Pensioner in Belfast 1869

[therave]

I am totally ignorant about British/Irish military and theatres of conflict about the time in question.

My GGGF William Thomas Wright c1830 is listed as pensioner on first (known) child's baptismal record in 1869 and in Belfast street directories of same era.

Regarding age, at marriage/baptism he stated 1836, death record shows 1829.

He died prior to the 1901 census so I cannot say where he was born. Wife from Antrim.  He appears to have converted to RC as he was baptized same day of marriage 1868.  No civil record of marriage though there is a parish record.

Can anyone guide me on how to proceed? 

What occupations would qualify someone as a pensioner if serving c1854-1868?

Are there records for pension receivers of that era?

Likelihood of serving in British, Irish, Canadian, or American military? 

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Elwyn Soutter]

The 2 main sorts of pensioners at the time you are looking at (1869) were police or military. Often with the police it says police pensioner or RIC pensioner (Royal Irish Constabulary).  So I think this sounds like he was in the military. Statistically mist likely to be the army, but he could have been in the navy.

Unlikely to have been US or Canadian forces (and in any event Canada wasn’t a separate country at that date, so it's forces were presumably the British army). Likewise there was no Irish army then as all of Ireland formed part of the UK. My guess is he served in the British Army.

There are some military records on Findmypast and Ancestry. Not all military records have survived and if it’s a common name and you don’t know his unit you might struggle to identify the right man (or the Wright man in this case).

[therave]

Thanks again Elwyn!  Always there when I need you! 

I suspected British Army but you've helped cement the idea.

Will visit library when this lockdown is over, they have a specific Armed Forces subscription. I've searched it  and Ancestry in the past without success but will now have to consider he was born outside of Ireland or the records have been lost. Maybe Belfast was his last post (duty station) and he decided to remain there.

Have a feeling this gentleman will likely require my brother's DNA!  William Wright just too common a name, as is his father's name of Thomas.  Mother's name given as Anne Bridget...is that her last name or her middle name?!

Too much!  Again thanks 😊

[Maiden Stone]

Regarding age, at marriage/baptism he stated 1836, death record shows 1829.

 Wife from Antrim.  He appears to have converted to RC as he was baptized same day of marriage 1868.  No civil record of marriage though there is a parish record.

I would regard both birth years as approximate.
Civil registration of all marriages in Ireland began in 1864. Have you searched marriages for several years either side of 1868? If there is no civil record for that date in 1868 it's possible that it was just a religious wedding ceremony; the couple may have had a legal marriage sometime, somewhere. As he may have been in the army, have you looked for a marriage in Britain or overseas?
A large proportion of the British Army in 19th century was Irish. There were thousands of British soldiers stationed in Ireland.

[Maiden Stone]

There are some military records on Findmypast and Ancestry. Not all military records have survived and if it’s a common name and you don’t know his unit you might struggle to identify the right man (or the Wright man in this case).

I sympathise. I also have a Wright soldier in Ireland. He died 3 years before 1901 census.

[ShaunJ]

A possibility - William Thomas Wright born Ballyclog Co Tyrone circa 1830. 2286 Royal Artillery, 3rd Battalion

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1358%2F179%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1358%2F744023

[Maiden Stone]

A possibility - William Thomas Wright born Ballyclog Co Tyrone circa 1830. 2286 Royal Artillery, 3rd Battalion

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FWO97%2F1358%2F179%2F001&parentid=GBM%2FWO97%2F1358%2F744023

I don't have access to FindMyPast so I tried National Archives Discovery online catalogue.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk
I found 3 documents in catalogue which mentioned a Thomas Wright or a William Thomas Wright. There may be more, depending on search terms used.
First is enlistment aged 17 in 1847 + a note that he was transferred to 3 Battalion in1847.

Discharge 1859. Years of service 1847-1859. Reason for discharge: Pension.

Register Marriages & Births 20 Brigade Royal Artillery
A child of Wiliam Thomas Wright & Martha baptised 12th September 1872 at Trimulgherry. Born 7th August 1872.

[therave]

Thanks very much to Maiden Stone and ShaunJ!

I had seen that WTW from Tyrone and am still considering him.  The parish record for his marriage to my GGGM Elizabeth Deighan in 1868 does not state if he was previously married and, as mentioned previously, there is no civil record to help in that regard.

The Tyrone WTW married an Emily Hobart, Dungannon 1856, and his father was listed as William.  Possible but his father listed as Thomas at baptism.  No children of that union could be found. 

The WTW+Martha with child in 1872 is a definite no.  My WTW had three known children 1869-1874, with only one surviving to adulthood.

Will try the national archives again. I always get a bit discouraged researching him but keep coming back every now and then.

Thanks 😘

[Maiden Stone]

When & where did the baptism & marriage happen?