William Nesbitt (abt. 1814 - aft. 1866)

Descendants

Died after 11 Sep 1866 after about age 52 in India

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Biography

Estimated birth date.

Married no record has been found but Eliza is named in their children's baptism records.

He married Elizabeth/Eliza before 1838

The early leadership of the Marine Band consisted of a Drum Major and a Fife Major. The Drum Major was considered the Leader of the Marine Band and the Fife Major's responsibility was to train the fifers. A drum major in the military is the individual leading a military band or a field unit (corps of drums, fanfare band, pipe band or drum and bugle corps). It is an appointment, not a military rank. William was a Drum Major in the 6th Regiment. Part of the East India Company's Bengal Army, the 6th Bengal Native Infantry was renumbered in 1824 but its origins went back to 1763 with the raising of a 13th Battalion. In 1857, like many Bengal Army units, the regiment mutinied, killing many of their European officers at Allahabad.

We find William Nesbitt, drum major, mentioned in a report about the mutiny on the 8th of June. 1857 - In the morning, (about 8 or 9 o'clock), Peters, his wife, myself, Alexander Bross, Yates, and his family, all of the 6th Regiment, with Jordan, a pensioner, left; and passing through the village near Mr Lowther's house, we were joined by William Nesbitt, drum major; (nothing more is said about William other than they met him as he had children after 1858 he survived the mutiny)^[1]

Later he was Drum Major with HM European Invalid Battalion

His will begins In the Name of God Amen I William Nesbitt Drum Major in Her Majestys European Invalid Battalion residing at Chunar being of Sound mind and and body and of perfect memory thanks be given unto God therefore Calling unto mind the mortality of the body knows that it is appointed for all once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to day first and principally of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body I recommend to the earth and to be buried in a decent Christian burial nothing doubting that at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the almighty power of our Blessed Redeemer and as touching worldly estates where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same on the following manner After payment of all my just debts funeral expense I will and bequeath all my household property that I may be possessed of together with all pay arrears of pay clothing and every other claims that may be due to me from Government to my beloved wife Elizabeth Nesbitt for her sole use and all money cash that may be in my possession on my demise to be equally divided by me executor between my beloved wife Elizabeth Nesbitt and my beloved mother Mary Nesbitt. ^[2]

I also will that my share of deposit of 1000 in the Govt savings bank to be divided 500 to my Beloved wife Elizabeth Nesbitt,and 500 to my beloved mother Mary Nesbitt for their sole and absolute use

Statement of Deposits Non-commissioned officers - William Nesbitt Drum Major Europ In Bn died 11 Sep testate Widow Mrs Elizabeth Nesbitt children W Letitia, Diana and Charles.^[3]

Children

• George Birth 29 Aug 1838 Cuttack son of William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza ^[4] Baptism 11 Nov 1838 Cuttack son of William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza ^[5]
• Juliane Birth 18 Oct 1840 Bareilly William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza^[6] Baptism 8 Jan 1841 Bareilly ^[7]
• Emilia Martha Nesbitt Amelia Martha, daughter of William Nesbitt & Eliza, was born on 9 Oct 1843 and baptised on 24 Dec 1843 in Bareilly, Bengal, India.^[8] Emilia Martha (age 5) was buried on 27 Feb 1849 in Nesseerabad, Bengal, India.^[9]
• Eliza Caroline Wilson (nee Nesbit) born 5 Sep 1845 Bareilly daughter of William Nesbitt, Fife-Maj., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza ^[10] Baptism 9 Nov 1845 Bareilly Presidency of Bengal ^[11] Eliza Caroline, daughter of William Nesbitt, married Albert Charles Edwin D'Roza on 6 Jan 1868 in Benares, Bengal, India. ^[12] Eliza Caroline (age 39) was buried on 5 Nov 1884 in Semastipore Bengal India.^[13]
• Letitia Winifred Nesbitt Letitia Winifred, daughter of William Nesbitt & Eliza, was born on 3 May 1858 and baptised on 24 May 1858 in Allahabad, Bengal, India.^[14] Letitia Winnifred (age 19) was buried on 26 Mar 1878 in Agra, Bengal, India.^[15]
• Dinah Olivia Nesbitt born ca1860 Dinah Olivia (age 17), daughter of William Nesbitt, married Harry Robert Heath Dolby on 21 Sep 1877 in Agra, Bengal, India.^[16] Dinah Olivia (age 21) was buried on 28 May 1882 in Roorkee, Bengal, India.^[17]
• Charles Halford Nesbitt son of William Nesbitt & Eliza, was born on 3 Jun 1863 and baptised on 3 Jul 1863 in Chunar, Bengal, India.^[18]

