George Smith - Hangman

[FlutterBye]

Hi
I wondered if anyone knows anything about the family of George Smith.  I have read just about everything written about him, except I don't seem to be able to find anything about his personal life, I see him on the census, 41 to 71, but no family, read about every hanging etc looking for clues, scrolled thru the Rowley Regis transcipts for a birth or marriage, but alas nothing.
The reason I ask is an old family legend and possible connection, I would love to know one way or the other.

Thanks

[AMBLY]

Hi FlutterBye

I googled since, not being a local, I didn't know who he was .....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakham,_Dudley
http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2008/07/04/stafford_gaol_feature.shtml
Smith the "Dudley Higgler"
".....1840 hob-nailer George Smith became an apprentice hangman at Stafford Gaol.
Prison life was nothing new to George, who'd served time on two occasions for running naked in the streets of Wednesbury and for debt and failing to support his family.  .........known as the "Dudley Higgler", a higgler being a slang term for a hangman.   It was George Smith who placed the noose around the neck of one of Staffordshire's most notorious murderers, Dr William Palmer..."

Have you seen this photo of him?
http://www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?resource=615

Cheers
AMBLY

[AMBLY]

Hmm, I'm confused.....
All the googling, refers to him being born 1805 Rowley Regis.
In 2 out of 3 Census where POB is stated, it has Walsall as his place of birth - but there is a possible IGI christening record for Rowley Regis in 1806......maybe he was born in Walsall but chr. in Rowley Regis?

http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/hangmen.html
Resident of Oakham, Dudley
Born in Rowley Regis 1805, died 1874
In 1840 when he became an Assistant Executioner, he was himself in prison,
He had a son, also named George, who assisted in 3 hangings at Stafford

http://www.rootschat.com/links/07ih/
A Google Book reference calls him a Cattle Dealer - in contrast to the "Hob Nailer" or 'Nailor' mentioned in other sites. In all census bar 1, he is an Ag Lab or labourer.

It is the  Census which gives clues as to his parentage.....

1841: Oakham, Rowley Regis  - 2 consecutive households :
HO107 / Piece 997 / Book: 1 /Folio: 31 / Page: 6
//
Samuel SMITH 46, Ag Lab - b Staffs
Mary SMITH 46 - b Staffs
John SMITH 19, Ag Lab - b Staffs
//

Frances SMITH 73 - Not born Staffs
/
George SMITH 30, AG Lab . b Staffs
Joseph WITHERENCE 25, Ag Lab , b Staffs
William WOODALL 25, AG Lab, b Staffs
Richard HARRIS 24, AG Lab, not born  Staffs
//

1851: Oakham, Rowley Regis has the following 2 consecutive households:
Head: Samuel SMITH 56, Labourer
Wife: Mary SMITH 55,

Head: George SMITH 46, Widower, Labourer
Servant: Mary MASON 78, Widow, Housekeeper
Inmate: John MATTHEWS 60, unm, Labourer
Inmate: Richard LEWIS 63, unm, Labourer
Inmate:Richard HARRIS 39, unm, Labourer
Inmate: William HEWIT 40, unm, Labourer
[All born Rowley]

1861 : Oakham, Rowley Regis  -  sole occupant of his household:
RG9 / Piece: 2037 /  Folio: 61 /  Page: 1
Head: George SMITH 54, unm, AG Lab, b Walsall Staffs

And enumerated immediately before him
Head: Samuel Smith 66, Ag Lab b Oakham
Wife: Mary 65 , b Oakham

1871:  Oakham, Rowley Regis  -  sole occupant of his household:
Head: George SMITH 70, unm, Public Hangman Executioner, b Walsall Staffs
 RG10 /  Piece: 2992 /  Folio: 65 /  Page: 4

No sign of Samuel &  Mary  in 1871.
Neighbours in all these Census are the same throughout.
It does seem to suggest Frances was his mother and Samuel his brother....

IGI: [P009901]
Samuel SMITH chr 28 Dec 1794 Rowley Regis - parents: Thomas SMITH & Francis.
Charles SMITH chr 9 Apr 1797 Rowley Regis - parents: Thomas SMITH & Francis
George SMITH chr 27 Apr 1806 Rowley Regis - parents Thomas SMITH and Frances

Cheers
AMBLY

[FlutterBye]

Fabulous thx AMBLY, I'll get cracking and see if I can turn something up.

Thanks

[daniellesmith88]

I am as far as I know (told by my dad) are directly related to him. My family have always lived in rowley regis and my dad and his other brothers and sister were born on turners hill in rowley. Dont know much about my family tree but could find out from my dad if thats any help.
Danielle

[FlutterBye]

Hi Danielle
I sent you a pm.

Thanks

[AMBLY]

I beleive Danielle has to make 2 more public postings on Rootschat, before she can send or recieve PM's 

Cheers
AMBLY

[daniellesmith88]

I did get your PM im just in the middle of getting as much info off older relatives that a can, I dont know how far I will be able to go back. Are you a Smith yourself and do you live far from Rowley Regis
Dani x

[Jameshenry1951]

I beleive Danielle has to make 2 more public postings on Rootschat, before she can send or recieve PM's 

Cheers
AMBLY