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carieespl-genealogy.org/Careyreports/WilkersonThomas.pdfA Christopher Wilkinson was rector of All Hallows Episcopal Church in Snow Hill, Maryland, in 1711. He died in old Somer-set

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  • carie ?SO ns

    accomacf Ounr,14t-ntrt

  • WILKERSONS

    OF

    ACCOMACK COUNTY, VIRGINIA

    A Family History

    Commissioned

    by

    Robert C. Wilkerson

    Richmond, VA

    Mary Frances Carey Certified Genealogist #237

  • Introduction

    Searching Accomack County records for Wilkinsons/Wilkersons has not proved

    difficult. The family was a rather small one, located primarily in upper Acconack

    County, where descendants are still living. There were times when the name was

    hard to distinguish from Watkinson in the old script and the given name of Jehu

    often looked like John. At least one secondary source wrote the surname Wilkins

    as Wilkinson, while another used Wilkins for Wilkinson.

    The name was always written Wilkinson or Wilkorson in the older records and

    started to change to Wilkerson circa 1775. From 1775 to circa 1825 both Wilkinson

    and Wilkerson were used at times for the same family, but from 1825 on, the Acco-

    mack County spelling was consistantly Wilkerson. This appears unique for this

    county, for whenever a later marriage license was issued to local people in Mary-

    land,the name was most often spelled Wilkinson, and apparently unrelated families

    living in Maryland today spell their names as Wilkinson. In order to simplify the

    writing and typing of this report, Wilkerson has been used for the Accomack County

    family throughout, except in direct quotes.

    Searching the records of other localities, seeking the origin of the Accomack

    County line, has proved more difficult and the results inconclusive. Northampton

    County, Virginia, early records have been searched, as have early Somerset County,

    Maryland, records. Microfilms of early York County, Virginia, records were ordered

    from the Virginia State Library. Secondary sources have supplied data on Wilkin-

    sons in other parts of Virginia and Maryland. While the name was again most often

    Wilkinson or Wilkerson in these records, it has been found as Wilkison, Wilkason,

    Willcasson and Wilkisson.

    The sources of records used in preparing this genealogical study are listed

    in the back as references and includes secondary sources. All documentation herein

    refers to Accomack County records unless otherwise stated. Birth, death and mar-

  • riage dates from Shadrack Wilkerson's family Bible have been invaluable. This

    Bible was printed in 1812 by the Bible Society of Philadelphia and a copy of the

    names and dates it contained was made in 19 by Robert C. Wilkerson, when the

    Bible was in the possession of Mrs. Bessie G. Martin. Undocumented material on

    late Wilkersons has been given by present-day family members. These include: Mr.

    and Mrs. Thomas S. Wilkerson of Atlantic, VA; Mrs. Estelle Bull of Sanford, VA;

    Mrs. June McGee of Pocomoke City, MD; Mrs. Eloise Watts of Salisbury, MD; Mrs.

    Diane Sterling of Accomac, VA; and Er. Woodrow Wilkerson of Temperanceville, VA.

    Several Wilkinson/Wilkerson names have been found in the records that could

    not be connected to local families. A Christopher Wilkinson was rector of All

    Hallows Episcopal Church in Snow Hill, Maryland, in 1711. He died in old Somer-

    set County (the part that became Worcester County in 1742) circa 1715. Edward C.

    Wilkinson qualified as an attorney-at-law in Accomack County on 28 November 1828

    (Orders 1827-18290 p. 392). His name has not been found in later records.

    Preston C. Wilkerson (1891-1950) is buried in Parksley Cemetery. Local newspapers

    have been searched for his obituary to no avail.

    Mary Frances Carey 31415 Horntown Road New Church, Virginia

    April 4, 1993

  • Contents

    Page Early Wilkinsons 1

    Thomas Wilkerson, The First Generation 5

    Thomas Wilkerson, The Second Generation 9

    Jacob Wilkerson, The Third Generation 13

    Jehu Wilkerson, The Fourth Generation 16

    Shadrack D. Wilkerson, The Fifth Generation 23

    Jehu F. Wilkerson, The Sixth Generation 30

    Thomas Wilkerson, The Third Generation 33*

    William Wilkerson, The Fourth Generation 35

    William Wilkerson, The Fifth Generation 40

    Solomon H. Wilkerson, The Sixth Generation 44

    Henry F. Wilkerson, The Seventh Generation 46

    Jesse Wilkerson, The Fourth Generation 51**

    John Wilkerson, The Fifth Generation 53

    Jesse Wilkerson, The Sixth Generation 56

    Charts 59

    References 63

    * A continuation from Thomas Wilkerson, The Second Generation.

    **A continuation from Jacob Wilkerson, The Third Generation.

  • Early Wilkinsons

    The earliest Wilkinson name found in the records was that of Robert Wilkinson.

    He was listed among the men, women and children who arrived on Roanoke Island with

    Sir Walter Raleigh and remained to "inhabite there" in 1587. He became one of the

    lost colonists of North Carolina.

    A William Wilkinson, surgeon, was among the original settlers at Jamestown,

    Virginia, in 1607 (Bio. Dict.). A William Wilkinson, minister, was granted 700

    acres in Linhaven (later Norfolk County) on 20 November 1635. Among his head-

    rights was his wife, Naomy Wilkinson (Nugent, Vol. I, pp.343 523 59). An Arnall

    Wilkerson died testate in Norfolk County in 1654 (Torrence, Va. Wills & Adm. 1632-

    1800, p. 458).

    Thomas Wilkinson, 23, was transported from England to Virginia aboard the

    Assurance on 24 July 1635 (Hooton, p. 110). It could have been he who was named

    as a headright in Charles River County and in Isle of Wight County in 1637 (Nugent,

    Vol. I, pp. 62, 82). Thomas Wilkinson's name was given as a headright by Major

    Miles Cary on 20 September 1655, when the latter patented land in Warwick County

    (p. 326).

    A Thomas Wilkinson was granted a patent in 1650 for 500 acres of land in

    Northumberland County (p. 201), land that he had deserted by 1658 (p. 361). Thomas

    Wilkinson patented 6000 acres in Westmoreland County on 10 June 1658 "for the

    transport of 120 persons" (p. 378). There is no record of his will in Westmoreland

    County.

    A Thomas Wilkinson died testate in York County by October 1668 (York Co., Va.,

    Deeds Orders Wills Etc. .1665-1672, p. 212). He left land to an unnamed wife and

    an underage daughter, Elizabeth Wilkinson. Apparently this Thomas Wilkinson had

    been in York County since 1648, at least, for Francis Morgan gave him a receipt

    for a paid debt early in that year (York Co. Wills & Deeds 1645-16)47, p. 345).

    1

  • Also among Wilkinsons whose names were given as headrights in Virginia in the

    1600's, was that of Robert Wilkinson. He first appeared as a servant to William

    Stafford in 1635(p. 33). In 1638 as a headright for George Mynifie, merchant (p.118),

    and in 1649 for Thomas Howard (p. 186). A Robert Wilkinson "of the Middle Plant-

    ation Parish"' died testate in York County in 1655 (York Co. Deeds Orders Wills Etc.

    1633-1657, p. 251). He named no wife, but a daughter, Sarah Wilkinson, and "my

    Young Sonn Unbaptized".

    Early Eastern Shore of Virginia records show first a Robert Wilkerson, who

    appeared in court on 25 September 1637, to give a deposition concerning Thomas

    Powell (North. C. Orders Wills Deeds 1632-16)40, p. 111). No other local record has

    been found of this Robert Wilkinson.

    An Alexander Wilkinson, servant to Thomas Wyatt, was to be "delivered up unto

    Mr. John Neale with all his necessary implements and appurtenances" on 20 November

    1637 (North. Co. Orders Wills Deeds 1632-16)40, P. 121). On 10 May 1638, Stephen

    Charlton was granted 1000acres on the main branch of Nassawadox Creek, with Alex-

    ander Wilkinson one of his headrights (gugent„ Vol. I, p. 82). Alexander Wilk-

    inson died intestate in upper Somerset County, Maryland, circa 1717 (Mr. Dryden).

    John Wilkinson signed his mark, as a witness to William Briar's will, which

    was recorded on 7 November 1639 (North. Co. Orders Wills Deeds 1632-1640, p. 198).

    No other record of this man has been found. It is possible he was actually John

    Wilkins.

    A Marmaduke Wilkinson was a headright in Westmoreland County in 1654 (Nugent,

    Vol. I, p. 291). His name appears three other times, each time in Northampton

    County records; as a headright for Edmund Scarburgh in 1654 (North. Co. Deeds Wills

    Orders 1651-1654, p. 227) and in 1655 (North. Co. Deeds Wills Orders 165)4-1655, P.

    8), and as a headright for George Parker in 1655, when Parker was granted 1300

    acres "at Anoncock Creek" (Nugent, Vol. 1 3 p. 307).

    2

  • The next Wilkinson to appear in Northarpton County records was William Wilk-

    inson, who gave a deposition on 29 August 1661, telling of what he heard "last

    spring being at Henry Boston's home"(North. Co. Orders 1657-1664, p. 109). William

    Wilkinson married Mary Bucks on 15 December 1661 (hungers Parish records). William

    Wilkinson and Mary Wilkinson were headrights for Henry Boston, when the latter was

    granted 400 acres in Somerset County, Maryland, on 22 March 1663 (Wise, p. 12).

    William Wilkerson patented 100 acres of Somerset County land, called Yorkshire

    Island, on 2 June 1664 (Dryden, Land Records of Som. Co., p, L38). It was surrounded

    by Tangier Sound and Little Ann emessex River (Map 20, p. 523). This tract appears

    a peninsula at the south end of today's Janes Island State Park and is located

    near present-day Crisfield, Maryland. Somerset County records have been searched

    for William Wilkinson selling Yorkshire Island or leaving it to a family member.

    He left no will and the next reference to his land, that has been found, is in the

    will of Samuel Horsey, who died testate by 9 September 1736 (Som. Co. Wills EB, No.

