Thomas Wilson, gentleman of Coleorton

[bagpuss]

I have come across a will (National Archives) for Thomas Wilson, gentleman of Coleorton, and have been trying to find out more about him in the hope that I can link him to my Wilson family.  His will is dated 11 Mar 1808, and in it he leaves bequests to his various nieces and nephews of his siblings - Ann Ayre, Catherine Storer, Elizabeth Slater and John & Samuel Wilson.  One of the children of John Wilson is Thomas who I am hoping is my Thomas Wilson (he was born 1767 and jointly established Coleorton Pottery in 1835).  I have never been able to trace Thomas' parents all I know is that on his marriage in 1801 he is listed as "of Donisthorpe" but I cannot find any baptism records from here.

Is there anyone who might help identify Thomas, I don't even know how old he was when he died, all help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

With many thanks,
Sue

[..claire..]

Hi

A transcript of burials for St Mary's Church, Coleorton is online, which gives this information

Thomas Wilson born 1748 aged 60 buried 18 Feb. 1808. Of Newgate Street, London.

Here's the link, a few Ayres included.

http://www.coleorton.org.uk/Grave_Audit_St_Marys_A_051113.pdf

claire

[bagpuss]

Thank-you Claire,

So he was born in 1748, that's a really good start and gives me a bit more to go on. 

Many thanks
Sue

[willsy]

Just looking round the names with the burial

Coleorton   17-Apr   1768   Lic   
John   Ayre   OTP      Bach   30   
Catherine   Storer   OTP      Wid   27

[bagpuss]

Thank-you Willsy,

I'll try to tie them in, and get my head round this information.

All the best,
Sue

[Frank on Thetis]

Hello

I have a Thomas Wilson 1767-1840 married Elizabeth Evans 1778-1861 in my maternal line.  Their daughter Elizabeth 1807-1870 married George Proudman who was involved with a pottery business in Coleorton.  Is this the Thomas  Wilson you refer to in your family?

Frank on Thetis

[bagpuss]

It is indeed Frank, I see from your surname interests that you are of the Northumberland Proudman line, I have had contact with a few researchers on your side of the family in the past, so it is a pleasure to *meet* you. 

I am trying to take the line further back but haven't had much luck in the past, the surname Wilson doesn't help!  I saw this Will online and wondered if I could associate it with our Wilson's.  In it Thomas Wilson leaves £200 to his nephew also Thomas Wilson, son of his late brother John, now - our Thomas Wilson would have been around the correct age (b.1767) to be his nephew but there is absolutely no evidence to support this except Wilson & Proudman set up the pottery some years later on the outer reaches of the Coleorton Estate.  Now surely to my way of thinking he would have needed some capital to invest in this new venture, so it is tempting to form this theory.  Hopefully if I keep digging some piece of the puzzle may turn up.

By the way, if you are interested in the history of the Pottery, Samuel T Stewart has produced an excellent book "Coleorton Pottery 1835-1938" which you still may be able to purchase. 

By the way I am descended from Thomas Wilson's son William, then his son Thomas Evans Wilson, in case you were wondering. 

Regards,
Sue

[Frank on Thetis]

Hi Sue

Checking my archived Rootschat messages we "talked" in 2010 and you kindly provided information on Elizabeth Wilson's parentage.  Have never found anything definitive on Thomas Wilson's parents but did find a list of legal transactions on The National Archive site mentioning George & John Proudman, their Bingham connection and one for Thomas Wilson with reference the Coleorton Pottery.  Might have sent it on to the email address you supplied me at that time.  Thank you for the tip on the potteries history by Samuel Stewart.  Will see if a copy can be found.

Frank

[bagpuss]

Hi Frank,

Of course, I didn't recognise your username.  Hope you are well and still enjoying your researching, I keep digging, you never know some day some new information may turn up!

All the best
Sue