William John George Croucher (1802-1877)
Dates
Birth: 2 February 1802 Holborn, Middlesex, UK
Father: George Croucher c1755-a1801
Mother: Mary Lane
Christening: 14 March 1802 St Giles in the Fields, Holborn, Middlesex, UK
Marriage: 31 August 1839 St John, Parramatta, Cumberland, New South Wales, Australia
Wife: Elizabeth Hayman 1816-1879
Death: 1 September 1877 Aird Street, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
Buried: St. John's Cemetery, 1 O'Connell Street, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
Children
William George Croucher 1841-1909
Silas Croucher 1842
Silas Croucher 1845
John Bute Croucher 1848-1910
Mary Elizabeth Croucher 1850-1921
Lena (Leena, Leina) E Croucher [Monteith] 1854-1932
Arthur Victor Croucher c1855-1909
Eugene Croucher 1862-1916
Notes
Research by Tom Croucher in Australia indicated that George Croucher born circa 1757 in Isleworth, Hampshire, was the father of William Croucher the convict who married Elizabeth Hayman in Parramatta in 1839. See Interpretation of the Will of Thomas Croucher (1851-1822) and The Will of Thomas Croucher (1851-1822) both written by Tom Croucher for details. The main conflict is that the christening name is William John Croucher and the burial name is William George Croucher.
Two entries in Ancestry London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for Willm Jno Croucher baptised 14 Mar (sic) 1802 at Saint Giles in the Fields, Saint Giles High Street, Holborn, Camden. The original is nearly illegible "Willm [Geo or Jno - could be either] Croucher of George & Mary 18th Feby 1801". Note that this was still using the Julian Calendar so the year is 1802 using the Georgian calendar. However there is also a much clearer entry for William John Croucher "Baptisms March 1802 March 14th [...] William John Croucher of George and Mary".
Four entries in Ancestry All London, England, Newgate Calendar of Prisoners, 1785-1853 for William Croucher aged 20, a glazier, charge stealing in the dwelling-house of William Smith, eight silver spoons, &c. his property, accomplice Charles Henington aged 18, a shoemaker., trial 10 October 1822, both sentenced to death, but respited and ordered to be transported for life, kept in hulks.
Entry in Ancestry UK, Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849 for 6143 William Croucher convicted 23 October 1822 at Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), London of stealing six silver spoons in another house, received on Leviathan 13 December 1822, transported NSW 12 April 1873 for life.
There is also an entry in Ancestry England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892 for William Croucher, but the original is very faint.
Entry in Proceedings of the Old Bailey
William Croucher, Charles Hennington. Theft: housebreaking.
23rd October 1822 Reference Number t18221023-8
Verdict Guilty > lesser offence
Sentence Death; Death
1495. William Croucher and Charles Hennington were indicted for breaking and entering the dwelling-house of William Smith, about the hour of seven in the forenoon, of the 2d of October, at St. Martin in the fields, (no person being therein,) and stealing therein one coat, value 50 s.; six handkerchiefs, value 30 s.; one pin, value 5 s.; one shawl, value 5 s.; eight spoons, value 30 s.; one crown; three half-crowns; twelve shillings, and seven sixpences, the property of Daniel O'Brien.
Susannah O'Brein. I am the wife of Daniel O'Brien; we live in Blue-cross-street, in the parish of St. Martin's in the Fields; we rent the kitchen; William Smith is the landlord, and lives in the house. On Wednesday, the 2d of October, I went out about a quarter after seven o'clock in the morning; I left my daughter Mary Ann Isaacs in the house; I returned about half-past eight; Isaacs was not there - she returned in quarter of an hour; I then got in, as she had the key. I found my husband's large chest broken open, and a large drab great coat and the rest of the property stated in the indictment gone. There were three half-crowns and one crown among the silver. I have found nothing since. I found a milk kettle left on the table in the kitchen, which was not there before. When I went out that morning, I saw the two prisoners standing in the street against a post opposite, at the corner, four or five doors from each other. Hennington stood at the post, with the same sort of kettle in his hand as that I found in the kitchen. I had seen them waiting about there three mornings before, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; they were dressed like milkmen; Croucher had a blue apron, the other had a dark blue coat, and a smart orange-coloured handkerchief on; I took particular notice of him being so smart. My daughter called my attention to them on the Monday morning, and as I was going round with my milk on Wednesday, about a quarter of an hour after I left home (about half-past seven o'clock) I saw Hennington running down Hemming's-row, with a light great coat on, like the one missed. I did not see Croucher then.
