Family and pupils

Willson died at Lincoln on 8 September 1854. He had married, in 1821, Mary, daughter of Thomas Mould of Snarford and Hainton and who was related to the Heneage family.^[6] By her he had two surviving sons.^[2] One of his sons, Thomas John Willson (1824-1903), also became a successful architect in London, mainly building Roman Catholic churches.^[7] Edward Willson and his wife, who died the year before him, were both buried at Hainton. He trained Frederick James Jobson as an architect before Jobson embarked on a career in the Methodist ministry. Jobson praised his works and writings as contributing to the Gothic Revival, particularly in Lincolnshire.^[8] Also the notable Pre-Raphaelite painter James Smetham was articled to Willson in the 1830s.^[9]

The Lincolnshire Topographical Society

Willson appears to have been the moving spirit behind the Lincolnshire Topographical Society, a learned society which took a particular interest in archaeology and architectural history. The only publication of the Topographical Society, appeared in 1843, indicates that the Society was probably formed in 1840 and Willson gave the introductory address on 23 February 1841.^[15] Willson outlined a wide-ranging number of objectives for the Society, mentioning that it should follow the example of a Topographical Society recently formed in Wiltshire, presumably by his friend John Britton. In 1843 there were 69 members of society many of whom were of considerable note, including the mathematicians George Boole and Sir Edward Bromhead. Other local architects were well represented including William Adams Nicholson, Henry Goddard, James Sandby Padley and John Langwith of Grantham. However, either in 1844 or 1845 the Society faded out, but it was a precursor to the Lincolnshire Diocesan Architectural Society, which moved to Lincoln in 1856, and from which the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology is directly descended.

Archaeological and antiquarian collections

During his lifetime Willson built up a very notable collection of Lincolnshire antiquities and items connected with Lincolnshire History. Shortly after his death in 1854, a printed Catalogue of the extensive and valuable collection of books, prints, paintings, ancient and medieval remains, antique porcelain, household furniture and other effects of the late Edward James Willson was prepared.^[16] It is assumed that many of his possessions were disposed of at this time and the bulk of his notable collection of archaeological finds were acquired by the Duke of Northumberland and are now on display in the Museum at Alnwick Castle. It may also be at this time that the Lincoln Cathedral Library obtained three folio volumes of monochrome drawings: City and County. Churches, Ruins, Fragments, Miscellaneous Antiquities, Views of Ancient Buildings in Lincoln by R. Cattermole, A. Pugin, F. J. Dobson and others, and The Works Chantry, the Vicars’ College, and outbuildings, the Chancery, the Deanery, Surveys, drawings, notes. The latter consist of medieval and some post-medieval buildings with scale plans, details and mouldings. However, there was a further sale of his manuscripts and drawings at Sotheby's in 1888^[17] The greater part of these papers, contained in 31 volumes or albums and 3 portfolios, were acquired by the Society of Antiquaries of London, and microfilm copies of these are also available at the Lincolnshire Record Office.^[18]

Church restoration

• Messingham, Lincolnshire: Willson rebuilt nearly all the church except the tower for Henry Bayley, the Archdeacon of Stow, 1817–8.^[19]
• Saundby, Nottinghamshire: undertook restoration work in 1823.^[20]
• Welton, Lincolnshire: rebuilt nave and chancel in 1823–4.^[20]
• Haxey, Lincolnshire: rebuilt north aisle and chapel in 1825–6.^[20]
• Louth, Lincolnshire: re-roofed the nave and aisles 1825–7.^[21]

• East Retford, Nottinghamshire: designed St Saviour's Church in 1828-30^[21] - described by Piercy as "in the style of Gothic prevalent in the reign of Henry the eighth". St Saviour's was his first major project and the first of four parish churches that he designed. It is built in yellow brick which has weathered grey.
• West Rasen, Lincolnshire: 1829–30.^[22]
• Buslingthorpe, Lincolnshire: Church re-built 1835.^[21]
• South Willingham, Lincolnshire: (1838–39) Willson advertised for tenders to take down and re-build the tower and re-build to his plans and specifications in the Lincolnshire Chronicle.^[23]
• Hainton, Lincolnshire: reconstructed by Willson in 1843–6.^[21]
• Staunton-in-the-Vale, Nottinghamshire: 1853 restoration.^[21]

Roman Catholic Chapel or Churches

• Nottingham, Nottinghamshire: designed St John Church in 1825–7 for his brother, the Rev R. W. Willson, who was later to become the Bishop of Hobart, Tasmania.^[21]
• Louth, Lincolnshire: built St Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel in 1833.

• Hainton, Lincolnshire: Roman Catholic chapel in the grounds of Hainton Hall.^[21]
• Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire: built St John's Church in 1835.^[21]
• Grantham, Lincolnshire: built St Mary's Church in 1832. Only the facade of Willson's original building now survives.^[24]
• Market Rasen Holy Rood,(1824). Extended in 1867.

Restoration work on Lincoln Castle

Willson was commissioned to undertake an initial survey of Lincoln castle in 1832.^[27] This was the year previous to his appointment as the surveyor to the Lincolnshire County Committee. In 1835 he presented with Sir Robert Smirke A Report on the outward walls of the castle, and between 1835 and 1845 he was responsible for the restoration of the keep, towers and walls.^[28]

Pelham’s Pillar

Pelham's Pillar is in Caistor, North Lincolnshire on part of the Yarborough estate at Brocklesby, and is a viewing tower or belvedere built to enable the earls to view the estate. It is 39 metres (128 ft) high and is guarded by two stone lions at the door. It is said that, when it was built, everything that could be seen from the top belonged to Charles Anderson-Pelham ^[29]