Biographical notes

Daniel was another occupant of Content Street in Wallacetown where so many of his brothers and sister also settled. We know a great deal about Daniel from his Army Discharge Papers, which were archived as a consequence of his discharge through a disability, entitling him to a Chelsea Pension.

The St Quivox Parish Registers record his birth on the 19 August 1808. He enlisted as Private No. 719 in the 91 Regiment of Foot at Glasgow on the 4 March 1831, supposedly at the age of 21 although his actual age was 23. His civilian occupation was given as that of Hatter, and he was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His army service included tours of duty at St. Helena from 26 February to 3 July 1839, Cape of Good Hope for a duration of 8 years and 10 months, serving in the Kaffir War of 1846-1847.

He was not a model soldier and was brought before a Regimental Court Martial and imprisoned from the 11 February 1832 for 14 days for an unspecified offence. He was granted an Honourable Distinction in 1851 but was deprived of this at a second Court Martial on the 30 April 1852 for 'being Drunk when on the Line of March between Lurgan and Armagh'. As well as being stripped of his Honorable Distinction, he was sentenced to 42 days imprisonment, the first 14 of which were solitary, and part of his pay stopped for 30 days. In actuality he gained 22 days remittance in consideration of long service and previous good character.

There are further extracts from the Defaulter's book which list the crimes and punishments inflicted:

quote : 9 July 1841, Drunk and absent from a funeral party, One week to Barracks and Drill

quote : 24 July 1845, Drunk and absent from Morning Parade, 3 Days Pack Drill

quote : 6 August 1845, Drunk at 2 'o' clock Drill, 3 Days Pack Drill

quote : 10 October 1845, Drunk in Barracks when required for Guard, 1 extra Guard and 3 Days Pack Drill

quote : 11 October 1845, Drunk and absent from the Taps at 8 'o' Clock, 3 Days Dry Room

quote : 1 August 1848, Absent from Tattoo and not returning till 7 am 20th instant, 1 Days Pay Stopped

quote : 28 March 1849, Absent from Tattoo till 8 1/2 am 29th instant, 1 Days Pay and 4 Days Pack Drill

quote : 26 December 1849, Absent from Tattoo til 7 1/2 am 28th instant, 1 Days Pay stopped, 6 days Confined to Barracks.

In 1852 it became apparent that Daniel was unfit for further service and the short medical report makes interesting reading:

quote : Private No 719 Daniel Pettigrew 1 Batt. 91 Regt. is unfit for further service from chronic rheumatism, this caused partly by length of service - partly by exposure to climate during active service in Southern Africa - not, as far as I am aware, aggravated by intemperance or other vices.

He was discharged on 28 June 1852 after serving 21 years and 80 days. His age was given as 41 although in fact he was aged 44.

A search of the 1851 Census records show him as a Private in the 91st Regiment, born in Ayr, Ayrshire with a given age of 41 (his actual age was 43), stationed in Barracks at Everton, Lancashire.

All other information comes from his death certificate recording his death from Tuberculosis on the 2 October 1858. He had returned to his roots in Ayr. His occupation is given as a Carpet Weaver Journeyman which he must have taken up after leaving the Army. He was still unmarried, living in Content Street amongst other members of the Pettigrew Family. His mother's maiden name is given as Elizabeth Downie and that of his Father John Pettigrew so there is no doubt as to his identity. His brother Archibald notified the death. Again there is an age discrepancy between his recorded age of 58 and his actual age of 50.