William Rutland - possible convict?

[Panoply]

I've spent today trying to track down a death date for my 4xgreat-grandfather. I know he was baptised in 1778, and the last child (that I know of) was born in 1811. I can't find him in the 1841 census, or any subsequent.

I found a Criminal Register record on Ancestry that I'm intrigued by, but I don't have a subscription for that site. I was hoping someone would be so kind as to take a look at it for me and let me know of any defining characteristics that might help me decide if it's him or not. This William was 69, born about 1775 and the date of the trial was 12 Jan 1844 in Norfolk, England.

It's probably not him, but I don't want to leave a stone unturned!

Thank you for any help. :)

[Nicolina]

I've had a look at the page but it's very feint. I have downloaded it so that I can try and manipulate it. Will let you know what I manage to read.

[Nicolina]

he was tried at Walsingham on 12th January 1844 for "receiving stolen goods" and was sentenced to 7 years.

[Nicolina]

I've checked the 1841 & 1851 Census and on both there is a William RUTLAND born about 1775 but he's from Bedfordshire and living at home. In 1851 he's a "Landed Proprietor" and has a 42 year old unmarried daughter called Fanny.

[Geoffers]

I've spent today trying to track down a death date for my 4xgreat-grandfather. I know he was baptised in 1778, and the last child (that I know of) was born in 1811. I can't find him in the 1841 census, or any subsequent.

Where were his child baptised?

Do you know what he did for a living? - or how wealthy he was? (Try the Land Tax returns 1798, the NFHS has an indexed transcript).

[Panoply]

Thank you so much Nicolina. You're a star. I assume it doesn't say anything about where he was born?
I checked the 1841 and 1851 censuses as well and couldn't find him. I've accidentally tracked the Bedfordshire Rutlands before, but am sure they're not my blood.

Odd that there would be a William Rutland being sentenced in 1844 in Norfolk, when there's only one William Rutland on the 1841 census, and he's in Bedfordshire, and still there in 1851. I'm still hoping this is my William!


Where were his child baptised?

Do you know what he did for a living? - or how wealthy he was? (Try the Land Tax returns 1798, the NFHS has an indexed transcript).

He was baptised in Colkirk, Norfolk, whilst his children were baptised in Guist, Norfolk. I've no idea what he did for a living; there's not any occupation info on his parish records.

What's the NFHS? Do I need to pay to view these records? (I assume you know everything, Geoffers!)

[Nicolina]

NFHS is the Norfolk Family History Society.

[Nicolina]

do you have his marriage?
FreeReg has:
William RUTLAND to Ann SMITH at St Mary's, Colkirk on 8th Aug 1803. Witnesses were Robert DUNN & Jane PACK. William & Ann signed with X.

[Panoply]

do you have his marriage?
FreeReg has:
William RUTLAND to Ann SMITH at St Mary's, Colkirk on 8th Aug 1803. Witnesses were Robert DUNN & Jane PACK. William & Ann signed with X.

Yep, got his marriage. Thank you though :)

[Geoffers]

What's the NFHS? Do I need to pay to view these records?

NFHS = Norfolk Family History Society. They have their own library containing a wealth of records which are available to members. The NFHS is putting its own transcripts online for access by members.

[lizone]

Panoply

There is a detailed account of the case in The Bury and Norwich Post and East Anglian dated 17 Jan 1844, which shows William Rutland was found guilty for receiving 24lbs of wool. Unfortuntely, the report doesn't state William's age, but does mention William's premises were at Bilney. Probably for you the most useful fact in the report, however, is that the sentence was 7 year's transportation.

As has been mentioned in earlier threads, access to the British Library's 19th Century Newspapers collection (an online Gale/Cengage database) may be available through your local library or university/college membership (and is extremely useful).

Liz

[lizone]

Panoply

Perhaps you have already found this, but a William Rutland matching the Walsingham court/newspaper report was on the prison hulk Justitia at Woolwich in April 1844, aged 69 years, which gives an estimated birth year of 1775. Is this your chap?

Liz

[lizone]

And finally for now -

1841 census: ref HO107; Piece 778; Folio: 3; Page: 1 (TNA Crown Copyright): East Bilney, Norfolk
William Rutland aged 55 (fishmonger), Elizabeth Rutland aged 50 and Ralph Rutland aged 4

East Bilney looks to be about 12 miles from Colkirk?

Liz

[Geoffers]

East Bilney looks to be about 12 miles from Colkirk?

Probably about 5 miles