James Dorling / Dowling of Wortwell, his son Robert and his sister Sophia

In Jan 1843 James Dowling alias Dorling (b. 1798 Wortwell, Norfolk) and his 17 year old son Robert (b. 1825 Gt Linstead, Suffolk) were convicted of stealing 3 heifers in Metfield,Suffolk - their descriptions are given when they are put in Ipswich Gaol and many years ago my distant cousin Jim Dorling sent me the transcriptions of their Ipswich gaol record.  Since then I have researched the family who originate in the Norfolk parish of Redenhall with Harlston and Wortwell.   It is likely they were non-conformists as their baptisms do not always appear in the parish records.  

James was a farmer with a wife and 8 children.  In 1838 the tithe records show he is the owner and occupier property in Wortwell, Norfolk.  By 1841 the and his family were living in Cratfield, Suffolk, but James still had property in Wortwell as he appears in electoral rolls for Wortwell in 1841.  He is definitely above the status of labourer and this is referred to at his trial when the judge says he must have same punishment as men of lower class, or words to that effect.  

Robert is seen as being influenced by his disgraceful father and therefore given just 3 months hard labour, first and last weeks in solitary confinement.  He does well later in life as a cab proprietor in Walworth.  He marries in Newington in 1854 and has 2 daughters and a son.  

James is to be transported for 10 years, but then spends 6 years on the hulk Justinia at Greenwich. In 1843 the hulk register reports him as of good character and respectable.  I  recently found that he was pardoned in March 1848.   It was common for family and friends to organise petitions for pardon and this may have happened with James.  (George Dorling transported 1833 to Tasmania had an unsuccessful petition, despite being very young, a first offence and a young wife and baby) .  I am still trying to find what happened to James and his wife after the pardon.

In the full report of the trial in the Ipswich journal? (I need to check which paper) of Jan 1843, witness George Fuller states when questioned that he is the brother-in-law of James Dowling alias Dorling. He also states, on questioning, that before James's imprisonment they go to Bungay, James dressed with a women's cloak (some laughte in the court at this point!), where James assigns his property over to George Fuller - this being legally drawn up by a Mr Drake, presumably to prevent the court imposing a fine that would lead to the loss of his property.

I have now found that George Fuller married james's sister Sophia Cox nee Dorling, widow in 1828.  

Sophia’s first marriage was in 1818 and I've found 3 children from her first marriage when they were living in Alburgh. It's highly likely there other children from the 1st marriage as none yet found between 1818 - 1824.  

In 1826 Sophia had a terrible year - she had twin boys born 27 Aug 1826 and baptised 2nd September.  But a few days later on 9th September her husband is buried. On 24th Spetember twin George is buried,  and on 11th October, her 2 year old son William was buried.  

Two years later Sophia marries George Fuller.  In 1841 they are in Wortwell where George appears in the electoral register.  In 1851 and 1861 they are in Great Yarmouth.  George is a cordwainer.  They have 2 sons and 2 daughters.  Sophia is buried in Gt Yarmouth in 1866 age given as 71.  

Additional information - this fmaily are mainly Dowling if Norfolk, but Dorling in Suffolk.  James Dorling / Dowling was baptised 4 Oct 1789 at Redenhall With Harleston And Wortwell, his parents were James Dowling died 1839 & Hannah nee Johnson died 1838, who married 9 Oct 1788 at Redenhall.  There are Dowlings in Redenhall back to the 1700s -  2 Jeremiah's, one a silver smith,  one a butcher.  But I can't link them to James's family as I can't find a baptism for James d. 1839, but estimate he was born in the 1760s- I suspect they are baptised in non-conformist churches - will research one day!