Greenwich pensioner? more questions

[km1971]

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?

Hi Stewart

I do not know specifically about the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, but in the army widow's pensions for other ranks were not introduced until 1902, and even then they only lasted for six years. In the 19th century there were various charities available, but the general tone of the times, was that you did enough to fulfil your Christian duty, but not so much that you corrupted their soul by giving them a life of leisure.

Ken

[Stewart R]

The reason why I asked the question, Ken, was that I had assumed he'd died before the date of the 1846 document and that maybe his widow required  copy of his papers to make some sort of claim. My assumption was based upon details of a possible burial record in 1835 for him on a parish register that had been discovered on a previous topic of mine . I may have to investigate the accuracy of that particular transcription as it would seem he was very much alive in 1846.

Just as a matter of interest, would it have been normal for him to have been in residence at Greenwich with a wife back in Devon, as it would hardly seem fair that he was being looked after whilst his wife struggled on her own?

Thanks also to Dawn & Mike for your comments.

Regards

Stewart

[GrenPen]

would it have been normal for him to have been in residence at Greenwich with a wife back in Devon, as it would hardly seem fair that he was being looked after whilst his wife struggled on her own?

Hi Stewart,
Kevin Asplin's transcriptions of admissions to Greenwich indicate that this man came from near Manchester. I did a BMD death search for James Wolfenden, and a number of men of that name lived in Bolton.

Although the certificate of service was processed at Plymouth, he was in the 7th Company when on shore, and I believe that this was a Chatham Division company (number divisble by 3, with a remainder of 1), rather than a Plymouth company (number divisble by 3) or a Portsmouth company (number divisible by 3, with a remainder of 2).
http://www.royalmarinesmuseum.co.uk/item/researching-family-and-royal-marine-history/sdvafvvv


When a man was admitted as an in-Pensioner to Greenwich (or Chelsea, for that matter), he alone was admitted, and his wife and children had to make their own means. Many men found this too great a strain, and became out-pensioners instead. Perhaps this happenned to James, and he travelled back to Bolton.

Best wishes

[Stewart R]

Thanks GrenPen for your continued interest. It's interesting to see that his company (The 7th) were based in Chatham, but the fact seems to muddy the waters a little more because I always believed he had been stationed in Plymouth. I'm pretty sure he met his wife there as that is where they were married.

Unfortunately I'm now beginning to entertain the possibility that this document may not be my ancestors, but that of another James Wolfendale. This is mainly due to the date the copy was applied for. Plymouth parish records for "my man", state that he died in 1835, so what is he doing applying for a document, presumably to gain entry into the Greenwich pensioners, in 1846. Unless, as I mentioned in a previous post, the application was made by his widow for some reason.

Still lots to do here!! 

Regards

Stewart

[GrenPen]

Hello Stewart,
It would appear that this man is another James Wolfenden.

When he entered Greenwich as an in-Pensioner, his entry number was 9127. He died ("Discharged Dead") on 12 October 1847.

His trade was recorded as "weaver". He was married in Eccles in November 1835, and his wife lived in Salford. It is not apparent whether his wife was deceased, or if she was still alive at this time.
Source: ADM 73/47.

Regards

[GrenPen]

By a complete fluke, I have been advised of a James Wolfindale who was in the Royal Marines. This man was effectively made redundant in January 1832. He had completed 24 years and 9 months service. He was rewarded an out-pension for life. (Source: ADM 6/293)
Two other men with 20+ years service had the same treatment. This looks as though perhaps someone on high has decided to retire all NCOs with over 20 years of service.
I suspect this is the fellow that you are after.

Now would be a good time to hire a researcher, to look into this. Presumably this man was in the Plymouth Division at the time.

[Stewart R]

Once again, thankyou for your continued interest. Your time and effort is very much appreciated

Regards

Stewart