Abraham Wild was born C.1789 at Shaw Chapel, Oldham

He married Ann Thornton at Manchester 19th March 1810

11th November 1812 at Moston, Manchester he was recruited for unlimited service by Captain Irwin’s 49th Foot recruiting party

Described 5’6”; age 23 yrs, Fresh complexion; Hazel Eyes; Sandy hair; Oval visage – pitted with smallpox a Cotton spinner from Shaw Chapel (Oldham)

He was marched to the Depot of the 2/84th at Hull, there he would have learnt his drill before joining the battalion in Ireland 18th April 1813 and into Captain Johnson’s 4th Company.

Having sailed with the battalion to Spain, he would have been present at Oyerzum covering the siege and storming of Saint Sebastian and involved in the crossing of the Bidossa 7th October 1813

He was one of twenty-two men who were invalided back to Plymouth 26th October 1813 on-board Hydra

During his absence the battalion was involved in the battles of Nivelle and Nive

After convalescing in England he re-joined the battalion in France 1st February 1814, where they were suffering large losses from fever.

On leaving France the battalion again went to Ireland.

Abraham Wilde was  discharged 12th December 1817 days before the battalion was disbanded.

On the 13th January 1820 he emigrated as part of a Government sponsored scheme with his wife Ann and children to South Africa from Liverpool on board Settler Ship John as part of the Stanley party of 32 settlers out of some 600 who left their homes in Lancashire to start a new life in South Africa

19th April 1820 the ship arrived at Table Bay, Cape Town before heading for its final destination Port Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth in May 1820.

They were allocated an area at Trentham Park on the Blaauwkrantz River – the intended settlement, marked out in lots, of from 100 to 10,000 acres. Every lot has a good spring of water, and very well wooded. Every follower was allowed 100 acres

Things weren’t as rosy as Abraham and his family soon found out, when he laid a complaint against W Stanley

Abraham Wylde (Wild) states that on Thursday week last his children were crying for bread and having none to give them, he went to W Stanley and asked him for some rations which he refused to give, that on W Stanley’s refusal to give him provisions he requested that W Stanley would give him his liberty and he would go where he could get something for himself and family. He never could stop there and hear his children cry for want of bread – he further states (notes) to have had three days rations of which (wheat) and some bread due according to the allowance issued by Government when W Stanley refused to let him have any. The last ration given by W Stanley was six pounds of flour for three days for six people.

 Defendant states that Mr Stanley had agreed to find him his wife and family with provisions and clothing for three years, but he nor any of his family never had any clothing from Mr Stanley and have been always kept short of provisions.

After leaving Stanley’s employment Abraham moved to Bleak House, Graham’s Town, where by 1822 he had built a business as a cattle farmer (80 acres) and shopkeeper supplying meat to the Army

He died 29th June 1853 at Beaufort Street, Graham’s Town, Cape Colony. Having fathered at least twelve children to his wife Ann

Many thanks to Carol Forsberg the Great-Great-Great Granddaughter of Abraham Wild, for supplying the information as to his leaving England and setting up a new life in Cape Colony