Hope I am OK for Copyright here.  Don't want to break any rules!Diana's NEW FIND  18 AUGUST 2014

Thomas Twidle DRYSDALE

Admitted to Greenwich Hospital School, 29 Sept 1827

On Monday 24th November 2014 I received a package from The National Archives in UK.  From this I have learned the following:My 2xGreat grandfather, Thomas Twidle DRYSDALE was accepted into the Upper School of The Royal Naval Asylum, Greenwich 29th September1827.  He was 11 years of age.To qualify for admission to the Upper School - Consisting of 200 [pupils] The boys had to be the sons of seamen who had served  in the navy or Merchant service or marines who had served in one of His Majesty’s ships.They were the children of seafaring men who were in dire straits.  Perhaps the mother of the chold had died, or perhaps the mother was the widow of a seaman and who had many young mouths to feed and she couldn’t make ends meet.  Children whose fathers were away at sea and the mother had died etc.They HAD to be 11 years of age and under 12; able to read a chapter in the Bible and be without impediment of speech or any infirmity of body or mind. If the father had served in the Navy, the certificate of servitude had to be obtained from the Navy office.  If in the Merchant’s service the certificate had to be signed by the Collector of the sixpenny duty at the port from which the father usually sailed, stating that the said duty had been paid by him.  At the time of admission two respectable housekeepers had to be jointly bound in the sum of £50  to ensure that the boy would not abscond from school nor embezzle any of the clothes, books or instruments committed to his care and that at the end of three years he would be bound as an apprentice for seven years to the sea service.It had to be noted that it would be useless for any Candidate for the Upper School to apply until he had obtained a presentation from one of trhe Directors.There was a lower school as well where both girls and boys were accepted from ages 9-14.  The following certificates had to be produced in all cases.

A certificate of the child being a real Object of Charity

A certificate of [the parents] marriage

A certificate of birth as well as baptism

A certificate of the father’s servitude 

A certificate of the death of the father. The records confirm that the parents of Thomas Twidle DRYSDALE were Robert and Elizabeth Ruth DRYSDALE and that they were married in Portsmouth on 24 May  1815.  Elizabeth Ruth was living in Portsmouth and maintaining 2 children.  I didn’t know that Thomas had a sibling before.  Thomas’ father, Robert, was a member of the crew of the ship Ariel out of Hull.  This shows Elizabeth Ruth DRYSDALE as the daughter of William WATKINS which I don’t understand as her name was TWIDLE when she married.  [2024 now I know!]Thomas Twidle DRYSDALE was nominated by Lord Bealey.

TO BE CONT.

CONT:  Thomas Twidle DRYSDALE :

A letter headed Hull, April 28th 1827.

We hereby certify that Robert DRYSDALE served as Mate & also as Master in our employ on board the ship Ariel both in the Transport & Merchant Service and left us from ill health on his return from a voyage to the West Indies in 1816 in consequence of severe illness from the fever during the voyage of which he died shortly after - leaving a widow and family - we believe his son to be a real object of charity.  John Smith & Co

Thomas appears to have been sponsered by William WATKINS of 63 St. Thomas Street, Portsmouth, Hants. who was  Pilot & Charles George GERMAN of The Plymouth Arms Mill[?] Lane, Tooley Street. in the County of Surry [sic] a Victualler.  They are responsible for him until his Apprenticeship is completed.  

A certificate states that :  This is to certify , that it appears from the Register Book of Marriages belonging to the Parish Church of Portsmouth, in the County of Southampton, and Diocese of Winchester, that Robert Drysdale, Mariner and Elizabeth Ruth Twidle were Married in the said Parish on the twenty fourth Day of May in the Year 1815 by J.G. Bussell [?] Minister.  Dated this twenty fifth Day of April in the Year 1817.  Samuel ?????? Minister.

Another document is headed Portsmouth April the 28 1827 and signed by Thomas’ mother.  It reads.

I Elizabeth Ruth DRYSDALE do make Oath that my son Thomas Twidle DRYSDALE was born on Wensday [sic]the 6 Day of March 1816 in Penny Street, Portsmouth.  Sworn at Portsmouth this 20th April 1827. 

There is a copy of Thomas’ baptism which shows him being baptised 3 April 1816.  Parents were Robt & Eliz. Ruth DRYSDALE.  Abode Portsmouth.  Father a Mariner.  Thomas was baptised by the same minisiter who had married his parents.

Document headed Portsmouth 27th April 1827.

This is to certify that Mr.Robt. Drysdale was Mate and Master of the ship Ariel of Hull for several years and to my knowledge he acted with the greatest propriety and much to the satisfaction of the owners of the said ship Messrs. Hammond and Smith of Hull. Signed J.N. Robinson.  Ship  Agent and Agents to Messrs. Hammond & Smith.

Document headed Portsmouth 24th April 1827

Gentlemen, We the undersigned beg to recommend Thos. Drysdale aged eleven years, son of the late Mr. Robt. Drysdale Master Mariner deceased as a fit and proper object for the Upper School at Greenwich his father having died in distressed circumstances when he was an infant in arms leaving his mother with a daughter two years old to be supported by her industry which she has done with much credit to herself up to this period.

This is to certify that the Duty of Sixpence per Man, per Month, due to the Royal Hospital at Greenwich for the ship Ariel [cannot decipher could be A Horton] late R. Drysdale Master, 340 tons. 20 Men, is paid to the 7th October 1816 and for which a regular receipt was given.Dated at the Office of the Receiver of the Sixpenny Duty (for the Royal Hospital at Greenwich), at Tower Hill, London, this 27th April 1827.  Signature illegible.

Angela:  Are you a descendant of TTD?  Would love to hear why you are researching that line.  

Anyone else out there researching him?  Would love to hear from you too!

Diana