    9, p. 195), He left to two sons "my Island called Yorkshire Island and the Marsh

    Adjoining thereto I bought of Cornelius Ward" (no such deed). Cornelius Ward died

    testate circa February 1723, andmentioned no Wilkinsons in his will (p. 91).

    The only other Wilkinson to appear in early Accomack County records, besides

    Thomas of the next section, was a John Wilkinson, who was named as a tithable on

    Thomas Welburne's list of 1683. On 19 February 1689, Henry Read, "aged 50 years or

    thereabouts", gave a deposition, saying that he, John Wilkinson, and others, were

    at Richard Lucas store at Onancock„ etc. On the same day, John Wilkinson, aged

    about 26 years, gave a deposition concerning the same affair (Wills& Orders 1682 -

    1697, p. 171a). Major Charles Scarburgh was granted 350 acres in Accomack County

    on 17 September 1690. John Wilkinson was one of his headrights (p. 187). John

    Wilkinson of Northampton County bought 170 acres from Bryan Heynes "near ye old

    Town in Northampton County" on 18 July 1691 (North. Co. Deeds, Wills 1680-1692,

    3

  • p. 298). John Wilkinson and wife Mary, of Northampton County, sold the same land

    to John Custis, Jun" on 23 February 1692/3 (p. 310). John Wilkinson had apparently

    died intestate in Northampton County by October 1702, when his and his wife Mary's

    daughter, Elizabeth Wilkinson, was 11 years of age (North. Co. Orders & Wills 1698 -

    1710, p. 99). He likely left other, older children in Northampton County.

    There appears to be four possibilities as to the origin of the first Thomas

    Wilkinson in Accomack County. He could have been a recent immigrant in 1687, when

    his name first appeared on the records. Indeed, a Thomas Wilkinson was given as

    a headright when Ni'. William Whittington was granted 3600 acres in Northampton

    County on 29 October 1669 (Nugent, Vol. II, p. 65). This land was located in

    Wilsonia Neck, just below Hungers Creek (Whitelaw, pp. 318-344). Thomas Wilkinson

    of Accomack County could have been a son of a Wilkinson who died on the Eastern

    Shore without leaving a will or administration. He could have arrived here from

    the Western Shore of Virginia. He also could have come to Accomack County from

    Maryland.

    4

  • Thomas Wilkerson The First Generation

    Thomas Wilkerson's name first appears in Accomack County records as a tithable

    in "Capt Custis precincts" in 1687 (Tax lists 1663-1695, p. 40). He was again on

    Capt. Custis' list in 1690 (p.48). This suggests Thomas Wilkerson was head of a

    household by 1687 and had recently married. Apparently he was born circa 1660 to

    1665.

    A document of 19 February 1690 stated that "Judgment is this day granted to

    Thomas Wilkinson as afsignee of Henry Read against Lancelot Jacques for the sum

    of 200 pounds Tobacco and Cask" (Orders 1690-1697, p. 22). On 2 March 1696,

    Thomas Wilkinson had signed his mark to a statement brought before the Accomack

    County Court (p. 225). It reads: I Own my Self justly indebted to Mr Baggele by

    acct which I request ye Court confess Judgmt for me and soe doing this shall be ye

    warrant for ye Same. ffebY 3rd Ano 1696. The statement was also signed by Wm.

    Yoe and Thomas Bagwell as witnesses. At the top of the next page appears: Judgment

    is this day confefsed by Mr. Tully Robinson by virture of a warrt of attorney

    from Thomas Wilkinson for the Sum of seven hundred and foure pounds of Tobacco and

    Cask due by Bill and acct to Mr. Gervas Baggaly. Tis therefore ordered that the

    said Thomas Wilkinson forthwith make pment of ye sd Sum of 704 pounds Tobo and

    Cask with Costs of Suit and ye Execu°°n.

    These early records show, from the names of the men connected with his, that

    Thomas Wilkerson was in lower Accomack County from 1687 and likely before. He was

    a resident of upper Accomack County by 10 December 1699, when James Taylor and his

    wife Elizabeth made a gift of of a tract of land "by estimation 150 acres" to

    their daughter, Elizabeth Wilkinson, and her husband, Thomas Wilkinson, "whereon

    the said Wilkinson now liveth upon" (Wills and Etc. 1692-1715, pt. 1, p.

    This gift was "for their naturall lives and after their decease to Thomas The son

    5

  • of the said Elizabeth and his heirs for ever". If grandson Thomas Wilkerson were

    to die, the land was then to go to the next heir "of sd Elizabeth".

    James Taylor had purchased 200 acres adjoining other land he owned from Eliz-

    abeth Stevens, widow of William Stevens, on 19 June 1688 (Wills ez Deeds 1676.1690,

    p.474) and gave part of this tract to a son James Taylor in 1689 Kp. 530). At the

    same time he gave daughter Elizabeth Wilkerson and her husband half of the 150

    acre remainder, he gave daughter Margaret Taylor, who later married Samuel Nelson,

    the other half. These 150 acres were located at Mona, directly across the county

    road from the present home farm of Ni'. Otho H. Wilkerson, extending down to the

    bridge across from Pittsville Church and north to include Ni'. Ben Paradee's home

    farm. A survey of adjoining land, made in 1824, shows Ezekiel Taylor awning the

    southern section, Henry Gladding in the middle, and John Gladding on the north

    (Surveyors Record #5, p. 146). Another survey, of 1838, gives an Elizabeth Taylor

    awning from the bridge north to a point opposite the road that turns west to Pitts

    Wharf, and Henry Gladding's land joining hers on the north, both tracts were bor-

    dered on the west by the county road (Surveyors Record #6, p. 65). As will be

    shown later, Wilkersons sold this land to John Gladding in 1800 and in 1813, and

    to Ezekiel Taylor, Henry Gladding and John Gladding, Junr in 1822. An Accomack

    County order of 27 June 1808 directed that Thomas Fletcher, Esq., be paid for re-

    building Wilkerson's Bridge over the head of Selbys Creek (Orders 1807-1808, p.

    133). This would be the bridge at Pittsville Church.

    Thomas Wilkerson's name appeared a few more times in Accomack County records.

    His name is listed on the Quit Rents of Virginia for 1704 as owning 50 acres in

    Accomack County (p. 97). Possibly the other 25 acres were low land, uncleared.

    Thomas Wilkerson witnessed the will of John Bayly in 1717 (Wills, Deeds & Etc. 1715-

    1729, pt 1. p. 51) and that of Capt. John Bradhurst in 1723 (P. 490). In 1717

    (no other date), Thomas Wilkerson bought his sister-in-law's 75 acres of the Taylor

    6

  • land for "1400 pounds Tobacco and 5 bushels Corn" (p. 114).

    Thomas Wilkerson was deceased by 24 July 1733, when Thomas Wilkerson "son of

    Thomas" and Elizabeth, "widow and relic of said Thomas and daughter of James Taylor"

    deeded 50 acres to Joseph Myers and Elizabeth his wife "for Divers good Causes and

    Considerations them thereto moving" (Deeds, Wills & Etc. 1729-17371 Pt.1, p. 140).

    This deed says that the first Thomas "by last will and testament did devise this

    land to said Joseph Myers and Elizabeth and heirs of said Elizabeth". This could

    not be true, for this deed would not be needed if Elizabeth Myers had inherited

    the land. If the first Thomas left a will, it was not recorded, and he could not

    have given the land away, for it was entailed to the second Thomas Wilkerson by

    James Taylor in his deed of gift in 1699.

    Thomas Wilkerson died intestate sometime between 1723 and 1733, likely circa

    1725, when he would have been 60 to 65 years of age. Not only did he not leave a

    will, but the administration of his estate has not been found. His widow had died

    intestate by 1746 (Orders 1744 •.•1753, pt. 1, p. 160. It seems apparent they left

    two children:

    1. Thomas Wilkerson, born circa 1690. See next section.

    2. Elizabeth Wilkerson, who had married Joseph Myers by 1733.

    7

  • Transcribed version of deed from James Taylor to daughter Elizabeth Wilkinson (Wills & Etc. 1692-1715, Pt. 1, p. 412)

    To all Xpian people to whome this psent writing shall come I James Taylor of the County

    of accomack in virginia send greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Know yes me the ad

    James Taylor for ye naturall Love & affection that I bear unto my Daughter Elizabeth

    wife unto Thomas Wilkinson doe freerly and voluntary give and bequeath unto my said

    daughter Elizabeth and Thomas Wilkinson her now husband the one half of a tract of Land

    which I the ad Taylor formerlie purchased of curr Wm Stevens of the County of summerset in the province of Maryland being by Estimacon one hundred and fifty acres Or thereabouts

    more or less to the ad Elizabeth and Thomas her now husbart dureing there naturall live

    and after there decease To Thomas The son of the i Elizabeth and his heires for ever an

    in case the ad Thomas decease to the next heir of the iT Elizabeth and his or heirs for

    Ever and for want of such Issue to Margrett the Daughter of the said James Taylor and

    her helm of her body Lawfully begotten for Ever and for vent of such Issue to William

    Taylor son of the said James and his heires for Ever and doe by these pewits give and

    bequeath unto the said Elizabeth and Thomas and there heires as above Expressed the ad

    Land lyeing and being in the County of Accomack whereon the said Wilkinson now liveth

    upon from me the Said James Taylor with all the appurtenanc thereunto belonging To

    have and to hold the ad Land with the appurtenances unto the 3d Elizabeth and Thomas

    her now husband dureing there naturall lives and to there he&res successively according

    to the true intent and meaneing of the above bequest peaceet-,ly and quietly without any

    lett hindrance molestation or troble from him the Laid James Taylor or any person or

    persons whatsoever by or under him or the said Taylors proceremt and the iT Taylor doth

    further covenant and agree too that the iT Land be a Devissionall Line run in the .idle

    of iT Land when he the iT Taylor think fitt he the said Thomas Wilkinson Every of the

    above named whom the above ZT Land is bequeathed too yeilding and paying yearly and every

    years the Mugs Rent end dues of ad Land In Wittnese whereof I have hereunto sett my

    hand and affixed my a:le this

    Signed Seale and DellWd

    day of December 1699 Signum

    Ye pee e James (777- Taylor

    • • •

    In the praence of It was mutually agreed between the ad Wilkinson and

    Tomes Taylor beforeOhe signing sealing and deliver,'

    hereof that the s ames Taylor is to hews what

    timber he heth °ace ion for the ad Land

  • Thomas Wilkerson The Second Generation

    Thomas Wilkerson, the only known son of Thomas Wilkerson and his wife Elizabeth

    Taylor Wilkerson, was born circa 1690 to 1695, likely an the Taylor land at Miona.

