UPDATE of the Past News 24th November 1866

 

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS........... 

 

*John Wilson Esq, physician and surgeon –

John was in this week’s news as he proudly announced the birth of a baby daughter on 22^nd November 1866. 

John’s full name was William John Wilson and he was born in Westmoreland, Cumbria in 1835/6. 

 

William John Wilson married Adeline Binns at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross on 13^th August 1863.  Adeline was the daughter of Charles Binns Esq, Granddaughter of Sir Joshua Walmsley of Wolverton Park, Hants.

In 1871 he is living with his family at Hill House, High Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield.  His children are –

Elizabeth aged 6 years,

Mabel F aged 5 years,
Ethel M aged 4 years,
Charles aged 3 years

The household has many members of staff also living in at Hill House –

Mary Gilberthorpe aged 26 years, nurse

Charlotte Bower aged 28 years, cook
Emily Coup aged 21 years, housemaid
John Dakin aged 23 years, groom
William Wilson aged 13 years, errand boy

The amount of staff and occupations in which they were employed show's the social standing that  William John Wilson and his family must have enjoyed in the Clay Cross and Chesterfield community.

William died suddenly of heart disease on 19^th November 1880 at Brighton, Sussex.  He was buried five days later on 24^th November 1880 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross.  He left a will which gained probate on 24^th December 1880.  The estate was valued at under £4000.

The Derbyshire Times described the Doctor as “a man of great mental gifts, much skill in his profession and kindly and genial in his disposition.  He was one of the most able chess players of the day and has frequently taken part in the Chess Tournament with Steinetz and other great players”

William had served in the Crimean War and had been employed previously as the surgeon for the convict prison at Dartmoor.  He was also honorary surgeon to the 17^th Company Second Battalion Derbyshire Volunteers at Clay Cross and was the medial officer to local friendly societies.  He ran a large private practice, tended at the local hospital which cared for local miners who had suffered injuries in the pits and was officer at the Chesterfield Union Workhouse. 

The funeral day came and the streets of Clay Cross were lined with mourners, young and old all followed the funeral procession.  Just after 3pm the funeral cortège left Dr Wilson’s residence and was followed by the 2^nd Derbyshire Volunteers and the band.  The coffin was made of polished oak and lined with zinc had a glass plate and a brass plate which was inscribed “William John Wilson, died 19^th November 1880 aged 46”.  On top of the coffin lay the surgeons hat, sword and sash.  After the coffin was lowered into the grave the ceremony was concluded by the firing party lead by Drill Instructor Neale, fired three volleys over the grave.

Adeline was buried just over one month later on 1^st January 1881 at St Bartholomew’s Church, Clay Cross.