This story is more about the afterlife of the families, than the in-depth writing about the crime and court case, I would normally look into.
At the Kent Winter Assizes on Tuesday 10th December 1833, the Court opened at ten o'clock.
The Hon. Sir Stephen Gaselee, Knt. took his seat in the Crown Court.
The following are the names of the grand jury:—
Foreman—Earl of Brecknock,
Hon. J. W. King E. Darell, Esq. Sir J. K. Shaw, Bart. W. Bridger, Esq. Sir B. W. Bridges, Bart. M. D. D. Wilson, Esq. Mr. T. L. Hodges, Esq. Mr. J. Best, Esq. Mr T. Rider, Esq. Mr J. Jacobson, Esq. Mr J. P. Plumptre, Esq. Mr C. T. Pattinson, Esq. M J. W. Stratford, Esq. Mr T. T. Atkin, Esq. Mr N. J. Knatchbull, Esq. Mr F. Bradley, Esq. Mr W. A. Moreland, Esq. Mr D. J. Parker, Esq. Mr T. Austen, Esq. Mr E. Hussey, Esq. Mr B. Powell, Esq. Mr T. Monypeny, Esq.
His Lordship, in his charge to the grand jury, observed that he ''could not but lament the number of prisoners there were to try, the calendar containing the names of 128, a greater number than usual. It also contains several charges of a very heinous nature''. His Lordship then made some observations upon a few of them.
Among the prisoners was William Allen, born in June 1806 in Lydd Kent to locals John Allen, a Butcher, and Mary Barnes
He was described as a well-looking athletic labourer, who had always, to the date of his crime, been of good character among the local community and worked as an agricultural worker for a local farmer.
On 2 November 1828, at age 22, he married 18-year-old local girl Sarah Jones Ramsden at All Saints Church (aka Cathedral of the Marshes) in Lydd, Kent
In 1831, they had a son named John, after his father, and in 1832 another son James arrived, named after Sarah's Father.
Then in 1833, at age 27, with two sons, John was then age 2, and James, age 1, his wife was pregnant with their third child, he had now suddenly shattered his family life and his own!
He had been arrested on the 7th of October and, stood before the Judge charged with committing a capital assault upon Ruth Hoffe Austen, the wife of Jeremiah Austin
Ruth Hoffe Austin was described, as a very interesting-looking young woman.
Born Ruth Roffe Bates in December 1804 in Peasmarsh, Sussex to William Bates, a local farmer, and Ruth Roffe.
They then moved to Ivychurch Kent.
Her mother aged 54, died in 1828 and Ruth aged 23, remained with her father.
On 30 September 1832, at age 27, she married 37-year-old, Jeremiah Austen, a Baker from Lydd at St. George's Church (aka the Cathedral of Romney Marsh) in Ivychurch, Kent
She moved to Lydd to start her new married life with Jeremiah at his baker's shop in Lydd High Street.
Now in December 1833, just over a year into married life, she stood in court, in a prosecution case against William Allen.
She told the court, that on the 7th of May, she was going from New Romney to Lydd, between seven and eight in the evening, along a field, which has a pathway, .
About a quarter of a mile from New Romney, she was overtaken by the prisoner, whom she had never seen before.
He walked some distance before he said anything, and at length entered into a conversation with her. Ruth said she did not like his appearance, and let him walk on.
Shortly after he passed her, he suddenly stopped, and Ruth passed him and he again came up to her, asked if she ''was afraid of some bollocks'' that were in the field she was passing, and after a few other remarks, he caught hold of her at a place about a quarter of a mile from Lydd and threw her down, and committed the offense:
''Having feloniously made an assault and then and there violently, and against her will, did ravish and carnally know her''.
She loudly called murder three or four times; and hastening home, she immediately told her husband what had happened.
Jeremiah Austen then stood and corroborated the latter part of his wife's evidence and said he had never seen the prisoner until he was in custody on the 7th of October.
William Allen had no defence, no witnesses, and the only thing that he said was ''not guilty''.
His Lordship then proceeded to sum up the evidence and was said to have spoken most impressively, delivering the verdict of ''GUILTY''
He then deferred the sentence and Allen was led away back to Prison to await his fate.
On the 11th of December, the atmosphere in court was described as a gloomy one when William Allen and another were brought up to receive their sentences.
The learned judge passed a sentence of death by hanging, and in such terms, as to give no expectation, other than that his life will be forfeited.
When William Allen was brought forward to receive his judgment, He was said to be in the most pitiable state of grief. He was supported by two men and uttered the most heart-rending cries for mercy when he heard the sentence of hanging.
He was said to have been 'dreadfully convulsed' and had to be carried out and he continued to have hysterical fits, for some days afterward.
Everyone present was said to have been considerably affected when no hopes of mercy were held out to him
His last master, a farmer, got up a petition to the government on his behalf, which it was to be believed, had numerous signatures, including that of Ruth Austen and her husband Jeremiah (obviously, thinking of his wife and children, he will leave behind)
But the answer was: ''that the law must take its course''.
