West York Militia, 1861

[ainslie]

In the 1861 census, William Mather, living in the West Derby area near Liverpool, was recorded as at home with parents, aged 23, single, occupation "Lieutenant, West York Malitia" [sic].
A visitor to the family was also 23, a cornet in 14th Light Dragoons.

In later censuses William has no similar occupation.  I should be interested to know where to find anything about the West York Militia, as the family was firmly rooted in Lancashire.

Ainslie

[Milliepede]

1871 has similar occupation

"brewer
captain in west yorks militia"

[stanmapstone]

In the 1871 Census he is a Capt. 4 West York Militia RG10; Piece: 3860; Folio: 12; Page: 20 Lawton Road, Rainhill.

Stan

[stanmapstone]

In later censuses William has no similar occupation.  I should be interested to know where to find anything about the West York Militia, as the family was firmly rooted in Lancashire.
Ainslie

In the 1881 Census his daughter Beatrice K. Mather is shown as a niece of Michael Richard H. Hay at Harefield Hall, Addingham, Yorkshire, whose wife was born in West Derby, so there does appear to be a connection with Yorkshire. Perhaps Jane Hay was the sister of William Mather

Stan

[Milliepede]

Possible marriage Mar 1865 Ormskirk

Richard Henry Hay
Jane Mather

on the same page

And Jane and William together as siblings in 1851 with parents William and Ann Mather

And just to seal it further in 1871 Ann Mather is with Jane and Richard Hay (or they with her)

[BumbleB]

LancashireBMD say that that marriage was at Holy Trinity, Southport.

[BumbleB]

Marriage Bond and Allegation, dated 10 January 1865, state that Richard Henry Hay was from Bishopwearmouth and an Iron Ship Builder.  Jane was from Southport, aged 20 and the marriage was consented to by her mother Anne, her father being dead.

[ainslie]

I thought I had posted a reply earlier to thank you all for such full and rapid details. It seems to have been lost somewhere. I have since found in the London Gazette that Wm Mather rose to the rank of honoray Major in the same Militia, and a brewer of that name went bankrupt.  All very interesting.
Thanks again.
A

[MaxD]

As Stanmapstone noted, his regiment in 1871 is given as 4th West Yorkshire Militia.  When looking for more detail, important to include the "4th" as there were a number (found 6 so far) of West Yorks militias. They were one of the predecessors of the West Yorkshire Prince of Wales Own Regiment (title varies over time!).  York Army Museum might be the place to start.

MaxD