Letter - John Tilsed to Sub-Commissioners of Pilotage, Poole, 1858
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During my recent visit to Poole History Centre, I found an unsourced photocopy version of a letter from my 4g-grandfather, John Tilsed (1785-1862), to the Sub-Commissioners of Pilotage for the Port of Poole.
Poole was one of the Outports which came under the authority of Trinity House in 1809, and John, along with his father (also John), was one of the pilots licensed and appointed in the first year of the new arrangements. In practice, the pilots were generally selected and recommended to Trinity House by the Sub-Commissioners, who were local men of a certain status who had plenty of experience in shipping and the use of the Harbour. Trinity House would either accept the recommendation, reject it, or ask for more particulars of the man's experience and suitability before issuing the licence.
The photocopy letter was donated to Poole History Centre by the late Mrs Edna Tucker née Tilsed, herself a 2g-granddaughter of John Tilsed. I hope I'm not infringing anyone's copyright by posting this, but in addition to confirmation of the date John Tilsed retired as a Pilot, which is interesting enough in itself, the letter also contains a genealogical jewel - confirmation of something I have long suspected but have until now been unable to prove(*).
Text of the letter:
To the Sub-Commissioners of Pilots
Port of Poole
9 July 1858
Gentleman (sic)
Having tendered my resignation as a Pilot of this Port (wich situation I have held now 49 years) and my Son John Thomas Tilsed having applied for the same - I take the liberty of stating on account of his never having been apprenticed, that he was engaged with me in my ocupation upwards of 11 years and at different times subsequently, and other Pilots have been appointed who have never served their apprenticeship. He is perfectly acquainted with every part of the Harbour and would prove (should you think fit to appoint him) an efficient Pilot.
My Father and Grandfather before me held the same situation and I humbly beg the favour and honour of seeing my Son appointed in my stead.
I am, Gentleman,
Your most Obedient Servant
John Tilsed Pilot
(*) I have known for some time that there was a William Tilsed acting as a Pilot in Poole in 1770 (ADM 106/1188/365, National Archives). I was also aware that this John Tilsed's father, the Pilot John Tilsed senior (1758-1833), had a father named William, but couldn't find any way to prove he was the 1770 Pilot.
On the same visit to PHC I discovered records of a William Tilsed serving as a Juror at the Admiralty Court in Poole, where he made his mark rather than signing. This, and the final sentence of the letter above, together with the fact that William the father of John Tilsed senior made his mark at both of his marriages, confirms that "William the Pilot" was my 6g-grandfather.
Return to Identifying Various Tilseds in Poole and Surrounding Areas
Return to Home Page
Return to Home Page
Return to Identifying Various Tilseds in Poole and Surrounding Areas
During my recent visit to Poole History Centre, I found an unsourced photocopy version of a letter from my 4g-grandfather, John Tilsed (1785-1862), to the Sub-Commissioners of Pilotage for the Port of Poole.
Poole was one of the Outports which came under the authority of Trinity House in 1809, and John, along with his father (also John), was one of the pilots licensed and appointed in the first year of the new arrangements. In practice, the pilots were generally selected and recommended to Trinity House by the Sub-Commissioners, who were local men of a certain status who had plenty of experience in shipping and the use of the Harbour. Trinity House would either accept the recommendation, reject it, or ask for more particulars of the man's experience and suitability before issuing the licence.
The photocopy letter was donated to Poole History Centre by the late Mrs Edna Tucker née Tilsed, herself a 2g-granddaughter of John Tilsed. I hope I'm not infringing anyone's copyright by posting this, but in addition to confirmation of the date John Tilsed retired as a Pilot, which is interesting enough in itself, the letter also contains a genealogical jewel - confirmation of something I have long suspected but have until now been unable to prove(*).
Text of the letter:
To the Sub-Commissioners of Pilots
Port of Poole
9 July 1858
Gentleman (sic)
Having tendered my resignation as a Pilot of this Port (wich situation I have held now 49 years) and my Son John Thomas Tilsed having applied for the same - I take the liberty of stating on account of his never having been apprenticed, that he was engaged with me in my ocupation upwards of 11 years and at different times subsequently, and other Pilots have been appointed who have never served their apprenticeship. He is perfectly acquainted with every part of the Harbour and would prove (should you think fit to appoint him) an efficient Pilot.
My Father and Grandfather before me held the same situation and I humbly beg the favour and honour of seeing my Son appointed in my stead.
I am, Gentleman,
Your most Obedient Servant
John Tilsed Pilot
(*) I have known for some time that there was a William Tilsed acting as a Pilot in Poole in 1770 (ADM 106/1188/365, National Archives). I was also aware that this John Tilsed's father, the Pilot John Tilsed senior (1758-1833), had a father named William, but couldn't find any way to prove he was the 1770 Pilot.
On the same visit to PHC I discovered records of a William Tilsed serving as a Juror at the Admiralty Court in Poole, where he made his mark rather than signing. This, and the final sentence of the letter above, together with the fact that William the father of John Tilsed senior made his mark at both of his marriages, confirms that "William the Pilot" was my 6g-grandfather.
Return to Identifying Various Tilseds in Poole and Surrounding Areas
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