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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: JJJ2 on Friday 16 March 18 12:56 GMT (UK)
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I am researching a John Cannon, born in England who served as a Private in the 71st Foot Regiment. Two children were baptised in 1844 in Sorel Quebec, Canada and in 1846 in LaPrairie Quebec, Canada and possibly a 3rd child not yet located. Both are suburbs of Montreal, Quebec. He is listed on both as a Private in the 71st Foot. His wife is listed as a Joanne Bowie/Bowry. One of the Godparents was listed as a Margaret Mathews who originally was married to a Crispin Churcher who was a private in the 71st foot, 1st Battalion.
John Cannon died May 9, 1849 while stationed in Kingston, Ontario. He is listed as a Private, Royal Canadian Rifles. There is a letter from Lt. Kingsmill stating that his widow and 2 children have been approved for rations.
I have found no other information of where he came from in England. I have not located any census data. His daughter identified herself as English origin on subsequent census.
I have checked the online Archives at Kew, but I'm not sure which series I should be checking. Would there be an attestation record for this soldier? Would there be any records of approval for rations?
Library and Archives Canada advised that all records of deceased soldiers were not kept in Canada.
Any advice on where to start my search at Kew would be helpful. I live in Canada so I'm hoping there is something online.
Thanks,
Jerri
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Some info here re the 71st Regiment of Foot:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/71st_(Highland)_Regiment_of_Foot
Renamed 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) in 1810.
Was in Canada 1824-1831 and 1838-1844. Moved to Antigua in1844, and home service from 1847.
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If his discharge papers had survived, they would be in the National Archive document WO 97/831
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C604522 These are on line as the link shows but having looked, he isn't there. That is not unusual, not all service papers were kept particularly if a man had simply served his time (similar situation to that you heard about from Lac Canada).
Kew also have the Muster Books and Pay lists for the regiment http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=Muster+71st+Foot which will list his name only as present during a specific quarter/year which is no better than you have already.
A thought only - the 71st was a Highland regiment so maybe he came from Scotland - although men from other parts of the UK could, and did, join a Scottish regiment.
MaxD
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KGarrard and MaxD:
Thanks for looking up information for me. I did read that the Royal Canadian Regiment wanted soldiers with experience. So perhaps John Cannon joined them after the 71st Foot left Canada.
Jerri
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Possible third child ?
First name(s) Jemima
Last name Cannon
Sex Female
Birth year 1848
Place Kingston
Country Canada
Type Armed Forces
Regiment Royal Canadian Rifles
Archive General Register Office
Source Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range 1848
Volume 82
Page 24
Line number 16
Archive reference REG1
Record set British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms
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Maybe the above is incorrect.What are the names of the two known children?
name(s) Jemima
Last name Cannon
Sex Female
Birth year 1848
Place Kingston
Country -
Type Armed Forces
Regiment 100th Foot
Archive General Register Office
Source Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range 1848
Volume 27
Page 3
Line number 17
Archive reference REG1
Record set British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms
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Thanks Gortonboy.
I don't have a Jemima in my records, not to say she doesn't belong. I have Eliza 1843, Robert 1844, and William John 1846. I found those baptismal records they were in Quebec and are online. Ontario records are a different story.
I hadn't thought to look at the British Armed Forces records.
Jerri
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name(s) Eliza
Last name Cannon
Sex Female
Birth year 1843
Place Canada
Country Canada
Type Armed Forces
Regiment 100th Foot
Archive General Register Office
Source Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range 1843
Volume 26
Page 120
Line number 124
Archive reference REG1
Record set British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms
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First name(s) John
Last name Cannon
Sex Male
Birth year 1846
Place Canada
Country Canada
Type Armed Forces
Regiment 100th Foot
Archive General Register Office
Source Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range 1846
Volume 26
Page 120
Line number 18
Archive reference REG1
Record set British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms
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Thanks Gortonboy.
I'm not sure this is the same family. On the baptismal records I found it stated the father John Cannon was a Private with the 71st Foot Regiment. The index you have shared is for the 100th Foot. Would the regiments be separate or combined for reporting information?
Jerri
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I'm not sure either.....just thought I would post in case it was relevant. Can't see any further military births with father in 71st foot.
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I am researching a distant relative who on his wives 2nd marriage in Edinburgh in 1984 is described as the "relic of Private William McIntyre late soldier in the 71st regiment of foot".
There marriage took place in 1831 also at st cuthberts in Edinburgh and their daughter Isabella McIntyre (nee Middlemass)was born in Ireland in about 1837/8. they probably also had a son Adam born about a year before his sister.
The regiment would fit into his movements but he probably was in Canada when he died.... any ideas?
I seem to have looked everywhere but cant find him!
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sorry 1841 not 1941!
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The 71st was in Canada April 1838 to Dec 1844 which might fit with a birth in the year before he went?
The situation with his name in the muster rolls is the same as the earlier answer relating to John Cannon. He (Macintyre) would be listed in the 1838-1844 period and then in one of the muster books his death would be recorded.
MaxD