When he knew that his death was inevitable, he turned all his thoughts to obtaining forgiveness for his life and exhibited the most sincere devotion to his religious ceremonies.
He was educated by a minister of the gospel and attributed his present situation to his failure to attend regularly to his religious duties, as he had done within the last few years.
He said that on the day, which his crime was committed, he had been drinking for several hours.
He spoke with much regret and declared that ''he had never before broken his marriage vows'', and looked upon his wife and children with ''great apparent affection'' and that he ''had a distressed mind.''
On the Sunday previous to his execution, he was obliged to be ''borne out'' in the chapel, although no allusion was made to him in the Chaplain's discourse, nothing could control the groans, that resulted from the intense agony of his failings, actions and consequences of what laid ahead.
26th December 1833, the morning of his execution, which was booked for midday.
He appeared perfectly resigned, until the period after he had heard the death bell toll for the execution before his, until his hour arrived, his grief and agitation appeared and he became most distressed and his prayers were fervent and highly impressive.
At about a quarter to midday, he became more calm. He washed himself with great care in a pail of water. He cleansed his nails and combed his hair.
At least 7 or 8.000 persons were there for his execution outside Maidstone prison.
It was said there ''was a strange anxiety'', that manifested within the public who were present at, what was called a ''melancholy spectacle'', and none appeared more anxious than the females.
While van loads entered the town almost from every road, and many women, with their gowns tucked up, their infants in their arms, almost running, for fear of being too late.
Plenty of Boys from ten to sixteen years old, the aim of taking children was to scare them into good behaviour, by showing them what happens when you do something bad but it seemed this exhibition of public hanging, had little impression on them, as they were said to have indulged in the ''coarsest and most unnatural jests''.
One little fellow was heard to ask his companion. ''Did you see how the beggar kicked?'' The same style of comment was heard throughout the crowd.
William Allen walked to the drop with more firmness than was expected and died almost without a struggle.
To his wife Sarah, now a pregnant Widow, with two small children at the age of 23, he had left a letter, respecting the arrangements for his funeral and the coffin arrived while he was still suspended, Upon release, his body was immediately taken to his friends. It is unclear where he was buried.
Life After
William's wife Sarah and family
Sarah gave birth to their third child, just a few months after her husband's death, in February 1834. Another boy, she named William.
She never remarried and they didn't end up in a workhouse, as many did through death and tragedies, so possibly the community and family rallied around to help the unfortunate mother, who was left a widow, with 3 young children to feed.
Her younger sister Harriott aged 20 was living with her in 1841, so she may have been sent earlier by the family to help her with her young children. Harriott was also working as a domestic servant to Sarah's elderly next-door neighbour Jane Plumb. Sarah was working as a Charwoman, Her son John was 10, James was 9, and William was 7.
In 1851, Sarah was living with just her sons now, her sister had got married. Her sons John age 20 James age 19 and William age 17, were all working as agricultural labourers, while she kept the home.
In 1859, her son James got married at Lydd, age 27 to Mary Jane, age 23 from Appledore, Kent. they had 2 children and moved to Rye Sussex. He was employed as an Agricultural Labourer.
In 1860, her son William was at age 26. working as a Drayman, and Green Grocer and got married in Romney Marsh to Elizabeth, aged 19. They remained in Lydd and had 5 children 3 boys and two girls.
In 1861, Sarah, aged 51, remained at home, with John aged 30, and a lodger Mary Pope aged 83, a local shepherds widow.
over the next 20 years, she was alone with her son John.
In 1871, William had become a coal merchant and a beer retailer. James was in Rye working as a Beer Agent.
In 1881, she still had John at home and now also her Granddaughter staying, Fanny Harriet Allen aged 11, daughter of her son William, He was still a Beer Keeper at the Star Inn, at Station Road Lydd. just 5 houses away from his Mother.
In 1891, she was back to just living with her son John who was 60. William still working as a victualler
In December 1891, Sarah passed away aged 81
James lost his wife in 1899.
In 1901, he was lodging in the same place as his brother John, still on Station Road, with Widow Aunt Elizabeth Edwards (nee Ramsden, mother's side) and her son Henry, a Bootmaker. Both working as Agricultural Labourers
William and his wife had moved into Ash cottage, Lydd, William was then working as a Non-Domestic Gardener
In 1911, William aged 77, had returned to Agricultural Labouring, living in South Street Lydd with his wife Elizabeth
The first son to die was the middle brother, James aged 80, in Lydd, in September 1912
Second was the youngest William aged 81, in Lydd, in March 1915
John was the last left, the eldest son, he remained single, supporting his mother until her death.
In 1911, he ended up in the Romney Marsh Union Workhouse in Lydd and died in April 1916 aged 85
Ruth Roffe Austen and family
She carried on with her married life with her husband Jeremiah and the Bakery business.
