Lighthouses or lightships, Liverpool 18th Century

[Manila Jack]

Good afternoon,

I've recently discovered the marriage on 30 March1795 of my 4th great aunt, Sarah Winn, to Gabriel Ford, mariner both of the parish of Liverpool. Further research showed that Gabriel was born in Thanet, Kent in 1770 and died at the Trinity House alms house, Deptford in 1847, both he and his wife Sarah having resided previously at Great Yarmouth. I'm guessing that Gabriel and Sarah met in Liverpool when he was serving with Trinity House in some capacity. Does anyone know of Trinity House's activities in Liverpool in the 1790's. Would there be any local records?

[daggers]

I don't believe that any of the light- houses or ships within the Mersey came under Trinity House, but those outside the river might be relevant. Have you tried asking TH?

D

[Manila Jack]

I haven't asked Trinity House yet. I might give it a go. Of course, there's always the chance that he arrived here as a mariner as described on the marriage record and joined Trinity House later. I thought there may have been some local records. Thanks for your advice.

John

[MaryA]

There are various records at the LRO that might be useful under the reference 920 DER 14/87/143 but nothing mentions light-houses, most of it correspondence.

[Manila Jack]

Thank you Mary. I had a look at Trinity House website and most of their archive, including almspeople/pensioners are held by London Metropolitan Archives so I'll check with them first. Will post any information I receive as others may also be interested. Daggers, you were correct. Trinity House lighthouses closest to Merseyside were in Caernarvonshire, Anglesey and St Bees, Cumberland.

[Manila Jack]

Bingo! On London Metropolitan Archives website. I did a search on Gabriel Ford and found references to two Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group policies with Gabriel Ford as the name insured. One for November 1810 with a property in Broadstairs, Kent, mentioned. This fits in with information I already have. There is also one dated November 1811 insuring property in Gloucester Street, Cannon Street Road. They also have the Trinity House Almspersons records. i need to visit London soon. Exciting times ahead!

[MaryA]

Good finds John!