Elizabeth (Bridget) Deery

  General Notes:

Jim Webster notes:
Elizabeth Deery is my GG Grandmother, I descend via the Walter Huntley marriage and a child of that relationship Elizabeth Huntley (1855-1908). I am extremely interested Walter Huntley's story and how he managed to avoid a life sentence for murder.

I came to the conclusion that Elizabeth Deery and Henry Deery were brother and sister while it is possible that Henry Deery married and had a child before 1815 (Elizabeth's birth date) as he joined the army in January 1816. However, the Army saw marriage as a hindrance to the absolute loyalty and obedience, which was needed from each and every soldier. Up to the 19th century marriages were regulated by the rules, which stated what proportion of men could have wives and families in barracks. In 1805 this was only 6 percent. These wives were allowed to live in barracks and were given rations although the accommodation was often in a barrack room in a curtained off corner. In return such wives were expected to wash and mend clothing and to cook. Any soldier could marry but if he did so without permission he could not have his wife in barracks and there were few soldiers who could afford to maintain a wife outside. 'Official' wives were allowed to travel overseas with their husbands but in 1829 The Commander in Chief reminded Commanding Officers of the 6 percent rule because it had become clear that in some regiments this figure had been exceeded and problems arose when the unit was ordered overseas and only the official 6 percent of wives were authorised to travel. The others were left behind to fend for themselves with no financial support.

I see the same story for other people who were in the Army they severed and were discharged and then they married and had a family, Henry in my mind fits that bill. This puts the relationship more in the brother and sister category. However there is no evidence of any connection - no social visits that were reported in the papers, Henry's obituary doesn't report a relation that also came to New Zealand etc etc. So its quite possible that they were not related. I'm interested in any solid information that you may have been given - maybe a family story or letter that points to the connection.

Elizabeth married John Barron on 15 Nov 1836 in St Johns, Limerick, Ireland UK. (John Barron was born on 24 Jan 1808 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire Scotland and died on 6 Jan 1852 in Auckland New Zealand.)

Elizabeth next married Walter Huntley on 8 Aug 1853 in St Pauls C of E, Auckland New Zealand. (Walter Huntley was born circa 1815.)