George Plunkett's Norfolk Ancestry

Extracts from Parish Registers, Census Returns, Poll Books, Registrar’s Returns and Wills relevant to the family of Plunkett of Norwich and Wymondham, Norfolk.

In the 1950’s, using documents available at the time, my father George Plunkett traced his ancestry back to a John Plunkett who was buried in the parish of St Martin at Oak Norwich in 1820 at a recorded age of 87. John originated from the nearby town of Wymondham, having had nine children with Mary there. Parish register entries indicate that John, Mary and three of the surviving children moved to Oak Street, Norwich, sometime between 1792 and 1796.
Uncertainty arises concerning John's ancestry because two John Plunketts were baptised in Wymondham within a few months of each other. John (1), baptised 1735, was the son of Edward Plunkett and Rose. John (2), baptised 1736, was the son of Sarah Plunkett (a singlewoman).
Sarah had had another son, David, baptised 1733. He moved with four children and their step-mother to Oak Street, Norwich, sometime between 1777 and 1786.
It is tempting to assume that my ancestor, the John Plunkett buried in St Martin at Oak, was the brother of David Plunkett - following his footsteps in moving to Norwich.

The tables below contain the information that my father transcribed from various sources. It was assumed that Plunket, Blumket, Blumkett etc were alternative spellings of Plunkett. Click on the trees above to see what appears to fit together. If you recognise your own ancestors among the names listed, please send me an email, as we could be distant cousins.

Wymondham Baptismal Register: January 1692/3 to July 1834

Wymondham Marriage Register: January 1730 to September 1834

Wymondham Burial Register: 1699; and July 1706 to December 1875

Norwich St Martin at Oak Baptismal Register: January 1776 to December 1894

Norwich St Martin at Oak Marriage Register: 1754 to March 1894

Norwich St Martin at Oak Burial Register: 1764 to March 1856

(None recorded after that date, no doubt owing to the closure of the churchyard - burials taking place in the Public Cemetery, Earlham Road).

Norwich St Giles Marriage

Norwich St Giles Witness to Marriage

Norwich St Clement Baptismal Register: January 1813 to December 1900

Norwich St Clement Marriage Register: 5th July 1837 to December 1880

Norwich St Clement Burial Register: March 1813 to November 1855

(None recorded after that date, no doubt owing to burials taking place in the Public Cemetery, Earlham Road).
Nil.

Norwich St Stephen (Taken from Boyd’s Index to Norfolk Marriages)

Swanington Baptismal Register: 1539 to 1812

Swanington Marriage Register: 1540 to 1812

Swanington Burial Register: 1538 to 1812

* Possibly the Thomas Plunkett who was baptised at Wymondham on 1 April 1739.

Wood Dalling Baptismal Register: 1653 to 1812

Wood Dalling Marriage Register: 1653 to 1812

Wood Dalling Burial Register: 1653 to 1812

Nil.

Entries relating to "Plunkett" extracted from "An Index to Norwich Marriages 1813 to 1837". ("Norfolk Genealogy" Vol.14)

Note: X = a mark was made instead of signing the Register

** Heigham St. Bartholomew was largely destroyed by bombs in 1942 and the parish registers burnt. The relevant entries above were taken from the Bishop’s Transcripts in the Norfolk Record Office. Direct reference to these showed: Reg 66 David Plunkett, to have been a bachelor and Ann Widdows a spinster. Witnesses were James Fish and Margaret Bayfield. Reg 43 George Plunkett and Mary Ann Symonds were also both single. Witnesses: Henry and Sarah Taylor.

*** This should be David Plunkett. James Plunkett was one of the witnesses. See St. Martin at Oak Marriage Register extracts.

Extracts from Census of Norwich 1851

All that part of the parish of St. Martin at Oak on the Western side of Oak Street, from Woolpack Public House as far as the Gate, including the two Queen Caroline Yards, Edwards, Bathhouse, Plummers, Castle & Key, Stone, Robinsons, Hortons, Barnards, Suffolk Arms, Smith’s, Flower Pot, Paved, Buck, Little Buck, Malthouse & … Yards, ending at Cow Public House.

All that part of St. Martin at Oak which is confined in St. Martins Lane (North and South) to the St. Mary’s boundary (including Fox & Goose Yd., Quakers Lane, Jenkin Lane, part of Sussex St. under Walls, Bakers Rd., The Watering, Fullers Hole, Barrack Row and Barrack Building).

All that part of the Parish of St. Martin at Oak on the eastern side of Oak Street, commencing from the Dolphin Public House and ending at the last house in the street including the Dolphin and Jones Yards, Church Alley, Arabian Horse, Bess o’ Bedlam, Osborne’s, Fellmongers’, A--- Bakers, Daveys, Dog, Talbots, Bidles, Old Brew, Royal Oak, Angell, Osborne’s and Swan Yards.

