McMinn Mystery Deepens...

[heywood]

There was a gap though between his discharge and the rising of the Fenian movement and I can't see that he would be 'reinstated' to a higher rank so late in the day.

[Daisy Loo]

It will be very interesting to see what the BC of Isabella shows (Regimental one).  She was born in 1849, not in Ireland...I wonder where they were when she was born?

Alexander must have been in Clonmel though prior to being discharged from the Army, as he was married there, in 1846.

Amazing how after all this time spent on it, we are still intrigued by this man!  I am going to spend some time digging around TNA, to see if I can find anything more.

Added: After another examination of his papers, he belonged to the 9th Battn.  I have posted this on the other thread, because maybe now, I can look up muster records, or records that show the movement on this Battn?

I have also ordered to books through my library, which another RC found for me, regarding the History of Clonmel during the period we are interested in.

[JAP]

Daisy Loo, Yes, waiting on tenterhooks for Isabella's bc.
Incidentally, I thought it was the Regiment that was needed to enable follow-up.

It is a tad confusing having discussions about similar matters taking place on two boards ... 

Just a reminder for anyone who wants to check it out that the Armed Forces board thread (moved there from the new Family History and Artefacts board) is at:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,360433

I think that scrimnet and JAP - while initially using some rather unpleasant loaded words - probably came to the conclusion that Alexander was actually doing his duty, and probably behaving with integrity, as a person who had taken an oath of loyalty to the Crown.  And Googling seems to indicate that the Roman Catholic church was not generally supportive of the Fenians.

Heywood, what date was his discharge?  I thought 1850?  And weren't the Fenian riots in 1848?

Daisy Loo, I'm a bit confused about what TNA/Army papers you have - do you have any apart from those posted on the Armed Forces board.  If you do, could you perhaps just list them?

The rank of (Staff) Sergeant Major remains a huge puzzle.

Monica, your Kirkcudbrightshire line looks very likely but if only we could find some proof.  (I notice we're still in exile on the Ireland board - moved there from the Common Room despite the fact that Alexander was born in Scotland; lived in various places including England, Gibraltar, Ireland; died in England - and his family had similarly mixed locations ...).

Did anyone ask Gadget about MIs?  I seem to remember that someone said she had MIs for Twynholm?  And what about MIs for Borgue?

Cheers,

JAP

[Daisy Loo]

Morning JAP

I don't know what is needed....I am totally dumb when it comes to Army matters.  What papers I have, I believe are his Discharge Papers...?  It lists his character & conduct, a statement of his service, (not much info at all on that!) Medical Report, and lastly, a Final Discription, with the added notes.

JAP, no need for explanations as to what this man was, SPY, GRASS doesn't offend me!  I can't see that he was too much a man of integrity if he was drunk all the time! Hehehe   Look, it all adds to an interesting character...if my OH, who is as Irish as you can get (from the Gaeltach, Irish is his first language) can laugh when I told him, and offer sensible explanations, I think we've come along way from treading carefully around the issue of English/Irish.

The date of his discharge was 1850.  But I don't think his date of discharge was so relevant...as when he was living in Clonmel, in the Barracks, he was already discharged, and a pensioner...ie, it looked like he was still "working" for the Army in some way or another.  Fenian Riots in 1848...just by googling, about fenian, so many other dates come up, as far as the 1860's.

I have rodered two books to my library, on the history of Clonmel during this period, so hopefully I'll gain some kind of an insight there.

I haven't asked Gadget, not yet

Now, I'm off to ice a birthday cake

[heywood]

Morning Jap,
I thought the riots were in 1860s.I know the Manchester Fenian incident (Manchester Martyrs) was 1867 and I thought that they were all linked.
However, that doesn't explain his remaining involvement with Clonmel - he was medicall unfit.
What an interesting puzzle!
heywood

[Daisy Loo]

Morning Kath

It  would make things a bit clearer if we knew exactly WHAT Fenian riots were being referred to, as from all the googling I've been doing, it seems there were many!  It also appears that there was a jail in Clonmel, where some of the Fenian's were held.  Would like to find out a bit more about the jail!

Alexander was imprisoned twice, once in 1840 for 16 days, and once in 1845 for 43 days.  Just as a useless (or not) bit of info.  Wonder how he met his wife.   

[heywood]

I wish he'd come back and just give us another few clues!

I daresay he met his wife whilst in Ireland as many of these soldiers did.
I also saw a reference to the jail in Clonmel so you would imagine that as he was there giving information that it was a bit of an active area.

It is confusing now with the two threads - I'll go and see what you have posted there now- notification just received 

[Daisy Loo]

Regarding the records for the Royal Hibernian, for his sons...

I think if we find any more than what we already have from that website, we will be very lucky.  I wrote to the guy who owns that site, and asked if there would be any more info...he said he thought it very unlikely.  most of the records were destroyed.  Unless there are notations or extra info on the records that he extracted.  I have noted down the WO numbers, and I was going to have a look when I get to TNA.

It is a bit confusing having the two threads, but at least we are getting a bit of miltary help...I thought it best if we reserve the other thread just for Alexander and his service...


Added: (lol, sorry Kath, got you running backwards and forwards...sorry!)

[Daisy Loo]

I cannot believe how lucky I have been with the ordereing of all these certs!  Not one, not ONE, has come, and not been the one I needed.

Yes, I got that regimental birth today for Isabella in 1849.

She's ours

DOB: 9th March 1849   Place of Baptism: 15th April 1849  Parents: Alexander & Bridget McMinn  Rank of Father: Gunner & Driver   (The cert is headed:  Royal Horse Artillery 9th Battallion)

I had a look on the English 1851 census, to see if they were around, but couldn't find them.  I am starting to lean towards Scrimnet's take, that Alexander did perhaps sign up to the Militia, and went back to Ireland....perhaps he even signed up there.

A definate search at TNA anyway.

I am curious now, just how many children they really did have?