William Wheatley 1858 – 1937 – Genealogical Records

Sources

Genealogy Event 1
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 30 JUN 1858
Event Place: Morton Hill, Morton Grange, Co. Durham
Record Source: George Talbot WHEATLEY, Family Bible

Genealogy Event 2
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 7 APR 1861
Event Place: Hunters House Pit, West Rainton, Co. Durham
Record Source: living with his parents.
Age:
2y

Genealogy Event 3
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 2 APR 1871
Event Place: Freehold Field Houses, West Rainton, Co. Durham
Record Source: living with his parents
Age:
13y

Genealogy Event 4
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 3 APR 1881
Event Place: 124 Draper's Row, West Rainton, Co. Durham
Record Source: living with his father and step-mother - he was a Blacksmith.
Age:
22y

Genealogy Event 5
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: BET 20 JUL 1882 AND 27 MAR 1885

Genealogy Event 6
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: AFT APR 1885
Record Source: there are over 40 newspaper reports of cases at Durham City Police Court in which he was involved.

Genealogy Event 7
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 23 NOV 1885
Record Source: a 58 year old man "who travels about the country" was charged with criminal assault on a six-year-old girl in the Wheat Sheaf Inn Yard, Claypath. A witness said she was in a passage leading to the yard and saw the man beckoning the child to go to him. He then picked her up and took her further down the yard. The witness then ran and told a woman who lived there. The woman went into the yard and saw the accused with the child in his arms and pulled her from him - she said that the man's "dress was disarranged, and he adjusted it in her presence". Her husband then came out and took the accused by the neck until he let go of the child. The husband said he then sent the child home and saw the accused enter the "Wheat Sheaf Inn". With the child's father, the man "gave the prisoner into custody". The girl's mother said her daughter told her that the accused had offered her some potatoes in the Market Place and then told her to follow him. In the Wheatsheaf Yard he had lifted her up and started to kiss her. P.C. WHEATLEY said he apprehended the accused and took him to the Police Station. On being charged the accused said "Is that not abominable. I gave the girl a halfpennyworth of potatoes in the Market Place and she followed me down the street. I went into the "Wearmouth Bridge" public house and stayed there three-quarters of an hour. When I came out I saw the girl again. I just tapped her on the shoulder and said, "Is it not time that you were at home ?". He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Genealogy Event 8
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 3 MAY 1886
Record Source: a woman was charged with breaking into a house next to the Bethel Chapel. The Minister's wife said that after locking up the back she went to the front to light up and noticed that the back door was open. She looked through the cellar kitchen window and saw a dark figure standing there. She shouted out and when a man came to her assistance she followed him into the cellar kitchen where they found the accused who said she had run in there for protection from her husband". In Court the Mayor said the "prisoner was a thorough bad character, who had nine previous convictions - she was sent to prison for three months' hard labour "as a rogue and vagabond".

Genealogy Event 9
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 24 MAY 1886
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY gave evidence against a tramp who was charged with being drunk and disorderly. The Clerk asked him if he was guilty or not. The defendant replied "I'm nather". He was asked if he had anything to say and replied "I've nathin't' say t'ather. Whatever they do aw don't care . . . . Not twopence" - he was fined 2s-6d. or seven days' imprisonment.

Genealogy Event 10
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 29 JAN 1887
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY proved the case against a man who pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a pony on the North Road - a fine of 5s. was imposed.

Genealogy Event 11
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 27 OCT 1887
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY proved a charge against a man of breaching bye-laws by turning cattle loose. The defendant had brought his cows up Court Lane and left them at the top to go around the roadway skirting the Gaol Green by themselves while he went along in front of the prisons, some of the cows were on the footpath. He was fined 2s-6d. and costs, and the Chairman warned him that if he repeated the offence he would be more severely dealt with.

Genealogy Event 12
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 24 NOV 1887
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY gave evidence against a Labourer who was well-known at the North Road End, and pleaded guilty to drunkenness there. The Mayor said that this was the 27th time but "As you have only one leg we will let you off with 2s-6d. and the costs".

