whitesmith Army Pensioner

[swampinstein]

I've been doing some research on one of my ancestors
James Moore b: abt 1859  Worcestershire
in the 1881 census he was a patient in the Worcester Infirmary Salt Lane .....       

it states his occupation as.....Whitesmith Army Pensioner

what does that mean as he was only 22 at the time

[tonepad]

A whitesmith is also called a tinsmith.
Working with tin and finishing ironwork by tin plating.

Could have been wounded or otherwise deemed unfit and discharged from the army at an early age.

[swampinstein]

I wasn't sure whether whitesmith was a place or occupation

[tonepad]

Although the army employed blacksmiths/farriers for shoeing horses, don't know if whitesmiths had a role in the army.

So maybe your man took up this trade after leaving the army.

[ShaunJ]

I think this is his army file on FindMyPast ( subscription required) http://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo97%2f2055%2f062%2f001&parentid=gbm%2fwo97%2f2055%2f446027

[swampinstein]

Thanks shaun but i'm not subscribed to FindMyPast so it won't let me read the link...I'm subscribed to ancestry but don't think it's on there

[tonepad]

Whitesmith is also a place in Sussex.
Can't find any references on the internet to army barracks/hospital there.
Seems to be a small hamlet.
If your ancestor has no links with Sussex can probably be discounted.

[plk74]

Hi Swampenstein

James Moore attested on 18th April 1878 at the age of 20 years 1 month
Came from the parish of Black Hai*e (Sorry cant decipher it) near Worcester
Occupations mentioned are Gasfitter and Coppersmith
Was discharged November 1879, unfit for further service.

If you PM me with your email address I will provide further info.

[ShaunJ]

Black Hai*e

I am wondering if that is the army clerk's attempt at spelling "Blockhouse" which was a parish in Worcester.

http://www.worcesterbmsgh.co.uk/parish/worcester-blockhouse

https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Worcester_Blockhouse,_Worcestershire_Genealogy