowell Willson was an active
Loyalist. Crowell's name is not entered in the first (or original) United Empire
Loyalist list as Benjamin's is, but the so called '2nd U. E List" preserved
in the Crown Lands Department, Toronto, does list Crowell Willson. After his
name is the rather cryptic statement "Joined at Staten Island." This
would mean that he entered the British lines as Staten Island was held by the
British throughout the Revolution, but no additional
information has been found so far in this matter.
(How Crowell met his wife is another puzzling matter as Westfield, N.J.
where they were married is in the eastern part of the State some distance from
Sussex County).
The
earliest reference to Benjamin Willson so far found in the Sussex County records
is contained in the settlement of an estate. On January 30, 1760 Andrew Willson
of Wantage was appointed administrator of the estate of Joseph Willson of
Wantage, with John Willson of Hardwick, Sussex County, as fellowbondsman. On
February 4, 1760, the inventory of the estate was returned by John Willson Jr
and Benjamin Willson [NJA 32:362]
On March
18, 1763 "Benjamin Willson of the County of Sussex" purchased by deed
from Isaac and Joseph Sharp a tract of 188 acres "on the east side of
Massecoats Kill in Wantage." The witnesses were John Cary and Mary Hall.
[East Jersey Deeds H3:110]
The
following are abstracts of land surveys in Wantage returned to the East Jersey
Board of Proprietors. They are now located in the Alexander Papers at the New
York Historical Society, Box 65
Oct 8,
1770. A survey for Andrew Wilson Esq. of land one quarter of a mile from said
Wilson's plantation near Massecoat Kill
June 10,
1776. A survey for the Earl of Perth near a tract of land 188 acres belong to
Benjamin Wilson, and near land of John Crow
Chainbearers for the survey were Benjamin Wilson and Crow.
June 10,
1776. A survey of land joining Benjamin Wilson's survey of 188 acres, near a
line of Andrew Wilson's land Chainbearers were Andrew Wilson and John Crowell.
Aug 30,
1786. A survey of land of Massecoat Kill. Chainbearers
were John Wilson and Benjamin Wilson.
Aug 31,
1786. A survey of land on Beaver Run Chainbearers
were John Wilson and Gilman Wilson.
Sept 1,
1786. A survey of land on the west side of the Wallkill Chainbearers were
Benjamin Wilson and John Wilson. Persons present at the survey were Isaac Havens
and Thomas Baily.
Found in
Box 67 of the Alexander Papers is a survey of land in HardysLon which took place
on November 18, 1785. The land was on both sides of Pond Brook on the east side
of the Wallkill The Chainbearers
were Crowell Wilson and John Wilson. Also present was Benjamin Wilson.
On June
10, 1785 "Benjamin Willson and Sarah his wife" sold to Isaac Havens
for1130 land that was part of 188 acres "that Benjamin Willson holds right
to by virtue of a deed from Isaac and Joseph Sharp dated March 18, 1763 at a
place called Masse oats Kill in Wantage Township." The witnesses were
Samuel Crowell Jr and Jacob Willson. Benjamin
acknowledged the transaction before a judge of Sussex County on November 27,
1786.
On
October 4, 1785 Benjamin Willson deeded to Jacob Willson land in Wantage bounded
by the 188 acre tract This deed is
not recorded itself but is mentioned in the sale of the land by Joseph Willson
of Sussex County, administrator of Jacob Willson deceased, March 1, 1790.
(Sussex Deeds 1:108]
BENJAMIN
WILLSON IN CANADA
In 1787
Benjamin and his family removed to the Niagara District. After he and his family
had been settled there six years, they were visited by Joseph Moore of Amwell,
Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Joseph Moore was a Quaker and was a minister or
elder of the Kingwood Friends Meeting. He had been appointed by Congress as a
commissioner to attend a meeting between Americans, the British and Indians at
Sandusky in Ohio which the Indians refused to attend unless some Quakers were
present Joseph Moore travelled to
the meeting overland to Niagara and from there by boat up Lake Erie. He kept a
journal of his trip which was published in Friends' Miscellany Vol. 6(1835)
pp.289-343.
