William Henry Smith of Hertford

[K Rees]

Looking for any possible clues ......

A young man called William Smith (20), along with his friend William Aylott/Aylett (21), committed highway robbery and both were sentenced at the Hertford Assizes, on 1 Mar 1842,  to 15 years, in the holiday resort of Hobart Town. The offence was against Mr. Edwards of Puckeridge [Hertfordshire], who was robbed of his gold watch.

When William Henry Smith married in 1848, he named his parents as Benjamin Smith, a carpenter, and Mary of Hertford.

Ironically, William Smith died in 1882, as the owner of the Robin Hood Hotel, in Peel Street, Ballarat, it was recorded stated that he was born in Hertford.

Can any body help to further identify his parents or any other siblings, who may have been born to carpenter Benjamin and Mary Smith of Hertford?

[Milliepede]

1841 census has a Benjamin and Mary Smith in Hertfordshire as a possible family but no William at home only young children. 

Benjamin 50 blacksmith
Mary 45
Maria 11
Emma 9
Jane 7
Ellen 4

[K Rees]

Thank you Millipede.

I will follow up this 1841 Census, that you have supplied.

I will also look for William Aylett b. 1819/1820, just in case the two boys are living with each other.

[K Rees]

Once again thank you Millipede.

You clue may certainly lead me further. HO107/437/3 1841 Census with Benjamin Smith the blacksmith was this family in Haultwick (?) , Little Munden, Hertfordford. I went through this Census and I did find a William Aylett/Aylott, ag lab 20 at home with parents Thomas and Rebecca Aylett, ag lab. They had an Ann Smith 25 there as well, who could be a possible sister for William Smith 20; however, at this stage I did not find William Smith ag lab or carpenter in this Census district.

A great start.

[K Rees]

William Aylott and William Smith 20 year olds of Hertford.

I have found another clue: William Aylott m. Mary Ann Panton 15 Jan 1850 in Hobart Town and had two boys who died. Occupation given as shoemaker.

The 1841 Census for St. John District 14 Butcherly Green HO 107/447/3 has one William Aylott 20 living with a Maria Francis 25.

On the opposite page was a William Smith 15/18 as a carpenter's apprentice with William Smith 44 a carpenter. I would now need to make sure he was this guy's son and not a nephew doing his apprenticeship.

One step forward; two back.