By John D Ellis
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries it was common for British Army regiments to recruit Black males to serve as enlisted military musicians.(1) The fashion for “Turkish music”, and the “racialised” belief in the “natural propensity for music of Black people”, resulted in most British regiments employing Black musicians to play percussion instruments such as cymbals, tambourines and drums (in addition to trumpets and bugles). This appears to have coincided with an increase in the size of the Black population in Britain and in the size of the British Army during the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars (the size of the Black population almost certainly being influenced by British involvement in areas of the African Diaspora, trade and the Transatlantic Slave Trade). Employed as symbols of regimental opulence and prestige, they were initially enlisted by high status cavalry and Guards regiments. By the Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815), most regiments had some Black presence, be it individuals or small groups of drummers, trumpeters or bandsmen.(2) The British Army of the period made no distinction between soldiers of African or Asian origin, simply referring to them as either “Black” or “of colour”. This is the story of one of those soldiers: Henry McGilchrist.
Henry McGilchrist was born in Peacely Pen (also rendered as Paisley or Passley Pen), Jamaica, around 1755.(3) In 1755 Peacely (Passley) Pen, near Clarendon, was owned by one Daniel McGilchrist (1720-1783) a plantation owner and magistrate, who lived there until his death.(4) The exact nature of the relationship between Henry and Daniel is unclear (possibly made deliberately so). Daniel McGilchrist did own slaves (on his death in 1783 he owned 332 enslaved people valued at a total of £20,490) and it is possible that he owned Henry.(5) Many slaves were not given surnames, so Henry may have chosen the name, or been given it by Daniel McGilchrist, when the pair travelled to Britain in the early 1770s. Henry McGilchrist, described as “a Negro Man”, was baptised in Glasgow in September 1773.(6)
Daniel McGilchrist embarked at Bristol for Jamaica in January 1775, however, he travelled alone as Henry McGilchrist had enlisted in the 3rd (King’s Own) Dragoons at Greenwich in May 1774.(7) He had been enlisted by a Major Whyte and was described as being 19 years of age, 5 feet 5” tall with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. He was a labourer by occupation.
It is not known whether Henry ran from Daniel, perhaps encouraged by the Somerset Case (1772), or if Daniel allowed Henry to leave (no runaway advertisement has been identified).
In British cavalry regiments drummers had been replaced by trumpeters in 1765. However, in the 3rd, a kettle drummer had been retained (official authorisation being given by King George III in 1778) to play the drums captured from the French at the Battle of Dettingen (1743).(8)
In October 1771, the Colonelcy of the regiment had been conferred on Charles FitzRoy, 1st Baron Southampton (1737-1797). In November 1772, his wife, Anne, (nee’ Warren), presented the regiment with a silver collar engraved with military devices to be worn by the kettle drummer.(9) It was probably intended to form a set with the silver kettle drums.
The picture shows the original silver collar as worn by Henry McGilchrist. The original kettle drums were lost in a fire.
Anne Warren was the daughter of Admiral Sir Peter Warren (1703-1752), an Irish born Royal Navy officer with extensive landholdings in New York and South Carolina. Her mother, Susannah DeLancey (1707-1771), was the daughter of Stephen DeLancey, a major figure in colonial New York and an investor in the slave trade.
It was not uncommon for Black slaves to wear collars, and for Black slaves and/or servants to wear ornate silver collars – as evidence of the power and wealth of their owners/employers and of course their own subjugation. It was also common for enlisted soldiers to wear leather stocks around their necks to improve their posture. The silver collar presented to the 3rd Dragoons and depicted in both Picture 1 and Picture 2 resembles a leather stock rather than a slave collar – silver or otherwise. It may therefore have simply been an ornate ceremonial silver stock. However, there was already another Black soldier serving in the regiment when Henry McGilchrist enlisted: John Downs, born in Jamaica c.1747 was enlisted at London, by Charles FitzRoy in November 1772 – the same month Anne FitzRoy presented the 3rd Dragoons with the silver collar. (there is more on John Downs in the postscript to this article). So it is possible that silver collar, drums, Black recruit and the role of kettle drummer were linked.
