Third Generation

10. Julia Ann WILSON was born on 5 Feb 1833 in Lincoln (Catawba County), North Carolina.

Julia Ann WILSON and Wilson ENGLAND were married estimated 1845. Wilson ENGLAND¹³ (son of Alexander ENGLAND and Abigail HEFNER) was born about 1826 in Henderson County, North Carolina.¹⁴ He appeared in the census in 1850 and was listed as a tailor, living in his father-in-law's house, along with his wife, Julia Ann. She is age 17. Wilson England murdered his father-in-law, Nathaniel Wilson in a fit of rage over the fact that his wife, Julia Ann, daughter of Nathaniel Wilson had been cut of of the will because of her ungrateful conduct. Wilson left home after the dastardly deed and does not ever show up in the census again. He must have seen his wife after his departure as she has another child.

The only other mention I find of Wilson England (whom many historians here wonder about his whereabouts thereafter) is found in The Annals of Lincoln County: "Gov. Reid on December 9, 1852, advertised, offering a reward of $300.00 for Wilson England, late of Catawba County, who stands charged with the murder of one Nathaniel Wilson of said county."

1850 Census, Catawba County, NC - Wilson and Julia Ann lived in the home of her parents. He was a sailor. Wilson left North Carolina in late 1853, and never returned to Catawba County.

1860 Census, Catawba County, NC - Julia Ann England and children lived in the home of Rufus and Violet England. (Rufus and Wilson were brothers.)

Two stories regarding Wilson England: (1) Julia Ann's father, Nathaniel Wilson, was running for reelection in Lincoln County, North Carolina. He proposed the creation of Catawba County, North Carolina and was running on that platform. Shortly before the election, there was a family disagreement and Wilson England stabbed his father-in-law Nathaniel and he was killed. The reason for this tragedy is not known for sure - one record said he was drinking. Another was that Nathaniel had cut Julia Ann and her sister Isabelle out of his will. Wilson was put in jail but escaped. The governor of North Carolina offered a $300 reward. As far as we know, he was never found or formally charged. (2) Wilson England left North Carolina for the gold fields out west and made a strike and was on his way back to North Carolina when he was killed for the gold. Either way, we have no date or place of death for Wilson England. Julia Ann WILSON and Wilson ENGLAND had the following children: