A beautiful view as seen by John Montgomery every morning as he served as Coastguardsman at Cuckmere Haven. The beautiful white cliffs of the Seven Sisters were seen from his house, pictured at right. It is the lower house in first photo.

LIFE OF JOHN MONTGOMERY R.N. The following is a 'peep' into the life, that John with Jane and their growing family, shared during the days John served as a member of the Coastguard. During his life as a Coastguardsman, he was transferred to postings along the South coast of England, including the South Downs, Seven Sisters to Lulworth Cove. This is taken from information sent to me from England and following extensive research over many years. (See Michael Streeter's research pps 6 & 7)

SEAMAN'S TICKET = 250, 470. John Montgomery, born Halifax, Nova Scotia 24.9.1810 = Ref. BT113/126 at Public Record Office, Kew, London. He was in the capacity of 'Boatman Coastguard'. His height 5'6 1/2" ; complexion brown; hair black; eyes greyish hazel; marks - wen on right temple. First went to sea as an apprentice in 1822 and served nine years in the Royal Navy. Has not been in foreign service - (American or French). When unemployed he resides at Plymouth.

Issued at NEWHAVEN 13.6.1845 - age 35 when ticketed; can read and write; Coastguard Boatman at CUCKMERE Station. This beautiful and most scenic part of the White Cliffs, is above the Beachy Head Light, at the mouth of the very winding Cuckmere River.At BLETCHINGTON Station, Newhaven Port, Newhaven District - Ref.ADM. 175/6. pp118/118-1/2. Public Record Office, Kew. N 6060. 5.9.1837 from HMS 'Forte' which was John's last vessel.

JOHN MONTGOMERY - Boatman - removed 11.2.1842 to CUCKMERE HAVEN No.R3228. Cuckmere Haven Station - Newhaven Port - Newhaven District. Ref. ADM. 175/6. p117 - ADM.175/7. p109.No.R3228 -11.2.1842 at BLETCHINGTON , Seaford, Sussex.

JOHN MONTGOMERY , Boatman - promoted/removed LULWORTH page 180. No.R7300 LULWORTH Station - Weymouth Port - Weymouth District. Ref. ADM.175/7. p180. No.R7300 and on 30.4.1850 - Boatman from Cuckmere.

JOHN MONTGOMERY - Commissioned Boatman - removed 14.4.1851 CHICHESTER HARBOUR . Reason for the move was 'Good of the Coastguard Service'. No.R8119 Chichester Harbour Station, Chichester Port, Littlehampton District. Ref. ADM.175/7. pp131/120 No.R8119. 14.4.1851. from LULWORTH COVE, DORSET. John Montgomery, commissioned boatman was at Lulworth Cove in beautiful Dorset, when the volume was finished in 1863. Lulworth is also a most beautiful little cove along the scenic part of the English south coast. The old Coastguard Cottages were still extant, during our visit in 1995.

CENSUS taken at John's place of residence.

Census of WEST WITTERING 1841 = At Nicholas Street, Seaford. John Montgomery, Head - aged 30 at Coastguard - other place. Jane Montgomery age 25 wife; Thomas age 3 ; Mary 10 months, both born at Seaford, Sussex.

Census WEST WITTERING 1861 - Coastguard Building 103 - John Montgomery - head age 50; Commissioned Boatman, Coastguard born Halifax Nova Scotia; Jane Montgomery wife age 46 born Devon; John Hutchins Montgomery son unm. age 14 mariner Royal Navy born Pewsey Seaford; Elizabeth dau age 9 scholar born Lulworth Dorset; Abigail, dau age 6 scholar born W.Wittering.

Census of WEST LULWORTH 1851 was found during our visit to U.K. Catherine Montgomery age 8 born Seaford. Elizabeth Montgomery age 63 born Berwick on Tweed (maybe sister, possibly mother?) Jane Montgomery age 36 born Devonport; John Montgomery age 41 born Halifax, Nova Scotia. John Hutchins Montgomery age 4 born Seaford, Sussex. Maria Montgomery age 6 born Seaford. Mary Jane Montgomery aged 10 born Seaford. William Henry Montgomery age 2 born Seaford.

JOHN & JANE MONTGOMERY had issue of 9, as far as we can determine in 2003.

1.Thomas Down Montgomery b.28.10.1838 Seaford, Sussex. (not on Lulworth 1851 census)

2.Mary Jane Montgomery b.6.9.1840 Seaford. (1851 Lulworth census)

3.Catherine Montgomery b.18.9.1842 Seaford. (1851 Lulworth census)

4.Maria Montgomery b.11.8.1844. Seaford. (1851 Lulworth census)

5.John Hutchins Montgomery b.6.12.1846 Seaford (1851 Lulworth census)

6.William Henry Montgomery b.15.3.1849 Seaford (1851 Lulworth census)

7.Abigail Ann Montgomery b.30.7.1854 W.Wittering (while John was stationed Chichester or Newhaven)

8.Rosa Montgomery b.1.3.1857 W.Wittering

9.Elizabeth Montgomery born W.Wittering

International Genealogical Index shows marriages, but descendants are hard to locate. (pps 6-7 Michael Streeter)

1.Catherine Montgomery m.26.4.1860 William Smith. W.Wittering.

