Baxters of Rushmere
Rushmere
Rushmere is a small hamlet between North Cove and Kessingland. The church is dedicated to St Michael.
What happened to the children of William Baxter and Sarah Balls of Rushmere?
William Baxter (1793 – 1856)
Census
1841
| Dwelling – North Cove | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| William Baxter | 46 | Ag Lab | Y |
1851
| Dwelling – Carlton Colville | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital Status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| William Baxter | Lodger | Unmar | {?}0 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
Death
Lowestoft St Margaret
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 24 Jul 1856 | Wm Baxter | Aged 65 son of Wm and Sarah Baxter |
Sarah Baxter (1793 – 1874)
Marriage
Sarah married William Gray (1796 – 1878) the son of James Gray and Juda Smith. From the parish records of Pakefield:
“William Gray of Kirkley bachelor married Sarah Baxter spinster married in this church by banns this nineteenth day of January, 1819. In the presence of Peter Beecroft and Arthur Robert Mucet.”
Mary Baxter (1794 – 1794)
Death
Rushmere St Michael
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 09 Oct 1794 | Mary Baxter | Daughter of William Baxter and Sarah his wife (late Balls) |
Hannah Baxter (1796 – 1859)
Marriage
Hannah married Robert Blake (1790 – 1869) son of Robert Blake and Anne Goodwins. From the parish records of Mutford:
“Robert Blake single man and Hannah Baxter single woman both of this parish married in this church by banns this eighteenth day of March, 1817. In the presence of John Shipley and Sarah Baxter.”
John Baxter (1799 – 1887)
John lived in Mutford for a short period before marrying and settling in Pakefield. It would appear that in around 1838 the family could have been in the workhouse. In later life he lived with his daughter and family in Diss Norfolk, where he died.
Marriage
John married Mary Ann Huke (1803 – 1874) daughter of John Huke and Lydia Smith. From the parish registers of North Cove:
“John Baxter bachelor of this parish and Mary Ann Huke spinster of this parish were married in this church by banns this eighteenth day of February, 1828. In the presence of Robert Rouse and Elizabeth Huke.”
Children
John and Mary Ann had the following:
| Born | Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 1828 | 31 Aug 1828 21 Sep 1828 |
Elizabeth | North Cove Labourer | Parish Church of North Cove |
| 1830 | 26 Dec 1830 | James | Barnby Labourer | Parish Church of Barnby |
| 1832 | 30 Dec 1832 | Lydia* | Pakefield labourer | Parish church of Pakefield |
| 1833 | Maria | Pakefield | ||
| 18 Oct 1834 | 07 Dec 1834 | Hannah | Pakefield labourer | Parish church of Pakefield |
| 19 Dec 1836 | 05 Feb 1837 | Margaret | Pakefield labourer | Parish church of Pakefield |
| 5 Nov 1838 | 16 Nov 1838 | Catherine (Katherine) | Pakefield labourer | Parish church of Pakefield |
| 27 Oct 1841 | Robert | Pakefield labourer | Parish church of Pakefield |
* Surname Baxter spelt Bagster in the church records
Census
1841
| Dwelling – Pakefield | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| John Baxter | 35 | Ag Lab | Y |
| Mary Ann Baxter | 30 | Y | |
| Elizabeth Baxter | 12 | Y | |
| Lidia Baxter | 7 | Y | |
| Hannah Baxter | 6 | Y | |
| Catherine Baxter | 2 | Y | |
1851
| Dwelling – Church Street, Pakefield | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| John Baxter | Head | M | 50 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
| Mary Ann Baxter | Wife | M | 46 | Gorleston | |
| Hannah Baxter | Daughter | 16 | Pakefield | ||
| *Maria Baxter | Daughter | 12 | Pakefield | ||
| Robert Baxter | Brother | Unmar | 43 | Pensioner | Rushmere |
| Thomas Cattlemole | Lodger | Wid | 60 | Ag lab | Oulton |
* I believe Maria should be Catherine.
1861
| Dwelling – Church Street Pakefield | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| John Baxter | Head | M | 68 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
| Mary Ann Baxter | Wife | M | 56 | Wash woman | Harby Norfolk |
| Robert Baxter | Lodger | Unmar | 58 | Ag Lab | Pakefield |
| Hannah Baxter | Daughter | Unmar | 26 | Midwife | Pakefield |
| Elizabeth *Baxter | Daughter | 2 | Oulton | ||
* Suspect Elizabeth was a Granddaughter, possibly Elizabeth Mary Ann Howlett (1859 – 1861), daughter of Catherine and Edward.