Parish or township of St. George Colegate; City or Borough of Norwich

The Will of James Plunkett. Born 18.8.1765. Died 9.4.1843. Proved at Norwich Consistory Court 20.4.1843

8 fol.
Effects sworn
Under 200 pounds
In the Name of God, Amen. I, James Plunkett, Weaver, St. Martin’s at Oak in the City of Norwich, being of sound mind do this day the twenty eight of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. First I give and bequeath to James Plunkett my son All that Messuage or freehold Cottage with all that belong thereunto situated in Howards Yard Magdalen Street in the parish of Saint Pauls in the City of Norwich now occupied by Samuel Cotteral and the freehold cottage adjoining in the same Parish. I give and bequeath to my son David Plunkett and I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Harris and her heirs Upon Condition that they are not sold All those two messuages or leasehold Cottages with all belonging thereunto situated under Saint Martin’s Walls in the City of Norwich one now occupied by me her father with the use of the Washouse and all thereunto belonging situated on the same premises and the other now occupied by my daughter Elizabeth Harris in the same parish but the sale of them I hereby forbid. And I give and bequeath to my son David Plunkett and his heirs All that messuage or tenement and leasehold house with the use of the Washouse and all thereunto belonging situated under Saint Martin’s as above stated now occupied by himself the selling I hereby forbid. And I give and bequeath to James Plunkett my son and his heirs All that Messuage or Tenement and leasehold house with the use of the Washouse and all thereunto belonging situated under St. Martin’s Walls as aforesaid and now occupied by himself the selling I hereby forbid. And I give and bequeath to all my Grandchildren born in lawful wedlock share and share alike not one more than another that five pounds per year which I am entitled to and have for nearly twenty years received from the premises of Mr. Fisher in St. Martin at Oak in the City of Norwich and now occupied by him the said Mr. Fisher. And I give and bequeath to my three children James David and Elizabeth their two tenements on leasehold houses with all thereunto belonging situated under St. Martin’s Walls as aforesaid and now severally occupied by Purdy Neal and others. These houses must not be sold but my Will and orders are that George Plunkett the son of David Plunkett my brother shall collect the rents and pay the money half-yearly to my abovenamed three children In Trust and for the benefit of their respective children not one having more than another. And ‘tis my will and pleasure that after all my just debts and funeral Expences that all my household furniture good of all and every description of all and every kind wheresoever and whatsoever shall be duly valued and with what money or monies may be left shall be equally divided among my three beforenamed children and it is my will that James David and Elizabeth shall pay their own Outgoings. And I likewise appoint and Ordain David Plunkett my brother and James Plunkett my son joint Executors of this my last Will and Testaments hereby revoking all former and other Wills and Testaments by me at any time heretofore made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set and subscribed my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
James Plunkett (Seal)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator James Plunkett as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof.
George Plunkett. James Cotterell. Allen Smith.
This will was proved at Norwich on the twentieth day of April 1843 before the Rev’d George Carter Clerk Surrogate duly appointed of the Worshipful William Yonge Clerk A.M. Official Principal of the Episcopal Consistorial Court of Norwich lawfully constituted & was approved &c. and admon. of all and singular the goods &c. of the within named James Plunkett the testator deceased was then duly granted to David Plunkett his brother and James Plunkett his Son the executors within named they being duly sworn &c. saving &c.
Testator died 9th April 1843. Examined with the original Will
By Me
Edw. Butler.

Extracts from Norwich Poll Books

Extracts from Local Directories (19th and Early 20th Centuries)

G.K.Blyth's Norwich Guide & Directory (1842):
      Plunkett. William - Greengrocer. Oak Street, St. Martin's

White's Norfolk Directory (1854), and Melville & Co's Directory (1856):
      Plunkett. John - The Shuttle, St. Augustine Street

Post Office Directory (1875):
      Plunkett. David - Carpenter; Chatham Place, Sussex Street (Also 1879)
      Plunkett. John - Beer Retailer; Botolph Street (Also 1879)
      Plunkett. John - Baker; Botolph Street

Post Office Directory (1883):
      Plunkett. Mrs. - 21 Essex Street, S. Heigham
      Plunkett. John - Baker; Cowgate Street

White's Norfolk Directory (1883):
      Plunkett. Mrs. Rachel - Essex Street

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1885):
      Plunkett. David - 55 Wingfield Street
      Plunkett. John - Baker; 93 Cowgate Street
      Plunkett, R, - Boot Maker; 88 King Street Crook's Place. (Also 1888 and 1889)
      Plunkett. Mrs. Rachel - 41 Essex Street. (Also 1888, 1889, 1893, 1895, 1900, 1905, 1908, 1911 and 1914)

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1888):
      Plunkett; John - Greengrocer; 48 Botolph Street
      Plunkett. Robert - Shoemaker; 88 King Street Crook's Place

