WISE James (1796 – 1868)

MASTER MARINER

Situated in the Consecrated/West Section of Jesmond Old Cemetery.

James Wise.

According to the Census records, James was born in Montrose, Forfar on the 18th September 1796. His parents were James and Elizabeth Wise, nee Bate. His travels must have taken him to the North East, where he married Elizabeth, nee Thompson, from Newcastle, in 1821, at All Saints Church, Newcastle. They lived in Howard Street, Byker, in the parish of All Saints. Elizabeth died in 1858, aged 62.

James became a Master-Mariner, which is described as a man judged to be qualified to be in charge of a vessel, and is frequently referred to in non-official sources as a Captain.

James’ ‘Master’s Certificate of Service’.

The Index of Wills and Administrations shows that James had remarried, with his new wife, Hannah, identified as his widow and sole Executrix. Their address is given as I, Sunderland Street, Newcastle, which is identified as a Public House in the Electoral Register. Looking at some old photographs of Sunderland Street, the pub could be the Queen Victoria Inn, which was situated on the corner of Sunderland Street and Blenheim Street.