Reuben DARLOW [1507] ²⁵⁶⁶

  General Notes:

1871 Census occupation Ag Lab living with wife Louisa aged 21 years (2 years older than Reuben) and son William age 2 years

1881 Census occupation Ag Lab living with wife Louisa and Children George, Emma and Agnes A

1891 Census occupation rabbit catcher. Living with wife Louisa children George and Agnes

Reuben and Annie were married on 23 November 1897 at the Register Office at Atcham. Reuben a 46 year old widower whose occupation is given as rabbit catcher, and Annie Bright, spinster, aged 24 years of age and no occupation. Reuben's father is given as John Darlow, retired rabbit catcher and Annie's father is given as Charles Bright labourer. Reuben signed the register with an X in the presence of James Steadman and Edward P Everest.

1901 Census occupation rabbit catcher. Living with wife Annie aged 27 and child Lizzie aged 2

1911 Census Occupation rabbit catcher. Living with wife Anne aged 36, child Lizzie and also relation Anne Bright 75 years widow (possibly mother in law)

1939 Census named as Robert on census DOB given as 21st May 1848, occupation Agricultural Labourer, retired living with wife Annie DOB given as 5th Feb 1873 and daughter Elizabeth DOB given as 8th April 1899

I believe that Reuben may have sometimes been called Robert in later life. I believe I have found him and his wife Annie in the 1939 census, however he is listed as Robert. His wife is considerably younger than him, so I believe this is probably Reuben. This is particularly confusing in view of the fact that Reuben had a brother named Robert.

I have found a possible death for Reuben misnamed Robert, in Shrewsbury in 1944, at the age of 96 at death this would be not too far from Reuben's correct age at that time.

On the death certificate, Reuben is named as Robert aged 96 years, his address was given as Woodbine Cottage, Exfords Green, Stapleton. His occupation is Gamekeeper (retired) and the death is registered by Ada Reece, step daughter who was present at the death. Her address is given as 1 Court Rowshill Bank Shrewsbury. This is certainly Reuben rather than Robert as Reuben's second wife Annie Bright had a daughter named Ada Annie Bright b. 1894, who married John Reece in 1924 but by the 1939 census, Ada was a widow, her husband John Reece died in 1930.

St. Neots Chronicle and Advertiser 25 July 1874
Petty Sessions July 23rd Before Lieut-Col Humbley (Chairman) and Lieut-Col Montresor
Fishing in Forbidding Waters
Reuben Darlow and David Lilley, both of Kimbolton were both charged with unlawfully fishing in certain private waters occupied by his Grace the Duke of Manchester on the 10th Inst.

The charge was proved by Charles Peckham, son of the Dukes Head keeper, He deposed that on the day in question he saw the two defendants near a stream called the River Kim, which runs near the castle. One of them had a fishing rod with wire attached and it was evident they were snaring for fish. The defendants in answer to certain questions put to them by the witness said they were doing nothing, but had obtained no permission to fish there.

Darlow however, became very violent and threatened (with the accompaniment of certain foul language) to knock witnesses head off. He also said when the opportunity offered he would "do for him".

Defendants said they had fished in the river for years, and nothing had been said to them. They did not know they were trespassing.

Mr. Peckham Snr said he did not wish to be hard on the men, he merely desired to put a stop to the practice of fishing in the river in question

It was proved that both defendants had both been previously convicted, Darlow no less than four times. They were therefore ordered to pay 30/ including costs.

St. Neots Chronicle and Advertiser 16 March 1878
Lot 4, all those copyhold cottages and outbuildings situate at The Rookery, Kimbolton, as now in the occupation of John Darlow and Reuben Darlow, two being vacant, Rental £10 13s 0d. Further particulars may be obtained by applying to Messrs day and Wade-gery, solicitors, St Neots, or to the auctioneer, Kimbolton, Huts.


Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow 14 January 1881
Reuben Darlow and Edward Selby. labourers of Kimbolton, were charged with a game trespass on 7th January - The case was proved by Henry Gilbert, groom, to Captain Harrison on whose grounds the offence was committed. Fined £1 each.

Wellington Journal 10 June 1899 page 4 of 8
To Be sold by private treaty two freehold dwelling houses, gardens and premises together with three acres of pasture land, situate at Exfords Green, one mile from Condover Station and now in the occupation of Mr Reuben Darlow and Mr William Preece respectively. One house is nearly new while the land is in excellent condition. Apply GWilliam, Mardol Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Chronicle 11 December 1903 page 3 of 8
No Light
Reuben Darlow, Exfords Green, pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a horse and trap without a light on the night of the 20th ult.-PC. Sheen proved the case the and the defendant was fined 6s including costs.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Residence: Rookery, 1861, Kimbolton, Herefordshire, England. ²⁵⁷⁰

2. Residence: The Rookery, 1871, Kimbolton, Herefordshire, England. ²⁵⁷¹ occupation Ag Lab living with wife Louisa aged 21 years (2 years older than Reuben) and son William age 2 years

3. Residence: Rookery, 1881, Kimbolton, Herefordshire, England. ²⁵⁷² occupation Ag Lab living with wife Louisa and Children George, Emma and Agnes A

4. Residence: Exford Green, Longden Common, 1891, , Shropshire, England. ²⁵⁶⁶ occupation rabbit catcher. Living with wife Louisa children George and Agnes

5. Residence: Bank Cottage, 1901, Longden, Shropshire, England. ²⁵⁷³ occupation Rabbit Catcher - living with wife Annie aged 27 and child Lizzie aged 2

6. Residence: Longden, 1911, Stapleton, Shropshire, England. ²⁵⁷⁴ Occupation rabbit catcher. Living with wife Anne aged 36, child Lizzie and also relation Anne Bright 75 years widow (possibly mother in law)

7. Residence: Woodbine Cottage, Exford's Green, 1939, Atcham, Shropshire, England. ²⁵⁶⁷ named as Robert on census DOB given as 21st May 1848, occupation Agricultural Labourer, retired living with wife Annie DOB given as 5th Feb 1873 and daughter Elizabeth DOB given as 8th April 1899

Reuben married Louisa Neal MILLARD [1517] [MRIN: 463], daughter of Unknown and Susan MILLARD [11443], on 1 Nov 1870.²⁵⁶³ (Louisa Neal MILLARD [1517] was born in 1851 in Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England ²⁵⁷⁵ and died on 1 Nov 1896 in Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England ²⁵⁷⁶.)

Reuben next married Annie BRIGHT [5371] [MRIN: 1672], daughter of Charles BRIGHT [9871] and Ann [9872], on 23 Nov 1897 in Atcham, Shropshire, England ²⁵⁶⁴.^,2565 (Annie BRIGHT [5371] was born on 5 Feb 1873 in , Shropshire, England ^1846,2577 and died in Mar 1954 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England ^2578,2579.)