Our family has always had a love for the ocean, from the calm before the storm, to the waves crashing upon the shore, to the tranquility of the open waters. It’s almost like a pull, a pull from deep within our souls.
Just to sit and listen as the ocean waters ripple as it mees the land, has to one of life’s greatest beauty’s. Without a shadow of a doubt, it calms your soul, leaving your troubles far behind.
So when I found many strong connections with the open waters, in our family’s history, I knew that love was written in our DNA.
Both my maternal 3rd Great Grandfathers, John O’Connor and Isaac Porter, dedicated their lives to the ocean and of course, my 2nd Great Grandad, John Cornelius O’Connor, found his peace and tranquility upon his boat Allanha, and my Uncle Kevan Townsend and my cousin, Kelly and her beautiful family have spent their lives on the water.
It’s very soothing to know that my family still have the passions of our ancestors, that even all these years later, their love and passion lives on.
Today I’m going to share with you the life of one of my maternal 3rd Great Grandfathers, Isaac Porter. Though his life was shorter than most, he definitely filled his pages of his book of life well, with many of those years spent by the sea.

Isaac Porter was born on January 13th 1834, to Andrew Porter and Maria Porter nee Croad.
He was born at Freshwater, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.

Isaac was christened on the, 2nd March, 1834, at the medieval Church, All Saints’ Church, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.

All Saints’ Church, is one of the oldest churches on the Island and was listed in the Domesday survey of 1086.

Over the next few years, Isaac and his sister, Mary Ann, welcomed 2 Sisters into their family.
Jane Porter was born about late 1835 to January 1836 at Freshwater, she was baptised on the 29th January 1836 at All Saints’ Church, Freshwater.

And his sister Charlotte Porter was born on the 10th April 1839 at, Longhalves, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.
Charlotte was baptised on the 14th April 1839 at, All Saints’ Church, Freshwater.

Sadly Isaac never got to see his baby sister, Charlotte, grow up, as she died in the April – June quarter of 1839.

Isaac and him family, laid Charlotte to rest on the 2nd June 1839, at All Saints’ Church, Freshwater.

The 1841 census, shows Isaac residing at Colwell Bay, Freshwater, Hampshire, with his Father Andrew, Mother Maria and his sisters, Mary and Jane.
Andrew was working as a Agricultural Labourer.

Name Age Andrew Porter 35 Maria Porter 25 Mary Porter 9 Isaac Porter 7 Jane Porter 5

Just 4 short years later, Andrews Mother Maria, died on the 24th, February 1845, at Colwell Bay, Freshwater.
She was only 35 years old.
Maria died from, Disease of the heart.
Maria’s Sister in-law Jane Croad nee Taylor, was in attendance and registered Maria’s death with an X, on the 25th February 1845.

Isaac and his family buried Maria, on the 28th February 1845 at, All Saints’ Church, Freshwater.

The 1851 census shows Isaac, his Father Andrew and Sisters, Mary Ann and Jane, residing at Colwell Bay, Freshwater.
Isaac was working as a Labourer and his father was a Farm Labourer.

Name Age Andrew Porter 46 Mary Ann Porter 18 Isaac Porter 17 Jane Porter 15

From Isaac’s Military records which I purchased from the National Archives, Isaac enrolled with the Royal Navy on the 19th February 1854. He served 3 years and 18 days, as an ordinary Seaman, aboard the, HMS Caesar, a 90 gun screw-propelled 2nd rate ship.

On 17th June 1857, he joined the “HMS Cumberland” as an able seaman. He served on the Cumberland, a 70 gun 3rd rate ship, until 17th August 1859. His conduct was recorded as very good.

4 days later, on the 21st August 1859, Isaac married Jane Gibbs, daughter of Henry Gibbs and Jane Gibbs nee Chinery. They married at, The Baptist Chapel of Newport. I assume this was at, The Church of St. John the Baptist, as I can not find any information on, The Baptist Chapel, Newport.
Isaac was a 25 year old bachelor, his profession was a Seaman R.N, HMS Cumberland and was residing in Freshwater. Isaac’s Father Andrew, was working as an Agricultural Labourer.
Jane Gibbs was 23 years old, a spinster from Freshwater. Her Father Henry Gibbs occupation was given as a Pilot.
William Hayman and Jane Porter were their witnesses.

