Vital Statistics
Birth: 1837
Marriage: N/A
Spouse: N/A
Death: N/A
Family Branch: Bovey Tracey
PinsentID: GRO0878
Thomas and Mary (née Mugford’s) third son, William Pinsent probably joined his brothers in the Royal Navy. However, there is a problem with his date of birth. A William Pinsent “born on 3rd November 1839 in Bovey Tracey” joined the Royal Navy on 26th January 1856. However, Mary (née Mugford’s) William was actually born on the 13th and baptized on 24th September 1837! I have no record of any William being born in Bovey Tracey in November 1839, so am fairly confident that this was her son. However, just to complicate matters, there was a William Pinsent born in Kingsteignton parish in 1837. I have yet to find his parish birth record but the civil records show he was born in the third quarter of 1837. In 1841, he shows up as the son of John Pinsent and Susanna (née Morrish) who were living in Kingsteignton. Census records show that the family had moved to Exminster by 1851.
Both of the Williams went to sea. I think that Thomas and Mary’s son William joined the Royal Navy and John and Susannah’s son William joined the Merchant Navy. The latter William claimed to be 22 years old (born in 1838) in June 1860, when he received his “Second Mate’s Certificate” for service in the Merchant Navy. He was later to marry Susanna Harvey in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Susannah moved down to the United States after his death. Their lives are described elsewhere with the rest of the TEIGNMOUTH Branch of the family.
Mary Mugford’s son William either joined or re-joined the Royal Navy on January 26th 1856 (National Archives: ADM 188/211). Unfortunately, his records are incomplete. Like his brothers, he probably joined after having previously served as a “Boy” (2nd Class). His service records tell us that he was “5 ft. tall, weighed 104 lbs, had dark hair, hazel eyes, a fair complexion and no distinguishing marks” in 1856. He signed the “Certificate for Boys” for “10 years after 18,” [Official Number 26916]. He did so by signature and not by mark; which implies that he had had some education. William was sent to “H.M.S. Royal William” (a “first-rate” sailing ship of the line).
What happened to him after that, I do not know. Perhaps he died in service or overseas. His brothers stayed in the Service.
Family Tree
GRANDPARENTS
Grandfather: Unknown: xxxx – xxxx
Grandmother: Jane Pinsent: 1791 – 1831
PARENTS
Father: Thomas Pinsent: 1806 – 1839
Mother: Mary Mugford: 1808 – 1850
MALE SIBLINGS (BROTHERS)
John Pinsent: 1831 – 1908
Thomas Pinsent: 1835 – 1884
William Pinsent: 1837 – xxxx
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