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Re Berwickshire Militia in Suffolk -

(I've also posted this on this thread:
https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/military_chat/thread/1401235
It may have been posted already on one of the many other threads.
I can't be bothered to look. It's too confusing and too much potential duplication with so many threads.)


"At that time, in 1813, one in every 12 Lodges operated via a Military Warrant, which gave them an ability to work their Lodge wherever they were garrisoned. . . . . .

In 1780, The Berwickshire Militia was granted a Military Warrant by the Antient Grand Lodge of England to Consecrate the Hirsel Lodge No 237.

We know for definite that the last Recorded meeting place of the Hirsel Lodge was in 1811 when the Berwickshire Regiment of Militia was stationed in the Town of Woodbridge on the Suffolk Coast. . . . .

. . . . .We also know, for definite, that on the 2nd of March 1811, for whatever reason, possibly because it had been lost on some battlefield or other, the Berwickshire Militia submitted a petition to the Antient's Grand Lodge for a new Warrant and this would be granted under the Number 237B – which appears to confirm that it was a replacement rather than a new Warrant. . . . . .

. . . . We also know for certain that on the 24th March 1811, the Secretary of the Hirsel Lodge wrote to the Grand Secretary of the Antients Grand Lodge, informing him that the Berwickshire Militia were expected to relocate and hoped that the Warrant be issued as soon as possible.

Correspondence records held at the Grand Lodge of England indicates that the Regiment and therefore the Hirsel Lodge was in Edinburgh during 1812 and Kilmarnock in 1813."

https://www.lodgestjohn280.co.uk/gallery

I have looked at the document on Fold3 and details follow

Discharge Certificate for Private John McAlpin.

He was born at St Ninians near Sterling in Sterlingshire.

He joined the 75th Foot at Edinburgh at the age of 22 years for a limited period but re-enlisted for unlimited service.

Period of Service 24 Aug 1807 to 29 Nov 1826,he served for a period of 19 years and 98 days.

Behaviour: Good

His age is about 41, Height 5ft 7&half inches tall, Grey eyes, Fresh Complexion, Occupation Weaver.

His intended place of Residence on Discharge: St Ninians, near Sterling.

It states that "he has served 14years in the Mediterranean and since his return to this climate he has laboured under frequent Pulmonic attacks which together with his age and length of service makes him unable to perform any active duty, he is therefore considered unfit for service"



Reading the document it implies he spent his entire army service with the 75th Foot. There is no mention of a next of kin or whether he was married.

Hope the above helps :-)

If he was 14 years in the Med, he wouldn’t have been fathering children in Scotland ;-) ;-) ;-)

The man on 1841 census was a Shoem……………presumably ‘maker’

Also, as already said, Sylann's man was in the Berwickshire Militia, not the 75th Foot.

The above is what Sylann requested :-). I couldn't see anything for a John McAlpin(e) in the Berwickshire Militia on Fold3 :-)

Yes, it's very helpful, LB, as it confirms that the St Ninians man isn't the right one.

Always helpful to eliminate…….let’s hope OP sees you’ve taken so much trouble

I also hope she doesn’t start any more threads about the man ;-) ;-)