83rd Regiment - Lt Col William Geddes

[spittalhill]

Looking for information on William Geddes who served with this regiment in Cape Colony, South Africa , prior to1816. I am sure he was a Scot and am trying to find out where he came from, who his parents were, and how he came to be with what appears to be an Irish Regiment.

[km1971]

I have an entry in a history of South Africa that says that he: " 13 October 1816 - arrived Table Bay in 'Princess Charlotte' ex Downs, with his young relative, Andrew Geddes Bain".If you look on the IGI there is a pedigree for this relative as being born in Thurso in 1797. His mother was Jean Geddes, born 1780, same place. She was probably William's sister.

Have you followed his career on the London Gazette? It begins in 1794 as an Ensign in 'Captain Hunter's Independent Company". He went though a few transfers before landing in the 83rd Regiment. It would be wrong to talk about the 83rd being an Irish regiment. Officers would usually purchase their commissions based upon what was available; the cost - over and above the standard rate; their history/kudos; and where they were serving.

He appears to have been only a Brevet Lt Colonel (from Captain) in South Africa. You will have to look at the LG to see his later career. He was also in SA 1810-1813.

Ken

[ahgs]

I believe he came from the Thurso area. I have been researching my son-in-law's family of Geddes from Caithness and I believe that Lt Col William Geddes is one of his ancestors. I have copies of two letters sent to William Geddes in 1810, when he was Major Geddes and he was Town Major of Lisbon.

[GrahamSimons]

This guide might help. You can get Army Lists free from TNA as "digital microfilm." The files about getting commissions can be interesting - I've recently read letters from a father trying to bring influence to bear to get his son a commission in the "right" regiment.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmyofficerbefore1913.htm

[peterwimsey]

Hello - I was just wondering if anyone had got any further with research of this man.  I believe he died 3 October 1821 at Trincomalee, Ceylon (Sri Lanka).  I think the 83rd were in Ceylon approximately 1817-27.  Apparently there's an inscription to him at St Peter's Church, "Fort" (not sure where that is).  The inscription is reproduced in a book of Ceylon Memorials by John Penry Lewis and gives a tiny bit more biography.  It says he was 58 years old at death, which I have a problem with because it also says he married a daughter of Thomas Summerfield (1767-1833, also of the 83rd regiment).  This would make William older than his father-in-law which seems a bit unlikely to me.  I would think either William was perhaps 48 years old at death or alternatively married a sister of Thomas Summerfield, rather than a daughter.

If William's sister was Jean Geddes (the mother of Andrew Geddes Bain), she married in 1792 in Thurso.

[spittalhill]

William's sister was Jean Geddes, the mother of Andrew Geddes Bain, who accompanied William to South Africa c1815. William Geddes was born in Caithness in 1764. His wife was Elizabeth Scott. She died c1848, and her will can be viewed on the Scotland's People website.

[peterwimsey]

thank you for that.  I think this means that either the information on the Ceylon church monument is wrong or there were two William Geddes's in the 83rd Regiment.

[Regorian]

It's always worth putting names in Wikipedia., to see what comes up. Although this is principally to do with Andrew, William (83rd regiment) is mentioned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Geddes_Bain.

[peterwimsey]

don't know if this is going to work, but this is the inscription I have been talking about (top of the page)