Mystery surname

[stewpot72]

Many thanks. Are you suggesting that he used the name Sherlock when he enlisted then changed to Stewart afterwards?

[jonwarrn]

Is this connected?
Marriage at Prestbury, Cheshire, 7 June 1821
Robert Sherlock, of Macclesfield, Colour Sergeant of the 29th Regiment of Foot
+
Frances Cartwright, of Macclesfield, Spinster and Minor
by Licence
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6QWT-5

Allegation here
Robert Sherlock, of Macclesfield, in the parish of Prestbury, Colour Sergeant, age 21 and upwards, Widower
to marry Frances Cartwright, age 17 and upwards, Spinster and Minor
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-676K-J

With consent of, and including statement from, her father James Cartwright

[jonwarrn]

Is there a signature on the WO 97 record? Which I can't access!
Anything else useful?
Robert Sherlock, born Carlow
Served in 29th Foot Regiment
Discharged aged 38 (1834)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8741138

Some entries in UK, British Army Muster Books and Pay Lists, 1812-1817
Robert Sherlock, 1st Battalion, 29th Foot
Has been promoted from private to corporal

UK, Regimental Registers of Service, 1756-1900 (WO 25)
29th Foot
Robert Sherlock, born Carlow
Has physical description
Attested in 1812 at Enniskillen, age 16 years 244 days

Two entries for Robt Sherlock, 29th Foot, in WO 23 on the other pay site. Could be useful!
Give district of pension payment. May give date of death.

[Josephine]

Were Henrietta's parents married before she was born?

If her name at birth was Henrietta Sherlock Stewart, but her father's surname was Sherlock, this would suggest to me that her mother's surname was Stewart and her parents weren't married at the time.

It seems odd for a man to change his surname when he's in his fifties or thereabouts. The only time a man in my extended family tree changed his surname was because of inheritance. (I'm not saying this to discount the other theories mentioned in this thread.)

Regards,
Josephine

[jonwarrn]

BT of the 1821 marriage
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62V8-9T9

Of course even if it is the right Robert Sherlock (it may be), we have no knowledge yet of the death of either him or Frances, or his first wife - if he was widowed as per the allegation - or any other later wives.

Indeed, there are more than just one possible reason that Henrietta may have been Stewart, or using the Stewart name. Robert Sherlock may never have used the name Stewart. It remains to be seen! Finding out where he was living after leaving the army, and when he died, would be a good start. Can the registers in WO 23 help there? Presuming it is the same Robert. Can anybody see them?

[willsy]

Have just come across a site with a record of a Robert Sherlock 1841 death and a Francis Sherlock widow marriage in 1843 Mauritius

http://www.cgmrgenealogie.org/actes/chercher.php

My French is not brilliant so someone else might be able to find more but this search throws up the surname including a Robert Sherlock 29 reg as witness 1830

http://www.cgmrgenealogie.org/actes/chercher.php

[willsy]

Just tried the links and sorry they don't work, this is the homepage

http://www.cgmrgenealogie.org/actes/index.php

[jonwarrn]

Well found!
What to make of it all?

The gist
Death certificate/burial
COE St James's Cathedral
Department: Diocese (Anglican) of Mauritius
Deceased Name: Robert SHERLOCK
Date : 19/04/1841
Origin: Port Louis
Sex:   Male
Profession: Surveyor of Roads
http://www.cgmrgenealogie.org/actes/acte_deces.php?xid=222195&xct=7654

Marriage certificate
COE St James's Cathedral
Department Diocese (Anglican) of Mauritius
Date 14/01/1843
Husband's name: John Holdcraft SMITH
Full age, Widower, Mahébourg Home
Profession: Professor of Music
Wife's name: Francis SHERLOCK
Comment:   Full age, Widow
Plus witnesses, and more info
http://www.cgmrgenealogie.org/actes/acte_mari.php?xid=234089&xct=6966

Add this
Timeline of movements of the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment
http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/bat_1_timeline.php

We see them in Gibraltar and Chocques, France, around the time of those muster rolls
1821 in Macclesfield
And, yes, Mauritius from 1826

[willsy]

Phew did translate the right place!