Religious Figure. He received recognition in the 19th century for the significant role that he played in enhancing the growth of the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria and Ghana. Born the son of another James Marshall, his father converted from Presbyterianism to the Church of England, becoming the vicar of Christ Church in Bristol, where he is buried. He had wanted to join the Army, but an amputated right arm in a shooting accident at age 16 halted that goal. Instead, he graduated to Exeter College in Oxford, becoming an Anglican minister in 1852. In November of 1857, he converted to Catholicism and traveled to Rome wanting to become a priest, but was not permitted to be ordained since his arm was amputated. In 1863, he was appointed as the Classics master at the Birmingham Oratory School. After studying law, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1866. In May of 1873, he was appointed the first Chief Magistrate of the Gold Coast, which is present-day Ghana in West Africa, and went on to become a Senior Judge of that country's Supreme Court and, ultimately, the Chief Justice of this British colony. He was trusted and respected by the Native population in these positions. In October of 1877, he married Alice Young of Corby of Lincolnshire, and the couple had a son and a daughter. For his peace-making efforts and leadership during the early Anglo-Ashanti wars, he was awarded the Ashanti Medal by Queen Victoria in 1874. At his retirement in 1882, he was knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Pope Leo XII conferred on him the title of Knight Commander of St. Gregory the Great in 1889. He helped to establish missionary work in Africa. On the first Sunday of every May, a delegation of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Sir James Marshall makes the pilgrimage from West Africa to lay a wreath on his tomb in England. The delegation's ritual consists of wearing black suits with purple, brown, and green sashes and is led by two men with drawn swords and two women with short spears.
Religious Figure. He received recognition in the 19th century for the significant role that he played in enhancing the growth of the Roman Catholic Church in Nigeria and Ghana. Born the son of another James Marshall, his father converted from Presbyterianism to the Church of England, becoming the vicar of Christ Church in Bristol, where he is buried. He had wanted to join the Army, but an amputated right arm in a shooting accident at age 16 halted that goal. Instead, he graduated to Exeter College in Oxford, becoming an Anglican minister in 1852. In November of 1857, he converted to Catholicism and traveled to Rome wanting to become a priest, but was not permitted to be ordained since his arm was amputated. In 1863, he was appointed as the Classics master at the Birmingham Oratory School. After studying law, he was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1866. In May of 1873, he was appointed the first Chief Magistrate of the Gold Coast, which is present-day Ghana in West Africa, and went on to become a Senior Judge of that country's Supreme Court and, ultimately, the Chief Justice of this British colony. He was trusted and respected by the Native population in these positions. In October of 1877, he married Alice Young of Corby of Lincolnshire, and the couple had a son and a daughter. For his peace-making efforts and leadership during the early Anglo-Ashanti wars, he was awarded the Ashanti Medal by Queen Victoria in 1874. At his retirement in 1882, he was knighted as Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Pope Leo XII conferred on him the title of Knight Commander of St. Gregory the Great in 1889. He helped to establish missionary work in Africa. On the first Sunday of every May, a delegation of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Sir James Marshall makes the pilgrimage from West Africa to lay a wreath on his tomb in England. The delegation's ritual consists of wearing black suits with purple, brown, and green sashes and is led by two men with drawn swords and two women with short spears.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Inscription
Pray for the soul of
Sir James Marshall, CMG
K Order of S. Gregory
Late Chief Justice of the Gold Coast
RIP
Gravesite Details
Shares marker with his wife. Has a large upright cross marker with base with inscription.
Family Members
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See more Marshall memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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