Greenwich pensioner? more questions

[Stewart R]

Thanks for that Pharmakon.

I suppose damp living conditions and/or a poor diet may have contributed to the condition, as such ailments I assume are usually associated with people of a more advanced age   

Regards and a very happy new year

Stewart

[GrenPen]

Hi Stewart,

This is certainly an interesting document. It would appear that this differentiates between three postings (Conqueror, 2nd Battalion, Cyane) totalling 7 years 8 months and 21 days, out of 8 years 10 days and 16 days. Presumably he was on shore, in barracks, for the 1+ year of remaining time.

The 2nd Battalion came into existence in 1812; there is a wikipedia article on them
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Marines_Battalions_%28Napoleonic_Wars%29

It is my understanding that regardless of time served, any Sailor or Marine given a medical discharge had the right to apply to live as an in-Pensioner at Greenwich.
http://sites.google.com/site/greenwichadmiraltyinpensioner/home/
Some men appear to have requested access when they became widowers. Prior to this, they were most likely out-Pensioners, receiving a quarerly payment.

Your ancestor could have set fire to the White House, which is quite an achievement!

Regards

[Stewart R]

Thanks for your interest and information GrenPen.

I was also puzzled about the "missing year" but I guess you've probably got it right as to him or his unit being posted to barracks. Having read one of the links, it suggested that the 2nd Battalion was lacking in discipline and were  deployed to the barracks at Berry Head Fort in Torbay for a bit of training. This could somewhat reinforce your theory. Its a pity the document doesn't have more detail as the the dates of the postings, because with so much information on that link and others alike I could probably pinpoint him down to specific engagements.

As to my ancestor being involved with setting fire to the White house. I did find a small article on the incident, but after recent events I think I'll resist the temptation to put too many Google searches out on that subject, after all I don't want the Feds knocking at my door . Eyes and ears everywhere you know

Thanks again

Stewart

[Billyblue]

I'd like to throw another question into the pot regarding the attached document if I may.

The reason for discharge looks like Rheumatism to me and today we tend to associate this with nothing more than a bit of joint stiffness. Could it have been so debilitating then as to be discharged as unfit for duty especially in a 35 year old?
Regards
Stewart

I suppose damp living conditions and/or a poor diet may have contributed to the condition, as such ailments I assume are usually associated with people of a more advanced age   
Stewart

Just stumbled across this thread.
Stewart, even children can have rheumatism and even in this day and age.
As you say, the damp living conditions that soldiers often have to live through would be very conducive to rheumatism.  He may have actually had rheumatoid arthritis which is even more debilitating. 
In 1814, invalided out at 35 with rheumatism was probably fairly common.

Dawn M

[Stewart R]

Thanks Dawn,  as Pharmakon said earlier,  Rheumatism is a bit of a generic term that covers a wide range of related conditions.

Whilst puzzling over this document and particularly the date it was produced  I was wondering if any one could tell me whether the a widow was entitled to any pension payment if the subject had died?

Regards

Stewart

[mike175]

Rheumatism is a generic term which includes conditions such as Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. It most certainly could lead to his discharge on medical grounds.

One of my ancestors, writing in 1856, described his condition as Rheumatism. When he died a short time later the cause of death was Consumption!

Mike.

[Stewart R]

Thanks Mike

I'm not certain the two conditions are medically related as I believe consumption is an old name for Tuberculosis (TB). I reckon however, they were both brought on by similar cold and damp living conditions. So suffering from both conditions is a possibility I suppose.

Regards

Stewart

[mike175]

My ancestor was:  "... Master of a merchant ship trading from London to various parts of the World but chiefly to Africa from which part I returned from last December Ill with Rheumatism since which time I have been confined to my Home with a severe attack of that painful complaint and am at present in the most reduced circumstances having had to part with all my nautical implements Household Furniture & clothing to maintain my Wife & Family during my illness ..."

I'm not sure if he had both conditions or was mis-diagnosed with the generic "Rheumatism", but "Consumption" was on the death certificate. He would certainly have been subject to damp living conditions at times.

Mike.

[Billyblue]

hi Mike and Stewart
He certainly could have had both conditions at the same time.
But you don't usually die from rheumatism, whereas having TB in olden days was a death sentence.

Dawn M