See also

Edwin Sleep (1831- )

Individual Events and Attributes

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St Nonna

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St Nonna Font

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1832, Register Entry for Baptism of Edwin Sleep

  • Birth:

  • 8 May 1831

  • Penpont, Altarnun, Cornwall2

  •  

  • The record of his enlistment into the Royal Navy gives his place and date of birth.

  • Baptism:

  • 8 Jan 1832 (age 0)

  • St Nonna3

  •  

  • Address: Altarnun, Cornwall

    His parents would have been present and probably his older surviving siblings John, Isabella and Amelia.

  • Present (sibling):

  • 21 Jun 1832 (age 1)

  • Present at Baptism of his brother Richard

  • Present (sibling):

  • 29 Apr 1833 (age 1)

  • Present at the burial of his brother Richard

  • Present (sibling):

  • 12 Jul 1833 (age 2)

  • Present at Baptism of his sister Marinna

  • Present (sibling):

  • 29 Aug 1833 (age 2)

  • Present at the burial of his sister Marinna

  • Present (sibling):

  • 10 Jun 1834 (age 3)

  • Present at Baptism of his brother Samuel

  • Census:

  • 6 Jun 1841 (age 10)

  • Altarnun, Cornwall4

  •  

  • Address: Penpont

    He was lodging with John and Mary Stephens who lived a few doors away fom his parents. On the Census record the notation 'Son' has been scribbled through and as with Mary Stephens the column headed "Whether Born in Scotland, Ireland or Foreign Parts" has been ticked but no indication as to nationality is given. This is an error as it is clear from his Baptismal Record that Edwin was the son of Samuel and Eliza Sleep and not the son of John and Mary Stephens.

  • Military Service:

  • frm 4 Dec 1852 to 30 Jun 1863 (age 21-32)

  • Royal Navy as a stoker5

  •  

  • Until the Navy was reorganised in 1853 ratings were employed on a voyage-by-voyage basis. In 1853 ratings already serving could transfer to a Continuous Service engagement for 10 years. Edwin did so on 1 July 1853 whilst serving in H.M.S. Vulture. His record shows that he joined the ship on 4 December 1852 shortly after she re-commissioned in November following refit at Sheerness and Woolwich which presumable was also the day that he joined the Navy under the rules which were current at that time. Why he joined a ship based on the east coast when he came from the west county is not known.

    If he served his full Continuous Service engagement and not re-engaged he would have left the Navy on 30 June 1848. The Register for Seamen's Services does not show that he serves less than 10 years.

Individual Note

Family oral history as relayed by Harry Kenneth Luscombe says that Amelia's brother (thought to be Richard) joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman. The only supporting evidence is that HWL has a Midshipman's dirk which is said to have belonged to Amelia's brother. The dirk has a Victoria Crown but there is no scabbard or belt. When asked about the missing scabbard and belt HKL opined that Amelia sold it when she fell on hard times after the death of her husband John Luscombe. This seems unlikely as a belt and scabbard without the dirk would have realised very little.

Research shows that Richard died when he was 11 month old and that it was Edwin who joined the Navy not as a Midshipman but as a stoker. Amelia was appalled at her brother's poor lodgings in Devonport and bought him out of the Navy and he emigrated to America. Certainly Amelia was living in Stoke Damerel by 1849 when she married John Luscombe so could have visited her brother.

Sources

1.

Rev. W Thomas, Register Entry for the Baptism of Edwin Sleep in St Nonna, Altarnun, Cornwall, (FamilySearch (LDS) website & FreeREG). Custom Id: Baptisms 1832, Page 76, No. 605; CountyCornwallPlaceAltarnunChurchSt NonnaDenominationC of E Date of Baptism8 Jan 1832ForenameEdwinFather's NameSamuel SleepMother's NameEliza Sleep. Cornwall County Records Office, Turo. Call Number: Altarnun Registers.

2.

Naval Record for Edwin Sleep, (Period, 1 Jul 1853 - 31 Jun 1863). Christian and Surname in fullEdwin SleepWhere BornAltarnun, CornwallDate of Birth8 May 1831. National Archives. Call Number: ADM139.

3.

Rev. W Thomas, Register Entry for the Baptism of Edwin Sleep in St Nonna, Altarnun, Cornwall, (FamilySearch (LDS) website & FreeREG). Custom Id: Baptisms 1832, Page 76, No. 605; Cit. Date: 8 January 1832. Cornwall County Records Office, Turo. Call Number: Altarnun Registers.

4.

1841 England Census for Edwin Sleep in Household of John Stephens in Altarnun, Cornwall, (FMP website). Custom Id: HO107/104, Book 2, Folio 50, Page 4; Cit. Date: 6 June 1841. National Archives. Call Number: HO107/140.

5.

Naval Record for Edwin Sleep, (Period, 1 Jul 1853 - 31 Jun 1863). Cit. Date: from 4 December 1852 to 30 June 1863. National Archives. Call Number: ADM139.