Richard Gouldthorpe

   Cause of his death was Diseased Liver, Jaundice, Dropsy.

   Another name for Richard was Richard Gouldthorp.

  General Notes:

Both Richard and his wife, Ann, were described as "of this Parish" when they married in St Magdalene, Woolwich. Witnesses at their marriage were Peter Smith and Sarah Lawson. They both signed their names.

Some researchers claim that he was the son of John Goldthorp, a nailor (made iron nails by hand or maintained the teeth (nails) on the carding machine used on wool & cotton before weaving), from Mapplewell, Yorkshire and Edna Webster. However, that Richard was baptised in 1778 and assuming he was baptised about the time he was born he would be too young at 15 to be getting married in 1793. These same researchers believe he was born 1770, but his death record records that he was 69 years old in January 1846 when he died in Mapplewell, Yorkshire, placing his birth year at around 1776 or 1777, which would be more consistent with the baptism in 1778. He is recorded in the 1841 Census as a Nailmaker living in Mapplewell aged 60, so a birth year around 1781. He is living with two Washerwomen of the same age, no family. Also, that Richard, a "nailor" like his father John (and surname spelled GOLDTHORP), married in West Yorkshire to Ann Goldthorp in 1801. So he is a different Richard Gouldthorp.

However, it is almost certain that there are connections to that Yorkshire family. Richard's daughter Eliza NAILOR Gouldthorp was born in Yorkshire in 1805 (father's occupation Veterinary Surgeon). Her middle name is intriguing. It is also interesting that there were GOLDTHORP families in Mapplewell and surrounds all bearing children with similar names, especially "Benjamin" at the same time. Benjamin GOLDTHORP, John GOLDTHORP and Edward GOLDTHORP all had sons named Benjamin baptised in 1810, 1812, and 1810 respectively.

His parents in this tree are currently speculative based on a DNA match and similarities in family names. More work is required to validate.

Richard enlisted with the Royal Horse Artillery in 1790, aged 19 so his presumed birth year is 1771. He was recorded as 5' tall, with a Fair complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. He could read and write and his occupation was listed as Blacksmith. He is recorded as being born in Doncaster, York, Yorkshire.

Richard's son Benjamin's shipping record to Australia records that Richard was a Doctor. His daughter Eliza Nailor Gouldthorp's baptism record (1805), son Benjamin's baptism record (1808) and daughter Margaret's second marriage certificate (1845) records that he was a Veterinary Surgeon. He was, in fact, a Veterinary Surgeon with the 11th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, having joined this regiment on 10 September 1807. He may have been in the army in other units before that time which might explain why the family was a bit nomadic. He was recorded as a Veterinary Surgeon on the baptism Record for his daughter Eliza in November 1805 in Yorkshire. A newspaper entry dated 3 November 1809 - Doncaster, Nottingham, and Lincoln Gazette - reads as follows:

"MR. GOULDTHORP, Veterinary Surgeon, In H. M. Eleventh Regiment of Light Dragoons, MOST respectfully informs the Nobility and Gentry of Doncafter and its Neighbourhood, that Mr. SHEArdOWN and G. C. WAlkER will con tinue to fell the ANTISPASMODIC MIXtUrE, which is a certain cure for Cholic or Gripes in Horses, at 25. each Gtytle Likewise the well known and efficacious PILLS for the Distemper in Dogs. Price is. 4d. per Box, both with ample Directions."

This of course was the time of the Napoleonic Wars and the 11th Light Dragoons were right in the thick of things. Their movements explain why no more children were born after twins William and Margaret in September of 1811:

After a spell in Ireland the 11th were sent to Spain and Portugal to reinforce Wellington's army. Their strength, normally around 300 in peacetime was raised to 725. They arrived in June 1811 and, as in Egypt, they had a bad start. A dawn attack by the French in woods between Elvas and the Guadiana forced the 11th to retire on to what they thought were friendly Portugese lines. When they realised they were French, their commander Capt Lutyens ordered the charge. The shock tactic worked and they were able to drive their way through, but a second line of enemy troops was able to resist them. They lost 8 killed, 22 wounded and 77 taken prisoner.

The regiment had more success at El Bodon near Cuidad Rodrigo on 25th September. By this time they were commanded by Lt Col Cumming, a brave and efficient cavalry officer. A large force of French cavalry was threatening Allied infantry and artillery on the plain in front of the 11th and a squardon of the King's German Legion who were well placed on high ground. Although they were vastely outnumbered the 11th and KGL charged at the enemy again and again, 20 times in all.

The 11th were part of Wellington's great victory over Marmont at Salamanca on 22nd July 1812 but by 3rd April 1813 they had to give up their horses and embark for England much to the regret of Sir Stapleton Cotton who was in command of the cavalry in the Peninsula. It had been a hard two years for them having lost 417 men and 555 horses.

During their time in the Peninsula many changes had been made to the uniforms of the British Army. The Prince Regent had a keen eye for dress and with his newly acquired position of supreme power was determined to push through his ideas dased on continental military trends. The 11th exchanged it's light dragoon Tarleton helmet for a shako. The new jacket was still dark blue but had a buff plastron covering the chest, and white epaulettes, silver for officers.

