Direct descendant of Alexander Henry seeking information

[Surpmil]

Was in Edinburg last year and happened to ask an old antique dealer about gun shops etc. He lamented how there used to five in one street alone, but "all gone now". I get the impression the country has been pretty well picked over for old guns etc.

Henry did quite a bit of work for the WD in WWI and records of that would be of interest to some of us, if you ever come across any.

Where is the boy buried who was killed accidentally? Is there more than one Henry family stone in that cemetary or are some in others? It looks typically neglected.

Perhaps your best bet would be to organize a family reunion and get people talking with the aid of a wee dram or two.

[rrdb]

Alexander Henry died in 1894, and his son (also Alexander) carried on the business, so it could have been him continuing into WW1 ... I'll check.

The son James and other children are recorded on the plinth of the gravestone.

I'll add more later.

[rrdb]

Was in Edinburg last year and happened to ask an old antique dealer about gun shops etc. He lamented how there used to five in one street alone, but "all gone now". I get the impression the country has been pretty well picked over for old guns etc.

Henry did quite a bit of work for the WD in WWI and records of that would be of interest to some of us, if you ever come across any.

Where is the boy buried who was killed accidentally? Is there more than one Henry family stone in that cemetary or are some in others? It looks typically neglected.

Perhaps your best bet would be to organize a family reunion and get people talking with the aid of a wee dram or two.

That photo is just of the vertical bit of the headstone - the boy and others are mentioned on the plinth, therefore I assume, in there too. Ironically, in the part of Warriston cemetery, that is the one in the best condition ... and one of few which are upright ! This, all the more, makes me worry that it will be the target for vandals. That cemetery does not have a good reputation.

Here is the plinth :

[rrdb]

I'm now looking into a letter which I have, written by Alex Henry, to a English gunmaker in December 1873, asking them to give an apprenticeship to his son (14 at the time, also Alex Henry). The address is at the bottom and a bit indistinct. Can anyone throw any light on it, perhaps by confirming the names of London gunmakers at the time ?

It looks like :

John Moore Esq (Could be John Moors Esq)

At best guess, the company has three words, the first beginning with As, the second M or W ...

I know that's not a lot to go on !!

Thanks

[rrdb]

Found this here:





Moore John

Manager of
Joseph Brazier
gunlock works

1861 - 1871

'Ashes', Great Brickkiln St


That will be the guy - John Moore, Ashes ... it fits.

[rrdb]

Here is that letter, from Alexander Henry to John Moore :

18th Dec

(certainly 1873 – others either side have “3” after date - Alex Henry “jnr” was 14 at that time DoB 6/10/1859. What follows is as written – typos and old fashioned spelling included)

Dear Sir

I intended when you was here last to have spoken to you regarding my eldest son whose mind seems more bent on working at a bench than attending school so I have resolved on sending him to learn gunmaking but do not wish him to be taught in my own workshops least he might like many others get spoiled by indulgences. I have therefore made up my mind to send him to England to serve a portion of this apprenticeship, and having myself found it of great advantage to have a knowledge of lockfiling I should prefer him getting some information in that branch before going to woodwork.

Could you undertake him for a year or two and put him under a good respectable man, or if not can you advise me of any one to whom I could safely send him. He is 14 years last October, and very healthy. I shall be glad to hear what you think of it, as I think of starting him about the beginning of the year.

I hope you are all quite well

Yours very truly

Alex Henry

[rrdb]

I'm making good progress with my research on Alexander Henry - the man - as he is my great great grandfather!

I've started improving his very basic entry on Wikipedia, which is only a "stub at the moment.

Let me know if there are things (about him) you'd like me to add.

Thanks