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Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 9 May 2010 4:12AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Cross
Would anybody be able to help me find my ancestor John Cross. He was in the British Army, serving in Upper Canada during the rebellion - he apparently deserted his post for 4 hours, and for this he was Court Martialled,and sentenced to 14 years, he was one of 260 other Convicts transported on the Layton, 09 July 1839, and sent to Van Diemen's Land.
I have his convict records - which tell me he was 22 years old, and his native place was Northamptonshire.
How do I find out about his trial records? Finding this might help me trace his actual family ( which I have had no luck with )
Also would be wonderful to find out which regiment he was in, if he was a foot soldier etc.
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
With thanks - Eileen Jones

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 11 May 2010 12:11PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Cross
Hi Eileen,

I will see if I can find him in the Military files from Canada. That usually gives their regiment.

It might take a while, they are on microfilms at the Public Library. Often, it is not the trial itself, that I find, but the record for payment of reward for capture of deserters.

2 of the regiments who seem to have lots of deserters were the 32nd and 34th.

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 12 May 2010 4:33AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Cross
Hello there -
thank you so much for replying. It would be wonderful, if you came up with some details for me - I am waiting with much anticipation !! Of course I know you might not find anything, but appreciate you trying.
best regards - Eileen Jones

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 16 May 2010 9:22PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Cross
Hi Eileen,

I had a chance to look at the British Military and Naval Forces in Canada index at the library today. Saw lots of Cross, but not your ancestor John Cross. I also searched the Upper Canada Sundries for 1838 without luck (but I only got a few months done. I did not see any desertions files in them.

Your best bet will probably be the WO files at TNA in London. Finding the listing from the convict ship first might be helpful.

Sorry.

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 17 May 2010 1:04AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Cross
Hello there

Oh well, he is still a 'mystery' - I do appreciate that you did a search for me, and I thank you very much, for trying.

I will try the other that you suggested, see how I go.

All the best - kind regards - Eileen.

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 15 Jul 2010 4:48AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you so much for your help, sorry I haven't replied sooner, but haven't been a member for a few months.

regards Eileen Jones

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 10 Sep 2010 7:26PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi Jonsey,

I came across your ancestor John Cross in the Don Jail in Toronto fom August 6 138 to Sept 13, 1838. It stated he was jailed for Desertion under the authority of Co. Mausell (not sure how to read could be Maxwell or Maitland. On the September he was sent to Quebec City for transportation. With him were also Timothy Henlry and John Baker. On the next page, were another bunch of soldiers from the 34th Regiment of Foot. But it looks like Col. Maunsel was with the 85th Regiment of Foot.

By the way, if you suspect or know that your ancestor was court martialled in Fort Malden, Amherstburg in Ontario, you should contact them. I am told they have an archivist there who does research on soldiers who came to Fort Malden during war of 1812 and Rebellion of 1837. There is a good chance this person could help you locate records of John Cross. The Archives in Fort Malden would probably have records of the court martialled. I am told they are very good and friendly.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/malden/index.aspx
You can send an email or phone.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/malden/contact.aspx

here is some information about the 85th from rootsweb

The third 85th (Bucks Volunteers) was formed in 1793 and was posted to Jamaica from 1803-08. It was dispatched to America from the South of France in 1813. It was present at the battle of Bladensburg and capture of Washington, and in the attempt on New Orleans, where it suffered heavily. It returned from America in 1814. The regiment served in Canada from 1835 to 1842, during which time it was one of the regiments dispatched on horse-sleighs from New Brunswick to Quebec during the Canadian Rebellion of 1838-9; and afterwards served in the West Indies from 1842 to 1845. June 1838, three companies of 85th Regiment arrived in Upper Canada, remaining companies arrive in December.

Good luck

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 10 Sep 2010 9:14PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello there - thank you, thank you, for that information, I had given up trying to find out anything, as I was getting nowhere - now I will continue on, and contact the Archives to see if they have any records of my John Cross, and if he was actually court martialled at Fort Malden.

Much appreciated for all your help. Thank you again.

Eileen

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 11 Sep 2010 2:23AM GMT
Classification: Query
I am glad I could be of help. I will try to scan the jail register for you. There are many other deserters who were jailed at same time. They were probably enroute to Quebec, and from there to Australia. For most of the soldiers, the regiment is listed, but not for John Cross.

Guylaine

Re: Looking for help re; Upper Canada rebellion

Posted: 11 Sep 2010 5:03AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you again Guylaine - any help is most welcome. I have another descendant of John Cross, looking for him also ( Tom Cross ) - so am sending along all this information to him too, he will be ecstatic - so thank you so much.

Eileen.
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