See also

Family of Thomas FARTHING and Mary HOOPER

Husband: Thomas FARTHING (1787-1831)
Wife: Mary HOOPER (c. 1781-1855)
Children: Mary FARTHING (1808- )
Charles FARTHING (1811- )
John FARTHING (1813-1813)
Sarah FARTHING (1815- )
Frances FARTHING (1817-1884)
William FARTHING (1819-1843)
Elizabeth FARTHING (c. 1821- )
James FARTHING (1824- )
Marriage Jul 1807 Wincanton, Somerset, England1

Husband: Thomas FARTHING

Name: Thomas FARTHING1,2
Sex: Male
Father: Thomas FARTHING ( - )
Mother: Ann SUTER ( - )
Birth 1787 Mere, Wiltshire, England1
In the prison records his place of birth is given as South Brewham, Somerset.
Baptism 9 Apr 1787 (age 0) Mere, Wiltshire, England
Occupation Labourer
Trial 1819 (age 31-32) Taunton, Somerset, England
Quarter Sessions, the Castle
Details of Thomas Farthings Felony From Quarter Sessions Records Q/SR 458 SRO
Somerset to wit
These are to certify that At the General Quarter Session of the Peace of our late Lord King George the Third held at the Castle Taunton in and for the County of Somerset, on Monday, the eighteenth Day of October in the fifty ninth Year of the Reign of our said late Sovereign Lord George the Third and in the Year of our Lord, 1819 before is John Palmer Acland Baronet, William Dickinson esquire and others their Companions, Justices of our said late Lord the King, in and for the County of Somerset aforesaid, and also to hear and determine divers Felonies, Trespasses, and other Misdemeanors committed in the same County, Thomas Farthing late of the parish of Holton in the County of Somerset aforesaid labourer was in due form of Law tried and convicted of feloniously stealing on the twenty ninth day of September in the fifty ninth year of the Reign aforesaid at the Parish of Holton aforesaid Ten hundred weight of Oak Cleft wood of the value of Seven Shillings and six pence Two hundred weight of Elm cleft wood of the value of one shilling and six pence one iron crofs axe of the value of Four Shillings and one Hogshead Cask of the value of ten shillings of the goods and chattels of John Hincks And the said Thomas Farthing was thereupon ordered and adjudged by the Court to be fined one shilling and to be imprisoned and kept at hard labour in the House of Correction at Ivelchester for twelve calendar months and to be further imprisoned until the said Fine should be paid
Given under my Hand this sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty
Edward Coles
Clerk of the Peace of the County of Somerset

He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the County Gaol.
Trial 14 Apr 1828 (age 40) Wells, Somerset, England3
Wells Quarter Sessions
Charged with feloniously rescuing out of the custody of James Willis, Tything Man, one Charles Farthing who had been committed for a felony. Sentenced to 4 months in the House of Correction, Wilton, and to be twice whipped.
Trial 18 Oct 1830 (age 42-43) Taunton, Somerset, England
Quarter Sessions, The Castle
Details of Thomas Farthing's Felony
From Quarter Session Records Q/SR 458 1830 Mich SRO

County of Somerset
Depositions against Thomas Farthing of Holton in the said county in custody on a charge of felony for stealing a quantity of wheat the property of John Gatehouse of North Cheriton in the same county Gentleman at North Cheriton aforesaid in the night of the 1 st September 1830
The said John Gatehouse saith I have a wheat Field called Ringwell in North Cheriton aforesaid by the side of the Turnpike Road leading from Wincanton to Charlton Horethome the wheat therein is reaped, and the Sheaves placed in Stooks (being 10 Sheaves each) - I feared some would be stolen in the night of the 1st of Sept. instant and therefor in the Evening about 7 o-clock counted the Stooks and also the Sheaves in each Stook in that part of the Field next to the Road -The next morning between 8 and 9 o-clock I counted the Stooks and discovered 4 to be missing (of 10 Sheaves each) and 10 Sheaves more to be missing from other Stooks - From Information given me I applied for and obtained a Justices Warrant to search the House of Thomas Farthing the Prisoner and was present with the Tythingman at the Search, we found in his House in a Bed Chamber a large Quantity of Wheat in the Straw most of it tied up in Handfuls to resemble leazed corn but some in Ears cut off, and contained in two sacks in said Chamber and two other Sacks below Stairs - the Wheat I lost was of the white Straw Kind, and most of that found in the prisoners House exactly corresponded therewith, but there was a overall mixture of red wheat as if purposely made with the white - I verily believe the white wheat so found to be my property so stolen as aforesaid and from the Quantity lost I think a Cart or some Carriage must have been used
John Gatehouse

