James Trask 1809 & Ann Denley 1816

 JAMES TRASK  born 17 August 1809 in lIlminster, Somerset &

ANN DENLEY  born c1816 Stonehouse, Devon

James Trask and Ann Denley are my 4x great grandparents, they are Eliza Martha Kehiah Trask's parents, Eliza married Samuel Mason.

James Trask was born on the 17th August 1809 in IIlminster, Somerset.  He was baptised on the 3rd Sep 1809 at Illminister by his parents, his father was called William Trask and his mother's first name is Joane. He was baptised under the Presbyterian faith.

Presbyterianism is a part of the reformed tradition within Protestantism which traces its origins to the British Isles, particularly Scotland. The Presbyterian church government was ensured in Scotland by the Acts of Union in 1707 which created the Kingdom of Great Britain. The roots of Presbyterianism lie in the Protestant reformation of the 16th century and most reformed churches can trace their history back to Scotland.

James married Ann Denley on the 24th February 1835 at Stoke Damerel, Devon where Ann lived. James is noted as being a Private in the Royal Marines. They married at Stoke Damerel,  a parish that was once part of the historical Devonport, this was Ann's residence at the time, the area is now just known as Stoke within the city of Plymouth. James is recorded as being on the HMS Dublin at this time.  HMS Dublin was  a wooden vessel with sail and 74 guns. She had a double deck, launched on 13th February 1812 at Rotherhithe. In 1826 Dublin was reduced to a 40-gun ship and she became the flagship of Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific fleet Admiral Sir Graham Hamond. The Navy sold Dublin on in 1885.

His wife Ann Denley was born around 1816 in Stonehouse, Devon in the Plymouth area. East Stonehouse was one of three towns that were amalgamated into the city of Plymouth.  On later records she is noted as just being born in Plymouth. James & Ann's first daughter was called Elizabeth Ann, she was born in 1839 at Stonehouse. James and Ann then had three further children, Eliza (my 3x great grandmother), Mary Jane and  then Frederick John James Trask.

Ann appears to be in and out of trouble with the law throughout her life. She appears several times in the Devon courts for petty theft. She always appears with her accomplice Elizabeth Ann Trask, her daughter. The first date they both appear is in a trial on the 2nd July 1853. They appear before the courts charged with misdemeanour receiving goods under false pretences, Ann received a sentence of 12  Months imprisonment and her daughter received 6 Months. Frederick John James Trask was actually born in Plymouth Prison on the 26th December 1853. She is back in court in 1854 for larceny and noted in the England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892. The trial was on the 23rd October 1854, this time she is acquitted but her daughter Elizabeth got 2 Months hard labour. Larceny is the theft of property, this was replaced in English law as a statutory crime by theft in 1968.

The next year they are both once again found in the criminal registers. The trial was on the  22nd October 1855. Ann was accused of Larceny and her daughter Elizabeth was accused of Larceny after a previous conviction. Both were acquitted this time.

James is recorded as being on the HMS Hibernia in 1845.  HMS Hibernia  was launched on the 17th November 1804, a wooden vessel with sail and 110 guns. She was classed as first rate and weighed 2530 tons. She was the flagship of the British Mediterranean Fleet from 1816 until 1855, based at Malta and stationed in the Grand Harbour. She remained in this role until she was sold in 1902.

On the 1851 Census James is noted as being in the Royal Navy and he is listed as being a Marine on the HMS Ship Prince Regent. She was  a first rate three decker launched  in 1823 from Chatham Dockyard,  she carried 830 men and had up to 120 guns.  In 1851 the ship was commanded by William Fanshawe Martin R.N., the eldest son of Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Thomas Byam Martin. On 11th August 1853, shortly after the occupation of the Danubian Principalities by the Russians, Queen Victoria conducted a review of a Royal Navy fleet at Portsmouth, the Prince Regent took a major part in the review along with the Flagship Victory and then served in the first Baltic campaign in 1854 . She was converted with a screw propeller in 1861 and was eventually broken up  in 1873.

The Royal Marine infantry uniform of the Georgian period were red because that was the cheapest coloured cloth at the time, not because of the rumour that it masked the colour of blood. The Red and Blue Marines, the light infantry and artillery were nicknamed because of the colour of their uniforms. The blue was adopted for the artillery in 1805 because it was easier to maintain in the dirty environment of working the ships’ guns. You can see a picture at the top of the page of a Private Of The Royal Marines Light Infantry, around 1865.

In 1861 James is away at sea on the ship Barracouta,  on the night of the census they are just off St Pierre, Martinique. MS Barracouta was the last paddle sloop built for the Royal Navy and was built at Pembroke Dockyard and launched on the 31st March 1851. She served in the Pacific theatre of the Crimean War, in the Second Opium War and in the Anglo-Ashanti wars. On the 28th May 1860 it was commanded by Commander William Wood and the ship sailed to North America and West Indies. William Wood is the Commander when James Trask is on board in 1861 and he is now working as the gunroom cook.

