Fifeshire Militia

[Blueeyes1958]

I have been trying to find information on the Fifeshire Militia. It states on my 4th x Gt. Grandfather's (Alexander Williams) 1803 Marriage in Cupar, Fife that he was a Sergeant in Fifeshire Militia. All I can find is 'Following the Militia Act of 1797, the regiment was raised as an infantry regiment in 1798 as The Fifeshire Militia. He was born in Cupar. I would really like to know more about it and even a uniform would be helpful. I have not been able to find a Birth certificate for his daughter, Christian Williams born approx 1807 and on census it states she was born in England! I wonder if he could have been based in England with the Militia as that would explain the mystery? If anyone can help it would be appreciated. Thank you

[AndrewP]

Have you seen this picture of the Fifeshire Militia in Cupar from 1862.

https://collections.st-andrews.ac.uk/it ... itia/54997

All the best,

AndrewP

[Currie]

Here’s the regiments.org page for the Fifeshire Militia, but it’s fairly incomplete. Uniform given as scarlet with yellow facings.
https://web.archive.org/web/20070416100 ... a/fife.htm

List of officers 1809. https://www.google.com.au/books/edition ... frontcover

Militia (Scotland) Act 1802.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia ... )_Act_1802


Here’s a bit of a paper trail of the regiment’s time in England

Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, July 6, 1803
The Fifeshire militia crossed the Frith at Leith, and marched for Dunbar camp.

Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, June 27, 1804
The Fifeshire militia are on their route to Cambridge.

The Ipswich Journal, Saturday, July 14, 1804
This week the Fifeshire Militia marched in 3 divisions thro’ this town for Woodbridge barracks.

Morning Post, London, Thursday, Nov. 29, 1804
French prisoners, about ninety, marched to Norwich under an escort of Fifeshire Militia.

Norfolk Chronicle, Saturday, May 18, 1805
A detachment of the Fifeshire Militia marched in here from Yarmouth with about 60 French and Dutch prisoners.

Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1805
The Renfrewshire and Fifeshire militia have marched from Deal for Dover castle.

Caledonian Mercury, Thursday, Sept. 3, 1807
The Fifeshire Militia, stationed at Bexhill, sends about 100 volunteers to various regiments of foot.

Interesting letter, dated 1807, from a corporal in the Renfrew militia. http://www.grianpress.com/Tannahill/TAN ... S%2019.htm
“I was informed that he was in the Fifeshire Militia, and as we marched from Hastings to this place we passed through Boxhill, where the Fifeshire lies. I called upon him, and had some beer with him.”

Caledonian Mercury, Edinburgh, Thursday, Apr. 7, 1808
The Fifeshire militia marched into Lewes, in two divisions, from Silver-hill, on their route to Portsmouth, to embark for Ireland, having volunteered for that service.

Morning Post, London, Tuesday, June 27, 1809
Earl of Morton, Colonel of Fifeshire Militia, inspects them at Portsmouth.

Morning Chronicle, London, Saturday, Aug. 19, 1809
Fifeshire Militia embarks at portsmouth to sail for Leith.

Caledonian Mercury, Edinburgh, Saturday, Nov. 11, 1809
Fifeshire Militia inspected at Musselburgh Links after serving near six years in England.


Hope this helps,
Alan

[WilmaM]

Thanks Allan - a fairly comprehensive account of their whereabouts.

Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1805
The Renfrewshire and Fifeshire militia have marched from Deal for Dover castle.

Caledonian Mercury, Thursday, Sept. 3, 1807
The Fifeshire Militia, stationed at Bexhill, sends about 100 volunteers to various regiments of foot.

Those would tie in with this birth that I found on Ancestry?

Christian Williams
10 Aug 1806 Saint James The Apostle,Dover,Kent,England Alexander,Margaret

If his wife was named Margaret?

[Currie]

That’s ok Wilma.

I found another couple.

Caledonian Mercury, Thursday, Mar. 13, 1806
Dover, March 7.--The Hereford and Fifeshire Militias have received orders to march from hence on the 16th inst. to Deal.

Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 1806
The Fifeshire and the Renfrewshire Militia have marched from Dover to Ashford Barracks.

The regiments seem to have been bouncing around all over the place, like a game of musical chairs.

ForcesWarRecords may have something for him?
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/na ... ward=False

All the best,
Alan

[Blueeyes1958]

Thanks Allan - a fairly comprehensive account of their whereabouts.

Aberdeen Journal, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1805
The Renfrewshire and Fifeshire militia have marched from Deal for Dover castle.

Caledonian Mercury, Thursday, Sept. 3, 1807
The Fifeshire Militia, stationed at Bexhill, sends about 100 volunteers to various regiments of foot.

Those would tie in with this birth that I found on Ancestry?

Christian Williams
10 Aug 1806 Saint James The Apostle,Dover,Kent,England Alexander,Margaret

If his wife was named Margaret?

Thank you so much for all your help, I am blown away with all the help! Yes his wife was called Margaret and I had seen the birth details for Dover. However, I had dismissed it, simply because I could not understand how his wife (born Scotland) could have been with him there. I have had the same problem with Christian's husband, Charles Cochran, who was born in England approx 1807, yet all the families are from Cupar and Kirkcaldy. The only Charles Cochrane I can find was born in Norfolk. I shall now look into Charles and his father perhaps being in the Fifeshire Militia. I have only been able to find one Birth certificate for Charles and Christian's children as assumed they were all born in Scotland, so will look into them being born in England. Charles and Christian married in Cupar 1830 and states Charles' father was a householder in Haddington. At time of marriage Christian's father Alexander Williams was working for Mr. McNabb as a clerk in Cupar, McNabb owned various properties and the Tontine Hotel. Charles' profession was 'Waiter' which I assumed was how Christian and Charles met by him working in the hotel. However, if he had military background he could possibly be a 'waiter' for the Customs Office. All your help has opened up a totally different avenue to assist me in knocking down a frustrating brick wall that has been there for years. Once again, thank you

[Blueeyes1958]

Have you seen this picture of the Fifeshire Militia in Cupar from 1862.

https://collections.st-andrews.ac.uk/it ... itia/54997

All the best,

AndrewP

No I had not seen the picture, thank you so much that