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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: G63 on Wednesday 12 April 23 00:01 BST (UK)
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I was wondering if anyone could help find some records/information. Firstly, I have to apologise as I have very limited information. This is what I know.
Thomas Taylor born about 1827
His father was Edward Taylor
He was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery (recorded on his marriage certificate)
Married Mary Anne Wills 22 Sept 1855 in Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
Know it’s not much to go on but here’s hoping.
Regards,
Geraldine.
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This is what I know
You didn't mention that the father Edward Taylor was a farmer. Do you know anything else about Thomas? Do you know where he was born? Where did he and Mary live in later life?
Marriage record: https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1855/09482/5436405.pdf
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So sorry Shaun. I don’t have much….I knew it was a long shot. Thomas and Mary Anne had a daughter Sarah Anne Taylor born 14 July, 1855 in Ballymena.
Mary Anne’s father was James Wills who was a Quarter Master(?) in the Royal Engineers.
Sarah Anne Taylor married. Robert Gastin 3 April, 1881 in Belfast, although Roberts residence was recorded as being in Glasgow.
Geraldine
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Not having much luck with military records (not much survives for RA gunners named Thomas Taylor who were born circa 1827).
This entry in the 1851 census at Woolwich caught my eye:
Thomas Taylor age 25, Gunner & Dr with 10th Batt, born Ballanderry, Co Antrim.
Just a possibility!
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This entry in the 1851 census at Woolwich caught my eye:
Thomas Taylor age 25, Gunner & Dr with 10th Batt, born Ballanderry, Co Antrim.
Recorded under him is Robert Taylor, 22, with the same birth place. So I suppose they could be related (brothers or cousins?)
There are only two Thomas Taylors in the RA in the 1851 Army Index. The one in Woolwich, who, along with Robert, was in the 10th Battalion, 5th Company.
And one stationed in Dublin (7th Battalion, 5th Company)
So, theoretically, if the TT we are looking for was in the RA in 1851, and if the muster rolls are complete, there would be a 50% possibility that it is the right guy in Woolwich? :-\
A quick look at the baptisms/births index on the UHF website, there is one for a Thomas Taylor somewhere in Antrim in 1824, with father Edward. Likely mother's name Sarah.
Followed by six more to the Edward/Sarah Taylor combination, next are Edward (1826) and Robert (1828)
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Thank you so much Shaun and Jonw65 for taking the time to help. It’s greatly appreciated. I am hitting a lot of brick walls with the Wills family.
On Thomas and Mary’s marriage registration, Mary records her father was a Pensioner. Would this perhaps mean he was retired from the army?
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Hi
It could mean that.
There is a marriage for a William Wills, at the same church, Kirkinriola, in 1853, to Margaret Coulter.
Father James Wills, Pensioner
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1853/09442/5420742.pdf
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That seems to be followed by a birth of a son William in Scotland in 1855.
Father William Wills. Mother Margaret Coulter
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYBK-4BL
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So I guess that birth is the one on ScotlandsPeople,
William Wills, 1855, Irvine Burgh, Ref 595 / 1 / 136
Though the index result doesn't give us the mother's maiden name.
1855 was the first year of civil registration in Scotland. There was extra info recorded that year, birth certs included the parents' ages and places of birth.
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Pension records: James Wills, Sergeant, Royal Sappers & Miners, admitted to pension 9 October 1839, deceased 7 January 1854 aged 54. Death reported by Ballymena office.
