|
I seem to have 'lost' my earlier reply from this thread?
Thanks for the leads. There is support for the three Gearings (WH, HE and JJ) being, respectively, the father, aunt and uncle of the William John born in Bengal in April 1849, so the Naval College connection could be valuable (coincidentally, I visited the former College, and the Observatory, in April 2012). Furthermore, it is possible that the enduring connection between Henry William's family and the River around Greenwich could have encouraged his return to the area after his family tragedies in India, so there is some reason for scouring the records.
When I first saw the FIBIS record of Mrs H Gearing's arrival in Calcutta from Rangoon in June 1845, I assumed it might be Eliza Jane returning for the birth of her first child in August, following her marriage to Henry William in November 1844. I wonder what might have taken her to Rangoon (or whatever her final destination might have been) at such a time? I couldn't find any relevant evidence of other Gearings (of any spelling) travelling to the UK in the 1850-80s.
|
|
Greenwich as it used to be:
Indenture of apprenticeship as a Thames Waterman [1814]
Young Henry left the Navy after serving for four years in 1814, at the age of sixteen. His father then apprenticed him as a Waterman and Lighterman on the River Thames--the year the Thames froze over.
I still have his original Indentures, and quote from them as follows:
"THIS INDENTURE Witnesseth, That Henry Gearing, Son of Henry Gearing, of the Parish of St. Alphage, Greenwich, in the County of Kent, doth put himself, Apprentice to Thomas Starkey, of the Parish aforesaid. In the County aforesaid. WATERMAN AND LIGHTERMAN."
"To learn his art, and with him after the manner of an Apprentice to dwell and serve upon the River Thames, from the day of the date here-of, until the full end and term of Seven Years from thence next following, to be fully complete and ended, during which term, the said apprentice his said
Master faithfully shall serve. His secrets keep, his lawful commandments everywhere gladly do. He shall do no Damage to his said Master, nor see it be done by others, but he in his Power, shall let or forthwith give warning to his said Master of the same; He shall not waste the Goods of the said Master, nor lend them unlawfully to any. He shall not commit Fornication, nor contract Matrimony within the said Term. He shall not play Cards, Dice, Tables or any unlawful games, whereby his said Master may have any loss. With his own Goods or others during the said Term, without licence of his said Master, he shall not buy nor sell; He shall not haunt Taverns or Playhouses, nor absent himself from his Masters service Day or Night, unlawfully, but in all things as a faithful Apprentice he shall behave himself towards his said master, during the said Term. And the said Master in consideration of Services of his said apprentice in the same art which he useth by the best means that he can, shall teach and instruct or cause to be taught and instructed, finding unto the said Apprentice Meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and all other Necessaries, according to the custom of the City of London.
In witness whereof, the parties above named to these indentures, have put their hands and seals. The Twenty Fourth Day of October 1814. Signed and sealed in the presence of: Henry Gearing and Thomas Starkey.'
© Albert W. Gearing
|
|
Life in Greenwich workhouse
The recently concluded Napoleonic Wars had almost bankrupted the country. Hundreds of soldiers and sailors had returned from the wars and were looking for work. Also the Industrial Revolution had begun, throwing thousands of agricultural workers out of work with its introduction of threshing machines. Whole families were flocking to London and other big Cities. It was the period Dickens wrote about in "Oliver Twist", "David Copperfield", and "Little Dorrit".
In the early 1820's many people became desitute and the workhouses were packed--there being no other alternative if you lost your job.
Henry William was christened at St. Alphege Church, Greenwich on 30th June 1822. The father's occupation was given as Mariner N.P. (standing for Naval Pensioner, even though he was only sixteen when he left the Navy!)
His poor wife Elizabeth, remained in the Workhouse with the baby, until April 1823, and then from September until December of that year. During this time she was given £2 per week.
The daily diet in Greenwich Workhouse at that time was:
SUNDAY: BREAKFAST. One Quart of Milk Pottage.
DINNER, Six oz. Beef when cooked and free from the bone, llb. Potatoes
MONDAY: BREAKFAST, One oz. of Butter or two oz. of Cheese.
