Social Victorians/People/Arthur Stanley Wilson

Also Known As

 * Family name: Wilson
 * Arthur Stanley Wilson
 * Baron Nunburnholme
 * Charles Henry Wilson, 1st Baron Nunburnholme (16 January 1906 – )
 * The family of Lady Sarah Spencer-Churchill and Gordon Wilson

Friends

 * Ethel Leginska (Mary Wilson and Muriel Wilson were patrons)

Organizations
=== Arthur Wilson, Father ===
 * Kingston College
 * Northeastern Railway, director

=== Arthur Wilson, Son ===
 * Eton College
 * Magdelene College, Oxford
 * Conservative Party

Timeline
1887, Susannah West Wilson and Jack Menzies married.

1890 September, Arthur Wilson (father) hosted a party that Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, as well as a number of the Marlborough House set attended; at this party, Edward Gordon-Cumming was accused of cheating at baccarat, which was it was illegal to play at the time.

1892 June 3, Friday, a ball at the Wilsons’ Grosvenor Street house in London:"We have have [sic] had during the last ten days no end of smart and dandy entertainments of one kind and another, the smartest dance since my Lady Burton's at Chesterfield House [see 1892-05-23] undoubtedly being that given by Mrs. Arthur Wilson at 17, Grosvenor-place, on Friday night in last week. This was really a brilliant ball, with any amount of 'go' about it. The house was most luxuriously decorated with flowers, the supper was of the best, and the band was everything that it should be. You should have seen the trains and tiaras! My word, they were worth going miles to see! The hostess wore a lovely gown of cream-coloured brocade woven with gold, and her daughters lovely frocks of satin. Mrs. Menzies wore a gown of the palest blue satin, with wondrous sleeves of lilac velvet. Miss Muriel Wilson looked so charming in white satin, as did her sister-in-law, Mrs. Jack Wilson."1895 June 10, Hon. Millicent Florence Eleanor Wilson and Sir Charles Edward Cradock-Hartopp, 5th Bt. married.

1897 July 2, Friday, Arthur and Mary Wilson attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball at Devonshire House as did their son Clive Wilson, their daughters Tottie (Susannah West) Wilson Menzies and her husband Jack Graham Menzies and Muriel Wilson, who was accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Wilson, whose son Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson and daughter Enid Wilson also attended. A Mr. T. W. Wilson also attended. (Mary [Mrs. Arthur] Wilson is #395)

1897 December 11, Muriel Wilson was injured in a roller-skating accident: ACCIDENT TO MISS MURIEL WILSON. Whilst roller skating on Saturday at the Assembly Rooms, Beverley, Miss Muriel Wilson slipped and injured one of her ankles. She was conveyed to the residence of her brother, Mr Kenneth Wilson, and Dr Gregory was sent for. He attended to her injuries, and on Sunday she was taken home to Tranby Croft. It is feared that one of the bones is fractured. 1899 February 2, Thursday, Muriel Wilson, along with a number of members of her family, attended the wedding of Mr. Edward J. Upton and Miss Mary Kathleen Reckitt in Ferriby, Howdenshire. The Wilsons who attended were the following: "Mr and Mrs E. S. Wilson, the Misses Wilson, Mr and Mrs E. J. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Arthur Wilson, Miss Muriel Wilson, Mr Clive Wilson, Mr and Mrs Stanley Wilson, Mr and Mrs C. H. Wilson, Mr and Mrs Beverley Wilson, the Misses Wilson." Muriel Wilson and her mother, Mrs. Arthur Wilson, gave the bride a Chippendale work table. 1899 July 6, Thursday, Joan Wilson married Guy Fairfax in London. Muriel Wilson, cousin of the bride, was there and her dress is described.

1900 February 15, Enid Edith Wilson and Edwyn Francis Scudamore-Stanhope, 10th Earl of Chesterfield married in London.

1900 July 27, Friday, Albert Edward, Princes of Wales had dinner at the Wilsons’:"Mr and Mrs Arthur Wilson were honoured with the presence of the Prince of Wales at dinner on Friday night. Amongst the guests were the Portuguese Minister, Count Mensdorff, Duke of Roxburghe, Lady Georgina Curzon, Captain and Lady Sarah Wilson (arrived that morning from South Africa), Lord and Lady Tweedmouth, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, Viscount Villiers, Lady Norreys, Lady Gerard, Hon Mrs Keppel, Sir Edward and Lady Colebrook, Mr and Mrs Grenfell, Lady Lister Kaye, Mrs Arthur Paget, Mr and Mrs Arthur Sassoon, Hon. W. Erskine, Mr and Mrs J. Menzies, General Oliphant, Miss Jane Thornewell, Mrs Kenneth Wilson, and Miss Muriel Wilson. (details on 1900)"1901 May 10, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson arrived in London:"Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wilson have arrived at their London residence in Grosvenor-place. Mrs. Wilson has for many years been a leading light in London society. It is said that Lady Sykes was her social godmother, and in the early days of the poker campaign she was one of most popular of poker hostesses. At present she seems best known to fame as mother of the much-admired Miss Muriel Wilson. Mrs. Wilson possesses wonderful jewels, and a diamond feather owned by her is second only in beauty and value to that which belongs to the Duchess of Newcastle."

