CFHS code : AG509
Parish : St Andrew the Great
Inscription : In Loving Memory of JAMES WILSON d Nov 14 1910 aged 74 also of LOUISA WILSON wife of the above d April 3 1919 aged 85
Monument : Scroll
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Lat Lon : 52.203002, 0.13705114 – click here for location
Monument
This scroll, located in the northern section of the parish of Andrew the Great, is midway between the west path and the centre circle. 11 rows west along the east west path from the centre circle, and 13 monuments north. The inscription of metal letters is still legible.
Inscription
‘In Loving Memory of JAMES WILSON who fell asleep Nov 14 1910 aged 74 years.’
“Until the day break and the shadows flee away.”
‘Also of LOUISA WILSON wife of the above died April 3 1919 aged 85 years.’
James Wilson (1836 – 14 November 1910)
James was born in West Dean, Sussex and was the son of George and Ann. His father was a domestic coachman and he grew up at Belgrave Mews, London. Aged 14 he was working as an errand boy and later worked as a domestic butler. James married Louisa Summerlin in Cambridge in 1889 and by 1891 had retired. The couple lived at Berwick House, Priory Road (1891) and 58 Sedgwick Street (at least 1901 onwards). James committed suicide in November 1910 by drowning and the subsquent inquest found that he ‘had been in low spirits for some time and always seemed upset when he heard of anyone having committed suicide’. His hat and coat were found on the bank of the river and he had left a note to Louisa. His sister in law testified that ‘he was getting older and feebler and he had told her that he felt weak and should not live long’. A verdict of ‘suicide during temprorary insanity’ was returned by the inquest jury.
Louisa Wilson (née Summerlin) (1834 – 3 April 1919)
Louisa was born in the village of Croydon cum Clapton, ten miles south west of Cambridge and baptised there on 22 February 1834. She was the daughter of blacksmith George Summerlin and his wife Ann (née Merry), sister of Howard. Louisa worked as a nurse/servant in London from at least 1851 onwards. In 1871 she was living at 44 Charles Street and working for Lt Col Henry Campbell and his family. She married James Wilson when she was 55 years old and they retired to live in Cambridge. Louisa died at Sedgwick Street and her funeral took place at St. Philip’s Church on 8 April 1919.
Louisa’s nephew Frederick Summerlin is also buried at Mill Road Cemetery.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any further information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]