Welcome to Family

In 1990 I received a copy of a history of the Wilson Family compiled by my cousin Horace Wilson. This was a handwritten history beginning in 1778 with the birth of James Dunlap, but the following concentrated on the descendants of William F. Wilson I. This aroused my curiosity about my family and I began to research all the branches further. I have compiled a database of information on the family comprising of 7,161 individuals to this point. This book covers only a portion of the total.

The relationship given for the various people listed is to me; that is, if it states so-and-so is Grandmother, then she is my Grandmother.

There are many hurdles one must jump when tracing a family, especially when so many of our surnames are very common, such as Wilson and Brown. Sources sometimes give conflicting data and one is not always certain which William Wilson is the right William Wilson, for instance. In same cases I make a best guess assumption based on place, time and other logical pointers. This doesn’t guarantee I have assumed correctly; however, most of what is gathered here isverifiability true. Often a hunch is proven by a lucky discovery, such as the family Bible pages preserved in the vault of the Chester County Historical Society Library in West Chester that proved information I had been given as to the ancestry of Benjamin Franklin Meredith.

There is also the problem of spelling. Many people used different spelling of the same surname, even though brothers and sisters. One may have spelled Wilson as Willson; one person may have spelledBruner as Brunner. Spellings also changed over time. The old Welsh spelling of Meredith was Maredudd. This later became Maredydd and then finally Meredith. The common pronunciation has become Mare-Dith, but the proper pronunciation should be Ma-red-ith. The double DD in Welsh was pronounced as TH. Gruffydd in Welsh would be the modern name Griffith.

The families have ties to many famous and infamous personages. If I am correct, I am a fourth cousin of Richard M. Nixon. This is interesting because one of the links between my family and Nixon was a man named Joshua Baldwin, whose daughter with Mercy Brown was Hannah Baldwin who married William Milhous, Sr. Joshua was married several times and his wives were Sally Downing, Mercy Brown and Ann Meredith.

Speaking of Downing, we are tied to the founder of Downingtownthrough the marriages of my two Grand Aunts, Helen and Clara Wilson.

We are apparently a second cousin to President George Washington, whose mother Mary Ball was a first cousin of my 5-great grandmother Elizabeth Ball. Elizabeth Ball married a Talbot and her offspring married a Bruner whose offspring married a Townsley, and there you go.

We also are related to the royal family of England, but this is not unexpected because our ancestors in Wales were the royalty of that country once. Of course one interesting link to British Royalty is through Joan of England, the illegitimate daughter of King John I.

The branches of our family are also intermingled by marriages. My own father and mother are second cousins since William F. Wilson II, who is a great grandfather on my mother’s side was the brother of Emma Bicking Wilson who was my great great grandmother on my father’s side having married Benjamin Franklin Meredith I. I also found many of my friends had some relationship to me through marriages. But this is not surprising given the limit population of the area at one time and that many of these families were Quakers and knew each other.

At any rate, click on the links to follow the currents of my family history.

Alice Lucinda Downing 1931

Alice Lucinda Downing (1C1R) was born on June 15, 1931 in Sugartown, Chester Co., Pa. Namesake: Her Great Grandmother Lucinda Couch Evans and her Father's sister Alice Lucinda Downing.

 On July 25, 1952, when Alice Lucinda was 21, she first married Leslie C. Hughes, born about 1930. They were divorced in January 1958.

(Alice is the pregnant lady facing away just behind my left arm in this 1953 photo taken at Valley Forge. Her mother is Clara Wilson Downing, the woman with the pocketbook looking toward the camera to my right. I was 12 at this time and Alice was 22. It is Dorothy Downing hidden behind Alice.) 

They had one child:

                Lucinda Carol (1953-)

On August 28, 1959, when 

Alice Lucinda was 28, she married Granville B. Cantrell. Born on October 12, 1919. Granville B. died on January 20, 1993 at age 73. He was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa.

Joel Ellsworth Downing 1890

Joel Ellsworth DOWNING

 was Born on August 8, 1890 in Valley Creek, Chester Co., Pa. Joel Ellsworth died on 23 July 23, 1984, he was 93. he was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. Alias/AKA: Ellsworth.

 

On December 3, 1916, when Joel Ellsworth was 26, he married Clara Wilson, (Great Aunt), daughter of William Frederick Wilson Jr. and Anna Margaret Dunlap. Clare was born on April 18, 1893 in Lionville, Chester Co., Pa. and died on July 16, 1975, she was 82. She was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. She resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916.

They had the following children:

                        William Ellsworth (1C1R), born on April 14, 1918. William died on August 10, 1987, he was 69. On February 14, 1948, when William Ellsworth was 29, he married Irene McLaughlin, born  About 1920.

                         Dorothy Wilson (1C1R) was born on July 14, 1919 in West Chester, Chester Co., Pa. and died in 2008. She resided in Alaska in 1968. She resided in Washington State in 2007. On 11 March 11, 1968, when Dorothy Wilson was 48, she married Robert E. Menig, born about 1919. Robert E. died on March 22, 1990, he was 71.

                       Anna Margaret (1C1R) was born on July 27, 1921 in West Chester, Chester Co., Pa. On November 5, 1945, when Anna Margaret was 24, she married William George Baldwin Sr., born about 1920.

                        Ruth Esther (1C1R) was born on August 16, 1923 and died in 2008. She resided in Pocopson Home in 2007. On March 30, 1946, when Ruth Esther was 22, she married Marshall Fields, born about 1930. Marshall died on January 31, 1987, he was 57.

