James Riley

[Phoenix]

Born c 1794

Aged 14 when indentured to William Threadenham (Threadingham) on 30 June 1808 in Portsmouth Dockyard.
Completed apprenticeshire 29 June 1815 and entered the Dockyard as a smith.

Married Eleanor Poling 24 September 1815 at St Marys Portsea. Witnesses were her side of the family.

Children:
Eleanor
Caroline
James
Henry
Richard

On 1841 in Cherry Gardens St, Portsea Smith aged 44 with all children save Caroline (then marriaed to Edward Jones, sailor). He says he is born in Hampshire.

Died 30 March 1843 at Cherry Gardens St aged 49 of enteritis.
Buried Mile End Cemetery
Buried 9 April 1843 in a grave 6' deep which has since disappeared under a heliport.

Family Search has a baptism on the Isle of White for a James Ryley, son of John & Sarah, but it seems odd that those names are used for none of his children.

Hi will mentioned all his children and his wife's son Thomas.

[kiterunner]

FamilySearch has a baptism for a James Riley 17 Jan 1790 at St Thomas, Portsmouth, parents James and Ann. But of course that would make him 18 instead of 14 when he was apprenticed.

[ElizabethHerts]

Phoenix, I have seen the same baptism as Kate.

I'm afraid I can't help you on this one, but could I ask you where you found his indenture? I have numerous ancestors who worked at Portsmouth (R.N.) dockyards and I haven't any indentures for them.

[Phoenix]

FamilySearch has a baptism for a James Riley 17 Jan 1790 at St Thomas, Portsmouth, parents James and Ann. But of course that would make him 18 instead of 14 when he was apprenticed.

Several people have taken that baptism as being for James. But the fact that he is 14 when indentured, and that that agrees with his age at burial suggest it isn't him. The problem with pre 1813 burials and baptisms in Portsmouth and Portsea is that you don't get addresses, ages etc.

[Phoenix]

Phoenix, I have seen the same baptism as Kate.

I'm afraid I can't help you on this one, but could I ask you where you found his indenture? I have numerous ancestors who worked at Portsmouth (R.N.) dockyards and I haven't any indentures for them.

The National Archives have pay books, pension books etc. It looks as if I found it in ADM42. Once you do find somebody you can work your way backwards and forwards, just as you can for men in the navy.

This is the link to the Research Guide:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/royal-navy-dockyard.htm

[ElizabethHerts]

Many thanks, Phoenix. I'll look into that.

[Phoenix]

It is another way of confirming death, as the navy stops paying out when you die!