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General query about term 'pensioner'

I've found a death certificate of Patrick SCULLY who might be an ancestor, died 28 April 1876 in Laois. The occupation given is 'pensioner'. Does anyone have any idea how I can find out more about this pension? What sort of pensioner could he be? It's too early for state pensions.Is it likely to be an army pension? Or would an estate worker ever be pensioned off? Or has anyone come across other instances of pensions from other occupations?

Thanks for reading this,

Anne Lockyer

annelockyer@bt…

2 replies

The only organisations routinely paying pensions in the 1870s were the army, the navy and the RIC (police).   Usually RIC pensioners say that eg: “Police pensioner”. In my experience most described just as “pensioners” were in the army, with smaller numbers in the navy.

You can search for a military record on Ancestry and Findmypast, but without an idea of the unit your ancestor may have served with, it may be challenging identifying the correct record.

Not all military records have survived, but where they do exist they are in the National Archives in Kew, London. Personal visit required to view them.  (Ancestry and fmp only have some of the military information).

I have never known of an estate worker receiving a pension. That’s not at all likely.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks for that Elwyn. It reinforces what I thought but makes it less likely to be my ancestor, I think. On his son's marriage certificate Patrick Scully's occupation is down as 'mason'. As the son was serving in the army at the time of his marriage, I think he would have mentioned if his father was an army pensioner.

Thanks for the insight and extra info,

Anne

annelockyer@bt…

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