WILSON, PETER (1791-1863) was born at Dunbar, Scotland, graduated from the medical school of Edinburgh University and served in the Navy during the war with America (1812-14). In the thirties he actively supported the cause of the Royalists in Spain, and at Gibraltar met and married Helen Ann, a daughter of James Simpson, the American consul at Tangier. In 1841 Wilson arrived at Wellington by the Slains Castle, and in 1847 he settled at New Plymouth, where he and his wife played a leading part in the life of the community. He was one of the founders of the Taranaki book club, the forerunner of the public library. Wilson died on 18 Dec 1863.

Skinner (p), p. 23; Wellington Independent, 6 Jul 1871; NZ Herald, 25

Reference: Volume 2, page 265

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