Nat Gould

Fletcher Wilson 1788-1861

Fletcher Wilson was born on 28 October 1788 at Charlotte Street in London, the son of Stephen Wilson 1761-1814 and his wife née Jane Mason.

He was baptised on 28 November 1788 at Carter Lane Presbyterian Chapel in Blackfriars, London. His non-conformist baptism was registered at Dr Williams Library in London on 18 October 1797, together with those of his sisters Jane Wilson, Ann Wilson, Mary Wilson and Susanna Wilson (1).

On 14 September 1820 he married Ann Morley at Walthamstow by licence (2). She was the daughter of John Morley of Walthamstow (3). When the Census was taken in 1841 they were living at 85 Gloucester Place in London, with a manservant and two female servants.

They had a son Arthur Morley Wilson born on 9 June 1823 at Walthamstow in Essex, and baptised on 21 July 1823 at St Mary's church in Walthamstow. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was killed on 14 August 1847 in an accident to their horse-drawn carriage at Woodham Walter in Essex, while returning home with his parents from visiting the Bishop of Rochester at his palace at Danbury Place near Chelmsford (4).

On 26 August 1830 he was appointed the Danish Consul General in London (5).

His wife Ann Wilson née Morley had also died when the Census was taken in 1851, and Fletcher Wilson was then living at 9 Grafton Street, Hanover Square in London, together with a manservant and three female domestics. By 1861 he was living at 38 Grove End Road at St John's Wood in London, together with a nurse, butler, cook and housemaid. His unmarried sister Susanna Wilson was living with him there when he died in 1861.

He died on 13 July 1861 in St. John's Wood in London. Probate of his Will was granted on 29 July 1861 (6).

(1) General Register Office: Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths surrendered to the Non-Parochial Registers Commissions of 1837 and 1857: Dr Williams' Library Registry, Birth Certificates, 1792-1805 Class RG 4 Piece 4660.
(2) Pallot's Marriage Index for England 1780-1837. His wife had died by the time when the Census was taken in 1851.
(3) "Married ... Fletcher Wilson, Esq. of Warnford-court, to Ann, eldest daughter of the late John Morley, Esq. of Walthamstow." Oxford Journal 7 October 1820.
(4) "The Recent Melancholy Accident at Woodham Walter" Essex Standard 13 August 1847. Fletcher Wilson was also injured in the accident but recovered. "On Aug 7th we had heard the terrible news of the death of our young cousin, Arthur Wilson, son of Fletcher Wilson, and Nephew of our cousins Anne and Susan. Young, rich and very handsome and amiable, life seemed opening before him in all its beauty. He had, after finishing University career, been, with his parents, making the "Grand Tour" as it was called, on the continent, and had been collecting various beautiful things for his home, some of which have come to us. He had been to call at the Bishop of Rochester's Palace (Bishop Murry, one of whose daughters he was supposed to be going to marry) and, on returning, something happened which caused the horses to take fright. He was thrown out against a stone and died instantly ; his mother had concussion of the brain but lingered for a few months; his father, cousin Fletcher, was a good deal cut and hurt. After this he went to live in Pall Mall and his youngest and favourite sister, "Cousin Susan", lived there with him till he died, in 1860; he left most of his property to her. He was my father's greatest early friend." Diary of Harriet Moore (1847). http://www.geni.com/people/Fletcher-Wilson/
(5) "Foreign-Office, 26th August 1830. The King [William IV] has been pleased to approve of Fletcher Wilson, Esq. as Consul General in London for His Majesty the King of Denmark." Edinburgh Gazette 3 September 1830 page 1; Bulletins of State Intelligence, &c. (1830) page 287.
(6) "Letters of Administration (with the Will annexed) of the Personal estate of Fletcher Wilson formerly of Pall Mall Westminster but late of 38 Grove-End-road St. Johns Wood both in the County of Middlesex Esquire deceased who died 13 July 1861 at Grove-End-road aforesaid were granted at the Principal Registry to Susanna Wilson of 38 Grove-End-road aforesaid Spinster the Sister and the Residuary Legatee named in the said Will she having been first sworn. Effects under £20,000." England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations) 1858-1966 (1861) page 121.