Seeking any information on Evan DAVIS who was a private in the 73rd Regiment of Foot and was discharged in 1820 suffering chronic rheumatism, old age and infirmary.
There were two Evan Davis' in the 73rd and this individual is distinguished from the other as being "labourer from Bromley". His discharge papers say he was in the 86th, 102nd and the 73rd. He was aged 39 so born circa 1781.
"Red Coats in Australia" has him as DAVIS, Evan Enlisted England Private ??/??/1800, Arrived 11/1/1800 " Minerva " Transferred 73rd Regiment 24/10/1810. He is recorded in 1803 as going to Norfolk Island on the "Buffalo" along with his wife Catherine who also arrived on the "Minerva".
A child, Catharine was born to them on Norfolk Island in 1805. Other children are recorded born in Sydney, Thomas 1810, George 1812 and Richard in 1814. His record states he was in the East Indies (Ceylon) until his discharge in 1820.
Trying to establish what became of him and his family after 1820. Have been unable to ascertain if they returned to England or if any of the family died in Ceylon or on the voyages to and from there?
The reason I'm searching for the family is I have a "stray" George Davis in Tasmania born circa 1812 and trying to eliminate possibilities that he may be one of this families children who may have found their way to VDL. Long shooting but there were deployments of the 73rd in Tasmania and just pondering the possibility that a number may have returned perhaps as mixed families with regimental widows marrying other soldiers ?
Cheers,
Peter
