INDIA: Sgt-Major Evangelist Davis (looking for info)

[nikkstercricket]

My 2nd great-grandmother Mary Eleanor Davies is my brick wall!  According to family stories, she was born of a 2nd marriage and her father, serving in the Indian Army, lost his first wife and two daughters during an Indian uprising. He was listed as Evan Davies (carrier?) on her first marriage certificate but this week I got a copy of her second marriage certificate.  This lists her father as 'Evangelist Davis (deceased), Sergeant Major in the Army' so I was hopeful of finding him with this rather unusual first name.  Alas, there is no sign.

I have no other info except he was already deceased in 1886 and that Mary Eleanor Davies/Davis was born around 1852 in North Wales or Flint in Wales (depending on which census you look at).

I would dearly love to find out more about this man and his family.  Any ideas much appreciated.

[Milliepede]

I have no other info except he was already deceased in 1886 and that Mary Eleanor Davies/Davis was born around 1852 in North Wales or Flint in Wales (depending on which census you look at).

Hi there

Which census years do you have her listed please? 

[Milliepede]

4 possible birth registrations for Mary Eleanor Davies

Mar 1852 Pembroke mothers maiden name Roberts
Jun 1852 Crickhowell mothers maiden name Lloyd

the other two are Cardiff and Warrington areas

[Milliepede]

He was listed as Evan Davies (carrier?) on her first marriage certificate

What year was that please and who did she marry?

[Brentor boy]

Another possible registration of birth. Right location, wrong year.
Davies, Mary Eleanor. June Q 1854. St Asaph. Mmn Jones. Vol 118, page 372. (GRO Index)

[nikkstercricket]

Thank you for the replies so far!  Here we go with all the info I have:

Mary Davies married John Davey (my 2nd g-grandfather) on 5th March 1877 in the Parish Church of Calverley, Yorkshire.  He was a cordwainer (aka shoemaker), age 31, she was a domestic servant, age 26.  Her father on this certificate is listed as Evan Davies, occupation 'carrier'.  The family appear on 1881 census in Pudsey:
John Davey, 35, Shoemaker, b Pudsey, Yorkshire
Mary Davey, 29, b North Wales
Mary Hannah Davey, 3, b Pudsey, Yorkshire
William Davey, 9 months, b Pudsey, Yorkshire

Mary's husband John died on 25th June 1884 in Pudsey.

On 23rd January 1886, Mary Davey married Martin Gilligan in Bradford.  She is listed as age 30, a widow in Pudsey, with her father Evangelist Davis (deceased) as Sergeant Major in the Army.

Mary and Martin had a son, Denis Charles, born 14 May 1888 in Pudsey (he was killed in WW1)..

1891 census, Pudsey:

Martin Gilligan, age 40, Masons Labourer, b Ireland
Marie Gilligan, age 36, b Flint, Wales
Mary Hannah Davey, age 13 b Pudsey
William Davey, age 10, b Pudsey
John Davey, age 4, b Pudsey
Dennis Gilligan, age 2, b Pudsey

Martin Gilligan died  in 1894 and I believe she married for a final time, George Watson Wear(e) but haven't found the marriage cert yet.

In 1901 census (Pudsey), Marie Wear is living with George her husband, William Davey, Mary Hannah Davey, John Davey, Catherine Wear and Ethel Wear.  George died on 22 Feb 1910.

In 1911 census (Pudsey), Mary E Wear (widow) age 55, born Flint, Flintshire, is living with Denis Charles Gilligan, Mary Hannah Davey and Ethel Gregson (listed as adopted daughter).

Mary Eleanor Wear buried 9 Oct 1936 and is buried in Pudsey General Cemetery in a shared plot with Hannah Wear, George Watson Wear.  Her first husband John Davey is also buried in Pudsey General Cemetery with her 2nd husband, Martin Gilligan and two other family members.

With a surname of Davies/Davis I'm struggling to find her birth certificate.  There are several Mary Davies in the 1871 census who are servants.  Her father Evan Davies/Davis is a common name but Evangelist Davies/Davis is now proving tricky to find too.   And as for her mother or any other family - I have no idea sadly.

It's the story of her father and the Indian uprising that is now my quest having found out quite a bit about Mary Eleanor (apart from her early life).

THANK YOU!

[nikkstercricket]

Have just relooked at the original info from my aunt.  She said "Mary Eleanor was born in Monmouth and went to school [doesn't say where] until the age of 18 - quite rare at that time".  I'll have another look at 1871 census and see if I can see her as a scholar anywhere

[Brentor boy]

4 possible birth registrations for Mary Eleanor Davies

Mar 1852 Pembroke mothers maiden name Roberts
Jun 1852 Crickhowell mothers maiden name Lloyd

the other two are Cardiff and Warrington areas

Flintshire and Monmouthshire at extreme North/South Wales.
Perhaps a closer look at Crickhowell birth may be worth while.

[nikkstercricket]

4 possible birth registrations for Mary Eleanor Davies

Mar 1852 Pembroke mothers maiden name Roberts
Jun 1852 Crickhowell mothers maiden name Lloyd

the other two are Cardiff and Warrington areas

Flintshire and Monmouthshire at extreme North/South Wales.
Perhaps a closer look at Crickhowell birth may be worth while.

Thank you - will try that one and see what comes up