George C. Wilkins

The Wilkins family had a history of being in uniform, from William in the American Revolution to his son, Constantine, in the War of 1812, and his son, Joseph, being a Philadelphia constable. His son, George, was next in the paternal line, and he joined the city’s police force in 1854.

That was a pivotal year in Philly history. By act of the Legislature, the city and county merged  and a uniform (and uniformed) Philadelphia Police Department was created. George was among the first to be known as a “bluecoat.”

Unfortunately the same law also set police district boundaries that matched each ward, which created political interference. A new officer was usually “sponsored” by a ward leader which obligated the officer to benefit whichever party was in power. The mayor also had the power to appoint one lieutenant and two sergeants per district and give them direct orders.

It was also the year when the mayor’s term of office was extended to two years. The Democratic Party’s candidate for mayor won the office in 1856 so George either quit or was removed. Two years later he was back when the Republicans came to power. 

He was an active participant of Republican politics, which served him well for most of his long career in law enforcement. In fact, he was an early organizer of the party in Pennsylvania and greatly admired John C. Fremont, the first Republican candidate for U.S. President in 1856.

In 1855 a 20-year-old named Annie Neeley walked the aisle to become George’s wife, and together they rejoiced at the birth of George Caleb Wilkins in 1857. He was followed by brother William in 1860 and sister Susan in 1864. Just as George strongly supported the Republican Party, Annie was a lifelong advocate of women’s suffrage.

A Democratic mayor came to power in 1869 so George resigned. By this time the mayor’s term of office was three years, so George took a job as a driver until 1872, according to the city directory.

He came back when Republican Mayor Stokley appointed him lieutenant in charge of the Sixth District. He must have been popular, as attested by this tribute given him on October 8, 1873. No reason for the celebration was mentioned. He remained there until another Democratic mayor held the office from 1881-1884. This time, George found a political appointment in Harrisburg, working as a registering clerk in the Auditor General’s office.

He must have liked it there because he was in no rush to return in 1884 when the Republicans regained control. (They held the mayor’s seat for the next 68 years, until 1952, but it has remained in Democratic hands ever since.) 

On the home front, George’s oldest son got married in 1880 but caught tuberculosis and died in 1883. Seven months later, daughter Susan married a dentist and remained his wife until his death 52 years later. William Wilkins remained at home in a variety of jobs until he married in 1892.

George resumed command of the Sixth District house in 1887, transferring to the Twentieth District in 1890. This accolade was printed that year when his transfer was announced.

The sketch of George shown above ran in the newspaper in 1899 when he  announced his retirement. For years he had been entrusted with the job of treasurer with the Police Pension Fund Association and the Survivor’s Association of the Good Will Fire Engine Company. Now he also had more time for the Masonic Lodge and especially for his grandson who was living in the Wilkins house along with Susan and her husband.

It was all cut short when he died of diabetes two years later. The Masons provided the graveside ceremony in Section 123 on Mount Moriah’s Yeadon side.

Annie continued living with Susan’s family until 1915 when William’s wife died. She moved to help her son cope in the aftermath until she drew her last breath on November 29, 1920. She told a newspaper reporter that summer that she was so proud to register to vote and couldn’t wait until Election Day. Her family and friends were thrilled she lived long enough to do just that.

William would join his parents and brother in the family plot in 1937.