East & West Lothian Fencible Cavalry 1794- 1800

[Johnmac]

I am trying to trace place of enlistment in the above regiment of my GGG Grandfather John Macklam who enlisted in regiment 1794 and was discharged from regiment with rank of corporal, in City of Durham, in April 1800. I have visted Record Office at Kew and searched through Quarterly returns for regiment, and although i could decipher most of documents, i.e. places he was ordered to and places regiment was statioend at certain times I was unable to decipher his place of residence at time of enlistment. If anyone could help I would be most grateful. Johnmac

[LesleyB]

Hi Johnmac

Not sure if this on the National Archives (Kew) site is relevant as the dates seem different:
WO 119/38/109 JOHN MACKLEM alias JOHN MACKLIM. Born STIRLING, Stirlingshire. 1797-1816 Served in 1st Foot Regiment. Discharged aged 35. Covering dates give year of enlistment to year of discharge. Kilmainham Reference: A11227.

Do you have a ref number and/or regiment for the document you found? If it also listed online in a similar format to the above, it may give a place of birth in the summary as is the case with the record above. How was his surname spelt on the documents - was it consistent as Macklam?

Best wishes
Lesley

[Johnmac]

Hi Lesley, The quarterly returns that I looked at were for The East & West Lothian Fencible Cavalry. Sadly I can't put my hand on the appropriate documentary references. His name is spelt two ways ie Meicklem and Macklam. some of the entries are as follows 1795 regiment at Montrose, John on Command to Brechin. In June of 1795 Regiment is at Haddington. in 1798 the regiment is at Newcstle-upon-Tyne and John is in Captain Hay's troop, In 1798 August to September John now a corporal is on a weekly pay of £2/10/4d/halfpenny plus an extra 31d for finding his own lodgings. 1800 the regiment is at Newmarket, and finally on 21st April 1800 he is discharged. his pay being £2/5/6d plus 28d beer money.
Just as a point of interest, my great-aunt also has his discharge papers, one being signed by Lt. Col. Baird, on the reverse side of which John has signed his own name in a good strong hand. There is also a testimonial from his Troop Commander, Captain John Anderson. Now whether my great-aunt still has these papers I don't know, as I haven't had any contact with her now for some twenty odd years or so. Sorry to blether for so long , hopes this helps

[Currie]

Hello Johnmac,

If you have a copy of the documents, or could get hold of one, you could scan the problematical part and lodge it on a site such as photoBucket, so that others may see it. Someone more familiar with the handwriting and/or place names may be able to give an opinion as to what it says.

The East and West Lothian Fencible Cavalry has been discussed previously on this forum.
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=14479&hilit=
and
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=14898&hilit=

Best of luck,
Alan

[Johnmac]

Hello Alan, Many thanks for your tip ref: The East & West Lothian Fencible Cavalry, I shall certainly follow this up. Again very many thanks. Best Wishes Johnmac.