It has only taken two years to finally find Edward COMBER b1820 in Spitalfields, Middlesex, England!
Edward is my 2ndGreatGrandfather, and he has been an elusive man, to say the least.
Over the years I have been searching, I have found numerous mentions of Edward but with conflicting information. The worst situation is the conflation of two men (Edward COMBER and Edward COMER) into one “super-Edward” who appears to have two wives and families over 200kms apart (please refer my post “Edward COMBER vs Edward COMER” for information I found in 2015).
I was recommended to hire a Genealogical Researcher in the UK, which I did in August 2017. Rita has been quite diligent and has uncovered some of Edward’s secrets!!!
Edward was indeed born in Spitalfields in/around 1820. While there is no Baptismal Registration found, as yet, there is a Workhouse entry for Edward aged 4, and his family. Yes, I have a family for Edward – I am so happy!
Edward was born to James Comber and his wife Elisabeth. Edward had an elder brother, James Robert born 03 Nov 1818 while the family was living in Cock Lane, Smithfield, Middlesex, England which is very near Spitalfields. A sister, Elizabeth, was born to the family in December 1824 and another sister, Ann, in/around 1827.
Father James Comber was apprenticed as a weaver, but there are no Guild Records available that show he actually became a weaver. What we do know now is that James senior enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Foot (also known as Queen’s Own) in 1826. Brother James Robert also enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Foot in 1832, as a Drummer. [Refer my post “James Comber – NOT a nice man…“]
The family moved with the Regiment, firstly to Ireland, then to NSW where they arrived in 1835 on the ship BLENHEIM as Guards on the Convict Transport. The Regiment was stationed in Windsor, just north of Sydney.
Edward also enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Foot once arrived in Windsor in October 1835.
Father James was discharged from the 50th Regiment on 31 May 1836 and he and Elisabeth apparently remained in NSW. Another daughter, Matilda, was born in NSW in 1837.
Meanwhile, the 50th Regiment departed NSW for India, being stationed in Cawnpore (present name Kanpur) in Uttar Pradesh. Both brothers fought in the Gwalior Campaign in December 1843. Sadly, brother James Robert died in May 1844 in Cawnpore, and Edward was discharged from the 50th Regiment while stationed in Chinsurah & Loodianah in November 1845.
Edward was back in NSW by 1849, where he applied for an “Irish Famine Orphan” with the NSW Colonial Secretary.
He was obviously granted an orphan, as he and Elizabeth Mackey were married in Sydney in 1851!
So – there he is – Edward COMBER – found him, at last!!!
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