Joseph & James Wilkinson

Joseph Wilkinson was colonel in the Revolution and a legislator. His younger brother James, an adventurer, first attained general’s rank in 1777 at the age of 20. James built a grist-mill nearby, became General-in-Chief of the army, was Military Governor of Louisiana Territory 1805-07, was implicated but acquitted in allegations against Aaron Burr. Both Wilkinsons served as Generals in the War of 1812. Joseph died in 1820, is buried in family graveyard about 3½ miles west of here. James, who died in 1825, is buried in Mexico City.