In a message dated 8/31/2010 7:30:35 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, bellemarco@gmail.com writes: I have a death record for Janet Brown,1863, Stewarton, Ayr, Scotland, and it says she is the widow of Major William Brown 69 Bengal, N. I. She was getting some sort of pension, I believe on his service. Does anyone have any information on Major William Brown from Stewarton, Ayr, Scotland? He and Janet married in Stewarton in 1813. I don’t know when or where he died. Their only child was born later in 1813. I cannot find the family in the 1841 Scotland census, but I do find Janet and her daughter and family in the 1851 Scotland census and Janet is listed as “annuitant”. In 1861 census, she is listed as “widow of a Major.” Elaine, Major William Brown's entry in Officers of the Bengal Army 1758-1834, Vol. I, by Major V.C.P. Hodson, is as follows: BROWN, WILLIAM (1795-1845). Bt. Major, 69th N.I. b. Stewarton. co. Ayr, 29 Dec. 1795. Cadet 1813. Admitted 28 Oct 1814. Ensign (16 Dec. 1814) . 5 June 1815. Lieut. 17 May 1816. Capt. 15 Oct. 1828. Bt. Major 23 Nov. 1841. d. Sukkur, Sind, 11 Sept. 1845. Son of Andrew Brown, writer. Services: Posted as Ensign to 19th N.I. Asst. Revenue Surveyor at Delhi 29 Dec. 1822. Transfd. to 1st Extra Regt. (became 69th N.I.) in 1826. Revenue Surveyor at Saharanpur 17 Nov. 1826, and passed the greater part of his service in the Survey Dept. Operations on N. Sind frontier against the Hill tribes 1844-5. Refs.: Will dated 17 Jan. 1844; proved 19 Jan. 1846. I hope this is helpful. Tim

Thank you, thank you, thank you one and all!! Now that I have the information including birth/death dates, for the William Brown I am researching, which has allowed me to also find his baptism record and the names of both his parents, I have one more question (for now). On his entry, it mentions his father but not his wife even though she collected a pension on his service. Is that a norm? Also, it mentions a will and a date for such, can anyone guide me on how I might obtain a copy of said will. How do I obtain his wife Janet Brown's pension records. Would it be in included in Chelsea pensioners records? I would still be swimming the Pacific Ocean without your help! Elaine Sharp Sacramento CA USA

I found the following book online on the Gemmell/Gemmill family and the Brown family I am researching is in it and now I have names of Major William Brown's parents, and siblings, etc. However, the book says he was unmarried but he was, in fact, married. Anyone else related to this family. http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/dtog/gemmell.pdf Elaine