In 1871 he is now pensioned off from the Royal Navy, he is listed as a Greenwich Out Pensioner, the famous institution for retired seaman. They are living in the sub deanery of Chichester and the Census records James is now deaf.

The standard image of Greenwich Pensioners is of peg-legged veterans from the time of Nelson, in blue frock coats and tricorn hats, telling tales of the old wars amid ale tankards and the smoke of their long 'chalks' (clay pipes).  Just as Chelsea Hospital was instituted for soldiers who had been injured or grown old in the service of the crown, Greenwich Hospital was built for retiring seamen, originally built in 1695. The pensioners originally wore a uniform of dark grey with a blue lining and brass buttons, the colour of the uniforms changed to brown and then blue. Families of pensioners were not allowed to live with them in the hospital so many lived in the local area such as James and Ann. By the 19th century it was found preferable to pay subsidy to people as out pensions and in 1869 the hospital closed.  James died in Chichester in 1872 with his wife Ann at his side.

After James dies Ann moved back to the South coast, in 1881 she is noted as a widow and living back at Portsea with her daughter and grandchildren. By 1891 she is joined by her great grandchild John Kirk. Ann contracted cancer and died at home at 8 Spring Garden View, Landport in 1894 .

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JAMES TRASK  born 17 August 1809 in lIlminster, Somerset

Baptism. 03 Sep 1809 Illminister, Somerset

               born - 17 Aug 1809

               Father - Wm Trask

               Mother - Joane

               Denomination - Presbyterian

Marriage. 24 Feb 1835.  James Trask - Private in the Royal Marines

                to Ann Denley

                Residence - Stoke Damerel, Devon

                Married at Stoke Damerel, Devon

PRO ADM 27/42/64D Folios 178-179 HMS Dublin - James Trask.

                 Pay book No ML32. Rank Private Royal Marine. 3rd class

                 Relation Wife Ann. Year 1835.

PRO ADM 27/92/2G Folios 31-32 HMS Hibernia- James Trask.

                 Pay book No ML2. Rank Private Royal Marine. 1st class

                 Relation Wife Ann. Year 1845.

Census 1851.   James Trask  Age 40 - Marine HMS Prince Regent

                Born - Born Ilminster, Somerset

                Address - Wiggs Court

                Parish - Portsea

                District of Portsmouth

                Living with Wife Ann Trask (35) - Laundress.

                Born Stonehouse, Devon

                Daughters Elizabeth Ann Trask (12) - Scholar. 

                Born Stonehouse, Devon

                Eliza M. C.Trask (7) - Scholar.  

                Born  Born Stonehouse, Devon              

                Mary Jane Trask (1 month).  Born Portsea, Hants.

PRO ADM 29/49/29 James Trask. Age on entry - 40.

                Served - 2 Feb 1852 - 31 Jan 1866.

 Census 1861 - James Trask  Age 51 - Gunroom Cook 

                Born - Born Ilminster, Somerset.

                Address - HMS Ship Barracouta. 

                Night of Sunday April 7th 1861

                Off St Pierre Martinique

                Living with Various -

                Including William Wood - Commander of the Ship.

Census 1871.   James Trask Age 57 - Greenwich Out Pensioner. Deaf.

                Born -  Illminster, Somerset

                Address - Subdeanery of Chichester.

                Ward - Cathedral

                Parish - Chichester.

                Living with Wife Ann Trask (57) - Greenwich Out Pensioner.

                Born - Plymouth, Devon

James Trask  Died 2nd March 1872 Aged 64.

               Registration District : Chichester.

               Sub-District : Chichester.

               Where : High Street, Chichester.

               Occupation : Greenwich Pensioner.

               Cause :   Celebral Hemorrhage 1 Hour. (heart attack) Certified.

               Informant : the mark of Ann Trask 

               present at the death High Street Chichester.

               Registered : 10th March 1872.

               Registrar : William Hills.

Children of JAMES TRASK and ANN DENLEY are:

    i.     ELIZABETH ANN TRASK

           b 12 Mar 1839, Stonehouse, Devon

           m 19 Dec 1864 to John Woodeley Ware. 

           Portsea Island, Hampshire

    ii.    DAVID EMMANUEL JAMES TRASK

           b  Jan-Mar 1841 Stonehouse, Devon

           d 1 Sep 1842 East Stonehouse, Devon

    iii.   ELIZA MARTHA KEZIAH TRASK

           b 14th March 1844  Stonehouse, Devon

           m  03 Sep 1871 to Samuel Mason

           All Saints Church, Portsea, Hampshire

           d 30 Jul 1904, 16 Spring Garden View, Church Path,

           Landport, Hampshire

    iv.    MARY JANE TRASK

            b 12 Mar 1851, Portsea, Hampshire

            m 16 Oct 1870 to John Eldridge

            St Peter the Great, Chichester, Sussex

            d Jun 1920 Portsmouth, Hampshire

     v.    FREDERICK JOHN JAMES TRASK

            b 26 Dec 1853, Plymouth Borough Prison, Devon

            d 27 Oct 1909, Chichester, Sussex

            bur 1 Nov 1909, Chichester, Sussex

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ANN DENLEY  born c1816 Stonehouse, Devon in the Plymouth area.

