Little is known of Joseph's parents and early life. His father was called William, and his birth was in Rathmines parish, Dublin. Many records were lost in a fire, and the worst years of the Irish potato famine were while he was a child.
Schooling There is a census record of Joseph Seymour as a private in an Irish army regiment, in Colchester in 1861.
There are army pension records confirming his height and features when he was 18 years old.
Joe Seymour "was in the army"; Mary Jane Whiting from Dover had a choice between him and someone who "joined the navy". She chose the army despite her mother warning her she would regret it!
He moved with the army from Poole to Waterford (county Wexford) and then to India (Bareilly) for 10 or 12 years.
EMPLOY Joined the Connaught Rangers; 88th foot. "Clerk" Height 5ft 4 3/8", complexion fresh, eyes grey, hair dark brown. 29 Jun 1860. Quarter Master Sergeant Later worked in the Army and Navy stores. 1880
The family returned to South London where Joseph worked as a Clerk to an Optician, and also in the Army and Navy stores in Victoria in London. Family rumour is that he had some shares in the store, so the family always liked to shop there to boost their profits.
Name: Joseph Seymour.
Born Data from Army record
The National Archives reference WO 97. Chelsea Pensioners British Army Service Records 1760-1913. 1842 Rathmines Parish, Dublin, Ireland.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1842 (circa) | VIEW SOURCE |
| Date of Death | 1st Oct 1900 (circa) | VIEW SOURCE |