When he first arrived in the Niagara District, Joseph Moore and other members of his party were entertained at dinner by Governor Simcoe. Joseph thereafter visited many old friends from New Jersey who had settled in the area. Ii. e entry in his journal for June 3, 1793 states that he "went to Benjamin Willson's, whose wife is a near relation of mine Benjamin went with us six miles to ~e Fort [Ft Erie]. We went on board the Dunmore, Captain Ford, bound to Detroit We left our horses in the care of Benjamin Willson.
NOTES
FROM THOMAS WILSON TREE on SARAH, New Jersey
Not much
is known about Sarah, but she is quite likely descended from the Crowell family
of New Jersey.
Children
of Benjamin Willson and Sarah are:
+
2
i.
Crowell2 Willson, born September 17, 1762;
died August 11, 1832
in Chipewa, On.
+
3
ii.
John Willson, born Aft. 1762; died
Aft. September 1, 1807.
4
iii.
Sarah Willson.
5
iv.
Hannah Willson, born Abt. 1768.
6
v.
Gilman Willson, born 1771.
Generation
No. 2
2. Crowell2 Willson (Benjamin1) was
born September 17, 1762, and died August 11, 1832 in Chipewa, On.
He married (1) ----- Wiley.
He married (2) Hannah Crane December 17, 1783 in Westfield New Jersey,
Presbyterian Church. She
was born June 9, 1766 in New Jersey, and died May 14, 1817.
Notes
for Crowell Willson:
Information
on Crowell comes from a Bible record in the hands of Mrs. Isabel Oades,
Vancouver, BC
Crowell
was was a Justice of the Peace. and was on the board of directors of the Royal
Agricultural Society of Canada. In
1808 he was elected to the Upper Canada Parliament which he served until 1812.
For a number of years he was Commissioner of Roads for Willoughby and
Crowland.
After
Hannah died, Crowell remarried a
widow by the last name of Wiley, a widow of a Loyalist family, The date might be
Jan 2, 1833.
Burial:
August 13, 1832, Lyons Creek Cemetery, Crowland
Children
of Crowell Willson and Hannah Crane are:
7
i.
child3 Willson.
Notes for child Willson:
8
ii.
Benjamin Willson, born September 5, 1786.
9
iii.
Margaret Willson, born February 4, 1789.
10
iv.
Ann Willson, born February 29, 1792.
11
v.
Sarah Willson, born April 28, 1794.
12
vi.
Jacob Willson, born April 14, 1796.
13
vii.
Hannah Willson, born August 3, 1798.
14
viii.
John Willson, born July 15, 1800.
15
ix.
Crowell Willson, born September 3, 1802.
16
x.
Stephen Willson, born October 26, 1804.
17
xi.
Pamilia Willson, born March 9, 1807.
18
xii.
Hiram Willson, born April 10, 1809.
3. John2 Willson (Benjamin1) was
born Aft. 1762, and died Aft. September 1, 1807.
He married Esther Haun.
Notes
for John Willson:
He
received the patents to lots 23 & 24 in 2nd concession from Lake Erie in
Bertie Township, Welland County, on December 31, 1798.
Most of lot 23 was subdivided by his grandson Robert B. Willson and it
now contains that whole village of Ridgeway, On.
(Note: this may not be true now as this was written in 1967 and at this
writing the year is 2003).
Little
else is known about John.
His
death had to be between the date of
the will, Sept. 1, 1807 and the date of the proving of the will, Aug. 5, 1808.
Children
of John Willson and Esther Haun are:
19
i.
Benjamin3 Willson.
Notes for Benjamin Willson:
He was left Lot 22, 2nd concession from Lake Erie in Bertie by his
grandfather, Benjamin, as is disclosed by the will of John.
Benjamin sold this lot on Aug. 8, 1825 to Peter Haun, and is described in
the deed as being of Brantford, On. In
1830 he owned Lot 11 on the south side of Colborne St., Brantford. (Reville Hist.
of Brant Co., p 273)
20
ii.
Matthias Willson.
Notes for Matthias Willson:
In 1830 he owned parts of Lots 8, 9, and 10 on the south side of Colborne St., Brantford.
+
21
iii.
Jacob Willson, born December 11, 1793 in Bertie Township; died May 20,
1843 in Ridgeway, On.
