Greenwich pensioner? more questions

[Stewart R]

This particular gentleman has allready been the subject of a topic in the common room and many helpful people have replied. My problem now is that I sent off for and received the attached document from the NA. The index on the site states that it is the admission paper for my ancestors admittance into the Greenwich pensioners on 1st July 1846. however the documents arrival has raised more questions that answers.

Firstly, the text on the document uses the word LATE. which would suggest he had allready passed away.

Secondly, he seems to have been discharged in 1814 after only 8 years & 10 months. Surely this was not long enough to be admitted into the Greenwich pensioners some 32 years later.

Has anybody seen this sort of document before and maybe shed some light on what I have here.


I rather hope that I am not infringing upon any copyright issue here by posting this.  My appologies to Rootschat if it is

Regards

Stewart

[Suffolk Mawther]

Can only offer my findings on the meaning of late, often used back then as we would use the word 'formerly' today. 
You often find on marriage details in parish registers, 'John Bloggs to Mary, late Brown' - just meaning that her previous or maiden name was Brown. 

Pat ...

[Hackstaple]

For "late" read "lately" for modern usage.

His total service was, as calculated, 11 yrs 4 months 16 days. That would have included the period back to 1802.

It was the marines of The Conqueror who took the sword of Admiral Villeneuve at Trafalgar. That would have put this man in a special place in the esteem of the Asdmiralty - a Trafalgar veteran.

[Stewart R]

Wow! thankyou Hackstaple. This is deserving of further research I think. Can I assume that you have taken that information from the handwritten text at the top right corner because I have puzzled over that, and what the additional figures refer to.

Just one thing though. Like most people, I suspect, who have naval or marine ancestors around that time, I have looked at the role call for Trafalgar veterans and I have been unable to trace him.

Thank you also Pat for your interest

Regards

Stewart

[km1971]

Hi Stewart

Is this the only information you have on him?

If you take his service in the Royal Marines away from his discharge date you will find that he joined the RM after Trafalgar. I believe that 'Trafalgar' men had two years added to their service towards pension, just like 'Waterloo' men; and this is always stated on any document showing their service.

UPDATE: I have just re-read your first post. This is a replacement Certificate of Discharge issued in 1846. He also served 2years 6mths and 11 days in the 16th Regiment of Foot, ie the infantry. His service record from this time does not appear to have survived - it was probably sent (with him) when he transferred to the RM.

Ken

[Stewart R]

HMM! that has just crossed my mind too

Using the date calculator Ive just posted in the common room he seems to have missed the battle by one month. Unless the 16th Regt. of foot he was with previously for 2 1/2 years were present. I don't think so though.

I've done a bit a digging around the exploits of the 2nd regt. 7th co. of Marines and HMS Cyane. It seems that they also had quite an honourable past so maybe this would have been enough to grant him entrance into the Greenwich pensioners.

Clearly still lots to do here

regards

Stewart

[Stewart R]

Thanks ken

You beat me to it with your update.

I'll have to learn to type faster

Regards

Stewart

[Stewart R]

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

[pharmakon]

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.