John Hurrell 1790 - 1867 - 16th Lancers

[The Historian]

Hello,

Hopefully someone can assist with the following:

John Hurrell is my 4 x Great Grandfather.

In the 1851 Census (Cawston, Norfolk) he was recorded as an Out Pensioner Chelsea Hospital, Private 16th Lancers.

His daughter Susannah Hurrell was born in Meerut, India in 1830. This ties up with the regimental history as his unit was based their from 1826 to 1831.

Though I have not been able to find a record other than the 1851 Census showing that he was in this regiment. Find my past does not bring him up in their Military records. Can anyone help with sourcing the relevant muster rolls or Chelsea Hospital / Army pension records?

Does anybody have access to the parish records for Meerut, India to see if a marriage was recorded for John Hurrell or the baptism record for Susannah Hurrell?

Your help will be very much appreciated

[ShaunJ]

Welcome to Rootschat.

It appears that the army recorded his surname as Harrold

http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo97%2f0061%2f048%2f001&parentid=gbm%2fwo97%2f61%2f600571&highlights=%22%22

[ShaunJ]

There was a child Mary Anne Harold born at Meerut in 1828, parents John of the 16th Lancers and Elizabeth:
http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=bl%2fbind%2f005136994%2f00062&parentid=bl%2fbind%2fb%2f94200

[The Historian]

Hi ShaunJ,

Thank you for your reply, this has really helped.

There is another baptism record that I have found on the back of your reply.

http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=bl%2fbind%2f005136996%2f00175&parentid=bl%2fbind%2fb%2f95927&highlights=%22%22



It is from 1830 in Meerut.

Susanna Arnold daughter of John Arnold, Private 16th Lancers (Illegitimate) Born Feb 10th 1830, Baptised Sept 29th 1830. Looking at the original document it looks like this was transcribed from the original baptism records. Given how uppercase H can look like A depending on writing styles, this could account for the difference in the surnames.

This records does coincides with Susannah Hurrell's birth in Meerut, her fathers name and regiment at time of birth. Given that Susannah's children had olive skin complexions, there is a possibility that Susannah's mother could be of Indian origin.

Was (Illegitimate) sometimes use in the records when Soldiers fathered a child with an Indian lady?


Best Wishes

The Historian

[ShaunJ]

Gosh - well done finding that 1830 baptism. It is certainly a strong possibility.