1901 July 19, Friday, Mrs. Arthur Wilson hosted a concert at the Wilson house in Grosvenor-place in London (details on 1901 July 19). 1902 March 5, story about the grounds at Tranby Croft as well as Mrs. Arthur Wilson and Muriel Wilson from the local paper: Among the hostesses of whom many things will be expected this year, says the "Onlooker" of today in a special and illustrated article, is Mrs Arthur Wilson, whose lovely home, Tranby Croft, near Hull, has always been the scene of lavish hospitality. Mrs Wilson is never so happy as when she has her house full of guests, and in this she is always aided and abetted by her daughter, Miss Muriel Wilson.

It is only during the last few years, that any very strenuous efforts have been made the reconstruction and beautifying of the gardens, but things are now reaching maturity, and in spring and summer they are a veritable "dream of beauty." The pergolas which have been added everywhere are now reaching their greatest perfection, and are covered with clematis, wisteria, and crimson ramblers. Mrs Wilson's favourite flowers are manifestly roses, and her rose-garden is one of the beauty spots of a charming domain. She is further having a rose-house constructed, where she hopes to obtain the rarest and most beautiful blooms. Animals abound within the precincts of Tranby Croft — horses, dogs, birds, but the favourite of all is "Max," Mrs Arthur Wilson's grey Spitz, who follows her everywhere, and indeed travels with her, so far as the Board of Agriculture will permit.

Miss Muriel Wilson, on the other hand, is fond of larger animals, and her favourite companion of the dogs is a beautiful old English sheepdog, whose fidelity to his mistress does honour to the proverbial qualities of his breed. 1902 November 29, Muriel Wilson’s cousin, Lady Millicent Hartopp, involved in a divorce case (details on 29 November 1902).

1905 December 14, Hon. Millicent Florence Eleanor Wilson and Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley, 3rd Earl Cowley married in Colombo, Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon).

1905 December 19: "The villa built by Mr. Arthur Wilson at Beaulieu is now nearly ready for occupation, and shortly after Christmas he and Mrs. Wilson and Miss Muriel Wilson will proceed there, and stay for two or three months. The new villa is charmingly situated, with a lovely view over the Mediterranean, and the grounds have been most carefully arranged. At present Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are at their house in Grosvenor-place, London, but will return to Tranby Croft at Christmas."

1906, Susannah left Jack Menzies and moved back to Tranby Croft.

1907 February 7, Clive Wilson married Signora Magherini sometime during the week before the 7th. Muriel Wilson is mentioned as “the most written about Society girl of the day” and is fluent in Italian.

1909 October 28, Thursday, Arthur Wilson died (Thursday the 28th, the day of the paper, or the week before?):"Mr. Arthur Wilson, the senior partner in the firm of Messrs. Thomas Wilson and Sons, shipowners, of Hull, died on Thursday at Tranby Croft, Cottingham. The growth of the Wilson firm is one of the romances of commercial life, and Mr. Arthur Wilson’s career was almost exclusively bound up with it. In recent years the absorption of the second largest firm in Hall, Messrs. Bailey and Leetham (Limited), added 23 steamers to the fleet, which now numbers about 100 vessels. In all commercial matters affecting the port of Hull, and particularly in railway and dock questions, Mr. Wilson took an active and untiring interest. On January 2, 1904, the late Lord Herries unveiled a portrait which was presented to him by the subscribers of the Holderness Hunt in recognition of his services as Master for 25 years. Mr. Wilson had served the offices of High Sheriff for Yorkshire and Sheriff of Hull. At the time of the Home Rule “split” he withdrew from the Liberal party. Mr. Wilson married Miss Smith, daughter of the postmaster of Leeds, who survives him with three sons and three daughters — namely, Mr. A. Stanley Wilson, M.P., Mr. Kenneth Wilson, and Mr. Clive Wilson, Mrs. Lycett Green, Miss Muriel Wilson, and Mrs [sic] Menzies. The King has sent a sympathetic letter to Mrs. Wilson and the other members of the family of the late Mr. Arthur Wilson condoling with them in their bereavement. Messages of sympathy have also been received from the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Prince Francis of Teck, and the Grand Duke Michael of Russia and Countess Torby. The funeral took place at Kirkella, East Yorkshire on Monday. A Memorial Service was held in Hull Parish Church, and was attended by the Mayor and Corporation. The Funeral Service at Kirkella was conducted by the Rev. J. Foord, Rural Dean. The chief mourners were Mrs. Wilson (widow), Mr. A. Stanley Wilson, M.P. (eldest son), Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Wilson, Captain and Mrs. Clive Wilson, Miss Muriel Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Menzies, and Mr. and Mrs. Lycett Green. Floral tributes came from all parts of the country and from abroad. Among those who sent wreaths were the Grand Duke Michael and Countess Torby, Countess Cowley, Lord and Lady Nunburnholme, and the Countess of Chesterfield. Mrs. Wilson and Miss Muriel Wilson propose going shortly to their villa on the Riviera."1910 April 12, Mrs. Arthur Wilson and Muriel Wilson sold the house in Grosvenor Place to the Guinesses: "Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Guinness have not till now owned a town house, but they have just purchased No. 17, Grosvenor Place, with all its contents, from Mrs. Arthur Wilson, now widowed. She and Miss Muriel Wilson are at Beaulieu at present. The house is a very fine one, and contains much beautiful furniture and many objects of art."