Genealogy Event 13
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 5 DEC 1887
Record Source: he gave evidence against a vagrant who was charged with begging alms in New Elvet saying he had seen the man go into a Butcher's and ask for some coppers - the man was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment with hard labour. At the same Court he gave evidence against a woman said to be well-known for her appearances there, who was charged with drunkenness and soliciting prostitution. He said he had seen her at 9.50 pm., very drunk, stopping a man and asking him to go with her. P.C. WHEATLEY took her to the Police Station, despite the man's attempts to stop him. The man later went to the Police Station and demanded the sixpence which he had given her. In Court, the Mayor said that as it was the woman's 23rd appearance she would have to go to gaol for a month's hard labour.

Genealogy Event 14
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: 22 MAR 1888
Record Source: in the Borough of Durham Police Force. He wore the number 12 on his uniform and was paid 3s-11d. a day plus a boot allowance of 6d. a week, less superannuation of 6½d., giving him a net weekly pay of £1-7s-5½d.

Genealogy Event 15
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: BET APR 1888 AND JUN 1891
Record Source: deductions "payable to the superannuation fund", believed to be for times when he was off work sick, were taken from his pay six times.

Genealogy Event 16
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 24 JAN 1889
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY gave evidence against a woman who was charged with stealing three stones of bones from Mary ARMSTRONG, who said that she had been resting near a shop, and was carrying the bones in a bag. The accused came up and asked if she could carry the bones for her, which she allowed her to do. The defendant went away with them and sold them for 1s., a man gave evidence that he had received the bones from the defendant. P.C. WHEATLEY said he charged the defendant who replied "I don't know anything about them, only that I gave her 1½d. for them" - she was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, with hard labour.

Genealogy Event 17
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: FEB 1890
Event Place: Durham City
Record Source:
[1] William WHEATLEY, First Aid Certificate, Feb 1890
[2] and was awarded a Certificate for First Aid.

Genealogy Event 18
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 6 AUG 1890
Record Source: Durham Town Council received a Report from the Watch Committeee about the wages of the City of Durham Police Force. Members of the Force had written to the Committee stating that several other Forces in the area had received wage increases and they requested similar. It was signed by four Sergeants and eleven P.C.s, of various grades, including 1st Class P.C. No. 12, W. WHEATLEY. The Committee recommended the increase and the proposed new salaries were listed. These included a rise for P.C. WHEATLEY from £1-7s-6d. to £1-8s-0d. When the proposal was discussed by the full Council it was pointed out that the policemen also received 3s. a week extra for clothing, boots etc., although there was also a small reduction for their pensions and that they were "at a pretty early age pensioned for life". The matter was deferred until the next meeting.

Genealogy Event 19
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 6 NOV 1890
Record Source: his salary was increased to £1-8-11d. net

Genealogy Event 20
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 19 JAN 1891
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY gave evidence against John SMITH who was charged with stealing a purse containing 19s. from Joseph CLOSE. CLOSE said that he and Michael RILEY had taken lodgings at the "Crown Public House" in New Elvet for the night. He paid for some drink, costing about 1s., with a sovereign and put the 19s. change in his purse which he put in his trouser pocket. SMITH was also staying there that night. After closing time they all lay down on a bench in the taproom, and CLOSE fell asleep. About 4.30 am. he was awoken by RILEY, and found that his purse and the defendant had gone, and RILEY was the only other person left in the room. The purse, containing 19s. was produced in Court. CLOSE said that he was not aware that RILEY and the defendant had arranged to take the purse for a joke. RILEY said that he had seen the defendant lay down close to CLOSE, and then leave the room. He denied that they had agreed to a joke. A Nurse from the County Hospital said that the following morning a Policeman had taken the defendant there to be treated for an injured knee. He had a locker next to the bed, in which the Nurse later found a purse containing 15s. which she handed in to the Police. P.C. WHEATLEY said that he had taken the defendant to the Hospital on 4th January, after he had complained of hurting his knee, and had arrested him on the 14th when he was discharged. The defendant claimed that he had possession of the purse, but that RILEY had taken it. They had intended it to be a joke, and intended to give it back the next morning. SMITH had gone out, intending to be back by 6 am, but had fallen and hurt his knee. He was fined 20s. or 14 days' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Genealogy Event 21
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 9 FEB 1891
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY gave evidence against a man charged with being drunk in the Market Place, also that "having been previously been convicted of begging and being disorderly, was begging alms in the Market Place, and was asked why he should not be treated as a rogue and vagabond". The defendant said that he was drunk and had not been picking anybody's pockets. P.C. WHEATLEY stated that about 6 pm. he saw the defendant go into a shop, followed him in and heard the man ask for alms. He also said the defendant was drunk at night in the Market Place. The Head Constable said that the man had been convicted at that Court on 26 January for begging, sentenced to 14 days and had just got out of prison on Saturday. He had also been convicted of begging on 15 Nov 1890. At Stockton on 4 December he had been sentenced to 14 days, and on 29 December, at Bishop Auckland, to another 14 days. A number of complaints had been received about the man, who was sentenced to two calendar months' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Genealogy Event 22
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 4 MAR 1891
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY gave evidence of arresting a man who pleaded guilty to deserting from the Regiment of the Durham Light Infantry at Bradford - he was ordered to be detained in prison until the arrival of an escort.