There is no evidence that John Downs, described as having a black complexion, was purchased by Charles FitzRoy – his enlistment appears to have been similar to that of his White peers. Consequently, the timing of the presentation of the collar (it is referred to as a “collar” and not a “stock”), with the enlistment of a Black soldier, and the fact that it was intended to be worn by a kettle drummer – who was to be a Black man for at least the next 53 years (see the postscript for the service of George James), might suggest that this was either a deliberate illustration of the wealth and prestige of the Colonel of the regiment and his Lady and the regiment he now commanded, or a series of coincidences. The irony of course, is that when the last Black soldier of the 3rd Dragoons left the regiment in 1840 (Ambrose Roderick, see below), the silver collar was worn thereafter by White kettle drummers, with the link to the original wearer being largely forgotten.
If the intention was that John Downs should become the regimental kettle drummer he appears to have been un-enthusiastic: He was court-martialled twice within months of enlisting. Once for neglect of duty in February 1773 (100 lashes being remitted on the promise of good behaviour), and a second time in April 1773 for being outside of regimental quarters (he received 200 lashes for this – almost certainly 100 lashes for each offence). The punishment was entirely in accordance with military law at the time, and as traditionally military musicians carried out flogging, it was frequently undertaken by Black soldiers. With John Downs clearly not kettle drummer material, another candidate for the role was needed, and upon his enlistment in May 1774 Henry McGilchrist became the kettle drummer of the 3rd Dragoons, and as such wore the silver collar and beat the silver kettle drums captured at Dettingen. He also received a special rate of pay, above that of privates, trumpeters and corporals.(11) (Following a problematic start, John Downs was to serve as a trumpeter in the 3rd Dragoons for many years).
The 3rd have been well served by two historians: Both Cannon’s “Historical Record of the Third, or the King’s Own Regiment of Light Dragoons…” and Bolitho’s later “The Galloping Third…” are fine examples of regimental histories written in an engaging, yet detailed, fashion, and not merely dry accounts of battles and recounted by crusty officers.(12)
Whilst the presence of Black soldiers in the regiment is scarcely mentioned in either (this is not a criticism that can be levelled at either in isolation), they do provide information that facilitates the movements of the regiment and its actions during the service of Henry McGilchrist and other Black soldiers who served between 1772 and 1840.
All of Henry McGilchrist’s service was spent in England and Scotland. In 1775 he was present with the regiment in Scotland when they were reviewed by the Duke of Argyll. Sylas Neville, who was observing the review noted in his diary: “Saw the 3rd Regt. Of Dragoons reviewed near Dalkeith…They performed their horse exercises very well & made a finer appearance than the Greys. A little Black beats well upon the kettle-drums, and they have a pretty band of music”.(13)
The 3rd spent much of the time Henry McGilchrist was with it serving in detachments (typically Troops of 50-100 soldiers), because in the absence of standing police forces, cavalry regiments were frequently used to aid the civil authorities against crime, civil unrest or smuggling, in addition to defending the coastline against the threat of invasion. As such, Henry McGilchrist travelled the length and breadth of Britain, something evidenced in parish registers and elsewhere, and which also reveals that the Black presence in the regiment included families.
At St Mary, Carlisle in December 1791 he married Frances Akin.(14) A daughter, Sarah, was born in Devizes, Wiltshire c.1794.(15) A second daughter, Susannah, was baptised at St Philip, Birmingham in May 1795.(16) A son, Henry (known as Harry, and born December 1797), was baptised at All Saints, Northampton in January 1798.(17) His father, Henry (senior) was described as “a Black Trumpeter”.
At St Mary Northgate, Canterbury in April 1808 Sarah McGilchrist married Levi Baldwin, a Black trumpeter serving with the 4th Dragoons.(18) He had enlisted in the 4th in June 1804, and in 1806 had run a foot-race against a Yorkshireman which received much attention from the press of the time: “In the evening of the first day of the Goodwood Races there was a foot race between Levi Baldwin, a black trumpeter of the 4th dragoons, and a Yorkshire man; they ran 150 yards, for 25 guineas, which was easily won by the latter – He is the most astonishing runner we ever witnessed”.(19)
The 3rd and 4th Dragoons were in the same cavalry brigade, and the marriage of Sarah and Levi demonstrates that relationships between Black soldiers and their families transcended traditional regimental rivalries.