Born Plympton, Devon circa 1799. Army service 1816-1839
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1152%2F153%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1152%2F888104
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According to a tree on ancestry, Mary's mother was Agnes, who died in Belfast in 1891, age 82
Widow of James Wills, Quarter Master, Royal Engineers
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1891/06057/4726650.pdf
Not sure why they have linked James Wills died Ballymena to an 1854 PCC will for James Wills of Plas Bellin, Flintshire
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Informant on Agnes' death was Eliza Wills, daughter
This seems to be her in Belfast in 1901, age 62, with sister Agnes Wills, 70. Also there are a niece and nephew called Garston, who may be children of Thomas Taylor's daughter Sarah.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Clifton/Hillview_Street/961888/
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Thank you both so much. I would say that I am an enthusiastic amateur and I stress amateur lol regarding my family tree. I have a tree on Ancestry (Quinn/Bell). I like to try to join the dots before I add to my tree. Hence why I appreciate the knowledge , advice and gentle nudge in the right direction from others like yourselves. I’ll top up my credits on the various sites you mention and check the records.
Reading the pension transcript James was on a survey in Ireland September 1835.
Silly question alert…..are the Royal Engineers the same as Royal Sapper & Miners.
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Silly question alert…..are the Royal Engineers the same as Royal Sapper & Miners.
Technically they were separate Corps until 1856 when they were brought together as Royal Engineers. But the two had always been closely connected, and the officers of the Corps of Royal Sappers and Miners had always been Royal Engineers. Hence James Wills' discharge was approved by a Regimental Board consisting of three Royal Engineers officers.
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Once again thanks for your help. A few more dots connected.
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Forgot to mention James Wills is my Gt.Gt.Gt. Grandfather, thank you.
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Shaun, May I trouble you again. Re: reply #9 James Will pension records. It mentions death reported by Ballymena office. Did it give any other information regarding this?
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Just date of death and his age. It's in a monthly return of changes to army pensioners in the Ballymena district
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO22%2F146%2F00005&parentid=GBM%2FWO22%2F146%2F00005%2F0097850
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Thank you again.
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Checked the Scottish records for William Wills (birth/death). They confirm they are indeed the correct Wills. Thank you for all your suggestions. Still looking for Thomas Taylor and his wife Mary Anne Wills. Last record I found was the birth of their daughter Sarah Anne in Ballymena.
Thanks again
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Hi
Do you have any info from the Ballymena record for Sarah Anne?
Perhaps Thomas died whilst serving in the army, there doesn't seem to be any real sign of him later in Belfast or Antrim (where Sarah Anne married and lived with her husband)
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Hi this is the information from the Birth/baptism record for Sarah Anne
Sarah Anne Taylor
Address given as Ballymoney Street,
Ballymena
D.O. B. 14 July, 1855
Father Thomas Taylor, Artillery Soldier
Mother Mary A Wills.
I’m not even sure if Sarah had any siblings.
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Hi
Thanks for the info :)
Sarah's date of birth is before the marriage, so Thomas and Mary Anne had known each other for some while. Which may be significant perhaps, in terms of where Thomas was with the RA, and when he was there! Presumably in Ireland, but the Wills have links with England, and William Wills was in Scotland shortly after his marriage.
I am finding some stuff on TNA website, it's too late for me to process any of it now, so I will just try and post it.
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This entry in the 1851 census at Woolwich caught my eye:
Thomas Taylor age 25, Gunner & Dr with 10th Batt, born Ballanderry, Co Antrim.
Recorded under him is Robert Taylor, 22, with the same birth place. So I suppose they could be related (brothers or cousins?)
There are only two Thomas Taylors in the RA in the 1851 Army Index. The one in Woolwich, who, along with Robert, was in the 10th Battalion, 5th Company.
And one stationed in Dublin (7th Battalion, 5th Company)
Here we go!
From the Royal Artillery Description Books.
Thomas Taylor born Ballinderry, in Woolwich in 1851, died in 1856.
Royal Artillery Description of Soldiers on joining Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 8
Soldier's Number 379: Thomas TAYLOR.
From Ballinderry, Moira, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 20 years.
Note: Transferred to 10 Battalion 1846.
Ref: WO 69/76/329
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14417029
Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 2 Battalion Numbers 2737 to 3242.
This entry appears on opening 180
Soldier's number 641: Thomas TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Moira, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 20 years.
Note: Transferred to 4 Battalion 1851.
