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1st Lt. Wilson Hodges "Wilkes" Lucas
(February 8, 1842 -- January 22, 1904)

Moore's Roster (Vol. 2; pg. 621) states Wilson H. Lucas was a 1st Sergeant in the Confederate Army of Hyde County. He enlisted on September 9, 1861 in Hyde County and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in Company A on July 3, 1863. North Carolina Troops 1861-1865 (Vol. 9; pg. 184) states Wilson H. Lucas was in Company F; 33rd Regiment and enlisted at age 21 on September 9, 1861 and mustered in as 1st Sergeant. He was appointed 3rd Lieutenant on August 5, 1862 and was present and accounted for until captured at Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 17, 1862. He was paroled and exchanged on or about December 17, 1862 and returned to duty between January and February of 1863. He was present and accounted for until promoted to 1st Lieutenant and transferred to Company A of the 33rd Regiment on July 3, 1863. The 1890 Civil War Veterans Census states Wilson H. Lucas was a Confederate Captain in Company A; 33rd Regiment.

Wilson Hodges Lucas was the son of Henry Lucas and Mary Ann Williams. He was married first to Martha Jane Roper (1847-1883) in Hyde County on October 7, 1869 and had seven children. His second marriage was to Martha Ann Armstrong, a music teacher, in Rocky Point, N.C. on March 19, 1889. Martha Ann was born to Thomas James Armstrong and Martha Ann Wilson on March 10, 1846.  She died June 4, 1935.  They lived at Goshen in Hyde County while his children by his first wife went to live with their grandmother, Mrs. Sally Roper Ballance. He became a State Senator at the age of 26. He served one term in 1889 and again in 1891. He also served several terms in the State Legislature in 1870 and in 1903. He was considered the county's most eloquent speaker of his day. He is buried at St. George's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Hyde County and his headstone reads "Col. Wilson Hodges Lucas" which one can only assume was a title of respect, rather than of rank.

It is said that Wilson Hodges Lucas had a quick temper and on one occasion during an argument over a right-of-way he was charged with shooting and killing his wife's step-father in 1873. The body laid on the front porch of the victim's home. He was tried for murder but was never convicted.

(Soldier's photo from North Carolina Troops. Information from Moore's Roster, Hyde County History, North Carolina Troops and the 1890 Civil War Veterans Census by Sandra Lee Almasy. Older photo from Hyde County History.)

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McGowan / Sheppard