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The Wilson Association Newsletter

Vol I, No 2, Apr 2015

A Letter from Your President
A Name for this Newsletter
Births and Deaths and Engagements
New and Noteworthy
Reunions
Feedback on the Historial Perspective on Alexander Wilson
An Historical Perspective on Alexander Wilson: Executive Summary
An Historical Perspective on Jane (Armour) Wilson: Executive Summary
An Historical Perspective on Jane (Armour) Wilson: Expanded View

A Letter from Your President
Harley *****

Dear Members,

For those of you who live outside of NYS and in sunnier climates your TV Weather news must have included at least some stories and pictures of the long hard winter we’ve just experienced (I live in Rochester, NY). Now that it is April we’re finally seeing some relief and we are looking forward to our reunion in July.

One of my new interests I stumbled on several years ago is a fascination with the old farm tractors that were around when I was a boy. New tractors are very hi-tech and very expensive and I’d feel completely ill at ease if I ever tried to operate one. I drove and operated the old tractors as a boy and every time our family travelled to the Wilson reunions the scenery along the way was often vegetable farms, orchards and cattle farms where the old tractors had been used for many decades. And now when you drive to the reunion you still see the same (along with vineyards) and the ultra modern, expensive tractors that have replaced the old tractors I grew up with.

The reason I am concentrating on old tractors in this writing is that I happen to know the name of the tractor brand that was the first one sold in Niagara County and I also know who bought it. Further, I also know who had the first tractor accident in Niagara County.

Well, you see my Uncle Harley Wilson (who I was named after – my mom's ***** brother) told us (my brothers and me) that his dad Frank Wilson, ordered a new Fordson Tractor which was delivered to Wilson by train and off loaded at the railroad depot in town. When they sent word that his tractor had arrived, Grandpa Wilson, along with two of his neighbors drove a horse and buggy from his farm (on the Wilson-Burt Road) into town to take possession. According to Uncle Harley, the tractor’s owner’s manual was only three pages and not very helpful. Anyway, they managed to fuel it up, crank it up and Grandpa Wilson drove it down the Wilson-Burt Road to his farm. Uncle Harley said that all the people left their homes and waved to him as he drove by. Wow, such a big event for Wilson, NY, a farmer they knew actually owned the first tractor!!

When he pulled into the driveway (his friends were behind him with the horse and buggy) he proceeded to drive his brand new tractor into the barn for safe keeping.

Uncle Harley said, that when he got into the barn the men behind him heard him yelling “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa….” but the tractor didn’t stop, and he didn’t know how to stop it. It crashed right through the inner barn wall and then crashed right through the outer north wall and he ended up driving it around in circles while his buddies were nervously reading the manual. They yelled, “Find the clutch, find the clutch….” He finally did and got it out of gear. But then the engine wouldn’t stop…….

Tractors like this didn’t have batteries and generators, they were cranked to start, and the spark to fire each spark plug was generated by a magneto. In order to shut an engine down you had to short out the magneto by pressing on a small button until the engine died. Well it took some fast and nervous reading and their guessing what to do, but they finally got it stopped.

So there you go… The first tractor was a Fordson, the first owner was a Wilson, namely Frank Wilson, and the first tractor accident occurred during Frank Wilson’s first ride on his new Fordson.

Uncle Harley told us that when you wanted to run the Fordson tractor in the winter they would put a bucket of kerosene below the engine and start a fire using kerosene as the fuel. Once it warmed the oil pan sufficiently they could crank the engine and get it running.

Based on what I’ve read about Fordson tractors, it was likely this all occurred between 1917-1920 when these tractors first came out. Henry Ford used his “modern” assembly line methods to manufacture his Fordsons and they were the lowest priced of all the tractors back then (but still cost $750 each).

For those of you who may be interested there are two great Antique Tractor Shows each summer not too far from Wilson, NY. The Pageant of Steam is held in Canandaigua NY on August 5-8, 2015 and the Two Cylinder Days is held in Alexander NY August 14-16, 2015. I will bring details to the reunion this year.

Hope to see you there!!

Harley *****

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The Fordson tractor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Footnotes and links have been omitted. Please see the Wikipedia entry for the Fordson Tractor for those links and footnotes.)