    He would have married circa 1715. The only reference to a possible wife of Thomas

    Wilkerson is a suit brought on 3 September 1727, by a Mary Wilkerson against John

    Robins (Orders 1724-1731, p. 169). Mary was represented by Elizabeth Wilkerson,

    "her next friend" (her mother-in-law?), on 4 March 1730, when the trial was heard

    and Mary awarded 5 shillings sterling (p. 181a). Since only Thomas Wilkerson and

    his mother Elizabeth signed the deed of 1733, it is apparent that Thomas had lost

    his wife, who could have been a Robins.

    Thomas Wilkerson had a negro slave judged by the court as 10 years of age on

    29 August 1740 (Orders 1737-17)d4, p. 251).

    On 12 October 1741, Joseph Pliers and Elizabeth his wife were joined by Joseph

    Nelson "eldest son and heir at law of Samuel Nelson and Margaret his wife", in

    deeding back to Thomas Wilkerson, planter, for 15 pounds, the land he and his mother

    had deeded them in 1733 (Deeds 1737-1746, p. 259). Thomas then awned the full

    150 acres at Miona.

    A certificate was granted to Jacob Wilkerson on 26 August 1746, "for obtaining

    Letters of Administration on the Estate of Thomas Wilkerson, deceasedu(Orders 1744-

    1753, pt. 1, p. 160). Directly under this, Jacob Wilkerson is named to administer

    the estate of Elizabeth Wilkerson (Thomas' mother). Robert Pitt, Samuel Feddiman,

    John Robins and Joseph Robins, or any two of them, were named to appraise the

    personal estates of both Thomas Wilkerson and Elizabeth Wilkerson. On 25 November

    1746, the appraisal of Thomas' estate was returned (Wills 1743-1749, p. 308). It

    was a small one, totaling 2 pounds 9 shillings 81 pence. At the same time, Samuel

    Feddiman, John Robins, and Joseph Robins reported "The Executor Says there is no

    9

  • Estate of Elizabeth Wilkerson to be found'. This suggests that Thomas Wilkerson

    was living with his mother, or she with hill'', and that she had kept house and helped

    raise his children after he lost his wife. She must have been elderly by 17460

    and the shock of her son's death could have precipitated hers.

    The children of Thomas Wilkerson and an unknown wife, who could have been

    Mary Robins, were:

    1. Thomas Wilkerson, born circa 1717. See later section on Thomas Wilkerson.

    2. Jacob Wilkerson, born circa 1720. See next section.

    Note: Mr. Ralph T. Whitelaw, in Virginia's Eastern Shore, (p. 1314), indicates

    that Jacob was the father of Thomas Wilkerson, shown above as his brother. This

    appears incorrect when the records are examined closely. If Jacob had been the

    only or eldest son of the second Thomas Wilkerson, he would have inherited the 150

    acres at Miona. That he did not is shown by his not mentioning land in his will,

    by his widow buying her land after his death, and by there being no deeds of Jacob

    selling land in his lifetime, or of his descendants selling the Miona property.

    As further proof, the 1783 tax list shows Thomas' son William and three of Jacob's

    sons as heads of households, while the 1800 census gives William's age as over 45

    years and Jacob's surviving son the same. This shows that Thomas and Jacob were

    contemporaries and not father and son. Their sons were approximately of the sane

    age. Even though Jacob settled his father's estate, he had to have been the

    younger son, since Thomas inherited the land by the law of primogeniture, in effect

    at the time.

    10

  • Appraisal of Thomas Wilkerson's personal estate 1743-1749, p. 308)

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    11

    *

  • Jacob Wilkerson The Third Generation

    Jacob Wilkerson, son of the second Thomas Wilkerson, was born circa 1720 at

    Miona. He would have been circa 26 when he settled his father's estate in 1746.

    He had married Mary Taylor, daughter of John Taylor, by 5 March 1742, when John

    Taylor wrote his will leaving daughter Mary- Wilkerson 1 shilling "with what she

    doth already have" (Wills 1737-17)42, p. 452). Jacob Wilkerson heired no land

    from his father, indicating he was a younger son, and his name does not

    appear in the deed books as having bought or sold land.

    Jacob Wilkerson wrote his will on 14 November 1760 and it was recorded on 30

    December of the same year (Wills 1757-1761, p. 27)4). His will was a short one

    and he did not name his children. He left his "whole and Sole Estate" to his

    well-beloved wife Mary Wilkerson, after his debts were paid, "to School & bring

    up my children". He gave his wife "full Power to bind or put out my children as

    she shall See fit" and made her executrix of his estate. He would have been circa

    40 years of age when he died.

    Jacob Wilkerson and his family apparently lived slightly northeast of his

    father's land, for it was in this area that his widow bought 1/3 of 114 acres

    for 38 pounds, on 9 February 1770, from Robert Bayly and wife Mary (Deeds 177-

    1770, p. 708). The land was bordered on the north by a prong of Pitts Creek,

    easterly by lands of Ephraim Waggaman, and on the south and west by lands of Levin

    Taylor (Mary Wilkerson's brother). It would be the farm across the county road

    from the late Willie Farlow's home. Two years after she purchased the land, on

    13 March 1772, Mary Wilkerson petitioned Accomack County Court to have the county

    road changed "that Runeth through her land to her great Disadvantage (Orders 1770-

    1773, p. 331). This would explain the right angle turn in the road today, at the

    northeast corner of Ni. Farlow's farm.

    12

  • Mary Wilkerson made her will on 29 October 1787 and it was recorded on 29

    January 1788 (Wills 1788-1784, p. 13). She left "all the land and Plantation

    where I live" to son Jesse Wilkerson, and if he should die without lawful issue,

    her land was to go to son Joshua Wilkerson. She left Ann Gillett (no relation-

    ship given) her desk, a chest and a trunk, and "my Wearing Clothes except one Suit

    to my Grand Daughter Famey Wilkerson". Famey was also to have "my Spinning wheel

    and my best Bonnet". The remainder of Mary's estate was to be divided between her

    three sons, Jesse, Jehui, and Joshua Wilkerson, after all debts were paid. Son

    Jesse was named executor.

    An inventory and appraisal of Mary Wilkerson's estate was made on 4 February

    1788 and returned on 30 September 1788, by John Morrison, John Massey, and William

    Massey (p. 93). The value of her estate totaled 76 pounds 10 shillings 9 pence,

    and included livestock, houseware and furnishings, farm tools, and corn, oats, and

    fodder.

    The children of Jacob Wilkerson and his wife, Mary Taylor Wilkerson, were:

    1. Jacob Wilkerson, born circa 1743, died intestate by 28 February 1781

    (Orders 1780-1783, p. 129), apparently unmarried. His estate was administrated

    by John McClain.

    2. Jesse Wilkerson, born circa 1745. See later section on Jesse Wilkerson.

    3. Joshua Wilkerson, born circa 1748. Joshua Wilkerson had apparently mar-

    ried by 1783, when his name appeared on the tax list of that year, and was living

    as late as 1794, when his name was listed again. He had died by the time of the

    1800 census, for his name does not appear there, or in other Accomack County

    records. A Peggy Delastatius died testate between 7 November 1801 and 26 April

    1802, leaving a bed and its furnishings to a nieceNancy Wilkerson. She named

    Sarah Wilkerson as a sister and left her the residue of her estate. "Friend"

    Jehu Wilkerson was named executor (Wills 1800-1804, p. 344). It seems likely

    13

  • that Sarah Delastatius Wilkerson was Joshua's widow and Nancy, their daughter.

    Nancy Wilkerson married Henry Onions in 1803 (MLB 1798-1806, p. 8).

    4. Jehu Wilkerson, born circa 1750. See next section.

    5. Levin Wilkerson, born circa 1752. Levin Wilkerson died intestate by 28

    October 1783, when the administration of his estate was granted to Hannah Wilkerson,

    apparently his widow (Orders 1783-178k, p. 126). Michael Robins, John Morrison,

    Jesse Taylor, and John Massey were named to appraise the estate. It is believed

    the granddaughter, Famey Wilkerson, named by Mary Wilkerson, in her will of 1787,

    was a daughter of Levin and Hannah.

    6. ? Ann Wilkerson, married James Gillett?

    Will of Jacob Wilkerson (Wills 1757-1761, p. 274)

    ' pOr viricao .141),14 i.ed4;oem. if; ,st h.r.0/j ,S1

    Are v y44 41‘09 .1;$4 •-•

    ,51figni.9 . ria.A (lipt pit riareoofaei -

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    t‘s 14-,- 4 .f/4 -v.ery

    14

  • Will of Mary Wilkerson (Wills 1788-1794, P. 13)

    gdaghfg-7.46atr,1„;4-A,;.eA„ey'l,p4m-L44town,••• ...-fft-soe ,rnerlA ip,s-ceerv/ire;rdircz474,4,AWCON r .

    4

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    ,-d 9d/rdell

    15

  • Jehu Wilkerson The Fourth Generation

    Jehu Wilkerson, son of Jacob Wilkerson and his wife, Mary Taylor Wilkerson,

    was born circa 1750. He was only circa 10 years of age when his father died, and

    was near a grown man when his mother bought the Bayly land between Mona and New

    Church in 1770, likely where he was raised.

    Jehu Wilkerson would have married between 1775 and 1783, when his name appeared

    on the tax list of that year as Jehud Wilkerson. He owned one horse and six cattle.

    While there is no record that gives proof as to who he married, several documents

    offer clues.

