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Christopher Wilson (1731–1804) was an English merchant and banker in Kendal.
Life
He was the eldest son of Thomas Wilson ofNatland
Natland is a village and civil parish about two miles (3 km) south of Kendal in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria, England, close to the village of Oxenholme. In the 2001 census the parish had a population of 747, increasing at the 2 ...
, a hosier, and Ellen Burrough or Burrow. He inherited land and property from his father. Going into business himself as a hosier, he started to invest in linsey manufacture by 1766. From beginnings buying fleeces to dye, he built up a merchant connection in textiles, and gunpowder
Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, carbon (in the form of charcoal) and potassium nitrate ( saltpeter) ...
, though partnerships, sales travellers, and exports. Wilson built Blindbeck House in Kendal, and his family moved there in 1785.
Wilson founded the Kendal Bank (Maude, Wilson & Crewdson), with Joseph Maude and Thomas Crewdson, on 1 January 1788 (Crewdson was a cousin to Wilson). This bank opened in Farrers House, Stramongate (moving to Highgate in 1792) simultaneously with John Wakefield's bank; the two banks merged in 1840. Wilson served as alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members them ...
of Kendal, being mayor in 1798–9.
Family
Wilson married in 1757 Margaret Parke, daughter of Thomas and Hannah Parke ofLow Row
Low Row is a village in Swaledale, in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, England. It lies about 3 miles west of Reeth and is between Healaugh and Gunnerside. It is part of the Richmondshire parish Melbecks. It is a linear village running ...
, and sister of Thomas Parke of Liverpool
Liverpool is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the List of English districts by population, 10th largest English district by population and its E ...
. They had two sons, one being Christopher
Christopher is the English language, English version of a Europe-wide name derived from the Greek language, Greek name Χριστόφορος (''Christophoros'' or ''Christoforos''). The constituent parts are Χριστός (''Christós''), "Jesus ...
, and three daughters.Satchell and Wilson p. 15 and p. 53.
References
* *Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Christopher 1731 births 1804 deaths English merchants English bankers People from Natland