Social Victorians/People/Sarah Spencer-Churchill Wilson

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Also Known As[edit | edit source]

Acquaintances, Friends and Enemies[edit | edit source]

Organizations[edit | edit source]

Lady Sarah Wilson[edit | edit source]

Gordon Wilson[edit | edit source]

  • Gordon Wilson, Royal Horse Guards
  • Gordon Wilson, Robert Baden-Powell's aide de camp at Mafeking

Wilfred Wilson[edit | edit source]

  • 5th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry

Timeline[edit | edit source]

1861, Sir Samuel Wilson and Jeanne Campbell married.[2]

1891 November 21, Sarah Isabella Augusta Spencer-Churchill and Gordon Chesney Wilson married.[3]

1892 June 11, Adeline Constance Wilson and Right Hon. the Earl of Huntingdon married.[2]

1897 July 2, Friday, Lady Sarah Wilson and Captain Gordon Wilson attended the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball at Devonshire House, as did Mr. Wilfred Wilson, Mr. Clarence Wilson, and Mr. Herbert Wilson. (Captain Gordon Wilson is #96 on the list of people who attended; Lady Sarah Wilson is #392; Wilfred Wilson is #232; Mr. Clarence Wilson is #300; Mr. Herbert Wilson is #307.)

Costume at the Duchess of Devonshire's 2 July 1897 Fancy-dress Ball[edit | edit source]

Old portrait of a reclining woman holding a book in a very ornate dress
Madame de Pompadour, by François Boucher, c. 1750–1758

Lady Sarah Wilson[edit | edit source]

Black-and-white photograph of a standing woman richly dressed in an historical costume with a dog
Lady Sarah Wilson as Madame de Pompadour. ©National Portrait Gallery, London.

At the Duchess of Devonshire's fancy-dress ball, Lady Sarah Wilson went as Madame de Pompadour.[4]:p. 5, Col. 7c

John Thomson's portrait (left) of "Lady Sarah Isabella Augusta Wilson (née Spencer-Churchill) as Madame de Pompadour" in costume is photogravure #157 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery.[5] The printing on the portrait says, "Lady Sarah Wilson as Madame de Pompadour."[6]

If Lady Sarah Wilson's dress is indeed blue, then this portrait is an excellent example of how difficult it can be to guess the colors of things in black-and-white photographs.

François Boucher's portrait of Madame de Pompadour (right) shows Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Madame de Pompadour at about 35 years old.[7] Lady Sarah Wilson was nearly 32 years old at the time of the ball. Politically active, Madame de Pompadour was Louis XV's official chief mistress until 1751 and lady in waiting to the Queen, Polish Marie Leszczyńska.[7] (The color of her dress in this image may not be true to the painting; another copy shows it looking greener.[8])

An image of Lady Sarah Wilson in costume appeared in the Queen (bottom middle of the page, the numeral 17 below the line drawing, seated, facing slightly to her right, the drawing is similar to her costume in her photograph, bows and ruffles emphasized; the drawing apparently signed by “Rook”).[9]:Col. 2b–c

Newspaper Accounts[edit | edit source]

  • "(Mme. de Pompadour), blue and magenta, silk, lace, and pink roses; bunch of wild hyacinths, yellow daisies, and pink roses on left shoulder."[10]:p. 40, Col. 2b
  • The description accompanying the line drawing in the Queen says,

    Made by Mrs Mason, 4, New Burlington Street, W. … No. 17. LADY SARAH WILSON, Madame de Pompadour (copied from the picture of “La Pompadour” of Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild). — Rich / blue satin, with ruchings of satin and white blonde lace, with wreath of roses; Alençon lace ruffles; headdress, small wreath of roses, with high aigrette.[9]:Col. 2–3c

Black-and-white photograph of a standing man richly dressed in an historical costume
Gordon Chesney Wilson as a Captain in the Blues, 1680. ©National Portrait Gallery, London.

Captain Gordon Wilson[edit | edit source]

According to the typographical visualization of the quadrilles and processions in the Morning Post, Captain Gordon Wilson was one of the Mousquetaires et Militaires de l'Epoque in the Louis XV and Louis XVI Quadrille, along with Sir Samuel Scott.[11]:7, Col. 6b The newspapers, however, say he was in costume as a member of the Royal Horse Guard of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650–1722[12]).

