Sea captain and trader. Then he served the London Missionary Society, 1796–98, as Honorary Commander of the ‘Duff’, the first British Missionary Ship of modern times.
Born at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Was British soldier during the American War of Independence and then worked for the East India Company. Only after retirement was he converted to Christianity. Hearing of a plan to send missionaries to the South Seas, he volunteered to lead the journey. He suggested that a boat should be bought and he found the 'Duff', big enough to take a large number of missionaries (thirty men, six women, and three children).
Wilson was the first occupant of Woodlands where he lived 1799–1814.
Sources include: , .
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them