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’.)

FUNERAL FRIDAY: Erie Railroad Engineer Walter S. Wilson Funeral, May 17, 1893 Goshen, NY

Middletown Daily Times, Middletown, N.Y.

Thursday, May 18, 1893

   “The funeral of the late Walter S. Wilson was held in this village yesterday and was very largely attended. Mr. Wilson was a member of the Order of Railroad Engineers, and a large delegation of the members of that order from all along the line was in attendance. Deceased carried an insurance policy of $3,000 in that organization.”

2^nd Great Grandfather Walter S. Wilson was born 1836 in New London County, Connecticut. His parents, James and Merriam Wilson, were immigrants from Scotland, Great Britain.

Walter found work as a machinist in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. He wed Mary M. Peck August 10, 1856 in Norwich. After their marriage they moved to Worcester, Massachusetts where 2^nd Great Grandfather continued to work as a machinist.

I wonder if Walter’s machinist job was associated with the railway and locomotive industry as he rose in stature becoming a railroad engineer by June 1870. At this date his home was in the town of Deerpark, Orange County, New York. The 1875 New York State census places Walter and his family in Goshen (Orange Co.) employed by the Erie Railroad.

A short obituary published in the Middletown newspaper tells a bit more of his story.

Middletown Daily Press, Middletown, N.Y.

Monday, May 15, 1893

“GOSHEN

  MATTERS AND THINGS AT THE COUNTY SEAT

     Walter S. Wilson, who for many years has been an Erie engineer, running over the Montgomery and Pine Island Brances [Branches], died last night, at his home on Scotchtown avenue, this village. He had been ill for several months, at times so seriously that his life was almost despaired of, and then he would rally again and seem to be in a fair way to recovery. A few days ago his condition changed for the worse and his death resulted, as above stated. He was 53 years of age. Funeral Wednesday, at 2 30 p. m., from his late residence.”

The Goshen Erie Railroad station on the main line in Goshen, New York

From Wikimedia Commons

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY: Eve (Hanger) Joseph Marries Again Rockingham Co. VA 1799

A few years after Daniel Joseph died, 4^th Great Grandmother Eve (Hanger) Joseph married Warner Peters in Rockingham County, Virginia. Warner Peters and Adam Bowyer acted as bondsmen for the marriage which took place shortly after the date of the bond—Jan. 5, 1799. 

Rockingham County, Virginia Marriage Bonds

Library of Virginia Microfilm Reel 45A