RAWLINGS, Thomas b 1783 Enford

[zapcat]

Hi

Thomas Rawlings, aged 78 yrs is shown in the 1861 census in the County Gaol in Salisbury.  (RG9/1315  Folio 44  Page 37.  He is a common agricultural labourer and he is definitely the chap I am after.  I have traced him in earlier census in Firfield, Enford (always born Enford).

Can anyone help with any clues as to why he would have been in prison aged 78 yrs.

zapcat

[Nimrod58]

Hi

Wiltshire CC seems to hold some old sessions records, which might be of help to you.

Have a look at this site list : http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/archives/collection_search.php

Kind regards

H

[Pip24]

Hi, This doesn't answer your question, but I have a John Rawlings as a witness to a married in Wootton Rivers (<10 miles from Enford) in 1851. Might be of interest to you.

[zapcat]

Rawlin(g)s is such a common name.  I have looked at this for a long time and I am unable to connect to this branch of the family.

zapcat

[Old Mother Reilly]

Can anyone help with any clues as to why he would have been in prison aged 78 yrs.

Not a "clue", just a thought - could he have been accused of poaching, perhaps?  It was a common enough offence but persistent offenders or those falling foul of a particularly strict landowner might be sent to jail.

Rachel

[davierj]

From summary convictions record dated 3 April 1861 Thomas Rawlings was charged as follows.............

'On the 18 March 1861 at the parish of Enfield did steal, take and carry away 6 gallons of potatoes and half a gallon of barley meal together of the value of 4 shillings the property of Elizabeth Offer'

Witnesses included J. Scriven, T. Fay, S. Tarrant and others.   He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2 months hard labour in Fisherton Anger jail.

A possible baptism in Enford - 20 Sep 1783 Thomas Rallings, son of Jerome and Sarah'

Dave

[zapcat]

Dave

Many thanks for this, I will definitely follow this up further.

zapcat