Taken and Sworn before me
This 3rd Sept 1830
W Philips


William Williams of North Cheriton aforesaid a Servant in Husbandry to the said John Gatehouse Saith - My Master in tlle Evening of the 1st Sept. inst. Told me he had counted the Stooks and Sheaves of wheat in Ringwell and ordered me to go early the next morning to see if all was right - I went between 5 and 6
o'clock accordingly - and observed that the wheat thin and the Ground rather marked? By the Side of the Road, and on going near I discovered a Gap in the Hedge leading into the Road, the Track of a Cart wheel close to the Hedge, much Trampling and some Ears and Straw of wheat both in the Gap and the Road by the wheel Track - I took particular notice of the wheel Track - it was a narrow wheel and I took a very exact measure of the Length of the streaks round the narrow wheel which were six in number of different Lengths - and on comparing the lengths with the wheel of Farthings Cart (in which he hauls Coal for Sale) they exactly agree with the streaks of the rear wheel according to the Lengths now produced.

The mark of X
William Williams

Taken in and sworn before me This 3rd Sept 1830
W Philips
Robert Stone of North Ceriton aforesaid Labourer saith I saw Thomas Farthing the prisoner and James Clarke otherwise Stacey go on the Road towards Mr Gatehouse's Field called Ringwell with a Cart loaded with Coal about 10 in the morning of the 1st September instant - I walked a little way with them but not so far as said Fields -
Robert Stone
Taken and sworn before me This 3rd Sept 1830 W Philips

James Holly of Holton aforesaid Labourer saith I live with my Father Martin Holly next Door to the prisoner at Holton - I heard a Cart stop at the prisoners Door about 3 in the morning of yesterday and got out of Bed and saw the prisoner with the Cart the Cart was loaded with wheat and I saw the prisoner carry the wheat from the Cart into his House - it was moonlight - when I got up afterwards about a quarter before 5 I saw the prisoners Daughter brushing the wheat which had fallen from the Sheaves from the Door on her seeing me she drew back
The Mark of X
James Holly

Taken and sworn before Me this 3rd of Sept 1830 W Phelips
Examination of the prisoner Thomas Farthing who states as follows I never saw Mr Gatehouse's Field nor Ins Wheat I am certain it was not my Cart I was at home with the Cart at 11 o'clock at night I went to bed
The Mark of X Thomas Farthing
Before W Phelips Sept 3rd 1830
Thomas Farthing convicted of Larceny after a previous conviction for felony let him be transported beyond the seas for life
Monday 18th October 1830
Death 30 Jun 1831 (age 43-44) Captivity Hulk -Devonport, Devon, England4
Cause: Thomas died in prison, awaiting transportation for stealing wheat

Wife: Mary HOOPER

Name: Mary HOOPER1,2
Sex: Female
Father: -
Mother: -
Birth c. 1781 Mere, Wiltshire, England1
Baptism 3 Oct 1781 (age 0)
Occupation Agricultural Labourer1
Trial Oct 1827 (age 45-46) Somerset, England
Committed for the Qaurter Sessions

Sutcliffe vs Farthing & Read Depositions 2nd Oet 1827 Committed for Sefsions
Somerset to wit
Depositions of Witnefses against Mary Farthing Sarah Farthing and Ann Read for stealing Earthen ware Jugs the property of Jonathan Sutciffe of Bruton licensed Hawker
The said Jonathan Sutcliffe upon his oath saith that he yesterday attended Wincanton Fair with Earthen ware and other things in the way of his Trade which he exhibited for sale upon a Standing erected in the High Street that about 7 o clock in the evening Mary the wife of Thomas Farthing of Holton Labourer and her Daughter Sarah - Two of the prisoner came to such standing and purchased three Cups and three Saucers and on their going away Defendant asked his wife if the Woman Farthing had purchased a Blue Jug which she answered no but Defendant being satisfied that he had seen one in her Basket followed said Mary Farthing and found a Blue Jug in her Basket another in her pocket and two other jugs one Blue and the other Brown all this Defendants property in the pockets of her Daughter - Defendant further saith that on the two prisoners being apprehended the younger Farthing told defendant that Aunt Ann Read of Cucklington had put the Blue Jug into her Mothers Basket and had carried away and herself from Defendants Standing in consequence of which information Defendant applied for and obtained a Warrant to search the premises at Cucklington aforesaid and there found two more Jugs one Blue and the other Brown both his property which had been stolen from him and which he is enabled to identify by the Potting - whereupon the said Ann Read was also apprehended.
The Mark of X
Jonathan SutcIiffe

