Thomas Collingwood RUSLING

   Cause of his death was Hernia Atheroma of Arterial Circulation.¹

   User ID: P00050440.

  General Notes:

In 1885 or 1886 I (JFR) addressed a letter to the United States Consul at Hull, England, asking him to examine the City Directory there, and send me the names and addresses of any Ruslings he could find in it. He sent me that of Thomas Collingwood Rusling, No. 3 Botanic Terrace, Staniforth Place, Hessle Road, Hull, and said he had two brothers living, to wit: George Rusling, farmer, Woodsets near Worksop, England, and William Rusling, Schoolcraft, near White Pigeon, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, U. S. A. Thereupon I wrote said Thomas C. Rusling, and he replied November 19, 1893, that his parents were Thomas and Phebe Rusling, of Burringham Ferry, near Doncaster, Lincolnshire, but both deceased; that some ninety years before (or about 1800) his grandfather was a verger at Lincoln Minster; and that he himself was born May 12, 1803, at said village of Burringham. He said he had heard his parents say, that a long time ago some of their relatives had gone to America, but he knew nothing of them and had never seen any of them back in England. He said he was in the service of the North Eastern Railway Company at Hull, and had been for thirty-three years, but in early life was a seafaring man. He said he had a brother William, two-and-a-half years younger, living at Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, U. S. A., and two grandchildren in New York and "Lots of nephews and nieces in different parts of the States," but gave the name of only one, to wit, Theodore Ludwig, 90 Meeker Avenue, New York. In a subsequent letter he said he had been over to his "native village," making inquiries about the Ruslings and Fowlers, but he could find nothing of value. He went to the Parish Church to examine the Registers, but unfortunately the clerk was "from home." He added another item, that he had formerly had an " old aunt named Elizabeth Fowler, that lived in our village," but she had been at rest many years. He also wrote that he had a son "Thomas Collingwood Rusling," who was then absent in India, as travelling auditor for some railroad there, and he would have him write me also.

In another letter, September 21, 1895, he wrote that his brother William in Michigan seldom wrote, but that he had a granddaughter with two children from Chicago, Illinois, there in England on a visit, and that they expected to sail from Southampton for home September 25th. In 1895 I wrote this "William Rusling" aforesaid, and he replied October 27, 1895, that he lived at the address above given, and was from Lincolnshire, England; that his grandfather was George Rusling, and died at Burringham, England, about 1812; that he had three sons,-Thomas, his father (died at Burringham about 1833), George, and John, also both deceased; that George and John were also "Methodist ministers" ("local," I judge), and George "was found dead kneeling by the side of his bed,"-a very old man; that his father's family consisted of " five boys and two girls"; that he had two brothers living, Thomas at Hull, and George at Burringham-" a cripple, having lost one of his feet"; and that he had two sisters still living, Jane Harrison and Elizabeth Backus, both still at Burringham. He then added that he had two sons and five daughters of his own-one son and three daughters in Michigan, one son and one daughter in Iowa, and one daughter in Oregon, but omitted to give their names and residences. I have never heard from him since, nor seen any of his people.

In 1897 I received a letter from another "Thomas Collingwood Rusling," who said he was the son of the first above mentioned; that his father had died December 20, 1896; that he himself had recently returned from India, where he had been serving as railway auditor, and that he was then in the employ of the North Eastern Railway Company at Hull, England. He sent me a testimonial he had received from John Partington, chief clerk, audit office, Euston Station, London and North Eastern Railway, October 1, 1893, which commended him highly.

In 1893 a Mrs. Fillah S. Keinig wrote my cousin William Rusling of Philadelphia, from New York, that she was the granddaughter of said Thomas C. Rusling (1), and his wife's name was Elizabeth (then deceased), and sent her photograph to him and claimed relationship. She gave her address as 180 East One Hundred and Ninth Street, New York. Cousin William sent me her letter, and I took the trouble of going over to New York and inquiring for her, but could not find her.

I conjecture all of the above Ruslings are of our clan, too; but I have never seen any of them, nor met any person of our name in America that was not descended from James Rusling and Mary Fowler, my grandparents, herein first above mentioned.

Research notes from L. Hotchkiss:
Are Thomas of Hull v Thomas of Thorne - the same individuals? Notes from L Hotchkiss, Genealogist - 12 Dec 1998

I have reviewed the report compiled by my colleague, Guy Jenkinson, at his request.

On the information found to date, and in the absence of any solid evidence, the following is confirmed:

Thomas Rusling baptized at Burringham is the man who appears in Hull with wife Elizabeth & 2 sons.