    Jehu Wilkerson and his wife Susannah were the only witnesses to the will of

    Sabastian Delastatius in early 1797 (Wills 1796-1798, P. 144). Delastatius left

    his land to a son David and named two unmarried daughters as Nancy and Jinnie. It

    seems likely he had had a married daughter and had her husband, with his then wife,

    witness his will as an indication they would not contest it. Since Jehu Wilkerson,

    "Friend", was named executor of Peggy Delastatius' estate in 1801, and she had

    loaned property to David Delastatius "orphan of Sabastian" 1800-1804, p.344),

    it appears probable that Jehu Wilkerson had married (1) a daughter of Sabastian

    Delastatius and niece of Peggy Delastatius. Jehu Wilkerson, administrator of Peggy

    Delastatius, bought most of the items when her personal property was sold on 12 May

    1802. James Gillett purchased one item (p. 465).

    Jehu Wilkerson, of Accomack County, bought 50 acres of land from John Robins

    and wife Ellender, of Worcester County, Maryland, on 8 April 1779, for 130 pounds

    (Deeds 1777-1783, p. 142). The land was described as being on the north side of

    Ephraim Milman's plantation and bordered on the west by land of Joseph Waggaman,

    with "appuntences belonging". The deed was witnessed by Joseph Waggaman, William

    Selby, John Massey, and Thomas Sharpley. On 18 November 1779, another deed was

    16

  • given by John Robins of Worcester County to Jehu Wilkerson for 40 acres, for 130

    pounds (p. 179). Since the boundries and the price were the same as the first

    deed, this appears to have been for the same land, with a correction for acreage.

    No deed for the sale of but 40 acres has been found in later records. The second

    deed described the land as "all swamp land uncultivated", but one of the "appunt-

    ences" must have been a home. The second deed was witnessed by Jessee Wilkerson,

    Joshua Wilkerson, Samuel Taylor, and Thomas Sharpley.

    With only two boundries given in the above deeds, it becomes hard to locate

    Jehu Wilkerson's land. Mr. Whitelaw, in Virginia's Eastern Shore, places Waggaman's

    Swamp as "being generally the northeast corner" of his Accomack County 170 tract

    (p. 1318), and he shows, on the same page, Jehu Wilkerson buying land close-by,

    with Ephraim Milman and his wife Rachel selling their northern 100 acres to Smith

    Horsey in 1794, land located along the highway (present U.S. 13). A survey of the

    land Smith Horsey bought from the Milmans was made on 21 February 1794, and this

    shows Joseph Waggamon's land northeast of Jehu Wilkerson's land and the Milman/

    Horsey land southeast (Surveyors Record #1, p.257). Waggaman's Swamp likely ex-

    tended around Jehu's land on the north and west and George Staton owned land to

    the south. Jehu's land was apparently located north of (in back of) Mrs. Grace

    Aancock's present home on Greenhill Road and would have been west of Eastern Shore

    Upholstery, across and back from the highway.

    Jehu Wilkerson was listed by the 1800 census as over 45, with a wife of 26 to

    45 years. There were three other males in his household, one under 10 years, one

    10 to 16 and a male of 16 to 25 years. There were two other females in his home,

    both from 10 to 16 years.

    Jehu Wilkerson wrote his will on 8 August 1803 and it was recorded on 26

    February 1805 (Wills 1806-1809, p. 566). It was partly proved on the latter date

    by Elizabeth White, " a witness thereto" (Orders 180)4-1805, p. 223), but was not

    17

  • fully proved until 27 June 1808 by William Selby, another witness (Orders 1807-

    18091 p. 139). Jehu left his land to his son Levin, but only after his wife's

    death or remarriage. If his wife should die before his two young children, Martha

    and Esther, were raised, then the land was to be rented out to raise them. If son

    Levin should die without issue, the land was to go to son Shadrack. He named his

    wife Susannah as executrix and gave her the management of all his children.

    Susannah Wilkerson was head of a household in the 1810 census. Her age was

    given as 26 to 45 years. There was a male in her home aged 10 to 16 years and

    another of 16 to 26 years. There were also two young females under 10 years.

    On 1 October 1813, Levin Wilkerson and his wife Sally joined Susannah Wilker-

    son in selling Michael Robins, 40 acres for $200, "Land that was Jehu Wilkerson's

    and that is now in dispute between the said parties" (Deeds 1812-1815, p. )426).

    There would have been no reason for Jehu Wilkerson's widow and his eldest son to

    have a dispute with Michael Robins. If the dispute was between Susannah Wilkerson

    and her son, Levin Wilkerson, it does not seem they would have put this in a

    public record. A logical explanation would be that Susannah was a second wife of

    Jehu Wilkerson and not Levin's mother. In fact, Susannah Wilkerson could have

    been Michael Robins' sister, as shown by the will of Michael Robins, Senr in 1789

    (Wills 1788-179)4, p. 142) and the will of John Robins in 1795 (Wills 1794-1796,

    p. 124). The latter left property to a sister Susannah, still unmarried. Michael

    Robins could have been buying Jehu's land so that his sister, Susannah Wilkerson,

    would continue to have a home, without prolonging a "dispute" with her step-son

    over selling the land. Susannah, being Jehu Wilkerson's second wife, would also

    explain the 15-year or so difference in their ages, as shown by the census records,

    and the fact that Jehu spoke of "my two young children" in his will. Susannah

    wounld have been then, a sister to Jehuts brother Jesse's wife. Since no later

    record has been found of her two daughters, Martha and Esther, it appears they

    18

  • were both deceased by 1813.

    The children of Jehu Wilkerson were:

    1. Levin Wilkerson, born circa 1784 (16 to 26 in 1810 census). Levin Wilker-

    son married Sally Collins on 11 February 1806 (Mar. Reg. #1, P. 2). His name

    appeared in the 1820 census as 26 to 45 years of age, with a wife of the same age,

    and three males under 10 years. No other record has been found of Levin and his

    wife Sally. They could have been the parents of Samuel T. Wilkerson, who married

    Mary Sparrow, daughter of Richard, in 1831 (MLB 1806-1832, p. 145), and of Wash-

    ington Wilkerson, who married Elizabeth White in Somerset County in 1832 (Som Co.

    Mar. Rec. 1796-1871, p. 162). A Washington Wilkerson was listed in Worcester

    County by the 1840 census, but was gone by 1850.

    2. Son, born circa 1787 (10 to 16 in 1800 and 16 to 26 in 1810). No other record.

    3. Daughter, born circa 1788 (10 to 16 in 1800). No other record.

    4. Margaret Wilkerson, born circa 1790 (10 to 16 in 1800). Margaret Wilkerson,

    daughter of Jehul deceased, married George Bell, bricklayer and widmder, by a

    marriage bond of 15 September 1818 (MLB 1806-1832, p. 13). This was likely the

    same George Bell who was security for Samuel T. Wilkerson, when he married Mary

    Sparrow in 1831.

    5. Shadrach D. Wilkerson, born 1794. See next section.

    6. Martha Wilkerson, born circa 1802.

    7. Esther Wilkerson, born circa 1804.

    19

  • Survey showing Jehu Wilkerson's land (Surveyors Record #12 p. 257)

    t.i Ar —,77e4P. vi. 7fi

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    34C.

  • Will of Jehu Wilkerson (Wills 1806-1809, p. 566)

    s 7 ". r3.. W5? siwg."7"-"411

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    21

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    22

  • Shadrack D. Wilkerson The Fifth Generation

    Shadrack D. Wilkerson, apparently the third son of Jehu Wilkerson and a first

    wife, who could have been a Delastatius, was born on 10 March 1794 and died on 17

    April 1877 (family Bible). He was likely born on his father's land southwest of

    present-day New Church, and would have been the male under 10 years in his father's

    household in 1800. It seems to have been he, a male of 10 to 16 years, in the

    household of Susannah Wilkerson in 1810.

    For the next 22 years, no record has been found in Accomack County documents

    referring to Shadrack Wilkerson. Since he inherited no land, it appears likely

    he became a sailor or a waterman. This postulate is reenforced by present-day

    descendants having heard from older relatives that Shadrack was a sea captain, by

    the surnames of his three wives, none of whorPper Accomack County people, and

    by the fact that when he married, at the age of 38, he settled in the Messongo/

    Sanford area, among watermen there. The names of his wives suggest they were of

    the Hunting Creek area.

    Shadrack Wilkerson married (1) Catherine Roberts, by a bond of 27 December

    1832. Major Mason (a man of middle Accomack County) was his security (MLB 1832-

    1841, p. 38). The Wilkerson family Bible gives her birth as Catherine Ewell, on

    12 March 1798, and her marriage to Samuel Roberts on 22 June 1818. A marriage

    bond had been issued to this couple on 20 June 1818, wherein she was called Catey

    Ewell, daughter of George (MLB 1806-1832, p. 107). Catherine Wilkerson, the wife

    of Shadrack Wilkerson, died on 11 March 1841 (family Bible).

    Shadrack Wilkerson married (2) 6 January 1842, Sarah Willet (family Bible and

    Mar. Reg. #1, p. 67). Sarah Wilkerson departed this life on 29th of January 1843

    (family Bible).

    Shadrack Wilkerson married (3) circa 1843, Margaret . There_ia-no

    23

  • record of the date of this marriage in the Bible, nor has one been found in public

    records (Accomack County MLB 1841-1847 are missing). Family members say Margaret

    was a Shrieves. Margaret was born 17 January 1824 and died 11 December 1893 (Bible).

    Shadrack D. Wilkerson was listed by the 1840 census (the only record on which

    his middle initial is given), as 40 to 50 years, with a wife of the same age. There

    were no young children in their household. In 1850, Shadrack was a 55-year-old

    farmer, head of household 990, living among people in the Sanford area. His wife

    Margaret was 28, and the children were: Sewell, 8 years; Sarah A., 7 years; Samuel

    W., 5 years; and Jehu F., 4 years. In 1860, Shadrack was again a farmer, of 60

    years (actually 66), head of household 205/206. Margaret was 37 and, in addition

    to his four other children, Elizabeth and Mary had been born since 1850. A John

    Wilkerson of 26 years was also in the household. By 1870, Shadrack Wilkerson,

    head of household 370, was 77 (76), "retired from service". Wife Margaret was 48;

    son Samuel, a 24-year-o1d oysterman; son Jehu, a 22-year-old oysterman; daughter

    Elizabeth was 15; and daughter Mary was 12.

