MATRILINEAL MONDAY, GRANDMA WILSON, Mary M. (Peck) Wilson, 1838-1915

Grandma Wilson, Mary M. (Peck) Wilson, was born in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut about 1838. 2^nd Great Grandmother’s parents, Bester B. Peck and Mary A. Case, were Connecticut natives.

 Mary (Peck) Wilson

1838-1915

When Mary was 18 years old, she married Walter Wilson on August 10, 1856. The August 13, 1856 issue of the Norwich Weekly Courier published a marriage notice:

   “In this city on the 10^th, inst., by Rev. F. Denison, Mr. Walter S. Wilson and Miss Mary M. Peck, both of Norwich.”

Rev. Frederic Denison was a pastor serving the Central Baptist Church in Norwich.

A few years later Mary and Walter’s son, Charles Walter, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts August 28, 1858. A daughter, Ida M., was also born in Worcester December 1860. Walter was working as a machinist during these years.

Another boy, John, was born about 1865. The 1870 federal census indicates John’s birthplace was New Jersey although I haven’t yet been able to trace the family there.

When Mary’s 3^rd son, Hugh Montgomery, was born July 6, 1869, the family was living in Port Jervis, Orange County, New York. Sometime between 1870 and 1875, a 2^nd daughter, Gertrude Ella, was born. Next to join the family was Jerome Walter Wilson on April 17, 1873.

After Walter and Mary moved to Goshen (Orange County) little Gertrude Ella died Dec. 5, 1875. Probably Mary and Walter named their youngest daughter, Ella G., honoring Gertrude Ella.

Mary remained in Goshen for some years after Walter’s death in May 1893. Two daughters, Ida and Ella, resided in Mary’s home on Scotchtown Avenue in 1900. Mary called Murray Avenue home in 1910 with her daughter Ella and husband William Johnston.

2nd Great Grandmother Mary (Peck) Wilson

When Mary (Peck) Wilson passed April 29, 1915, she was staying with her son Jerome in Hartford. The Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut published an obituary April 30, 1915.

    “Mrs. Mary E. Wilson, wife of the late Walter S. Wilson, formerly of Goshen, N.Y., died yesterday at the home of her son, Jerome W. Wilson, No. 112 Oak street, aged 74 years. She leaves, besides her son, another son, H. M. Wilson of Bridgeport, and a daughter, Mrs. W. A. Johnstone.

   The funeral will be held tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock at No. 112 Oak street. The burial will be in Slate Hill Cemetery, Sunday."

(Mary M. Peck was also known as ‘Mary E. (Peck) Wilson’.)