Mrs. WILSON was Miss Sara MORRIS, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Campbell MORRIS. The latter was, before marriage, Miss Rebecca C. HENDERSON, of the prominent family from the eastern part of the State. Mrs. WILSON traces her ancestry through her father to the Revolutionary hero,Robert MORRIS, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her ancestors came from Wales to this country in 1700. Mr. R.C. MORRIS was one of the pioneer civil engineers in Tennessee, and sustained a reputation that ranked him among the foremost railroad men of that time. He was brilliantly endowed intellectually, modes, kindly, and charitable, possessing that charming courtesy of manner that made gentlemen of the old school honored and beloved. He cared more for personal integrity and moral grandeur than for the combined wealth and plaudits of the world.
Mrs. WILSON, who is one of the most popular and prominent women in Nashville in her brilliant leadership of social life of the city, was graduated from the Ohio Female College, at College Hill, one of the beautiful suburbs of Cincinnati, in 1870, during the presidency of Dr. N.C. BURT, the distinguished scholar and author. She accepted his invitation to join his daughters and two of her classmates in a year of study and travel abroad; but her plans were suddenly changed by the failing health of her mother, a woman of rare grace and charming personality.
Miss MORRIS enjoyed two years of social life as a popular belle, when she was married to B.F. WILSON, a prominent young banker, originally of Georgia, but who for a number of years had lived in New York, where he was associated in business with his brother, the famous financier and multimillionaire, Mr. Richard T. WILSON. The cold climate of New York made it hazardous for him to remain there; so in 1870, two years previous to his marriage, he came to Nashville and established a bank. He is a remarkably clever financier and one of the most prominent and influential capitalists in the “Rock City.” He has always been foremost in promoting the interests of Nashville, and has freely given his time and wealth in advancing that aim. He is of English and Scotch descent, the English branch having received titles from the crown, and is connected with the most famously rich and powerful families in the United States. Mr. WILSON served gallantly in the Confederate Army. He was a member of the Executive Board of the Tennessee Centennial, where he gave additional proof of his interest in upholding the honor and fame of Tennessee.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. WILSON. The first two, a son and a daughter, died in infancy. The two daughters, Ida Belle and Reba, were educated in Paris, France, and traveled for four or five consecutive summers throughout Europe. Their debut functions, one year apart, were among the most brilliant entertainments ever given in the South. One of these – a bal poudre, the costumes and favors for which were brought from Paris – was pronounced by guests from abroad to be unsurpassed in beauty and luxury of detail. The weddings of these two beautiful and charming young women, which occurred just twelve months apart, were equally brilliant, being designed and arranged by Sherry, the noted metropolitan caterer. On the first of these occasions the grand ballroom was the scene of the superb decorations. The great fan-shaped table, the sticks of which were formed of green-satin ribbons, at which the bride and groom and their attendants were seated, overlooked a parterre of American Beauty roses, presenting a dazzling scene of color and brilliance. Quite as artistic and exquisite was the lilac and rose wedding of Mrs. John M. GRAY Jr., a year later.
Mr. and Mrs. WILSON’s sons are Robert Morris and Richard Thornton. Mr. Morris WILSON is a young man of financial and business promise; Mr. R.T. WILSON is still at college. They are both remarkably gifted with electrical and mechanical genius. Mrs. WILSON’s town house on High street, is one of the most elegant homes in the city. The spacious Louis XVI drawing-room was decorated by Marcotte, the popular artist, of New York. The mural treatment is in old ivory, with floral arabesque done in gold leaf; and the magnificent crystal chandeliers depend from the frescoed ceiling like great stalactites. This beautiful apartment contains many art treasures gathered by the family in tours through foreign lands. Among them are rare paintings, sculpture, bronzes, and mosaics of Perugeno, Tintoretto, Turner, Chambers, Paul Bartlett, and several copies from old masters. At the base of a magnificent pier glass is a rare piece of art, a jardiniere in mercury bronze. It is in the form of an immense shell adorned with dolphins and Neptune’s head that support two superb candelabra, encircling two exquisitely-carved marble columns, to which are chained bronze figures, copies of Michaelangelo’s famous slaves. The whole superb piece was taken from the Borghesi palace. The empire room, with its furniture, draperies, pictures, and ornaments, is a complete study of that period. All were imported directly from Paris. Other elegant rooms represent with the same artistic accuracy various historic periods and include rare collections of antique furniture, Dutch marquety, buhl, colonial, and Italian Renaissance art. Mrs. WILSON’s collections of ceramics include a rare set of Crown Derby, Delft, old Chelsea, Capo Damonte, and Sevres. Her plate, much of which is of George II period, is rare.
Mr. and Mrs. WILSON are building a country home, which, when completed, will be the most magnificent country house in the South.
At the first flower parade given in Nashville under the auspices of the Retail Merchants’ Association, Mrs. WILSON had the honor of being awarded the first prize for the most beautifully decorated Victoria.
With all her wealth and brilliant position, Mrs. WILSON possesses an unaffectedly sweet and true nature; and while she meets every requirement of her social station, she is a sincere, earnest, Christian woman, a devoted wife and mother, and a true friend, whom to know is to love.
Source: Gilchrist, Annie S. Some Representative Women of Tennessee. Nashville: McQuiddy Print. Co, 1902.
