EDLINS in Leics.

[Missprim]

Hi,

I spent three hours in Lincoln Archive this afternoon looking at the surviving documentation for John EDLIN’S appearance in court.  The actual documents in the Session File are mostly quite crumpled and dirty.  The Session Minute Book is a huge tome written in very clear copperplate handwriting – obviously a fair copy of some of the other documents.

It seems John EDLIN’S crime took place at Barrowby on 27th December 1815.  He was committed for trial on the 30th May 1816 (possibly at Spilsby) and tried at the Quarter Sessions at Folkingham on the 16th July 1816.  There he was found guilty of stealing a hog pig from Mr DORR, a farmer, at Barrowby who was prosecutor at the trial.  Others giving evidence were Joseph BULLIMORE, Thomas WHITE(?), John RUSHTON Senr., and George WILLOWS; I think these men might all have been witnesses for the prosecution.  I couldn’t find anything specifically about the defence nor could I find any account of the evidence for either side.  John was ordered to be returned to the House of Correction at Folkingham and then transferred to the gaol in Lincoln Castle until he could be transported.  There is one more reference that I still have to look at and I suspect that will be an account of his committal hearing which is where the magistrates would decide that there was a case to be answered.

[behindthefrogs]

In one of the early posts on this thread I said that the descendents of Edward Edlin (1809) were Methodist Preachers.  I have just discovered that Edward was living for a period in Leicester in 1861 and was described as an Agricultural Labourer and Wesleyan Methodist Preacher.

The family were obviously not just Ag Labs because his children were the bicycle makers and founded the Leicester Coal Merchants.

David

[midmum]

Hi they were also blacksmiths, this would involve some degree of skill and may have paved the way to bicycle manufacture.
Heather

[behindthefrogs]

You are right.  Robert(1865) another Methodist Preacher son of Edward was a blacksmith in 1861 and a bicycle maker in 1881.  He was the first of the bicycle makers in the family and it was his son William who built the first bicycle to be fitted with pneumatic tyres for John Dunlop.

[Missprim]

Hi,

I'm in Lincoln.  I have just come out of the Archive.  The last documentary source listed on the Convicts Database tells us that John EDLIN was still in Lincoln Gaol 4th January 1817. 

If anyone wants the verbatim Quarter Sessions minutes for his case and my other notes please send me a P. M.  Please be patient if you don't get a quick reply my computer went down on Friday - hoping to have it put right on Monday:)

[behindthefrogs]

SUSPICE has just sent me copies of two letters from his archives, one of which contains as interesting family rumour which it would be useful to substantiate. 

George Edlin who emigrated to New Zealand in 1856 was said to have been a gardener for the 5th Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle Grantham.  He was also rumoured to be a dab hand at poaching which contributed to his hasty departure from the UK.

Has anyone any thoughts on this one?

David

[midmum]

Hello,
John has also sent me this info and I wondered if there were records kept of staff at the castle. Have started to look but not turned anything up. The castle opens again in April so I think I will take my children for a visit! If George had been caught poaching I am sure there would have been some records of arrest / punishment as seen for the John Edlin. In those days you could be hung for stealing sheep so to poach even hares must have been risky. I recall some article in the family tree mag and will try to locate it for suggestions. Maybe emigration may have been a more seemly alternative! The Dukes appear to have been a fairly decent lot and took care of many staff and ex soldiers so they may hve prefered this option. I was so sure I was descended from a thoroughly decent family but maybe not?
Heather

[Suspice]

There is also a reference to Belvoir Castle in the book written by Lester Edlin.
As soon as I return to Brisbane I will look up and send the relevant info. to you
and David. Kindest regards John

[midmum]

Hi John,
my curiosity is piqued, can't wait until you return and let us know what book and who Lester edlin is!
Have a good trip and drive carefully.
Heather