WILSON, SIR JOHN CRACROFT (1808-81) was the son of Alexander Wilson, F.R.S., a judge in the Madras civil service, and was born at Onore, in that presidency. He went to England for his education and, having matriculated from Haileybury School, entered Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1826 and remained there two years. In 1828 he married a daughter of S. Wall. He was appointed a cadet in the Bengal civil service, and through his own ability and the influence of a distinguished father, he made good progress. Before long he was assistant commissioner under Sir William Sleeman, and made a name for himself in the suppression of thuggism. While still a young man he was appointed magistrate at Cawnpore; and in 1841 he was promoted to Mooradabad as magistrate and collector, a post which he administered until 1853. His first wife having died, Wilson married (1844) Jane Torrie, daughter of James Greig. During the war in Scinde he was attached in a civil capacity to the staff of Sir Charles Napier, and he took part in 1843 in the battle of Meanee, at which 2,000 European troops defeated 30,000 Baluchis and slew 6,000 of them. In 1854, on accumulated leave, Wilson paid a visit to Australia for the benefit of his health, taking with him, in the American ship Akbar, a number of Indian animals, including deer, and a Damascus Arab horse purchased in Calcutta. He had also some Indian followers who settled in New Zealand. After touching at Melbourne, the Akbar sailed to Sydney and Newcastle, taking on 14 horses, 110 cattle and 2,000 sheep. The voyage was an unfortunate one; 1,200 sheep had to be thrown overboard, and a call made at Croisilles for food, fuel, and water. On 8 Apr the Akbar reached Lyttelton. The last of the deer died that day, but the Arab (Wanderer) survived. Wilson prospected the country, and fixed upon rising ground at the foot of the Port Hills for his run, giving it the name Cashmere. There he made his home, working hard to get it into order before his leave expired. In May 1855 he returned to Calcutta with his wife and resumed his post as civil and sessions judge at Mooradabad. The outbreak of a mutiny amongst the native troops in 1857 imperilled the white population and the existence of the British power. Mooradabad was in the heart of the disaffected area. Wilson was a man of action. 'Without any undue appreciation of his own influence and capacity for good,' says Kaye (the historian), 'he applied to the lieutenant-governor to enlarge his powers.'

The application was promptly granted, and Wilson acted with characteristic resolution and sagacity.' Kaye describes him as 'a civil functionary of immense energy and courage, a man equal to any emergency and capable of any act of daring.' In his own district, where the 29th Sepoy Regiment was stationed, the unflinching courage and resource with which he faced their mutiny made a great impression. On one occasion, as he passed the lines of the native artillery, they laid their guns and lit their portfires, but 'Wilson's clear blue eyes calmly confronted the murderous design. Without a sign of fear on his face he rode towards the guns, not from them, and waved his hat as a challenge to the gunners, who, abashed and overawed by the bearing of the intrepid Englishman, slunk back, and Wilson was saved.' In his despatch of 2 Jul 1859, Canning singled out Wilson for first mention amongst all the civilians who comported themselves so well. 'I name this gentleman first,' wrote Canning, 'because of his enviable distinction of having by his obstinate courage and perseverance saved more Christian lives than any other man in India. He did this at the repeatedly imminent peril of his own life. He has since left the service of the Indian government, and retired to New Zealand, where I respectfully hope that the favour of the Crown may follow him.' Wilson was made a C.B. for his eminent services as special commissioner for the trial of rebels and mutineers, and when the order of the Star of India was created (1872) he was made a knight. He retired from the service in 1859, and came back to Canterbury, accompanied by a retinue of Indian servants. Wilson was not permitted to remain out of public life in Canterbury. In 1861 he was elected to Parliament for the City of Christchurch, which he represented until 1866, a picturesque and respected figure. Then he was returned for Coleridge (1866-70) and he was later member for Heathcote (1872-75). Meanwhile he represented Ashburton in the Provincial Council (1862-66), and Heathcote (1871 and 1875-76). He was for a short period, in 1875, president of the executive. In Parliament he was many years chairman of the public petitions committee. He served long on school committees (some time as chairman of the Upper Heathcote Committee). He was on the road board and chairman of the Amuri county council and of the Canterbury Saleyards Co. He imported stud sheep (chiefly Lincolns) and carried off many prizes. Keenly interested in acclimatisation he was chairman of the Canterbury society for many years, and also president. One of the early members of the Jockey club, he was associated with Cass in selecting the site of the racecourse. As a volunteer he was major commanding the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry. As a churchman, he was churchwarden at Halswell, a member of St John's Church and of the synod. He was a constant patron of the opera and the drama, and a governor of Canterbury College (1875).

Wilson died on 2 Mar 1881 and his widow on 19 Feb 1895.

Canterbury P.C. Proc.; Cycl. N.Z., iii; J. W. Kaye, History of the Sepoy War in India; Cox; Acland; Lyttelton Times, 12 Nov 1853; The Press, 15 Feb 1930 (p). Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 2, page 265

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