DINNER, One Quart of good Soup made from Sunday's dinner.
TUESDAY: BREAKFAST, One Quart of Rice Milk.
DINNER: Six oz. Beef, one llb. of Potatoes.
WEDNESDAY: BREAKFAST, One oz. of Butter or Two oz. of Cheese.
DINNER: One Quart of good Soup made from Tuesday's dinner.
THURSDAY: BREAKFAST, One Quart of Milk Pottage.
DINNER, Six oz. Mutton, One lb. of Potatoes.
FRIDAY: BREAKFAST,' One oz. of Butter or two of Cheese.
DINNER, One Quart of good Soup made from Thursday's dinner.
SATURDAY: BREAKFAST, One Quart of Rice Milk.
DINNER, Twelve oz. of Suet Pudding.
SUPPER: Every Day, Two oz. of Cheese or one oz. of Butter.
CHRISTMAS DAY: Eight oz. of Cooked or Baked Beef and Vegetables.
Twelve oz. of Plum Pudding.
One Pint of Strong Beer.
On two days in the summer, Five oz. of Bacon and Green Peas.
On two other days, Five oz. Bacon and Green Peas.
On four other days. Good Mackerel and One lb. of Potatoes.
On four other days. Good Herring and One lb. of Potatoes.
On six other days. Good salt Fish instead of Meat.
Each adult and children over twelve years of age were to receive; Fourteen oz. of Bread and Two Pints of Beer per day.
They certainly fared much better in Greenwich, than poor Oliver Twist did!
In 1840, a new Workhouse with infirmary attached, was built in a field at the bottom of what was Love Lane and is now known as Vanbrugh Hill.
Up until the second world war. the Workhouse was still in use. There Were railings at the front, going along Woolwich Road, I remember as a boy seeing the old men sitting! behind them, wearing grey tweed suits and cap. The Infirmary was known as St. Alphage Hospital. After the war it was pulled down, to be replaced by Greenwich District Hospital.
© Albert W. Gearing
|
|
Thanks for that. Even if it turns out that this is not the family of WJG, and they are unrelated to me, I'm gaining some fascinating insights into someone's intriguing family history.
|
|
I have the Gearings in Hoxton in my tree.My great gran was Janet Gearing but i dont think they tie up with yours Andy.Good Luck
Annie
|
|
Thanks.
There is a steady trickle of information hinting at a connection between my 'Gearing branch' and the branch based in Greenwich (rather than Hoxton) throughout (at least) much of the nineteenth century. However, the available information is 'circumstantial' rather than 'conclusive', so the searching goes on!
|
|
Andy
I was looking up something on the net the other day and found this thread.
The thread is now quite old so my information may already be known to you.
I think I have something from my Fathers things which might cast some light on one question that you had regarding the lack of details on the 1901 census.
It seems that Henry W Gearing was elected ( with 818 votes) for a place at the London Orphan Asylum, Watford in the Half Yearly Election which took place on 24th January 1898.
One presumes that he was still there in 1901 and I am guessing that’s why he did appear on the Census.
Amongst my fathers things ( your Uncle Jack ) was Henry Gearing’s old wooden trunk ( it has his name painted on it) and inside it was a notice of the Half yearly election results for the election that took place on the 24th January 1898.
Showing Henry’s election to the institution.
Interestingly there is another Gearing mentioned on the Poll results - Thomas Gearing - not sure if he is / was a relation of Henry’s. Thomas gained 329 votes and therefore was not elected for a place as only 20 boys and 10 girls were elected in each half yearly election. However his votes would carry over to the next Election.
I hope this helps and that you are well.
Best wishes
David Gearing
|
|
Welcome to the boards, Gearing.
As you've noticed, you have replied to an old thread.
Andy52 won't be looking here for replies now.
You can try sending him a private message - click on his name at the top of one of his posts.
If he has kept GR informed of any change to his email address, he may be able to receive the notification they will send to let him know there is a message for him in the system.
He may or may not be able or willing to reply.
Good luck!
Although he is your cousin, I assume you are not normally in contact, and don't know his phone number or email address.
|