1871
| Dwelling – Church Street, Pakefield | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| John Baxter | Head | M | 75 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
| Mary Ann Baxter | Wife | M | 69 | Cove | |
| Robert Baxter | Brother | Unmar | 66 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
1881
| Dwelling – Victoria Road, Sandy Lane, Diss Norfolk | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| George W Howes | Head | M | 42 | Engine smith at works (E & M) | Worlingham |
| Hannah Howes | Wife | M | 46 | Pakefield | |
| Emma H Howes | Daughter | 19 | Dressmaker | Lowestoft | |
| Elizabeth Howes | Mother | Wid | 70 | Seamstress | Lowestoft |
| John Baxter | Father-in-law | Wid | 84 | Labourer General | Rushmere |
| Benjamin A Howlett | Nephew | 9 | scholar | Pakefield | |
Crime
| Name | Age | Session | Trial Date | Charge | Out come |
| John Baxter | 40 | Beccles | 31 Dec 1838 | Larceny | Acquitted |
| John Baxter | 35 | Beccles | 06 Mar 1843 | Larceny by servant | Imprisonment 6 months |
Newspapers
| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| Norwich Mercury | 05 Jan 1839 | John Baxter, for stealing a barrow, the property of Thomas Cunningham, of Kessingland. – No true bill. |
| The Ipswich Journal | 11 Mar 1843 | Beccles, Monday March 7. John Baxter, 35, pleaded guilty to having stolen 2 bushels of barley &c, the property of his master, John Matchett of Kirkley: 6 months imprisonment. |
| The Suffolk Chronicle | 20 Aug 1864 | John Baxter, of Carlton Colville, labourer, now harvesting for Mr. Crabbe, of Oulton, was charged with assaulting Mr. J. Q. Stebbing, a licensed victualler, on the 4th Inst. Complainant stated that defendant went into his house and asked for half an ounce of tobacco, with which he was served by the bar maid, but refused paying for it; he then took up pint mug and threw it at the servant, by which it was broken. Complainant remonstrated with defendant, when he threw a piece of the broken mug at complainant which did not hit him, but indented the wall. Complainant ordered him out, but to no effect, and was obliged to put him out. Complainant stated that about three months since defendant conducted himself in the same way. Fined 12s., which was paid. |
| Bury and Norwich Post | 14 Jul 1874 | Died On the 4th inst, aged 71, Mary Ann, wife of J. Baxter, of Pakefield. |
Death
Pakefield All Saints and St Margaret
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 08 Jul 1874 | Mary Ann Baxter | Aged 71 |
Diss St Mary
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 26 Dec 1887 | John Baxter | Aged 96 |
James Baxter (1802 – 1802)
James Baxter (1804 – 1872)
James moved away from Rushmere to settle in Carlton Colville where he married and had a family. It would appear from census data that he spent some of his later life in the workhouse.
Marriage
James married Jane Pitcher (1813 – 1862) daughter of Joseph Pitcher and Mary Watling. From the parish records of Carlton Colville:
“James Baxter single man of this parish and Jane Pitcher single woman of this parish were married in this church by banns this seventeenth day of March, 1835. In the presence of Martha Gooch and John Durrant.”
Children
James and Jane had the following:
| Born | Baptized | Name | Comment | Where |
| 22 Apr 1835 | 22 Apr 1835 | James | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville |
| 15 Jan 1837 | Joseph | Oulton Labourer | Parish Church of Oulton | |
| 1838 | Mary | Carlton Colville | ||
| 22 Dec 1839 | Joseph | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville | |
| 1842 | 13 Jun 1843 | Jane | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville |
| 13 Aug 1845 | Sarah | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville | |
| 13 Jun 1847 | George | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville | |
| 13 Jun 1847 | Sarah | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville | |
| 1849 | 07 Nov 1852 | William Pitcher | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville |
| 07 Feb 1850 | Benjamin | Carlton Colville Labourer | Parish Church of Carlton Colville |
Census
1841
| Dwelling – Carlton Colville | |||
| Name | Age | Occupation | Born in County |
| James Baxter | 40 | Ag Lab | Y |
| Jane Baxter | 30 | Y | |
| James Baxter | 7 | Y | |
| Mary Baxter | 4 | Y | |
| Joseph Baxter | 1 | Y | |
1851
| Dwelling – Carlton Colville | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital Status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| James Baxter | Head | M | 48 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
| Jane Baxter | Wife | M | 39 | Carlton Colville | |
| James Baxter | Son | 16 | Carlton Colville | ||
| Mary Baxter | Daughter | 13 | Carlton Colville | ||
| Joseph Baxter | Son | 11 | Carlton Colville | ||
| Jane Baxter | Daughter | 8 | Carlton Colville | ||
| George Baxter | Son | 6 | Carlton Colville | ||