1912, Susannah West Wilson Menzies and George Holford married in the Chapel Royal, St. James.

1916 June 3-5, the weekend, Á Court Repington was socializing with Muriel Wilson: her brother Jack had been captured, and a group of people discussed whether or how to do anything about it (details on Muriel Wilson's page).

1916 July 18, Tuesday, Mrs. Arthur Wilson hosted a luncheon: Arrived rather late at Mrs. Arthur Wilson's for lunch. I sat between Muriel Wilson and Sevastopoulo. There were also there Mr. Laszlo and his wife, Lady Leslie, Lady Essex, Sir Louis Mallet, Major Baker Carr, whom I have not seen for twenty-three years, and Soveral. Very pleasant luncheon, with a lot of chaff. Soveral in good form as usual, and very amusing. I told Miss Muriel how impossible it was to exchange her brother Jack, who was captured by an Austrian submarine from a big ship. Neither the Foreign nor War Office is at all pleased about it, and Vansittart at the Foreign Office warned me that it was best in Jack's interest to leave the matter alone, especially as he is near Vienna, and is well treated. (More contextual details on Muriel Wilson's page.)

Arthur and Mary Wilson
At the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball, Arthur Wilson (at 118) Mary (Mrs. Arthur) Wilson wore a dress in the Georgian period. Their daughter Muriel Wilson is treated on her own page.
 * wore a "costume, from Velasquez picture."
 * wore a "Costume from an old picture by Velasquez."
 * His "costume was copied from an old picture by Velasquez."
 * "chose the Georgian period, wearing black velvet, with a high collar of Flemish lace, the ends continued down the front on either side of the pointed bodice, the lace being bordered with sable. An enormous antique buckle caught the lace at the waist. Folds of tulle arranged like a small turban, formed the headdress, with many fine diamond ornaments."
 * "Mrs. Arthur Wilson was a Georgian lady in black velvet with high, wired collar of Flanders point, and stole-like trimmings of the same, bordered with sable. Folds of tulle formed a sort of turban in the powdered hair."
 * was dressed as a "(lady, time George III.), black velvet dress, and lace, jet belt, sable stoles falling to bottom of skirt, lace sleeves with jet buttons; toque of black and white with pearls entwined, black and white tips, and red camelias."

Jack and Susanna Wilson Graham Menzies
Mr. Jack Graham Menzies (at 363) was dressed as


 * Freiherr von Bartenstein in the Austrian Court of Maria Theresa Quadrille, according to the Morning Post and the Times.
 * Peter the Great, according to the Gentlewoman.

Mrs. Susannah Wilson Graham Menzies (at 378) was "Winged ... as Titania, silver stars and diamond moons embroidered on her white dress and blue gauze train. She carried an immense spray of white lilies."

Alice Hughes's portrait of "Susannah Graham Menzies (née Wilson, later Lady Holford) as Titania, Queen of the Fairies" in costume is photogravure #99 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery. The printing on the portrait says, "Mrs. J. Graham Menzies as Titania, Queen of the Fairies."

Clive Wilson
Mr. Clive Wilson (at 349), Muriel Wilson's brother, was dressed as Le Comte de Ferson in the Quadrille of the Louis XV. and Louis XVI.