Cross-examined by Mr. Bolland. Q. Croucher had a blue apron on, that is all that made him look like a milkman - A. Yes; we called them the dandy milkmen. Hennington was dressed genteelly, and stood about twelve yards off, with a kettle in his hand, of the same size as that I found in the room; there are many kettles of that size. I afterwards saw him running with the coat on, and am sure of his person, for I particularly noticed him; it was a large drab old-fashioned coat, and too big for him; I saw his face, and also saw that he had the same orange-coloured handkerchief on, and knew him again. The kitchen has a door leading into the passage, communicating with the rest of the house; Mrs. Smith and her two children were in the house at the time.
Court. Q. What is the value of the coat? A. My husband gave three guineas and a half for it; it is worth 2 l. - he had worn it very little. The other things are worth 65 s.
Mary Ann Isaacs . I am the daughter-in-law of Mrs. O'Brien. I went out on Wednesday morning, about a quarter past seven o'clock, about two minutes after my mother; I locked the back door twice, and left the key inside; the front door was latched - I left it fast; I returned about half-past seven o'clock; I looked down the cellar, to see if there was any customer - I saw two men open the street door of the house and come out; I looked very hard at them - the prisoners are the men. Croucher had a black waistcoat, black silk handkerchief, and dark blue coat and blue trowsers; Hennington had a darkish brown old fashioned great coat on. They said nothing to me. I watched them up the street, and went down into the kitchen directly, and found the back door wide open, and a strange milk can on the table. My father-in-law's chest was broken open. I immediately missed his coat, also my own shawl out of my box. I went and met my mother and told her. I did not suspect the men then. The great coat one had on was like my father-in-law's. I have seen the prisoners several times before - I saw Croucher on the Monday morning before the robbery with a milk kettle in his hand.
I saw him several times in the course of Monday, and many times on the Tuesday. I saw Hennington also on the Tuesday; he had a coloured silk handkerchief on. I saw them together several times on the Monday and Tuesday - I did not know where they lived, or their names.
Cross-examined. Q. It was an old great coat - A. No, an old fashioned one - he never wore it since I have been with him, which is two years. I saw Croucher on Monday, going along with the milk can in his hand, and Hennington following him - I do not say they were together then. The back door leads to the kitchen stairs.
George Avis. I am a patrol of Bow-street. On the 3d of October, in consequence of information, I apprehended both the prisoners about three o'clock in the afternoon, in Vine-street, Chandos-street, in the street; they were in company with a third person; both had black silk handkerchiefs. I searched them, and on Hennington I found an orange-coloured silk handkerchief. I got the milk can from the premises. I was fetched directly, and saw it found.
Susannah O'Brien . That is the colour of the handkerchief Hennington had on.
Frances Smith . My husband rents the house in Blue-cross-street. On the morning before the robbery (Tuesday) I saw two men come up the back way from the kitchen; I looked at them - they were respectably dressed, and not knowing but they belonged to the people in the kitchen, I took no further notice; they appeared to be exactly like the prisoners. Next morning I went to the shop door to look after my son, who was gone on an errand, and saw the same two men going down the front way into the kitchen down the cellar stairs, and about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes after I heard of the robbery. I cannot swear positively to the prisoners - they were very much like them; neither had a great coat on; I did not notice their dresses particularly, only they appeared well dressed.
Cross-examined. Q. You thought them well dressed - A. Yes. The prisoners appear very much like them.
Richard Dawkins. I am a milkman, and live at Plumtree-street, Bloomsbury. On the 2d of October, about twenty minutes after seven o'clock in the morning I was in Hemming's-row, St. Martin's-lane; it is near Bluecross-street; I saw two men, one had a blue coat and trowsers, and the other a large drab great coat on. I heard a great rattling in their pockets as they passed me, which appeared like silver or money of some sort. I will not swear it was the prisoners.
Thomas Evans. I am a milkman. The milk kettle produced is mine. I have known Croucher five years. I cannot say he had the kettle, but I lodged at his father's house at one time, and sometimes I lent him a can like this. I cannot say whether he always returned it. I have lost ten or twenty cans in the course of the year.
