William Dawson - Surveyor - Where did he really die? circa 1870

[rosie99]

Divorce would have been expensive in those days, it was not unusual for people to walk away from a marriage and remarry.  What evidence do you have of the pension that you mention he transferred back to England.

[ShaunJ]

Record of transfer of army pension from "Colonies" to Woolwich in 1858:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO22%2F250%2F00027&parentid=GBM%2FWO22%2F250%2F00027%2F0357379

[rosie99]

Record of transfer of army pension from "Colonies" to Woolwich in 1858:

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO22%2F250%2F00027&parentid=GBM%2FWO22%2F250%2F00027%2F0357379

Thank you ShaunJ

[rosie99]

1871 census - Plumstead
RG10/789 f43 p29
William Dawson   53   Head - Labourer bn Woolwich
Mary C Dawson 46   Wife - bn Cornwall
William Salmon 14   Stepson - bn Plumstead
Henry Salmon 12   Stepson -bn Plumstead
Frederick Salmon 10   Stepson - bn Cornwall
Eliza Salmon 8   Stepdaughter - bn Plumstead
Mary Dawson 1 month Daughter - bn Plumstead
Caroline Parker 46   Lodger - bn Brixton, Surrey

[rosie99]

His service records note that he served until 6th May 1856 - he had rheumatism and Hemorrhoids on discharge.  Did Margaret remarry

[ShaunJ]

This is William Dawson's signature from his army discharge record.

Unfortunately there's nothing to compare it with!

The marriage cert from the GRO is a handwritten copy, so that's no use for this purpose. 

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/170737270/person/242212185949/media/5e94c60d-586b-4c02-8cda-9f0f74aa6bff