Fordson was a brand name used on a range of mass-produced general-purpose tractors manufactured by Henry Ford & Son Inc from 1917 to 1920; by Ford Motor Company (U.S.) and Ford Motor Company Ltd (U.K.) from 1920 to 1928, and by Ford Motor Company Ltd (U.K.) from 1929 to 1964.

American engineer, inventor, and businessman Henry Ford built experimental tractors from automobile components during the early 20th century, and launched a prototype known as the Model B in August 1915. Further prototypes, with a dedicated tractor design, followed in 1916. With World War I raging in Europe, the first regular-production Henry Ford & Son tractors were exported to the U.K. in 1917 to expand British agriculture. In 1918, exports continued, the tractors began to be labeled as Fordsons, and U.S. domestic sales began. Sales boomed in 1918 and 1919.

Between 1917 and 1922, the Fordson was for tractors somewhat like the Ford Model T was for automobiles—it captured the public's imagination and widely popularized the machine, with a reliable design, a low price affordable for workers and farmers, a widespread dealership network, and a production capacity for large numbers. Just as the Model T helped the public to appreciate how soon cars and trucks might replace most horses in transport, the Fordson helped people to appreciate how soon tractors might replace most horses in farming (advancing the mechanisation of agriculture). As with cars, Ford never had the market to itself, but it dominated the market for a time (for cars, roughly 1910-1925; for tractors, roughly 1917-1925). Ford was the only automotive firm to sell cars, trucks and tractors simultaneously from 1917 to 1928.

For a decade between 1928 and 1939, Ford of the U.S. left the tractor business. During that decade, Ford of England continued to build Fordsons and to develop new variants, which it exported widely. In 1939 Ford of the U.S. reentered the tractor market with an all-new model, this time with the Ford brand. Ford of England continued to use the Fordson brand until 1964.

Fordson production occurred in the U.S. (1917–1928); Cork, Ireland (1919–1923 and 1928–1933); and at Dagenham, Essex, England (1933–1964). Tens of thousands of Fordsons, most from the U.S. and some from Ireland, were exported to the Soviet Union from 1920 to 1927.

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A Name for this Newsletter

We have received several very good suggestions for a name for this newsletter. Thank you to everyone who has made a suggestion so far. Remember that we will be voting on a name at the 112th Annual Wilson Family Reunion on 12 Jul 2015. Please make sure we receive your suggestions well before that time. You can send them to the family email address.

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Births and Deaths and Engagements

Since the last newsletter we have been informed of the following birth:

[Baby Boy], born 12 Feb 2015. His Wilson line is himself, his parent, his grandparent, Elton Luther Wilson, Luther Armour Wilson, William Armour Wilson, Alexander Wilson Jr, Alexander and Jane (Armour) Wilson.

We have been notified of the following deaths:

Rosalind Faye "Roz" (Sansone) Wilson died at the age of 75 years on 17 Mar 2014. Roz was the wife of [a Wilson descendant]. [His] Wilson line is himself, Stephen Stanley Wilson, Allen D Wilson, Stephen Stanley Wilson, Stephen Melvin Wilson, Alexander Wilson Jr, Alexander and Jane (Armour) Wilson.

Jacob Mason "Jake" Smith died on 19 Sep 2014 at the age of 23 years. Jake's Wilson line is himself, [his parent, his grandparent], Elton Luther Wilson, Luther Armour Wilson, William Armour Wilson, Alexander Wilson Jr, Alexander and Jane (Armour) Wilson.

Kevin M Lindsay died at the age of 65 years on 18 Nov 2014. Kevin's Wilson line is himself, Charles L Lindsay, Burt S Lindsay, Emorilla A "Emma" (Wilson) Lindsay, Stephen Stanley Wilson, Stephen Melvin Wilson, Alexander Wilson Jr, Alexander and Jane (Armour) Wilson.

Tower William Wilson Sr died at the age of 88 years on 6 Feb 2015. Tower's Wilson line is himself, William Alexander Wilson, Charles Alexander “Chick” Wilson, William Armour Wilson, Alexander Wilson Jr, Alexander and Jane (Armour) Wilson.

We have also been informed of the upcoming nuptials of Stephen ***** and Michelle *****, who will be married [in July] in *****, CA. Michelle is a great girl, and Steve is lucky to have found her. ***** Steve's Wilson line is himself, [his parent], Helen Newman (Wilson) Bowman, Frank Bodendorfer Wilson, William Armour Wilson, Alexander Wilson Jr, Alexander and Jane (Armour) Wilson.