In 1810, Captain James Gubbins (1780-1815) of the 3rd Dragoons commissioned the artist Isaac Wane Slater (1784-1836) to paint a miniature portrait of Henry McGilchrist. James Gubbins, a cousin of the artist John Constable, served as a Lieutenant, then Captain in the 3rd between 1805 and 1811. The portrait, which is set in the lid of a gold mounted tortoiseshell box (7 cm high), is engraved “James Gubbins King’s Own Dragoons”.(20)
It depicts the then fifty-five-year-old Henry McGilchrist in the uniform of his rank and regiment, including the silver collar traditionally worn by kettle drummers of the 3rd. Depictions of Black military musicians during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are not uncommon. However, they tend to be exoticised or follow the artistic conventions of the time vis-à-vis “race”. The portrait James Gubbins commissioned and Isaac Wane Slater subsequently painted stands as testament to the close relationship between the younger officer and the older enlisted man. It was a very personal item, and clearly something that no doubt was intended to remind James Gubbins of Henry McGilchrist when he left the regiment the following year.
In Glasgow, in June 1811, Levi Balden (as Baldwin was rendered), the son of Levi and Sarah Baldwin was baptised.(22) Acting as witnesses to the baptism were his grandfather Henry McGilchrist and a John McDonald, the latter almost certainly being an African American of the same name who had previously served in the 71st (Highland) Foot and subsequently settled in Glasgow.(23) That three serving or former soldiers were gathered for the baptism of the child and grandchild of two of them reveals the existence of bonds between Black veterans – be those bonds familial, military, occupational or “racial”.
Kettle Drummer Henry McGilchrist was discharged on a pension of 1s/6d per day at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, December 1811, being rheumatic and worn out. The last date noted in his record is the 25th of March 1826. Thereafter, his fate, and that of Frances McGilchrist, remains unknown.(24)
Post Script
I am grateful to the descendants of Henry McGilchrist for their co-operation and in allowing me to tell his story. I am also grateful to both the owner of the portrait of Henry and to Ellison Fine Art in allowing me to reproduce the painting.
Sarah McGilchrist and Levi Baldwin
It is not known when Levi Baldwin was discharged from the 4th Dragoons, but he does not appear to have received a pension. He and Sarah initially settled in Scotland, then in Birmingham where he worked as a musician. Levi and Sarah had at least nine children: Jane (1809-). Levi (1811-). Jeremiah (1814-1845). Henry (1815-). Isabella (1818-1819). Caroline (1820-1837). Thomas (1823-1824). James (1825-1825). Sarah (1826-1831). Levi Baldwin died in April 1829, being buried at St Philip’s, Birmingham. Levi and Sarah, (and by extension Henry and Frances McGilchrist) have many descendants. Sarah Baldwin (nee’ McGilchrist) re-married a John Chinn and she died in Birmingham in 1863. Sources: www.bolstridge.co.uk/genealogy/tng/histories/kettle_drummer.htm Also McGilchrist Family Tree (John Ellis) on www.ancestry.co.uk
Captain James Gubbins
After transferring to the 13th Light Dragoons in 1811, James Gubbins served in the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns. Very much the dashing cavalry officer, he lived life to the full – drinking, running up extensive debts (to subsidise his lifestyle and service) and duelling. He was killed in action at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). Sources: Bolitho, H. “The Galloping Third: The story of the 3rd the King’s Own Hussars”. (John Murray, 1963). archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.111009/2015.111009.The-Galloping-Third_djvu.txt Also www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/GubbinsJames.html
The 3rd (The King’s Own) Dragoons
The regiment campaigned in the Peninsular and then France between 1811 and 1814, being awarded the battle honours Salamanca (1812), Vittoria (1813) and Toulouse (1814).
At least two Black soldiers served in the Peninsular with the regiment: Peter Afrugantee and George James, the latter as kettle drummer. The last Black soldier of the 3rd is believed to have been Ambrose Roderick, who was discharged in 1840.
The regiment was retitled the 3rd (The King’s Own) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1818. The 3rd (King’s Own) Hussars in 1861. The 3rd The King’s Own Hussars in 1921. In 1958 it amalgamated with the 7th the Queen’s Own Hussars to form The Queens Own Hussars. Since 1993 it has been an antecedent regiment of The Queen’s Royal Hussars (Queen’s Own and Royal Irish). The regiment still retain a kettle drummer and drum horse, and the silver collar worn by Henry McGilchrist remains in their possession.