| Sarah Baxter | Daughter | 4 | Carlton Colville | ||
| Benjamin Baxter | Son | 1 | Carlton Colville | ||
| William Baxter | Son | 2 mths | Carlton Colville | ||
1861
| Dwelling – Beccles Road Carlton Colville | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| James Baxter | Head | M | 57 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
| Jane Baxter | Wife | M | 47 | Carlton Colville | |
| Martha Pitcher | Mother-in-law | Wid | 80 | Mutford | |
| Joseph Baxter | Son | Unmar | 21 | Ag Lab | Carlton Colville |
| Jane Baxter | Daughter | Unmar | 19 | Carlton Colville | |
| George Baxter | Son | 16 | Ag Lab | Carlton Colville | |
| Sarah Baxter | Daughter | 13 | Carlton Colville | ||
| William Baxter | Son | 11 | Ag Lab | Carlton Colville | |
| Benjamin Baxter | Son | 10 | Ag Lab | Carlton Colville | |
1871
| Dwelling – Workhouse Oulton | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| James Baxter | other | Widr | 72 | Ag Lab | Rushmere |
Newspapers
| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| The Ipswich Journal | 14 Feb 1857 | Lowestoft Petty Sessions – At the Petty Session of Wednesday John Gooch and James Baxter, of Carlton Colville, were fined each 14s and costs for trespassing upon land in the same parish, belonging to William Woodthorpe Esq. on the 3rd inst ferreting rabbits. Mr Woodthorpe discovered them, and had taken up the case because he heard they had done so before, although he had not seen them on the land with a gun. Mr Leathers observed the reason he asked the question was that he wished to give the men a caution, as he had heard the Assessor of Taxes say at a meeting the other day that he intended to proceed against cases of such men carrying guns without licences, for the full penalty. They had each incurred in this case a penalty of £2, but if they came into the hands of government they would find it not so trifling an affair, as in that case the penalty would be £20. |
Death
| When and where died – 30th June, 1872, The Workhouse Oulton | |||||
| Name and surname | Sex | Age | Occupation | Cause of death | Signature, description and residence of informant |
| James Baxter | male | 73 years | Agricultural labourer | Dropsy and natural causes | Mary Ann was present at the death, workhouse Oulton |
Carlton Colville St Peter
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 12 Jan 1862 | Jane Baxter | Aged 48 |
| 4th Jul 1872 | James Baxter | Oulton Union Workhouse, late of Carlton Colville, aged 75 |
Oulton Union House
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 04 Jul 1872 | James Baxter | Of Barnby, aged 73 |
Robert Baxter (1806 – 1888)
Robert was in the army in his early years. After he retired he became an agricultural labourer living with his brother. He spent his later life in Oulton workhouse where he died. He never married.
Military Details
| Name | Where Born | Regiment | Discharged |
| Robert Barters alias Robert Baxter | Rushmere, Suffolk | 70th Foot Regiment | Aged 40, 26 Jun 1849 |
| 70th Foot Regiment | |
| Robert Baxter | |
| Rushmere | |
| County of Suffolk | |
| Age: 22 yrs 11mths | |
| Capacity: Labourer | |
| Height: 5 feet 11 | Hair: Brown |
| Complexion: Sallow | Eyes: Hazel |
| Marks: | |
| Attestation: | 31st December 1831 |
Private Robert Baxter by trade a labourer was born in the parish of Rushmere in or near the town of Lowestoft in the county of Suffolk and was ATTESTED for the 70th Regiment of infantry at Chelmsford in the county of Essex on the 31 December 1831 at the age of 22 years and 11 months that after making every Deduction required by Her Majesty’s Regulation the service up to this day which he is entitled to reckoned to be seventeen years 148 days as shown by the details stated on the 2nd page during which period he served abroad 5 years and 140 days viz.-
– at West Indies 3 years 116 days
– at Canada 2 years 24 days
His conduct and character has been good
Census
1881
| Dwelling – Workhouse Oulton | |||||
| Name | Relationship | Marital status | Age | Occupation | Where Born |
| Robert Baxter | Pauper | Unmar | 76 | Pensioner solider | Rushmere |
Crime
Beccles House of Correction
| Name | Age | Offence | Period Confined |
| Robert Baxter | 20 | ? | 14 Jul – 13 Oct 1828 |
Newspapers
| Newspaper | Date | Comment |
| The Ipswich Journal | 05 Apr 1845 | Committed to the Beccles House of Correction – Robert Baxter, by the Rev W. C. Edgell as a rogue and vagabond: 19 days hard labour. |
Death
| When and where died – 12th May, 1888, The Workhouse Oulton | |||||
| Name and surname | Sex | Age | Occupation | Cause of death | Signature, description and residence of informant |
| Robert Baxter | male | 83 years | General Labourer Army pensioner of Kessingland | Senility | Geo Drewells, governor, the workhouse Oulton |
Oulton Union House
| Buried | Name | Comment |
| 16 May 1888 | Robert Baxter | Of Pakefield, aged 83 |