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Francis William Wilson

Male 1874 - 1912  (37 years)


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  • Name Francis William Wilson 
    Birth 2 Nov 1874  Jordanstown, Belfast, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Occupation 1901 
    1901 Belfast Census shows age 26, and a "carpenter at sea." 
    Residence 1901  Belfast, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Address:
    9 Bloomfield Avenue
    Belfast
    Northern Ireland 
    Residence 16 May 1907  Belfast, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Address:
    74 Bloomfield Avenue
    Belfast
    Northern Ireland 
    Death 30 Aug 1912  Wharf, Port of East London, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    • According to the Register of Deceased Seamen at the National Archives:

      Particulars of Deceased:

      Name and Surname: Wilson, Francis or Frank
      Age: 38
      Rank or Rating: Carpenter
      Birthplace: Belfast
      Last Place of Abode: Birkenhead

      Particulars of Ship:

      Name: Clan Chisholm
      Official Number: 106,017
      Port of Registry: Glasgow
      Tonnage: 1,680

      Particulars of Death:

      Date: 30 August 1912
      Place: East London
      Cause: Drowned
    Death 31 Aug 1912  Port of East London, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location  [3
    From page 14 of the ship's log - Clan Chisholm:

    11.30 a.m. 30th August 1912 at East London

    "This day Francis Wilson Carpenter while painting the ?members? on the boom was discovered in the water by some Phaffins (?) on the wharf. Two Customs officers passing at the time and seeing the Phaffins [?] looking into the water also had a look and saw a man in the water. They immediately descended the piles of the wharf and got hold of him. Meantime other assistance was had from the ship and the man was pulled up on the wharf. Artificial Respiration was started at once and a doctor got immediately who on arrival pronounced the man dead. The police was notified who took charge of the body and a Post Mortem held the result of the finding being (not given) at time of Sailing."

    "The finding of the Court has been reserved for Monday 2nd Sept. 1912"
     
    Possessions 31 Aug 1912  Port of East London, South Africa Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    From the log of the "Clan Chisholm," page 15:

    Inventory of F. Wilson's personal effects:

    Cash: 6s 8d
    Suits: 1 Blue serge, 1 Duck
    Shirts: 5
    Braces: 1 pr
    Collars: 3 ??? 1 soft
    Ties: 2
    Socks: 5 prs
    Handkerchiefs: 5
    Singlets: 3
    Underpants: 3
    Hats: 1 straw
    Boots: 1 pr sea 2 Walkg Boots
    Jackets: 1 rough serge, 1 oilskin
    Belts: 2 Flannel
    Curtains: 4'
    1 pr nail scissors
    1 silver watch
    1 pkt envelopes notepaper
    1 piece shaving soap
    1 Portmanteau
    1 box containing carpenter's tools and 2 hammers
    1 screwdriver
    1 adge
    1 brace but no bits
    1 Gimlet
    3 Caulking chisels
    6 Wood chisels
    1 Screw spanner
    1 saw and 1 plane and 1 rule
    1 clothes brush
    1 hair brush and comb
    1 nail brush
    1 shaving brush 
    Record ID Number MH:I101 
    Person ID I101  Walsh - Wilson Family Tree | Marjorie
    Last Modified 8 Mar 2009 

    Father William Wilson,   b. 1850/1851, County Antrim, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Mother Sarah Jane Todd,   b. Abt 1855, County Antrim, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Marriage 23 Oct 1872  St. Anne's Church of Ireland Parish, Belfast, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Record ID Number MH:F40 
    Notes 
    • 1901 Belfast Census shows William Wilson (age 52, shipwright) living with wife Sarah Jane (age 46, housekeeper) and children: Frank Wilson (age 26, carpenter at sea, single), Mary Ellen Wilson (age 24, machinist), Sarah (age 19, weaver), Alexander (age 11), James (age 6), and Thomas (age 5).
    Family ID F39  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sarah Ann Parker,   b. 18 Apr 1876, High Street, Trevethin, Pontypool. Monmouthshire Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 02 Feb 1953, 54 Buddle Lane, Exeter, Devon Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years) 
    Marriage 07 Jan 1903  St. Woolos, Newport, Monmouthshire Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Children 
    +1. Francis Todd Wilson,   b. 16 May 1907, Belfast, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1981, Adelaide, South Australia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years)
    Documents
    Marriage Index - Jan-Feb-Mar 1903 - Francis Todd Wilson
    Marriage Index - Jan-Feb-Mar 1903 - Francis Todd Wilson
    The Newport, Monmouthsire marriage index shows Francis Todd Wilson as a groom in the first quarter of 1903.
    Marriage Document - Francis Todd Wilson and Sarah Ann Parker
    Marriage Document - Francis Todd Wilson and Sarah Ann Parker
    Married 7 Jan 1903 at St. Woolos, Stow Hill, Newport, Monmouthsire - Married by Rev J. Gower Jones, B.A., curate.
    Family ID F37  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 12 May 2009 

