Wigan and Company , solicitors

The Carus Wilson family papers in this accession probably refer to relatives or descendants of William Carus Wilson, (1791-1859). He was born on 7 July 1791 at Heversham, Westmorland, the eldest of the eight surviving children of William Carus (1764-1851) of Casterton Hall, Westmorland, and his wife, Margaret (d. 1832). His father, MP for Cockermouth (1821-6), added Wilson to his surname on inheriting the Casterton estates from his aunt in 1793. Two of William Carus Wilson's three brothers became clergyman. William Carus Wilson married Anne (1786-1859), daughter of Major-General Charles Neville, on 31 January 1815. He was a clergyman well known for writing accessible religious literature aimed at children and the semi-literate; and for founding several charity schools.