On November 23, 1757, Edward Wilson, said to have been born July 6, 1734,[96] at West Cambridge (now Arlington), Massachusetts, married Lucy Francis of Medford.[97] At West Cambridge were born Ebenezer Wilson on August 18, 1763, and Samuel Wilson on September 13, 1768. About 1780 Edward Wilson took his family to Mason, New Hampshire, and later he went to Troy.[98] Ebenezer and Samuel Wilson removed to Troy about 1789 and soon became prominent in the life of the young town. In September, 1805, the following advertisement appeared in Troy newspapers:
"SLAUGHTERING & PACKING
"The undersigned having two large and convenient SLAUGHTER-HOUSES, beg leave to acquaint their customers and others, that they will be enabled to kill, cut and pack 150 head of Cattle per day; and, from their local situation, pledge themselves to accommodate those who may favour them with a call, on terms as low as can be obtained in the State.
"They have on hand a large supply of BARRELS and SALT, which will be disposed of on the lowest terms.
"All those who shall be under the necessity of waiting 24 hours for their Cattle to be slaughtered, shall have them pastured free of expence.
E. & S. WILSON.
"Troy, September 17, 1805."[99]
In the Troy Post of October 6, 1812, appeared this paragraph, which may or may not refer to the Wilsons:
"We are informed that one house in this town has paid Twenty Thousand Dollars during the last month for transporting provisions, flour, whiskey, &c. from this place to Plattsburgh, for the use of the army of the North" (p. 3-3).
In the same paper of June 1, 1813, under the head of "HOGS——wanted," was printed this advertisement:
"Boardman, Mann & Co. wish to purchase One Hundred and Twenty thrifty Barrow SHOTES, for which Cash will be paid on delivery at their Stillhouse in Troy. For further particulars inquire at the store of WILSON, MANN & Co." (p. 2-1).
In the Troy Post of September 28, 1813 (p. 3-4), appeared the following:
"NOTICE
"The Copartnership of the subscribers, under the firm of Wilson, Mann & Co. is by mutual Consent this day dissolved. All persons indebted to, or that have any demands against said firm are requested to call on James Mann for settlement, who is duly authorized to settle the same.
"Ebenezer Wilson
"James Mann
"Samuel Wilson"Troy, Sept 28, 1813.
"N. B. The Business in future will be conducted by James Mann at the store lately occupied by Wilson, Mann & Co."[100]
Edward Wilson, the father of the two brothers, died at Troy, June 17, 1816; but neither the Troy nor the Albany papers contained an obituary notice.[101] Ebenezer Wilson died July 22, 1825, the following notice appearing in the New York Commercial Advertiser: