Master Mariner Sunderland c.1815

[LindyMay]

Would anyone know where I would look for information on my ancestor who was apparently a Master Mariner. His name is Thomas Bowhill, born around 1780 probably in Scotland (Kelso) but was living in Sunderland in 1815 I would love to find info regarding his life as a Master Mariner.

Regards

LindyMay

[notanotherminer]

Hi LindyMay and welcome to Brit-Gen

I've looked on TNA and there don't appear to be any separate listings for Master Mariners before 1845.

Certificates of Professional Competence of Master Mariners are held by the National Maritime Museum after the above date but I can't find any reference to seamen's tickets or the such prior to then.

Was Thomas Bowhill still alive in 1841 and have you found him in the census of that year? I've looked on the census for England and Wales and I couldn't find anyone who matched his year of birth. If he was still alive he may have returned to Scotland.

What was the record that you have seen that indicates he was in Sunderland in 1815? Presumably this was the record that showed his occupation

[Richard1955]

There seems to be a few Bowhill's in Durham 1841 but no Thomas anywhere in that year.
I have found a marriage record Frank Bowhill to Sarah Johnson 23 Oct 1809 Durham.
Can't help with the Master Mariners thing.

[LindyMay]

Dear Notanotherminer

The document about Thomas Bowhill's occupation is shown on the marriage certificate for his son Adam Johnson Bowhill - married in Sunderland Feb 1838. It shows his father as Thomas Bowhill - Mariner. (Actually it doesnt say Master Mariner so I don't know why I thought he was). His son Adam was a Shipwright although I don't know what that means (a labourer perhaps?). Thomas was married to Sarah Johnson on 23rd Oct 1809 in Monkwearmouth, Durham. I can't find any trace of Thomas Bowhill other than his name recorded on the marriage cert in 1838 - can't see him on the 1841 census. I've guessed at his age being born around 1780 if he was married in 1809. Thats the only info I have.

[LindyMay]

Hi Richard

Its very interesting that you found Frank Bowhill married to Sarah Johnson - the record I have from Family History online shows a parish record for marriage on the same date 23 Oct 1809 Thomas Bowhill to Sarah Johnson. Where did you find the marriage record - perhaps he called himself Frank and thats why I can't find any records of him.

Regards

[notanotherminer]

Hi LindyMay

I think Richard was mistaken about the name Frank Bowhill

From the Bishops Transcripts for Monkwearmouth:

Thomas Bohill and Sarah johnson both of this parish were married by banns in this church 23rd day of Oct 1809

You can see the original record for yourself if you click here. Be patient because it might take the image a minute or two to load.

For future reference you can browse the actual images of the Durham Bishops Transcripts on Family Search. They can't be searched by name but go to the Family Search Collections page for Europe here and scroll down to England Diocese of Durham Bishops Transcripts and click on Browse images. You will then be directed to a page where you can narrow your search by parish

[notanotherminer]

I'm still puzzled by a couple of things. You've explained where you got Thomas' occupation from but I'm still unsure why you think he was living in Sunderland in 1815.

Although his son was married in Sunderland in 1838 it doesn't necessarily follow that Thomas was living there or even that he was still alive. Unfortunately deceased fathers weren't always marked as such on the marriage certificate.

I've tried unsuccessfully to find him in the 1841 census and I haven't been able to find a baptism for Adam.

Can you also tell us please your source for the Scotland birth. If there is anything else that you can think of that might help us to find him it could make all the difference.

His son Adam was a Shipwright although I don't know what that means (a labourer perhaps?)

A shipwright was a skilled trade. He would have been involved in the building and construction of ships. In 19th century Sunderland it's unlikely that he was ever short of work

[Kerrywood]

I haven't been able to find a baptism for Adam.

There is an entry among the baptisms transcribed by Northumberland and Durham FHS which may be of interest. The transcript is available on the pay/subscription site Find My Past.

It's also on FamilySearch (pilot site), but the transcription is not quite complete there ...

Adam Johnson Bowhill
baptised 25 Feb 1814 at Bishop-Wearmouth
Birthplace - Ab...de...
Father - Thomas Bowhill
Mother - Sarah Bowhill
Source Film Number -1514674
(Bishopwearmouth baptisms are supposedly on the IGI for this date, batch P000461, but I don't see this one)

[LindyMay]

I had no idea that was possible, so thank you so much for your very helpful response.

[LindyMay]

I suppose I assumed Thomas Bowhill was born in Scotland because on the census return for 1871 Adam Johnson Bowhill records his place of birth as Scotland, his age is recorded then as 57. Thanks to all of you for the very helpful replies.