Charles Brownie - Dunning

[MonicaL]

Hi Mark

Just adding link to other post for additional background http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=730994.0

Not sure if you will to the bottom of this  He could have made himself older by a couple of years (c. 1871 instead of 1873) and edited his birth place for whatever reason he thought relevant to do with his enlistment. Hard to say what could be behind this all.

His father was a draper's assistant, from what shows for him. Charles' siblings look to have been born in Brighton too, so, relatively stable family background for him so far from what we can easily see now (without more thorough research).

One question, have you found Margaret Buchanan in 1871? She doesn't look to be in the household in 1871. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFDW-BMM

Monica

[Br1gau]

John Watts Downie & Margaret Buchanan's marriage is showing as December 1871. In the 1871 census she was recorded as a parlour maid, born 1845 Perthshire, for John Rotto and family in Brighton.  Margaret traces back to Pitcairn Cottage, Dunning, parents were William Buchanan, a Coachman and his wife, Jessie

[MonicaL]

Thanks, Br1gau. Just got there!

If Charles Edward was born in Brighton, likely he was first born from this second marriage?

Monica

[Mark Abbott]

I do see that, but could it be that he was born in Dunning in 1871, the son of Margaret Buchanan and ?, the birth for what ever reason was not registered until 1873 in Brighton where the then family were living.

I suspect we may never discover the true date of birth?

Many thanks

Mark

[MonicaL]

Mmm...I think it is more likely that Charles was born as you have on his birth registration in Brighton in 1873. His 1881 census, age at death match for 1873.  1891 he had already enlisted from what you have. 

1901 he showed as born c.1872 - love the description of the address then: North West Corner Of Parish Of Ardersier - Washed On Three Of Its Sides By The Moray Firth...sounds picturesque 

Mark, don't think you will closer to this, inspite of having so much info on Charles...can't think of other searches for this for now.

Monica

[Mark Abbott]

One of the main stumbling blocks to the birth in Brighton is, in addition to the place of birth recorded on his service papers, is his inclusion in the book "A Military History of Perthshire".  Only individuals born in Perthshire were included and in his entry in the book, his place  of birth is given as Dunning.

I am ordering his marriage and death certificates to see if they shed any more light on the matter.

Sadly, Charles spent the period from his discharge from the army to his death in 1950 in an asylum, having been noted as "Insane" on his papers.  Does anyone know if inmates of asylums were buried at local cemetery's?

[MonicaL]

When you look at historical references, such as the "A Military History of Perthshire", without knowing how the person/people went about putting together their references to people to include and whether any specific checks were made on statutory records, it's hard to be 100% certain that everything published in this way is correct. It is undertandable why he would have been included in this referece material, given the confusion that still surrounds his records for the army and connected to his birth place.

Have you been able to get anywhere with trying to check his admission records to the Asylum? A very complicated path this for sure.

Regarding burial for him in 1950. My understanding on this is that if family were available and in contact, they could arrange for the burial and the arrangements. If they were not, then asylums would arrange a local burial in common ground of the nearby cemetery they used.

Monica

[Mark Abbott]

Thank you for that Monica.

https://archive.org/stream/militaryhistoryo00athouoft#page/n14/mode/1up

https://archive.org/stream/militaryhistoryo00athouoft#page/192/mode/1up

The 1901 Scottish Census, records his place of birth as Dunning (the town his mother came from).  The 1911 Census has someone "CB" recorded as a patient at Brighton County Borough Asylum, a former married soldier age 39 with the place of birth given as Brighton!

These details fit and his service papers confirm his intended place of residence as "County Borough Asylum, Haywards Heath, Sussex".

[MonicaL]

That is great that you have found his 1911 census entry now. I know you were still looking for it a little while ago.

See how you go on the admission and patient records for him. These may include more detail that adds to his life (although not necessarily to the Dunning refs.)...if you are able to get permissions to access them (and they survive).

Sad story for him regardless. He joined the army very young and then by his 30s got obviously so mentally ill. Poor man.


Monica