Soldier Circa 1730 - Oxfordshire perhaps

[NDRFT]

Hi
I have a relative who is described in the PR's when he died in Burford, West Oxfordshire as being a Soldier. His death was Feb 1720 and Buried 17 Feb 1760 in Burford Parish. His name was Richard Hunt. Can any one offer a steer on how I may discover what sort of soldier he may have been with what 'regiment' please/
Thanks
Nigel

[km1971]

Hi Nigel

This was when regiments were named after their colonel rather than having a number or locative name. Men would enlist for life, which usually meant until a disability prevented them from serving longer. You could only get a pension if you were discharged through a disability.

Kew does have some pension records from that period, and they do say where he intended to reside. So you might be lucky - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/militaryhistory/army/step4.htm. There are also some muster rolls available.

I take it he was born in 1720.

You might also compile a list of regiments in the area from this link - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/rdleaflet.asp?sLeafletURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enationalarchives%2Egov%2Euk%2Fcatalogue%2Fleaflets%2Fri2017%2Ehtm&lBack=-1

I would also contact Oxfordshire Record Office, as there may be papers left by the local bigwig. Certainly discovering who the local lord of the manor was may help. It would also be worth checking to see if any records for parish relief exist, as a soldier’s pension would not be enough for a comfortable living.

Ken

[NDRFT]

Ken
Superb info. Thank you very much
Nigel