My G G Grandmother, Henrietta Stewart, married John Barton in 1847 and on the birth certificate for just one of her children she records her name as Henrietta Sherlock Barton, nee Stewart. Sherlock was the puzzling bit - where had this come from?
Her father, Robert Stewart, was a retired sergeant major in the 29th foot, so I wrote to the now Worcestershire regiment to see what records they had for him and to see if they could shed any light on the name. No Robert Stewart on their records anywhere. In a moment of inspiration, I asked if they had any records for Robert Sherlock instead and there he was!
Robert Sherlock was born in Co. Carlow and, after serving in the Wexford Militia, he enlisted in the 19th foot regiment in September 1812. He served for almost 25 years, and at one time was based in Mauritius for around 8 years. This is where Henrietta says she was born. He retired, as a sergeant major, in 1834.
Any thoughts on why he changed his name to Stewart? Was it because he was Irish but had served in the British army? And when? I can't think he did it while he was serving - I don't know if the army would have allowed that.
Do you have details of his
Do you have details of his leaving the Army, possibly absconded and changed his name to avoid being found?
If he absconded he wouldn't
If he absconded he wouldn't have reached the rank of sergeant major, effectively most senior rank for soldiers at that time, equivalent to a Warrant Officer Class One today. He served for the full 22 years which was fairly standard for a career soldier.
Stewpot. If you can find his Chelsea Hospital Pension records this may provide some information, as they would have needed to know of any change of name if this occurred after he left the army.
Chelsea Pension
Chelsea Pension
Name:Sergeant Major Robert SherlockEnlistment Age:16Discharge Age:38Birth Date:abt 1796Birth Place:Carlow, CarlowEnlistment Year:1812Discharge Year:1834Regiment:29th Regt Of FootRegimental Number:125
Typically, Bert got there
Typically, Bert got there first!
seems he lost his left arm,
seems he lost his left arm, in a shooting accident, prior to him leaving the army.
Many thanks. I found his
Many thanks. I found his Examination of Invalid Soldiers record and some other service records but no indication of why he changed his name. Where is the real Sherlock when you need him?