The Black Soldiers of The 3rd (King’s Own) Dragoons
Peter Afrugantee was born in the Congo, Africa c.1789. He enlisted in the 3rd in November 1808 at Canterbury. On enlistment he was 5 feet 8” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, black hair and a round visage. He was a labourer by occupation. He served as a trumpeter in the Peninsular from September 1812. He was not present in the Musters and Pay Books for the 3rd Dragoons for the period 1815-1817, suggesting that he had either died in the Peninsular, or been discharged from service. His fate remains unknown. Sources: TNA WO 12/00577 and WO 25/276.
John Downs was born in Jamaica c.1747. He enlisted in London in November 1772. He was court martialled twice: In February 1773 for neglect of duty and 100 lashes were remitted on the promise of good behaviour. Secondly in April 1773 for being outside of quarters. This time his previous misdemeanour was taken into account and he received 200 lashes. He spent the rest of his service as a Trumpeter and was discharged at Stamford in 1799 “being worn out through length of service.” His fate remains unknown. Sources: Surname also given as Downes and Downe. TNA WO 25/275. Also www.bolstridge.co.uk/genealogy/tng/histories/kettle_drummer.htm
Joseph Heaney was born in Washington, USA c.1808. He enlisted in August 1826 at Dundalk, County Louth. On enlistment he was 5 feet 8 and 1/4” tall with a black complexion, dark eyes and black hair. He was a labourer by occupation. He was discharged in October 1829 at Sheffield, being “unfit for situation of Kettle Drummer or Trumpeter”. Initially at least, he seems to have remained in Sheffield as he appears to have been the cause of an altercation in a public house near Sheffield Barracks:
A third case of assault, brought before the Magisterial notice. Mr Healey, a respectable render manufacturer, William Turner, a young man in a frock coat with a shoulder knot, a black man, Mr Philip Raby, and a goose. The manner in which such various individuals were brought together was elucidated as follows. Mr Healey had occasion to enter the Anvil public house in Waingate, to meet a person from the country, who was in treaty with him for the purchase of a mare. While he was in the house, he thought proper to treat the black man, a trumpeter discharged from the army, with a little rum and water. At this moment, the flunky entered with a raw fish in his hand, on which (poor mistaken man), he thought to make a quiet repast. This expectation, however, was disappointed by his own bad conduct. Taking upon himself to judge whether it was proper that Mr Healey should treat the black man or not, he called the one a liar and a puppy, and the other he described as smutty. The assault of course followed these words, Mr Healey giving shoulder know a slap in the face, and the landlord and part of his company, amongst who was Mr P Raby, forthwith ejecting the disturber from the premises. The goose became a party in the quarrel under the following circumstances. The assaulted made a shew of going to the law, and the assaulter, not fancying an appearance in a police report, agreed to give a goose and trimmings by way of a “peace offering.” This was accepted, but at the time appointed the assaulter, “like the word of promise to the mouth;” and the assaulted with his friends left the Anvil supperless. Thus disappointed, he of course went to law, and here the case was detailed. Mr Sorby for Mr Turner, and Mr Palfreyman for Mr Healey, amused the Court by pleading for their respective clients, and after the important affair had been publicly heard for an hour, it was like the former, dismissed.
His fate remains unknown. Sources: TNA WO 25/277. Sheffield Independent, 14th November 1829. findmypast.co.uk
John Henrick was born in St Kitts c.1791. He enlisted in December 1815 at Coventry (the location of the Depot of the regiment). On enlistment he was 5 feet 10 and ¼” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, black hair and long visage. He was a labourer by occupation. He was discharged in April 1817 whilst the regiment served with the Allied Army of Occupation in France, being lame of both feet. His fate remains unknown. Sources: Surname also rendered as Hewack, Hewrick, Henerick or Haverick. TNA WO 12/577 and WO 25/276.
