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Archiver > LONDON > 2008-05 > 1210875391


From: Marion Clare <>
Subject: Re: [LON] Re Occupation Tanner
Date: Thu, 15 May 2008 11:16:31 -0700
References: <002201c8b56f$5661dab0$ec144318@ch><1B7BD11D05F443EF99ED96014824E207@youra97ec67e86>
In-Reply-To: <1B7BD11D05F443EF99ED96014824E207@youra97ec67e86>


First of all I would like sincerely to thank everyone who has helped me with
this query. I have tried to thank them all individually but just in case I
missed anyone a big thanks to all.

Thanks too Colin for this information.

Yes I agree he may have exaggerated his age to enlist but the 1861 census
where I found him and the family at the barracks at Aldershot also shows his
age to be 37 which equals being born 1823/4

Yes I do have his army records but unfortunately his regiment, the 49th
Foot, (Royal Berkshire) cannot find copies of his enlistment papers. But I
do have his discharge papers which show clearly that he enlisted 13th
November 1841 in London. He was age 18years 3 months, born St. Luke's
London. Name John J. Johnstone and his trade a Tanner. The spelling of his
name alters even within the army records for his pension, medals, Crimea
information etc. But the consistent one is Johnston which is also shown on
the church records in Ireland at the baptisms of some of his children. His
discharge papers at Manchester on 2nd Dec. 1862 show that his intended place
of residence was St. Lukes and does have the information of his enlistment.

I am presuming that he returned to his home area of St. Lukes in 1862 and I
believe his wife Mary and children lived there whilst he was away at the
Crimea between April 1854 - returning 15 July 1856. His daughter Bridget
was born at St. Lukes in 1854/5 although I can't find details. This
information taken from her details on 3 different census. The family joined
him again and they all went off to his posting in Barbados in January 1857
where a son was born in July 1857 .

Just to verify the St. Lukes information, John & Mary's daughter Ellen (my
g.grandmother) was murdered in 1886 and Mary Johnston, her mother testified
at the inquest in West Ham. She said that she was a widow and lived at
Whitecross Street / Old Street St. Lukes. So I presume (never presume) that
the family returned to live in the area after his discharge in 1862 and
stayed there.

But I can't find his marriage details in Ireland around 1847; the family on
the 1871 census or his death details before 1886. So I am stuck.

I think I can now presume that the Goswell St / Road Tannery is the most
likely bet. As for the 1841 census I have looked through all the records
and nowhere is there a Johnston / Johnson etc. listed as a tanner including
the Goswell St. area.

Hey ho. Still can't find his parents.

Once again, thanks to everyone. You are a great list.

Marion





-----Original Message-----
From: JFHH [mailto:]
Sent: May 14, 2008 4:04 AM
To: CHarl; ; Marion Clare
Subject: Re: [LON] Re Occupation Tanner

Hi Colin, Marion
----- Original Message ----- From: "CHarl" <>
> I have read most of the responses to your enquiry and just wondered if
perhaps you had the wrong
> St Lukes. One of the largest tanneries in London was off Grange Rd
Southwark as has been
> mentioned; those tanneries were in the parish of St Lukes Southwark.
> Regards> Colin> BC> Canada

If by St.Luke Southwark you mean St.Luke Grange Road, Bermondsey this parish
was not created until
1885.
Marion's query concerned someone claiming birth in St.Luke's c.1823.
St.Luke's on its own in a Middlesex/London context generally means St.Luke's
Old Street, but there
is also St.Luke's Chelsea [opened 1824].
Another lister has found a tannery in Goswell Street [now Goswell Road]
about the right time frame,
which could be relevant.
What Marion hasn't said is where he joined the army in November, 1841 - he
could, of course, have
left home to work in ( or family moved to) Bermondsey.
November 1841 means that Marion may find him in the 1841 census. Although
John JOHNSTON [possibly
recorded as JOHNSON] is relatively common, an age and occupation and born in
county if Middx., out
county if Surrey may narrow the field.
Marion also needs to ensure that he was not increasing or decreasing his age
on enlistment.
What has survived on/of his army records?
Does his marriage certificate give his father's name and occupation?
Cheers

John Henley
researching (and not finding much time for - but always very glad to hear
of any)
HENLEY, PARKER, RAPER, [London/Middlesex]
DURDEN, PRENTICE [Essex/London/ Woolwich] ,
SECKER, [Suffolk, London/Middlesex]
ROLFE, (O)RAFFERTY, EVANS, PARSONS, SYMONDS [ Berks/Hants/Wilts]
HILL [IN Staffs/Cambs/Berks]


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