| Notes |
- John’s family was quite well travelled for the time. He started life in Scotland where he probably trained as a shoemaker. His military record makes reference to this trade. Two of his children were born in Manchester and one in Gibraltar. His son, John, a carpenter at Woolwich Royal Arsenal, would marry into a family with military connections and his third child William would become a Sergeant Major in the Royal Artillery.
John and Mary first appear as a couple in the baptism register of their son John (2 Oct 1840), which records that John Senior was a Corporal in the Royal Artillery and that he, his wife and son were living in barracks at the time of the baptism.
They are next listed on the 1841 Census in Hulme, Manchester with their first two children, Charlotte (5) and John (9 months) where John Sr’s occupation is given as ‘Army’. This would explain why John Jr’s birthplace in 1840 was Manchester.
He was discharged from the army in Woolwich on 13 April 1847 at the age of 40 having served for nearly 22 years, of which three in Gibraltar and five and a half in the West Indies, a total of eight and a half years abroad. Dates for these tours of duty are not provided. His discharge papers tell us that he was 5 feet 10 inches tall, had black hair, dark eyes and a fresh complexion. They also record that he intended to remain in Woolwich after leaving the army. He was discharged because he suffered from chronic rheumatism in his back and legs and varicose veins in the left leg. His disability was ‘caused by his military service’, according to the regimental surgeon. His conduct while enlisted had been exemplary.
The 1851 census suggests that John Sr was, by this time, a warder on board a prison hulk (see below). By 1852, there were only two hulks left in use, before the whole system was officially dismantled in 1857 (see below).
Neither John Sr nor his family can be found on the 1861 Census for England but, according to his eldest son's marriage certificate, he was working as a foreman at the Royal Arsenal in 1869.
Two years later, there is a reference in the 1871 census to a John Abel (65) a storekeeper at the Royal Arsenal living with wife Mary Ann and children Edith (25) and James (22) at 19 Eton Road, Plumstead. Confusingly, this record gives his place of birth as Woodbridge, Suffolk. That of his wife is still Easton, Suffolk. Edith had been born in Gibraltar in about 1846 and was working as a teacher of singing in 1871. Her younger brother James had been born in Woolwich and was working at the Arsenal in 1871 where his occupation is illegible. It could be ‘examiner’. Eton Road ran parallel with the railway line on its south side, from Woolwich Arsenal station to the junction with Burrage Road. It has since been renamed Vincent Road.
There is a John Abel (b.1806) on the death register for Woolwich in Apr-Jun 1877, when John Sr would have been 71. For now, the working assumption is that this record is the best fit.
Hulks
In 19th century England, a 'guard hulk' referred to a decommissioned naval ship that was repurposed for non-combat uses, most commonly as a stationary floating prison or holding facility. These ships played various roles and were moored in harbours or rivers.
Detention Facilities: One of the most notable uses of guard hulks in the 19th century was as makeshift prisons. These 'prison hulks' were used to house convicts awaiting transportation to penal colonies, such as Australia.
Conditions: The conditions on prison hulks were often harsh and overcrowded. They were infamous for their poor sanitation, disease outbreaks, and the brutal treatment of inmates.
Notable Areas: Prison hulks were commonly moored in places like the River Thames, Portsmouth, and Plymouth. Convicts were held on these ships before being sent to destinations like New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania).
Temporary Housing: Some hulks were used as temporary accommodation for sailors or dockworkers. These could serve as barracks for naval personnel or as dormitories for workers involved in shipbuilding and dockyard operations.
Recruitment Centers: A subset of guard hulks, known as 'receiving ships', were used to hold newly recruited sailors before they were assigned to active duty aboard a naval ship. These ships served as processing centers for new recruits.
Naval Training: Some old ships were used for training young men and boys in seamanship and naval skills. These training hulks provided a platform for hands-on instruction in a controlled environment.
Storage Facilities: Occasionally, guard hulks were used as floating warehouses for storing goods, munitions, or supplies for the navy.
Quarantine Stations: In some cases, hulks served as quarantine stations for sailors or immigrants suspected of carrying infectious diseases.
Penal Reform: The use of prison hulks was a significant aspect of the penal system in 19th century Britain. They reflected the overcrowding and inefficiencies of land-based prisons and played a role in the transportation policy that saw thousands of convicts sent to penal colonies.
Naval History: Guard hulks illustrate the life cycle of naval ships, showing how they could be repurposed after their service life ended. They also highlight the logistical and administrative practices of the Royal Navy in managing manpower and resources.
End of Transportation: The use of prison hulks declined with the end of convict transportation in the mid-19th century, as alternative penal measures and facilities were developed.
The search for John’s parents
Nothing convincing yet, but there is an intriguing entry in the records of the 43rd Regiment of Foot dated March 1817. A John Abel, Sergeant Major, of Woodbridge, aged 39 (therefore born around 1778), having served just over 3 years, appears to have been discharged because of “visceral disease and rheumatism”. His profession was listed as “cordwainer” (a skilled maker of new shoes). His character references were excellent.
The original document was last viewed on 14 Sep 25 here.
The Royal Chelsea Hospital has an admission record for a John Abel who retired at 69 after 17 years’ service on 5 April 1876. This must be someone else because the dates don’t match. This John Abel died on 24th May 1877.
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1806 - 1877 (70 years)
Military Service