Source: The British Empire Website http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishcavalry/11thltdragoons.htm
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The 11th Light Dragoons crossed the River Douro on September 6 and fought in the Battle of El Bodón on September 25. The Battle of El Bodón was a successful rearguard action fought on 25 September 1811 by elements of the Anglo-Portuguese army against waves of French cavalry, supported by a division of infantry of the French army. The regiment was outnumbered by the French, possibly by 10 to 1. The regiment charged the French attackers over 20 times and suffered 10 killed and 21 wounded. It is likely that Richard was present for this Battle. After the encounter the Duke of Wellington reported as follows:

The Commander of the Forces considers Major General Colville and Major General Alten, and the commanding officers of the regiments under their command respectively, viz. Lieutenant Colonel Cummins, 11th light dragoons, Lieutenant Colonel Arenschild, 1st Hussars, Lieutenant Colonel Broomhead, 77th regiment, Major Ridge, 5th regiment, and Colonel Bacellar, of the 21st Portuguese regiment, and the officers and soldiers under their command, to be entitled to his particular thanks, and he assures them, that he has not failed to report his sense of their conduct in the action of 25 September, to those by whom he trusts that it will be appreciated and recollected.
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According to The Historical Records of the Eleventh Hussars Prince Albert's Own [1908, British Army]
by Captain Godfrey Trevelyan Williams the 11th Light Dragoons were engaged in the Siege of Burgos, a city in central northern Spain, at the time of Richard's death. From pp137-138:

On September 5 the army returned from Madrid, and on the 6th once more passed the Douro, Clinton's Division and a squadron of the "Eleventh" forming the Advance Guard. An "Eleventh" squadron, whose ofhcers were Lieut.-Col. Sleigh, Captains Thomas Jenkins and Peter Latour, crossed the river near Boccillo, surprising and capturing a French piquet at Cisteringa near Valladolid, with a loss to themselves of one man killed, two men and six horses wounded.

Lieut.-Gen. Sir Thomas Picton, who saw the advance of the squadron trom the opposite hill, was pleased to say it was 'the quickest thing he ever saw cavalry do."

On the approach of the Division the French Army quitted their camp and retired into Valladolid. During the night Clausel withdrew his army from the town, and having crossed the Pisuerga, blew up the bridge, thence retiring along the right bank of the river while the English followed on the left bank. The track of the two armies now lay through the beautifully cultivated valleys of the Pisuerga and Arlanzan, the French general repeatedly offering battle in positions favourable to himself which were as often turned by his opponent. Occasional skirmishes took place.

On September 12 Anson's Brigade were at Torquemeda, the 11th and 16th finding the outposts. On this day the brigade were engaged with a strong body of French cavalry who formed the rearguard of their army. Tomkinson says of this encounter, ** The French were driven back, as the country being intersected with vineyards, cavalry can only act on a road, so our small force was equal to their large one."

On September 13 the advanced piquet of Anson's Brigade again had a sharp encounter at the Torquemeda, driving the French across the river. A piquet of the * Eleventh" under Lieutenant Price was on this occasion posted on the opposite side of the river where it was attacked in an open plain by a force three times its own number. Although without support it maintained its ground, beating off the enemy\emdash casualties, four men and five horses killed or wounded.

On September 19 the passage of the Arlanzan was forced, and on the following day the army commenced the siege of Burgos. From this date until October 20, the siege continued, many attempts being made to carry the castle by assault. During these operations Anson's Brigade took their share of outpost work, and we hear of the "Eleventh" at Villa Fria, Quintanapallia and Monestario, constant skirmishes relieving the tedium of their duty. On October 2, two men and horses of the regiment were captured near the piquet line.







Sadly, having left his wife at home, heavily pregnant with twins who would never meet their father, Richard Gouldthorp died on 26 September 1812 of liver disease, jaundice and dropsy. A British Army record reads as follows:

I do hereby certify that Mr Rich. Gouldthorp late Veterinary Surgeon of the 11th Dragoons was afflicted with Diseased Liver, Jaundice and Dropsy and which he stated to have arisen from great Fatigue and Privations on the execution of his Duty in Spain and which I verily believe. He died on 26th September and has left the Family as above described.

The record is signed by Thos ?? Harrison, Capn. Royl. Artillery and ?? Trevin Surgeon General Royl Art. It is dated Woolwich Oct 16 1812.
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  Noted events in his life were:

• He worked as a Farrier in the Royal Artillery at the time of Richard's birth in 1799 in Woolwich, Kent, England.

• He worked as a Veterinary Surgeon at the time of Eliza's baptism on 4 Feb 1806 in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.

• He worked as a Veterinary Surgeon at the time of Benjamin's birth on 30 Jan 1808 in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.

• He worked as a Veterinary Surgeon according to daughter Margaret's marriage certificate on 17 Mar 1845 in Woolwich, Kent, England.

• He worked as a Doctor of Medicine according to his son Benjamin's Death Certificate.

Richard married Ann Mackenzie on 25 Jun 1793 in St Mary Magdalene Parish, Woolwich, Kent, England. (Ann Mackenzie was born about 1773 in Kent, England, died on 28 Jul 1843 in Greenwich, Kent, England and was buried on 2 Aug 1843 in St Alphage, Greenwich, Kent, England.)