George James was born on the Coast of Guinea c.1796. He enlisted in September 1810 at Guildford. On enlistment he was 5 feet 0” tall (growing to 5 feet 5 and ½” by the age of 24), with a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. He was a labourer by occupation. He replaced Henry McGilchrist as Kettle Drummer and served in the Peninsular from April 1812. He died in Coventry in March 1825 and was buried at the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael, more commonly known as Coventry Cathedral. Sources: There is some doubt regarding his age on enlistment. TNA WO 12/577, WO 25/276 and 25/277. Also, Warwickshire Burial Index 1538-1900. Coventry, St Michael. 15 March 1825. DR0090/53. Page 173. findmypast.co.uk
Ambrose Roderick was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire c.1793. He enlisted in the 11th Light Dragoons at London in October 1815. He served with the regiment in India between 1819 and 1840, including the Siege and Capture of Bhurtpore (Jat War 1825-1826), being awarded the Bhurtpore Clasp to the Army of India Medal (retrospectively awarded in 1851). In 1836 he was serving in Black Troop of the 11th, named for its black horses, and was one of three black soldiers named by George Loy Smith when he joined the Troop: “It also had the only three black men of the regiment, vz Trumpeter Murray, Roderick (cymbal player), and McKinley, the big drummer. Roderick had a black wife and no children; McKinley was also married with a large family. Murray and Roderick were West Indians while McKinley was an East Indian. Several men too had married half-caste and native women, so it really was a “Black Troop.”
When the 11th returned to Britain in 1837, Ambrose Roderick transferred to the 3rd (The King’s Own) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. He was discharged as a Private on a pension of 1s/6d per day, August 1840, being physically unfit for service and suffering from debility arising from age and long service in the East Indies. On discharge he was 47 years old, 5 feet 9″ tall with black hair, black eyes and a black complexion. He was a labourer by occupation. His character was noted as being good. He settled in India, drawing his pension in Bengal. He was still living in 1866. Sources: TNA WO 23/13, WO 23/52, WO 23/62, WO 23/149 and WO 97/115/12. GL, Smith. “A Victorian RSM: From India to the Crimea” (DJ Costello, 1987). pp.35.
References
1)Ellis, JD, “The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments during the Early Nineteenth Century”, (MA Thesis, University of Nottingham, September 2000). For a synopsis see www.academia.edu Also Ellis, JD. “Soldiers of African origin in British Army Regiments in England and Yorkshire, 1700s to 1840s”. A paper presented at “What’s happening in Black British History? VIII.” University of Huddersfield, 10th May 2018. See www.academia.edu
2)Ibid.
3)For Henry McGilchrist see: The National Archives (TNA) WO 25/275 and WO 120/20.
4)Daniel McGilchrist (who had two sisters Elizabeth and Janet), firstly married Elizabeth Gale (1727-1761). Secondly married Ann, nee’ Fearon, who on his death married Sir Henry Sheridan of Havering. There is a McGilchrist Pen in Clarendon, Jamaica.
5)www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/person/view/2146650657
6)Henry McGilchrist, “A Negro Man” was baptised in Glasgow, 4th September 1773. Baptism Record: OPR Scotland/Ref Glasgow Lanark/644/1/15/18 – 4th September 1773. 04/09/1773 McGilchrist, Henry (Old Parish Registers Births 644/1 160 44 Glasgow) Page 44 of 472. National Records of Scotland. www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
7)“Emigrants from England 1773-1776”. (New England Historic Genealogy Society, 1913). Also TNA WO 120/20 and WO 25/275.
