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Messages - DMW

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Yorkshire (West Riding) / Wilson family - Leeds
« on: Friday 25 November 05 02:14 GMT (UK)  »
I am researching the Wilson family who came to prominence in Leeds during 17th century.  Specifically Benjamin Wilson (1721-1788), youngest of 14 children to Major Wilson and Elizabeth Yates. 

The Wilson families lived at Boarlane and Millhill.  Two were Recorders of Leeds.

I can't trace the family back much further than Major's father, John Wilson (born about 1643 Borelaine).

Benjamin went to London where he had a successful career as a portrait painter and Sergeant Painter to George 111.  He also was an FRS and did experiments in electricity.  His painting of Benjamin Franklin is the oldest oil painting in the American White House.

He wrote a memoir, a copy of which is in the National Portrait Gallery, but the original was with the Wallis Wilson family who lived in Leeds in 1939.  I haven't been able to find any trace of them. 

Some of Benjamin's grandchildren added Wallis to their name because Benjamin's daughter married Admiral Provo Wallis - Admiral of the Fleet.

I am descended from one of his brothers, Joseph who also lived in London.

Thank you to anyone who can help.


DMW

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Donegal / Re: Wilsons of Dunfanaghy, Donegal, Ireland
« on: Monday 21 November 05 04:09 GMT (UK)  »
Re: Wilsons of Dunfanaghy

Does anyone know how far the Wilsons of Dunfanaghy go back?  Benjamin Wilson (1721-1788) was the younger brother of a Thomas Wilson (b.1701) from Leeds, where the family was very prominent.

Their father, Major Wilson, was a wealthy merchant of cloth who did trade with Russia.  The oldest son, John (b1699) was at the Court of Peter the Great.  The second son, Thomas was in charge of his father's ship which took cloth to Russia.

According to Benjamin's diary, on returning to England, Thomas stopped at Dunfanaghy to 'divert himself ' in the town, neglected to take care of the ship which was wrecked 'due to his carelessness'.  He stayed there out of fear of his father's wrath, married a local woman with a good fortune and they had several chidren who also married well.  The family in England never saw him again.

Benjamin Wilson went to London where he became a famous portrait painter and electrical scientist.  He was a member of the Royal Society and his painting of Benjamin Franklin, with whom he also had a scientific disagreement, is the oldest painting in the White House today.  He was also Painter to George 111, after Hogarth.

His son, Sir Robert Wilson, faught Napoleon, was a Member of Parliament for Southwark for 15 years, and ended his career as Governor of Gibraltar.
I am related to the family, through another brother of Benjamin's -- Joseph, (b1707) and our side of the family migrated to Australia in 1837.

Would love to hear from anyone with more information.

DMW

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