68th regular of Foot

[Rimas]

Hello All!!

My sister in law has a puzzle we're hoping you can perhaps help us with.

Her ancestor is:

Abraham Pinkney born in 1793 Suffolk.

He was posted with the 68th Regular of Foot to Canada where he stayed with his family.

The first record of him is in 1819 in Quebec and the birth of his first son, Abraham. It states he is a "private soldier in his Majesty's 68th Regiment and Ann his wife".

Now, here is the puzzle.

Records show two Ann Pinkneys, both age 36, die on the same day 16 March 1831.

One record is in a book called the Quebec Garrisson and it shows Ann Pinkney, age 36 died 16 March & buried on 17 March.  Her husband is listed as WILLIAM Pinkney, a tavernkeeper &  pensioner from the 68th Regiment.

 The other record is from a Book called "Quebec Cathedral". This is a record with a coroner's result. However, this record says Ann Pinkney, age 36 died 16 March was buried on the 18th of March and that her husband's name is ABRAHAM Pinkney, a pensioner from HM 68th  Rgeiment of foot.

 Is there any way to see if there was also a William Pinkney in the Regiment at the same time, whose wife's name was Ann, who died March 16, 1831, age 36? OR would we be safe to assume they are one and the same person, just an error was made in the name of the husband?

Appreciate any imput/insight you can offer!
Thanks,
Chris
Canada

[Victor Harvey]

Hi Chris,
You could try googling Durham Light Infantry Museum, located in Durham. The 68th Regiment of Foot are part of this Mueum.
The Curator is Stephen Shannon.
Victor

[Jebber]

Hi Chris,

The golden rule is to never assume, but in this instance I think you are safe to do so. Spelling of names was still very erratic at that time, the omission of one letter in such a name was very common.

Abraham was discharged as unfit in 1826.

Jebber

[Rimas]

Thanks Gentlemen for your replies.
I will certainly check out the Durham Museum.
And thanks for a look at the discharge!

My sister in law seems to think Abraham was a Chelsea Pensioner. Is there an online list where I can have a look?

Very best regards,
Chris

[John915]

Good evening,

You can now check here for the records if within the time frame; http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/443.htm
Being a chelsea pensioner does'nt necessarily mean he was at the royal hospital. I don't recall the exact date right now but all army pensions were originally paid from there up to a certain date. So all who received a pension were chelsea pensioners. You could elect to forfiet payment of pension in return for a place at the hospital as an in-pensioner, the famous men in red. Or take payment and be an out-pensioner and live elsewhere.

John915

[Rimas]

Thank you John, I'll have a look over there!

[Wanda Mary]

Hi Rimas,

Abraham Pinckney settled in Valcartier, about 20 miles northwest of Quebec City, where my father's ancestors also pioneered. (Abraham's name appears in census returns for that community.) If you weren't aware of this, I have copies of the 1825, 1831, 1851, and 1861 census returns.

Wanda
Victoria, BC

[Rimas]

Hi Wanda,
My sister in law (Abraham Pinkney is her relative) says Abraham was still in Quebec City in those early days. His first wife Ann, appears to have died there (Quebec City) in 1831, however, that being said, maybe he had the property in Valcartier already since it was gifted to pensioners of the 68th and hadn't moved there yet. He was pensioned in 1826.
She has copies of the 1851 and 1861 census which shows Abraham with his 2nd wife Ruth Rineheart.
But if it's not too much trouble perhaps you could send me the 1825 & 1831 census for the area and maybe we'll find Abraham there also!
What relatives are yours from the area? Maybe there is a connection with the Pinkneys somewhere along the line?

Thanks so much for responding to this query!
Rootschat people are so accomodating!
Best,
Chris

[Wanda Mary]

Hello again, Chris,

I'm interested in this phrase from your latest post: 'since it was gifted to pensioners of the 68th'. Do you have a source for this information? My ancestor was William Crawford, of the 68th, but I know that veterans of other regiments also settled in Valcartier. Maybe they bought out veterans of the 68th who moved on....

Meanwhile, this evening I'll look for the surname 'Pinckney/Pinkney' in the earliest census record photocopies that I have.

Wanda