Marriage.24 Feb 1835.  James Trask - Private in the Royal Marines

               to Ann Denley

               Residence - Stoke Damerel, Devon

               Married at Stoke Damerel, Devon

Daughter Eliza Keziah Trask born 14th March 1844 East Stonehouse. 

               County of Devon.

               Informed by Ann Trask. Mother. Fore Street. East Stonehouse.

               Father - James Trask.  Occ - Private Royal Marine.

               Mother - Ann Trask formerly Denley.

Census 1851.   Ann Trask. Age 35 - Laundress.

                Born -  Stonehouse, Devon.

                Address - Wiggs Court.

                Civil Parish - Portsea.

                District of Portsmouth.

                Living with Husband James Trask - Age 40

                Marine HMS Ship Prince Regent.  Born Ilminster, Somerset.

                Daughters Eliza M. C.Trask(7) - Scholar. 

                Born Stonehouse, Devon.

                Elizabeth Ann(12) - Scholar.  Born Stonehouse, Devon 

                & Mary Jane(1 month).  Born Portsea, Hants.

Census 1861.  Ann Trask. Age 46 - Charwoman.

                Born - Born Plymouth, Devon.

                Address - Duke Street.

                Civil Parish - Stoke Damerol.

                District of Devonport.

                Living with Daughters Eliza Trask(17) - Domestic Servant.  

                Born Stonehouse, Devon.

                Mary Jane(8). Born Portsmouth, Hants

                Son John(7). Born Plymouth, Devon.

Census 1871.   Ann Trask. Age 57 - Greenwich Out Pensioner.

                Born -  Plymouth, Devonshire.

                Address - Subdeanery of Chichester.

                Ward - Cathedral

                Civil Parish - Chichester.

                Living with Husband James Trask(57) 

                Greenwich Out Pensioner. Deaf.

Census 1881.  Ann Trask. Aged 65 -  Widow.

                Born - Plymouth, Devon.

                Address - 8 Pimlico Street, Upper Church Path.

                Civil Parish - Portsea.

                District of Portsmouth.

                Living with Daughter Eliza Mason(36) (Head) 

                Charwoman &  Widow. 

                Born Stonehouse, Devon.

                Eliza's Daughters - Charlotte(15) 

                Needleworker. Born Portsea, Hants.

                & Emma(12) - Scholar. Born Portsea, Hants.

                Eliza's Son Samuel (9) - Scholar. Born Portsea, Hants.

Census 1891.  Ann Trask. Aged 78 - Widow.

                Born - Plymouth.

                Address -  8 Spring Garden View.

                Civil Parish: Portsea, Hampshire

                District of Portsmouth.    

                Living with  Daughter Eliza Mason(47) (Head) 

                Charwoman & Widow. 

                Born - Plymouth.

                Eliza's Son Samuel(20) - Painter. Born Portsmouth, Hants.

                Eliza's Grandson John Kirk(5) -  Born Leicestershire.

Ann Trask Died 11th August 1894.

               Registration District : Portsea Island.

               Sub-District : Landport.

               Where : 8 Spring Garden View Landport.

               Occupation : Widow of James Trask Pensioner R N

               Cause :   Carcinoma Rectum

               Informant : The mark of Eliza Mason Daughter.

               Present at the death 8 Spring Garden View Landport

               Registered : 13th August 1894

Children of JAMES TRASK and ANN DENLEY are:

    i.     ELIZABETH ANN TRASK

           b 12 Mar 1839, Stonehouse, Devon

           m 19 Dec 1864 to John Woodeley Ware. 

           Portsea Island, Hampshire

    ii.    DAVID EMMANUEL JAMES TRASK

           b Jan-Mar 1841 Stonehouse, Devon

           d 1 Sep 1842 East Stonehouse, Devon

    iii.   ELIZA MARTHA KEZIAH TRASK

           b 14th March 1844  Stonehouse, Devon

           m  03 Sep 1871 to Samuel Mason

           All Saints Church, Portsea, Hampshire

           d 30 Jul 1904, 16 Spring Garden View, Church Path,

           Landport, Hampshire

    iv.    MARY JANE TRASK

            b 12 Mar 1851, Portsea, Hampshire

            m 16 Oct 1870 to John Eldridge

            St Peter the Great, Chichester, Sussex

            d  Jun 1920 Portsmouth, Hampshire

     v.    FREDERICK JOHN JAMES TRASK

            b 26 Dec 1853, Plymouth Borough Prison, Devon

            d 27 Oct 1909, Chichester, Sussex

            bur 1 Nov 1909, Chichester, Sussex

Go to associated images - James Trask (1809) & Ann Denley (1816)

Go to James & Ann's Daughter- Samuel Mason (1847) & Eliza Trask (1844)

Go back to the Kirk Family Tree Page