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Archiver > ESSEX-UK > 2002-04 > 1017816938


From: Frederick Feather <>
Subject: Re: Researching WESTLEY in ESSEX
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 07:55:38 +0100
References: <003301c1da51$47174cc0$57eeff3e@oemcomputer>
In-Reply-To: <003301c1da51$47174cc0$57eeff3e@oemcomputer>


Dear Peter,

Two miles from here is a modern suburb of Southend on Sea which is known
as West Leigh. I do not know how long that name has been in use.

At Leigh are the cliffs which would have had to be defended against any
French invasion in the Napoleonic Wars. From the 1850's Shoeburyness, a
few miles east, became one of the most important Royal Artillery
garrisons in the country, though how long before that it was in use, I
do not know.

The army in Essex was deployed against invasion north of the Thames and
the main stopping points were the hills at Danbury and Langdon Hills, at
St.Osyth, Chelmsford and possibly Warley ( against an attack on London
via Harwich). The Martello Towers along the coast, and there were
probably half a dozen (there are still a couple left) also had a big
gun, which I am sure the Royal Artillery manned. Then Purfleet was far
enough from London not to worry about a big bang and gunpowder might
have been stored there. The R.A. are one of the biggest elements of the
army. Their motto is "Ubique" (Everywhere). Best of luck.

Fred,
Chairman,
Essex Society for Family History.




In message <003301c1da51$47174cc0$>, peter.matthews6
<> writes
>I have just signed on.
> The 1851 census extract below shows John aged 67 (born abt.
>1774) as a framework knitter but formerly in the Royal Artillery between 1806
>and 1814 and his wife Ruth aged 61 (born abt. 1790) as of Westley in Essex. If
>anyone can inform me about Westley it would be appreciated.
>It may be that he was billeted or in barracks in Essex some time during his
>army
>career and met his wife to be under those circumstances.
> They had a son, John, in 1812 who was described as "born on
>the
>ocean" which seems to indicate that John senior was one of the fortunate? few
>who took their wives with them on their overseas postings.
>
>John Bolton H Mar 67 Royal Artillery
>(FWK) LEI Ullesthorpe
>Ruth B W mar 61
>ESSEX Westley (?)
>William B S U 14 carrier i day
>per week Ullesthorpe
>Mary Ann Coltman grand dau U 7 scholar
>Ullesthorpe.
>
> I have a further interest, that of John senior's grandson,
>George who was also born in Ullesthorpe Leicestershire but moved with his
>family
>via St Mary Cray and Stockwell to Walthamstow as shown on the 1881 census. The
>interest is in the members of the Bolton family that have remained in that area
>but at this stage, I do not know if this list covers Walthamstow. Please
>advise.
>
>peter.matthews6
>E-mail Address(es):
>
>
>______________________________

--
Frederick Feather

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