COMPLETED - Census Look up 1851, 1861 - Richard DRUITT -

[keebleancestors]

Richard Druitt died in 1864 in Mile End Workhouse.  His death certificate gives his age at death as 88, and it's printed very clearly. This would make his date of birth 1776.  Occupation given as tinman.

The IGI does not offer a birth for a Richard Druitt in 1776. Closest is 1786 in Bethnal Green. As this entry lists the birth date in addition to the baptism, I feel it unlikely that it was a bad transcription of a numeral, and have more or less ruled it out.

Druitt, however is so frequently misread by transcribers that finding my Druitts on censuses is a nightmare, in addition the spelling is often given other ways (e.g. DREWIT on his son John's birth certificate).

Richard married Elizabeth Thurman, and had at least 3 children, John, Mary and Richard.

We have been unable to find any definite sightings in the 1851 and 1861 censuses, and have ruled out "Richard Cuett" in Ratcliffe in 1851 (see: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,263604.0.html)

1841 seems to give us
HO107/701/13 - Limehouse Workhouse
Folio 2, Page 1

Richard DREWITT - 60 - messenger - not born in county

If this is correct it's no wonder I can't find a birth in London!!!!

I desperately need a census cracker to find him in 1851 or 1861, for a birthplace. Anyone game?

[UkApril]

I have seen the occupation of tinman in my Truscott ancestors from the St Austell area.  Some of them moved to Widnes in Lancs where they worked in chemical factories. It might be worth researching the occupation a bit to see if it gives any clues. 
April

[Annette7]

Hi April

May have found him in 1861 lodging at 2 Albert Street, Mile End Old Town, Stepney, Middlesex:

transcribed (on Ancestry) as:

Richard DEROSSETT  widr.   84   Formerley a Tin Plate Worker  b. Clerkenwell.

Have looked at original which is not very clear at all - definitely looks like it ends with 'witt' to me.

Ref. RG9 - 299 - 89 - 21.

Annette

[keebleancestors]

Annette, I think that could be him. Too many bits fit too well, age, occpation, area...thank you...I shall check out the original. Even the place of birth makes sense as his son claimed to have been born in Clerkenwell too. Many thanks, and wow, how DID you find that?

[Annette7]

Hi

Just did a search for a Richard bc.1776 on 1861 Census for Middlesex looking for anything obvious that may have been mistranscribed and there he was.   Glad it began with 'D' and not a W.

Annette       

[keebleancestors]

And I tried that, and didn't find him! You are amazing Annette. Looking at the original I am certain it was meant to read Drewitt and just got scrawled a bit. This is great, I have a birthplace. May not sound like much but really might crack it. Thank you so much!