Chelsea Pensioner

[JillJ]

This one is niggling at me and it probably isn't one of mine anyway...but

On the 1861 census I have found a man whose occupation is shown as Chelsea Pensioner.   He is age 62 and (if he is the right man) 10 years previously he was a Framework Knitter in Nottingham, living with his wife and family as you would expect.

My knowledge of what would be required to qualify as a Chelsea Pensioner is nil.   My guess would be that one had to have served in the army or navy, been wounded and sent to the Chelsea Hospital.

Is it possible that a man in his 50's would go to war?  I suppose if he did it would be to the Crimea.

The other odd thing abut this is that in 1861 he was back in Nottingham in lodgings, and his wife and daughter lived just round the corner so to speak.   Both he and his wife describe themselves as married.   The wife died 3 years later in New Zealand where one of their daughters had emigrated, but his death (if it is the right one) was in Chelsea at the age of 74.

Any views would be interesting.

Jill

[suttontrust]

A Chelsea pensioner was just someone who received a pension after being in the army.  It was paid through Chelsea.  At some point your man must have been in the army, maybe when he was considerably younger.

[suey]

I have a similar chap - he appears in the 1851 and 1861 as a labourer but 1871 he desribes himself as Chelsea Pensioner.  He had been in the Army, I think while he was able to work he gave his occupation, by 1871 he was much older and presumably living off his pension.

Suey

[Valda]

From The National Archives army attestation papers index

WO 97/597/142 ALEXANDER DABELL alias ALEXANDER DAYBEL Born NOTTINGHAM, Nottinghamshire Served in 45th Foot Regiment Discharged aged 24 1820-1823

If this is the man, on the 1871 census he was still in Nottingham, a lodger and widower but back working as a frame work knitter.

Regards

Valda

[JillJ]

Hi Valda,

That's great!   Thank you so much - he's the right man!

Thanks also to Suey & Suttontrust for your replies.

Jill

[Carra]

Jill,
You might want to check this site out:
http://www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/admissions.asp

It explains who can be a Chelsea Pensioner and also has some history about them

Best Wishes
Carra

[JillJ]

Thanks Carra - I will take a look.

Jill

[Kezlyn]

For a man to become a Chelsea Pensioner he needed to have either served 20 years in the armed forces OR seen active duty.

The original pensioners were housed in the Chelsea hospital - they had to live there in order to get the pension. Later on they were able to receive the pension whilst living elsewhere.

I have an ancestor who was on 3 censuses as a postal worker and then became a Chelsea Pensioner. Will get his records one day to see how he qualified. I know his discharge date and if he was in the forces for 20 years he must have joined up at 18. I think he likely saw some action - don't know where though - too young for Waterloo and too old for the Crimea. Maybe India?

Anyway, hope that helps.

Kez

[JillJ]

Hi Kez,

Thanks for your reply.   I did more or less sort this chap out in the end - he turned out not to be directly related although the story of his family is quite fascinating - one of his sons was a Mormon Pioneer to America and his life is well documented.  A daughter ended up in New Zealand and her mother went to join her and died there.   As for Alexander, I think he was a bit of a ne'er do well - he did a spell in the local prison and a removal order was served against his wife and children.  The words 'wife beater' don't appear anywhere in the documents, but reading between the lines....

Thanks for your interest.

Jill