If you know of other births or deaths, or have other events you would like to share with the family, such as graduations, weddings, military service, fantastic trips, please drop us a note.

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New and Noteworthy

We are still working on finding another Chamberlain male descendant who still has the Chamberlain surname (i.e., a direct male-line descendant of Philonzo Chamberlain) to do a DNA test. Although [one Chamberlain descendant's] test shows the immigrant ancestor to almost certainly be Richard Chamberlin of Braintree, MA, we still do not know the line from Richard to Philonzo [Chamberlain]. We have been informed that a DNA test by another descendant of Philonzo who is at least a third-cousin of [the first individual doing the test], could be helpful in providing more information on the intermediate line. Based on the information we've been able to find, Philonzo does not have many direct-line male descendants. We are currently looking for contact information for several men whom we believe are Philonzo's descendants.

We are also trying to locate and contact direct female-line descendants of Jane (Armour) Wilson. A direct female line gives information on the mother's side, regardless of changes in surname. For this purpose, we are looking for descendants of Alexander and Jane's daughter, Jane (Wilson) Pawling. So far, we've only found two such lines. We're hoping that, if one or more of these ladies will do a DNA test, it might give us some information about Jane (Armour) Wilson's ancestry. As you will see in the historical perspective on Jane in this issue, we have no information about her ancestry, other than the preserved story that her family was originally part of Clan Cameron in Scotland and changed its name to Armour in order to avoid political persecution.

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Reunions

The 3rd Phoenix Area Mini-Reunion was held on 22 Feb 2015 at the Sunbird Golf Resort in Chandler, AZ. Twelve Wilson Association members were able to attend. The 4th Mini-Reunion was scheduled for Sun 28 Feb 2016. If you know Wilson family members in the Phoenix area, or the surrounding states, please either send us their contact information or contact them yourselves so that we can let them know about this reunion.

And remember, the 112th Annual Wilson Family Reunion will be held at Krull Park, Olcott, Niagara County, NY, on Sun 12 Jul 2015. Please hold the date, and plan to attend. This is the first year that we will be holding a joint reunion with the Descendants of Daniel and Martha (Robinson) Wilson, another of the Wilson families that settled in Niagara County at an early date.

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Feedback on the Historical Perspective on Alexander Wilson

We received feedback from many people on the Historical Perspective on Alexander Wilson that was in the first issue of this newsletter. As we expected, many of you thought the piece was way too long. However, many people liked the longer story. Obviously, a compromise is needed. So, for future Historical Perspectives, we will include both an "Executive Summary," which we will do our best to keep to a page or less in length, and a longer version. Hopefully, this will allow sufficient information for those who are interested in reading more and an effective alternative for those whose time is limited. Perhaps the Executive Summary will inspire you to read more about a particular aspect of the story. Here is an Executive Summary of the piece on Alexander Wilson:

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An Historical Perspective on Alexander Wilson
Executive Summary

Alexander Wilson was born on 20 Apr 1740 in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of Robert Wilson and Sara, or Sarah, Ainsley. Robert Wilson was born about 1702 in Wigtownshire, Galloway, in the south of Scotland, and died at the age of 94 years on 9 Sep 1796. Sara was born on 8 Nov 1719 in Scotland, and died at the age of 54 years on 12 Oct 1774. Robert and Sara are buried in Alva Parish, Stirlingshire, Scotland.

Christianity, in the form of the Catholic Church, came to the British Isles in the first century CE. Catholicism early became the official state religion within England and Scotland. From the time of King Henry VIII and of the Reformation, until the time of Robert Wilson's birth, religious and secular struggles in this part of the world were closely intertwined. Ultimately, Protestantism prevailed in both England and Scotland following King Henry's creation of the Church of England, and the development of the Presbyterian church in Scotland. The Presbyterian movement was very strong in the area where Robert Wilson was born.

We do not know why or exactly when Robert Wilson moved from the south of Scotland to Edinburgh, or when or where he and Sara were married. However, we know that Robert and Sara were living in Edinburgh when Alexander and his younger sister, Henrietta, were born. We do not know if Robert and Sara had other children, although a preserved family tradition says that Alexander came to America to recover the property of a brother who had died. We have no further information about that story.

