James Charles Wilson
Encyclopedia
James Charles Wilson was an early settler of Texas
and later a state legislator.
Wilson was born in Yorkshire
, England
on August 24, 1816. He emigrated to the Republic of Texas
in 1837.
In 1842 he joined Charles K. Reese in the ill-fated Somervell Expedition. Captured while serving with the company, he managed to escape on 30 July 1843.
He lived in Brazoria, Texas
where he became district clerk before representing Calhoun
, Jackson, Matagorda, and Wharton counties in the House of Representatives
of the Third
and Fourth Legislatures
from 1848 to 1853. In 1856 he became commissioner of the Court of Claims.
In addition to his legal career, Wilson also served as a Methodist minister.
He died in Gonzales
on 7 February 1861. Wilson was originally buried in Askey Cemetery near Gonzales but later was moved to the Texas State Cemetery
in Austin (http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp).
Wilson County, Texas
is named in his honor.
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and later a state legislator.
Wilson was born in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on August 24, 1816. He emigrated to the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
in 1837.
In 1842 he joined Charles K. Reese in the ill-fated Somervell Expedition. Captured while serving with the company, he managed to escape on 30 July 1843.
He lived in Brazoria, Texas
Brazoria, Texas
Brazoria is a city of Brazoria County in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 2,787.Brazoria was originally founded as a port for Stephen F...
where he became district clerk before representing Calhoun
Calhoun County, Texas
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, the population was 20,647. Its county seat is Port Lavaca. It is a part of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Jackson, Matagorda, and Wharton counties in the House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
of the Third
Third Texas Legislature
The Third Texas Legislature met from 5 November 1849 to 3 December 1850 in its regular session and two called sessions. All members of the House of Representatives and about half of the members of the Senate were elected in 1849.-Sessions:...
and Fourth Legislatures
Fourth Texas Legislature
The Fourth Texas Legislature met from 3 November 1851 to 7 February 1853 in its regular session and one called session. All members of the House of Representatives and about half of the members of the Senate were elected in 1850.-Sessions:...
from 1848 to 1853. In 1856 he became commissioner of the Court of Claims.
In addition to his legal career, Wilson also served as a Methodist minister.
He died in Gonzales
Gonzales, Texas
Gonzales is a city in Gonzales County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,202 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gonzales County.-Geography:Gonzales is located at...
on 7 February 1861. Wilson was originally buried in Askey Cemetery near Gonzales but later was moved to the Texas State Cemetery
Texas State Cemetery
The Texas State Cemetery is a cemetery located on about just east of downtown Austin, the capital of Texas. Originally the burial place of Edward Burleson, Texas Revolutionary general and Vice-President of the Republic of Texas, it was expanded into a Confederate cemetery during the Civil War...
in Austin (http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/pub/user_form.asp).
Wilson County, Texas
Wilson County, Texas
Wilson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 32,408. Its county seat is Floresville. The county is named after James Charles Wilson....
is named in his honor.
External links
- Read James C. Wilson's entry in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas hosted by the Portal to Texas History.