Aldworth, Clarke, Webb Families

William Aldworth Clarke was an Irishman born 1792/1793. The source of this date was a mourning ring held by descendants in Melbourne, Australia. After many years of research, his descendantsare still none the wiser as to exactly where Williamwas born and who his parents were, althoughvarious indicators point to a well off family from Cork.

William joined the 40th Regiment of Foot in Spain in Jan 1813. In 1814 he had fought in the Battle of Toulouse, Spain and in 1815 he was present at the Battle of New Orleans and finally at Waterloo. It was at QuatreBras that he was severely wounded, losing an arm and several ribs to canon shot. After recovering from his injuries he joined the Regiment atStirling Castle, Stirling where he met and later married a young Scottish girl named Mary Langhorn Mills Smith. Mary's step father John Glas, was at one time the Provost and High Sheriff of Glasgow, so William marriedinto a well connected Scottish family. He was discharged from the 40th as a Lieutenant on Irish Half Pay, finally succumbingto his woundslate Dec 1827 in Stirling and was laid to rest with John Glas in the churchyard of the Holy Rude belowStirling Castle.

An undated entry shows that Ensign William Aldworth Clarke, Ensign 40thwas made a Freeman of Cork for "gallant conduct in the Battle of Waterloo". As he was discharged from the 40th in early 1821 this had to have occurred between 1815-1821.

So, who were his parents and siblings? Whilst his Will only refers to "brothers and sisters" I have located a Richard Aldworth Clarke, born Cork in 1785. He married an Irish woman named Elizabeth Uniacke in 1824 in Cork and between 1841-1851 was a Purser for the Royal Navy, stationed at Portsmouth, Hampshire. I believe Richard may well be William's older brother.

Based on the Scottish naming system, William's father was most likely Henry (or at least that name was prominent in his early children) and his mother Mary Webb. I believe the Aldworth connection is through the Aldworth family at Newmarket which had links with the St Legers of Doneraile. I have found references to Webbs at Newmarket and Clarkes at Doneraile but cannot tie them into the Aldworths or St Legers. It is particularly relevant that the two boys were named Richard Aldworth and William Aldworth, reflecting two important Aldworth first names.

Isanyone reading this post who may be researching any of these families or able to offer me further advice on the quest to locate his parentage.

Thanks, Chris, Australia