    Shadrack Wilkerson neither bought nor sold land. He left no will, neither

    has an administration of his estate been found. Since he was 83 years of age

    when he died, and had not worked since before 1870, he likely had little to leave

    his family.

    His children were:

    1. ? John Wilkerson, born circa 1834. The John Wilkerson, 26 years of age,

    in Shadrack's household in 1860. No other record. His name is not found in the

    family Bible.

    2, Sewell R. Wilkerson, born 4 May 1842 (Bible). The Bible also says Sewell

    was a son of Shadrack and Margaret. Sewell R. Wilkerson, oysterman, died on 10

    September 1893, of paralysis at 51 years, reported his wife, Sallie J. Wilkerson

    (Reg. of Deaths). Sewell Wilkerson had married Sarah J. Stant in Somerset County

    24

  • on 10 February 1863 (Som. Co. Mar. Rec. 1796-1871, p. 162). Sewell Wilkerson

    was a Civil War Veteran. He was among Eastern Shoreman wounded on 30 July 1864

    at the Battle of the Greater at Petersburg. He was a private in Company F of the

    46th Regiment of Virginia (Barnes, Pungoteague to Petersburg, Vol. 11, p. 124).

    The 1900 census shows Sarah J. Wilkerson head of household 377 at 52 years of

    age. Three of her children were unmarried and living with her. She died in 1913

    (Sanford Church records).

    The children of Sewell A. Wilkerson and his wife, Sarah J. Stant, were:

    A. John Henry Stuart Wilkerson, born 11 April 1864 (Bible). John Wilker-

    son, 22, son of Sewell and Sally Jane, married Emma Parks, 30, daughter of Mark

    and Elizabeth Parks, on 18 May 1886 (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 89). In 1900, this couple

    had had four children, only one of whom was living; Walter Wilkerson, born circa

    1888.

    B. Roxanna Wilkerson, born 28 October 1865 (Bible). Roxanna Wilkerson, 18,

    daughter of Sewell R. and Sally Jane, married Edward Martin, 29, widower, son of

    George and Elizabeth Martin, on 2 January 1884 (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 81).

    C. Lemuel (Samuel?) Wilkerson, born circa 1866 (1870 census). Deceased by

    1880.

    D. Andrew Franklin Wilkerson, born 12 May 1868 (Bible), died 20 February

    1927 (tombstone at Grotons Cemetery), married 4 March 1891, a 23-year-old oyster-

    man, son of Sewell and Sally J, Evelyn Prescott, 23, daughter of Asa Prescott and

    his wife Thedosia (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 111). In 1910, this couple had had five child-

    ren, only one of whom was living: Eva L. Wilkerson, born circa 1901. Eva Lee Wil-

    kerson married Bud Taylor of Mearsville on 9 July 1918 (Som. Co. Mar. Rec. 1906-

    1920, p. 243).

    E. Noah Thomas Wilkerson, born 12 January 1870 (Bible), died 15 October

    1923 (obit, Pen. Ent., 20 October 1923), married 24 December 1890, Isadore Wilker-

    25

  • son, in Somerset County (LES, Md., Mar.Rec. 1865-19060 p. 520). She was his first

    cousin, the daughter of Jehu F. Wilkerson and wife Martha. He was buried "near

    Sanford" but his gravehas been moved to Onancock Cemetery (Graven Stones, p. 279).

    In 1910, this couple had had two children: Harold Wilkerson, born circa 1893, and

    Bessie G. Wilkerson, born circa 1895.

    F. Mary E. Wilkerson, born February 1872 (Reg. of Births). Mary E. was 8

    years of age, in her parents household in 1880. No other record.

    G. Jesse Wilkerson, born 11 May 1874 (Reg. of Births), died 1919 (Sanford

    Church records), married 17 July 1898, Roxey H. Onley„ 18, daughter of John R.

    Onley and his wife (Mar. Reg. #)4, p. 28). This couple had no children in 1900.

    In 1920, Roxie Wilkerson was head of a household which included Goldia Wilkerson,

    17, and Orlando (Arnold?) Wilkerson, 10.

    H. Clarenda Wilkerson, born 26 November 1876 (Reg. of Births), died 1945

    (tombstone at Grotons Cemetery), married 14 February, at Oak Hall, Oscar R. Mar-

    shall, Jr., son of Oscar Marshall and his wife (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 12)4).

    I. Artha (Arinthia?) F. Wilkerson, born circa 1879 (1880 census). She was

    unmarried, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, when her brother Noah died in 1923.

    J. Sewell D. Wilkerson, born 1882, died 1930 (tombstone in Mt. Holly Ceme-

    tery, Onancock). Sewell Wilkerson, 21, son of Sewell and Sally Jane, married Alice

    Sparrow, 22, daughter of William and Susan Sparrow, on 13 January 1904, at Sanford

    (Mar. Reg. #)4, p. 98). They were living at Onley when his brother, Noah T. Wilker-

    son0died in 1923. They had no children.

    K. Norris Lorenzo Wilkerson, born 3 August 1886 (Reg. of Births), died 1937

    (tombstone at Grotons Cemetery), married 15 March 1908, Effie Trader in Somerset

    County (Som. Co. Mar. Rec. 1906-1920, p. 35). She was a daughter of William Henry

    and Virginia E. Marshall Trader (Trader files). They had one son: Melvin Wilkerson.

    L. Hulda M. Wilkerson, born 6 April 1888 (Reg. of Births), married 26 May

    26

  • 1904, at Sanford, Levin T. White, son of Levin T. and Bettie White (Mar. Reg. #4,

    p. 100). They had a daughter, Estelle White, now 88, who married Arcemus Bull.

    They are the parents of Hulda Anna Bull White.

    3. Sarah Ann Wilkerson, born 28 November 1842 (Bible). Sarah A. was 7 in 1850

    and 18 in 1860, in her father's household. No other record.

    4. Samuel W. Wilkerson, born 24 November 1844 (Bible). Samuel Wilkerson, 25,

    son of Shadrick and Margaret, married Harriet Linton, 23, daughter of Charlotte

    Linton, on 21 December 1871, at Messongo (Ear. Reg. #3, p. 32). Samuel Wilkerson

    was 32, an oysterman, head of househod 238, in 1880. Wife Harriet was 30 and there

    were four young children in their family. By 1900, Samuel Wilkerson was a 54-year-

    old oysterman. He and his wife had had 6 children, 5 of whom were living. In 1910,

    Samuel Wilkerson was 65 and his wife Harriet's age was given as 63. The 1920 cen-

    sus gives Harriet Wilkerson, 74, with son Franklin, 36, living next door to son,

    William Wilkerson, 41, and his family. Family members relate that Samuel W. Wilk-

    erson died on 24 December 1921 and his widow circa 1928. An obituary has not been

    found for either of them. Their children were:

    A. Ida Wilkerson, born 30 July 1872 (Bible), died 12 December 1894 (Sanford

    Church records).

    B. Nellie Florence Wilkerson, born 30 November 1876 (Reg. of Births), died

    27 February 1956 (obit. Pen. Ent., 1 March 1956), married (1) 15 August 1876, Wil-

    liam H. Lewis, son of Raymond R. and Catherine Lewis (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 131), (2)

    27 January 1929, at Grotons„ Thomas A. German, son of Rachel Northam and her hus-

    band, William German (Mar. Reg. #5, p. 17). Florence Wilkerson had no children, but

    raised her nephew, Howard Wilkerson/Lewis. She is buried in the J.W. Taylor Cem-

    etery.

    C. Captain William Webster Wilkerson, born 2 August 1878 (Reg. of Births),

    died 21 September 1937 (Obit. Pen. Ent., 25 September 1937). His obituary states

    27

  • he was a former captain of a state police boat. He married (1), at Shelltown,

    Maryland, on 29 Auguat 1909, Ora C. Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Howard

    of Morumsco, Maryland (Som. Co. Mar. Rec. 1906-1920, p. 58). She died on 20 March

    1911, four days after their son was born (Pen. Ent., 25 March 1911, under Messongo

    news). William W. Wilkerson married (2) 1913, Blanche Maude Carney of Matthews

    County, Virginia. He and his first wife (1887-1911) were buried in Feddemans Cern-

    etery at Sanford, but were moved to the First Baptist Church Cemetery at Pocomokel

    where his second wife (1892-1986) is also buried. He had a son by the first marri-

    age, Howard Wilkerson/Lewis (1911-1991), and four children by the second: William

    Webster Wilkerson, Jr., of Catonsville, Maryland, .now deceased; Eloise Wilkerson

    Watts, of Salisbury, Maryland; June Wilkerson McGee, of Pocomoke; and Samuel

    Carney Wilkerson, of Salisbury.

    D. Laurena Wilkerson, born 3 May 1880 (Reg. of Births), married (1) 19 Feb-

    ruary 1901, in Somerset County, Raymon R. Lewis (LES, Md., Mar. Rec. 1865-1906, p.

    521). She was Mrs. W.W. McCready when her brother died in 1937.

    E. Margaret Wilkerson, born 8 October 1883 (Reg. of Births). No record of

    her marriage has been found. She was Margaret Swift in 1937, when her brother died.

    Family members indicate her husband was "Wes" Swift of Crisfield.

    F. Franklin Pierce Wilkerson, born 2 May 1885 (Reg. of Births), died 19452

    (tombstone at Downings), married 2 August 1924, Nona Bull, at Pocomoke (Wor. Co.

    Mar. Rec. 1917-1936, p. 381). Nona S. Wilkerson was born in 1891 and died in 1969

    (tombstone). They had two children: Franklin Wilkerson of Baltimore; and Geraldine

    Wilkerson Thomas Betts of Vienna, Maryland.

    5. Jehu F. Wilkerson, born 25 September 1846 (Bible). See next section.

    6. Jesse Purnell Wilkerson, born 28 January 1849 (Bible), died 8 March 1850

    (Bible).

    7. Elizabeth S. Wilkerson, born 2 December 1851 (Bible), died 14 July 1853

    (Bible). 28

  • 8. Elizabeth Wilkerson, born 1 March 1855 (Bible). She was 15 years of age,

    in her father's household in 1870. No other record.

