Chelsea Pensioners

[lyndyloo6]

Hi Guys,

Whilst doing my research over the last couple of weeks, I have come across reports on the census that several of the men are listed as 'Chelsea Pensioner's, even though one of them was in his 40's.  I was not aware that 'chelsea pensioner's were outside London, but then I do not know that much about army service.  There seems to be several in Bervie. One I turned up last night in the 1851 census was Alexander Smith, Fishergate, Bervie.  He is listed as Baker, (journeyman) and Chelsea pensioner. Can anyone help please?
kind regards,
Lynda

[Daffodilly]

The Chelsea Pensioners as we know them today are the 'In-Pensioners' ie they live in the Royal Hospital.  Any soldier who received a pension used to be called a Chelsea Pensioner and were 'Out-Pensioners' if they received their pension at home.  Hope that helps.

Daff

[lyndyloo6]

Hi Daff,

Thanks for this, was a bit surprised when this came up.

Regards,
Lynda

[Isles]

An Alexander Smith was buried in the Old Kirkyard, Inverbervie in 1872 but there is no gravestone. He is likely to be the same person as he is the only one of that name.
I'll have a look at the 1861 and 1871 Census of Inverbervie at the Library here and get back to you.

Isles.

[lyndyloo6]

Hi Isles,

Is that the kirkyard on the hill in the centre of Bervie? 
I was up there 2 weeks ago and traipsing around it looking for Welsh's.  My Gt Gran Susan Allan/ Welsh lived there, so I was there on the off chance.  I then was advised to go to Gourdon.  We were there and went to the bar on the harbour.  We had a cup of tea there and the bar man came out and asked what are you doing here, so I explained I was researching my family.  I then said is there any Welsh's living in the area and he pointed to the end of the harbour.  It turn out that my mums cousin has boats and a fish shop on the harbour.  My mum died when I was 15, so the family lost touch and this was the first time I had met any of them since the early 1970's at my grandad funeral.  Anyway, the upturn was that we went back and got some information and photos of family which has spurred me on no end, and of course I promised a copy of the family history to my mums cousins.  The Smiths are on my Welsh's side, so any info would be great.

Thank you, much appreciated.
Regards,
Lynda

[Isles]

Yes, the kirkyard is on the hill called Kirkburn.  As promised here is the 1861 and 1871 Census of Fishergate.

Fishergate West.
Alexander Smith   73    Baker      born St Cyrus
Ann               "      74                   born Kinneff
Jane              "      22    Out Worker  born Bervie

Fishergate.
Alexander Smith, widower,  82    Pensioner   b. St Cyrus.
Jean             "    , daughter  34 Servant Domestic b. Bervie. 

I have a connection to Dougie Welsh in that my mother Isabella Moncur Dickson and his mother Isobel Moncur are 2nd cousins making Dougie and myself 3rd cousins.

Isles.

 

[Isles]

I fogot to mention that Alexander Smiths wife, Ann is also buried in the Old Kirkyard.  She died in 1869 aged 81.

Isles.

[charlotteCH]

There are record books of the pensions paid to Chelsea Out-Pensioers . They state the amount paid and at which place it was collected.. this together with the dates enabled me to track my out-pensioner from Halifax to Accrington, and was a good reference for other info I had.  


charlotte

[lyndyloo6]

Hi There,
Many thanks for all this info.  You have all been a great help.  Dougie Welsh is my mums cousin, so I guess we have a link

Kind regards to you all.
Lynda