Suffolk - William Rush Bruce - Baptism look up please

[Annette7]

Afraid I don't have any knowledge of 91st Rifles - just 'googled'.

You say William junior married and that 2 children were baptised with him stating his name as William Rush Bruce, like his father.   Where and when did these baptisms take place?

Annette

[hotrodpansy]

Hi

I googled too for the 91st Rifles, I found them but couldnt find the detail on 1850 in South Sfrica.

I was helped by Nookie here on Rootschat, she found Wm jnr in Kingwilliamstown, married to Dorcas and at the baptism of the 2 children, I quote:

"Although I have not managed to find out when or why he came out to South Africa I found that he was based in Kingwilliamstown where he had married and had the following two children (at least).  They were baptised in the Methodist Church.  Kingwilliamstown was only proclaimed a town in 1877, so I wonder if he was not perhaps a farmer."

Eleanor Jane BRUCE
Parents: William Rush and Dorcas
Born: 6/1/1874
Baptized: 8/31/1874

James Joseph BRUCE
Parents: William Rush and Dorcas
Born: 1/27/1876
Baptized: 3/19/1876

Rush being an unusual middle name, we both think that it is him.

I have scrolled through passenger lists which I just googled but nothing......I checked his children too.  I did find an Eleanor Bruce in her later life, obviously not married as still retained Bruce, but the detail is so vague, that I cannot confirm that it is her, I would just be making it fit.

Thanks for taking an interest.

Regards hotrodpansy

[Annette7]

The link I found was:

http://www.mbendi.com/orgs/1422/e176.htm

After the article there is a link to men who served in South Africa and listed is 'Mr. William Bruce was a member of the 91st (Argyllshire) Regiment during South Africa's 7th and 8th Frontier Wars of 1846-1853.   He is listed as having been awarded the South Africa 1853 Medal'.

I have now found a public tree on Ancestry which states:

William Rush Bruce (b.1832 Winterberg, Cape) married Dorcas Boucher (b.1836 Winterberg) on 30/6/1856 St. Johns Parish Church, Winterton, South Africa

Children:

Elenore Jane (no other details so presumably they had not found her baptism)
William Bloomfield  b.25/4/1858 Post Retief, Winterberg
George Henry b.19/8/1859 Post Retief, Winterberg
Charles Vickers b.25/8/1862 Kaalhoek, Winterton
Harriet Anne b.10/7/1865 (no place given)
Charlotte Matilda b.23/11/1865 Post Retief
Alexander b.19/9/1874 (?) Knysna
James Joseph b.27/1/1876
Ivy Jane b.7/12/1893 (?) Post Retief

With a nine year gap between Charlotte and Alexander wonder whether the date for Alexander is wrong bearing in mind the baptism you have for Eleanor Jane in 1874.   Suspect either the date is wrong for Ivy Jane (or, if not, the wrong parents).

The tree shows William Rush Bruce was a Schoolmaster.   I suspect the birthdates/birthplaces shown for he and wife Dorcas are simply 'guesstimates' by the owner of the tree - no death dates shown for either.   The owner of the tree has not logged in for over a year.

Hope this all adds to the detail anyway.

Annette   

[hotrodpansy]

Hi Annette

I cant thank you enough, through your skills and expertise and experience, you have managed to break down this wall in a matter of days.....while I have been looking for years without much luck only gleaning small amounts of info which at the end of the day didnt know was correct.

This is so exciting and opens up a new thread for me to follow.  Can I ask the name of the tree and its owner, so I can look for myself as I am an Ancestry member and I couldnt find it.....mind you the birth date is roughly 12yrs out against mine, but of course there could be many possibilities as to why that is!  The parents had their first William Bruce in 1808 Hintlesham but he died in 1818 then the second William Bruce was born 1820 (Family search has the record) same parents and I assumed that was who we are looking for?....I think it is one and the same because his mother Elizabeth Bruce (nee Finch) died in 1823 and the baptism for William on Family Search clearly states Elizabeth as his mother.  For a minute I thought that this William could have been from his second marriage to Maria Reeve but I feel that it isant.  I feel like you that the ages are just guesses and this is the correct family and of course, ties in perfectly with his fathers will.

The place you mentioned 'Winterberg' I have never heard of, so some research needed there

I will check the link for the 91st Regiment....this will be interesting

Could I ask a question, what does 'Post Retief' mean?

Well, at the end of the day, I am thrilled that he survived and went on to marry and have quite a large family......  Regards Jenny

[Annette7]

Glad I was able to help.

Post Retief is in Winterberg (there are Winterberg Mountains - although I'm a bit confused as googling shows it's in Western Cape or Eastern Cape.   Let's just settle for The Cape!!)

Post Retief was a barracks as far as I can see.

The tree is named 'Cooks Family Feb 2012' and the owner is rodcooks.

My search screen on ancestry is usually set on 'UK and Irish' and I didn't even bother to change it.   Just entered 'William Rush' in Christian names and 'Bruce' in surname (no other details at all) - on results screen just scrolled down to 'Public Trees' and he's the first entry.

Hope you can find it okay.

Annette

[Dulverton]

Here is the information that you requested:

Marriage register St Mary, Hintlesham, Suffolk

Page 18

William Rush Bruce (widower) of Hintlesham

Maria Reeve (single woman) of this parish

Married in this church by Banns this 31st day of December in the Year 1824

This marriage was solemnized between us } William Rush Bruce (apparently signed)
                                                              } Maria Reeve ("marked" her name)

In the presence of } William Douising (sic Dousing?) & John Woods (both signed)

Registry entry number 52

[hotrodpansy]

Hi Dulverton

Thanks for taking a look.  Was never completely sure that Maria was a spinster when she married and now I know.  Will research the witnesses names and maybe find a link through business or friendship.

Regards hotrodpansy

[ernchat]

Hi, I am trying to find a copy of the Last Will and Testament of William Rush Bruce born 1788 died 1870 of Hintlesham, Suffolk. If someone can provide this to me or point me in the right direction to obtain this it will be appreciated. Many thanks.

[Annette7]

Just go to:

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

You need to search in the section 1858-1996 - enter surname Bruce, year 1870 and a search brings up 10 pages.   Your man is on page 6.   A section comes up on the right hand side of your screen where you can enter the full details and order (leave Folio blank).

Only costs £1.50 and you'll be notified by email when available and just go to the site and download it.

Takes around 2 weeks at the moment - I ordered one on 11th April which is due to be available on 26th April.

Annette