                        Marian Louise (1C1R) was born on September 11, 1925 in Sugartown, Chester Co., Pa. Marian Louise died on December 6, 1986, she was 61. On February 19, 1949, when Marian Louise was 23, she married Wallace E. Conner, born about 1925

                        Clara Jean (1C1R) was born on June 12, 1928 in Sugartown, Chester Co., Pa. On January 3, 1947, when Clara Jean was 18, she married Albert Holston, born about 1925.

                        Alice Lucinda (1C1R), born on June 15, 1931 in Sugartown, Chester Co., Pa. Namesake: Great Grandmother Lucinda Couch Evans and her Father's sister Alice Lucinda Downing. On July 25, 1952, when Alice Lucinda was 21, she first married Leslie C. Hughes, born about 1930. They were divorced in January 1958.

On August 28, 1959, when Alice Lucinda was 28, she second married Granville B. Cantrell, born on October 12, 1919. Granville B. died on January 20, 1993, he was 73. He was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa.

(See Family Currents Wilsons for further information on the children of Ellsworth and Clara Downing.

Everett Heber Wilson 1924 and Herford Evans Downing Jr. 1917

Everett Heber Wilson (1C1R) was born on March 9, 1924. On September 17, 1949, when Everett Heber was 25, he married Mary Jane Lachman. who was born about 1930. Mary Jane is deceased.

They had the following children:
Rachelle Jane (1953-)
Mary Anita (1955-)
Russell Everett (1956-)
Calvin Lawrence (1958-)
Stuart Owen (1961-)

Herford Evans Downing Jr. (1C1R) was born on March 18, 1917. Herford Evans died on August 28, 1994, he was 77. Alias/AKA: Evans. On 1November 15, 1940, when Herford Evans was 23, he married Ruth Henzie, born in 1916.

They had the following children:
Helen Ann (1941-)
Evelyn Joan (1943-)
James Evans (1949-)

Herford Evans Downing 1888

Herford Evans Downing (Grand Uncle) was born on September 4, 1888 and died in Pottstown Hospital, Pottstown, Pa. at 10:00 PM on December 8, 1958, he was 70. He was buried on December 12, 1958 in St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery, Chester Springs, Pa. He resided in Malvern, Pa. in 1916. Cause of death: Stricken while at work on Monday December 8, 1958.

On April 28, 1915, when Herford Evans was 26, he first married Helen Wilson (G Aunt), daughter of William Frederick Wilson Jr. and Anna Margaret Dunlap. Born on February 13, 1890, Helen died on June 24, 1919, she was 29. She resided in Malvern, Pa. in 1916. Namesake: Named for Grandmother: Esther Helen Bicking. Cause of death: Died of complications following birth of Emily Margaret. [See Wilson Family Posting.]

Apparently, Helen died from complications resulting from the birth of her second child, Emily. Emily was subsequently adopted by Helen's oldest brother, William and his wife Lizzie, who were childless. Her first child, Herford remained with his father.


They had the following children:

Herford Evans (1C1R) was born on 18 March 18, 1917 and died on August 28, 1994, he was 77. Alias/AKA: Evans.

On November 15, 1940, when Herford Evans was 23, he married Ruth Henzie, born in 1916.

Emily Margaret (1C1R) was born on May 2, 1919.


In 1920, when Herford Evans was 31, he second married Sadie Guest, born about 1900. Sadie died on June 6, 1983, she was 83.

The Guests and Whites were regular attendees of the annual Wilson Family Reunion. I used to associate with Audrey quite a bit at these affairs, since she was close to my own age. I always thought she was a cousin. I knew that Beulah White was Audrey's mother. I was never quite certain who Sadie was, although I knew she always came with Beulah. I never heard anyone in my family refer to her by anything other than Sadie Guest. They never called her Sadie Downing. After I found out that she was Uncle Herford's second wife, I realized that none of the Guests or Whites were really relatives of myself or of the Wilsons. How strange, but civil it strikes me that a family would continue to include the family of the second wife of Helen's husband in the reunions as part of the family, even after Herford's death.--LEM


They had the following children:
Quinton Guest, born on March 8, 1925. and died on June 3, 1989, he was 64. On June 21, 1945 when Quinton Guest was 20, he married Doris Zeigler, who was born About 1925.

Beulah L. was born on August 25, 1921. On January 6, 1940, when Beulah L. was 18, she married Earl Woodrow White Sr. Earl Woodrow is deceased.

Mildred Marie Wilson 1922

Mildred Marie WILSON (1C1R) was born on September 11, 1922. On June 24, 1950, when Mildred Marie was 27, she married Carmen LaFreeda. Born on February 12, 1917, Carmen died in Phoenixville, Pa. on June 13, 1999, he was 82. He was buried on June 17, 1999 in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa.

Mildred and my mother have been close their whole lives. Milly Wilson served as maid-of-Honor at my mother and father's wedding. She currently lives in Phoenixville. Carmen was a quite man. He seldom said anything, just sat and smiled.

They had one child:

Terry Lee, 2nd Cousin. Born on October 3, 1952, Terry Lee died on October 3, 1952 and was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa.

I was 11 years old when Milly lost their only child. I remember being at my Aunt Edna's farm house that night. It was scary to my mind. No one would tell me anything that was going on and everyone around was either crying or speaking in whispers. I don't know the circumstances, but Milly didn't attempt to have any more children. I do recall that what added to the sadness was she had a nursery all prepared and furnished. I believe I saw the room, but perhaps I only heard it spoke of and saw it in the nightmares I had right afterward.

Robert Evans Wilson, Sr. 1927

Robert Evans Wilson Sr. (1C1R) was born on June 8, 1927. On 27 September 27, 1947, when Robert Evans was 20, he married Florence "Freda" Reitnour.