We also do not know whether Alexander and his wife, Jane Armour, were married in Scotland and came to America together, or if they came separately, and met and married in America.

Alexander was a merchant in New York City, and witnessed many of the incidents and conflicts that ultimately lead to the Revolutionary War. These included the French and Indian War and its aftermath, the British requirement that the colonies provide quarters and provisions for a standing British army in the colonies, the Stamp Act, the Townshead Acts, and the Boston Massacre.

However, Alexander's very untimely death in January or February 1771, when he was only 30 years old, prevented his participation in later events that shaped American history. Alexander's will named his wife, Jane, and two children, Alexander and Jane.

Family tradition says that Alexander was buried in Trinity Churchyard in Manhattan, New York City. Because Trinity Church burned in 1776 when the British invaded New York City at the start of the Revolutionary War, there are no church records from 1771. One preserved family tradition that supports Trinity Churchyard as Alexander's burial place says that he was buried in the same cemetery as his cousin, Alexander Hamilton. Although a relationship between these two men has not yet been shown, Alexander Hamilton is buried in Trinity Churchyard. The family tradition that suggests Trinity Churchyard might not be Alexander's burial place is that Alexander Jr studied for the Presbyterian ministry, which was the faith of his father. Trinity Church is, and always has been, an Episcopal Church, and a member of the Anglican Communion, headed by the Church of England. If Alexander was Presbyterian, it is less likely that he would have been buried at an Episcopal Church. We are still looking for Alexander's burial place.

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An Historical Perspective on Jane (Armour) Wilson
Executive Summary

To the best of our knowledge, Jane (Armour) Wilson was born in Scotland on 12 Aug 1736. We believe she is the source of her date and place of birth. However, we know nothing about her ancestors. Preserved tradition says that her family was part of Clan Cameron, but changed its name in order to avoid political persecution. If this is correct, the family probably changed its name during or after the Jacobite Uprising, which sought to place “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” Prince Charles Edward Stuart, on the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Prince was the grandson of King James VII, who had been driven out of England because of his support of Catholicism. James was succeeded on the throne by his Protestant daughter, Mary, and her husband and first cousin, William of Orange. In his unsuccessful battle for the throne, Bonnie Prince Charlie was supported by many Scottish Clans, including Clan Cameron. Following his final defeat, the power of the Clans in Scotland was broken forever, and the members of those Clans which had supported him were severely persecuted.

At the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie's defeat, Jane Armour would have been about 9 years old – old enough to remember the war, the persecution that followed it, and the change of her family's name.

Nothing is known about Jane's life in America with Alexander except that she had two children, Alexander and Jane, and was named in Alexander's will. When Alexander died in 1771, she was left a young widow, with two small children. At some time after Alexander's death, but before 1776, when the British invaded New York City at the start of the Revolutionary War, Jane moved her family up the Hudson River, probably to the then boom-town of Lansingburgh in Rensselaer County, NY. There she met and married Robert Moffit, and had a third child, Robert Moffit Jr.

Jane and Robert had very different political viewpoints: Robert was a Loyalist, and Jane was a Patriot – perhaps in part because of her early-life experiences in Scotland. Stories preserved by the descendants of both Alexander Wilson Jr and Jane (Wilson) Pawling, and related to writers of early family history and genealogy books, show that Jane was a courageous, resourceful, and determined woman, who stood up to both her husband and to British General John Burgoyne. Artifacts perserved by the family of Jane (Wilson) Pawling date from this time period.

Robert Moffit Sr has not been found in any documents since the Revolutionary War. Perhaps he died, perhaps he moved to Canada or to England. Neither has Robert Moffit Jr been found. Preserved stories say that he moved to the Sandwich Islands (now the State of Hawai'i) about 1835, married a King's daughter, and died in the Islands.

Jane has also not been positively identified after the War. However, the first US census, taken in 1790, shows a Jane Moffat, listed as the head of a household with a male under the age of 16, which would fit Robert Jr. The family lived in Rensselaerwick, Albany County, NY. Albany County is adjacent to Saratoga County, where both Alexander Wilson Jr and Jane (Wilson) Pawling were living at that time.

It is presently unknown when or where Jane died, where she is buried, or under what name she is buried. There is nothing now known to indicate that she might be buried in the same cemetery in Saratoga County as her daughter. Jane (Wilson) Pawling, and her family. It also does not appear that she went to Niagara County, NY, with her son, Alexander Wilson Jr., and his family. We are still looking for Jane's burial place.