  • Documents
    Birth Certificate - Frank Todd Wilson
    Birth Certificate - Frank Todd Wilson
    Born at 74 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast. Father's occupation is "Shipwright."
    Death Certificate for Francis Wilson - East London, South Africa
    Death Certificate for Francis Wilson - East London, South Africa
    Researched on our behalf by Ann Clarkson - ebor@intekom.co.za
    Francis William Wilson Birth Certificate - Belfast
    Francis William Wilson Birth Certificate - Belfast
    Clan Chisholm 'Agreement and Account of Crew'
    Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
    Page 1 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
    Clan Chisholm 'Agreement and Account of Crew'
    Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
    Page 2 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). Frank Wilson, a carpenter, is shown as living at 35 The Woodland, Birkenhead. Previously on the Calchas. From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
    Clan Chisholm 'Agreement and Account of Crew'
    Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
    Page 3 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). Francis Wilson's is a Carpenter, and boarded on 12 July 1912. On 30 Aug 1912 he died in East London, South Africa. His wages to the time of death were £3:5:9. From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
    Clan Chisholm 'Agreement and Account of Crew'
    Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
    Page 4 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912).

    Description of Francis Wilson's death: "fell from the side of the vessel's haws [hawsers? Def: 'A cable or rope used in mooring or towing a ship'] whilst performing his duties at the Port of East London fell into the river. The accident was unnoticed at the time and when the body was discovered in the water and recovered it was found that life was extinct. A Court of Inquiry has been held this day at East London but the finding has not been given up to the time of sailing. The master has handed over to me the account of deceased's wages together with the discharge book and the balance of wages due to deceased amounting to £3:5:9 which I have examined and certify to be correct. The remainder of the deceased's personal effects have been retained by the master and I have taken an inventory of the same which will be found endorsed in the official log under my official stamp and signature. /s/ Shipping Office, East London."

    From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
    Clan Chisholm 'Agreement and Account of Crew'
    Clan Chisholm "Agreement and Account of Crew"
    Page 5 - Voyage from Glasgow (9 July 1912) to India and back to the UK - Birkenhead (25 November 1912). From the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
    Daily Dispatch Articles - August - September 1912 - East London, South Africa
    Daily Dispatch Articles - August - September 1912 - East London, South Africa
    These few clippings are quite poignant. The "Clan Chisholm" sails in to East London at 6:35 AM on 29 Aug 1912 from Algoa Bay (a wide inlet along the South African east coast, some 425 miles east of the Cape of Good Hope - the city of Port Elizabeth is situated in the bay) and docks at Number 3 wharf. On 30 Aug 1912 Francis Wilson falls into the river unnoticed, and drowns. On 2 Sep 1912, at 7:54 AM, the "Clan Chisholm" sails for Delagoa Bay (now Maputo Bay, or Baia de Maputois, an inlet of the Indian Ocean on the coast of Mozambique). Francis Wilson's body is sent to the East London Cemetery.
    Crew List of the 'Calchas'
    Crew List of the "Calchas"
    The crew list showing Francis (Frank) Wilson's service as carpenter on the "Calchas" from 14 Oct 1911 (at Birkenhead) until termination of voyage on 9 Feb 1912 (in London). His monthly pay was £7 0s 0d. The "Calchas" was built in Greenock in 1899, and was torpedoed and sunk by the Germans in 1917 as she sailed from New York with munitions on board. Abstract by Len Barnett.
    Frank Todd Wilson Birth Certificate - Belfast - 16 May 1907
    Frank Todd Wilson Birth Certificate - Belfast - 16 May 1907
    The birth certificate for Frank Todd Wilson shows he was born at 74 Bloomfield Avenue, Belfast [Urban No. 13], on 16 May 1907 (registration 310). His father was Francis Wilson, a shipwright, and mother was Sarah Ann [Parker] Wilson. The informant was A. L. Parker [presumably Ann Louisa Parker, Sarah's sister].
    Probate of Francis Wilson - Died 30 Aug 1912 in East London, South Africa
    Probate of Francis Wilson - Died 30 Aug 1912 in East London, South Africa
    District Probate Registry at Chester - Francis Wilson abode at 35 The Woodlands, Birkenhead at time of his death. Widow Sarah Ann Wilson granted letters of administration. Value of estate Stg 140.0.0. Document dated 4 Mar 1913.

