Greenberry Wilson and Temperance Bradshaw Wilson

Greenberry Wilson was born in 1755, probably in either North Carolina or England.

James Douthat states in the book Sequatchie Families that "he left a legacy of service in the American Revolution." He may have fought in the Revolution, or may have furnished supplies for the troops.

Greenberry married Temperance Bradshaw, probably between 1775-1780 in Burke County, North Carolina. Temperance was the daughter of Charles Bradshaw and Jemima Hendrick. Her great-grandfather was John Bradshaw (1664-1747), who emigrated to Virginia before 1687. He was a headright of Richard Kennah; Kennah paid for his transprtation to the colony in exchange for a land grant.

Greenberry was living in Burke County, North Carolina from at least 1780 until about 1800. He acquired several land grants there; one in 1780 (#218), three in 1792 (#1537, #1541, #1627), one in 1795 (#1786), and one in 1799 (#2447).

Greenberry appears in the 1790 census of Tennessee, Burke County, Morgan District, Sixth Company. The census indicates that he had in his household one free white male under 16 years, four free white females, and three slaves. (Microfilm T-498 Roll 2I)

Greenberry and Temperance had eight children: Sarah (1780), William B. (1782), Greenberry (1784), Nancy (1786), Elizabeth (1792), Carrie Emmaline (1794), Mary (1796), Charles Bratcher (1803), and Goodhue.

The family may have settled for a short time in Jefferson County, Tennessee; Greenberry was in a lawsuit with a Mr. Christian there in 1796:

Mr. Christian: I am please to take Notice that I intend to take the Depositions of Sundry witnesses in you Suit & Mine depending in our supeor Cort on the twenty first Day of December Next At the Dwelling House of George Doherty Esquer in the State of tenecy in Jefficen County on french Broad River At Which time and pleace you May Attend and Cross Examine if you please. This 18th of November 1796.

They may also have lived shortly in Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee

The family settled in the Sequatchie Valley of Tennesse, possibly as early as 1797, on land that is now in Cumberland County, just north of the Bledsoe County line. They were one of the first settlers in the valley.

A series of articles from the Crossville Chronicle in 1905 entitled "First Settlers of the Head of the Sequachee Valley" told of the building of the Wilson house in November and December of 1797. Some parts were apparently taken from the journal of Captain Jim Lowe, who came to the valley with Greenberry and Reuben Brown.

Nov. 20, 1797 - Last night it was agreed that all should remain together and help each other to build, and that Greenberry Wilson's house should be built first. So this morning we break camp and move round to Wilson's Spring and into camp. Brown takes all hands and goes to preparing logs and other materials for building.

Some chop down and hew logs, others prepare boards and shingles, others draw the material to the spot where the house was to be built, and yet others saw plank for doors and flooring. This was done with the old-time whip-saw.

Wilson and Lowe lay out barn and three houses for negroes. The location of the dwellings and kitchen is twelve or fifteen steps from the spring. The houses for Wilson's slaves are forty yards down the branch from the spring.

Dec. 10, 1797 - All the buildings are up and will be occupied tonight. There is not a stick of timber in either of the six buildings but red cedar, except the roof, floors, and doors.

The Greenberry Wilson home, Cumberland County, Tennessee Picture taken in 1989 Thanks to Betty Crawford McDonald

Greenberry died in Cumberland County, Tennessee in 1812, and was buried in the Wilson Cemetery on his farm.
See the USGenWeb Archives information on the Wilson Cemetery
See USGS GNIS map information for the Wilson Cemetery (ID# 1274807)

The Last Will and Testament of Greenberry Wilson

September 22, 1810 Greenberry Wilson being much failed in body but sound and disposing of mind, doth make my last will and testament, Be it remembered that I nominate and appoint of all the land that I ownon the South side of Seachoha Creek except the Mill Shole to my son Charles and also negro Alfred. Only my wife Tempy is to have the use of the land and Negro during her lifetime. Charles is also to pay fifty dollars to my daughters Sally and fifty dollars to Betsy and fifty dollars to Nancy and fifty dollars to Kery and fifty dollars to Polly. When Charles of age I also nominate and appoint that my wife Tempy and Charles shall have all my stock 4 horses and cattle and hogs and sheep only they must pay those of my daughters a horse to the value of sixty dollars apiece of them. Of them my daughters that hant had one. Be it remembered that I nominate and appoint that my son Green shall have all the land that I own of the north side of Seaquocha Creek the Mill Shole accepted of the house furniture I will to my wife Tempy. The mill Shole I give my son William.
Attest.
Andrew R. Lowe
Samuel Lowe

State of Tennessee
Bledsoe CountyAugust Session 1812

The last will and testament of Greenberry Wilson, deceased was exhibited in open court. This day came into court Andrew B. Lowe and Samuel Lowe witness to the same and being sworn and saith that they heard the said Greenberry Wilson acknowledge the same to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned and also saith that they believe that he was of sound mind and memory at the time of acknowledging the same and admitted to record. In testimony that the foregoing as true copy of the last will and testament of Greenberry Wilson, deceased and the probate of the same. I, Samuel Terry, Clerk of the Court of Tennessee and Quarter Sessions in and for the County of Bledsoe have hereunto set my hand and private seal not having a seal of office in Madison the 15th day of September 1812.

Sam Terry Clerk

Sources include The Crawford Family by Betty Yarberry Crawford McDonald

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