Richard Whiting c.1838-?

Parents:     George Whiting and Rose Rowlinson (1)
Born:            c.1838.(2)
Baptised:   3rd June 1838 at St Mary's Church, Withersfield (1)                    
Married:      ?
Children:     ?
Died:              ?

Bio:              Richard was born in Withersfield sometime before 1838. He was baptised at Withersfield Church on 3rd June 1838.

He appears on the 1841 census living in Withersfield village with his parents, his grandfather Henry Rowlinson, and his brother and sisters. He has a half-brother Samuel, who was Rose's son from before marriage.

The 1851 census sees Richard still at home, working as an agricultural labourer alongside his father and elder brother William. He has an older sister Sarah, and younger sister Elizabeth also living in the family home. 

What happened to Richard after this 1851 census is not so clear. There is no further mention of him in the GRO registers in the Risbridge district, so the implication is that he left home for pastures new.

I've only found two possible further sightings of Richard so far.

On 1st January 1856, a Richard Whiting marries Mary Elliott at Trinity Church, Upper Chelsea, Middlesex.(3,4) He gives his occupation as grenadier guard. His father is George Whiting, labourer. His age is given as 'full', so no help here. No help either confirming place of birth. His fathers details are correct, however. Mary Elliott's father is given as Alexander Elliott, an engineer.

A search of British Army records has come up with no trace of a Richard Whiting in the Grenadier Guards, or any suitable Richard Whiting in other regiments come to that. This couple do not seem to appear again on any censuses going forward, either.

The other sighting is on the 1861 census in Hornchurch. We have a Richard Whiting, boarder and labourer, living with John and Sarah White, both 60.(5) His birth year is given as 1839 which is close enough, and his place of birth is 'Not Known'. John White is an agricultural labourer from London, and his wife from Aveley.

To be Continued...

Sources:

(1) Suffolk Baptism Index, SFHS, Clare Deanery 1813-1900.
(2) Birth Register. 2nd Quarter 1838, Risbridge District, Volume 12 Page 376
(3) London Metropolitan Archives, Holy Trinity, Chelsea, Register of marriages, P74/TRI, Item 013.
(4) Marriage Register. 1st Quarter 1856, Chelsea District, Volume 1a Page 225
(5) Source Citation: Class: RG 9; Piece: 1072; Folio: 48; Page: 6; GSU roll: 542747.