John Morris - My 3 year brick wall

[Yvonne Donnellon]

John Morris was born in November 1836 in Ecclesall Bierlow,3 miles southwest of Sheffield, West Yorkshire. His father was George Morris, a farmer (as per his marriage certificate)

John trained as a boiler-maker until for whatever reason, at 9am on the 6th May 1859, John Morris was enlisted, by Sergeant Jeffery, for ten years, in the Infantry of “Her Majesty’s Indian Military Forces”.

From this point forward, I have his entire life story, military career, marriage, children, grandchildren etc but I can no find a single civilian record relating to his life, or his parents, prior to his enlistment.

I would be grateful for anything within this period, 1851 census, baptism record anything which grounds him in Sheffield.

Thanks in advance.

[rosie99]

Who were the witnesses when he married

[Pennines]

Yvonne -- I expect you have worked out his birth year from the details he gave on his enlistment -- but he may have lied about his age in order to be eligible to enlist.

However -- having said that - I still can't see a John on census records in Eccleshill Bierlow or Sheffield itself, of the correct or or a younger age, with a father George, Farmer.

There is one in Hatfield in 1851 - but that is more Doncaster. That George IS an Ag Lab. but John is actually older than the age stated on enlistment - so very unlikely to be the correct one.

Have you tried the Sheffield Indexers Website?

https://www.sheffieldindexers.com/

Having said that - at a quick look it may not include Eccleshill - but there is a Forum - someone may know.

[CaroleW]

There is also the possibility he was illegitimate & made up a fathers name when he married to appear “respectable”

[Pennines]

Yes -- that's a good thought.

Did your John name any sons George?

[Yvonne Donnellon]

Hi guys, thank for your input.

Witnesses at wedding is a dead end, he was married in Tralee, Ireland and the witnesses were an army buddy and his bride's sister.

The 1901 census has him at 71yo, meaning he was supposedly born in 1830 so I suspect he was full age when he enlisted.

He had 3 sons, John was his first male child, then George, a twin and then Timothy.

I don't think he ever went back to Yorkshire after he enlisted.

[heywood]

Was he a boiler maker on enlistment?
Where did he enlist?

[Pennines]

Heywood -- yes he declared himself as a Boiler Maker aged 22 years and 7 months on 6th May 1859.

He enlisted at Stamford (not sure where that is!!)

I was wondering if he may have apprentice records anywhere.

[heywood]

Thanks Pennines.

This is one chap but he is older.

1851 2341/460/8

John Morris 18yrs Apprentice b Lincolnshire

He is living in Sheffield with George and Emma Gray, a young couple. I can’t find George Gray in other censuses to see what his occupation is - can’t read it in 1851, not sure if he has one.

There are several J M’s born Lincolnshire though.

Coincidentally, Stamford is Lincolnshire.