Samuel Ally was born into slavery but was granted his freedom by his master, Kirk Michael-born Colonel Mark Wilks, the governor of St Helena at the time of Napoleon’s exile there. Colonel Wilks later returned to the Isle of Man, bringing his servant Samuel with him.
When Samuel died at the age of 18 he was buried at Old Kirk Braddan Church in a grave with a headstone paid for by his employer Colonel Wilks.
Colonel Mark Wilks FRS (1759–1831) was a Manx soldier and administrator.
He was born in the Isle of Man, the son of the Rev. James Wilks and Elisabeth Christian.
At the age of 18 he went to India and was commissioned in the Madras Army. He served as the Town Major at Fort Saint George, the capital of Madras Presidency and later he was appointed the acting Resident at Mysore.
He married twice. His second wife was Dorothy Taubman, daughter of the Speaker of the House of Keys, whom he married in 1813.
In 1813 he was appointed Governor for three years of St Helena, while Napoleon was imprisoned there, and Napoleon is stated to have found Mark Wilks a highly engaging and affable man.
On his return in 1816 he was elected to the House of Keys. In 1822, after the death of his father-in-law, he became Speaker of the House.
In February 1826 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
When Samuel died at the age of 18 he was buried at Old Kirk Braddan Church in a grave with a headstone paid for by his employer Colonel Wilks.
Colonel Mark Wilks FRS (1759–1831) was a Manx soldier and administrator.
He was born in the Isle of Man, the son of the Rev. James Wilks and Elisabeth Christian.
At the age of 18 he went to India and was commissioned in the Madras Army. He served as the Town Major at Fort Saint George, the capital of Madras Presidency and later he was appointed the acting Resident at Mysore.
He married twice. His second wife was Dorothy Taubman, daughter of the Speaker of the House of Keys, whom he married in 1813.
In 1813 he was appointed Governor for three years of St Helena, while Napoleon was imprisoned there, and Napoleon is stated to have found Mark Wilks a highly engaging and affable man.
On his return in 1816 he was elected to the House of Keys. In 1822, after the death of his father-in-law, he became Speaker of the House.
In February 1826 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Samuel Ally was born into slavery but was granted his freedom by his master, Kirk Michael-born Colonel Mark Wilks, the governor of St Helena at the time of Napoleon’s exile there. Colonel Wilks later returned to the Isle of Man, bringing his servant Samuel with him.
When Samuel died at the age of 18 he was buried at Old Kirk Braddan Church in a grave with a headstone paid for by his employer Colonel Wilks.
Colonel Mark Wilks FRS (1759–1831) was a Manx soldier and administrator.
He was born in the Isle of Man, the son of the Rev. James Wilks and Elisabeth Christian.
At the age of 18 he went to India and was commissioned in the Madras Army. He served as the Town Major at Fort Saint George, the capital of Madras Presidency and later he was appointed the acting Resident at Mysore.
He married twice. His second wife was Dorothy Taubman, daughter of the Speaker of the House of Keys, whom he married in 1813.
In 1813 he was appointed Governor for three years of St Helena, while Napoleon was imprisoned there, and Napoleon is stated to have found Mark Wilks a highly engaging and affable man.
On his return in 1816 he was elected to the House of Keys. In 1822, after the death of his father-in-law, he became Speaker of the House.
In February 1826 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
When Samuel died at the age of 18 he was buried at Old Kirk Braddan Church in a grave with a headstone paid for by his employer Colonel Wilks.
Colonel Mark Wilks FRS (1759–1831) was a Manx soldier and administrator.
He was born in the Isle of Man, the son of the Rev. James Wilks and Elisabeth Christian.
At the age of 18 he went to India and was commissioned in the Madras Army. He served as the Town Major at Fort Saint George, the capital of Madras Presidency and later he was appointed the acting Resident at Mysore.
He married twice. His second wife was Dorothy Taubman, daughter of the Speaker of the House of Keys, whom he married in 1813.
In 1813 he was appointed Governor for three years of St Helena, while Napoleon was imprisoned there, and Napoleon is stated to have found Mark Wilks a highly engaging and affable man.
On his return in 1816 he was elected to the House of Keys. In 1822, after the death of his father-in-law, he became Speaker of the House.
In February 1826 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Inscription
SAMUEL ALLY / An African, and native of St. Helena. / Died the 28th of May 1822 aged 18 years. / Born a slave, and exposed / In early life to the corrupt influences / Of that unhappy state, he became / A model of TRUTH and PROBITY, for / The more fortunate of any country / Or condition. / This stone is erected by a grateful / Master to the memory of a faithful / Servant, who repaid the boon of / Liberty with unbounded attachment.
Gravesite Details
Buried on 30 May 1822
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