James A. Willson was the youngest son of Samuel Willson and Phebe Tate and was named for his grandfather James Willson. His paternal great grandparents were Colonel John and Martha Wilson.

On the 1850 Dist. 53, Rockbridge Co., VA census, I found farmer Samuel WIllson, 64, with $11,425 in real estate; other Willsons: Sally, 22; Estaline, 20 and farmer James, 18, all VA born.

James Willson McClung's 5 Mar 1938 Works Progress Administration of VA Historical Inventory #352, surveyed the Glebe Burying Ground and gives data on this family. "James Willson was a color bearer in Company "H", 14th Virginia Regiment, in the Stonewall Brigade, and was killed on April 10, 1865, in the War between the States. He was the last man killed in this war."

James Willson McClung wrote about his family home, he called the "old home of Samuel Willson:" "1 mile east of Brownsburg on the road leading to Fairfield, built in 1740 by John Skeen. He says this home has been in the possession of Andrew A McClung and his son since 3 Jan 1861. Andrew served for the 4 full years, and for the most of time in the 14th Virginia Infantry, Co. H, and for a while in the Commissary Department. He surrendered his arms at Appomattox in 1865. He had 4 brothers who served in throughout this war, and his wife had 3 brothers in service. Her youngest brother, James Willson, was a Color Bearer and was the last man killed in this war, having been shot from the rear, after the surrender. It appears that he was a little slow in dropping his flag, and was shot down." James Willson McClung's Historical Significance of Rockbridge Co., VA., 1939, page 63-64. More data on his family is given in this great source. (The author has a very interesting history of his own and despite his short comings, collected and documented a lot of history for the W.P.A., for which I am very thankful.)

Also Robert J. Driver Jr.'s excellent book, 14th Virginia Cavalry, 1988, H.E. Howard, Inc., Lynchburg, VA., page 190. It says James was born near Brownsburg, Rockbridge Co., VA, he served in Co. C and Co. H, 14th Virginia Cavalry, Color Sgt., detailed as Regt'l Color Bearer, wounded in action on right side at Appomattox, VA on 9 Apr 1865, and died on 10 Apr 1865, "A hightoned Christian gentleman and faithful soldier."

Beneath the sold in the adjoining cemetery rest the mortal remains of Rockbridge's first and last soldiers to lose their lives in the War between the States. Lieut. Robert McChesney (my cousin) killed in battle near Rowlesburg, West Virginia, June 29, 1861 and James Wilson died of a wound received on the field of battle April 10, 1865. 7 Aug 1941 issue of The Rockbridge County News, Lexington, VA, Page 6 article on the History of New Providence Church During the 200 Years of its Existence includes this paragraph (see my photo).

Source of burial here was the Rockbridge County, Virginia Cemeteries, South River and Walker Creek Districts, by the Rockbridge Area Genealogical Society, 1999, page 135.

His marker says:
JAMES WILLSON
Died of wound
Received on the
field of battle
Apr. 10, 1865.

Bio by LSP