History of Carbondale, Illinois, 1852-1905

A Business Corner, Carbondale

Carbondale, Illinois, spans about 6,000 acres, primarily in the southwest quarter of Carbondale Township, established following congressional guidelines. Early settlers settled near Little Crab Orchard and Piles Fork creeks. The city’s growth is intertwined with the contributions of its founders, highlighted through 330 biographical sketches in the book, which offer details into their lives during challenging times. Carbondale’s history reflects the influence of individual leadership on municipal progress, celebrated here in the context of the nation’s bicentennial.

The Wilson Family, Somerset and Barter Hill Branch

The Wilson family, Somerset and Barter Hill branch

In the preparation of “The Wilson family, Somerset and Barter Hill branch” I have discovered two lists of the names of the sons and daughters of Col. Ben and Ann Seay Wilson of “Somerset” in Cumberland County, Virginia, in addition to the list found in my father’s notes. None of these was arranged in the same chronological order. It was my good fortune in 1915 to find the Bible, claimed to be the Bible of Col. Ben and Ann Seay Wilson of “Somerset” in Cumberland County, Virginia. At that time this was in the hands of Miss Clementine Reid Wilson, Col. Ben’s great-granddaughter, and it was my privilege to copy, with the aid of a reading glass, for the ink was badly faded, the names of their children from that Bible in the same chronological order in which they were recorded. This chronological order, and military records found, support each other. I therefore believe that this sketch contains the most accurate chronological list of Col. Ben’s and Ann Seay Wilson’s children to be found outside of his Bible.