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Classification: Query
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Given the Edward Caulfield in the 66th regiment connection, we have to be speaking of the
same people.
Your ancestor, if he was the above-referenced Edward's son, was named Henry Caulfield.
His wife was Mary Ann Smith, so that is as well to much of a coincidence for my theory to
be wrong. Henry was born on the island of St. Helena on May 17, 1831 to Edward Caulfield
and Eleanor Vasey (or Veasey) Caulfield. Edward was stationed on that island as part of
the force that guarded Napoleon from 1815 through 1821. Edward arrived there in 1818 on
an ship named Dorah. Edward and Eleanor appear to have been married on St. Helena and I
think that her parents had to have been there although I have not found the hard facts on
that yet.
In 1836, Edward was discharged from the army and then was a shoemaker. I have a picture
of his wife when she is older and the picture was taken in Gateshead, County Durham,
England. I do not know where Edward lived in England after retiring from the army and I
also do not know when he died. I am still working on these things.
Some have contended that Edward was somehow descended or related to the Caulfield family
that were the Earls of Charlemont. I have not been able to determine that one way or the
other. I have a bloodline chart for that Caulfield family for the beginning of the
1800's and this Edward isn't on it. His being not an officer makes me wonder how
he could have been a close relation as, a close relative, wold have likely been of a
higher rank with a better duty than St. Helena. Edward was Anglican as was his son, my
ancestor, Thomas. They converted in the late 1800's to Catholicism when they
emigrated to the USA.
I have Henry living in England as late as 1891in County Durham. I know it is him as he is
listed as being born on St. Helena and he is the same age. That census record listed his
wife as Mary Ann. Henry worked as a coal miner for a profession. I found him listed as
Heny Cauldfield in 1881 in County Durham with his wife as Mary Ann and listed as
"relative" is Thomas Smith. That census record lists those three as being born
in Scotland. I know that Henry was born on St. Helena, the same people in 1891 list that
fact and so I attribute the error in the spelling of the name and birthplace to, possibly,
a relative giving the information and not they themselves?
That couple had four children, that I know of. Ann born about 1864; Edward born about
1868; Mary Ann born about 1874 and Henry born about 1878. The Thomas Smith is listed as
age 72 so he was born about 1809.
I do not know when Henry died and have not spent more time on his children yet.
That is about all I can tell you. Let me know what you think or if you have anything else
to add.
B. Carey