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An Historical Perspective on Jane (Armour) Wilson
Expanded View

Our first mother in America was Jane (Armour) Wilson.

By tradition preserved by Alexander and Jane's descendants, Jane was born in Scotland on 12 Aug 1736. It is most probable that Jane herself is the source of the information on her date and place of birth. At this time, we know nothing about Jane's ancestors. Preserved tradition says that her family belonged to Clan Cameron in Scotland, but that the family changed its name to Armour in order to avoid political persecution. This tradition finds possible support in Scottish history. The following account of the Jacobite Uprising and "Bonnie Prince Charlie" is based in large part on information on the website "Rampant Scotland."

James attempted to regain his throne in what became known as the Jacobite Uprisings. Jacobite comes from Jacobus, the Latin word for James. On 12 Jul 1690, King William III defeated James in the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland, and James fled back into exile. He died, still in exile in 1701.

William and Mary had no children. Mary died in 1694, and William ruled alone until his death in 1702. William was succeeded by Mary's sister, Anne. When Queen Anne died in 1714 without issue, Parliament, by a majority of one vote, asked George, the Elector of Hanover in Germany, to become King of Britain. George accepted, taking the title King George I. Despite the fact that George was a great-grandson of King James VI and I, James Francis Stuart had a stronger claim to the throne, as well as many supporters in Scotland.

Still living outside Britian, James Francis Stuart married Princess Clementina Maria Sobieski of Poland in 1718. The couple's son, Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Silvester Maria Stuart, was born in Rome on 31 Dec 1720. Although James was Catholic, it has been speculated that he would have allowed Charles to be raised Protestant in order to improve Charles' chance to succeed to the throne. However, with the family living in Rome, where Pope Clement XI had personally blessed Charles shortly after his birth, being Protestant was not a viable option.

In 1744, the French offered Charles a fleet with 7,000 soldiers in an attempt to restore the Stuarts to the British throne. Although much of the fleet was lost in a storm along the Dunkirk coast, Charles continued on the expedition. It is an open question as to what kind of reception Charles believed he would have in the British Isles. Some historians have speculated that he probably expected that his arrival would be met with massive support and that the people would gather around him and rise against King George. On 23 Jul 1745, Charles and a very small band of supporters landed on the Outer Hebridean island of Eriskay, only to find that the Scottish Highland chiefs were not all that eager to join him, perhaps because he was not backed by a French army. The first Clan head to join Charles was Ranald MacDonald. "The Prince's standard was raised at Glenfinnan at the head of Loch Shiel on 19th August. At first there was no sign of any gathering clans but late in the afternoon the Camerons of Lochiel arrived followed by MacDonalds and MacGregors. Eventually some 1,500 men assembled. Many chiefs were reluctant to join him, but his enthusiasm and charm persuaded many who heard him. It is likely that the news that the Campbells were gathering a unit to assist [King George II's army], may have induced some clans with scores to settle [against Clan Campbell] to join the Jacobite cause." Rampant Scotland.

Bonnie Prince Charlie's army of Clansmen grew as they marched across Scotland. The army reached Perth in early September, where Charles was joined by Lord George Murray who was an able soldier and who was appointed lieutenant general of the Jacobite army.

King George's army, encamped at Prestonpans, to the east of Edinburgh, was awaiting reinforcements. On 21 Sep 1745, Lord Murray lead the Jacobite army around to the south of King George's army, attacking them by surprise at dawn. The ensuing battle lasted only 15 minutes, and was a complete victory for Charles.

Historians seem to differ in their opinions as to whether Charles followed the advice of his commanders in remaining in Edinburgh; merely dallied there; or lost the support of some of the Clans, which believed that the battle already won was sufficient and an invasion of England was unnecessary. In any event, five weeks passed before his army of 5,500 men marched toward the English border.

Historians again seem to have different opinions as to whether Charles agreed with his commanders in his ultimate decision to turn north, or reluctantly gave in to them. As the army marched north through the Highlands, more soldiers deserted, leaving Charles with less than 5,000 men. On 16 Apr 1746, Charles' greatly reduced army and a British army of more than 8,000 fresh men, led by the Duke of Cumberland, met on Culloden Moor. In a very short period of time, the Jacobite army was defeated and utterly destroyed.

