Illustration Christine Fuller
The following appeared in the Norwich Mercury on the 13th December, 1884:
ALLEGED FELONY
At the Occasional Court House - present Rev. J Spurgin, Jos. Saunders, Great Ellingham, labourer, was charged by P.C. Fisher with stealing three hens at Great Ellingham on the 28th November, the property of Mr Warren.
Prisoner was remanded to the East Harling Petty Sessions
Regular readers of my articles will know that I love looking into the lives of past residents of Great Ellingham, as well as researching the dwellings in which they may have lived or visited.
The subject person of this story is Joseph Saunders. My research reveals that Joseph had several ‘brushes with the law‘ for thieving. It is more than possible that there are more transgressions than I have discovered.
However, we should remember that historically petty thieving could be driven by extreme poverty or homelessness. Rural areas were particularly known for poachers, thefts of livestock or machinery, as well as the usual squabbles and drunkenness. Of course, many of these types of misdemeanours still occur today.
Born in Shropham
Joseph Saunders was born around 1842 in the village of Shropham, just a few miles from Great Ellingham. His parents were William and Julia Saunders.
The 1851 census captures 9 year old Joseph Saunders with his parents and siblings living at Watton Road, Shropham.
Marriage in Great Ellingham
On the 2nd February, 1865, 23 year old Joseph Saunders marries 22 year old spinster Elizabeth Green. The nuptials took place at St James’s Church, Great Ellingham. The marriage entry gives Joseph’s occupation as farmer’s man and Elizabeth is a shopkeeper.
Currier’s Arms
Elizabeth’s father is local innkeeper and farmer, John Green. At the time of his daughter’s marriage, John Green is landlord of the Currier’s Arms Public House in Watton Road. He is also a farmer.
I wonder whether Elizabeth’s shop is nearby to the Currier’s Arms, as I know from earlier research that there was a shop nearby.
John Green’s Trouble
John Green had his own troubles with the authorities. In 1866 he was found to be selling beer at the Currier’s Arms whilst being disqualified from holding a beer licence due to an earlier conviction.
Joseph Saunders Refused Licence
The Norfolk Chronicle of the 10th September, 1870, reported that Joseph Saunders of the Currier’s Arms, Great Ellingham, had applied to the Justices for a licence. This was refused.
I wonder whether Joseph had already been in trouble with the law prior to 1870, and this is why his application for a licence was unsuccessful.
1871 census
Nevertheless the national head-count of 1871 captures 29 year old labourer, Joseph Saunders, and his wife Elizabeth living at the Currier’s Arms. The couple have three children Julia Elizabeth 6, Walter William 3 and three month old Anna Maria.
Next door are Elizabeth’s parents, John and Mary Green, along with Elizabeth’s brother William. John Green is a farmer and William is a coach builder.
1879 Alleged Theft
The Lowestoft Journal of the 12th April, 1879, reported the following:
The Grand Jury ignored the bill against Joseph Saunders who had been committed for trial for stealing a half-sovereign from the shop of Jacob Rout at Great Ellingham on February 6th
The case against Saunders was unproven and did not proceed.
1881 census
The 1881 census finds Joseph and Elizabeth Saunders with two children (Walter 13 and Anna 10), living in ‘High Road’ Great Ellingham, near to the Prince of Wales Public House. The Prince of Wales is a mere stones throw from the Currier’s Arms.
Pleads Guilty to Theft
The Bury and Norwich Post of the 13th December 1881, reports on a recent case at the East Harling Petty Sessions:
Joseph Saunders of Great Ellingham labourer charged with stealing two pecks of barley at Great Ellingham on the 9th ultimo the property of James Carter of Great Ellingham farmer.
Saunders pleaded guilty to the offence and was given a sentence of three months imprisonment with hard labour.
1884 Theft of Hens
The Norfolk News of the 20th December, 1884, reported further on the earlier case regarding Saunders’ alleged theft of three hens.
Joseph Saunders of Great Ellingham labourer was brought up in custody and charged with stealing three hens the property of Joseph Warren at Great Ellingham and committed to the ensuing Quarter Sessions at Norwich
Unfortunately I have not been able to find the outcome of the case. However, I feel sure that Joseph Saunders may well have been found guilty of the offence.
By 1891, it appears that he is living separately from his wife and family, who remain in Great Ellingham.
1891 census
49 year old Shropham born Joseph Saunders is boarding at the home of silk weaver William Lapsley and his wife in St Benedict’s Alley, St Benedict’s Street, Norwich. Joseph’s occupation is a gardener.
Row of Cottages on the Watton Road
Photograph taken October 2019
Joseph’s wife, 48 year old Elizabeth Saunders is living in Watton Road, Great Ellingham, with her 20 year old daughter Anna Maria. Both women are working as dressmakers. I believe their home to be one of the pairs of semi-detached cottages near to the Prince of Wales Public House.
Death of Joseph Saunders
Sadly 57 year old Joseph Saunders, described as a gardener, died at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital in Norwich on the 15th May, 1898. His cause of death is given as carcinoma of pylorus (stomach cancer).
His age given at the time of his death may be a year or to ‘out’ but I am confident that this is Elizabeth Saunders’ husband.
1901-1921
The census returns of 1901, 1911 and 1921 show widow Elizabeth Saunders continuing to live in Watton Road, near to the Prince of Wales. In 1901, Elizabeth has her 5 year old granddaughter, Julia Goldsmith, with her. Julia is the daughter of Elizabeth’s daughter Anna and her husband Thomas Goldsmith.
Death of Elizabeth Saunders
Elizabeth Saunders (nèe Green) died in 1934 at the age of 92. It is more than possible that Elizabeth is still living at her home in Watton Road when she died.
Sources:
Norwich Mercury 13 December 1884
Norfolk Chronicle 10 September 1870
Lowestoft Journal 12 April 1879
Bury & Norwich Post 13 December 1881
Norfolk News 20 December 1884
Newspapers viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office. PD 609. Also available FamilySearch website and various subscription sites
1851 census HO107/1823/176
1871 census RG10/1841/79
1881 census RG11/1974/83
1891 census RG12/1549/71
1901 census RG13/1867/73
1911 census RG14/11473/45
1921 census The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/9790, ED 5, Sch 22; Book: 09790 Ancestry.com. 1921 England Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2025.
Transcription Norwich Death Returns. Norfolk Family History Society, Kirby Hall, St Giles, Norwich NR2 1LS. 1898 Joseph Saunders.