They had the following children:
Donna Jean (1948-)
Robert Evans Jr. (1952-)
Pamela Sue (1955-)
Sandra Lynn (1962-)

Francis Fizz Brown II

Francis Fizz BROWN II, my Grandfather, was born on January 30, 1900. Francis Fizz died at 424 Washington Ave., Downingtown, Pennsylvania on February 6, 1957, he was 57. he was buried on February 9, 1957 in Grove Methodist Churchyard, Grove, Pennsylvania. He resided at 424 Washington Avenue, Downingtown, Pa. in Dec 1941, resided at the George Thomas III Estate, Whitford, Pa in 1922 and resided in Grove and Green Hill before 1922. Cause of death: Cirrhosis of the liver. He was under a physician's care since August 1956.

Occupation: Foreman, Downingtown Iron Works since 1933. Occupation: Carpenter on the Main Line. Namesake: Named after his Grandfather. Alias/AKA: Brownie.

Circa 1956, Francis shattered his leg in a fall off a ladder into a tank that he was working on at the Downingtown iron Works. He was laid up for about six months, and had a great deal of pain. I believe he began drinking heavy because of this accident and pain. He had drank before this accident, and always carried a plug of chewing tobacco and a pint of whiskey in his car to share with Bill Yarnell and other friends, but now he began to drink early in the evening until he would simply pass out. In 1957-58 he was diagnosed with Cirrhosis and told he had to stop drinking, which he did, but apparently it was too late.--LEM

"Brown - In Downingtown on Feb. 6, 1957, Francis F., husband of Esther W. Brown, in his 58th year of his age. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral without further notice from the Hicks Funeral Home, 229 S. High St., West Chester on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 P. M. Interment in Grove Methodist Cemetery. Friends may call Friday evening."-2/6/57

Francis F. Brown, foreman at Downingtown Iron Works since 1933, formally of Whitford, died at 3:15 a.m. today at his home, 424 Washington Ave., Downingtown, where he had lived since 1942. He had been under a physician's care since August. Last week he observed his 57th birthday. A native Chester Countian, Mr. Brown formally worked as a carpenter on the Main Line. He lived most of his life around the Grove and Green Hill sections and belonged to the Minquas Fire Co. and Chester County Fireman's Assn. His wife Esther Wilson Brown survives along with a daughter, Mildred, wife of William Meredith, Pottstown RD; sister, Mary, wife of Leroy Seeds of Paoli, and one grandson. There are three brothers: Millard, of this place; Ralph, Strafford; Paul, of Grove rd. at Indian King. Daily Local News. 2/6/1957

On 20 February 20, 1920, when Francis Fizz was 20, he married Esther Wilson, Grandmother, daughter of William Frederick Wilson Jr. and Anna Margaret Dunlap. Born on 11 June 11, 1899, Esther died in Phoenixville Hospital, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1987, she was 87. She was buried in Grove Methodist Churchyard, Grove, Pennsylvania. She resided alongside Rt. 100, Bucktown, Pa. in 1987, resided in Downingtown, Pa. in 1957 and resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916. Religion: Methodist Member of Bethel Methodist Church, Spring City, Pa. Namesake: Named for her Grandmother: Esther Helen Bicking.

They had one child:
Mildred (1920-)

Emily Margaret Downing Wilson McCauley 1919

My father and mother were second cousins. William F. Wilson II was both a grandfather and uncle on my mothers side. His sister, Emma Bicking Wilson Meredith, was both a grandmother and aunt on my father's side. For this reason there are Merediths who appear in both the Wilson and Meredith family histories:

John M. Meredith (G Uncle) was born in 1895. (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Benjamin Franklin Meredith 3rd, Grandfather. Born in 1899 (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Ellen M. Meredith (G Aunt). (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

W. Paul Meredith (1C2R). (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Harold Franklin MEREDITH (1C2R) (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Emily Margaret Downing Wilson (1C1R) was born on May 2, 1919. She was the daughter and second child of Uncle Herford Evans Downing and Aunt Helen Wilson. Helen died in June 1919 of complications caused by Emily's birth. Their son, Herford Evans, Jr. stayed with the father. Emily was legally adopted by Aunt Helen's older brother, Billy and his wife Lizzie, who were childless.

On June 1, 1940, when Emily Margaret was 21, she married Joseph McCauley, who was born about 1920. Joseph died on February 13, 1988, he was 68.

They had the following children:

William Lawrence (1942-2006) Billy and I were closest of the Wilson cousins. We were the closest in age and shared somewhat the same temperament and appearance. He was found dead in his 18 wheeler outside Pittsburgh in 2006. I am not certain it was ever established what the cause of death was.

Margaret Louise (1948-)

Thomas Joseph (1944-)

Patricia Jean, 2nd Cousin, was born on August 26, 1950. On 4 October 4, 1969 when Patricia Jean was 19, she married Ronald E. Grubb, born about 1950. They resided in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Kathleen Anne (1954-)

Esther Wilson Brown 1899

Esther Wilson was my maternal grandmother. She was born on June 11, 1899. Esther died in Phoenixville Hospital, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1987, she was 87. She was buried in the Grove Methodist Churchyard, Grove, Pennsylvania. She resided alongside Route 100, Bucktown, Pa. in 1987. (The photo on the left was taken Christmas Day 1911 when she was 12. The photo on the right is Esther in 1905.

She grew up on the family farm in Anselma, Pa. and was residence there at least through 1916. Religion: Methodist Member of Bethel Methodist Church, Spring City, Pa. She was named for her Grandmother: Esther Helen Bicking.