History 6th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry

• 1763 raised as 13th Battalion
• 1764 ranked as 4th Battalion under Captain Campbell
• 1765 posted to the 1st Brigade
• 1767 named the Gowan Battalion after Captain Clotworthy Gowan
• 1775 renumbered the 3rd Battalion of Bengal Native Infantry
• 1781 became the 1st Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
• 1784 became the 3rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
• 1786 became the 3rd Battalion of Bengal Native Infantry
• 1796 became the 1st Battalion 3rd Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
• 1824 became the 6th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
• 1857 mutinied at Allahabad 6 June

Sources

1. ↑ EUROPEANS WHO SIDED WITH THE MUTINEERS IN INDIA 1857-9: THE CHRISTIAN BANDSMEN OF THE NATIVE INFANTRY REGIMENTS John Fraser Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research Vol. 79, No. 318 (Summer 2001), pp. 119-130 (12 pages) Published By: Society for Army Historical Research page 4
2. ↑ William died on 11 Sep 1866 and his estate passed probate in 1866 in Great Britain. Probate: "British India Office Wills & Probate"
   Reference: L-AG-34-40-42
   
   William Nesbitt probate in 1866 in Great Britain. Died 11 Sep 1866.
3. ↑ The probate Statement of Deposits Non-commissioned officers men will book 23 Nov 66
4. ↑ George Birth 29 Aug 1838 Cuttack Presidency of Bengal George Nesbitt son of William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza Baptism Reference British Library India Office Records N/1/50 f.172
5. ↑ Baptism 11 Nov 1838 Cuttack Presidency of Bengal George Nesbitt son of William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza Reference British Library India Office Records N/1/50 f.172
6. ↑ Birth 18 Oct 1840 Bareilly Presidency of Bengal Juliana Nesbitt daughter of William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza Baptism Reference British Library India Office Records N/1/60 f.168
7. ↑ Baptism 8 Jan 1841 Bareilly Presidency of Bengal Juliana Nesbitt daughter of William Nesbitt, Drm., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza Reference British Library India Office Records N/1/60 f.168
8. ↑ Baptism: "India, Select Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947"
   Original data: India, Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 498981
   
   Amelia Martha Nesbitt baptism on 24 Dec 1843 (born 9 Oct 1843), daughter of William Nesbitt & Eliza, in Bareilly, Bengal, India.
9. ↑ Burial: "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948"
   Original data: India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 498987
   
   Emilia Martha Nesbitt burial (died on 27 Feb 1849 at age 5) on 27 Feb 1849 in Nesseerabad, Bengal, India.
10. ↑ Eliza Cardive probably same as Eliza Caroline Birth 5 Sep 1845 Bareilly Presidency of Bengal Eliza Cardive Nesbitt daughter of William Nesbitt, Fife-Maj., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza Baptism Reference British Library India Office Records N/1/68 f.183
11. ↑ Eliza Cardive probably same as Eliza Caroline Baptism 9 Nov 1845 Bareilly Presidency of Bengal Eliza Cardive Nesbitt daughter of William Nesbitt, Fife-Maj., 6th Native Infantry and Eliza Reference British Library India Office Records N/1/68 f.183
12. ↑ Marriage: "India, Select Marriages, 1792-1948"
    Original data: India, Marriages, 1792-1948. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 499029
    
    Eliza Caroline Wilson, daughter of William Nesbitt, marriage to Albert Charles Edwin D'Roza on 6 Jan 1868 in Benares, Bengal, India.
13. ↑ Burial: "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948"
    Original data: India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 510874
    
    Eliza Caroline Derose burial (died on 5 Nov 1884 at age 39) on 5 Nov 1884 in Semastipore Bengal India.
14. ↑ Baptism: "India, Select Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947"
    Original data: India, Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 498996
    
    Letitia Winifred Nesbitt baptism on 24 May 1858 (born 3 May 1858), daughter of William Nesbitt & Eliza, in Allahabad, Bengal, India.
15. ↑ Burial: "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948"
    Original data: India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 510855
    
    Letitia Winnifred Nesbitt singel burial (died on 26 Mar 1878 at age 19) on 26 Mar 1878 in Agra, Bengal, India.
16. ↑ Marriage: "India, Select Marriages, 1792-1948"
    Original data: India, Marriages, 1792-1948. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 510853
    
    Dinah Olivia Nesbitt (17), daughter of William Nesbitt, marriage to Harry Robert Heath Dolby on 21 Sep 1877 in Agra, Bengal, India.
17. ↑ Burial: "India, Select Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948"
    Original data: India Deaths and Burials, 1719-1948. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 510867
    
    Dinah Olivia Dalby burial (died on 28 May 1882 at age 21) on 28 May 1882 in Roorkee, Bengal, India.
18. ↑ Baptism: "India, Select Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947"
    Original data: India, Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013; FHL Film Number: 499011
    
    Charles Nesbitt baptism on 3 Jul 1863 (born 3 Jun 1863), son of William Nesbitt & Eliza, in Chunar, Bengal, India.