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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��seven, by the falling of a fence upon her; 2. James, of whom we shall presently speak ; 3. William, known always in Peterborough as Capt. Bill Wilson, who married Dotia Smith and lived on the old homestead and was an honored and highly esteemed citi- zen, who had eleven children, six of whom died unmarried. Eunice mar- ried William Gibbon, of Marlboro, Mass., Charlotte G. mariied James Jackson^ of Cazenovia, N. Y., and Sarah Ann married Hon. James Scott, one of the most valued and influen- tial residents of Peterborough. The two surviving sons, James and George W., live in Peterborough, the former on the old homestead ; 4. Anne, married Jeremiah Swan ; 5. Mary, mar- ried Gen. John Steele ; 6. John, who died in Belfast, Me., in 1848, was an eminent lawyer and member of con- gress ; 7. Sarah ; and 8. Joseph, who died young. Sarah was married to Joseph Haynes Johnson, and died in Illinois. Her eldest daughter, Lucre- tia K., married John Scott Harrison, son of President William H. Harrison. Another of her daughters married John T. Fisk, who was lieutenant-governor of Kentucky, during the Rebellion.
Hon. James Wilson, Sr., the oldest son of Robert, was born in Peterbo- rough, Aug. 16, 1766. His oppor- tunities for an education were very limited in his native town. He re- membered the alarm given at his fath- er's house, April 19, 1775, and the great stir among the farmers, as they were getting their weapons ready to march to the scene of action. He remained at home, working with his parents, until the close of the Revo- lution. His mother was a lady who
��appreciated the importance of a good education, and she finally prevailed upon her somewhat reluctant husband to allow their promising son to attend the PtMllips Academy, .'\ndover, Mass., where he fi.ted for college. He en- tered Harvard University in 17S5, and graduated in 1789. Among his class- mates were Charles Cutts, afterwards a representative in Congress, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer and Rev. Dr. John Thornton Kirkland, afterwards presi- dent of the same university. Presi- dent John Quincy Adams was two classes ahead of him and knew him well. Mr. Wilson maintained an inti- mate friendship with all these gentle- men. Sixty years after his graduation, when his son James was introduced, on the floor of congress, to Ex-Presi- dent J. Q. Adams, the latter said, " Your father was the best wrestler in college." He was, as Mr. Adams said, the best wrestler, and was a strong, well-developed, muscular young man. He received from Harvard the degree of A. M., in course, and Dart- mouth conferred the same degree up- on him in 1850.
Immediately after graduation, he entered the law office of Judge Lin- coln, of Worcester, as a student. The death of his father, Dec. 25, 1790, called him home. He was united with his mother in the settlement of his father's estate. He decided not to return to Worcester, and entered the law office of Judge Smith of Pe- terborough. Judge Smith was shortly after elected to congress, in 1791, and on leaving congress, settled in Exeter. This left a field for young Wilson in Peterborough ; and he resolved to settle in that town. He was admitted
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