    9. Mary C. Wilkerson, born 29 January 1858 (Bible), married 15 July 1876, on

    Saxis Island, John Wesley Justis, son of John H. and Adaline Justis (Mar. Reg. #3,

    p. /17).

    10. John M. Wilkerson, born 6 October 1860 (Bible), not in 1870 census, ap-

    parently died young.

    11. Levin Jackson Lee Wilkerson, born 16 December 1862 (Bible), not in 1870

    census, apparently died young.

    29

  • Jehu F. Wilkerson The Sixth Generation

    Jehu F. Wilkerson, son of Shadrack and Margaret, was born on 25 September

    1846 (Bible). He died on 2 June 1928 at 82 years of age (Pen. Ent., 23 June 1928

    issue, under Sanford news). He was shown as a 4-year-old in his father's house-

    hold by the 1850 census. He was still living with his parents in 1870, when he

    was listed as a 22-year-old oysterman. Jehu Wilkerson, 23, married Martha Mar-

    shall, 19, "daughter of Hetty", on 14 December 1871, "at Pocomoke" (Mar. Reg. #3,

    p. 32). Martha Marshall, born circa 1851 (1860 census), was a daughter of John

    T. Marshall, who married Harriet McCready by licence of 7 February 1837 (Wor. Co.

    Mar. Rec. 1795-1865, p. 129).

    Jehu Wilkerson and his family were overlooked by the census takers in 1880

    and again in 1900. In 1910, when he was called Jay F. Wilkerson, a 59-year-old

    oysterman, he and his family were living on "Cat Tail Road". Wife Martha W. 's

    age was given as 57. She had had six children, all of whom were living. The only

    one in the household was Frederick S. Wilkerson at 26 years.

    On 20 April 1899, John L. Anderton and wife Clara W. sold to Martha Wilkerson

    "and her children", for $50, land in Pocomoke Neck, "near what is commonly called

    Flag Pond about 1 acre" (Deeds 73, p. 500). On 4 February 1903, Martha Wilkerson

    and J.F. Wilkerson were joined by Mrs. Alice A. Bull, Mrs. Dora Wilkerson, Ella

    N. Drummond and Mansel Drummond, Fred Wilkerson, Otho Wilkerson and Ethel Wilker-

    son, in selling 1/4 acre near Flag Pond to L. Frank Wilkerson for $1.00 (Deeds 87,

    P. 3)40).

    No record has been found for the death of Jehu F. Wilkerson's wife, Martha W.

    Wilkerson. She was still living in early 1921, when they lost a daughter, but was

    deceased when her husband died. They were buried in unmarked graves in a Stant

    family plot between the homes of Keith Broadwater and Norman Bonnawell (#74) at

    Sanford. 30

  • The children of Jehu F. Wilkerson and his wife, Martha W. Marshall Wilkerson,

    were:

    1. Isadora Wilkerson, born 25 March 1873 (Reg. of Births), died 1954 (tomb-

    stone), married 24 December 1890, in Somerset County, Noah T. Wilkerson (LES, Md.,

    Mar. Rec. 1869-1906, p. 520), son of Sewell R. and Sally J. Stant Wilkerson. Dora

    Wilkerson and her husband, Noah T. Wilkerson (1870-1923), are buried in Onancock

    Cemetery (Graven Stones, p. 279). In 1910, they had had two children, both of whom

    were living:

    A. Harold T. Wilkerson, born 1892, died 1947 (tombstone Onancock Cemetery).

    He married (1) 1 May 1913, Myrtle Williams (Som. Co. Mar. Rec. 1906-1920, p. 132).

    She was born 23 June 1895, and died 12 June 1913 (tombstone among Halls at Messon-

    go). Harold Wilkerson married (2> Bertie W. McCready (1895-1973) on 25 July 1915

    (p. 178). He had an adopted daughter, who married Vernon Outten.

    B. Bessie G. Wilkerson, born 8 July 1896 (Reg. of Births), married circa

    1915, Lettie A. Martin, born 1875, died 1958 (tombstone Onancock Cemetery).

    2. Alice A. Wilkerson, born Auguat 1874 (Reg. of Births), died 12 February

    1921 (obit., Pen. Ent., 19 February 1921), married 1 January 1890, Floyd R. Bull,

    21, son of Robert L. Bull and wife Sarah (Mar. Reg. #31 p. 104). His tombstone,

    beside his wife's in J.W. Taylor Cemetery, gives his name as R. Floyd Bull and his

    birth in 1868, death in 1943. In 1910, this couple had five sons: Robert F. Bull,

    18; Finney R. Bull, 16; James W. Bull, 14; Wallace K. Bull, 12; and Richmond H.

    Bull, 10.

    3. L. Frank Wilkerson., born 3 March 1876 (Reg. of Births), died circa 1946,

    married 12 July 1906, at Pocomoke City, Carrie Bailey, 18, of Sanford (Wor. Co.

    Mar. Rec. 1906-1917, p. 161). L. Frank Wilkerson lived at Flag Pond on land he

    bought in 1903 from his parents and brothers and sisters. He had no children.

    His widow remarried Albert Selby.

    31

  • 4. Ella May Wilkerson, born 27 July 1878 (Reg. of Births). Ella Wilkerson,

    19, married Nansel Drummond, 26, on 12 May 1901, in Somerset County (LES, Md., Mar.

    Rec. 1865-1906, p. 521). This couple moved to Colonial Beach, Virginialand had

    three children: Vaughn Drummond, Dorsey Drummond, and a daughter (Mildred?).

    5. Otho T. Wilkerson, born 13 January 1881 (Reg. of Births), died 13 May 1958

    (tombstone in Downings Cemetery), married 8 August 1904, at 23, in Somerset County,

    Ethel Groton, 17 (LES, Md., Mar. Rec. 1865-1906, p. 521). She was a daughter of

    Skinner O. Groton and Rowena Thomas Drummond Groton, who married 26 December 1884,

    at Downings Church (Groton family Bible). Mr. Otho Wilkerson was listed by the

    1910 census as an oysterman and again in 1920. He moved to Horsey, Virginia, and

    kept a grocery store there. His wife was born on 23 May 1887 and died on 22 May

    1958 (tombstone). They had an only son:

    A. Thomas Skinner Wilkerson, born 12 October 1910, married (1) 20 May 1928,

    Della Thomas, daughter of Lewis N. Thomas and Bertha C. Miles Thomas (Pyside Mar-

    shall files), (2) 23 December 1949, Mariam Mears, daughter of Leonard Lee Mears

    and wife, Lena H. Taylor Mears, who had married (1) Foster Earl Mears, Sr. Thomas

    S. Wilkerson has an only son: Robert C. Wilkerson, born 24 December 1930.

    6. Fred W. Wilkerson (Frederick S. ?), born in 1884 and died in 1972 (tomb-

    stone in Onancock Cemetery). He never married.

    32

  • Jehu F. Wilkerson 1846-1928

  • Otho T. Wilkerson 1881-1958

  • Thomas Wilkerson The Third Generation

    Thomas Wilkerson, the eldest son of the second Thomas Wilkerson, was born

    circa 1717. He would have been circa 29 years of age when his father and grand-

    mother died in 1746. He inherited the family home and land, 150 acres, at Miona,

    and was most likely a "planter", as was his father. He apparently married circa

    1745, but the maiden name of his wife Elizabeth has not been found.

    Thomas Wilkerson inherited "One coat and Bretches" from Robert Pitt, who died

    testate in 1756 (Wills 1752-1757, p. 353). This is the only time his name appears

    in the records. He neither bought nor sold land.

    Thomas Wilkerson wrote his will on 1 February 1774 and it was recorded on 31

    October 1775 (Wills 1772-1777, p. 368). He left his wife Elizabeth "all my estate

    during her widowhood". Then, the plantation "where I now live" was to go to his

    son, William Wilkerson, with his residual estate to daughter Elizabeth. He left

    slaves to both his son and daughter. He made his wife and son joint executors.

    Thomas Wilkerson's inventory was returned on 30 July 1777 (Orders 1777-1780, p. 15),

    but his estate was not completely settled until 27 September 1791, apparently after

    the death of his widow (Wills 1788-1791, p. 436). Daughter Elizabeth Wilkerson's

    "nett proceeds of sd Estate" was 167 pounds 10 shillings 2 pence. William Wilker-

    son's part was 107 pounds 19 shillings 7 pence and "trouble and expences on the

    whole estate" came to 11 pounds 10 pence. This return was signed by William

    Selby, John Logan, and William Wilkerson, Executor.

    The children of Thomas Wilkerson and his wife Elizabeth were:

    1. William Wilkerson, born circa 1750 (over )15 in 1800). See next section.

    2. Elizabeth Wilkerson, born circa 1753, and still unmarried in 1791.

    33

  • Will of Thomas Wilkerson (Wills 1772-1777, p. 368)

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  • William Wilkerson The Fourth Generation

    William Wilkerson, named as a son by Thomas Wilkerson in his will of 1774,

    was born circa 1750. He inherited 150 acres of the Miona land. He would have

    married circa 1773, but the name of his wife has not been found. Apparently

    his wife was deceased by 1800, for the census of that year shows William Wilkerson,

    Senr as over 45 years, with one male in his household under 10 years, another male

    10 to 16 and four females; one under 10, two between 16 and 26 and one over 26.

    On 26 July 1800, William Wilkerson sold to John Gladding, 50 acres for 75

    pounds, "where William Wilkerson now lives, next to the road leading to Pitts

    Landing" (Deeds 1797-1800, p. 468). The south border was a branch,east was land

    of William Selby and John Massey and north, land of John Massey. A wife did not

    co-sign the deed.

    William Wilkerson wrote his will on 29 December 1804 and it was recorded on

    25 February 1805 (Wills 1804-1806, p.241). He left his land to a son William and

    named daughters as Euphamy, Elizabeth, Agnes, and Sophia. He left six slaves to

    his children, all who were to be free when they became 35.