His death is confirmed in 1876, not 1896 as reported in J Fowler's publication.

He followed trades clearly allied with those of Thomas Rusling of Thome.

He adopts use of the additional name of "Collingwood" after his marriage to Elizabeth. This is indicative of a desire to:
a)become more indistinct as an person
b)not be easily found

The family at Thome had no direct known connection to Thomas after his desertion of the family unit; yet his son, Thomas Junior, lives at Hull, not too far removed from his natural father.

The Thomas who married Jane Colbridge is likely to be of similar age to her, and thus to Thomas baptized at Althorpe, son of Thomas Rusling by Phoebe (Collingwood).

Use of "Collingwood" rather than any other name implies a possible parentage (legitimate or basebom)

He left the Thorne area some time around/after the birth of his youngest son, but the authorities do not pursue him until a time when a Nathaniel Colbridge needs parish assistance. This could mean Jane and her family were living with the said Nathaniel, and hence need parish relief at the same time as he does.

Jane (Colbridge) Rusling's death has not yet been pursued in GRO death indexes. She is not buried at Thorne, according to parish records.

It looks as though your ancestor Thomas of Thorne married Jane Colbridge in 1825 and, by her, fathered three children. The youngest, William was born in December 1829, so the earliest point Thomas could desert them would be about March of the same year. Elder son Thomas apparently went to live at Hull, while younger son, William, after an apprenticeship in the Goole area, raised a family in Sheffield but died at Snaith.

Whatever the reasons for Thomas' desertion, he apparently settled at Hull where he married Widow Cleveland in 1841, when their son, also called Thomas but with the added middle name of "Collingwood", was about 2-3 years of age. The younger TCR had removed to London by 188 1. Evidence of a divorce has. not been pursued (a private act of parliament would be required at this time, and was a costly process) and since Thomas called himself a bachelor at his 1841 marriage, he clearly committed bigamy, though Elizabeth may not have been aware of this fact.

Lynda Hotchkiss, Genealogist
12 December 1998.



Report-3 Preamble.

At my discretion, I have on occasion consulted a professional colleague (a genealogist) with regard to this investigation, as explained in previous correspondence with the client.

Terms of reference.

1.1To accept into my keeping and to refer to documents purporting to be relevant to existing family history as established so far, and as supplied by the client & other family members. This set of documents may be added to or amended at any time.

1.2To access appropriate source material at whatever venues are deemed necessary to locate any available information regarding the English ancestry of the client.

1.3In particular, to seek a link between such ancestry and the client's lineage already established in America. Of especial interest is the life of one particular individual, Thomas Rusling of Thorne - a waterman or mariner born in the early 1800s.

1.4As necessary, and wherever pertinent, to discuss any existing knowledge, to report upon my field-work at intervals and to recommend a course of future action.

Objectives for research.

2.1To continue to expand our knowledge of a confirmed Rusling family group in and around the town of Thorne in South Yorkshire, during the nineteenth century, by a process of elimination of other groups.

2.2If possible, to explore further any available information regarding the Rusling family group at Thorne.

2.3To establish, in as much detail as available sources permit, the life-history of one specific individual: Thomas Rusling of Thorne, waterman, born circa 1800-1810. Any item may be significant, but of especial interest will be the dates and locations of his marriages) and likewise of his death. It is important to confirm the details of any and all issue of this person.

2.4To seek links with other parts of the United Kingdom which may be relevant to the family group at Thorne, with emphasis on direct lineage. We seek especially any possible connection to a family group at Hull, as indicated in the published work of James Fowler Rusling. [See Report-02].

In an effort to confirm (or refute) that Thomas of Thorne and Thomas of Hull are one and the same man, electoral records held in the Reference Library at Hull must be accessed.

Scope of fieldwork for the report.

3.1On 26 June 1998, 1 visited the Local Studies department in Hull Central Library to access various sources including Burgess Rolls (electoral records), street indexes and Ordnance Survey plans for the city of Hull.
3.2On 17 July 1998 I visited the Local Studies department in Lincoln Central Library, mainly to consult the 1881 census index.

3.3On 29 July 1998 1 visited Lincolnshire Archives to access the GRO indexes.

3.4Follow-up work included consulting a professional colleague, prior to my collating the results of all fieldwork to date and assembling the following report.

4Fieldwork at Hull (26th June 1998).