Cross-examined. Q. He was apprenticed to his uncle - A. I understand so. I left his father's house three years ago; I was a milkman then, and am so now. I sold some of my old cans to a Mrs. Lizard, but not this, as none that I sold her had my name on.
Croucher's Defence. I was in a different place at the time.
Hennington's Defence. I was not in that part of the town.
George Croucher. I am the prisoner's father. He was apprenticed to his uncle, who is a glazier to the Corporation of London. He was with him nearly seven years - they separated four or five months ago, having some altercation; he has chiefly lived me since. On Wednesday morning, the 2d of October, he came home about half-past six o'clock - he had not slept at home. I sat in his company from that time till twenty minutes before seven o'clock. I live in Castle-court, Strand. He then went out, and returned about ten minutes before eight o'clock. He was dressed in a blue coat and round hat. I have seen Hennington before, but never knew my son to be acquainted with him. My son sometimes worked with me, and at times had jobs of his own. I am a mangler and porter. He was with me on Tuesday, till twelve or one o'clock, all the morning. He did not get up till eight, and was at home on Monday till twelve o'clock. He slept at home on Sunday and Monday nights.
James Prescod. I am a butcher, and live in Croucher's house. I remember something about the day this robbery took place. I believe it was on a Wednesday. I saw Croucher in the passage with his father, about a quarter before seven o'clock. He bore an honest industrious character. I did not see him after a quarter to seven o'clock; we walked together from the house at that time, to near where I work; I got there about ten minutes to seven o'clock. I work at Collinson's, Holborn, near the Turnstile. I then left him, and cannot say which way he went.
Another witness gave Croucher a good character.
Frances Smith re-examined. It was between seven and eight o'clock on Tuesday morning that I saw two men come out of the kitchen. I live a very little way from Castle-court, Strand.
Croucher - Guilty - Death . Aged 20.
Hennington - Guilty - Death . Aged 18.
Of stealing in the dwelling-house, but not of breaking and entering.
Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice Bayley.
Entry in Ancestry All New South Wales, Australia, Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870 for William Croucher aged 37 arrived 1823 on Ocean, conditional pardon for good conduct 1 April 1839.
Entry in Ancestry Australia, Marriage Index, 1788-1950 for William Crouch (sic) and Elizabeth Haman (sic) in 1839 in Parramatta, New South Wales.
Two entries in Ancestry New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Marriages, 1790-1966 for William Croucher and Elizabeth Hamen, on 11 August 1839 "3 Publication of Banns 1839 [...] August 11 William Croucher [... of] Parramatta [of] Full [age] [and] Elizabeth Hamen [... of] Parramatta [of] Full [age]" and on 21 (sic) August 1839 "Page 14 Marriages solemnized in the Parish of St John Parramatta in the County of Cumberland in the Year 1839 No. 52 William Croucher of this Parish and Elizabeth Hamen of this Parish were married in this Church by Banns with consent of [blank] this thirty first day of August in the year 1839".
In the 1841 census as William Croucher living in Parramatta, New South Wales.
Entry in Ancestry Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 for William Croucher, parents William (sic) and Mary, in 1877 in Parramatta, New South Wales (8036).
Entry in Ancestry Australia and New Zealand, Find a Grave Index, 1800s-Current for William George Croucher born 2 February 1801 in London, spouse Elizabeth Croucher, children John Bute Croucher, died 1 September 1877 in Parramatta Park, Cairns, Queensland, Australia and was buried in St. John's Cemetery, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia .
"Nothing in my Hand I bring. Simply to thy Cross I cling. In Memory of William G. Croucher died Sepr. 1st 1877 aged 76 years also of Elizabeth Croucher wife of the above Died Augt 25th 1879 aged 62 years"
Anote adds "William was tried before the Old Bailey 23 October 1822, he arrived aboard the 'Ocean' 27 August 1823."
There is also an entry in Gravestones Photos for William C (sic) Croucher.
There are one hundred and twelve entries in Ancestry Public Member Trees for William George Croucher born 2 February or in November 1801 in London, Middlesex.
Relationship
William George Croucher was the grandson of Thomas Croucher.
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