Juliet's father was William Armour Wilson. It seems most likely that this account was written after William's death on 7 Dec 1899. Juliet was the second oldest of William's children. His oldest child, George Edwin Wilson, died in 1879. Juliet would, therefore, have "lived farther back than any of father's children now living" at all times after William's death. However, Juliet, who died in 1933, also out-lived all of her full siblings except for Stephen Melvin Wilson, who survived her by roughly a year. So, this account was probably written between 1899 and 1933.
Although it is by no means certain, it is possible that it was written for one of the early Wilson Reunions. William died before the first reunion was held in 1903.
Father as I Knew Him
I suppose because I lived farther back than any of father's children now living, I am invited to send a little sketch of what I remember about him.
The longer I live, the more I appreciate our father. He had sound reasoning faculties, and many qualities of mind and heart which would have made him a leader of men, but for his lack of education.
He had an affectionate disposition and a very social nature, none were strangers to him. He did not give much money for charity but would buy a home for a poor man, and wait years for his pay.
At the age when young men like to lay plans and do something for themselves, it seemed his duty to stay on the farm in Saratoga Co. with his father and mother and five sisters. His brother Stephen eight years older had gone to Niagara Co.
Alexander Wilson our grandfather was a very amiable man, educated in New York City for a Presbyterian ministry, he married Eunice Seeley, a Friend or quakeress and by reading her books he became a quaker preacher.
It is a delicate matter to criticize a grandfather so long after he has gone to heaven, but I believe if he could look down today and see me writing and know the spirit in which I write it, he would say My Juliet write it for the good it may do children and grandchildren.
All honor to the quakers, they have always stood for Peace, and Temperance, and holy living. The Lord is using them largely as the peacemakers of the world, they are helping to bring in that good time when "nations shall learn war no more."
I cannot help saying that grandfather did not pay attention to the whole bible.
He received no recompense for his work as a minister of the gospel.
We learn God's will in regard to this by reading how he set apart the Levites for the spiritual work, and commanded the other tribes to support them - they gave them cities to live in, and pasture round about for their stock. Then brought in the tenth of what they raised for the support of the priests and Levites.
Jesus said "The laborer is worthy of his hire."
Grandfather did not see that he was wronging his family often gone four days out of a week. The burden fell heavily on wife and children. I am not blaming him for preaching, but his churches should have provided him the means to educate his children and lighten the cares of his wife.
I never heard father speak one unkind work to his father or mother.
They lived with him until their death. Previous to coming to Niagara Co. they lived some years in Albany, father gardening on an island, the girls making "stocks" and capes. Father said he put his money for his vegetables in a jug, would have a jug full. When rent day came he would pour it out and count it, it would take about all of it. Father always had great respect for his "resolute" mother. I could remember grandfather getting up early and standing at the foot of the bed give father a short sermon. Grandfather died at eighty four, had been burning logs all day helping father clear off a piece of land. Had a stroke of paralysis lived four days.
His thoughtfulness for our mother was very beautiful. He would say My Ruth "Don't thee ever go for a pail of water when I am here." He was very neat about his person. If a little rent came in any garment he would say "Eunice this needs a few stitches."
Grandmother died at seventy-five, had been spinning that summer. We still have as relics some coverlets she spun. I think they have been used to cover all of father's children and some of his grandchildren.
Father was square in his dealings always paid cash. A fond mother and five sisters had spoiled him in some respects. They had always looked after his clothes and the groceries.
Loved to play with his children. We older ones have pleasant recollections of the evening play time. Mother and grandmother in the front room with door shut between. Father on the floor in front of the old fire place, children stacked on him and all around. One slowly walking around. Oh the fascinating spice of danger of "Who is round my house this dark night?"
Father's temperance principles grew stronger. He did like the rest, had whisky at sheep washing time. I remember one battle brother Will and I had in the cellar. Father sent him back home for the forgotten jug. I ran down ahead of him and grabbed the handle. He seized it too and kept saying "don't hinder me, father will be mad." We tugged away. I was strongly tempted to swing it against the wall and smash it, but had hardly the courage to face the consequences.
Father was opposed to war. During the war of the rebellion he was misunderstood. He had always been a democrat, and was then taken to be a southern sympathizer.
He became a strong Prohibitionist.
In his early married life he was converted and he and mother united with the M.E. church in Wilson. After a few years different things in the church served to alienate him, and mother's poor health, all helped to keep them from being regular attendants. I pointed out grandfather's great mistake. Now I am showing up father's. Our children can have the same chance at us.
I hope the next generation will steer clear of the breakers upon which I have dashed my frail bark.