Genealogy Event 23
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 22 JUN 1891
Record Source: He gave evidence against a man charged with being drunk and incapable, saying that shortly after 11 pm. he found him in the Market Place in a helpless state of drunkenness. It was the defendant's 41st appearance and he was fined 2s-6d. and costs, or seven days' imprisonment.

Genealogy Event 24
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 20 JUL 1891
Record Source: he proved a case against a man who pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of two horses and a waggon in New Elvet. P.C. WHEATLEY said he got the waggon loose and had the horses taken home. The defendant said "he had met in with some friends, and had got a drop too much. He had been on the road for 30 years and had never been up before" - he was dismissed after promising to pay the costs.

Genealogy Event 25
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 30 SEP 1891
Record Source: William was fined the full net amount of his pay.

Genealogy Event 26
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 16 NOV 1891
Record Source: he gave evidence against a man charged with having negligently caused his chimney to catch fire, contrary to the bye-laws of the city. P.C. WHEATLEY stated that at about 10.30 pm. "his attention was drawn to the defendant's chimney, on going inside the house he found that the defendant had pulled the mattresses off the bed, pulled them to pieces, and set them on fire. The chimney was on fire". The defendant was fined 5s. or seven days' imprisonment with hard labour.

Genealogy Event 27
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 7 DEC 1891
Record Source: He gave evidence against a Hawker who was charged that "he, being the owner of a certain cart, did use the same without having his name or place of abode written or printed thereon". P.C. WHEATLEY said that he was on duty in Crossgate and saw the defendant's cart with no name on it. The defendant told him he had been lent the cart at Sunderland, and told the Court he was sorry there was no name on it. When the Magistrates' Clerk said "You know that all carts have to be marked" he replied "I'm no scholar". He said that as soon as he was told about it he went to a Butcher's shop and got his name put on - the case was dismissed on payment of the costs.

Genealogy Event 28
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 31 DEC 1891
Record Source: P.C. WHEATLEY proved the case against a Hawker who was charged with having left his horse and cart in the Market Place without anyone being in charge - the case was dismissed on payment of the costs.

Genealogy Event 29
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: BEF SEP 1892
Record Source: further deductions were taken from P.C. WHEATLEY's pay every week until finally for the week ending September 28th he was paid for only four days work.

Genealogy Event 30
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: ABT 28 SEP 1892
Record Source: left the Police Force. His name did not appear again in the weekly Pay Lists and in November his uniform number was issued to another Constable. Working at nights had affected his chest and is thought to have been the cause of his sickness and the reason he left the Force.

Genealogy Event 31
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: 26 NOV 1894

Genealogy Event 32
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: ABT 1898
Record Source: where he was employed for about 25 years

Genealogy Event 33
Event Type: Occupation
Event Date: 8 JUN 1907

Genealogy Event 34
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: 20 JUL 1932
Record Source: the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding, they were living at 3 West View, Newfield

Genealogy Event 35
Event Type: Custom Event
Event Date: AFT 18 MAY 1936
Record Source: after the death of their daughter Lizzie, they moved to Westerton, Co. Durham to live with their daughter Nellie and her husband.

Genealogy Event 36
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 6 FEB 1937
Event Place: Westerton, Co. Durham

Genealogy Event 37
Event Type: Burial
Event Date: 10 FEB 1937
Event Place: Binchester, Co. Durham
Record Source: where a Memorial Inscription reads -
"In loving memory of William, the devoted husband of Isabella WHEATLEY died Feb. 6 1937 aged 78 years. Also Isabella WHEATLEY, wife, Psalm 37 Verse 18 Feb. 13 1939 - 79 years. Cissie died May 18 1936".