The Duke was given the nicknames "Sweet William" by his supporters and "Butcher Cumberland" by his detractors, when he "ordered his troops to show no quarter against any remaining Jacobite rebels (French Army personnel, including those who were British- or Irish-born, were treated as legitimate combatants). His troops traversed the battlefield and stabbed any of the rebel soldiers who were still alive. * * * The British Army then embarked upon the so-called 'pacification' of Jacobite areas of the highlands. All those the troops believed to be 'rebels' were killed, as were non-combatants; 'rebellious' settlements were burned and livestock was confiscated on a large scale. Over a hundred Jacobites were hanged. Women were imprisoned and droves of people were sent by ship to London for trial and as the journey took up to 8 months many of them died on the way." Wikipedia, William, Duke of Cumberland. The wearing of the kilt was outlawed. No Highlander was allowed to carry a weapon. The power of the Clans was destroyed forever.

Charles fled the battlefield and was in hiding in the Scottish Highlands for several months. A reward of £30,000 was offered for his capture, but no one ever collected it. Ultimately, he was spirited out of Britain disguised as the maid of Flora MacDonald, the daughter of Ranald. Charles' younger brother, Henry Benedict Stuart, brought him back to France where he remained for some time. Charles spent the rest of his life in exile and died in Rome in 1788, an embittered alcoholic.

This account of the unsuccessful campaign of Bonnie Prince Charlie indicates that Clan Cameron was the first Highland clan to arrive at Glenfinnan in support of the Prince. The year was 1745, about 9 years after Jane Armour's reputed birth. The account also mentions the extremely harsh treatment of the Highland clans following the Prince's defeat on Culloden Moor, treatment that unquestionably had the approval of King George II. It is not hard to imagine that many people associated with Clan Cameron was doing everything possible to disassociate from the Clan. If Jane's family had been members of Clan Cameron and changed their name, Jane would have been old enough to remember the uprising, the change of her family's name, and the reason for it, and to have passed this information on to her children, Alexander Jr. and Jane.

The present head of Clan Cameron in Scotland has advised us that the Clan knows that many of its members tried to distance themselves from the Clan after the battle on Culloden Moor. He also said that the Clan does not have information about those former members because their entire intent was to break all Clan ties. Perhaps if a descendant of a family that had changed its name could provide evidence of ancestry going back before the Uprising, the Clan might be able to verify that information. Unfortunately, at this point, we have no such information to present.

In any event, Jane Armour grew up, married Alexander Wilson, and moved to America. We actually do not know for certain whether the couple was married in Scotland and came to America together, or came separately and met and married in America, although we believe they were married in Scotland. The couple settled in New York City, where Alexander was a merchant and where the couple's two children were born: Alexander Jr., on 25 Nov 1764, and Jane, on 12 Aug 1767. With Alexander's very untimely death in 1771 at the age of 30 years, Jane found herself a widow with two young children, aged 7 and 4.

It is not known how long Jane and her children remained in New York City after Alexander's death. However, they had definitely left before 1776, when the British invaded the City at the start of the American Revolutionary War. Jane and her children moved up the Hudson River, probably to the boom town of Lansingburgh in Rensselaer County, New York, but possibly to Salem in Washington County, New York.

After this move, Jane met and married Robert Moffit, or perhaps Moffitt, Moffat, or Moffatt. To date, we have no more information about Robert Moffit than is recounted below. We have not found other documentary evidence concerning him either before or after the Revolutionary War.

In Burhans Genealogy: Descendants from the First Ancestor in America, Jacob Burhans, 1660, and His Son, Jan Burhans, 1663, to 1893, Compiled by Samuel Burhans, Jr., Printed for Private Distribution, New York, 1894, page 322, it is reported that, after Alexander Wilson's death, Jane "moved to Lansingburgh, N.Y., where she m. [married] a Mr. Moffitt, editor and proprietor of the first newspaper in Troy, the 'Troy Budget.'" We know from this newspaper itself that it was first published by a Robert Moffit. The 19 Jul 1842 Afternoon Edition of the Daily Troy Budget reported that the newspaper had been sold and recounted its history: "The Budget, we find, was commenced by Robert Moffit in 1796, in Lansingburg, and was soon after removed to the village of Troy, under the title of the 'Northern Budget' * * *. It was published by Moffit until 1803-4, when it passed into the hands of Moffit & Lyon. In 1810 its publication was assumed by Oliver Lyon * * *." Similarly, The City of Troy and its Vicinity, by Arthur James Weise, Edward Green, Troy, NY, 1886, reported that the "Northern Budget, [was] first published at Lansingburgh, on Tuesday, June 20, 1797, by Robert Moffit & Co. On Tuesday, May 15, 1798, its publication began in Troy, * * *."

