Born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, Wilson attended Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and graduated from Harvard University in 1789.
He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1792, commencing practice in Peterborough.
He served as member of the State House of Representatives between 1803–1808 and 1812–1814.
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1810 and resumed the practice of law, moving to Keene, New Hampshire, in 1815.
He died in Keene, January 4, 1839, and was interred in Woodland Cemetery.