Reilly Family History

Amos Godsill Robert Norcott

 

Summary

born: 3 August 1777 in Westminster, London, England
baptised: 17 Aug 1777 in St. Anne's Church, Soho, Westminster, ENG
parents: Amos Norcott and Henrietta Gordon
married: Elizabeth Noble on 14 Nov 1801 in St. John's Church, Wakefield, Yorkshire, ENG
wife: Elizabeth Noble, b. abt 1777 in Yorkshire, d. 1858 in Clifton, Gloucestershire, ENG
died: 8 January 1838 in Marlborough House, Cork, County Cork, Ireland aged 60
Buried: St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork

His Children

Details

Sir Amos Godsill Norcott* is the child of Amos Norcott and Henrietta Gordon. Amos was born on the 3rd of August 1777 in London and was christened in the Church of England on the 17th of August at St. Anne's Church, Soho, Westminster, London (from IGI, Parish registers, 1762 - 1782 Church of England. St. Anne's Church (Soho, Westminster)). He is listed as 'of Hornsey' which is near London, in a biography of one of his daughter's husband.

One record has Amos married in about 1786 in Hornsey, London, to Eliza. Also recorded married Elizabeth Noble on 14 November 1801. His wife Eliza died at Clifton on the 5th of June 1843. (ref: The Gentleman's Magazine, 1843, p106).

His home was "Marybro Park" (also called "Marlborough House", Marysboro, in some sources) as was listed in details about his son Charles, who went back there just prior to his death.

Amos was a officer in the British Army. He was part of different regiments and battles, and the following information has been found in many sources, mostly on the internet, and are listed chronologically.

from "The Armies of Wellington" by Phillip Haythornthwaite. "Captain Amos Norcott of the 33rd made one disastrous foray in gaming in India in 1797, losing more than f500 at a stroke, which would have been his ruination had not his battalion commander, Arthur Wellesley, discharged the debt by borrowing on his own account; without this, the army would have lost a valuable officer, who rose to command the 2/95th at Waterloo and become a Major-General."

He led his regiment at the battle of waterloo, where he was wounded. From book "Letters from the Battle of Waterloo" by Garath Glover, "the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade received and repulsed when in square, five charges of cavalry. It lost about half its numbers of officers and men. The three senior officers all dangerously wounded, the others severely"

After waterloo, he served in the Peninsula, and had the gold medal for Corunna. He received the Knight of St Ann of Russia (K. St. A.) for waterloo (from book "the Waterloo Roll Call", Vic state library)

amos norcott
Portait of Amos Norcott

army painting of amos norcott
Portait of Amos Norcott

army painting of amos norcott
Portait of Amos Norcott

 

amos and his mother
Painting of Amos and his mother Henrietta. painting by Alexander Pope.

 

 

amos inscription Amos died on January 8th 1838 at age 60 in Cork, County Cork, Ireland while in command of the southern district of Ireland. He is buried in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork. There is a white marble slab (shown here) on the south internal wall of the cathedral which reads:

"Sacred to the memory of Major General Sir Amos Northcott. (A gallant & distinguished officer) C.B. K.C.H. K.M.J. K.S.A. who died at Maryboro House, Upper Glanmire, on the 8th day of January 1838 age 60 years. He served in the campaigns of 1794-95 in Holland and was employed in the East & West Indies and in North & South America. He was with Sir John Moore in Sweden, Portugal & Spain, and subsequently served under His Grace, Field Marshal The Duke of Wellington, throughout the whole of the Peninsular War. He was severely wounded at Tarbes, and on the 18th June at the Memorial Battle of Waterloo.

He had but recently returned from the island of Jamaica, where he served as lieutenant governor and commander in chief; and terminated his brilliant career in command of the district in which he first commenced his long services.

In the same grave lie the remains of Charles Rossmore Bridgeman Norcott, Third son of Sir Amos and Eliza, his wife, who did at Maryboro House on the 7th day of March 1838, aged 27 years."

 

Timeline of Significant Event sin the life of Sir Amos Godsil Norcott

1777

born 3 August in Westminster, London, England

1794

joined Army 28 Feb. 1794? He joined the 33rd Foot Regiment as a second lieutenant and served on the staff of his great-uncle, Robert Cuninghame, 1st Baron Rossmore, the Commander-in-Chief of Ireland.

1797

Served in India

1799

Recorded on Army List 1799: 33rd (1st Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot. Rank of Captain

from http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/digital/seringapatam/33rdarmylist.html

1802 transferred into the newly formed 95th Rifles and served with them throughout the Peninsular War.

1808

Major Amos Norcott, 2/95th Foot, 22 December 1808 [brevet lieutenant colonel 25 July 1810]

1810

His son Charles, and Reilly ancestor, was born about 1810 in Ireland.

1811

Norcott took part in the Expedition to Tarifa during the campaign of Barrosa. The Chronicle gives: - 18 TH (February 1811) 2 Cos 2nd Bn under Norcott embarked at Cadiz for Algeciras and - 1 S (March 1811) 2 Cos of 2nd Bn marched from Tarifa for Casas Viejas. 21 S.- 1811 - 1 Co. 2nd Bn. at Sortie from Tarifa

taken second hand from the The Rifle Brigade Chronicle (#1)

1815

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle. The Unit: 2/95th Regiment of Foot (Rifles), which comprised 660 men, was commanded by Major Norcott.

source wikipedia

Waterloo Excerpts
Officer Casualty List for the Anglo-Allied Army: 18 June 1815 wounded: Ninety-fifth Foot, second battalion — Major Amos Godsell Norcott (Lieutenant-Colonel)

source:http://www.napoleonic-literature.com/WE/Casualties-18_June.html

1819 His lieutenant colonelcy was confirmed on 9 September 1819 with the brevet rank of full colonel of the 8th Foot Regiment.
1830 became a major general in July 1830.

1831

Amos was knighted on the 13th of September 1831 at St James's Palace by the King (Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath)

1834

In 1834, Major-General Sir Amos Norcot was the 38th governor (Lt.-Governor) of Jamaica (acting), being the head of British rule at a time when Jamaica was a british colony (1655 - 1958).

1838

Died in Cork, Ireland whilst commanding the southern district

Amos Summary
summary from Waterloo: Books on Google Play Waterloo: The Defeat of Napoleon's Imperial Guard: Henry Clinton, the 2nd Division and the End of a 200-year Old Controversy. By Gareth Glover

 

References

Footer

* In various sources, the surname is spelled Norcott, Norcot, Northcott