British Army - 71st Foot and Royal Canadian Rifle

[JJJ2]

I am researching a John Cannon, born in England who served as a Private in the 71st Foot Regiment.  Two children were baptised in 1844 in Sorel Quebec, Canada and in 1846 in LaPrairie Quebec, Canada and possibly a 3rd child not yet located.  Both are suburbs of Montreal, Quebec.  He is listed on both as a Private in the 71st Foot.  His wife is listed as a Joanne Bowie/Bowry.  One of the Godparents was listed as a Margaret Mathews who originally was married to a Crispin Churcher who was a private in the 71st foot, 1st Battalion.

John Cannon died May 9, 1849 while stationed in Kingston, Ontario.  He is listed as a Private, Royal Canadian Rifles.  There is a letter from Lt. Kingsmill stating that his widow and 2 children have been approved for rations.

I have found no other information of where he came from in England.  I have not located any census data.  His daughter identified herself as English origin on subsequent census.

I have checked the online Archives at Kew, but I'm not sure which series I should be checking.  Would there be an attestation record for this soldier?  Would there be any records of approval for rations?

Library and Archives Canada advised that all records of deceased soldiers were not kept in Canada.

Any advice on where to start my search at Kew would be helpful.  I live in Canada so I'm hoping there is something online.

Thanks,

Jerri

[KGarrad]

Some info here re the 71st Regiment of Foot:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/71st_(Highland)_Regiment_of_Foot

Renamed 71st (Highland) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) in 1810.
Was in Canada 1824-1831 and 1838-1844. Moved to Antigua in1844, and home service from 1847.

[MaxD]

If his discharge papers had survived, they would be in the National Archive document WO 97/831
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C604522  These are on line as the link shows but having looked, he isn't there.  That is not unusual, not all service papers were kept particularly if a man had simply served his time (similar situation to that you heard about from Lac Canada).

Kew also have the Muster Books and Pay lists for the regiment  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_q=Muster+71st+Foot which will list his name only as present during a specific quarter/year which is no better than you have already.

A thought only - the 71st was a Highland regiment so maybe he came from Scotland - although men from other parts of the UK could, and did, join a Scottish regiment.

MaxD

[JJJ2]

KGarrard and MaxD:

Thanks for looking up information for me.  I did read that the Royal Canadian Regiment wanted soldiers with experience.  So perhaps John Cannon joined them after the 71st Foot left Canada.

Jerri

[gortonboy]

Possible third child ?


First name(s)   Jemima
Last name   Cannon
Sex   Female
Birth year   1848
Place   Kingston
Country   Canada
Type   Armed Forces
Regiment   Royal Canadian Rifles
Archive   General Register Office
Source   Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range   1848
Volume   82
Page   24
Line number   16
Archive reference   REG1
Record set   British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms

[gortonboy]

Maybe the above is incorrect.What are the names of the two known children?

name(s)   Jemima
Last name   Cannon
Sex   Female
Birth year   1848
Place   Kingston
Country   -
Type   Armed Forces
Regiment   100th Foot
Archive   General Register Office
Source   Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range   1848
Volume   27
Page   3
Line number   17
Archive reference   REG1
Record set   British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms

[JJJ2]

Thanks Gortonboy.   
I don't have a Jemima in my records, not to say she doesn't belong.  I have Eliza 1843, Robert 1844, and William John 1846. I found those baptismal records they were in Quebec and are online.  Ontario records are a different story.

I hadn't thought to look at the British Armed Forces records. 


Jerri

[gortonboy]

 name(s)   Eliza
Last name   Cannon
Sex   Female
Birth year   1843
Place   Canada
Country   Canada
Type   Armed Forces
Regiment   100th Foot
Archive   General Register Office
Source   Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range   1843
Volume   26
Page   120
Line number   124
Archive reference   REG1
Record set   British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms

[gortonboy]

First name(s)   John
Last name   Cannon
Sex   Male
Birth year   1846
Place   Canada
Country   Canada
Type   Armed Forces
Regiment   100th Foot
Archive   General Register Office
Source   Gro Regimental Birth Indices (1761 To 1924)
Record's year range   1846
Volume   26
Page   120
Line number   18
Archive reference   REG1
Record set   British Armed Forces And Overseas Births And Baptisms