WILSON and ELIZABETH WILLINGHAM

Notes:
*This date of marriage came from family records.  The Washington County transcription says the date was 26 Feb 1868 which is most likely the date of the issuance of license and the ceremony was performed a day later.  This is a common error in marriage transcriptions.
1.  Wilson is listed on the 1851 Tax List of Bell County, Texas Tax list showing one poll and a total value of $107.  He was granted a patent of 160 acres in Bell County and continued to live in Bell County until his death.  The family said he homesteaded the land.
2.  Wilson donated the land for the Willingham Baptist Church outside of Salado. (photo)
3.  Wilson served as a private in Company H, 6th Texas Cavalry, of the Confederacy, and was shot through the hips in a battle during the Civil War.  Lottie Oliver Holaday tells of Wilson's return from the wr:  "My great-grandpa (Joe Essary) and some more men were robbing a bee tree when they saw Wilson coming over the hill.  He was very gaunt and was bleeding--he had walked all the way.  The men gave him a little honey, lifted him upon their wagon because he was so weak and took him home."
4.  Tuberculosis was a dreaded killer around the early 1900's.  Wilson contacted the desease and his wife, Elizabeth, nursed him until her death.  His oldest daughter, Mary Eleanor nursed him, even though she was pregnant with her son, William Sidney and had a six year old daughter.  She died of tuberculosis Dec, 19l05 and Wilson died less than three weeks later.  Tuberculosis had wiped out father, mother, and oldest daughter in less than three years.

Family Legends:  
1.  Wilson and Archie had the first cotton gin in Temple.  It was raised on the Willingham ranch near Salado.  They hauled the cotton 28 miles to Temple in an ox-wagon with solid wooden wheels.
2.  The Willinghams hauled butter once or twice a year to Austin, after putting it up in brine in crocks.
3.  Wilson Willingham, Sr., grandfather of Wm. Sidney Birdwell, was shot in the groin in the Civil War; crippled, stiff-legged; defended self with a gun which he kept near him at all times. In cattle rustling time, he said, "I say, I say, I think he ought to be shot, he ought to be shot, right where his galluses cross." Later the man was found on his ranch shot "right where his galluses crossed". Wilson was suspected of the shooting, but never proved.
4.  Wilson Jr. said his father was losing cattle.  Salado Creek ran through the Willingham ranch.  Many people rode down the creek as a short cut.  Neighbor boys, after a dance, riding down creek in wee hours of morning.  One said, "This sure would be a good night to steal some of Uncle Wilson's cattle."  The old man was out and heard it, raised up and said, "I say, I say, go right ahead, go right ahead and steal 'em."
5.  It is thought Wilson (Wilse) Willingham helped to break ground for the capitol building in Austin. (not proven)
6.  When Wm. Archibald (1874-1961) was about 18 years old, he walked barefooted 28 miles to a cotton gin close to Temple leading a two-wheel ox wagon loaded with cotton.  When he got to the gin he was in a long line of other wagons which was next to a train track.  A train came by and the men in the cab blew the whistle just as it was next to Archie.  It frightened him BADLY and he took off running!
7.  John W. Birdwell, Sr. has an old 36 caliber Navy Colt handgun that belonged to Wilson Willingham during the Civil War.  
8.  Mrs. Holaday also said that her grandfather, Robert Birdwell, and Wilson would drive into Salado together with the wagon (no one had buggies there because the ground was too rocky).  They would always stop at the Salado Inn to have a cup of coffee and let the horses rest.  (Note:  The Salado Inn is still in operation as of September 1992 and has a reputation for some of the tastiest food around. (ref: TEXAS HIGHWAYS).

Sources:
1. Betty Birdwell
2. Dr. Douglas B. Willingham