I represent William Shockledge. I was a corporal in His Majesty’s 31st Regiment of Foot, Captain Hamilton‘s company. The 31st came to Pensacola in 1765 and, except for a brief transfer to St. Augustine in 1769, remained until 1772. I appear in the 1767-1768 ledger books of Pensacola merchants Richard and Caleb Carpenter buying copious amounts of rum (a staple of the British soldier’s rations) and paying my account in cash, so perhaps I was with the quartermaster’s office. I was born about 1734 at Market Drayton, Shropshire. My wife was Rebecca Shockledge, who was enumerated as “Mrs. Shocklidge” on the Return of Women & Children of the 31st Regiment. We had two children at the time and would go on to have more once I returned to England. I was discharged in 1797 after 20 years’ service in the 31st. I made my living as a shoemaker until my death in 1812.
Sources: 19, 49, 124