James Wilson Papers

James Wilson (1763-1855) was the first globe maker in America. Born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, he worked as a farmer and blacksmith. In 1796, he moved to Bradford, Vermont. He developed an interest in cartography and drew geographic and celestial markings on wooden spheres covered in paper, creating the first globes made in America, in 1796. Biographies credit a 1790s exhibition of European globes at Dartmouth with his drive and inspiration. He refined his wooden designs and learned copper engraving in order to produce plaster globes covered in the metal. In 1813, he opened the first globe factory in the US and found commercial success with a 13 inch globe that cost $50. They were exhibited in Boston in 1814. Wilson then developed a papier-mache version which was less expensive and proved popular for schools and homes. He went into business with his son John and opened a second factory in Albany, New York called J. Wilson and Son. In 1827, a pair of Wilson globes was exhibited at the Library of Congress. At the age of 83, he created a model of the solar system that he called "Planetarium." It was first produced for Vermont's Thetford Academy, and later for commercial sale.

He was married to Molly Highland (d. 1786) and they had a son, James, born in 1785. He remarried Sarah Donaldson ) and they had ten children, three of whom died in childhood. Their surviving children were Sarah or "Sally" (1790-1826, married Stephen Tabor), Samuel (about 1785-1833), John (about 1790-1833), David (1791-1827), Boyd H., Eliza (married a Mr. Wilson), and Mary (married a Mr. Van York). James Wilson married a third time, in 1805, to Agnes MacDuffee (1783-1875) and they had four children: Agnes (about 1810-1855), Mary Anne (about 1813-1833), Jane (1818-1858). Mary Anne and Jane married brothers Willard Waterman (1810-1876) and William Waterman (1812-1853 in 1845), respectively, of Norwich, Vermont.