On 20 Feb 1920, when Esther was 20, she married Francis Fizz Brown II, a son of Millard C. Brown Sr. & Sara Ann Smiley. (The photo of my grandparents on the right was taken in Whitford in 1920.

They had one child:
Mildred (1920-)

Charles Frederick Meredith 1874

Charles Frederick Meredith (GG Uncle) was born on April 17, 1874 at the Meredith Homestead, West Caln, Pa. He died in Shelby, Michigan on November 8, 1945, he was 71. He resided in Shelby, Michigan in Dec 1938. Alias/AKA: Charlie. Occupation: Owner of one of the largest Fruit Orchards in Western Michigan. Cause of death: Illness of a week's duration.

Chester Co. Granddaughter: Charles F. Meredith, of Shelby, Mich., a son of this section of Chester county, has a daughter who is acquiring a reputation as a prize winner. Miss Gertrude, aged twelve, was awarded a gold watch lately in a newspaper subscription contest. Not long before the child was awarded a prize of fifteen dollars for the best name for a new store there, the name offering being, "The Shop That Differs." Local Daily News. 10/30/1913.

Charles F. Meredith Charles Frederick Meredith, son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Emma Wilson Meredith, passed away at Shelby, Mich., on Thursday, November 8th. He was born April 17th, 1874, at the Meredith Homestead in West Caln Township, this county, where his boyhood was spent. At an early age he joined his sister, Ann Evans Meredith, now deceased, who had married Wm. A. Gibbs, of Shelby, Mich. Later Mr. Meredith spent several years in the far western States, but later returned to Michigan, where he developed one of the largest fruit orchards in Western Michigan. He spent his entire time managing and marketing the produce. His fatal illness was only on a week's duration. Charlie Meredith, as he was known, was universally loved and respected. He married Miss Pearl Esteppe, of Shelby, Mich., who preceded him in death. He is survived by five daughters: Mrs. Floyd Bates, Mrs. John Morse, Muskegan, Mich.; Mrs. Marjorie Kaiser, Three Rivers, Mich.; Mrs. Cecil Neal, Shelby, and Miss Naomi Meredith, at home. There are thirteen grandchildren. B. F. Meredith, of Atglen, is a brother, and Mrs. Horace Sessions, of Hollywood, Cal., a sister. Daily Local News. 11/14/1945.

Charles Frederick married Pearl Esteppe. who resided in Shelby, Michigan. Pearl died before 1945.

They had the following children:

Gertrude (1C2R), born in 1901 in Shelby, Michigan. She resided in Muskegon, Michigan in 1945. Gertrude married Floyd BATES.

Mrs. John Morse, (1C2R), who resided in Muskegon, Michigan in 1945. [I don't have her first or middle names. --LEM]

Marjorie (1C2R), who resided in Three Rivers, Michigan in 1945. Marjorie married a Kaiser.

Mrs. Cecil Neal (1C2R), who resided in Shelby, Michigan in 1945. [I don't have her first or middle names. -- LEM]

Naomi (1C2R) who resided in Shelby, Michigan in 1945.

Charles Frederick Meredith 1874

Charles Frederick Meredith (GG Uncle) was born on April 17, 1874 at the Meredith Homestead, West Caln, Pa. He died in Shelby, Michigan on November 8, 1945, he was 71. He resided in Shelby, Michigan in Dec 1938. Alias/AKA: Charlie. Occupation: Owner of one of the largest Fruit Orchards in Western Michigan. Cause of death: Illness of a week's duration.

Chester Co. Granddaughter: Charles F. Meredith, of Shelby, Mich., a son of this section of Chester county, has a daughter who is acquiring a reputation as a prize winner. Miss Gertrude, aged twelve, was awarded a gold watch lately in a newspaper subscription contest. Not long before the child was awarded a prize of fifteen dollars for the best name for a new store there, the name offering being, "The Shop That Differs." Local Daily News. 10/30/1913.

Charles F. Meredith Charles Frederick Meredith, son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Emma Wilson Meredith, passed away at Shelby, Mich., on Thursday, November 8th. He was born April 17th, 1874, at the Meredith Homestead in West Caln Township, this county, where his boyhood was spent. At an early age he joined his sister, Ann Evans Meredith, now deceased, who had married Wm. A. Gibbs, of Shelby, Mich. Later Mr. Meredith spent several years in the far western States, but later returned to Michigan, where he developed one of the largest fruit orchards in Western Michigan. He spent his entire time managing and marketing the produce. His fatal illness was only on a week's duration. Charlie Meredith, as he was known, was universally loved and respected. He married Miss Pearl Esteppe, of Shelby, Mich., who preceded him in death. He is survived by five daughters: Mrs. Floyd Bates, Mrs. John Morse, Muskegan, Mich.; Mrs. Marjorie Kaiser, Three Rivers, Mich.; Mrs. Cecil Neal, Shelby, and Miss Naomi Meredith, at home. There are thirteen grandchildren. B. F. Meredith, of Atglen, is a brother, and Mrs. Horace Sessions, of Hollywood, Cal., a sister. Daily Local News. 11/14/1945.

Charles Frederick married Pearl Esteppe. who resided in Shelby, Michigan. Pearl died before 1945.

They had the following children:

Gertrude (1C2R), born in 1901 in Shelby, Michigan. She resided in Muskegon, Michigan in 1945. Gertrude married Floyd BATES.

Mrs. John Morse, (1C2R), who resided in Muskegon, Michigan in 1945. [I don't have her first or middle names. --LEM]

Marjorie (1C2R), who resided in Three Rivers, Michigan in 1945. Marjorie married a Kaiser.