    The children of William Wilkerson and an unknown wife were:

    1. Euphamy Wilkerson, born circa 1774 (26 to 45 in 1800). On 29 January

    1807, Elijah Melbourne and Euphamia Wilkerson, "daughter of William, deceased"

    signed an agreement, saying "marriage is shortly intended" and that neither shall

    heir from the other unless by will (Deeds 1807-1810, p. 333). Elijah was "posses-

    sed of considerable real and personal estate consisting of Lands, Slaves, Stock

    and Household furniture". Euphamia's estate consisted of "one negro Boy named

    Ned, one spinning wheel and one chest". They were issued a marriage bond on the

    same day (Mar. Reg. #1, p. 2).

    2. Elizabeth Wilkerson, born circa 1777 (16 to 26 in 1800). Elizabeth

    35

  • Wilkerson married Ralph White by a bond of 5 March 1805 MB 1774-1806, p. 34).

    3. Agnes Wilkerson, born circa 1780 (16 to 26 in 1800). Agnes Wilkerson

    married Ephraim Taylor by a bond of 19 December 1805 (NLB 1774-1806, p. 29).

    4. William Wilkerson, born circa 1786. See next section.

    5. Son, born circa 1791 (under 10 years in 1800). This son was apparently

    deceased by 1804, when his father wrote his will.

    6. Sophia Wilkerson, born circa 1793 (under 10 years in 1800). Sophia

    Wilkerson chose Elijah Melbourne as her guardian on 30 June 1807, showing she was

    14 years of age by that date (Orders 1806-1807, p. 346). Sophia Wilkerson

    married Thomas Melvin by a Worcester County bond dated 3 November 1812 (dor. Co.

    Mar. Rec. 1795-18652 p. 48).

    36

  • Will of William Wilkerson (Wills 1804-1806, p. 241)

    37

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  • William Wilkerson The Fifth Generation

    William Wilkerson, son of William Wilkerson and an unknown wife, was born

    circa 1786, on his father's farm

    from his father in 1805. Samuel

    of 1807, when he would have come

    at Miona. He inherited 100 acres of this land

    Downing was his guardian until the latter part

    of age. Samuel Downing made a return for the

    costs against the estate of William Wilkerson, orphan of William, for the years

    1805, 1806, and part of 1807 (Orphans Accounts 1805-1811, p. 364). William

    Staton had been renting the land. Various bills had been paid for clothes and

    for "merchandize forMrs. Elizabeth White". James Tull was paid 23 pounds 7

    shillings 9 pence on 18 June 1807, "for putting roof on your house". Apparently

    his sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkerson White, was keeping house for him and

    his unmarried sisters.

    William Wilkerson married Betsy Marshall, "daughter of Solomon Marshall" by

    a bond dated 9 January 1810 (MLB 1806-1832, p. 1)45). The 1810 census shows

    William Wilkerson 16 to 26 years of age (24), with a wife of the same age.

    On 26 March 1811, William Wilkerson and wife Elizabeth sold to James Taylor,

    33 acres of his land for 50 pounds (Deeds 1810-1812, p. 25)4). James Taylor sold

    the same land back to Elizabeth Wilkerson for 50 pounds on 24 June 1811 (p. 253).

    On 18 January 1813, William Wilkerson and wife Elizabeth sold John Gladding,

    41 3/4 acres for $248.25, land adjoining John Gladding's other land (Deeds 1812-

    1815, p. 88).

    William Wilkerson had died intestate by 26 January 1818, when Solomon Ear-

    shall was named to administer his estate (Orders 1817-1819, p. 86). He could not

    have been over 32 years of age. His wife also died young, for on 29 October 1821,

    Solomon Marshall was again named to administer the estate of Elizabeth Wilkerson

    (Orders 1819-1822, p. 465). On 28 October 1822, James Melvin and Oliver Logan

    140

  • were named commissioners to sell the land which William and Elizabeth Wilkerson

    "died seized" (Orders 1822-182)4., p. 85). They sold the remaining Miona land on

    30 November 1822, in three separate deeds, to John Gladding, Jun", to Henry

    Gladding, and to Ezekiel Taylor (Deeds 1822-182)4., p. 154, p. 155, and p. 156).

    With these sales, the original land at Miona, owned by the Wilkersons from 1699,

    passed from the family.

    William Wilkerson and his wife, Elizabeth Marshall Wilkerson, left two under-

    age sons:

    1. Solomon Wilkerson, born circa 1815. See next section.

    2. William T. Wilkerson, born circa 1817 (1850 census). William Wilkerson

    married Miss Ann Savage on 20 January 1845 (Mar. Reg. #1, p. 75). The 1850 census

    shows William T. Wilkerson, a 33-year-old Baptist Clergyman, in househdU1400 of the

    Greenbackville area. His wife Ann was 25 and they had two young daughters. By

    1860, William Wilkerson was a mason in Worcester County, Maryland, in household

    2743 of the Newto Pocomole City area. The family had lost a daughter, but had

    had four sons born since 1850. By 1870, William Wilkerson was listed again in

    Worcester County, household 417 as a farmer. He had lost his wife and his oldest

    son was missing from the family. William Wilkerson was not listed by the 1880

    census, indicating he had died between 1870 and 1880. His children were:

    A. Virginia E. Wilkerson, born circa 1848 (1850 census). Jennie E. Wil-

    kerson, a milliner, was head of a household in Pocomoke in 1880. Her brother, J.

    Lloyd Wilkerson, a lawyer, was living with her. In 1900, she was living with

    Lloyd Wilkerson and his family, still a milliner. A tombstone in the First Bap-

    tist Church Cemetery, on By-Pass road in Pocomoke reads: Virginia Wilkerson,

    daughter of Rev. William & Ann Savage. There are no dates on the stone.

    B. Mary A.F. Wilkerson, born circa 1850 (1850 census) deceased by 1860.

    C. Judson Wilkerson, born circa 1853 (1860 census), not listed with the

    iLl

  • family in 1870.

    D. Thomas S. Wilkerson, born circa 1855 (1860 census). Thomas S. Wilkerson,

    23, married Mary E. Paradee, 23 on 15 January 1878 (LES, Md., Mar. Rec. 1865-1906,

    p. 520). Thomas S. Wilkerson, brickmason, and wife Mary E., in Worcester County

    household 531, had a daughter, Enna Wilkerson, by 1880. Thomas S. Wilkerson, born

    25 May 1855, died 2 August 1889, and his wife, Mary E. Wilkerson, born 22 March

    1855, died 25 August 1896, are buried in the Bethany United Methodist Church Cem-

    etery at Pocomoke. Mary E. Wilkerson, a 34-year-old widow, married George W.

    Hearn, 54, on 19 November 1890 (p. 521).

    E. J. Lloyd Wilkerson, born circa 1857 (1860 census). Lloyd Wilkerson, 31,

    married Jennie F. Matthews, 28, on 6 March 1889 (p. 521). The 1900 census shows

    this family in Pocomoke City household 397. Lloyd Wilkerson, lawyer, was born

    May 1857. His wife, Jennie F., was born February 1856 (?). They had a son,

    Daniel F., born December 1887 (likely 1890); a son, Walter J., born January 1892;

    and a son Paul, born October 1895. Lloyd's sister, Jennie E. Wilkerson, was living

    with the family, as was a niece, Minnie Wilkerson, born February 1884. This family

    left Pocomoke City before 1910.

    F. Horace Wilkerson, born circa 1859 (1860 census). There is no other

    record of this son after he was listed in his father's household in 1870, at 11

    years of age.

    G. Francis Wilkerson, born circa 1861 (1870 census). No other record.

    42

  • Solomon H. Wilkerson The Sixth Generation

    Solomon Wilkerson, the older son of William Wilkerson and his wife, Elizabeth

    Marshall Wilkerson, was born circa 1815. It is apparent he was named for his

    maternal grandfather, Solomon Marshall, who died testate in 1801 Wills 1800-1804,

    p. 456). Like his brother, William T. Wilkerson, Solomon inherited no land from

    his parents. The 1830 census shows two young males, 10 to 15 years of age, in the

    household of Solomon Marshall, aged 30 to 40 years. This Solomon Marshall (179)4 -

    1881) would have been the boy's guardian, their uncle, who married three times and

    had five daughters but no sons. His tombstone stands on a farm joining H. Robert

    Tull's land on the east, on Horntown Road, and is presently owned by J. P. Cutler.

    It can be assumed that Solomon Wilkerson was born on his father's land at Miona

    and was raised by Solomon Marshall east of New Church.

    Solomon Wilkerson married (1) by a license of 1839, Maria Gladding (Wor. Co.

    Mar. Rec. 1795-1865, p. 136). Maria was a daughter of John S. Gladding as shown

    by a receipt signed by Solomon Wilkerson on 17 March 1840, stating he had received

    from Mrs. Sally Gladding, administratrix of John S. Gladding, "part of my wife

    Mariah Gladding's share of her father's estate" (Deeds 18)42-1843, p• 747). Maria/

    Mariah's father, John Gladding„ had married Sally Brittingham in Worcester County

    by a license of 29 March 1819 (Wor. Co. Mar. Rec. 1795-1865, p. 71).

    Solomon H. Marshall married (2) by a Worcester County license of 20 June

    1850, Mary M. Dennis (p. 17)4). She was a daughter of Samuel Dennis, who had died

    by 10 April 1852, when his executor, John S. Johnson, gave Solomon Wilkerson $107

    as his wife Mary's share of her father's estate (Deeds 1851-1853, p. 382).

    Solomon Wilkerson was listed by the 1840 census as 20 to 30 years

    of age (25). His wife was 15 to 20 years and they had a son under 5 years. In

    1850, Solomon Wilkerson was a 35-year-old farmer, with his family in household

    143

  • 846, living in the area of Miona, as judged from the names of his neighbors. His

    wife was 17-year-old Margaret (Mary M) Wilkerson, born in Maryland. He had four

    children in 1850, all born of his first marriage: John W. at 12 years, James at

    10 years, Henry F. at 8 years, and Mary at 4 years.