Thus, although we have several sources for the fact that a Robert Moffit was associated with this newspaper, we have only the report in Burhans Genealogy as evidence that this Robert Moffit was the man Jane married. It is most likely that this information came from Jane's descendants through the Burhans line: i.e., descendants of Jane (Wilson) Pawling, whose mother-in-law was Helena Magdalena (Burhans) Pawling. From other stories preserved by this branch of the Wilson family and recounted in several genealogical and historical publications, Jane was married to Robert Moffit, and had given birth to her third child, Robert Moffit, Jr., at the time of British General John Burgoyne's Saratoga campaign during the Revolutionary War. That campaign ended with the General's surrender of his army of about 5,000 men to the American troops of 17 Oct 1777. Based on the fact that the newspaper was first published on 20 Jun 1797, or about 20 years after Jane and Robert would have married and Robert Jr. would have been born, it is possible that the Robert Moffit associated with it was Robert Jr., Jane's son.

Several historical and genealogical publications contain stories about Jane (Armour) (Wilson) Moffit during the Revolutionary War. These stories recall that Jane was a Patriot, while Moffit was a Loyalist. Landmarks of Niagara County, New York, edited by William Pool, D. Mason & Co., Syracuse, NY, 1897, states at page 709 that after Alexander's death, Jane "was united with a British officer of the Revolutionary war, named Moffatt. At the time of the invasion of General Burgoyne, the British raided the Wilson homestead in eastern New York, confiscating the household effects and the cattle. A negro slave attached to the Wilson household shortly afterward discovered the cattle herded in the forest, some distance from the Wilson home, and, during the night, succeeded in stampeding them. The next morning they were all found safe on the farm. Great-grandmother Wilson, on the morning following the plundering of her home, mounted a horse and rode courageously into the British army camp, where she secured an interview with the officer in command. She demanded the return of her property and so well and valiantly did she present her claims that full restitution was eventually made."

Being in a book about Niagara County, New York, this story would most likely have come from at least one descendant of Jane's son, Alexander Wilson Jr., who moved to Niagara County around 1840. The title given to Jane of "Great-grandmother" suggests that the person providing the information might have been one of Alexander and Jane's great-grandchildren, or Alexander Jr.'s grandchildren. The date of publication of the book, 1897, also suggests that a great-grandchild may have been the source. The most likely candidates for being the source of the information would be descendants of Stephen Melvin Wilson or William Armour Wilson, many of whose children were still living in Niagara County at that time. This might explain the publication's use of the name Wilson, rather than Moffit, in reference to Jane's household. This is the only instance found which identifies Robert Moffit as a British officer.

A slightly different take on what is probably the same incident is told in Portrait and Biographical Album of DeKalb County, Illinois, Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1883. These stories would have come from descendants of Jane's daughter, Jane (Wilson) Pawling. The most likely candidates are the children of Jane Pawling's daughter, Susan Elisa (Pawling) Davis, who moved to DeKalb County, Illinois, probably between 1843 and 1850. Jane Pawling's grandson, Pawling Morey, also moved to Illinois, although to a different county.

At pages 648-49, DeKalb County relates: "Mrs. Wilson, who was a devoted patriot, having lost her husband in New York city, removed to Salem, Washington County, where she married one Moffat, of Tory sympathies. They carried on a store and farm, and among their employees had several Tories. One day Mrs. Moffat discovered that she had been robbed of some valuables, including a gold watch. The absence of some of her Tory workmen led her to believe them to be the thieves and to suppose that they had sought safety in Burgoyne's camp at Saratoga. Mounting her horse, she rode to the British camp and demanded an audience of Gen. Burgoyne, which was granted, when she demanded a search for her property, which was at first refused, whereupon she threatened to report the General. Burgoyne coolly asked to whom she would report him. Her answer was, 'To the Congress of the United Colonies.' The General, much amused at this storming of his camp by a patriot in petticoats, he ordered a search. The stolen articles were found and restored to her with the exception of the watch, which an officer pocketed, with the remark that he would keep it for Mr. Moffat."

