Denny, Thomas William

[Lizzie Jean]

I am trying to find when and where Thomas William Denny was born. The information I have suggests that it was around 1800 in Liverpool (possibly Bolton), Lancashire, but, I cannot find any proof of this, or any information as to who his parents were. He married Mary Ann Cavanagh in 1824 at Farnworth near Prescot, and  there was only one child born to this marriage (James George Denny). Thomas William joined the 3rd Dragoon Guards, and was a soldier at the time of his marriage. he was a Chelsea Pensioner (not living at the Hospital) at the time of his death in 1867. He died in Nevin Street, West Derby, and had lived in Toxteth Park for many years prior to this. Mary Ann was born in Paignton, Devon. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated as I have tried every way I know to track Thomas down.

[Jeuel]

The National Archives at Kew should have his guard and pension records.  They should give his date of birth and place of birth - and if he was already in the Guards by the time of his marriage they might just give his parents as his next of kin.

What age(s) and birthplace(s) does he give on the censuses?  Can you find any other Denny people with same birthplace and similar dates who might be siblings?

[Isobelruss]

It says on his discharge papers he was born Bolton
and was discharged on 10 Nov 1846 his age is given as 47 yrs and 9 mths giving a possible birth year of 1798-99

[Jeuel]

9 months before Nov would be Feb.  47 years off 1846 would be 1799.  I suspect there are quite a few parishes for Bolton - and of course he may have given Bolton as the nearest town to his actual birthplace if he knew it.

Are there any clues in the witnesses to his marriage?

[Lizzie Jean]

Many thanks "Jeuel" and "Isobelruss". I have some information from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, regarding Thomas's service. It states that he was born in Bolton, but no parents are mentioned. The witnesses at his wedding were James and Eleanor Denny. James and Eleanor were living in Runcorn, Cheshire, in the 1841 Census where it is stated that they were both born in Ireland. Their ages were 60 (James) and 65 (Eleanor). As Thomas would have been around 40 then it is possible that James and Eleanor were his parents. It is trying to confirm this that is causing me problems. I feel that is possible that Thomas was born in Ireland. Once again, thank you. I will keep searching!