STRAY 1776

[nikkithomasnikki]

I am trying to find my 4x great grandfather - born 1776-1781 - he married in Portsmouth but according to the 1841 census was not born in that county. The battle of Trafalgar crew lists has a John Stray on HMS Mars born in Devon and I wonder if this is him as I cannot find anyone of this name born in Hampshire around that time. The 1776 date of birth is from his death certificate in 1849 stating he was 73 whereas 1841 census has a birth year of around 1781 but I believe they rounded up so he is stated as being 60 but could be younger. There seem to be Strays in Nottinghamshire but not sure they fit either. Any tips for working out where 'my' John Stray came from? thankyou

[rosie99]

Ages were rounded down on the 1841 census, the age stated was 60.  His occupation was Mariner

[nikkithomasnikki]

That's helpful to know thankyou - so 1776 would fit with his death certificate and rounded down to 60 on census.

[Reg Scribe]

Find My past has this baptism of a John Stray at Stokenham; 1776 December 11 John son of John & Agnes Stray.

There are a further 5 baptisms to John & Agnes at Plymstock 1778-1785.

It also has in the record set  "British Royal Navy Allotment Declarations 1795-1852"
John Stray making an allotment of 10/6d per month from his wages to his mother Agnes from HMS Pompee, starting from 1797 May 20th (an allotment was a portion of the sailors wages paid to a named relative).

Both are downlable images

[ciderdrinker]

Hi
He's not the Nottingham one
The Nottingham one was in the Army and received a Chelsea pension paid to him at Mansfield.

It looks like John is a bit unsure about his age.
Crew lists for the Battle of Trafalgar
John Stray HMS Mars age 26 born Devon so born 1779 .
So his age is not a problem.
Sometimes the names of his children help
John and Elizabeth Stray -Agnes 1815 ,Mary 2.2.1817 ,Philip 14.12. 1818 ,Elizabeth 27.5.1821-9.9.1821 ,James 28.7. 1822 ,John 14.4.1825 -23.10.1825 ,Robert 1827 ,George 13.12.1829 and Hannah 8.12.1833.

John and Agnes-John 11.12.1776,James 8.11.1778 Plymstock  ,George and Phillip 15.8.1780 Plymstock ,Elizabeth 21.4.1783 aged 16 weeks Plymstock,Robert 18.9.1791

Marriage Stokenham John and Agnes Gross 19.2.1776 both otp  bach spinster wit Robert Gross.

As you can see the names all match with John and Agnes and their children so it does look very likely they are the right parents.


ps this seems to be your man  and may tell you more

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9941508

Ciderdrinker

[nikkithomasnikki]

Thankyou so much this is really helpful. Without a census how do you get the list of their children? I had some but not all and especially Agnes really ties it in.

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
I looked for the children's christenings .
All the children before John are at Portsea st John and then the family moved over to Portsea St Mary.
They are in Bow Street from Elizabeth onwards. The older children they are at Grists Court and Chapel Row.

Ciderdrinker

[nikkithomasnikki]

thankyou that must have taken ages, really appreciate your help