R. S. Wilson

R. S. Wilson
Born
Robert Stretton Wilson

24 March 1831
Derby
Died4 February 1904 (aged 72)
Tuxford
OccupationVeterinary surgeon
Spouse
Eliza Moody
​
(m. 1854)​

Robert Stretton Wilson (24 March 1831 – 4 February 1904) was an English veterinary surgeon, antique collector and activist for vegetarianism. A noted eccentric, Wilson built a miniature model of hell in his grounds at Tuxford Hall.

Life

Wilson was born in 1831 in Derby.[1] He was educated at Edinburgh University, qualified in 1852 as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and practiced in Ollerton. He resided at Ollerton Hall for 20 years and was a churchwarden for a considerable period.[1] He retired in 1873 and moved to Tuxford Hall. He was one of the first members of Tuxford Parish Council.[1]

Soon after he settled at Tuxford Hall; Wilson spent time collecting and studying antiquities.[1] His collection included ancient pottery, oil paintings, carved oak furniture and stone figures including a life-size Benedictine monk.[1] At the entrance of Tuxford Hall was a statue of Saint Peter which was alleged to be the oldest in the world. There was also a stone coffin and statue of the mitred Abbot of York.[2]

Tuxford Hall was described as a well built mansion that was "packed from basement to ceiling with treasures of art, archaeological remains and valuable curios from all corners of the world".[2] The Hall featured many valuables such as Lord Nelson's sword, the hat worn by Wellington on the field of Waterloo and Lord Byron's bed and table from Newstead.[2] Wilson's bedroom contained oak figures and a portrait of John Hitchinson.[3] He also had a bedroom that featured King John's four-poster bed from Newark Castle and a wax figure of Barry O'Meara, physician to the Napoleon.[3]

In the grounds, Wilson had built a small chapel where he delivered lessons and readings every Sunday throughout the year. The chapel contained photographs of Lord Salisbury, Sir Alfred Milner and other politicians.[2] The Hall was always open for visitors.[4]

Vegetarianism

Wilson became a vegetarian in 1881.[5] From 1889 to 1895 he attended Vegetarian Society meetings and in 1899 operated a vegetarian shop at Tuxford Hall for local tourists.[6][7][8]

Miniature hell

Wilson disagreed with orthodox ideas of eternal punishment, believing punishment was temporal. He questioned, "how is it possible to believe that a merciful God would keep his creatures in fire and brimstone".[3]

In his grounds at Tuxford Hall, Wilson built a miniature model of hell.[2][9] At the entrance was a large figure of Satan, heavily chained and holding a skull in his hands. The hell consisted of a pit of small figures whom Wilson considered to represent evil such as drunkards, hypocrites and liars.[2][5] The figures included "The Chattering Charwoman", "The Woman with a Proud Look and Lying Tongue", "The President of the Primrose League", "Priestcraft", "The Person with a Hard Heart", "The Tobacco Devil", "A Curate Sent to Hell for Disobeying his Bishop", "A Religious Lawyer" and others of a similar character.[2] There was also a bottled newspaper as it did not agree with Wilson's political views.[2] In 1903, a bust of Paul Kruger was added to the pit.[10]

In December 1904, the stone figures were sold in auction for 50 shillings. The "Devil in Chains" was knocked down and sold for 30 shillings. [11] After the auction, local villagers were alleged to have commented, "Hooray! We've got hell away from Tuxford at last".[12]

Personal life

Wilson was a strict teetotaller and non-smoker.[1] He married Eliza Moody at St Werburgh's Church, Derby in 1854.[13] Eliza died at Tuxford Hall in 1882, aged 49.[14]

Wilson died of heart failure in February 1904.[1][15] He was buried at Ollerton Cemetery.[16]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Death of Mr. R. S. Wilson, Tuxford". The Newark Herald. February 6, 1904. p. 3. (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "A Gentleman Who Claims to Have Chained the Devil: The Curious Hobbies of Mr. Wilson of Tuxford Hall". The Newark Herald. May 11, 1901. p. 2. (subscription required)
  3. ^ a b c "Tuxford Hall and its Owner Mr R. S. Wilson". The Newark Herald. August 24, 1901. p. 8. (subscription required)
  4. ^ "A Mimic Inferno". The Belfast Weekly News. March 3, 1904. p. 2. (subscription required)
  5. ^ a b "Satan in Chains". Northern Weekly Gazette. January 19, 1901. p. 16. (subscription required)
  6. ^ "Vegetarian Meetings in Sheffield". The Sheffield and Rotherham Independent. May 15, 1889. p. 6. (subscription required)
  7. ^ Gregory, James Richard Thomas Elliott (2002). "Biographical Index of British Vegetarians and Food reformers of the Victorian Era". The Vegetarian Movement in Britain c.1840–1901: A Study of Its Development, Personnel and Wider Connections (PDF). Vol. 2. University of Southampton. p. 127.
  8. ^ Gregory, James (2007). Of Victorians and Vegetarians: The Vegetarian Movement in Nineteenth-century Britain. Tauris Academic Studies. p. 56. ISBN 978-0857715265.
  9. ^ "Hades for Sale". The Aberdeen Daily Journal. December 3, 1904. p. 9. (subscription required)
  10. ^ "A Peculiar Hobby". The Weekly Journal. May 29, 1903. p. 1. (subscription required)
  11. ^ "Hell Bought by a Newark Man for Fifty Shillings". The Morning Leader. December 3, 1904. p. 5. (subscription required)
  12. ^ "Sale of Hades". Stonehaven Journal. December 8, 1904. p. 4. (subscription required)
  13. ^ "Marriages". The Derbyshire Times. August 19, 1854. p. 8. (subscription required)
  14. ^ "Deaths". Supplement to the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent. May 6, 1882. p. 10. (subscription required)
  15. ^ "Funeral of the Late Mr. Wilson of Tuxford". The Herald and Leader. February 16, 1904. p. 5. (subscription required)
  16. ^ "Funeral of the Late Mr. S. Wilson of Tuxford Hall". Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal. February 19, 1904. p. 10. (subscription required)
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