Mrs. Cecil Neal (1C2R), who resided in Shelby, Michigan in 1945. [I don't have her first or middle names. -- LEM]

Naomi (1C2R) who resided in Shelby, Michigan in 1945.

Clara Wilson Downing 1893

Clara Wilson, my Great Aunt was born on 18 April 18, 1893 in Lionville, Chester County, Pa. and died on 16 July 16, 1975, she was 82. She was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. She resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916.

On December 3, 1916, when Clara was 23, she married Joel Ellsworth Downing, son of William Ellsworth Downing and Melissa Jane Ecoff. Ellsworth was born on August 8, 1890 in Valley Creek, Chester County, Pa. Ellsworth died on July 23, 1984, he was 93. he was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. Alias/AKA: Ellsworth.

They had the following children:
William Ellsworth (1C1R) was born on 14 April 14, 1918 and died on 10 August 10, 1987, he was 69. On February 14, 1948, when William was 29, he married Irene McLaughlin, born about 1920.

Dorothy Wilson (1C1R) was born on July 14, 1919 in West Chester, Chester County, Pa. and died June 15, 2008. She resided in Alaska in 1968 and resided in Washington State in 2007. On March 11, 1968 when Dorothy was 48, she married Robert E. Menig, who was born about 1919. Robert E. died on March 22, 1990, he was 71.

Anna Margaret (1921-)

Ruth Esther (1923-June 10, 2008)

Marian Louise (1C1R) was born on September 11, 1925 in Sugartown, Chester County, Pa. and died on December 6, 1986, she was 61. On February 19, 1949, when Marian Louise was 23, she married Wallace E. Conner. He was born about 1925.

Clara Jean (1928-)

Alice Lucinda (1931-)

Helen Wilson 1890

Helen Wilson, my Great Aunt, was born on February 13, 1890. Helen died on June 24, 1919, she was 29. She resided in Malvern, Pa. in 1916. Namesake: Named for her Grandmother: Esther Helen Bicking.

Apparently, Helen died from complications resulting from the birth of her second child, Emily. Emily was subsequently adopted by Helen's oldest brother, William and his wife Lizzie, who were childless. Her first child, Herford remained with his father.

Helen was a school teacher and is pictured on the left in front of two of her fellow teachers. I do not have the name of the school where they taught.

On April 28, 1915, when Helen was 25, she married Herford Evans Downing, son of William Ellsworth Downing and Melissa Jane Ecoff. Born on September 4, 1888. Herford Evans died in Pottstown Hospital, Pottstown, Pa. at 10:00 PM on 8 December 8, 1958, he was 70. He was buried on December 12, 1958 in St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery, Chester Springs, Pa. He resided in Malvern, Pa. in 1916. Cause of death: Stricken while at work, Monday December 8, 1958.

They had the following children:
Herford Evans (1917-1994)
Emily Margaret (1C1R) Born on May 2, 1919.

Heber Wilson 1888

Samuel Heber WILSON, Grand Uncle was born on March 6, 1888. Uncle Heber died on April 14, 1976, he was 88. He resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916.

Vol. 2 -- Wilson of Chester and Delaware Counties Families lists an Eva as one of Frederick and Anna's children. My guess is that the person misheard the name Heber, as my grand-uncle was called, as Eva. (LEM)

On March 6, 1915 when Heber was 27, he married Anita Linton Latch Dinkel. Born in 1891. Anita Linton Latch died on August 6, 1972, she was 81. She was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. Heber was Anita's second husband and it was something of a scandal because she was a divorcee.

Anita is the woman in the center of this picture . The man she is talking to was a Congressman named T. S. Butler. I don't know the occasion, but Anita was a very strong willed woman and progressive for her day so she was probably giving him an earful. She was one of my favorite relatives in my youth (I was 31 when she died). She was warm, gregarious, outspoken, a nonconformist and funny. Uncle Heber was also a warm and friendly man, but quiet. Anita made up for him. I loved her a lot.

They had the following children:
Anna Mae (1C1R) died on the day she was born, July 25, 1916. She was buried in her parent's plot in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa.

Horace Dunlap (1C1R) was born on 21 August 21, 1917. On August 7, 1948 when he was 30, he married Anna C. Yeager, who was born about 1920.

Both still reside on their farm outside Phoenixville, Pa., although they no longer continue to raise dairy cattle or plant the fields. Horace has a large and interesting private museum of farm equipment and other antiques on his property. He's been the long time historian of the Wilson's and I owe him for much of the information I have on that branch of my family.

Everett Heber Wilson (1C1R) was born on March 9, 1924. On 17 Sep 1949 when Everett Heber was 25, he married Mary Jane Lachman. Born about 1930.

Everett was a very friendly man, someone easy to chat with. I was always impressed with his large farmers hands and forearms. He had this physical strength and a gentle nature. Mary Jane died a in the 1990s and Everett lives alone now. He is blind and my parents take him out to dinner once a week.

They had the following children:
Rachelle Jane (1953-)
Mary Anita (1955-)
Russell Everett (1956-)
Calvin Lawrence (1958-)
Stuart Owen (1961-)

Evans Wilson 1884

James Evans Wilson (Grand Uncle) was born on June 18, 1884. He died on September 4, 1931, he was 47. He resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916. In 1931. he fell off of a horse-drawn farm wagon he was driving and the wagon wheel ran over his head killing him.

About 1920 when James Evans was 35, he married Edna Dugan, daughter of Francis M. Dugan & Laura L. Born in 1902, Aunt Edna died in 1995 at age 93.

