Alexander Wilson was my fifth great-grandfather.

Birth

Alexander Wilson was born around 1800 in Ireland to as yet unidentified parents.

Marriage

He married Margaret McElroy on April 1, 1817, at the First Presbyterian Church in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Children

Alexander and Margaret had eleven children.

1. John Wilson. Born November 24, 1817; baptized 5 Feb 1818
2. James Wilson. Born April 26, 1820;
3. Mary Wilson. Born October 28, 1821; baptized 5 May 1822
4. Sarah Wilson. Born July 24, 1823; baptized 5 Sep 1823; died 17 Oct 1906.
5. Jane Wilson. Born 1825; baptized 27 Nov 1825
6. Thomas Wilson. Born March 15, 1827; baptized 28 Oct 1827
7. Margaret Wilson. Born 1829; baptized 5 Apr 1829
8. Ann Wilson. Born 1831; baptized 24 Apr 1831
9. William C. Wilson. Born June 22, 1834; baptized 31 Jul 1835
10. Martha Wilson. Born 1837; baptized 9 Jul 1837
11. Harriett McKeen Wilson. Born July 15, 1832; baptized 10 Aug 1832

Death

Alexander died on April 11, 1855, in Easton, PA. His death was recorded in the records of the First Presbyterian Church.

Research Notes

Compiled by Dan Wilson

WILSON, ALEXANDER Married MARGARET McELROY 1 April 1818. Bride and groom were both residents of Easton; they had the following children:

Children of ALEXANDER WILSON and MARGARET McELROY
(Records of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, PA)

WILSON, JOHN…………. b. 24 Nov. 1817; bap. 5 Feb 1818
WILSON, JAMES………… b. 26 Apr. 1820; bap. 2 Jul 1819?
WILSON, MARY…………. b. 28 Oct. 1821; bap. 5 May 1822
WILSON, SARAH………… b. ___________?; bap. 5 Sep 1823
WILSON, JANE…………. b. ___________?; bap. 27 Nov 1825
WILSON, THOMAS……….. b. 15 Mar. 1827; bap. 28 Oct 1827
WILSON, MARGARET……… b. __________ ?; bap. 5 Apr 1829
WILSON, ANN………….. b. __________ ?; bap. 24 Apr 1831
WILSON, WILLIAM C…….. b. 22 Jun. 1834; bap. 31 Jul 1835
WILSON, MARTHA……….. b. __________ ?; bap. 9 Jul 1837
WILSON, HARRIET McKEEN… b. 15 Jul. 1832; bap. 10 Aug 1832

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We do not know if any of these were born in Ireland. If James was born in Ireland, he may be the James of Hanover Twp – Mary’s father, since he has the correct birth year. We also note that JOHN WILSON, born in 1817 is the same year as obtained from JOHN ALEXANDER’S Naturalization papers. We note that none of the family are listed here, ÿbut maybe he returned to get them? However, we note that ALEXANDER WILSON and MARGARET McELROY were married in 1818, so maybe JOHN, born in 1817, was not their son?

There was an ALEXANDER WILSON named by JAMES WILSON of Easton as his brother in Will #5534, Northampton Co., signed 2 April 1839. JAMES WILSON and we have concluded that he m. ELIZABETH ANN THOMPSON on 11 April 1825 (Records of Rev. David Bishop). This Alexander Wilson had a daughter Harriet McKeen Wilson while James had a daughter Elizabeth McKeen Wilson. It is likely that this Alexander must be James Wilson’s brother.

WILSON, ALEXANDER d. 11 Apr 1855.

WILSON, WILLIAM R. of Phillipsburg, Pa., married MATTIE McKEEN of Easton, Pa on 29 Nov 1866 and had a son WILLIAM A. b.? bap. 19 Dec 1867. “MATTIE” may be “HATTIE” or HARRIET McKEEN, and this may tie William R. Wilson with the Easton Wilsons: Alexander Wilson, James Wilson and John Wilson.

WILSON, JANE GRAY of Easton
Married SAMUEL McLEAN of Carbon County, Pa. on 23 Jan 1855 and moved to Mauch Chunk 27 Nov 1857. She may have been related to REV. JOHN GRAY, a native of Co. Monaghan, Ireland, who became pastor of the 1st Presby Church of Easton upon the death of Rev. David Bishop 19 May 1822. REV GRAY remained at his post for 44 years, 7 months. She may also have been ÿrelated to REV. THOMAS McKEEN GRAY who became pastor of the Bridge-Hampton Church. She may also have been connected with long time elder, James Wilson, who is believed to have been the brother of Alexander Wilson.

Finally, she may have been the daughter of Alexander Wilson and Margaret McElroy of Easton. They had a daughter Jane, baptized on 27 Nov 1825 and admitted to the church in 1849. There was another Jane Wilson admitted to the church in 1855, but since Jane Gray Wilson married Samuel McLean in January 1855, it seems unlikely that the Jane Wilson of 1855 is Jane Gray Wilson.