DeKalb County continues: "At another time her husband, under pretense of danger to her safety in her home, packed their goods, mounted her on a horse with her baby [Robert Moffit, Jr.] in her arms and started for Albany. On the way she surmised, from a mysterious conversation between her husband and some well-known Tories, that she was being taken to the camp of the British army. Watching her opportunity, she ordered her attendants back, while she led them and returned to her home."

DeKalb County concludes: "The tradition of these incidents go to prove the courage and patriotism of this lady ancestor, and is very properly remembered with pride by her descendants."

We have, to date, been unable to identify positively Robert Moffit Sr, Jane (Armour) (Wilson) Moffit, or Robert Moffit Jr. in any US census or other documentary source after the War. It is possible that Robert Sr died before the first American census was taken in 1790; that, during or immediately after the War, he made his way to Canada or back to England; or that something else happened to him.

Although there is a Robert Moffatt of about the right age to be Robert Jr. shown in the 1830 US federal census for Troy, Rensselaer County, NY, there is not enough information to determine if this might be the correct person. This Robert Moffatt is shown as the head of a household consisting of 1 male between the ages of 5 and 9; 1 male 10-14; 1 male 40-49 (Robert Jr. would have been about 55 in 1830); 1 female 10-14; 2 females 15-19; and 1 female 20-49.

By preserved family tradition, Robert Moffit Jr moved to the Sandwich Islands, now the State of Hawai'i, about 1835; married a King's daughter, and died in the Islands. If the Robert Moffatt in the 1830 US census for Troy is our Robert, there is a question of what happened to his wife and family in the short period between that census and 1835. We have found evidence in the form of two theses that there was at least one person named Robert Moffit in Hawai'i at about this time. One thesis includes an 1856 quotation from a Robert Moffit concerning the cattle ranching system in Hawai'i. The second references a sale of land and fishing rights on 23 Mar 1863 by Captain Henry S Howland to Robert Moffit. Robert Jr. would have been about 80 years old in 1856, and 87 in 1863. However, all that these theses show is that there was at least one person named Robert Moffit in Hawai'i at about the right time; there is no way of knowing if that person or persons was Robert Jr.

As to Jane, a Jane Moffat is shown in the 1790 US census as the head of a household consisting of herself and a male under the age of 16 years. Robert Jr. would have been around 14 years old in 1790. This Jane Moffat was living in USA, NY, Albany County, Rensselaerwick. Albany County is close to both Lansingburgh and to Saratoga County, where both of Jane's Wilson children lived at that time. However, it is not known if this is Jane (Armour) (Wilson) Moffit. Our Jane would have been about 54 years old at this time, but, unfortunately, women's ages were not recorded in this census. No Jane Moffit has been found in censuses after 1790, and those later censuses also do not show a woman in any of the Wilson or Pawling households that would fit Jane. It is quite possible that she died before the second US census was taken in 1800, at which time she would have been about 64 years old. It is also possible that she remarried, although this seems unlikely, because no other surname for her has been preserved by any of her descendants.

Because of artifacts passed down through Jane's daughter's family, including a tea chest which is said to have been among the property she recovered from the camp of General Burgoyne, it appears

Anna Amanda (Bailey) Flinders; Laurence George Flinders, Jane Ann (Morey) Bailey holding Jane (Armour) (Wilson) Moffit's tea chest; George Bottesini Flinders. Photo taken in USA, IA, Cherokee County, Spring Township, by Benjamin Ernest Wilson, 1914. Jane was a great-granddaughter of Jane (Armour) Wilson, through Jane (Wilson) Pawling. She and Ben were second cousins.

quite likely that Jane lived near her daughter, Jane (Wilson) Pawling, perhaps until her death, so that she was able to pass her possessions to her daughter. Although it appears likely that Jane died in or near Saratoga County, New York, it is presently not known when or where she died, where she is buried, or under what name she is buried. Jane (Wilson) Pawling, her husband, Levi Pawling, and several of their children are buried in Fraser Cemetery, USA, NY, Saratoga County, Burnt Hills. Of the other people known to have been buried in that cemetery, none fit Jane.

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Page Last Updated 22 Apr 2015