My husband's ancestor, Richard HUNT, served in the East India Company Army from 1858 to 1859. In Nov. 1859, he was released at his own request when the EIC merged into the British Army. (I've got his service record which verifies that much).

The family story goes that on his way home from India, he died of cholera aboard ship and was buried at sea off St. Helena.

I have not found him listed in FindMyPast Deaths at Sea index, nor in FreeBMD for deaths back home in England. Both have people by that name, but not the right man. (He came from the area around Stockport, Cheshire/Lancashire).

His wife is listed as a widow in the 1861 census, but there's no evidence of a pension for her.

Any suggestions for finding the ship on which he would have been returning from India (as a civilian, I assume)?

Joy Weaver
USA