The O'Sullivan Family Tree

John Sylvester's occupation in the 1901 census was "Warrant Officer, Limerick City Garrison Artillery (Active Service)." He (49) was 19 years older than his wife, Monica (30). He was a member of the Church of England. Notable that Monica was born when her mother (Mary Sullivan Hynes) was 48 (unlikely). By 1903, approx, the family had moved to the Bristol area (as per 1911 Census). Three of the children were born there - Kathleen, John and William in Clevedon, Nailsea and Freshford, respectively. The family obviously moved a lot. By 1911 , they had moved to Chippenham in Wilts. By now, John was an "Army Pensioner". The two eldest (the twins), aged 15, were absent. Monica was working as a domestic in a convent in London (see her record). No record of Ellen (as of Mar 2013) TOS 2013.

John Sylvester was born 28th Jan 1852, at Gateford Road in Worksop, and christened at Worksop Priory on 28th March 1852. The son of Samuel Sylvester and Mary Stacey, he was 1 of 9, having 3 older brothers, a younger sister and 4 younger brothers. He referred to his occupation as Groom, when he enlisted at the age of 20, into the Royal Artillery on 20th September 1871, for 12 years. He served in India from 1874 to 1881, where he married Ellen Mc Tigue on 17 July 1878 at St George's in Agra. Army medical records show periods of ague caused by the Climate during this time. They had a daughter Mary Ellen in India, and returned to England in 1881, on the troop ship "Crocodile", which was full of military personnel and family members ( A 70 day journey, for up to 1200 troops). (Family Bible Birth dates records a Pollie born 11th August 1879, who was also in Canada? (Is this a family nickname for Mary Ellen, she was brought up by her grandmother and aunt ref censuses) In Sept 1883 he re-engaged in the army. At some time he was transferred to Limerick, and after some presumed marital discord (see Ellen Sylvester storyline) married Monica Mary Hynes on 6 Oct 1896 according to the military records, but 7th Aug 1895 accrding to marriage certifiate. (1st wife Ellen died in Canada in 1895) He was discharged from the army at the age of 50, but re-enlisted in 1914, at the age of 60 (according to the military records, but he would have been 63?), ("for a year, or if the war lasted longer, for the duration"). On joining the army his complexion was described as sallow, but at discharge it was described as ruddy (!). He was 5'11" tall. After being in the army, he worked as a water bailiff at Great Somerford estate, where he is included on the 1911 census. He is recorded as being an Army pensioner, married for 16 years, with 9 children born alive, and 8 still living (1 died). He died in 1931, having returned to Worksop 7 years earlier.