Coastguards of Yesteryear - Discussion Forum: John Elwood

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Coastguards of Yesteryear » CoY Talk » Genealogy

John Elwood
gemini	#1 Posted on 03/04/2010 12:21
New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 03/04/2010	I am trying to find info on JOHN ELWOOD born 1818 in Harwich Essex, England. I can't find a death record for him but think he died between 1856 and 1861. Could he have died in the Crimean War? Were coastguards involved in this war? In the 1841 Census he is listed as a mariner in Harwich, Essex. His wife was named Henrietta. In 1851 he was an English Coast Guard, a commissioned boatman, stationed at Seasalter, Kent in 1851. I read somewhere that it was usual for coastgaurds to be recruited from Royal Navy seamen. Is this true? Is this site just for Irish coastguard research? If so is there a similar English site? thanx Gemini


crimea1854	#2 Posted on 03/04/2010 14:41
Administrator Posts: 906 Joined: 09/07/2007	Hi Gemini, and welcome to the Forum. While it is true that this site is dedicated to men who served in the CG Service in Ireland, because the two countries were united at this time it is not uncommon to find men transferring between England and Ireland during the course of his career. To trace a mans service the best place to start is the ADM 175 series of documents that can be downloaded for free from the National Archives website. These are VERY large files, so broadband is essential. Alternatively, I'm quite happy to do this for you, since I have these files saved on my computer - just let me know. Many men entered the CG service from the RN. If your man had previously served in the RN the above record will note the ship he was nominated from. Also if he died in service this will be noted. As to the Crimean War, because of a shortage of men the RN called-up approx. 3000 CG men for service in the Fleet. I can confirm that John Elwood was one of these men. He served on HMS Cressy, and was awarded the Baltic Medal, which was sent to Whitstable CGS on 18 April 1857. Regards Martin PS: I've just remembered that Tony sent me a list of men who died in service, on this is J Elwood - Chief Boatman, died 10 April 1859. Edited by crimea1854 on 03/04/2010 14:45


gemini	#3 Posted on 04/04/2010 00:12
New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 03/04/2010	Hi Martin Thank you for all that incredible information on John Elwood, I got goosebumps reading it. I am delighted with what you found out for me. My partner's mother, John Elwood's gggranddaughter, who is 86, will also be thrilled. If you could look at those huge files of service records for JOHN ELWOOD (1818-1859) born Harwich, Essex, that would be great. I am also curious to know what a commissioned boatman was and what he did and what that might reveal about his background. Another question: in 1841 John Elwood 's occupation is listed as a mariner. Can you tell me what that means? He was stationed at Seasalter in Kent in 1851, would his main responsibilities have been? Was smuggling still a problem at this time and were the coast guard involved in stopping it in 1851? Another question: What could have been the connection between Harwich, Essex and Ipswich, Suffolk? Being Australian I am not familiar with English geography and history. John Elwood's son, George, and grandson,George, both became mariners in merchant service, can you tell me what that was? regards and thanks gemini


Barnford	#4 Posted on 04/04/2010 07:07
Moderator Posts: 17 Joined: 02/06/2007	He was stationed at Seasalter in Kent in 1851, would his main responsibilities have been? Was smuggling still a problem at this time and were the coast guard involved in stopping it in 1851? Hello You may find this an interesting starting point: http://www.smuggling.co.uk/gazetteer_se_17.html Clive


