THE WILSONS OF KEENE. 345
to the bar in 1792, an<l continued to David Scott, Charles J. Stuart, and practice in Peterborough until 1815, Matthew Perkins. These all studied when he removed to Keene, and pur- with him, while he lived in Peter- chased the stately roansiou on Main borough. After he came to Keene, street, which has ever since been David Steele, Amos A. Parker, Amasa known as the " Squire Wilson house." Edes, and his own son, James Wilson, An anecdote is preserved respecting Jr., began the study of their profes- the purchase. The house was sold sion with him. In Peterborough, he at auction, and, during the sale, an old was moderator of the town-meeting man was observed, sitting on the for five years, and a representative to fence, who would occasionally make the general court most of the time atid. At first, he was not noticed, from 1S03 to 1815. He was a mem- but he persisted in bidding, and de- bcr of congress from the Hillsborough sired and demanded to be recognized district from 1809 to 181 1. He was as a legitimate bidder. He finally bid a firm believer in the policy of Alex- off the house. The possibility of his ander Hamilton, and was a firm Fed- being able to pay for the house was eralist of the old school. The whole at first denied, but he declared that of the New Hampshire delegation in he had the cash with him. When the eleventh congress was of the Fed- asked to whom the deed should be eral party ; but all this was changed made, he replied, To James Wilson in the next congress, and Mr. Wilson of Peterborough." It proved to be was not returned. He did not prac- some one, a capable man, whom the tice his profession at'ter 1823, after squire had sent to make the purchase his son was admitted to the bar and for him. had succeeded to his business.
Mr. Wilson was an able lawyer and Mr. Wilson was twice married :
understood the science of law. He first to Elizabeth Steele, in 1792, a
was a man of good judgment, and daughter of Capt. David and Janet
•of a quick, clear perception. He (Little) Steele. This first wife died
prepared his cases with great care and Nov. 4,1806. His second wife was
managed them ably in the courts. As Elizabeth Little, daughter of Wallis
an advocate, he had few if any supe- Little, Esq., of Shirley, Mass., whom
riors in the state. He had an exten- he married in 18 10. She died in
•sive practice in both Hillsborough and Keene, Sept. 30, 1830. Mr. Wilson
Cheshire counties, and was usually re- was a good ditizen, a kind neighbor,
tained upon one side or the other of a dutiful son, a kind and sympathetic
almost every case. He also did a parent. He was universally respected
large business in the justice courts in and his death was a great loss to his
both counties. Many young men who town and state. He was one of the
afterwards became good lawyers were founders of the Unitarian church and
his students. Among them were (}en. society in Keene, when the secession
James Miller, John Wilson, his broth- from the old society took place. He
er, D. Smiley, Thomas F. Goodhue, ever bore in mind the two grand tenets
.Zacheus Porter, Stephen P. Steele, of his church, "The fatherhood Of
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