Mrs. Florence and Mr. Charles Henry Wilson
Arthur Stanley Wilson's brother, Charles Henry Wilson (at 412) and Florence Wilson (at 413) seem likely to be the Mr. and Mrs. C. Wilson; their daughter Enid attended, as did his brother and sister in law, Arthur and Mary Wilson. Also, Mr. and Mrs. C. Wilson accompanied Muriel Wilson, suggesting they are in her family rather than that of Captain Gordon Wilson or another Wilson family. Charles Henry Wilson's son Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson was also present, but he cannot be Mr. C. H. Wilson because he did not marry until 1901. Enid Wilson, Charles Henry Wilson's daughter — Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson's sister — was also present.

According to the Gentlewoman, Mrs. Charles Wilson (at 413) was dressed as Guinevere. Her "gown was a shimmering mass of gold and green, massively studded with emeralds, pearls, diamonds, and turquoises; cloak of transparent cloth of gold, lined with silver gauze, adorned with emeralds, gold, and jewels; crown and hanging ornaments of turquoises and pearls, and gauze veil studded with jewels."

Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson
Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson (at 274) was dressed as an Imperial Guard in the Court in the Empress Catherine II of Russia procession.


 * He "and seven other gentlemen formed an Imperial guard, wearing splendid white uniforms, with blue facings and trimmed with gold. They all wore the ribbon of the Order of Catherine of Russia."


 * "Lord Raincliffe, Lord Romilly, Mr. H. T. Barclay, Mr. J. Forbes, Mr. C. H. Wellesley Wilson, Captain E. B. Cook, the Hon. Gerald Ward, the Hon. Cecil Campbell (eight officers of the Imperial Guard, attending Catherine of Russia), white and gold uniform with blue facings; ribbon and Order of Catherine of Russia."

The London Times report calls him Mr. T. W. Wilson, and because the London Evening Mail apparently reprinted that report, so did they. The only candidate for Mr. T. W. Wilson is Thomas Wilson (1819–1901), in the generation of Arthur Wilson and Charles Henry Wilson. The other men in the Imperial Guard were quite a bit younger than T.W. Wilson would have been, so Thomas Wilson seems much less likely to have been in this group than Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson, who could reasonably be called C. W. Wilson if the Wellesley is considered more important than the Henry.

Enid Wilson
Miss Enid Wilson (at 293) was dressed as Giulietta in the Italian procession, escorted by Lord Hyde as Romeo.


 * The Westminster Gazette says, "Miss Enid Wilson as 'Giulietta' was altogether charming."

Arthur Stanley and Mary Wilson Family

 * Arthur and Mary Wilson
 * Clive Wilson
 * Tottie (Susannah West) Wilson Menzies and Jack Graham Menzies
 * Muriel Wilson
 * Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Wilson
 * Enid Wilson

Lady Sarah and Captain Gordon Wilson Family (treated on their page)

 * Lady Sarah Wilson and Captain Gordon Wilson
 * Mr. Wilfred Wilson
 * Mr. Clarence Wilson
 * Mr. Herbert Wilson

Unknown Family

 * Mr. T.W. Wilson, but possibly a typo or error at the London Times, which got repeated.

Demographics

 * Nationality: British

Residences

 * Tranby Croft, Hull, Yorkshire (1874–)
 * 17 Grosvenor Place, London (near Buckingham Palace?), until 1910
 * Large villa in the south of France: Villa Maryland, Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu

Family

 * Thomas Wilson (12 February 1792 – 21 June 1869)
 * Susannah West (1796 – 25 November 1879)
 * 1) David Wilson (1815–1893)
 * 2) John West Wilson (1816–1889)
 * 3) Edward Brown Wilson (1818–1874)
 * 4) Thomas Wilson (1819–1901)
 * 5) Susanna Wilson Garbutt (1820–1902)
 * 6) Elizabeth Gray Wilson Sanderson 1822–1903)
 * 7) Harriet West Wilson Bott (1824–1879)
 * 8) William Burton Wilson (1826–1874)
 * 9) Frederick Wilson (1830–1870)
 * 10) Rachel Wilson Lambert (1831–1911)
 * 11) Charles Henry Wilson, 1st Baron Nunburnholme (22 April 1833 – 28 October 1907)
 * 12) Arthur Wilson (14 December 1836 –1909)
 * 13) Emily Howard Wilson Harrison (1836–1921)


