Alfred WILSON
Alfred WILSON was born around 1807, possibly in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Not much is known about his early life, or the names of his parents.
Marriage & Family
Daughter?
It is believed he had a daughter named Rebecca Honour WILSON, born in 1832 at New Egypt. She listed "Alphred WILSON" as her father on her marriage record to Michael CROSSON in 1853. There was always a rumor amongst the descendants of Michael CROSSON & Rebecca H. WILSON that there was a "Mormon connection". There has been no other Alfred WILSON found living in the area around the time of her birth, so I can only assume that this Mormon Alfred WILSON is her father. I have yet to find any record of Alfred's first wife, the mother of Rebecca.
Marriage to Maria HANKINS
He married Maria HANKINS, widow of Samuel PRESTON, on 5 Nov 1840. The marriage ceremony was performed by Elder Benjamin Winchester.
Faith
Methodist Church
An article from the Daily State Gazette (Trenton) on 7 May 1870 records that Alfred WILSON and James L. CURTIS both served on the board of the Methodist church in New Egypt prior to joining the Mormons.
Mormon Conversion
Around 1838, Mormon missionary Elder Benjamin Winchester travelled to New Jersey and began preaching. Many converted to the church, including Alfred WILSON.
By 1840, Alfred WILSON was a local leader of the Mormon Church at Cream Ridge.
On 18 Jul 1840, he travelled to West Nantmeal, Pennsylvania for a church conference, which convened at West Nantmeal Seminary, in the Brandywine Branch of PA. Alfred Wilson reported 64 members of the Cream Ridge Branch.
On 17 Oct 1840, Alfred WILSON attended another conference in Philadelphia, and it is recorded that "Elder A. Wilson represented the church on Cream Ridge, NJ, and stated that according to the best of his knowledge it consisted of about 100 members in good fellowship, inclusive of 1 elder, 1 priest, and 1 teacher."
Death
Only a few months following his marriage to Maria, Alfred was in poor health and made a will, in which he leaves everything to his wife, Maria. There is no mention of his daughter Rebecca, who would have been nine years old.
Alfred died on 16 Jul 1841 at Cream Ridge, NJ. Elder William Smith, younger brother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, preached the funeral sermon for Alfred WILSON.
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