In the past, many of the inhabitants of Great Ellingham kept hens. These chickens provided many a ‘cash- strapped’ villager with a plentiful supply of fresh eggs and, on occasions, ‘Sunday lunch’.
Unsurprisingly, there were several instances of hen thefts. Consequently, many offenders appeared before the Magistrates. One such wrong-doer was Frederick Barker.
Illustration Christine Fuller
In February, 1909, Frederick Barker of Great Ellingham stood before the Magistrates charged with stealing a hen from fish hawker William Wilkins.
The alleged offence took place at Great Ellingham on the 15th January. Unfortunately, the case report in the local newspaper did not provide further details. However, we do know that Barker was found guilty. As a result he was ordered to pay 30/- (thirty shillings) with one month’s imprisonment in default of payment.
I have not been able to find out any more about Frederick Barker. However, William Wilkins (Thomas William Wilkins) was a local man. The Wilkins family can be traced back for several generations in Great Ellingham.
The 1911 census captures 43 year old fish hawker Thomas William Wilkins living in Swamp Lane. With him is his 43 year old wife Jane (nèe Rivett) and their children 23 year old George, Charles 17, Ena 10, Eric 7, Leslie 6 and two year old Thomas. George and Charles are also fish hawkers – presumably working with (or for) their father.
Sources:
12 February 1909 Diss Express viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
1911 census RG14/11473/151