They had the following children:

Robert Evans (1927-)

Mildred Marie (1922-) She married Carmen LaFreeda.

Francis A. Nixon 1878 and William Frederick Wilson III 1880

Francis Anthony NIXON (3C2R) was born on December 3, 1878 in Elk Township, Ohio. Francis Anthony died in La Habra, Ca. on September 4, 1956, he was 77. Occupation: Streetcar Motorman. On June 25, 1908 when Francis Anthony was 29, he married Hannah MILHOUS (5C2R) daughter of Franklin Milhous and Almira Park Burdg, in Whittier, CA. Hannah was born on March 7, 1885 in Butlerville, Jennings County, IN. and died in Whittier, Los Angeles County, California on September 30, 1967, she was 82. Namesake: After a Milhous Aunt and the Biblical mother of Samuel.

They had the following children:
Harold Samuel, (4C1R) Born in June 1909. Harold Samuel died in Whittier, California on March 9, 1933, he was 23. He was buried in Whittier Heights. Namesake: An English King and Franklin;s father.

Richard Milhous (1913-1994)

Francis Donald (4C1R) was born in November 1914.

Arthur Burdg (4C1R) was born in 1918 and died in East Whittier, California on August 19, 1925, he was 7. he was buried in Whittier Heights.

William Wilson Meredith 1st, G Grandfather. Born in 1869. (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Benjamin Franklin Meredith 2nd, GG Uncle. Born in 1872 (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Charles Frederick Meredith, GG Uncle. Born on April 17, 1874 (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

Joseph Evans Meredith, GG Uncle. Born in 1878. (See material in MEREDITH Section.)

William Frederick Wilson III, G Uncle. Born on July 28, 1880, he died on December 10, 1965 at 85. He was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. He resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916. On June 26, 1909 when William Frederick was 28, he married Mary Elizabeth Buzzard, born in 1881. Mary Elizabeth died on August 6, 1971, she was 90. She was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa.

They had one adopted child (See post on Helen Wilson):
Emily Margaret (1919-)

William Frederick Wilson Jr 1856

William Frederick Wilson Jr., Great Grandfather was born on August 29, 1856 in Honeybrook, Pa. William Frederick died on December 31, 1933, he was 77. He was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. He resided along Route 100 below St. Paul's Reformed Church (Now Marchwood Apts.) in 1929 and resided in Anselma, Pa. in 1916. Alias/AKA: Frederick, Fred. He was a: farmer of 180 acres in Lower Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pa. Education: Mr. Jacob Harvey's School at Unionville. Religion: Attended St. Paul's Reformed Church.

Frederick Wilson, a leading farmer of Lower Uwchlan Township, Chester County, is a son of William Wilson, who was a native of that county, where he passed his life as a farmer, and was also engaged in business as an auctioneer. For many years he was the proprietor of the Brandywine Hotel, which was situated above Coatesville. He married Amanda Hickens (sic, should be Esther Bicking). Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of the following children: Adelia, who married Lewis Hutton, who is now deceased; Charles, who is a resident proprietor of a restaurant in York, Pennsylvania, and married Sallie Nord of Coatesville; Emma, who is the wife of B. F. Merrills (sic s/b Meredith), a farmer in Pomeroy, near Coatesville; Frederick, mentioned at length hereinafter; and Frank, who was at one-time engaged in the restaurant business in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania.

Frederick Wilson, son of William and Amanda (Bickens) [sic] Wilson, was born August 29, 1856, in Honeybrook, Chester county, and received his primary education in the public schools, subsequently becoming a pupil at Mr. Jacob Harvey's school in Unionville. On leaving school, he decided to become a farmer, and in pursuance of this resolution has since devoted himself with marked success to agricultural pursuits. He is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Lower Uwchlan Township. This estate, which is kept by him in a high state of cultivation, is supplemented by a dairy of thirty-five head of cattle. The very superior products of this part of his establishment meet with a ready sale in the markets of Philadelphia. Although taking an earnest interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community in which he resides, Mr. Wilson , owing to the absorbing nature of his duties as an agriculturist, takes no active part in public affairs. Politically, he is a Democrat. He and his family attend St. Paul's Reformed Church.

Mr. Wilson married Annie, daughter of James Dunlap, of West Caln township, the former being a farmer who combined with his agricultural labors the trade of a shoemaker. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson: William, Evans, Helen, Clare, Eva (sic, probably Heber), and Esther. All these children are still at home with their parents, the sons acting as the assistants of their father in the care and management of the homestead. Chester and Delaware Counties Families History

St. Paul's along Route 100 in Lionsville, Pennsylvania

On the left is how it looked in 1900.

On the right is how it looks today (2008)

On 25 March 25, 1879 when William Frederick was 22, he married Anna Margaret Dunlap, daughter of James Evans Dunlap and Rachel Supplee Boyer. Anna was born on 20 November 20, 1855 and died on January 4, 1934, she was 78. She was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Lionsville, Pa. Alias/AKA: Annie.

On the left: William and Anna and their grandchildren in 1930.

They had the following children:
William Frederick (1880-1965)

James Evans (1884-1931)

Samuel Heber (1888-1976)

Helen (1890-1919)

Clara (1893-1975)

Esther (1899-1987)

Frank WILSON, Great Great Uncle was born on August 29, 1856. Frank died about 1910. Occupation: Restaurant business in Parkesburg, Pa. Frank married Anne Volkert, daughter of Leonhart Volkert and Margaret Pollot.

They had one child:
Celia. Celia married Herman KRAUSE.