Generation
No. 3
21. Jacob3 Willson (John2, Benjamin1)
was born December 11, 1793 in Bertie Township, and died May 20, 1843 in
Ridgeway, On. He married Mary
Riselay June 23, 1824. She was
born 1795.
Notes
for Jacob Willson:
Jacob
was left Lot 23, Concession 2 of Bertie from will of his father.
The deed records of Bertie Township include a conveyance dated Feb. 21,
1828 in which Benjamin Willson of Brantford and Matthias Willson "two of
the heirs at law and sons of the late John Willson" release their interests
in Lots 23 and 24 to their brother Jacob.
Jacob
was a collector of taxes in 1827 and also in the years 1836-1839.
He was a member of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Ft. Erie, and was buried
by the rector of that church on May 22, 1843.
He is buried in Ridgeway Cemetery and the inscription on the stone reads
"In memory of Jacob Willson who died May 20, 1843 aged 49 years, 5 mos
& 9 ds"
His
will, dated Aug. 19, 1840 and proved November 10, 1843 names his wife Mary;
"my two eldest sons William Powell and Edmund Horatio" and "my
sons John Alexander, Francis Gore and Robert Bruce" who were minors.
He mentioned daughters, but did not name them.
Executors were his wife Mary and William Powell and Edmund Riselay, both
of Bertie. Witnesses were John Haun , John Hershey and William Powell.
Wife
Mary was still living on April 1, 1875 when she released all claims under the
will of Jacob to Robert Willson and the heirs of the late John Alexander.
Children
of Jacob Willson and Mary Riselay are:
22
i.
William Powell4 Willson, born 1818.
+
23
ii.
Edmund Horatio Willson, born 1819.
24
iii.
Mary Catherine Willson, born 1821; died September 18, 1829 in Ridgeway.
Notes for Mary Catherine Willson:
Information on death gained from stone in Ridgeway
Cemetery.
25
iv.
John Alexander Willson, born 1822; died March 22, 1875.
26
v.
Francis Gore Willson, born November 28, 1825; died March 18, 1846 in Fort
Erie.
Notes for Francis Gore Willson:
Inscription on stone in Ridgeway
Cemetery reads "In memory of
Francis Gore son of Jacob and Mary Willson who died March 18, 1846 aged 20 yrs 3
mos 20 dys"
27
vi.
Robert Bruce Willson, born 1827; died 1895.
28
vii.
Charlotte Willson, born October 8, 1829; died December 18, 1872.
29
viii.
Ann Willson, born Abt. 1831; died January 12, 1836.
Notes for Ann Willson:
Inscription from stone in
cemetery reads "In memory of Ann daughter
of Jacob and Mary Willson who died Jan 12, 1836 aged 4 years."
30
ix.
Jane Willson, born 1833.
31
x.
Hellen Willson, born July 12, 1836; died July 24, 1836.
Burial:
Ridgeway Cemetery
Generation
No. 4
23. Edmund Horatio4 Willson (Jacob3,
John2, Benjamin1) was born 1819.
He married Jane Maxwell June 1848 in Chippawa, On.
She was born 1831, and died December 28, 1867.
Notes
for Edmund Horatio Willson:
At the
time of the census of 1851 he resided in Bertie and was listed as Horatio
Willson. On Aug 30, 1849 he, with
wife Jane, released all his interest in Lot 24 Con 2 of Bertie to his brother
William Powell Willson.
Children
of Edmund Willson and Jane Maxwell are:
32
i.
Horatia Malvina5 Willson, born July 28, 1849.
33
ii.
Frances Jane Willson, born January 31, 1852.
34
iii.
Alice Olivia Willson, born October 2, 1854; died November 27, 1857.
35
iv.
William Peter Willson1, born August 25, 1862 in Bertie
Township, Welland County1; died November 23, 1941 in St.
Thomas, On1. He
married Caroline Marsh1 May 4, 1887 in Lobo Township; born
April 21, 18661; died December 3, 19571.
Notes for William Peter Willson:
W.P. Willson was buried in the Friends cemetery at Coldstream, Ontario.
Caroline
was raised a Quaker. Her husband
William was Methodist. She became a
Methodist (later, 1925, the United Church of Canada).