Henry Thorp at Bishop's Waltham, school, Southwick in the early 1800s

[AsH62]

Hi
I am researching Henry Thorp who was born in Southwick, Fareham in 1794. I know that his parents were Henry and Mary and I think that his father had been married before and widowed. The family must have been fairly well off and possibly in the military.

Henry junior went to Christ's College Cambridge in 1815 and his admission papers show him as having been a pupil of Bishop's Waltham school under Rev T Walters. He had been in the army until Peace was declared in 1815 (he was 19) when he went to Cambridge. The trouble is that I can't see any evidence that he was ever in the army despite newspaper articles about him later in life giving this as fact.

Does anyone recognise this family and please can anyone fill in any gaps in his life?

Any help would be great

Thanks
Alison

[Comberton]

Related thread
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=866161.msg7365638#msg7365638

[AsH62]

Hi Comberton. Thanks for the link, as you can see, that was me yesterday. I have made progress on his time at Cambridge but was advised to ask for local knowledge of his background to see if it helps. I don't know Hampshire at all so a local forum seemed like a good idea.
A

[hanes teulu]

In one of your threads you speak of "Henry Thorp, 1825 onwards in the newspapers". Have you checked for a Henry Thorp of the North Hants Reg of Militia 1810-1820 at these newspaper sites?

[AsH62]

Oooh, no but I will now - thank you

[hanes teulu]

Google books "Records of the infantry militia battalions of the County of Southampton A.D 1757 to 1894 - George Hope Lloyd-Verney"

A searchable version that mentions a Henry Thorp/Thorpe

[ShaunJ]

Following up on Hanes Teulu's suggestion, here are the dates of Henry Thorp(e)'s commissions in the North Hants Militia - very rapid promotions:

Ensign: 8 January 1810
Lieutenant: 4 June 1811
Captain: 5 August 1812

[AsH62]

I don't know what to say! Thank you so much, I had begun to think that he had made his military history up.
I haven't done any military research before so I was aware that I was probably missing the obvious but now I can confirm this bit of his history - it's very exciting

Alison

[hanes teulu]

While chasing a "Henry Thorp" I spotted references to an "Edward Thorp" eg.

Madras Courier, 5 Nov 1811
"77th Regiment of Foot - To be ensigns, Lieutenant Edward Thorp, from the North Hants militia; ..."

Possible "rellie" which might be worth checking out?