They had their first child in 1835, named Mary Julia, and then Thomas was born in 1836.
Tragedy then struck and Jeremiah died, aged 42,.from a disease of the brain on 5th November 1837 in Lydd.
She had become a widow at the age of 32. Just like Sarah, left with young children. Mary J aged 2 Thomas aged 1.
Ruth was also, like Sarah had been several months pregnant when her husband died and Ruth Roffe Austin was born on 6th June 1834.
Ruth continued at the Bakery and by 1851, Her son Thomas was working in the shop, when he was old enough. Mary Jane looked after the home and youngest Ruth went to School.
In 1855, her Daughter Mary Julia aged 20, got married in Rye to William Haines a shoemaker and son of a Chelsea Pensioner. They had 3 children Austin, Annie Maria, and Thomas William.
Ruth Roffe Austin died of Phthisis on 20th June 1857 age 52 at Lydd and was buried with her Husband in the Lydd Parish Church.
The youngest daughter Ruth Roffe age 19, went to live with cousins from her mother's family, John Bates, a Farmer, living in Orlestone Kent.
In 1871, she was living in Guestling East Sussex with her uncle James Sharp Barling, a farmer of 170 acres from Ivychurch.
In 1872, at New Romney, she married David Noakes from Westfield Sussex, a Farm Bailiff on his family's farm at Alms Farm, in Petts Street, Hastings. Guestling is a village about halfway between Westfield and Petts, so they could have met at her uncle's farm, David maybe stopping there in his travels.
She moved to the Alms farm and they had one daughter named Ruth Roffe born at Alms Farm Petts Street, in Jan 1874, and then her husband died July 16th, 1875 age 32 years at Alms Farm from the same affliction that took her mother, Phthisis.
Ruth received effects of under £300 from his will and she left the farm and moved with her daughter to Winchelsea. Sussex..
She worked as a dressmaker, and a lodging housekeeper, with her daughter Ruth, until her death on 28 Apr 1925 at Sunnyside, Winchelsea, aged 86.
Her daughter Ruth collected her assets worth £39 17s 7d. Ruth never married and ended up moving to Woodville, Rye Harbour Road, Rye, Sussex until illness and death on 26 Feb 1956 at St Helen's hospital, Hastings Sussex aged 82. Leaving her estate worth £297 5s 5d to her relative George Baring, a farmer And Geoffrey Noel, a Pentice Solicitor.
Son Thomas gave up the Bakery when his mother died and became a Carpenter and Journeyman. He married Eliza, age 25, Daughter of William Austen and Phoebe Mills in 1864 and they had 7 children 5 boys and 2 girls but lost three sons as babies.
In 1871 he became a Beer Retailer, living at the Royal Oak in Lydd, also keeping his Carpenter job.
In 1881, he had given up the Beer selling and was just working back as a Carpenter and Journeyman, then because a Painter.
He died in Lydd, on 19th December 1887, aged 51. He had congestion of the lungs for 5 days, which lead to Cardiovascular Disease,. He left his estate worth £1,110 1s 9d to Sons Thomas William, an Ostler Arthur Earnest a Butcher, also Mr Benjamin Bartholomew, a Baker & Gentleman and Mr Henry Richard Maynard, an Ironmonger, all Lydd Parishioners. His body was interred at Lydd.
Daughter Mary Julia lost her husband William Haines in September 1894 aged 62 and she died on 28th December 1899 aged 64, suffering from heart failure for 7 days and having Mitral valve disease for 2 years prior. Her body was interred with her husband at Lydd Parish church.
Her eldest son Austin, who was an employee of the SE Railways gained her estate worth £2258 4s 9d
Isn't it strange how the women ended up experiencing similar lives?
Sarah and Ruth both became pregnant young widows, being left to raise young children and both their youngest, never getting a chance to know their fathers.
Neither Sarah nor Ruth ever remarried and managed to keep themselves and their children during that time, out of the workhouse.
Both their sons went into the beer retail trade in the 1870s, maybe there was some rivalry there, between William Allen at the East End and Tom Austin at the West End of the Lydd Parish. William remained the longest at it but no doubt had his brother James, ''the beer agent'' to help.
SOURCES
Bring your backstory to lifeTM (no date) Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. Available at: https://www.ancestry.co.uk
Archive, T.B.N. (no date) History’s colourful stories in black and white, Home | Search the archive | British Newspaper Archive. Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
General Register Office (no date) General Register Office - Online Ordering Service - Login. Available at: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/
South Eastern Gazette (1833) 'Kent Assizes' 31 December pg 4
Sun (London) (1833) 'Assizes Intelligence' 16 December pg 4
Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal (1833) 'Execution in Maidstone' 31 December pg 3
Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser (1833) ''Wednesday'' 14 December pg 8
Pictures and historical info from Wikipedia https://www.wikipedia.org/
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