Cheshire Memories: Thomas Wilson, Bishop of Sodor and Man
Thomas Wilson acted as Anglican Bishop of Sodor and Man in the seventeenth century, which was reputedly the poorest bishopric in Europe at the time. Despite this circumstance, he went on to found a free school in his home village of Burton on the Wirral.
Wilson was born in Burton in 1663 and his family had lived in the area for many generations. He attended the King's School in Chester and went to Dublin to study medicine at Trinity College. On returning from Ireland in 1687, he acted as curate to his uncle Richard Sherlock at Newchurch Kenyon, near Warrington.
Thomas Wilson was ordained in 1689 and took over the Newchurch parish until asked by the ninth Earl of Derby (William Stanley) to become his personal chaplain and tutor to his son. His employer subsequently encouraged Wilson to apply for the vacant position of bishop to the Isle of Man. He was successful and moved to the island in 1687, accepting the comparatively low annuity of £300.
He was responsible for undertaking a programme of rebuilding and renovating the churches on the island which had suffered from years of neglect in the absence of a bishop. Some of this work was funded from his personal resources and he was keen to encourage islanders to make the most of their resources by introducing new farming methods.
He also established public libraries, improved school facilities and provided basic medical services for the population. Due to his energetic ministry over a period of 58 years, he became a well-respected and popular figure. He died aged 91 and most adult islanders turned out for his funeral in March 1755.
Apart from his many achievements on the Isle of Man, he also founded and endowed an Anglican school in 1724 to provide free education for pupils in Burton and Puddington. This still exists today as the Burton Bishop Wilson CE Primary School.
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This would make nice bit for the Wirral Champion Journal maybe? Perhaps a picture or two? I haven't checked the back copies but does it matter ? - this is well written and interesting
Jim