Suggetts of Little Walsingham

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Surname/tag: Suggett, Woodcock, Orton, Rix, Bale

Generally part of a Suggett name study. Randomnly picked Suggett family in Little Walsingham, Norfolk, northeast of Norwich. Broadly following linkages between spousal families over generations 1770-1870.

The story starts with Thomas Suggett of Little Walsingham, born in Stibbard (~5mi south). Thomas married Sarah Woodcock of North Creake (4mi west).

William Suggett 1735-1814, m. Rebecca Gates 1740-1797

• George Suggett 1768–1842

• John Suggett 1770–1849

• Samuel Suggett 1771–1854

• Thomas Suggett 1776-1831, m. Sarah Woodcock 1773-1843
  • Thomas William Suggett 1799–1819, d. Little Walsingham
  • Samuel Suggett 1802-1853, m. Mary Ann Pemberton, d. Marylebone
  • Rebecca Woodcock Suggett) 1804–1827, m. Henry James Alford, d. Little Walsingham
    • Henry Farrow Alford,
  • Sarah Suggett 1808–1863, m. John Rudland, d.Fakenham
    • Sarah Ann Rudland 1834–1871
    • Rebecca Rudland 1836–Deceased
    • Mary Rudland 1839–Deceased
    • James Rudland 1844–Deceased
    • Eleanor Woodcock Rudland 1848–1938
    • Susanna Rudland 1848–Deceased
    • James Rudland 1851–Deceased
  • Eleanor Suggett 1809–1891, m. Spirah Grange, d. Binham
    • Thomas Charles Grange 1834-1909, m. Hannah Yarham, d. Binham
  • John Suggett 1812—1883, m. Hannah Beesley, d. Norwich

• Margaret Suggate 1779–1806

Sarah Woodcock's brother Henry became a surgeon dentist and did very well for himself in Norwich. He was elected Sheriff of Norwich in 1839, for one term, and Mayor of Norwich in 1849 and 1850, two terms. Henry gifted the Guildhall tower clock in 1850, today a schedule 1 listed landmark architectural feature in Norwich. Sometime before 1841 Henry took on his nephew John Suggett as an assistant surgeon dentist, so listed in the 1841 census... John is Thomas Suggett and Sarah Woodcock's youngest son; John would eventually take over uncle Henry's dental practice as age and City Magisterial duties pressed. Neither John nor uncle Henry had children, though both had long marriages.

Henry's wife was Mary-Ann Orton of Wells, Norfolk ('Wells Next the Sea' ...3mi north of Little Walsingham). She was eighth in a family of ten, although five of her siblings died young. Her father James Orton was a hatter and the trade was passed down to her brother James Orton (Jr.); James and wife Elizabeth ply the hatter/hosier trade in Norwich for many years and can be found in advertisements and other articles in various Norwich newspapers. I explore the Ortons of Wells Next the Sea in some detail. It's worth noting that Mary Ann married an elderly gentleman named Anthony Bale, in 1818, and he died one year latewr, in 1819; Mary Ann is included in his will and no doubt Mr. Bale's adult children were put out by her inclusion. She remarried in 1821 to Henry Woodcock... it's not unlikely her gained fortune helped Henry rise the civic ladder as surgeon and City commissioner.

Thomas Suggett's son Samuel became a master baker and operated a bakery in Marylebone, London (now Westminster). His wife Mary Ann Pemberton was from Litchum near Cambridge. They had six kids. However they came to meet is unknowable, but it is noted that Lithchum is more or less on the road to London from Little Walsingham. It isn't known where Samuel apprenticed but indentured service records may yet surface, possibly in a community along the route just mentioned if not in Marylebone itself.

Two Suggett sisters survived childhood, married and had families: Sarah Ann Suggett married James Rudland, and Eleanor Suggett married Spirah Grange. Both remained in the Little Walsingham area (Fakenham and Binham)

Thomas' parents William Suggett and Rebecca gates were from the coast at Burnham, not far from Wells Next the Sea. Not sure what we'll find at this point for family, we'll see what the records tell us in good time.