    Headstones
    Francis Wilson - Seaman
    Francis Wilson - Seaman
    Gravestone for Francis Wilson at East Bank Cemetery, East London, South Africa

    Information from the Interment Register held at Cambridge Cemetery, East London, South Africa:

    Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404
    Date of death: 30 Aug 1912
    Place of death: Buffalo Harbour
    Date of interment: 31 Aug 1912

    Information and photograph courtesy of Anne Clarkson http://www.family-research.co.za/
    Plot: Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404
    Francis Wilson Grave - East London, South Africa
    Francis Wilson Grave - East London, South Africa
    Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404 - Photograph courtesy of Ann Clarkson - http://www.family-research.co.za/
    Plot: Church of England Section 6C, Grave 404
    East Bank Cemetery, East London, South Africa
    East Bank Cemetery, East London, South Africa
    Anne Clarkson of http://www.family-research.co.za kindly took these photographs for us.

    She indicated in her e-mail, "Just a quick email to say I am in East London and have just come back from the East Bank Cemetery, where I found Francis Wilson's grave. It has a small plaque reading Francis Wilson, Seaman. Luckily I managed to organise an escort from the Municipality. There are big signs at the cemetery entrance warning people that it is not safe to enter alone, and I wouldn't have dared to go in without my brawny escort, who looked bloodthirsty enough himself and was armed with a large crowbar!

    "I was quite glad to have the crowbar-wielding chap with me, because while I was searching for the grave two rather scary looking characters came slinking out of the bushes. They turned tail and fled when my chap yelled at them in Xhosa and brandished his weapon. Looking at the photo of the cemetery it looks so peaceful!

    "The graves are tidy enough, and the grass had recently been mown."

    Histories
    History of the Clan Chisholm
    History of the Clan Chisholm
    The history of the vessel Clan Chisholm, part of the Clan Lane. Built and launched on the Clyde in 1896.

    Albums
    Clan Chisholm
    Clan Chisholm (5)
    Crew Agreements regarding the Clan Chisholm

  • Sources 
    1. [S4925] Register of Deceased Seamen, Dec 1912, 1912 (BT334/53) (Reliability: 3).
      Register of Deceased Seamen searched by Stephen T. J. Wright of London Research Service - www.LondonResearchService.com - and reported 21 Jun 2008. Wilson's death took place on 30 Aug 1912 but was not reported until Dec 1912, and then to the General Register Office of Ireland in Dublin.

    2. [S4928] Death Register for East London, 03 Sep 1912, Entry Number 567/1912 (Reliability: 3).
      Death Certificate from East London shows Francis Wilson, a ship's carpenter, died at East London Wharf, and was buried in East London. Death was sudden, and "due to drowning, apparently accidental." An inquest was held, but no records relating to inquests after 1902 have survived. The Register of Inquests reports:

      * Inquest No. 31 of 1912

      * Held 31 August; continued 2 and 3 September

      * Francis Wilson, a European male aged 38 years

      * Presiding Magistrate: W J L McDonald, Assistant Resident Magistrate

      * Verdict: Death due to drowning, apparently accidental

      * Report sent to the Solicitor-General on 4 September 1912

      Information kindly obtained by Anne Clarkson - ebor@intekom.co.za


    3. [S4934] Ships' Official Logs - Voyages Ending in 1912, 31 Aug 1912, Log of the Clan Chisholm - page 14, PRO BT 165/553. (Reliability: 3).
      Abstract by Len Barnett - http://www.barnettmaritime.co.uk

    4. [S4934] Ships' Official Logs - Voyages Ending in 1912, 31 Aug 1912, Log of the Clan Chisholm - Page 15, PRO BT 165/553. (Reliability: 3).
      Abstract by Len Barnett - http://www.barnettmaritime.co.uk

    5. [S4907] Free BMD Index, Jan-Feb-Mar 1903, Newport, Monmouthshire - Vol 11a - Page 255 (Reliability: 3).
      http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=iFKFYbyfKbFXldMGtGaCHg&scan=1