Joseph Wilkinson was a 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 from 1805 to 1807, and was implicated but acquitted in allegations against Aaron Burr. Both Wilkinsons served as generals in the War of 1812. Joseph died in 1820 and is buried in the family graveyard about 3½ miles west of here. James died in 1825 and is buried in Mexico City.