So with a lot of coughing I have come up with this :-
The future Capt. John Tillman's First Sea Voyage – age 13years ?
Genuine Old Brandy
A Cargo of the above, of the Choicest Quality, is just landed at this Port, direct from one of the first Houses at Cognac, ex ‘Transfer’, Captain Thomas Goodsir.
An eligible opportunity is now offered to Purchasers of one or more Puncheons, of furnishing themselves with a superior article, on moderate terms, either for present clearance, or to remain in bond. – Apply to Importers, NICOLLE and CHIDELL.
Nos. 24 and 25, French- Street, Southampton
March 26th 1824
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The Voyage
2nd April 1824 (Ship’s news) – Dover 31st March - Off port ‘Transfer’ Goodsir, from Charente to London
3rd April 1824 (Ship’s news) – Deal. 1st April – three ships lost Anchor and cable off North Foreland yesterday, have put back and remain in the Downs due to rough weather. The ‘Transfer’ Goodsir has also been supplied with anchor and cable for the same reason.
Note. Well at least the Brandy was ashore in Southampton.
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Before joining The ‘Fenwick’ ( Snow rigged - 195 T - reg. Sunderland ) as an apprentice in 1825, at the age of 14years. Did he by chance go on the ‘Transfer’ with his Step father in March 1824 on the above voyage, so giving him his first taste of sea life (and possibly Cognac), before starting on his chosen ? sea career.
Of course, I can find no crews list at this date, so it must remain as ‘surmise’. However one can think that for the sake of his wife Tammy ( John’s mother ), it might have been the case, and Tammy ( my direct 3x Great Grandmother, who’s husband was Peter Tillman from Lympstone Devon) could even have herself been aboard – it was not unknown to take your wife from time to time on a voyage.
Proof of the last fact being that Thomas Goodsir’s son David from his first wife, was born onboard the ‘Malvina’ ‘ At sea in the North Atlantic’ May 8th 1816’ !!!
If my surmise is correct, then on our pleasant and interesting visit this late September 2014 to Tonnay –Charente, we will have, 190 years later, walked the same Quays, seen the same Grand Cognac Négociant’s establishments, listened to the same river Charente, as they did – a nice thought anyway.
Notes : Having spoken to the nice lady who runs the ‘Ancien livre’ bookshop, we were able to learn quite a lot of interesting facts about the history of the town.
For example, at the time when ‘Transfer’ was there, the suspension bridge ( still standing) had not been build, so making it impossible for larger sea going sailing vessels to proceed any further up stream, and the smaller ‘Gabarres’ had to bring the cargo and load and discharge incoming cargo ( doing in fact the same job as the wherry/keel boats of the Tyne and Wear
Rivers in the north of England). At that time also The Town was known as Charente.
A lot of trade has been made with that town in France and our Mariners from the North East Coast,
so if I can get more info, it might be of interest for those of us searching in the 1800's
Best
John
