Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

The Chapter was named in honor of Eleanor Wilson of Steele Creek, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, one of the "most heroic women of the American Revolution." Mrs. Wilson was the wife of Robert Wilson, a prominent Whig and one of the early pioneers of the region. She had eleven sons, seven of whom fought in the Continental Army, as did her husband. Our first Chapter Regent and one of her descendants, Mrs. James C. Courts, marked her grave in 1921.

As legend goes, Mrs. Wilson was known for her sharp tongue when defending the cause of Liberty. One evening, Mrs. Wilson was forced by General Cornwallis to serve his staff dinner at her home. During the evening General Cornwallis artfully endeavored to enlist her sympathies for the King's cause. He gave her personal assurance of advancement for her husband and sons should they rally to his standard. Mistress Wilson replied that her sons were indeed dear to her, and that she would do anything in her power to obtain their preferment. "But," she added, "I have this day sent my seventh son, Zaccheus, who is only fifteen, to join his brothers in Sumter's army, and, sooner than have one of my family turn back, I would myself enlist under Sumter's standard and show my husband and sons how to fight, and die, if need be, for the cause of Liberty!"