8)Cannon, R. “Historical Record of the Third, or the King’s Own Regiment of Light Dragoons: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1685 and of its subsequent services to 1846”. (Parker, Furnivall & Parker. London. 1847). www.gutenberg.org
9)www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/qohussarsdrumhorse1992.htm
10)www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/qohussarsdrumhorse1992.htm
11)The Muster Books and Paylists of the 3rd Dragoons for 90 day periods between 1815 and 1817, reveal the pay of each enlisted rank: Regimental Sergeant Major: £15/15s. Troop Sergeant Major: £13/10s. Sergeants (including those with regimental appointments): £9/15s. Corporals: £7/13s or £7/6s depending on length of service. Kettle Drummer: £8/5s. Trumpeters: £7/2s. Privates: £6 or £5/12 depending on length of service. TNA WO 12/0057. Muster Books and Paylists for the 3rd Dragoons 1815-1817. Also www.facebook.com/1087446214620464/photos/a.1126030394095379/3313945895303807/?type=3
12)Cannon, R. “Historical Record of the Third, or the King’s Own Regiment of Light Dragoons: Containing an account of the formation of the regiment in 1685 and of its subsequent services to 1846”. (Parker, Furnivall & Parker. London. 1847). www.gutenberg.org Bolitho, H. “The Galloping Third: The story of the 3rd the King’s Own Hussars”. (John Murray, 1963). archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.111009/2015.111009.The-Galloping-Third_djvu.txt
13)Neville had also seen the Greys being inspected some weeks before. The 2nd Dragoons, The Royal Scots Greys, are an antecedent regiment of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys). Bolitho, H. “The Galloping Third: The story of the 3rd the King’s Own Hussars”. (John Murray, 1963). archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.111009/2015.111009.The-Galloping-Third_djvu.txt
14)England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973. IGI: 90582/206. ancestry.co.uk
15)Also www.bolstridge.co.uk/genealogy/tng/histories/kettle_drummer.htm Also
www.bolstridge.co.uk/genealogy/tng/histories/black_musicians.htm
16)Susannah is believed to have died in Devizes c.1800.Birmingham, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812. IGI: DRO 25/M36. ancestry.co.uk
17)Henry is believed to have died in 1800. All Saints, Northampton. 19th January 1798 (born 31st December 1797). Henry, son of Henry and Frances Gilchrist (“a Black Trumpeter”). Northamptonshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials 1532-1812. ancestry.co.uk
18)England, Select Marriages, 1538–1973. IGI: 1751627/1. ancestry.co.uk TNA WO 25/887.
19)Sporting Life Magazine. Volume 28. May 1806. pp.97. findmypast.co.uk
21)I am grateful to Audrey Dewjee for informing me of the existence of the portrait. The location of the portrait after 1810 is unknown, however, in 2017 it was auctioned by Ellison Fine Art and the current owner has given permission for it to be reproduced here. (Communication between author and Claudia Hill @ Ellison Fine Art). One descendant of Henry McGilchrist has commented that the portrait indicates Henry was of mixed heritage; possibly the son of Daniel McGilchrist. www.ellisonfineart.com/portrait-miniatures/d/henry-mcgilchrist-a-trumpter-kettle-drummer-of-the-3rd-kings-own-dragoons/281523
22)10/06/1811 Balden Levi, (Old Parish Registers Births 622/50 160 Barony) Page 160 of 522. www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_opr_records/4635532?image=160&viewed_images=true
23)John McDonald was born in New York c.1782. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion 71st Foot in Glasgow in May 1808. On enlistment he was described as having a black complexion, black hair and black eyes. He was a weaver by occupation. He was discharged in Glasgow in September 1810 due to “a dislocation of the wrist”. It is not clear if his claim for pension was subsequently granted. John McDonald married a Sarah Sinclair and they had a son, also named John. John McDonald (senior), is believed to have died in Glasgow in 1855. The 71st Foot are antecedent regiment of The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS). Sources: TNA WO 25/459 and WO 121/109. Also www.bolstridge.co.uk/genealogy/tng/histories/kettle_drummer.htm 1855. Deaths in the High Church District of Glasgow. 1855 McDonal John, (Statutory registers Deaths 644/2 716). National Records of Scotland. www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
24)Henry McGilchrist marked, rather than signed his records and was probably illiterate – as were most of the rank and file. Consequently, his surname is variously rendered as McGilchrist, MacGilchrist, Magilchrist, Magilchristy and Gilchrist. Sources: TNA WO 120/20 and WO 25/275. The genealogical website www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk includes an entry regarding the death of a Henry Gilchrist in Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross, January 1826. Henry did have links to Scotland: His baptism and subsequent service there, the baptism of his grandson Levi, and the fact that his daughter and her family lived there for a time. See: 01/01/01 1826. Gilchrist, Henry (Old Parish Registers Death 335/50 40 Blairgowrie). Page 40 of 124. www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_opr_records/6493278?image=40&return_row=0
25)www.britishbattles.com/peninsular-war/battle-of-salamanca/