James Wilson of Weston
James and Martha Ann Wilson are 3rd great-grandparents on the Wilson family line. James and Martha Ann were originally from Sumner County, Tennessee. They moved to Texas in about 1845 when James received a land patent for 640 acres through the Peters Colony land company. In 1850, James, Martha Ann, and their three children (Sarah Elizabeth, William, and Mary) were enumerated in the Collin County, Texas Federal Census. They lived in the Weston community of Collin County.
Martha Ann died in Aug 1873. James died 28 Mar 1891 and was buried in the Chambersville Cemetery next to Martha Ann. His obituary reads "J.C. Wilson, died at his home near Weston on Saturday, March 28 last. The cause of his death was tumor of the stomach. Mr. Wilson was 77 years old. He was born in Sumner County, Tennessee. He came to Collin County in 1845. Thus the old pioneers are passing away."
James Wilson's Statement
In 1884, James had been out drinking and ended up being put in jail on a Thursday night in the middle of January. James told his story of what happened to him after being put in jail in a statement printed in the McKinney Democrat newspaper. This statement ran for two consecutive issues.
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| The Democrat, McKinney, Texas 26 June 1884 |
The Democrat, McKinney, Texas, 26 June 1884
JAIL WHIPPING
MR. JAS WILSON'S STATEMENT
I was put in the county jail on Thursday evening, sometime in January. On Friday morning I gave Dee Hoskins one dollar to get a quart of whisky, and he brought the whiskey in and put it in to me under the iron railing. I took a small dram and passed it around. They all took a dram and I wanted another drink as I had only tasted it, but Dee Hoskins objected to me having any more.
Then we were all called up in line. I do not remember the name of the man who then brought out the papers and read it that I was to pay $2.00 or take two hundred lashes. I refused to pay the $2.00, and they forced me down over a box some 10 or 18 inches square and threw my overcoat over my head, and struck me ten licks with a strap, and I did not feel disposed to take it, and I scrambled to get up and three or four of the men took hold of me and I called on Dee Hoskins to put a stop to it. He failed, and refused to stop it, but gave me some little abuse, but I don’t remember what it was. Then I took a hard dollar out and threw it down on the floor, and told them to take it. Dee Hoskins took a hand in making the settlement and I was allowed 90 cents for the quart of whiskey and 10 cents for the ten licks.
Tobe Giles will make the same statement of facts and I call upon all who wish to do so to call on him. I was furnished no bedding but was compelled to depend upon an over coat I had and such bedding as was furnished me by other prisoners. I was there four nights and this was about the middle of January.
James Wilson
People of Collin County Demand Jailor be Removed
The Democrat newspaper printed several articles about the incident. There was a public outcry that an injustice had been done to James Wilson. One commentator suggested that the jailer be removed from office and that the Sheriff not be re-elected.
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| The Democrat, McKinney, Texas 24 April 1884 |
In the above article, James Wilson is referred to as "Dady". His daughter's obituary states that her father was familiarly known as "Daddy" Wilson.
More pushback from the community over the ill treatment James Wilson received in jail.
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| The Democrat, Mckinney, TX 10 July 1884 |
These news articles were found on The Portal to Texas History website. Under the Explore tab go to Counties. Find Collin County on the map or county list. From the Collin County page, go to Collections and choose McKinney Democrat-Gazette.
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