Hon. William Wilkins and Catharine Holmes

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Husband Hon. William Wilkins ^{1 2}

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           Born: 1779 - Carlisle, Cumberland Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: 23 Jun 1865 2
         Buried: 

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         Father: Capt. John Wilkins (1733-1809) 2 3
         Mother: 

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       Marriage: 

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   Other Spouse: Matilda Dallas (      -      ) 1

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Wife Catharine Holmes ¹

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Hon. William Wilkins

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He was educated at Dickinson college, and studied law under the direction of Judge Watts, with whom he continued until his admission to the bar in Carlisle. Settling in Pittsburgh in 1800-6, he practised successfully as an attorney, and was appointed judge by Governor Findlay. He was a General of the militia, also an influential member of the Legislature. He was elected to Congress upon two occasions, and for several years ably discharged the duties of United States Senator. During the administration of General Jackson, he was appointed by him Minister to Russia, and under the presidency of Tyler, became Secretary of War. Subsequently, although firmly attached to the Democratic party, he strenuously supported the Government during the war. While in his eightieth year, when the Home Guards were organized, he was mounted throughout the day, and took his position on parade.
During a period extending to more than sixty years, Judge Wilkins was the most prominent man in western Pennsylvania, was well known throughout the country, and was eminently influential as a popular chief and leader. As a lawyer he won high and widespread distinction, and participated importantly in public affairs, taking especial interest in the cause of education.

When he died he left four daughters surviving.

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General Notes: Wife - Catharine Holmes

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from Baltimore, MD

1 Alfred Nevin, D.D., LL.D., Men of Mark of the Cumberland Valley, Pa. 1776-1876 (Philadelphia, PA: Fulton Publishing Co., 1876), Pg 106.

2 William Henry Egle, M.D., M.A., Pennsylvania Genealogies; Chiefly Scotch-Irish and German (Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Publishing Co., 1896), Pg 588.

3 Editor, Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905), Pg 77.