Lafayette's portrait of "Gordon Chesney Wilson as a Captain in the Blues, 1680" in costume is photogravure #158 in the album presented to the Duchess of Devonshire and now in the National Portrait Gallery.[5] The printing on the portrait says, "Captain Gordon Wilson as a Captain in the Blues temp 1680."[13]

The Blues were the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, part of the Household Cavalry: the coat was blue, with red facings, collar and plumes.[14]

Newspaper Descriptions of His Costume[edit | edit source]

  • He wore a "Costume of his own regiment at the time of the Duke of Marlborough, blue with red facings, embroidered gold crimson sash, and embroidered baldric, large velvet hat and plumes."[11]:p. 8, Col. 1c
  • "Sir Samuel Scott and Captain Gordon Wilson [wore] uniforms of the R.H.G. in the great Duke of Marlborough's time."[15]:42, Col. 2b
  • "Captain Gordon Wilson and Sir Samuel Scott (costume of their own regiments at the time of the Duke of Marlborough), blue with red facings; velvet hat and plumes."[10]:p. 36, Col. 3b

Wilfred Wilson[edit | edit source]

Wilfred Wilson was among the Suite of Men in the "Oriental" procession.[11][16] The Gentlewoman says, "Messrs Gordon Wood and Wilfred Wilson were attendants on [George Keppel's] King Solomon," wearing "green silk tunics elaborately embroidered in gold and studs, with cloaks embroidered and lined with white; jewelled headdreses, swords."[10]:p. 34, Col. 3a

Clarence Wilson[edit | edit source]

Mr. Clarence Wilson, likely Chesney Clarence Wilson?, was dressed as Buffone in the Venetians procession.[11][16]

  • "Mr. Clarence Wilson (jester), in satin, with gold thread embroidery."[10]:p. 34, Col. 1b

Herbert Wilson[edit | edit source]

Mr. Herbert Wilson was dressed as Antonio Priali[11] (misspelled as Briali[16][17]:p. 8, Col. 1c) in the Venetians procession.

  • "Mr. Herbert Wilson (Venetian noble), vieux rose brocaded velvet."[10]:p. 34, Col. 1b

Wilsons Who Attended by Family[edit | edit source]

Lady Sarah and Captain Gordon Wilson Family[edit | edit source]

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

Arthur Stanley and Mary Wilson Family[edit | edit source]

  • 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

Unknown Family[edit | edit source]

  • Mr. T.W. Wilson

Demographics[edit | edit source]

  • Nationality: she, English[1]; he, Australian
  • Samuel Wilson, born in Ireland, his wife and many of children born in Australia[18]

Residences[edit | edit source]

Sir Samuel Wilson[edit | edit source]

  • After returning from Australia
  • 9 Grosvenor Square, London (March 1895 – 11 June 1895)[2]
  • Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, Bucks (1881– September 1893?)[2]

Family[edit | edit source]

Gordon Chesney Wilson's Family[edit | edit source]

  • Sir Samuel Wilson (7[2] or 17[19] February 1832 – 11 June 1895)[18]
  • Jeanne Campbell, Lady Wilson (8 May 1841 – 8 February 1925)[19]
    1. Gordon Chesney Wilson (1 August 1865 – 6 November 1914)
    2. Mary Wilson (c. 1870 –[20] )
    3. Wilfred Wilson (3 March 1872 – February 1901[21])
    4. Clarence Chesney Wilson (2 March 1873 – )
    5. Bertie (Herbert Hayden) Wilson (4 February 1875 – )
    6. Adeline Constance Wilson Lloyd (c. 1867[22]– 24 October 1933[23])
    7. Maud Margaret Wilson (1870[24]–) [Maud, Countess Huntington?[20]]
    8. Florence Mabel Wilson ()
    9. Herbert H. Wilson (1878[24]–) [see Bertie, above]


  • Sarah Isabella Augusta Spencer-Churchill Wilson (4 July 1865 – 22 October 1929)
  • Gordon Chesney Wilson (1 August 1865 – 6 November 1914)[25]
  1. Randolph Gordon Wilson (1893–1956)[1]

Relations[edit | edit source]

Questions and Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. Lady Sarah Wilson is the 11th child and 6th daughter of John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough and Frances Anne Emily Vane Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough.
  2. Lady Sarah Wilson is one of the "aristocratic lady journalists" and was at Mafeking with her husband, Capt. Gordon Wilson.
  3. Gordon Chesney Wilson died in at the first battle of Ypres, 6ths November 1914.
  4. For the Samuel Wilson family, any Miss Wilson after 1892 has to have been Florence Mabel Wilson.
  5. Three somewhat difficult-to-identify men were among the Suite of Men in the "Oriental" procession: Gordon Wood, Arthur B. Portman, Wilfred Wilson, and Hon. Algernon Bourke. The identification of Gordon Wood and Wilfred Wilson is high because of contemporary newspaper accounts; the Hon. Algernon Bourke is not difficult to identify at all; Arthur Portman appears in a number of similar newspaper accounts, but none of them mentions his family of origin.

