History of Bucks County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
Names and Page # Index

CHARLES T. WILKINSON

C HARLES T. WILKINSON is descended from ancestry connected with the nobility of England, and among those who have borne the name in America have been several men prominent in public and professional life. He is also a descendant of the second minister having charge of the First Baptist church in this country. In England one Lawrence Wilkinson was a lieutenant in the army of Charles I and at the surrender of Newcastle, October 22, 1644, he was taken prisoner by parliament and the Scotch troops. The progenitor of the family in America was Lawrence Wilkinson, a native of Lanchester, county Durham, England, but the ancestry can be traced back to still more remote generations, for record is obtainable concerning his grandfather, who also bore the name of Lawrence Wilkinson, who resided at Hartly House, Lanchester, county Durham.

(II) William Wilkinson, son of Lawrence Wilkinson, wedded Mary Conyers, a daughter of Christopher Conyers, of Hardin, England, and a sister of John C. Bort.

(III) Lawrence Wilkinson, son of William and Mary Wilkinson, was born in Lancaster, England, and came to America in 1645, settling at Providence, Rhode Island, where his remaining days were passed. His son

(IV) Captain Samuel Wilkinson, served in the continental assembly of Rhode Island. He was an expert surveyor, being often called upon to settle disputed questions concerning boundary lines. His entire life was passed in Rhode Island. He married Plain Wickenden, a daughter of the Rev. William Wickenden, who was the second pastor of First Baptist church in America.

(V) John Wilkinson, son of Samuel and Plain Wilkinson, was born at Providence, Rhode Island, January 25, 1677, removed from Rhode Island to New Jersey, and in 1713 came to Bucks county. It is not known just when he came to Bucks county, but we find him here through a deed dated May 27, 1713, for the property now in possession of Charles T. Wilkinson. John Wilkinson was the progenitor of the family in this state. He wrote his will February, 1751, and it was proved April 23, 1751. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and many of his descendants have followed the same calling. He married and was the father of seven children, among them the following, all born in Wrightstown township: Mary, married Joseph Chapman; Kesiah, married Thomas Ross; Plain, married Peter Ball; Susannah, married Andrew Daws; Ruth, married Joseph Chapman; and John, mentioned hereinafter.

(VI) Colonel John Wilkinson, son of John Wilkinson, was born in Wrightstown township. He wedded Mary Lacy, daughter of John Lacy, and a sister of General Lacy, of Revolutionary fame. Colonel John Wilkinson also won his title by defending the interests of the colonists in the war for independence. He served twelve years in the legislature from Bucks county, and was also a member of the first constitutional convention held in Philadelphia, July 15, 1776. His second wife was Hannah Hughes. They were the parents of Elisha Wilkinson, at one time high sheriff of Bucks county and later innkeeper at Centerville. In 1782 a portion of the land upon which Charles T. Wilkinson now resides was deeded to Elisha Wilkinson, and afterward to Abram Wilkinson, grandfather of Charles T. Wilkinson, in 1805. This land came into possession of the Wilkinson family about the close of the seventeenth century. Colonel John Wilkinson died May 21, 1782, aged seventy-one years, and his remains were interred in the Friends' burying ground at Wrightstown. His will is dated February 11, 1782.

(VII) Abraham Wilkinson was the grandfather of Charles T. Wilkinson. He was born in Bucks county, and as stated a part of the old family homestead came into his possession in 1805. He resided thereon throughout his entire life, devoting his energies unremittingly to agricultural pursuits. His religious faith was that of the Friends meeting. he married Mary Twining, also a native of Bucks county, and their children were: Jane, John, Abraham, Samuel T. a farmer; and Eleaser.

(VIII) Eleaser Wilkinson, son of Abraham Wilkinson, was born April 12, 1812, reared on the old family homestead, and after arriving at man's estate purchased the interest of the other heirs in the property and thereon reared his own family. He carried on general agricultural pursuits, and his life was at all times honorable and upright, being in consistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Friends meeting. he wedded Mary A. Twining, a daughter of Jacob Twining, a representative of an old and prominent family of Bucks county. Her grandfather was Stephen Twining, who married a daughter of Colonel Wilkinson. Jacob Twining was a farmer and he, too, belonged to the Friends meeting. His children were: Crosedall, Stephen, Charles T., Isaac, and Aaron, all of whom were farmers; Mary A., who became Mrs. Wilkinson; and Deborah, the wife of Charles R. Scarborough. Eleaser Wilkinson died March 20, 1855, while his wife, long surviving him, departed this life in 1876. They were the parents of six children: Charles T.; Jane; Barclay, who died at the age of three years; Caroline; Mary, the wife of Charles Warner; and Comly, who died at the age of twenty years.

Charles T. Wilkinson was born at the old ancestral home of the Wilkinson family, November 6, 1843, was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and pursued his education in the common schools. He continued to assist his mother in the operation of the old homestead up to the time of his marriage. He afterward bought the interest of the other heirs in the home property and is yet living there, carrying on general farming. He also has a large herd of Jersey cows, is engaged in the manufacture of butter, and attends the Philadelphia market, having for forty years sold his products there. His business affairs have been capably conducted along enterprising lines, and he has gained a very desirable measure of success. In addition to the home property he has purchased an adjoining tract of land. He now occupies the commodious stone mansion which his father erected in 1840. This he has remodeled, adding many modern equipments including steam and hot and cold water, together with other conveniences. The house occupies a fine building site, commanding a splendid view of the surrounding country. There are forest and fruit trees upon the place, and in addition to his home there is a large barn and commodious outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. he uses the latest improved machinery in the operation of his farm and also has steam power for forcing the water to the house and for the threshing, churning, feed grinding and other work where power is needed. He has kept fully abreast with the progressive spirit of the times along agricultural lines, and is a prosperous farmer and market man. Mr. Wilkinson gives his political endorsement to the Republican party. He has filled various township positions, acting as school director for twenty-five years, and since 1890 he has been secretary of the board. He was also elected justice of the peace in 1895 and is yet filling the position, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He is also secretary of the board of School Directors Association of Bucks county, serving since 1896, and is president of the Concord Perseverance Company. The positions which he has filled have come to him in recognition of his ability and not because he has been an active office seeker. In every position that he has been called to fill he has been found faithful and true to the duties intrusted to him and his career has therefore been a creditable one.

In 1868 Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Elizabeth Lambert, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, her parents being Charles and Sarah (Martindell) Lambert, both natives of Bucks county. Her father was a harness maker by trade and was respected in both business and social circles. His children were Emma, the wife of D. Stewart; Jemima, the wife of E. Carhart; and Mrs. Wilkinson. The last named was a successful school teacher prior to her marriage. She has become the mother of two sons, Howard, who wedded Sarah Spencer, a daughter of Oren P. Spencer and resides upon the old homestead; and Charles, who married Sarah Twining and follows farming in Wrightstown township. Sarah Twining is a descendant from Stephen Twining and Mary Wilkinson.