After four years in Boone County, Presley and Polly moved to Monroe County near Florida, where he farmed. Later he moved into Florida, where they conducted a store and a hotel (tavern); it is understood these enterprises were successful for them.

Mark Twain was born in this town and the house in which he was born was later owned by Presley’s daughter, Martha Jane Wilkerson Goss, property now (in 1958) owned by State Park Commission. Sally Moss Wilkerson Wright (now 90 years and living) insists she slept many tines in the house Mark Twain lived in and it is not the house now owned by the State Park and identified as Mark Twain’s birthplace. She and Pet are positive was torn down as they saw it torn down, to build the Presbyterian Church in Florida. The house they call his is of the same type and style and age as the genuine one, they say; almost all the furniture in it and being exhibited belonged to Cousin Braxton Pollard’s father, Jim (cherry bed, lanterns) which they claim came from his attic. Regarding Aunt Sally’s insistence on her sleeping in Mark Twain’s home she was attending an Academy in Florida and lived in the house with Alla Medora Wilkerson Wilson (her sister) and her husband Thomas J. Wilson, she and Pet say.

To return to Presley: he said he sold many a gallon of 100 proof whiskey for 5¢ a gallon. His son, Milton Bryant, helped him in the tavern but upon the day he became 21 years of age, he refused to sell whiskey another day. He was a very religious boy.

Presley and family moved to Santa Fe. He was especially interested in horticulture and was a nurseryman and cooper (barrel maker). Presley and Polly had eleven children. In 1828 Presley united with the Baptist Church at Rockey Fork and was baptized by Elder Peyton Stevens. In 1830 they moved to Monroe County in Sept.

Young Presley was reported as being a very true shot, exchanging shooting with neighbors while they did his farming (when he was living on the farm). By this means the neighbors saved powder, which was scarce. This shooting for game provided them with their meat supply. He barked squirrels, meaning he shot the tree beside them and the ricocheted bullet would stun the squirrel. He killed many deer.

Preisley’s death was written up in the "Columbia Missouri Statesman, Friday June 19, 1868, p. 2 c. 8 a "DEATHS Near Santa Fe, Monroe County, Mo.

May 16,1868. Presley Wilkerson, aged 69 years, 7 mo. and 29 day. Deceased was an early settler in Missouri. In 1826 he moved from Clark County, Ky. to Boone County, Mo. In 1828 he united with the Baptist Church at Rocky Fork and was baptized by Elder Peyton Stevens. In 18?? he removed to the eastern part of Monroe County."

A picture of Polly has been in the family for many years. In 19?? it was given to Robert R. Wright by Amanda Malvina Bybee Wilkerson (Milton B.’s wife) and Rob, quite by chance discovered, when he took it out of the frame, the picture of Presley on the back of the picture of Polly. It was then recalled by Grandfather Milton B. that his father was opposed to having his picture taken, on the biblical grounds that no image should be made, etc. Apparently Polly had prevailed, and in deference to her, he had his picture taken for her alone.

This picture apparently does Polly a great injustice and was taken in her last years, as Pet remembers her as being as pretty as can be. She remembers her as wearing a black satin apron and a black lace cap with white ruffles around her face, and as being very small of stature. Polly made her own cheese and she fed it and/or gravy to Charlie and Pet. Pet was three years old when Polly died.

From Chronicles of the time, it is learned that every one, especially young men, were taught a trade in those days. Presley had been taught the trade of woodwork so it came in conveniently and profitably for him to become a cooper or barrel maker when he became so afflicted with rheumatism that he was reduced to walking with crutches. He could not content himself with an idle life after being so active and engaging in so many pursuits for a livelihood. Polly was the one to "tote and fetch" as he was unable to walk, unaided. Many articles of great use and convenience were made by that craftsman of old—chairs (called split—bottomed), ladder-back chairs (One in present use being nearly 3/4 century old or older —this written by an unknown author), trays, bowls for butter, trays for breadmaking, axe handles, etc. All was of the best and most skillful workmanship. As remembered, a "shaving horse" was used. It was a long piece of wood, thick, one end raised by two upright pieces to the height of a chair and the other extreme end resting on the floor. At the elevated end was, as remembered, a clamp by which the stick or piece could be held in place. For this work, a drawing knife was used for shaving or shaping the wood as desired.

In the long evenings, Presley read (and aloud) by the light of the candle the news in city weeklies, Acts and Workings of Congress, etc., all of which was listened to respectfully by "Grandmother" (as recalled by their children and grandchildren).

Their home was not so very unlike homes of neighbors in the surrounding countryside, yet a difference could be felt rather than explained; thrift, where hospitality and comfort were found; also evidence of interest keenly felt in events of past occurrences in the history of their country.

One object of worthwhile interest was the old Clock, ever faithfully reminding all of passing time, with a record for accuracy. One source of studied interest were pictures on the wall; large prints protected by frame and glass, one especially—a number of small vessels making their way, seemingly with great difficulties, among huge blocks of ice; one particularly of the vessels in which was standing a prominent-looking person who seemed directing the movements of the men, "The Father of our Country" as we were told, making that memorable Christmas entrance into Trenton, successfully surprising the enemy.

Polly had dishes, called delft, of beauty as well as of use-pieces of thin, eggshell thickness; also bowls of different sizes, with rich floral designs, with quaint-looking figures of people in gay attire, all in vivid colorings. Besides roomy pieces of furniture, heavy and useful, much interest was found in a good collection of books, libraries not to be found as commonly as at present. Among titles recalled were, "Signers of Declaration of Independence", "Corner Cupboard", "Inquire Within" -- these last two books with their thousands of "facts" must have been the forerunners of books of knowledge, of more recent date; other books, "The Throne of David " or "Rebellion of Prince Absolom", a most interesting, instructive book—but best of all, and most precious with Grandmother, was the old Family Bible. It is called old, for tho' cared for, it shows signs of use. It must have been with the family all along the journey of life. Large, almost square, it had coarse leaves with large print, also unusual pictures. Our grandmother read regularly in this book, especially on Sundays. Often, when none of the family were near except the small children, she sang songs, only two as recalled were heard, "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" and one other, "Oh, Come, Angel Band, Come and Around Me Stand,"

When one, especially a child, was eagerly telling something, perhaps to them of great import, she would say gently, "Can you prove it?" Again, when one was most positive arid certain, or expressed determination to go a certain place, she would say, "If the Lord wills, I will do such or will go to such a place". In this way, she showed her attitude about everyday ideas of life.