Biography

Charles is an important figure in the plotting of this particular Family History line. As it was his decision to join the East India Company Army that sporned that whole segment of Chatterton's in India. He was only 20 when he left his family in Portsmouth and enrolled as a Gunner in the EIC Artillery to serve in the Madras Presidency.

Naval Club Green RowAt this point let me say that we are extremely lucky to have some original documents belonging to Charles, passed down five generations and some 150 years. These being his Artillery Book and a few letters. I am greatful to our genealogist friend Ronemary Oliver who kindly transcribed the letters (they are in crumbling state) and started me on this Family History quest.

Charles grew up in a musical family, his father, John, being a prominent figure in Portsmouth. At the time of his birth the family were living in a well-to-do part of the city, in Green Row, where John was a Music Master.

There is a whole lot more of this biography to piece together. It's still not certain why Charles was in Bodmin and if he died there. If he was subjected to the horrors of the Indian Mutiny then it's quite possible he ended up in the County Asylum. Unfortunately there are no records from that time at the Asylum.

Timeline

  • 1818 29th November Christened in the parish of St Thomas, Portsmouth (2)
  • 1840 20th June Enlisted for the East India Company's Infantry, 28 Soho Square Middlesex, age 20 (1)
  • 1842 Became a Private in the 7th (Regiment of Madras Native Infantry)? (IO info missing here) (4)
  • 1842 2nd November Married Ann GILLSON. She was 17 and he was 23, residing at St Thomas's Mount. (1,5)
  • 1844 14th April Son John James born (1,5)
  • 1844 Gunner 6th Co. 2nd Batallion Artillery (4)
  • 1846 17th August Son Frederick Balsir born (1,5)
  • 1848 30th November Son Edward Thomas born (1,5)
  • 1851 12th October Charles born, died 24 Oct of convulsion (I0)
  • 1855 3rd September Daughter Mary Anne born (1,5)
  • 1855 31st December Letter from Richard Bryant, his brother-in-law living in Pentonville, London (3)
  • 1855 10th October Letter from nephew Percy in Laleham (3)
  • 1857 10th April Son Thomas Davenport born (1,5) Died 16th December 1860 of diarrhoea
  • 1857 Indian Mutiny
  • 1860 Letter from County Asylum, Bodmin to Mrs C. Chatterton in Bellary (3)
  • 1860 8th October Died of cholera aged 41. Buried at St Thomas's Mount. Pensioned Gunner late 6th Co? (5,10)

Notes

  1. Charles's original Artillary Account Book
  2. IGI records
  3. Original document
  4. India Office Library Index
  5. Ecclesiastical records
  • IO - India Office