James Wilson (1827 - 1901)

Born Mar 1827 in Ballymoney, Antrim, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Isabella (Hamilton) Wilson — married 3 Aug 1849 in The Parish Church in the Parish of Birr (Parsonstown), County Offaly (King's County), Ireland

Husband of Elizabeth (Worthington) Wilson — married 6 Nov 1866 in Carlow, Co Carlow, Ireland

Descendants

Died 18 Apr 1901 at age 74 in 9 Potato Market, Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland

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Biography

James Wilson was born in Ballymoney, Co Antrim, Ireland, the son of Thomas William (known as William) Wilson, who was a farmer. James joined the British army in 1844, when he was 17 and a half. meaning that he was born in 1827 :

No. 2212 name: James Wilson trade: labourer parish: Loughgill town: Ballymoney county: Antrim attested for the 89th regiment at Belfast date: 30 Sept 1844 age: 17 6/12 years discharged at 39 years height: 5' 7" eyes: blue hair: brown intended residence: Carlow Barracks, County Carlow, Ireland

Sergeant (formerly Corporal) James Wilson served in the British Army in the 89th (Princess Victoria's Own) Regiment of Foot (Service Number 2212). The 89th Regiment of Foot embarked for Turkey in April 1854. After fighting in the Crimea, it was transferred to India: the regimental depot was at Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland. James had 21 years service (1844 to 1865) in the Royal Irish Fusiliers and Princess Victoria's Own Regiment. He was therefore a veteran of both the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny.

On 3 August 1849, Corporal (later Sergeant) James Wilson married his first wife, Isabella Hamilton, at The Parish Church of Birr (Parsonstown), County Offaly (King's County), Ireland. James was stationed at Crinkill Barracks. They were married by Rector Marcus McCausland and the witnesses were John Chapman and Kitty (or Hetty) Read. The marriage certificate states that James and Isabella were both aged 24. However, he was actually aged 22 and therefore 2 years younger than his wife. He may have been embarrassed by being younger than her, which is why he said he was 24.

James and Isabella had two children together, a daughter, Martha Matilda and another as yet unnamed baby. Tragically, Isabella and the baby were killed by tigers in Umballa, India, (probably in the 1850s) where James was stationed. Isabella and her baby are buried in India. Young Martha survived the loss of her mother and baby sibling.

James left the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1865 and moved to Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland . He had been based at Carlow Barracks when he first joined the army in 1844,. When he returned from India to Carlow in 1865, he became a Staff Sergeant in the Carlow Rifles. It was in Carlow that he met and married (on 6 November 1866) his second wife, Elizabeth (Bessie) Worthington. James and Bessie had 5 children together, Annie, George, Thomas, Matilda and Humphrey.

On his daughter Matilda's baptism record in 1874, James's occupation was 'Sergeant, Carlow Rifles'.

Source - document written by his grand-daughter Bertha Elizabeth Haddock Wallace, 29 May 1964.

James Wilson of the 89th regiment in the Indian Mutiny of 1857-1858 was entitled to receive the Central India clasp.

Notes

looking at the Tithe Applotment books 1814-1855 the only Thomas Wilson is listed in 1825 in the barony of Dunluce Upper, parish of Ballymoney, townland of Colebreene Lower. In Loughgill, Ballymoney during this time period resided Samuel, Andrew, John, Andy, Robert, and (1st name not given) Wilson one of whom maybe the grandfather to James.

In the 1814 census of Ballymoney I found a William Wilson residing at Piper Row-North Side but I cannot determine if he was Church of Ireland or Presbyterian.

Sources

1901 census: Here

Death registration: Here