Taken by me before
W Phelips October 2nd 1827
Francis Parsons Constable of Wincanton upon his Oath saith that in pursuance of the said Warrant he searched the Dwelling house of the said Ann Read at Cucklington and there found five jugs the one Blue and the other Brown now produced
F Parsons
Sworn before W Phelips
Fanny the wife of Jonathan Sutcliffe on her Oath saith that she did not sell any Jug to the said Mary Farthing on the day within mentioned
The Mark X of Fanny Sutcliffe
Before W Phelips
The prisoner Ann Read says that she was at Wincanton on the Day wthin mentiond & some girl she cannot tell who gave her the Jugs that it was in a Crowd and she cannot tell who handed the Jug to her
The Mark X of Ann Read
Before W Phelips


Mary Farthing the prisoner saith that she cannot tell how the Jug got into her Basket but she purchased the Jug that was found in her Basket of Fanny the wife of Jonathan Sutcliffe
The Mark of X Mary Farthing
Before W Phelips
In Consequence of the tender age the younger prisoner Sarah Farthing and not doubting that she was under the influence of the mother I have not committed her to prison-
WPhelips
Census 6 Jun 1841 (age 75) Wincanton, Somerset, England5
Holton
Widowed Mary is with daughter Frances, son James and niece Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Sarah, as well as Frances' first illegitimate son Thomas. Mary seems to have greatly inflated her age - she was only about 61.
Occupation 6 Jun 1841 (age 75) Agricultural Labourer; Wincanton, Somerset, England5
Census 30 Mar 1851 (age 73) Castle Cary, Somerset, England6
Holton
Mary is with Frances and her two base sons
Occupation 30 Mar 1851 (age 73) Pauper; Castle Cary, Somerset, England6
Death 1855 (age 73-74)
Burial 4 May 1855 Holton, Somerset, England

Child 1: Mary FARTHING

Name: Mary FARTHING1,2
Sex: Female
Birth 1808 Mere, Wiltshire, England1

Child 2: Charles FARTHING

Name: Charles FARTHING1,2
Sex: Male
Birth 22 Feb 1811 Holton, Somerset, England1
Baptism 11 Aug 1811 (age 0) Holton, Somerset, England

Child 3: John FARTHING

Name: John FARTHING1,2
Sex: Male
Birth 1813 Holton, Somerset, England1
Death 1813 (age 0) Holton, Somerset, England7

Child 4: Sarah FARTHING

Name: Sarah FARTHING1,2
Sex: Female
Spouse: Charles DAVIS ( - )
Birth 1815 Holton, Somerset, England1
Baptism 24 Dec 1815 (age 0) Holton, Somerset, England
Trial Oct 1827 (age 11-12) Somerset, England
Sarah was indicted for theft of earthenware jugs with her mother, but because of her age she was not committed for trial. See the account in Mary Farthing's notes.

Child 5: Frances FARTHING

Name: Frances FARTHING1,2
Sex: Female
Spouse 2: Jacob HUTCHINGS (1806-1886)
Birth 1817 Holton, Somerset, England1
Baptism 18 May 1817 (age 0) Holton, Somerset, England
Census 6 Jun 1841 (age 20) Wincanton, Somerset, England5
Holton
Census 30 Mar 1851 (age 34) Castle Cary, Somerset, England6
Holton
Occupation 30 Mar 1851 (age 34) Farmers Work; Castle Cary, Somerset, England6
Census 7 Apr 1861 (age 40) North Cheriton, Somerset, England8
Lalliford, Thicks Cottages
Occupation 7 Apr 1861 (age 40) Laundress; North Cheriton, Somerset, England8
Census 2 Apr 1871 (age 55) North Cheriton, Somerset, England9
Lattiford, North Cheriton
Census 3 Apr 1881 (age 61) North Barrow, Somerset, England10
Stibwood, Charlton Musgrove
Death Q3 1884 (age 66-67) Holton, Somerset, England1

Child 6: William FARTHING

Name: William FARTHING1,2
Sex: Male
Birth 1819 Holton, Somerset, England1
Baptism 16 May 1819 (age 0) Holton, Somerset, England
Death 1843 (age 23-24)1
Burial 27 Jul 1843 Holton, Somerset, England