2.Mary Jane Montgomery m.9.5.1864 George Jeram W.Wittering - issue to Mary Jane & George (a)Emma Jane Jeram ch.10.6.1866 W.Witt. (b)Mary Kate Jeram ch.24.6.1870 W.Witt. (c)Edward William Jeram ch.23.9.1871 West Wittering. (d)George James Jeram ch.23.9.1871 (twins ?) W.Witt.

3. Thomas Down Montgomery m.13.3.1865 Celia Ann Skates

4. Maria Montgomery m.14.3.1870 James Barber. W.Wittering.

5. Elizabeth Montgomery m.12.12.1874 William Redman at E.Wittering.

After John's retirement from the Coastguard he and Jane resided in Sussex County. Jane d.24.3.1868 just 53 yrs, of breast cancer at W.Wittering. John was present at her death. John survived on a navy pension until his decease 14.4.1889 at Westhampnett, W.Wittering aged 78. He suffered paralysis and a cerebral haemorrhage. His daughter Elizabeth (Redman) was present at his death. This reveals that John was a widower for about 21 years. (See Redman, Skeats, McGregor stories)

SEAMAN'S TICKET = 250, 470. John Montgomery , born Halifax, Nova Scotia 24.9.1810 = Ref. BT113/126 at Public Record Office, Kew, London. He was in the capacity of 'Boatman Coastguard'. His height 5'6 1/2" ; complexion brown; hair black; eyes greyish hazel; marks - wen on right temple. John first went to sea as an apprentice 1822 and served nine years in Royal Navy. He has not been in foreign service - (American or French). When unemployed he resides at Plymouth.

JOHN HUTCHENCE (Hutchins) MONTGOMERY. This name and detail was sent to me by a Mr.Roberts of U.K. many years ago and I shall enter it, just as he sent it to me, concerning his navy records. MONTGOMERY, John Hutchence (Hutchins). Page/Folio 63.0853. &14.664 a. Born 1.11.1846. Enlisted 1861. Born Seaford. This fits with him being 4 years old in 1851.

DOWN RESEARCH..... These are just dates and names in an effort to find a link to Thomas Down the father of Jane Down b.1814 Stoke Damerel to Thomas & Jane Down. Thomas was a sawyer at the Docks at Stoke Damerel. These christenings found in I.G.I. Thomas Down m.13.4.1778 Stoke Damerel. Thomas Down ch.20.5.1781 Chittlehampton, Devon. Thomas Downe ch.17.6.1781 Winkleigh, Devon. Thomas Down ch. 6.1.1782 Barnstaple, Devon. Thomas Down ch.19.1.1783 at Black Torrington, Devon. Thomas Down m.24.4.1783 Bishop Nympton, Devon. Thomas Down ch.24.3.1784 Kenn. Devon. Thomas Down ch.29.10.1786 Bishop Nympton, Devon. Thomas Down ch.11.1.1789 at South Molton, Devon. Thomas Down m.20.10.1789 High Bickington, Devon.

FOUND in 2000 - With thanks to Jack Montgomery, our Friend from Canada. Norm and Joan Colmer seeking links to McGregor/Montgomery families.(See McGregor pages) Norm and Joan Colmer wrote November 2000.

MONTGOMERY FAMILY - JOHN MONTGOMERY born Halifax, Nova Scotia on 24th September 1810 and married 14th May 1832 to Jane Down at Stoke Damerel. We believe she was daughter of Thomas Down a sawyer on the docks at Stoke Damerel and Jane Down (maiden name unknown). An alternative (not proven) is Jane Hutchins b.c.1816 to William Hutchins & Mary at Whitstone, Devon. This Jane died between 1861-1871. Jane (Down) Montgomery died 24th March 1868 at West Wittering. It is possible that these two are related anyway, with Jane and John naming a son John Hutchins Montgomery.

Issue to John and Jane Montgomery:-

1.Thomas Dacon (Down) Montgomery ch.1838

2.Mary J. Montgomery. ch.6.9.1840.

3.Catherine Montgomery ch.18.9.1842

4.Maria Montgomery ch.11.8.1844

5.John Hutchins Montgomery ch.6.12.1846

6. William H.Montgomery ch.15.3.1849

(All born Seaford Sussex.)

Elizabeth Montgomery b.1842 Lulworth, Dorset.

Abilgail Ann Montgomery ch.30.7.1854

Rosa Montgomery ch.1.3.1857 W.Wittering, SSX.

Census 1861 shows John Montgomery was Coastguardsman. The 1871 & 1881 census show John as widower, Greenwich Pensioner, living at Portsea, Hants.

LIFE IS FULL OF GATEWAYS -

A PLACE TO TAKE THE VIEW -

TO LEAVE BEHIND OUR FAILURES

AND FACE THE ROAD ANEW.