Samuel Brady Nixon 1847 and Emma Bicking Wilson Meredith 1847

Samuel Brady Nixon (2C3R) was born on October 9, 1847 in Smith Township, Washington County, Pa. and died in Vinton County, Ohio on April 28, 1914, at 66. He held occupations as a teacher, mailman, part-time farmer and produce seller. April 10, 1873, when Samuel Brady was 25, he first married Sarah Ann Wadsworth, in Hocking, Fairfield County, Ohio who was born on October 15, 1852 in Hocking. Sarah Ann died in Vinton, Ohio on January 18, 1886, she was but 33. She had been a teacher. Cause of death: Tuberculosis.

They had the following children:
Francis Anthony (1878-1956)


Ernest, born about 1883.

In 1890, when Samuel Brady was 42, he married for a second time.

Emma Bicking Wilson, my great great grandmother was born on April 23, 1847 in Honeybrook, Pa. She died in Hollywood, California on December 4, 1938, she was 91. She was buried in 1938 in Upper Octorara, Pa.

(Emma is listed as married to B. F. Merrills in the Chester and Delaware Counties Families History, obviously a misspelling of B. F. Meredith. --LEM)

Emma B. Meredith. Mrs. Emma Bicking Meredith, widow of the late B. F. Meredith, Sr., died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Horace Sessions, Hollywood, Calif., in her 92nd year. She had been ill for about two years, but had only been seriously ill for the past three months. Her death was due to a series of apoplectic strokes. Mrs. Meredith was a daughter of the late William and Esther Wilson and was born in Honey Brook on April 23, 1847. When she was quite young, the family moved to Brandywine Inn, where she spent her girlhood years. Upon her marriage she took up her residence at the Meredith homestead in West Caln Township, where she lived for many years. Later the family moved to Pomeroy, where she lived until the death of her husband in 1920. Since that time she has resided in California. In her active years Mrs. Meredith was widely known in this part of the county. She was active in the Sunday school that was conducted for many year's at Bonsall's school house near her West Caln home. She was also active in the W. C. T. U. (West Caln Temperance Union) and other organizations of a civic and charitable nature. She was the last of her generation of her own family and is survived by two daughters and three sons: Anna, wife of William Gibbs, of Buffalo; William W. Meredith, of West Chester; B. F. Meredith, Jr., of West Caln; Charles F. Meredith, of Shelby, Mich.; Ivagene, wife of Horace Sessions, of Hollywood; sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Frank Wilson, widow of her youngest brother also survives. Another son, Joseph E. Meredith, of Coatesville, died some years ago. The remains will be brought east for the funeral, which will take place at the old Meredith homestead, in West Caln, about two miles northeast of Sadsburyville, now occupied by B. F. Meredith, Jr., on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be in Upper Octorara cemetery. Coatesville Record. 12/5/1938.

Benjamin Franklin Meredith 1st

Benjamin Franklin Meredith, my Great Great Grandfather was born on October 29, 1834. He died at 221 West Chestnut Street, West Chester, Pa. on June 9, 1920 at age 85. He was buried on June 14, 1920 in Upper Octorara, Pa. He resided in Pomeroy, near Coatesville.

(Mildred Brown Meredith and Esther Wilson Brown visit he grave of Benjamin Franklin Meredith I.)

His occupations included being owner of a large feldspar mine, County(?) Supervisor: Collected Road Taxes (Yearly tax paid by G. Townsend was $.30.22), Mortgage Clerk Court House, and Farmer.

Cause of death: After an illness of some length, of trouble incident to his age.

Going West. Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Meredith, who for some time past have been making their home with their son, B. F. Meredith, Jr., of West Caln, will leave on Monday for an extended visit at Shelby, Michigan, where a daughter lives (Annie or Ivagene?). Mr. Meredith owns property there and has business interests. Their visit will be of about three months duration. Daily Local News. 7/18/1915.

Monday, January 3, 1916, being the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Meredith, of 221 West Chestnut Street, West Chester, their children and some other near relatives planned a social surprise for them. Accordingly, as each party reached town, they called to see them. They being accustomed to their friends calling, they suspected nothing until several families had assembled, when it dawned on them that it was something unusual for so many to call on the same day. Being informed why, they entered into the spirit of the occasion, and a general good time followed. At dinner the host and hostess related their experience of the day fifty years ago, telling of their marriage, their round-about ride to the train that was to take them on their wedding trip to Ohio to visit relatives. Music followed and all too soon farewells had to be said. Those present were: B. F. Meredith, and wife, of West Chester; W. W. Meredith and daughter, Ella, of Modena; B. F. Meredith, Jr. and wife, of the old home farm, West Caln, Fred Wilson and wife and daughters, Clara and Esther; Wm. F. Wilson and wife, J. Evans Wilson and wife, S. Heber Wilson and wife, all of Anselma; Herford E. Downing and wife of Malvern. Greetings were received from their absent children, they being Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gibbs and family of Shelby, Mich.; Charles Meredith and family, of Orchard Home Farm, Michigan, and Mr. and Mrs. Horace Sessions, of Hollywood, Los Angeles, Cal. Daily Local News. 1/5/1916.

