RootsChat.Com
Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Midlothian => Topic started by: angel~eyes on Saturday 11 January 25 15:35 GMT (UK)
-
I have a Mary Ann Lounds b in 1858 in Greenlaw Barracks. Her father was Stephen Lounds b in Atherstone Warwickshire. I'm looking to find out why he was up there. I know he was a soldier in 1862 but not sure why he's in Greenlaw. Thank you in advance all information much appreciated x
-
Do you have her birth certificate? Wondering if that would give a more precise occupation for him to go on.
-
The First Regiment of the Staffordshire Militia were at Greenlaw Barracks in June 1858.
What was the date of Mary Ann's birth (other than just 1858)?
-
According to the IGI the birth certificate says she was bon on 12 April 1858 and the birth was registered at Glencorse.
This is just outside Penicuik and there is still a major Army barracks there.
-
I recall posting re. Greenlaw/Glencorse Barracks and the movement between The Castle (Edinburgh) and the Barracks (Greenlaw).
Stations of the British Army for April 1858 has the 16th Lancers at Edinburgh.
-
Thank you all for your responses.
Millipede thank you. I have not got her certificate as not my direction ancestor. But I think I may order it x
Hands thank you. He was definitely in the 1st Staffs in 1862 as he used an alias to sign up for the 2nd Staffs unfortunately he was caught out when both regiments were called up at the same time. It looks possible that's why he is there x
Forwarding thank you. This is very useful x
-
The Edinburgh Evening Courant, 29 Apr 1858, reported a Grand Military Ball at Edinburgh
-
Honestly thank you that is so useful x
-
Honestly thank you that is so useful x
You're welcome.
-
The birth registration says he was a private in the Staffordshire militia.
-
Crumblie thank you the bigger picture is starting to emerge. Do you know why his wife was there with him?
-
The 1st Staffordshire Militia were on garrison duty at the Castle, Edinburgh by December 1857 - about 800 strong.
I don't know if the "marriage rules" that applied to the regular army applied to the Militia -
https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/featuredarticles/discover-your-ancestors/bookazine/3/married-to-the-army-7307/?
I recall reading about ballots to decide who would accompany their hubbies.
-
Hanes, thank you for sharing that's a very interesting read. Stephen had married in 1854 but his wife would have been heavily pregnant at the time so I guess she was aloud to travel for that reason. The deeper I go into this tale the more interesting it gets x
-
It was quite common for married soldiers' wives and families to accompany them when their husbands/fathers were posted elsewhere.
In the 1851 census there are 183 people in 'Greenlaw Military Prison', parish of Glencross/Glencorse.
Of these 31 are described as 'Wife', 27 as 'Son', and 36 as 'Dau'. Go to https://freecen1.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl and search for Skiffington Briston (!) who was Governor at the time.
According to Historic Environment Scotland "The clock tower [of Glencorse Barracks] likely dates from soon after 1803-1804, when Greenlaw House was given over for conversion to a prison for French prisoners of war. Alternatively, it may date from the wider development of the site as a military prison after 1813. The tower was previously encircled by a ground level timber lean-to, possibly containing stores. An equivalent, but taller, octagonal structure exists at HMP Perth, designed by Robert Reid and similarly used for prisoners of war. Glencorse prison was complete by 1813 and cost £100,000 (Groome.) It could accommodate 6000 prisoners and a plan shows observation walkways and prison blocks radiating from a principal terrace. This form may have survived the conversion to the general military prison for Scotland in 1845, but it was demolished either by or during the conversion to the central brigade depot for southeast Scotland in 1875-1877. Greenlaw House was also demolished, though the cellars may survive in the Officers' Mess block to the southeast. Glencorse Barracks remains in use by the military."
-
Forwarding thank you that's v interesting x
-
*forfarian