On 2nd September 1859, Isaac joined the crew, of “HMS Arrogant” as an able seaman. He served on the Arrogant, a wood screw frigate, until 6 December 1862, being promoted to Leading Seaman, in March 1861. His conduct is recorded as very good.

The evening of the 1861 census, Isaac was aboard the HMS Arrogant, a Royal Navy vessel. He was serving as a Leading Seaman.

Name Age Stephen Chapman 25 Thomas Chester 33 William Taylor 33 Thomas Cook 22 William Alman 29 Edward Powell 22 Daniel Luey 23 Thomas Strong 26 Willam Cook 24 William Sims 24 William Glaupole 20 Edward Humby 20 William Wright 24 Henry Samways 28 William Urry 24 Henry Saunders 25 William Wotton 29 Thomas Brown 37 John Bowden 30 William Marley 26 Edward Walford 24 John Hughes 23 Alfred Mitchell 24 Rufus Green 23 William Adams 20 James Gifford 24 Alfred Page 24 James Lawson 54 Robert Hugh McLouth 24 William Pack 24 John Craig 21 Robert Davidson 23 John G Thompson Augustus Brown 25 James Fletcher 23 Richard Bull 20 William Mastin 28 John Spiban John Rogers 21 John W Troke 21 William Simpson 20 Alexander Shaw 29 Walter E Jackson 23 Wm P Morton 34 Thomas Davis 27 William Tubig 22 George Ballard 20 George Bennett 21 Michl Hadley 21 James Donnelly 22 Henry Craidy 20 Nicl Mc Cadum 21 John Grace 21 Andrew Murray 33 James Peters 25 Geoe Cangens 22 John Paltridge 28 Charles H Cocks 24 William Killy 27 William Alder 32 William T Hurlock 25 John Beckingham Geoe H Vincent 22 George Parkin 20 John Irvine 23 Griffith William 23 Hugh Pedley 26 Richard Hunt 24 William Peterson 28 John Charles 28 Wm Wh Routh 24 James Betts 20 Benjn Griffiths 20 Leonard Simmonds 22 Charles Hayles 23 Isaac Porter 26 John Long 41 Richard Day 39 Edward Parkins 24 George Kelsey 24 George H Hewitt 20 Francis Wadlington 20 Geor Gidney 21 Thomas O Brien 22 James Leonard 21 John Beven 25 James Hall 54 Thomas Emberry 33 Francis Pearcey 31 Robert W Newland 29 Henry Strand 22 William Truckees 20 Michl Croney 20 Felix Wright 24 John Gooldard 26 George Barrow 25 Henry Walkins 24 William Marsh 30 William Myers 24 George Wilson 33

On 7 December, 1862, to the 16th January, 1863, Isaac served on HMS Victory, which by this time was out of active service, and moored in Portsmouth harbour being used as a depot ship.

During his short time on the Victory, Isaac and Jane’s first child was born. A son, whom they called William Isaac Porter. He was born on the, 12th December 1863 at, Cromarty, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland.

On the 17th January, 1963, Isaac joined the Coastguard as a boatman. He remained a coastguard until he was invalided out on the 5th November, 1880. His character was described as exemplary.

Isaac and Janes, first daughter was born on the, 13th January 1866 at Portland, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.
They named her, Jane Maria Porter.
Isaac was working for the Coastguard Service.
Jane registered Her daughters birth on the 27th February 1866.

Baby Jane Maria, was baptised at, Freshwater, on the 30th March 1866.

On the 16th September, 1867 at, Alum Bay, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England, Isaac’s Wife Jane, gave birth to their second daughter.
They named her Ann Eliza Porter.
Isaac was still working as a Coastguard.
Jane registered Ann Eliza’s birth on the 16th October 1867.

Isaac and Jane, baptised Ann on the, 1st November 1867 at Freshwater.

Isaac and Jane, had their third Daughter, Elizabeth Grace Porter, on the 14th June 1896, at Alum Bay, Fresh water.
Isaac was working as a Coast Guard and he registered Elizabeth Grace, birth on the 13th July. 1868.

Elizabeth Grace was christened on the 25 July 1869 at Freshwater.

13 months and 5 days after , Elizabeth Grace Porter, Isaac’s 3rd Daughter passed away, she died, on the 19th July, 1870, at Alums Bay, Freshwater, Isle of Weight. 😢
Isaac was working as a Coast Guardman.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read her cause of death.

