Hi Cottage,
Thank for doing the lookup. You are right the dates don't quite work. The information in the letter could have some truth in it or the whole thing could be fictious. What I do know for a fact is that I have yet to find a parent for my John Williams Cockburn. His obit indicates he was born about 1807. The 1841 Census states he was 30 putting his birth date to 1811.
If he lost his parents (whatever the cause) it would have happened within a few years of these dates, possible between 1807-1813. So far I've found no positive proof that backs up the letter. But I never dismiss anything until other information proves it wrong.
As for John Williams to date the first document information I have on him is from St Nicholas, 13 June 1830, marriage Banns between John COCKBURN, cordwainer [shoemaker] & Ann CLAYTON, spinster, both of St Nicholas parish.
1832, 1839 and 1841 Liverpool directory list him as boot & shoemaker, which was his trade in Canada as well.
I beleive he emmigrated in 1850 for Canada.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cottage
Hi Ed
I saw your posting and I thought you might like to see the following.
A John Cockburne was a member of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders in 1784. Could this be John Williams Cockburn father?
However your dating of the loss at sea does not tie up with my research. I quote the following extract -
THE WRECK OF THE BIRKENHEAD
During the Second Kaffir War in South Africa, 1846-47, a draft of the 91st was going out to join the regiment which, together with drafts from ten other regiments, all young soldiers, was performed that most gallant and self-sacrificing act during the wreck of the Birkenhead, which showed a disciplined heroism even greater than that which has won battle honours. The ship struck a submerged rock off Simon's Town. Most of the boats were broken by the masts and funnels falling overboard. The men were fallen in on the quarterdeck. There they remained on parade, while the women and children were got off in such boats that were left, till the ship broke in two, and those who could saved themselves by swimming. Of 631 souls on board, only 103 were saved. Not a woman or child was lost. The German Emperor at that time was making an army out of the Prussians, ordered an account of this act to be posted up in every Prussian barrack room as an example of what could be achieved by discipline.
If you have any further queries let me know
Regards
Jeff
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