Child 7: Elizabeth FARTHING

Name: Elizabeth FARTHING1,2
Sex: Female
Birth c. 1821 Holton, Somerset, England1
Baptism 15 May 1822 (age 0-1) Holton, Somerset, England

Child 8: James FARTHING

Name: James FARTHING1,2
Sex: Male
Birth 1824 Holton, Somerset, England1
Baptism 1 Feb 1824 (age 0) Holton, Somerset, England
Census 6 Jun 1841 (age 15) Wincanton, Somerset, England5
Holton
Occupation 6 Jun 1841 (age 15) Agricultural Labourer; Wincanton, Somerset, England5

Note on Wife: Mary HOOPER

In 1825 Mary was held in Ilchester prison "for want of sureties" . In 1827 she was sentenced to 3 months for stealing the earthenware jugs as described. This sentence was served at the House of Correction at Wilton.

Sources

1Vivian Fitch. Farthing Family Historian, "Vivian Fitch's Farthing Family Tree".
2"Nick Heard". www.heardfamilyhistory.org.uk. This GEDCOM is predominantly the work of Nick Heard, but it incorporates the collaborated work of many other family historians. You are welcome to use the information herein but please acknowledge the source. Every effort has been made to ensure the data is accurate, but any use you make of it is entirely at your own risk. (c) Nick Heard 2009
3"Taunton Record Office - Various sources".
4Vivian Fitch. Farthing Family Historian, "Vivian Fitch's Farthing Family Tree". email from Viv, 17.9/08. Cites Captivity Register Kew HO9/3 Research done by Jill Chambers . Assessment: Primary evidence.
Text From Source: Note next to Thomas Farthing's nme - Died 30th June 1831
5"Census 1841 Wincanton, Somerset HO107/964 Book 10 Folio 6 Page 20 ED 5 (Mary Farthing nee Hooper)".
Text From Source: Name Age Occupation Where Born
Mary Hooper 75 Agricultural Labourer
Frances Farthing 20
James Farthing 15 Agricultural Labourer
Thomas Farthing 3
Elizabeth Davis 5 Scholar
HO107/964 Book 10 Folio 6 Page 20 ED 5. Cit. Date: 6 June 1841. Assessment: Secondary evidence.
6"Census 1851 Castle Cary, Somerset, England HO107/1931 Folio 488 Page 10 (Mary Farthing nee Hooper)".
Text From Source: Name Related Cond Age Occupation Birth Place
Mary Farthing Head Widow 73 Pauper Mere, Wiltshire, England
Frances Farthing Dau Unm 34 Farmers Work Holton, Somerset, England
Thomas Farthing 13 Farmers Boy Holton, Somerset, England
Charles Farthing 9 Farmers Boy Holton, Somerset, England
HO107/1931 Folio 488 Page 10. Cit. Date: 30 March 1851. Assessment: Secondary evidence.
7"Lambert-Gorwyn - a family history website" (Website).
8"Census 1861 North Cheriton, Somerset RG9/1650 Folio 83 Page 6 (Fanny Farthing)".
Text From Source: Name Related Cond Age Occupation Birth Place
Jacob Hutchings Head Mar 50 Agricultural Labourer North Barrow, Somerset, England
Fanny Hutchings Wife Mar 40 Laundress Holton, Somerset, England
RG9/1650 Folio 83 Page 6. Cit. Date: 7 April 1861. Assessment: Secondary evidence.
9"Census 1871 North Cheriton, Somerset RG10/2426 Folio 162 Page 11 (Frances Farthing)".
Text From Source: Name Related Cond Age Occupation Birth Place
Jacob Hutchings Head Mar 54 Agricultural Labourer North Barrow, Somerset, England
Frances Hutchings Wife Mar 55 Holton, Somerset, England
RG10/2426 Folio 162 Page 11. Cit. Date: 2 April 1871. Assessment: Secondary evidence.
10"Census 1881 North Barrow, Somerset, England RG11/2397 Folio 55 Page 3 (Frances Farthing)".
Text From Source: Name Related Cond Age Occupation Birth Place
Frances Farthing Head Mar 61 Holton, Somerset, England
Jacob Hutchings Husb Mar 76 Agricultural Labourer Cowman North Barrow, Somerset, England
RG11/2397 Folio 55 Page 3. Cit. Date: 3 April 1881. Assessment: Secondary evidence.