The Bowles of Canada and their Roots in Ireland and England 

Back to Michael Bowles of Ballickmoyler

Further Research Needed

How the connection between Michael Bowles, an Irish carpenter, and his Commanding Officer, the 3rd Earl of Harrington, ever developed is quite the mystery but Michael's transfers from regiment to regiment to regiment did correspond exactly with Harrington's commands and he was the only soldier in Harrington's commands to do so.

The most likely sources of information which might help with this puzzle are:

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, London

Held by: The National Archives, Kew
 
Reference: WO 1/616
Description: (I) War Office - In Letters, (2) Gov't. Departments, (b.) Commander-in-Chief
Date: 1778-1780
p. 205, 209, 211, 225, 229, 233
Letters to the Commander in Chief regarding the formation and establishment of the 85th Foot under the Earl of Harrington
 
Reference: WO 4/106
Description: (4) War Office: Secretary-at-War - Out Letters, (616) Deserters
Date: 1796
p. 305-310, 313, 314, 320, 321, 409, 487
Letters from the Secretary-at-War regarding the desertion problem in the 85th Foot under the Earl of Harrington while based in Jamaica   (note: incorrect catalogue entry and not relevant to - in 1796 this was a different 85th Foot, Harrington's was disbanded in 1783 and a new 85th Foot was formed in 1793 under Sir George Nugent's command)
 
Reference: WO 26/30
Description: War Office - (26) General Records - War Office: Entry Book of Warrants, Regulations and Precedents (30) untitled
Date: 1778-1781
p. 118
Harrington and the 85th is mentioned but I don't know in what context.
 
Reference: WO 34/160
Description: War Office - Letters to the Commander in Chief at Home, Comments on difficulties in raising troops; letters indicate general feeling of unrest at home
Date: 1780
p. 1
Not likely helpful but there is some reference to the 85th on that page
 
Reference: WO 34/230
Description: War Office - Letters from the Commander in Chief to government officials, military officers in the United Kingdom regarding - military affairs, commission, recommendations, etc; two letters to Sir Henry Clinton re promotions, commissions, etc. chiefly letters to military officers serving in United Kingdom and Maj.Gen. Grant at West Indies, etc.
Date: 1779
p. 269
Not likely helpful but there is some reference to the 85th on that page
 
Reference: CO 5/262
Description: Colonial Office - (5) Board of Trade and Secretaries of State: America and West Indies, Original Correspondence - (262) Letters to War Office and Ordnance Office
Date: 1781-82
p. 40
A letter from Harrington regarding the drafting of the privates from the 85th into the 60th, 79th and 99th regiments in Jamaica in 1782
 
Reference: WO 1/52
Description: War Office - (1) War Office and Predecessors, In Letters from Military Commanders (52) c. West Indies
Date: 1781-83
p. 545
Likely a letter from Harrington to the War Office regarding the bad discipline in Jamaica in 1781
 
Reference: WO 4/121
Description: War Office - (4) Secretary at War - Out Letters (121)  General Letters
Date: 1783
p. 310
Regarding the disbandment of the 85th Foot, one page so not much detail expected
 
Reference: WO 26/31
Description: War Office - (26) Entry Book of Warrants, Regulations and Precedents (31) untitled
Date: 1783
p. 388
Probably the official disbandment of the 85th Foot, one page so not much detail expected
 

The Derbyshire Record Office

Held at the Derbyshire Record Office
 
Reference: GB 026 D664M Stanhope of Elvaston (D664M/F1-F52) Family Papers
 
Reference: GB 026 D518 Stanhope of Elvaston, Earls of Harrington
(mostly title deeds and estate papers but there are family papers in D518M/F1-53 which might include some clue)

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This page was last updated 10/18/18