4.1The 1895 Burgess Rolls (i.e.: electoral records) for Hull were examined in order to prove (or to refute) the existence of one Thomas Collingwood Rusling in the city, at that time. The following were the only Rusling entries listed:

·GEORGE EDWARD RUSLING at 11 Crown Terrace, Walcott Street
·THOMAS RUSLIN [sic] at 90 Campbell Street

4.2Other addresses where Rusling families had been located previously, were also checked for their occupiers (in 1895), finding as follows:
·3 Botanic Terrace: GEORGE CLARK
·10 Botanic Terrace: WILSON SPARROW

4.3The Burgess Rolls for 1889-90 were also considered, with the following entries being noted:

·THOMAS RUSLING at 69 Cogan Street
·GEORGE RUSLING at 86 West Dock Avenue
·THOMAS RUSLING at 97 Campbell Street

4.4The known addresses for Rusling families were also considered on the 1861 and 1871 censuses. There are no extant indexes for either census, and I had to rely on a street index. This resulted in the following areas being checked, with no results found of any particular significance:

186166 Edgar Street occupied by James Brown from Deptford
69 Cogan Street occupied by Francis Winter
3 Botanic Terrace occupied by Sarah Cofton
187166 Edgar Street occupied by Charles Palmer
69 Cogan Street occupied by Francis Winter (retired pilot)
3 Botanic Terrace occupied by Bellamy family

1861RG 9/3597 folio 3 onwards - Covering Staniforth Place to Botanic Terrace
RG 9/3594 folio 4 to 22 - Covers (part of) Cogan Street
RG 9/3593 folio 91 to 93 - Covers (part of) Cogan Street

1871RG 10/4792 folios 58-60: 93-101: 104-106 - Covers Cogan Street
RG 10/4795 folios 28-30 - Covers Botanic Terrace

Note that Botanic Terrace appears in the middle of Staniforth Place, which also included Halfpenny Hatch House. [See street plans, Appendix Documents Oa & Ob]. The buildings at right angles to Botanic terrace, apparently identified by the same address, seem to have no record in either census (1861/1871). In 1841 Staniforth Place was occasionally referred to by the alternate name of Halfpenny Hatch Lane.

4.5Whilst Thomas Collingwood Rusling was not found on the 1891 census for Hull, I did confirm the existence of Thomas Collingwood (age 27) and family, living in Victoria Terrace, just opposite Botanic Terrace. [See Appendix Documents Ob & VI].

4.6According to the 1861 census, the inhabitants of Botanic Terrace admitted to a variety of trades, as shown below:

1 Botanic Terrace Trinity House pensioner
2 Botanic Terrace Laundress
3 Botanic Terrace Laundress
4 Botanic Terrace Ship's carpenter
5 Botanic Terrace Railway guard & Labourer [2 families]
6 Botanic Terrace Railway clerk
7 Botanic Terrace Mariner & Washerwoman
8 Botanic Terrace Blacksmith & Tailor [2 families] Seaman
9 Botanic Terrace Seaman
10 Botanic Terrace Rusling Family

This shows that Botanic Terrace in 1861 was a low-status area, but respectable: "honest working-class". There is no evidence one way or the other to suggest these properties were tied-cottages, perhaps owned by railway or dock companies.

Additional Information from Lincoln (17th & 29th July 1998).

5.1My colleague, Lynda Hotchkiss, during one of her regular visits to Lincoln Local Studies Library, accessed the 1881 census records for Middlesex, as compiled by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [Mormons].. This index is available alphabetically for each county, and Lynda was pursuing her own research when she spotted a Rusling reference at Hackney. The Rusling involved was linked to Yorkshire. A further similar entry was also located. [See Appendix Document V].

5.2To assess the distribution of Ruslings, I examined the same 1881 census index for the following counties: Derby, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Suffolk & Surrey. Apart from a widow in Surrey. no Rusling entries were found. The 1881 census index had already been searched for Ruslings in Yorkshire & Lincolnshire. [Refer to Report-02, %6.8 & Report-01, several items]. The Ruslings of Nottinghamshire were discussed in previous reports. [Refer to Report-01, 18.3.4 and Report-OZ 17&cl.

5.3The appearance of Thomas and Elizabeth Rusling in Botanic Terrace, Hull on the 1861 census [see Appendix Document /I/] and their absence from that address on the 1871 census led to a search of the GRO index of deaths between those two points. Nothing was located specifically for these individuals. [See Appendix Document //a].

5.4The same indexes were swept from 1871 to 1881, both deaths being located. [See Appendix Document IIb]. The original certificates were obtained [sent under separate cover, 12 August 1998] and copies appear in the appendix. [Documents VII & VIII].

