Jacob P. Wilkinson was born on August 15, 1801, in North Stonington, CT.  While in California, at the age of 53, he married Eliza J. Geer on June 16, 1854. 

Eliza recorded the following brief biography of her husband: 
“He was a blacksmith by trade, and a good mechanic. About 1850 he moved to California, where they were married. Fourteen years later they returned to Norwich, where they lived at 28 Spring Street.”

Jacob died on May 30, 1882, while in Norwich.

The inscription on his memorial reads: 

“Only just across the river waiting on the other shore”

His wife Eliza lived for 14 years after his death. She did not remarry …

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