Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
Heathcock Genealogy Database - Person Sheet
NameIsabella Crawford
BirthMar 1835, Scotland
Death1917 Age: 81
BurialRoss Bay Cemetery, Victoria, BC
Spouses
Birth19 Oct 1836, St Mary, Whitechapel, Middlesex Co England
Deathbef 1885, Montreal, Quebec, Canada2794 Age: 48
ChildrenRachel (1867-1947)
 Isabel (1868-1942)
 Mary Jane (ca1870-)
 Amy Kenilworth (1873-1953)
 Albert George (1876-1942)
Notes for Isabella Crawford
1891 Census of Canada, British Columbia

Name Age

Frederick Henry Clayton 37
Rachel Clayton 29 wife
Isabel Jacques 51 mother-in-law, b Scotland
Isabel Jacques 21 sister-in-law
Amy Jacques 17 sister-in-law, at sea
Albert George Jacques 12 brother-in-law
Margaret Clayton 5
Edith Clayton 3
Henry Clayton 2
Anne Lawless 27
Notes for Robert (Spouse 1)
During the late 1850's, (1854-abt 1865), Robert served in the Royal Navy. He took part in the Crimean War against the Russians in the mid 1850's. According to the write-up of the passing of his wife, Isabella Crawford, in the Victoria Daily Times, in 1917, Robert had been the recipient of the Victoria Cross for heroism during the siege of Sebastopol in the Crimean War. This would have been one of the earliest VC's ever awarded. However, his name does not show up on any of the lists of VC winners. Little is known about his service record. This is from verbal history passed down by his daughter Amy, who used to tell us of his heroism in the Navy. The verbal family history which says that the Royal Navy felt sorry for Robert's widow, Isabel, and paid her way out from Montreal to Victoria and put her in charge of the officer's laundry there could also be very accurate. How else could a widow with four children get from Montreal to Victoria? And why would they come? Did the Royal Navy see this action as a reward for his actions.2794

According to a transcript of Robert's attestation record upon entering the Royal Navy on 18 September 1854, the following information is given:

Height.......... 5 Feet 4 Inches
Complexion..Dark
Hair..............Dark Brown
Eyes............Grey
Marks..........None

Ship in which he is entered: H.M.S. Illustrious
Rating (Rank) : Boy 1st Class

The consent of his parents had not been obtained by the Navy at the time of Robert's enlistment as both of his parents were dead.

Robert signed the two enlistment forms with a clear hand, showing that he was able to read and write, which was unusual for this time period.

He signed for a period of ten years service from the age of 18. This would have him being discharged about 1865, which would coincide with his marriage to Isabella Crawford about 1867.2794
Last Modified 20 Aug 2011Created 3 Jul 2023 using Reunion for Macintosh
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