·Elizabeth Rusling died on the 20th December 1872 at 5 Botanic Terrace,
Staniforth Place, Hull. Aged 73, she was the wife of Thomas Rusling, a
railway labourer. Her death was reported by an unrelated person at the same address.

·Thomas Collingwood Rusling died on the 17th December 1876 at
3 Botanic Terrace, Staniforth Place, Hull. Aged 73, he was a railway storekeeper.
His death was reported by a next-door neighbour.

5.5I considered the National Probate Calendars for 1876-7 seeking any reference to a Thomas Collingwood Rusling, but found nothing. However, I did locate a grant of letters of administration for William Rusling of Snaith, the son of Thomas Rusling of Thorne. [See Appendix Document I)q.

Conclusions and recommendations for further research.

6.0The four primary objectives for research (as per @2&c) can be paraphrased as:

(N (Objective V2.1) To continue to expand our knowledge of a confirmed Rusling family group in nineteenth century Thorne.

[g (Objective 12.2) If possible, to explore further any available information regarding this
group.

g (Objective 12.3) To establish the life-history of Thomas Rusling of Thorne (born circa 1800-1810), especially his marriage, his children and his death.

(Objective 12.4) To seek links between Thorne and elsewhere, with emphasis on direct lineage - especially any possible connection to a family group at Hull.

(Objective 12.5) To establish whether or not Thomas of Thorne was the same man that we refer to as Thomas of Hull.

6.1.1Partly met: we have increased our knowledge of Thomas' son William, through his death registration and his entry in the National Probate Calendar.

6.1.2Not met: Records pertaining to Thorne are not available at Hull nor Lincoln.

6.1.3Partly met:, Refer to @6.1.5, below.

6.1.4Partly met: Refer to @6.1.5, below.

6.1.5Partly met: No documentation has yet been found to confirm beyond doubt that both individuals were one and the same person. However, the similarities
between the two identities suggest an 8597o' probability that they are in fact one man. The two Thomas Ruslings are of similar age, follow similar trades and one disappears from the records at a point where the other emerges. A comparison chart of known events in the two lifelines appears in the appendix. [Documentx].

6.2The prime sources necessary to establish a bigamous marriage and/or a common identity have not yielded anything to prove either of these items beyond question. Secondary sources have not yet been located for research. For example, Notice of Abscondment (in a local newspaper), Records of Quarter Sessions (circa 1838-41) and Records of the Board of Guardians of Thorne Union. If these are still extant they may be of relevance to the case.

6.3The information given in James Fowler Ruslings' writings has been confirmed with corrected dates and content. This gives Thomas Rusling of Hull a place in the pedigree of the Rusling family of Althorpe in Lincolnshire. It can be shown, to a high degree of probability, that Thomas of Hull was previously the progenitor of the Thorne family group - so this particular Rusling line (of Thorne) may also claim its place in the same Lincolnshire pedigree. [See Appendix Documents la & lb].

6.4The search for the Rusling ancestry has thus shifted into Lincolnshire. I am aware that, during the course of her research into other matters, my colleague (Lynda Hotchkiss, of Lincolnshire Archives) has amassed a great deal of information regarding the Ruslings of Lincolnshire. Having consulted her on this matter, I feel that she may be best placed to assist with continued research in that county.

6.5Given the quantity of material available, together with your numerous contacts with Rusling descendants, you may wish to consider registering your research as a One-Name Study for Rusling. (There is a parent body: the Guild of One-Name Studies). If you wish to pursue this expansion of your project then I am sure that Lynda is in a position to further advise you. In any event, I am always willing to undertake further research as required, particularly at venues outside Lincolnshire.

This concludes the third ²

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation. Mariner

Thomas married Jane COLBRIDGE, daughter of Nathaniel COLBRIDGE and Sarah ROBINSON, on 13 Dec 1825 in Thorne, Yorkshire, England. (Jane COLBRIDGE was born on 30 Jul 1806 in Thorne, Yorkshire, England and was christened on 4 Aug 1806 in Thorne, Yorkshire, England.)

Thomas next married Elizabeth RECKABY on 29 Apr 1841 in Sculcoates, Kingston Upon Hull, E. Yorkshire, England. (Elizabeth RECKABY was born in 1799 in Kingston Upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom and died on 20 Dec 1872 in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom, "5 Botanic Terrace, Stanforth Place".) The cause of her death was Dysentery.¹