crimea1854	#5 Posted on 04/04/2010 08:15
Administrator Posts: 906 Joined: 09/07/2007	Hi Gemini As requested I did trace John Elwood in the ADM 175 documents. However, I was only able to go back to 24 July 1848, when he was transferred from the Revenue Cruiser (RC) Scout to the RC Greyhound, following his promotion from Mariner to Boatswain. It would be possible to trace his career further back, but to do this you have to consult Scout's Muster Book at the National Archives in Kew. As a Mariner (an ordinary seaman) he is not listed in the ADM 175 documents, but with a substantive rank, such as Gunner, Boatswain etc. he is. On 2 July 1849 he was transferred to the RC Active, and then on the 29 Aug 1849 to the RC Royal George, as a Supernumerary Boatswain. He did not remain in her long because on 4 Sept 1849 he moved to the RC Nimble from where he applied to join the CG Service (Nomination number 2572). His first posting was to Seasalter Cliff CG Station in Kent on 6 October 1849, rated as a Boatman. His record shows that he joined from the RC Dolphin, however, I can find no evidence that he ever served on her. On 24 March 1852 he was promoted to Commissioned Boatman, remaining at Seasalter Cliff, from where, on the 18 August 1856 he was transferred to Elmly Ferry/Milton, following his promotion to Chief Boatman. The record then confirms his death on 10 April 1859. Obviously during the period between 1854 and 1855 he saw active service aboard HMS Cressy. Out of interest I checked the BDM indexes and found a Marriage of John Elwood to Henrietta Sansun in 1840 at Tendring, Essex. This was in the July-Sept Qtr., Vol 12, page 397. I also found the death of John Ellwood, 1859, April-June Qtr. Milton, Kent, Vol.2a page 355. Both these certificates could be ordered, and would provide valuable additional info. On your more general question as to what a Commissioned Boatman was, this is a rank equivalent to a Petty Officer in the Navy. As to geography, Tendring and Harwich are both in Essex close to the border with Suffolk. Both Harwich and Ipswich were, and still are, important seaports. A mariner was just an ordinary seaman. I'm afraid I know very little about researching men who served in the Merchant Navy. I hope this fully answers your questions. Regards Martin Edited by crimea1854 on 04/04/2010 08:59


gemini	#6 Posted on 05/04/2010 04:07
New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 03/04/2010	Thanks Martin for all that great info. I have ordered the marriage and death certificates. Having all the references made it cheaper and faster. It is a wonderful site, I like the way it is set out. One last question: What is the merchant navy? Gemini


Barnford	#7 Posted on 05/04/2010 08:32
Moderator Posts: 17 Joined: 02/06/2007	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Merchant_Navy


gemini	#8 Posted on 05/04/2010 09:12
New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 03/04/2010	Thanks Clive for the links. The smuggling one is a really interesting site and has some fascinating stories about smuggling on the east coast and good background info. Gemini Edited by gemini on 05/04/2010 09:13


crimea1854	#9 Posted on 14/04/2010 08:06
Administrator Posts: 906 Joined: 09/07/2007	Hi Gemini I was at the National Archives yesterday doing some research, so took the opportunity to have a look at the Muster Book for the Revenue Cruiser Scout. From this it appears that John Elwood first joined the ship on the 14 January 1839, the place of entry being Harwich. He appears to have remained with the ship until 23 May 1848, when he was lent to the RC Desmond. There was no date given for his return, but it was only a short while after that he was promoted to Boatswain, and then transferred permanently. What was interesting is that a Robert Elwood joined Scout as an Extra Mariner from the RC Ranger on the 19 January 1848. I’m guessing, but I suspect this may be a brother. Regards Martin Edited by crimea1854 on 14/04/2010 08:08


gemini	#10 Posted on 15/04/2010 00:17
New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 03/04/2010	Thank you for looking up those service records on John Elwood. Something that I can't do from Oz. As yet I don't have John Elwood's parents' names but will look up the Census records and also look for Robert Elwood as a family member. This may well help locate them. Gemini


fiona	#11 Posted on 04/08/2010 19:48
New Member Posts: 2 Joined: 04/08/2010	gemini wrote: Thank you for looking up those service records on John Elwood. Something that I can't do from Oz. As yet I don't have John Elwood's parents' names but will look up the Census records and also look for Robert Elwood as a family member. This may well help locate them. Gemini


fiona	#12 Posted on 04/08/2010 19:52
New Member Posts: 2 Joined: 04/08/2010	John Elwood was my ggg/grandfather. He had seven children (Harriett b Harwich 1842); John Sansun b Harwich 1843); Mary Ann (b Harwich 1845); George (b Harwich 1848); Grace (b Seasalter 1850); Louisa born 1852 and Julia 1857. John Sansun (b 1843) was my ggg/Grandfather. He started off as an Apprentice Shoemaker and then became a Master Cordswain. He lived in Harwich and at one time resided with his Grandparents at 21 King's Head Street which was once occupied by Christopher Jones, the Master of the Mayflower. If I can be of any help with your research then let me know. Kind regards Fiona (nee Elwood)

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