    Solomon Wilkerson wrote his will on 18 February 1853 and it was recorded on

    28 February 1853 (Wills 1846-1882, p. 140). He named his wife, left daughter Mary

    E. Wilkerson $1.00 "in connection with what my estate owes her", and his other four

    unnamed children $500 each. He made his brother, William T. Wilkerson executor.

    Daughter Mary Elizabeth had heired from her grandmother, Sally Gladding, who died

    testate in 1852 (Wills 1846-1882, p. 123).

    Solomon Wilkerson's widow, Mary Margaret Dennis Wilkerson, married Jeremiah

    J. Savage on 19 May 1857 (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 6). This record states they were both

    23, that she was a widawed daughter of Samuel and Margaret Dennis, and he was a

    son of Griffin and Mary Ann Savage. Apparently, Solomon Wilkerson and his second

    wife had a daughter, Henrietta Wilkerson, born between the census of 1850 and his

    death. A Henrietta Wilkerson, aged 11 years (should be circa 8 years), was in the

    household of Jeremiah J. Savage and wife Mary N. in 1860.

    The children of Solomon H. Wilkerson were:

    1. John W. Wilkerson, born circa 1838 (1850 census). John Wilkerson, 19,

    apprentice, was in the Worcester County household of Colwell Byrd, plasterer, in

    1860. John W. Wilkerson served as a confederate soldier in the Civil War (Pen.

    Ent. 21 June 1913). On 16 January 1866, John W. Wilkerson deeded to Harriet J.

    Tull (his mother's sister) 1/6 interest in the John Gladding Farm, containing

    68 acres (Deeds 1865-1867, p. 279). His name has not been found in the records

    after this date.

    2. James Wilkerson, born circa 1840 (1850 census). James Wilkerson had died

    by 31 March 1856, when his uncle, William T. Wilkerson, was named to administer

    44

  • his estate (Orders 185)4-1856, p.371).

    3. Henry F. Wilkerson, born circa 1842 (1850 census). See next section.

    4. Mary E. Wilkerson, born circa 1846 (1850 census). Mary E. Wilkerson, 13,

    was living with her aunt, Harriet J. Tull, in 1860. She married Major J. Watson

    circa 11 January 1864, in Worcester County (Wor. Co. Mar. Rec. 1795-1865, p. 266).

    5. Henrietta Wilkerson, born circa 1852. Henrietta Wilkerson, 18, married

    Benjamin P. Jones, 22, in Worcester County, on 6 April 1870 (ILLS, Md., Mar Rec.

    1865-19060 p. 520).

    Will of Solomon Wilkerson Mils 1846-1882, p. 140)

    4 (0 February 113t,p 1853, This is my last will and testament which is as follows. I

    0, 16 Y,ive to ry daughter Mary E. Wilkerson one dollar in connection with what my Estate )1)

    ilr-now owes ilia' And I give to ry other four children five hundred dollars each if thare f •

    is property enough and if any over paying this five hundred dollars to the four

    children as above namedlit is to be equally divided between-my five children, my wife

    taking hr thirds with whet the law will give hit. I wish my Brtither William T.

    Wilkerson to do the business.

    Zeorge W. Gladding

    William H. Dennis

    his Solamon Wilkerson

    mark

    At a Court held for the County of Accomack, on the 28th day of February 1853.-.

    This last Aill and Testament of Solomon Wilkerson deceased was proved by the Oaths

    of George W. Gladding and William H. Dennis witnesses thereto, and order ,f-A to be

    recorded. And on the motion of William T. Wilkerson, Me exeoutcr therein named, taking

    Oath and giving Bond according to lew in the penalty of Five Thoumnd Dollars ($5,000),

    with Louis D. Drummond and George P- Bird, his securities.- Certificate is- granted

    him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.-

    Test: J. W. Gillet. C. A. C.

    45

  • Henry F. Wilkerson The Seventh Generation

    Henry F. Wilkerson, born 18 February 1844, died 10 February 1926 (obit. Pen.

    Ent., 13 February 1926), was the third son of Solomon H. Wilkerson and his wife,

    Maria Gladding Wilkerson. He lost his mother when he was 8 years old and his

    father had died by the time he was 11. His uncle, William T. Wilkerson, was

    appointed his guardian (Orders 1854-1857, p. 374). He was likely the Henry Wil-

    kerson, a 15-year-old laborer, in the Worcester County, Costons District, house-

    hold of Thomas Davis in 1860. Henry F. Wilkerson married (1) at 21 years, Char-

    lotte Marshall, 19, on 14 March 1866, at the Maryland/Virginia line (LES, Md., Mar.

    Rec. 1865-1906, p. 520). Charlotte Marshall, at 1 year of age, is shown by the

    1850 Accomack County census in the household of John S. Marshall, 36, and his wife

    Esther, 37. John S. Marshall had married Esther Adderson by a bond of 11 June 1834

    (ML 1832-1841, p. 21).

    The 1870 census for Accomack County gives Henry Wilkerson, 26, a farmer, as

    head of household 323/320. His wife Charlotte was 21 and they had two children:

    John, 3 years, and Mary, 1 year. In 1881, the family was in household 444/456.

    Henry F. Wilkerson was a 36-year-old farmer, wife Charlotte was 31, and they had

    lost their two older children, but had five others: Harry at 9 years, William at

    8 years, Elihu at 5 years, Puss at 3 years, and Lemuel at 2 years. From the names

    of neighbors, he was raising his family in the Horntown area.

    Henry F. Wilkerson lost his first wife in 1884 (tombstone in Brittinghams

    Cementery). He married (2) 18 February 1885, Mary F. Colony, 24, daughter of John

    Colony and wife Nary (Mar. Reg. #3, p. 84). They had a daughter, Charlotte, born

    on 7 December 1885 (Reg. of Births). His second wife died 28 April 1888 at New

    Church, of measles, aged 29 years (obit. Pen. Ent., 5 May 1888). She, born 1857,

    was also buried in Brittinghams Cemetery (tombstone).

    46

  • Henry F. Wilkerson, a widower of 45, married (3) 10 October 1888, Susanna

    Turner, a widow of 35 (LES, Md., Mar. Rec. 1865-1906, p. 521). There were three

    children born of this marriage before Henry F. Wilkerson lost his third wife. Her

    tombstone in Remsons Cemetery calls her Sue Anna Turner, wife of Henry F. Wilkerson,

    born 1854, died 1905. She had three children by a first marriage, who were named

    as step-children of Henry F. Wilkerson in his obituary: Mrs. Wrixam Taylor and Mrs.

    Harry Pilchard of Pocomoke City and Mr. Wallace Turner of Paulsboro, New Jersey.

    Henry F. Wilkerson's obituary also states he was a member of Remsons Church,

    and died at Miona in the home of his son, W.E. Wilkerson, on the same farm where

    he was born. It states he spent his entire life within a 10-mile radius of his

    birthplace, except for three yeav3 which he spent in the Confederate Army during

    the War Between the States. He was buried in Brittinghans Cemetery.

    Civil War records, on microfilm in the Archives of Virginia State Library,

    show that Private Henry F. Wilkerson enlisted at Chaffin's Farm on 10 September

    1862. He was captured near Petersburg on 25 July 1864 and transferred to POW Camp,

    Elmira, New York. A statement in his records says: "Was a volunteer in the Rebel

    service but sees his error and desires to return his allegiance to the old govern-

    ment". This statement was likely a condition for his release, when he was 21, of

    florid complexion, with dark hair and hazel eyes, and stood 5 feet 7 inches high

    (Barnes, Pungoteague to Petersburg, Vol. III). He served in Company F, Forty-

    Sixth Virginia Regiment (Pen. Ent., 21 June 1913).

    Henry F. Wilkerson's son, W.E. Wilkerson, bought 125 acres at Miona from

    William T. Duncan on 12 December 1905, for $2250 (Deeds 84, p. )404). William T.

    Duncan had bought this farm on 6 July 1892 from John S. Johnson, for $1500 (Deeds

    64, p. 536). Johnson had purchased the tract on 4 January 1870, for $2000, from

    John W. Gladding and wife Margaret, 175 acres of land bound easterly by Alfred

    Gladding (Deeds 1869-1871, P. 237). Since both John W. Gladding and Alfred Glad-

    47

  • ding were sons of Henry Gladding

    Gladding, it appears Henry F. Wilkerson

    first became Wilkerson land in 1699. A

    of Gladdings when W.E. Wilkerson bought

    it in 1892.

    The children of Henry F. Wilkerson were:

    1. John S. Wilkerson, born circa 1867 (1870 census). John S. Wilkerson died

    9 August 1870, at 3 years 6 months of "Dropsy ll (Reg. of Deaths).

    2. Mary L. Wilkerson, born circa 1869 (1870 census), apparently died young,

    as her name does not show in the 1880 census.

    3. Joseph Harry Wilkerson, born circa 1871 (1880 census). He married and

    lived in Paulsboro, New Jersey.

    4. William E. Wilkerson, born 1872, died 1957 (tombstone in Nelsons Cemetery).

    W.E. Wilkerson, 22, married Mary W. Taylor, 19, in Worcester County, on 10 December

    1893 (LES, Md., Mar. Rec. 1865-1906, p. 521). She, called Manie E. on her tomb-

    stone, was born in 1875 and died in 1968, the daughter of Wrixam Taylor and wife

    Mary. Mr. Will Wilkerson farmed on his land at Miona until he retired circa 1937

    and moved to New Church. He and his wife had seven children:

    A. W. Archie Wilkerson, born 1894, died 1980 (tombstone in Nelsons Cemetery)/

    married (1) 12 May 1914, India Enna Miles (1895-1932) (Mar. Reg. #)4, p. 214), (2)

    circa 1935, Rachel Johnson (1898-1985).

    B. Otho H. Wilkerson, born circa 1897 (1900 census), married 17 October

    1923, Ruth C. Hoffman (18)46-1973)(Wor. Co. Mar. Rec. 1917-1936, P. 381).

    C. Lloyd F. Wilkerson, born 1899, died 1963 (tombstone in Nelsons Cemetery),

    married 26 February 1919, Ethel May Belcher (1900-1972) (p. 377).

    D. Dorsey E. Wilkerson, born circa 1907, died 1970 and is buried in Snow

    Hill. Dorcie