ACCIDENTALLY SUFFOCATED BY FALLING INTO A PRIVY.

What an awful way to die. My heart weeps for her and her family.
Of all the hundreds of certificates I have brought over the years, little Elizabeth Grace Porters, death certificate stays forever foremost in my mind. I just can’t come to terms with the fact this 13 month baby girl had suffocated in a excrement.
An inquest was held at the Needles hotel, Alum Bay by E.F.Blake, esq deputy coroner to enquire into her death.
The Jury without the least hesitation returned a verdict of
“Died from Suffocation”

Elizabeth Grace Porter was laid to rest on the 22nd July 1870, at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire. Plot H5 788.

Her monument inspiration reads, Elizabeth Grace, fourth daughter of Isaac and Jane Porter, died July 19th 1870 aged 13/15 months.

The 1871 census shows Isaac, residing at George Street, Bridge Road, Coastguard Buildings, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England, inhabiting 1 house, which he shared with his wife, Jane and their children William, Jane and Ann.
Isaac was working as a Coastguard.

Name Age Isaac Porter 37 Jane Porter 37 William T Porter 7 Jane Maria Porter 5 Ann E Porter 3

Coastguard records show that Isaac, was based in Yarmouth between 1st January 1873 and 9th November 1876. (See Isaac’s Naval records below)

Isaac’s Wife Jane, gave birth to Elizabeth Grace Gibbs Porter, my 2nd Great-Grandmother, on the 1st September 1871 at, The Coast Guard Station, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.

Isaac was still working as a Coastguard.
He registered Elizabeth Grace Gibbs Porter’s birth on the 12th September 1871.

You can read more about, Elizabeth Grace Gibbs Porter, here  and here.

We believe Elizabeth was named after her sister Elizabeth Grace Porter. You can read all about her life story here.

Isaac and Jane baptised, Elizabeth Grace Gibbs Porter, on the 21st September, 1871, at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England

Isaac and Jane welcomed their 5th Daughter into their family, between the months of April and June 1873, in the Calbourne.
They named her, Daisy Chenery Porter.

Daisy was baptised on the 29th September, 1873, at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England

Issac and Jane, welcomed a second son, John Richard Porter into their growing family. He was born in the April to June Quarter 1875 in Calbourne, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England.

They baptised John Richard, on the 11th June 1875 at Freshwater, Isle of Wight.

From 10th November, 1876, to the 5th November, 1880, Issac was based at Brook, Isle of Wight.
His 6th Daughter was born at the, Coastguard Cottage in Brook, Isle of Wight, Hampshire, England, on the 11th May 1877.

They named her Mary Ethel Porter.

Isaac and Jane baptised Mary, on the 03 June 1877 at, St. Mary’s, Brook, Isle of Wight .

A few short years after, Isaac died on 10th January 1881, a few days short of his 47th birthday. His cause of death was from, Morbus Cordis, Purpura and Dropsy.
Isaac died at, High Street, Freshwater.
Isaac’s occupation was given a Navy Pensioner.
Andrew Porter, Isaac’s Father, was present at his death and registered it on the 11th January 1881.

Isaac was buried at All Saints Church, Freshwater on the 14th January 1881.

Though Isaac’s life was short, it was full. There are even stories that he was a smuggler before he married Jane, and that he gave up his life of crime to be able to marry her.
Of course I do not know how true this story is but I believe it should be told.
How I go about clarifying it, I do not know but there has to be some amount of truth in the family’s storytelling. I just need to prove it somehow.🤞

What I find so fascinating about Isaac’s, Naval records documentation, is that they show that, Isaac was about 5’7″ tall.
He had brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion.
He had a crucifix tattooed on his left arm and a brig, sailor and union jack on his right arm. 🇬🇧

How fascinating is that.
It’s small details like these, that bring him to life, that give him depth and soul.

Here is Isaac’s Naval history.

 

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I for one am extremely proud to call him family and I’m secretly hoping there is truth behind his devious smuggling.
I hope he’s somewhere floating on clouds on a pirate ship, causing mayhem while drinking rum. 🗺

Gone but not forgotten.
Isaac Porter
1834 1881
⚓️⚓️⚓️

 

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Thank you.