Inverness shire militia

[Wee lassie]

Does anyone have any information on the Invernesshire militia around 1805. I have an ancestor who was married in Edinburgh in 1805. His occupation was given as soldier Invernesshire militia. He was born in Boleskine in 1778. Why would he be in Edinburgh? He settled in Edinburgh and died there at ripe old age of 88. Any information would be wonderful

[macintosh]

Militia Regiments at the time were basically the equivalent of our modern Territorial Army, a lot of these militias were known as Fencible Regiments, and there was an Inverness Fencibles as well as Ross-Shire Fencibles, though after formation in 1750s because of a need for home security a lot of them had been reduced in strength by 1802/3.

Try google "Scottish Fencible Regiments"
I seem to recall there was a lot of posts on here some time ago re the same subject.

James

[km1971]

The Inverness-shire Militia were 'regular' Militia. When they were embodied - called out in times of war - it was normal for them to serve away from their home county. The march there was part of the training, and it lessened the chance of men deserting to be with their families. Some Militiamen took their families with them, or as in this case, married where they were posted.

Fencibles were an extra Militia raised in wartime. The first fencibles served from 1793 to 1802. Apart from training they stayed at home, awaiting a call if the country was invaded - although some did serve in Europe. So basically a 'home guard'. New regiments were raised when war resumed in 1803 but most served overseas, particularly in Canada.

Ken

[Wee lassie]

I am amazed that he would have marched from Inverness to Edinburgh! I wonder where they would be stationed in Edinburgh. Would it have been at the Castle?

[LizzieW]

My 4 x g.grandfather joined the Fifeshire Fencible Cavalry in 1795 which I understand was a  unit recruited for home defence during the Napoleonic wars.  Home defence did not just mean Scotland, as after spending 1795 in Thurso, by October 1796 they were in Carlisle and by April 1797 they were in Sheffield.   In 1798 they were in Kings Lynn and Norwich, then they went to Boston where my 4 x g.grandfather married, the Fencibles then went to Hythe in Kent in 1799 amongst other place with 4 x g.grandmother accompanying her husband. 

He returned to Boston, in 1800 when the Fencibles were disbanded and he and his wife and family stayed there.  Not sure why he met and married my 4 x g.gran so quickly as their first child wasn't born for a couple of years. 

Lizzie

[Skoosh]

WL, they could have been shipped from Inverness to Edinburgh.    Skoosh.

[AncesStory]

I too have ancestors who served with the Inverness Militia - Donald McGillivray born 24 July 1772 Bochruben, Dores parish,  and his son James McGillivray, b 1797, Kiltearn, Ross-shire, a shoemaker and musician. During the Napoleonic Wars, Scotland raised its first Militia. From 1798-1802 men were drawn from  Sutherland, Caithness, Argyll, Dumbarton, Bute and Inverness to serve in   Militia and Fencible Regiments.

The Inverness Militia was formed in 1802. Men were drawn from the counties of Inverness, Banff, Elgin and Nairn and were commanded by Sir James Grant of Grant, Bart, Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire.

The Inverness Militia was designated to the 10th Militia in March 1804. Donald was a cabinet maker to trade, but  served as a Private in the militia from 1808 to 1814.
The regiment served on garrison duty throughout Great Britain during the Napoleonic wars - in 1808, the Inverness Militia was based at Ediburgh, as this is where Donald's son, also named Donald, was born. The militia also served in Portsmouth, as another son, David, was born there. the Inverness Militia returned to Inverness from Portsmouth in 1814, and was then disembodied. Thereafter it was called out periodically for training through 1833.  During this period, Donald was a master house carpenter and mist probably was still involved to some degree with the Inverness Militia.

 In 1833 the Inverness Militia was redesignated the 76th, Donald's son, James, is listed in the OPRs of his first three children, (Scotland's People) as a corporal and drummer in the Inverness Militia. The Inverness Militia was again  embodied at Inverness during the Crimean War.

1855-1881 During the Crimean war the  Inverness Militia came under the command of  the Master of Lovat and was redesignated the 76th Highland Light Infantry. The uniform was changed to Highland Dress. In 1856, the Militia barracks were built in Telford Street, Inverness, to house the permanent staff and stores. In 1857 Donald's occupation was named as Bugle Master of the Militia on the death record of his son Donald.

From 1858 to 1871 the regiment carried out its annual training period at nearby Fort George and after 1872 in a tented camp at Muir of Ord.

Hope this helps.

[Wee lassie]

Thank you AncesStory that is very helpful and helps to explain his move to Edinburgh. Amazing we are talking about Napoleonic wars!

[Sheila G]

I have also just discovered My 4xGreat Grandfather, David Jack was in the Inverness Militia and got married in Edinburgh in 1804 to Anne Robertson of Cairnie. I was left wondering what he (they) were doing in Edinburgh so this has helped clear up that little mystery! I still don't know where he was born though?