 Despite the recognition of his work in Guernsey, he appears to have done little work outside the island and remains a rather elusive figure.John Wilson was born in Dalston, Cumbria and baptised on the 6 June 1781, the son of Robert and Mary Wilson of Cardewlees.In 1816, he married Ann Strong, the daughter of John Strong, a solicitor of Carlisle, at the church of St George's, Hanover Square, London.