John Carson

John was born in Co. Longford on or around 17 March 1805, and prior to his enlistment was a labourer. 

John joined the 65th Regiment of Foot in Newtownforbes as a private on the 6 June 1824. He served at home and overseas in a number of areas and campaigns with that regiment, including the West Indies (likely Guyana and Granada) for eight years and North America for 2.5 years. In 1836, when John was serving in Granada, he married Laois-born Eliza Wynne, with whom he had ten children, but only five of whom survived well into adulthood. By 1838 the family was stationed in Canada, and John bought property in the Augusta Township, Grenville County in Ontario.

John remained with the regiment until 7 June 1845, when he was discharged on health grounds in Dublin. The family returned to Canada, likely via New York, shortly thereafter and settled in Ontario, building a house called Charleville, which still stands today. Interestingly, John kept a diary during his military service, a copy of which is in the Grenville Historical Society and in the museum in Fort Wellington, Prescott, along with his dress uniform; it is believed that he wore this uniform at the commemoration of the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. 

 Eliza died in 1874 and towards the end of his life, John was living with his son, also named John as evidenced by the 1881 Census. John died on the 11 October 1883 and is buried with his family.

Link to Find a Grave entry; link to Wikitree entry; Augusta Library entry on the Carson Family, link to 1851 Census of Canada entry; link to 1861 Census of Canada; Link to 1871 Census of Canada entry; link to discharge in 1845 (Fold3.com, subscription only)