Miners and Sappers from early 1800's

[Andy J2022]

Hi LizzieL,

Sorry about the confusion. Yes, there were members of the Sappers and Miners employed in the Irish Survey mainly in the supporting roles, such as notetaking and draughting. They no doubt also carried the equipment around! I believe some triangulation points (concrete posts set in the ground) were installed during the survey, and this would have been another task done by the Sappers and Miners.

[Oneday]

Thanks to all who have responded so far.  The person I am looking for is William Bowden/Boden.  He was sent to Australia in 1833/4 on board the James Laing as a convict after being found not on duty and drunk whilst serving in Ireland.  He is a long shot as William has been very difficult to find. 

The family story has it that his parents are John and Ellen with William being born in 1818? Cheshire.  Both father and son were miners.

I had never considered this type of miner that is why it's a long shot.

Someone else also has this William dying in 1839 in Australia but being born around 1800 and a native of Cornwall.  If this is correct, he is not the right one.  My first idea is to see if I can find him or his father in the Military.  Let me know if you need any other details.

[LizzieL]

My relative was from Launceston Cornwall and his attestation mentions he was a miner. But he seems to have officially attested part way through his adult service.

[LizzieL]

There is a record on FindMyPast for a William Bowden removed from the hulk Essex to the James Laing. He was tried 20 June 1833, crime drunkenness. he was of the 43rd  regiment. He was sentenced to 7 years. He was 6ft 1 inch, had hazel eyes, dark hair and bronze complexion. He was 34 years old, so that makes his birth around 1799. He is on a record with a number of other soldiers from various regiments.

[LizzieL]

Another record has a list of convicts from the James Laing with a column headed "how disposed of" which I guess is what employer they were assigned to when they arrived. William Bowden's entry has been abbreviated but it looks like mineral survey department.

[LizzieL]

A later record "General muster of male and female convicts of new South Wales" confirms he was convicted in Dublin, but has his age as 31.

If you do find his military record any service in Ireland would just be recorded as "Home". I only discovered my relative had served in Ireland from the detail on his medical report prior to discharge

[LizzieL]

There are a number of William Bowden / Bodens born about 1799 /1800.

beware of family stories. I was once involved with a search for a baptism based on a story said to have been handed down in the family. It turned out that the "generations old family story" was based on some erroneous research done a few years earlier by a cousin.

There is a baptism of a William Boden on  18 May 1800 at Witton-Cum-Twambrooks, Cheshire. At first the parents might appear to be John and Ellen BUT if the record  image is read correctly it says that this William was the son of Joseph (the column is headed Father's name). Then there are columns for Place of Abode and profession. In this case Lordship and Laboure. The next column is headed "HIS father's and mother's name". This can only refer to the Father and Mother of the child's father. i.e William's paternal grandparents. These are John and Ellen. Next column THEIR place of abode - again Lordship. Next column is mother's name - Ellen. Then the next column is HER Father and Mother's names - William and Ann Moors. Their place of abode - Witton Crow. When born 22 April 1800. When baptised 18 May 1800.
If it turns out to be your William, then that record has given you a lot of information.

[BumbleB]

Oh, the wonders of a Dade Register.   

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Dade_parish_registers

Mainly in Yorkshire - Ainsty = 14 parishes, York = 23, East Riding = 46, North Riding = 33 and West Riding = 42.  Cheshire has 3 parishes - Alsager, Macclesfield and Witton.  Devon - Uplyme.  Essex - Moreton, Lancashire - 8.  Nottinghamshire - 8 and Surrey - 1.

[LizzieL]

Oh, the wonders of a Dade Register.   

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Dade_parish_registers

Mainly in Yorkshire - Ainsty = 14 parishes, York = 23, East Riding = 46, North Riding = 33 and West Riding = 42.  Cheshire has 3 parishes - Alsager, Macclesfield and Witton.  Devon - Uplyme.  Essex - Moreton, Lancashire - 8.  Nottinghamshire - 8 and Surrey - 1.

Yes, it's a shame it wasn't more widely adopted, then I suppose vicars in those days were far too busy too fill in more than the law required in the register.