Footnotes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Sarah Wilson (war correspondent)". Wikipedia. 2020-07-06. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sarah_Wilson_(war_correspondent)&oldid=966295858. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Sir Samuel Wilson." Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles (1895). Armorial Families: A Complete Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage, and a Directory of Some Gentlemen of Coat-armour, and Being the First Attempt to Show which Arms in Use at the Moment are Borne by Legal Authority (in en). Jack. https://books.google.com/books?id=KDw6AQAAMAAJ.  1047, Col. 1a.
  3. ↑ "Lady Sarah Isabella Augusta Spencer-Churchill." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  4. ↑ "Duchess of Devonshire's Fancy Ball. A Brilliant Spectacle. Some of the Dresses." London Daily News Saturday 3 July 1897: 5 [of 10], Col. 6a–6, Col. 1b. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/18970703/024/0005 and https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000051/18970703/024/0006.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball (1897): photogravures by Walker & Boutall after various photographers." 1899. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait-list.php?set=515.
  6. ↑ "Lady Sarah Wilson as Madame de Pompadour." Diamond Jubilee Fancy Dress Ball. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw158520/Lady-Sarah-Isabella-Augusta-Wilson-ne-Spencer-Churchill-as-Madame-de-Pompadour.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Madame de Pompadour". Wikipedia. 2023-12-13. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madame_de_Pompadour&oldid=1189755757.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Pompadour.
  8. ↑ "Madame de Pompadour". Wikipedia. 2023-12-13. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madame_de_Pompadour&oldid=1189755757.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_de_Pompadour#/media/File:Madame_de_Pompadour.jpg
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 “Dresses Worn at the Duchess of Devonshire’s Fancy Ball on July 2.” The Queen, The Lady’s Newspaper 10 July 1897, Saturday: 52 [of 98 BNA; p. 78 on printed page], full page [3 of 3 cols.]. British Newspaper Archive  https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002627/18970710/174/0052.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 “The Duchess of Devonshire’s Ball.” The Gentlewoman 10 July 1897 Saturday: 32–42 [of 76], Cols. 1a–3c [of 3]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003340/18970710/155/0032.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 "Fancy Dress Ball at Devonshire House." Morning Post Saturday 3 July 1897: 7 [of 12], Col. 4a–8 Col. 2b. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18970703/054/0007.
  12. ↑ "John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough". Wikipedia. 2023-12-03. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Churchill,_1st_Duke_of_Marlborough&oldid=1188192102.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Churchill,_1st_Duke_of_Marlborough.
  13. ↑ "Captain Gordon Wilson as a Captain in the Blues." Diamond Jubilee Fancy Dress Ball. National Portrait Gallery https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw158521/Gordon-Chesney-Wilson-as-a-Captain-in-the-Blues-1680.
  14. ↑ "Royal Horse Guards". Wikipedia. 2021-11-11. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Horse_Guards&oldid=1054735721.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Horse_Guards.
  15. ↑ “Girls’ Gossip.” Truth 8 July 1897, Thursday: 41 [of 70], Col. 1b – 42, Col. 2c. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002961/18970708/089/0041.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Ball at Devonshire House." The Times Saturday 3 July 1897: 12, Cols. 1a–4c The Times Digital Archive. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
  17. ↑ “Ball at Devonshire House.” Evening Mail 05 July 1897 Monday: 8 [of 8], Col. 1a–4c [of 6]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003187/18970705/070/0008.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Samuel Wilson (Portsmouth MP)". Wikipedia. 2020-03-15. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Samuel_Wilson_(Portsmouth_MP)&oldid=945720739. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Find a Grave® Index, 1300s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1901. Class: RG13; Piece: 82; Folio: 199; Page: 49.
  21. ↑ "Man and Matters." Globe 26 February 1901 Tuesday: 3 [of 10], Col. 1c [of 5]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001652/19010226/030/0003.
  22. ↑ Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1901. Class: RG13; Piece: 82; Folio: 198; Page: 48.
  23. ↑ Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. Ancestry.com. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891; Class: RG12; Piece: 68; Folio: 21; Page: 38; GSU roll: 6095178.
  25. ↑ "Lt.-Col. Gordon Chesney Wilson." "Person Page". www.thepeerage.com. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
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