The Rook Family Tree

WILLIAM RICHARD ROOK; was born about 1816 at Boughton Under Blean/Selling; he was Christened at ? on the ?. He died 2nd Qtr 1899 at Boughton (registered at Faversham). William was buried on the 11th April 1899 at Boughton Church.

William could have possibly be born during the time of the 'Removal'. The only Christening that can be found for a William Rook in the Boughton area is at Selling Church in 1817, son of William and Emy Rook? William does state on the 1851 census that he was born in Selling, but on every census after, he states Boughton.

William married ANN BRANCHETT on ? at ?. I believe this could have been late 1840 or even 1841, but no marriage has been found as yet.

Ann was christened on 4th April 1819 at Boughton Under Blean. She died 11th December 1903 at Faversham Union, aged 84. A bit bemused why any of her surviving 7 children couldn't stop their Mother from entering the workhouse! It could be that by 1903 the workhouse had become more of an old peoples home. Ann was the daughter of Thomas Branchett & Elizabeth Taylor. The Branchett family descended from Huguenots.

Known Children of William Richard & Ann are listed on the right. William & Ann seemed to have had a passion for Shakespeare, which becomes more and more obvious the nearer you get to the end of the list of 12 children!

William & Ann are my G G Grandparents!

My Great Great Grandfather William Richard Rook had quite a colourful youth!

KENTISH GAZETTE

Canterbury, Tuesday, November 29th, 1836.

FAVERSHAM, Nov.25. – On Sunday last between the hours of two and three o’clock in the afternoon, the house of Mrs. Broadbridge, situate on the high road, near the middle of Boughton Street, was broken into during the absence of Mrs. B. and her maid-servant.  The draws up-stairs, and every part of the house, were ransacked, evidently in search for money; and about eight pounds, in Silver and copper, were taken from the cash-box and money drawer in the shop; but not the slightest article besides has been missed.  Suspicion fell on a young man named Rook, a Bricklayer at Boughton, who was seen near the premises previous, and subsequent to the robbery, and who, no doubt, had been watching the absence of the maid-servant.  He had also exhibited a number of half-crowns, at Public Houses in Boughton, the same afternoon, where he spent money very freely, and got some persons to assist him in counting it.  It appears he accompanied a female to Faversham, and having drunk a considerable amount of spirits, he became so intoxicated that the girl took the money from his pockets, so that when apprehended, none was found in his possession.  The girl, however, admitted having taken it from him, and delivered six pounds eleven shillings to the constable.  The prisoner has been examined, and committed for trial.

Read what happened next!

...and then in 1845!

CENSUS RETURNS for WILLIAM & ANN ROOK:

1851 CENSUS: BOUGTHON, KENT. The Village.

A Ryland misspelling!

1861 CENSUS: BOUGHTON, KENT. Boughton Street.

Another Ryland misspelling!

1871 CENSUS: BOUGHTON, KENT. Boughton Street.

Zaccheus is with wife, children and in-laws at Sheldwich. Amos is with wife & children at Boughton. Amy is staying with friends in Harbledown. Kate is married with a child in Boughton. Ryland is at The Ship Inn, Boughton as a Lodger. Cleopatra has died.

1881 CENSUS: BOUGHTON, KENT. 77 Boughton Street.

1891 CENSUS: BOUGHTON, KENT. 88 The Street, Boughton.

William Richard Rook is thought to have died in April 1899.

1901: BOUGHTON, KENT. The Street, Boughton. (In between Bounds Lane and Milestone Cottage).

Ann apparently died at Faversham Union (Workhouse) in 1903. I believe the union in Faversham may have become around about this time, more of an old peoples home than a workhouse.

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