Ref: WO 69/653/166
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13483083
Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 4 Battalion Numbers 3199 to 3671.
This entry appears on opening 314
Soldier's Number 3501: Thomas TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Moira, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 20 years.
Discharged 1856.
Discharge reason: Dead.
Ref: WO 69/111/303
Date: 1846 - 1856
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12631357
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Let's look at Robert. It looks to me like he joined at more or less the same time as Thomas.
Sadly, he died in 1851.
Royal Artillery Description of Soldiers on joining Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 8
Soldier's Number 381: Robert TAYLOR.
From Ballinderry, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 17 years.
Note: Transferred to 10 Battalion 1846.
Ref: WO 69/76/331
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14417031
Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 2 Battalion Numbers 2737 to 3242.
This entry appears on opening 182
Soldier's number 643: Robert TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 17 years.
Note: Transferred to 4 Battalion 1851.
Ref: WO 69/653/166
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13483083
Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 4 Battalion Numbers 3199 to 3671.
This entry appears on opening 315.
Soldier's Number 3502: Robert TAYLOR.
Born Ballinderry, Antrim.
Enlisted 1846 aged 17 years.
Discharged 1851.
Discharge reason: Dead.
Ref: WO 69/111/304
Date: 1846 - 1851
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12631358
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This could be him
Register of Deceased Soldiers and Next of Kin. Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 36v.
Thomas TAYLOR.
Note: Next of Kin Mary Ann of Belfast, Antrim, wife.
No date of death.
Ref: WO 69/586/1079
Date: 1823-1859
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13470888
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Is this the same man? :-\
Register of Deceased Soldiers and Next of Kin. Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 15r.
Thomas TAYLOR died 1856, in Woolwich.
Note: Sickness.
Covering dates indicate year of death.
Ref: WO 69/586/597
Date: 1856
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13470406
There could be a death certificate?
TAYLOR, THOMAS
Age at Death (in years): 30
GRO Reference: 1856 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 396
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Robert?
Register of Deceased Soldiers and Next of Kin. Royal Artillery 4 Battalion.
This entry appears on folio 12r.
Robert TAYLOR died 1851, in Dungannon.
Note: Sickness.
Covering dates indicate year of death.
Date: 1851
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13470268
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Thank you so much, your help is greatly appreciated. I wouldn’t know where to start looking for that information. Thanks for taking the time to help.
Regards,
Geraldine
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Hi
I hope we are on to something, even though it's not good news.
The next of kin on that death record being wife Mary Ann in Belfast does suggest it could be your Thomas.
There are only two Thomas Taylors in the RA in the 1851 Army Index....
And one stationed in Dublin (7th Battalion, 5th Company)
For elimination purposes, this could be the one in Dublin in 1851
Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 10 Battalion Numbers 1 to 477.
This entry appears on opening 238
Soldier's Number 230: Thomas TAYLOR.
Born Darton, Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Enlisted 1846 aged 18 years.
Note: Transferred to 7 Battalion 1848.
Ref: WO 69/160/230
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13195194
Statements of Service, Royal Artillery 7 Battalion Numbers 2497 to 2948.
This entry appears on opening 156
Soldier's Number 2636: Thomas TAYLOR.
Born Darton, Barnsley, Yorkshire.
Enlisted 1846 aged 18 years.
Note: Transferred to 12 Battalion 1855.
Ref: WO 69/142/142
Date: 1846
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C12748740
Are there any more?
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Are there any more?
From a very quick look, based on enlistment and discharge years, and ages on enlistments, probably not.
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If you think that Greenwich district (included Woolwich) death in 1856 could be the right one, don't forget you can get a pdf of the register entry, delivered electronically, from the GRO website for £7.
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The Belfast connection sounds very promising. When Sarah Anne Taylor got married her address was recorded as Walton Street, Belfast. I know Agnes Wills, Sarah Anne’s grandmother, and two of her daughters lived in Walton Street.