 * Charles Henry Wilson, 1st Baron Nunburnholme (22 April 1833 – 28 October 1907)
 * Florence Jane Helen Wellesley (1853 – 8 December 1932)
 * 1) Hon. Millicent Florence Eleanor Wilson Cradock-Hartop Wellesley Duberly (4 December 1872 – 29 November 1952)
 * 2) Hon. Charles Henry Wellesley Wilson (24 January 1875 – 15 August 1924)
 * 3) Colonel Hon. Guy Greville Wilson (19 May 1877 – 1 February 1943)
 * 4) Hon. Enid Edith Wilson Scudamore-Stanhope (10 September 1878 – 30 November 1957)
 * 5) Hon. Joan Evelyn Jane Wilson Fairfax (1880 – 11 December 1960)
 * 6) Hon. Gwladys Alice Gertrude Wilson Chaplin (1881–1971)
 * 7) Hon. Gerald Valerian Wilson (1885 – 27 September 1908)


 * Arthur Wilson (14 December 1836 – 1909)
 * Mary Emma Smith (1843–1927)
 * 1) Tottie (Susannah West) Wilson Menzies (15 May 1864 – 18 December 1943)
 * 2) Ethel Mary Wilson (1865 – 10 April 1934)
 * 3) Arthur Stanley Wilson-Filmer (30 July 1868 – 12 April 1930)
 * 4) Edward Kenneth Wilson (1869–1947)
 * 5) Muriel Thetis Wilson Warde (24 March 1875 – 19 October 1964)
 * 6) Clive Henry Adolphus Wilson (1878–1921)
 * 7) 7th child? born 1876?


 * Tottie (Susannah West) Wilson (15 May 1864 – 18 December 1943)
 * Jack (John) Graham Menzies (1860–1911)
 * 1) Colonel Keith Graham Menzies (1888 – 7 December 1952)
 * 2) Maj.-Gen. Sir Stewart Graham Menzies (1890 – 29 May 1968)
 * 3) Major Ian Graham Menzies (1896–1979)
 * Sir George Lindsay Holford (1860–1926)


 * Arthur Stanley Wilson (30 July 1868 – 12 April 1938)
 * Alice Cecile Agnes Filmer (1869 – 1939)
 * 1) Arthur Thomas Filmer Wilson-Filmer (1895 – 17 April 1968)
 * 2) Robin Filmer-Wilson (1903 – 14 August 1944)


 * Major Clive Henry Adolphus Wilson (1878–1921)
 * Elvira Marie Ercilla Magherini (1876–1962)
 * Thetis Mary Wilson (1908–1993)

Relations

 * Florence Jane Helen Wellesley, who married Charles Henry Wilson, 1st Baron Nunburnholme, was the granddaughter of Gerald Wellesley and great niece of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

Questions and Notes
"Political dames and knights again are interesting themselves in the person of Mr John Graham Menzies of Halliburton, who has accepted the invitation of the Conservative party to stand as candidate for their cause in East Perthshire. Much has been written concerning the numerous qualifications and abilities of the prospective candidate, but little has been said concerning his wife, save that she was a Miss Wilson of Tranby Croft. Mrs 'Jack' Menzies, as she is popularly called by her intimate friends, is one of Mr and Mrs Arthur Wilson's daughters (a sister to Miss Muriel Wilson, who was one of the guests at Chatsworth on the occasion of Their Majesties' visit). Mrs 'Jack' Menzies' style of beauty is the opposite of that of her much admired unmarried sister. She is a tiny woman, fair as a lily, with blue eyes and pale golden hair. Mrs Menzies may not be so brilliantly clever as Miss Muriel Wilson, but her charm is none the less strong. She is gay and extremely good natured, sings well, and is a fine amateur actress. She and her husband reside chiefly in the country, in an old world residence near York, where they entertain on an extensive and elaborate scale. The King, when Prince of Wales, visited them at Treasurer's House, and during his stay a mirror fell down and was smashed to atoms. Superstitious folk complete the story by saying that the news of the late Duke of Saxe-Coborg's unexpected death was received after this unlucky accident. With Mrs W. D. Graham Menzies we are all much more familiar. She is one of the three lovely daughters of Sir George and Lady Julia Wombwell. — Society Pictoral."
 * 1) Muriel Wilson isn't listed in any of the pages associated with Arthur Wilson, but newspaper accounts are univocal that she's the daughter of Arthur Wilson of Tranby Croft, under whose roof the Royal Baccarat Scandal occurred, with a brother named Kenneth.
 * 2) Mrs. Wilson: "in the early days of the poker campaign she was one of most popular of poker hostesses."
 * 3) A Col. Sir Charles and Lady Wilson and the misses Wilson attended one of the social events; not clear who this is, as the titles do not seem to have come before the 20th century.
 * 4) 1904 February 24, a profile of Muriel Wilson’s sister Tottie or Susannah: