Thomas Shirley

[diseymary]

Hi, I hope someone can perhaps give me some guidance as I don't know how to find the parents of
Thomas Shirley (1823-1865) my gg grandfather. He died 16 March 1865 (death certificate) aged 42 years. Have no clues as to his mother's name.
On his marriage 28 June 1854 at St. Pancras Old Church to Eliza Mary Warren his father is listed as Thomas Shirley- dead. There are 11 Thomas Shirley deaths in London between 1823-1858, I took a long shot and ordered Thomas Shirley 1853 death in St. Pancras- wrong person.
Haven't conclusively found him prior to his marriage, there is an army record for Thomas Shirley who entered army age 18 in 1839, who was a painter, that would make his birth 1821. He served in Malta and India for 7 years and was discharged in 1854, that would explain his absence on 1841 and 1851 censuses.
There is a Thomas Shirley with wife Susannah on 1841 and 1851 census, painter, born 1791 Bucks.
On Ancestry others have Thomas Benjamin Shirley born 1823 to Thomas Shirley & Catherine Jones, but this Thomas is single on 1871 and 1881 Censuses, is a French polisher.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.

[avm228]

In 1861 he is a "clerk in office", 37 born Southwark.

RG9/108/14/32

[avm228]

In 1861 he is a "clerk in office", 37 born Southwark.

RG9/108/14/32

This birthplace makes the soldier (who went to Malta & India) an attractive candidate - his 1854 discharge record gives his birthplace as St Saviour's, Surrey (i.e. Southwark).

It also contains his signature (Thos Shirly), which - other than the variance in spelling of the surname - looks a good match to that on his 1856 marriage entry in the St Pancras parish register.

[avm228]

The ill-health which precipitated the soldier's discharge was "chest affliction ... as a result of constitutional disposition" and "ophthalmia".

What was the cause of death for Thomas Shirley in 1865?

[diseymary]

On his death registration his cause of death was Phthisis haemorrhage from the lungs which I believe is TB. He is listed as a porter working for C.L. Phillpott's stationers at 65 King William St and on the 1861 census he is listed as a clerk I presume for the same firm.
I did find a newspaper article where someone tried to pass a counterfeit coin when he was working at Phillpott's.

[avm228]

The couple you have found in 1841/1851 are Thomas George Shirley and Susannah Maria Malby, married at Christ Church, Southwark on 26 May 1811.  Witnesses: Peter Rooks; J.A. Strover.

[philipsearching]

The St Saviour Southwark register images are apparently on Ancestry.  Unfortunately, I haven't spotted baptism transcripts on a free site.

Philip

[avm228]

On his death registration his cause of death was Phthisis haemorrhage from the lungs which I believe is TB. He is listed as a porter working for C.L. Phillpott's stationers at 65 King William St and on the 1861 census he is listed as a clerk I presume for the same firm.
I did find a newspaper article where someone tried to pass a counterfeit coin when he was working at Phillpott's.

Well the Army discharge record from 1854 records "difficulty in breathing from a disease of the lungs".

I think there are several strong indicators pointing to the soldier being your Thomas.

[diseymary]

If Thomas George and Susanna Maria Shirley are the parents of my Thomas (1821-1865) there is a baptism for Thomas George Shirley 26 Jan 1791 at St. Mary's Watford, Hertfordshire. On 1851 census Thomas George's birthplace is given as Bucks. Can I presume they are the same person?