Benjamin F. Meredith, Sr. This morning, Benjamin F. Meredith, Sr., of No. 221 West Chestnut Street, died after an illness of some length, of trouble incident to his age, in his 86th year. The deceased was for many years a farmer of West Caln township, but some years ago retired and moved to West Chester where he was a familiar figure, He at one time had large feldspar mines on his farm which were operated extensively. he was a man of genial disposition and a large fund of knowledge and had many friends here. He is survived by six children: B. F. Meredith, Jr., who is a farmer and active in education in West Caln Township; William of West Chester; Charles Meredith and Mrs. Ivogene Sessions, Shelby Mich.' Mrs. Gibbs, in Buffalo and Joseph of Modena. Daily Local News. 6/7/1920

FUNERAL NOTICE
Yourself and family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of
B. F. Meredith Sr.,
from his late residence 221
West Chestnut St
on Monday, June 14th 1920
at twelve o'clock. _M.
Services at Upper Octorara
Interment at Upper Octorara

Meredith - In West Chester, on the 9th Inst., Benjamin F. Meredith in his 86th year. Relatives and friends, also Skerritt Lodge F. & A. M., of Cochranville, are invited to attend the funeral from his late residence, No. 221 West Chestnut St., on Monday, the 14th Inst. Services at 12 o'clock. Further services and internment at Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church at 2 o'clock. Daily Local News. 6/10/1920

The funeral of the late B. Frank Meredith took place yesterday afternoon from his late home on West Chestnut Street, this place where a large number of relatives and friends had gathered and where Dr. Washington R. Laird delivered a prayer. The remains were later taken to upper Octorara Church, near Parkesburg, where services were conducted by this pastor and the body laid to rest in the cemetery adjoining the edifice, there being a large attendance of relatives and friends from West Caln and other points in the western section of the county where the deceased had been well known for years, having long lived in West Caln township. The pall bearers were six grandsons of the deceased. Daily local News. 6/15/1920

Estate of B. Franklin Meredith, Sr., late of the borough of West Chester, dec'd. Letters Testamentary on the estate of the above-named B. Franklin Meredith, Sr., deceased, having been granted to the undersigned, all persons having claims or demands against the estate of the said deceased are requested to make known the same, and all persons indebted to the said decedent to make payment, without delay, to Charles F. Meredith, B. Franklin Meredith, Jr., Joseph E. Meredith, Horace Sessions, William A. Gibbs. Executors, West Chester, Pa. Thomas W. Baldwin, Atty. Daily Local news. 7/23/1920

On January 3, 1866, when Benjamin Franklin was 31, he married Emma Bicking Wilson, daughter of William Frederick Wilson Sr. & Esther Helen Bicking. Emma was born on April 23, 1847 in Honeybrook, Pa. Emma Bicking died in Hollywood, California on December 4, 1938, she was 91. She was buried in Upper Octorara, Pa. Cause of death: series of apoplectic strokes.

(Emma is listed as married to B. F. Merrills in the Chester and Delaware Counties Families History, obviously a misspelling of B. F. Meredith.--LEM)

Emma B. Meredith. Mrs. Emma Bicking Meredith, widow of the late B. F. Meredith, Sr., died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Horace Sessions, Hollywood, Calif., in her 92nd year. She had been ill for about two years, but had only been seriously ill for the past three months. Her death was due to a series of apoplectic strokes. Mrs. Meredith was a daughter of the late William and Esther Wilson and was born in Honey Brook on April 23, 1847. When she was quite young, the family moved to Brandywine Inn, where she spent her girlhood years. Upon her marriage she took up her residence at the Meredith homestead in West Caln Township, where she lived for many years. Later the family moved to Pomeroy, where she lived until the death of her husband in 1920. Since that time she has resided in California. In her active years Mrs. Meredith was widely known in this part of the county. She was active in the Sunday school that was conducted for many year's at Bonsall's school house near her West Caln home. She was also active in the W. C. T. U. (West Caln Temperance Union) and other organizations of a civic and charitable nature. She was the last of her generation of her own family and is survived by two daughters and three sons: Anna, wife of William Gibbs, of Buffalo; William W. Meredith, of West Chester; B. F. Meredith, Jr., of West Caln; Charles F. Meredith, of Shelby, Mich.; Ivagene, wife of Horace Sessions, of Hollywood; sixteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Frank Wilson, widow of her youngest brother also survives. Another son, Joseph E. Meredith, of Coatesville, died some years ago. The remains will be brought east for the funeral, which will take place at the old Meredith homestead, in West Caln, about two miles northeast of Sadsburyville, now occupied by B. F. Meredith, Jr., on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment will be in Upper Octorara cemetery. Coatesville Record. 12/5/1938.

They had the following children:
William Wilson (1869-1950)

Anna Evans, who resided in Buffalo, N. Y. in June 1920. Alias/AKA: Annie. Anna Evans married William A. Gibbs and they resided in Shelby, Michigan in 1945.

Ivagene, who resided in Shelby, Michigan in June 1920 and in Hollywood, California in Dec 1938.

Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Meredith have announced the marriage of their daughter, Ivagene, to Mr. Horace Sessions, Thursday, November 24, 1904, at St. John's P. E. Church, St. Louis, Mo. The bride has the best wishes of her many friends in this place, where she is well known. Pomeroy News 12/17/1904

Friends here have received word that Mr. and Mrs. Horace Sessions, the latter as Miss Ivagene Meredith, having been popular here previous to her marriage, have completed a 31 days trip by automobile from their former home near Shelby, Mich., across the Rocky Mountains to Sacramento, Cal., thus concluding a motor trip across the continent. The young people spent an extended visit with Chester County relatives, some months ago. Their destination was reached in time for them to visit the exposition and they are now established in their distant home in the golden west. Daily local news. 12/14/1915.

On November 24, 1904 Ivagene married Horace Sessions in St. John's P. E. Church, St. Louis, Mo. (NOTE: I am assuming this is the same Horace Sessions of Shelby who addressed the Michigan Hornicultural Society in 1912.