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1888):
      Plunkett. David - 55 Wingfield Road. (Also 1889)
      Plunkett. John - Shopkeeper; 48 Botolph Street. (Also 1889 and 1893 - greengrocer)

White's Norfolk Directory (1890):
      Plunkett. John - Greengrocer; 48 Botolph Street
      Plunkett. Miss - 41 Essex Street
      Plunkett. Robert - Shoemaker; 88 King Street

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1892):
      Plunkett. Annie (Miss) - dress maker; 14 Aylsham Rd
      Plunkett. John - Greengrocer; 48 Botolph Street
      Plunkett. Robert - Shoemaker; 88 King Street Crook's Place

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1893):
      Plunkett. Albert - 44 Sussex Street. (Also 1895 and 1900. Albert Isaac 1911 and 1914)
      Plunkett. George Carpenter - 105 Magpie Road. (Also 1900 in error as a Carpenter. Recorded in 1895 in street list only)
      Plunkett, Robert - 17 Stafford Street. (Also 1895, 1900, 1905, 1908, 1911 and 1914)
      Plunkett. William - 55 Wingfield Road. (Also 1895, 1900, 1905 and 1908)

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1895):
      Plunkett. Miss Annie - 16 Aylsham Road. (Also 1900, 1905 and 1908)
      Plunkett. George - 14 Golding Street

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1896):
      Plunkett. Mrs. - 41 Essex Street. (Also 1900 & 1904)
      Plunkett. Annie (Miss) - dressmaker; 16 Aylsham Rd. (Also 1900 and 1904)

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1900):
      Plunkett. Arthur Benjamin - Shopkeeper; 60 Devonshire Street. (Also 1904)

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1900):
      Plunkett, Arthur B. - Shopkeeper; 60 Devonshire Street. (Also 1905, 1908, 1911, 1914 and 1922)

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1904):
      Plunkett. John - Baker; 54 Mancroft Street

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1908):
      Plunkett, Annie (Miss) - Apartments; 1 Parker Rd

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1908):
      Plunkett. A. J. - 5 Lincoln Street. (Also 1911, 1914 and 1922)
      Plunkett. John - 95 St. George Street
      Plunkett, William - 25 Chalkhill Road. (Also 1911 and 1914)

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1911):
      Plunkett. Alfred - 108 Angel Road
      Plunkett. Mrs. - 59 George Street. (Also 1914)
      Plunkett. Mrs. H. - 55 Wingfield Road. (Also 1914)

Kelly's Norfolk Directory (1912):
      Plunkett, Annie (Miss) - Dressmaker; 19, St. George Street

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1914):
      Plunkett. Alfred - 6 Rosebery Road. (Also 1922)
      Plunkett. F. E.. - 278 Dereham Road
      Plunkett. Herbert - 54 Gladstone Street. (Also 1922)

Jarrold's Norwich Directory (1922):
      Plunkett. Albert I. - 42 Sussex Street
      Plunkett, Charlotte - 7 Muriel Road
      Plunkett. E. E. - 66 Pelham Road
      Plunkett. Frank Eke - 49 Pembroke Road
      Plunkett, Mary Ann - 9 St Mary's Plain
      Plunkett. Mary Goss - 23 Aylsham Road
      Plunkett. Mrs. - 69 St. George Street
      Plunkett. Robert - 15 Stafford Street
      Plunkett. William - 56 Cardiff Road

Extracts from the Electoral Register, Wymondham, 1955

Plunkett. Anna - White Horse Street
Plunkett. Edward G. - Bellrope Lane
Plunkett. Ida M. - Bellrope Lane
Plunkett. George W. T. - 25 Preston Avenue
Plunkett. Marjorie S. - 25 Preston Avenue
Plunkett. Gertrude - Sycamore House, Back Lane
Plunkett. John H. - 9 Browick Road
Plunkett. Rose E. - 9 Browick Road
Plunkett. Leslie B. - 2 Bridewell Street
Plunkett. Robert J. - 2 Bridewell Street
Plunkett. Victoria T. - 2 Bridewell Street
Plunkett. Wiliam G. - Belle Vue, Norwich Road
Plunkett. Lily M. - Belle Vue, Norwich Road
Plunkett. Sarah A. - Friarscroft Lane

Extracts from Transcript of Norfolk Gaol Delivery Rolls, 1307-1316 Norfolk Record Society Volume 44 - 1976

Delivery of Norwich Castle Gaol made before William de Ormesby and William Inge, justices of the King, 2 October 1309.
111. Forehoe. John Attelongyerd of Wymondham and William Pluket were taken for stealing seven sheep worth 4s. from the home of John Swynherde of Wymondham and one pig worth 4s. from the home of John le Neuman. The same two men, along with other strangers, killed William Roymer of Wymondham. They come and because they do not have writs of bono et malo, they are returned to prison.

Delivery of Norwich Castle Gaol made before William de Ormesby, William de Colney and Richard de Walsingham, 8 January 1310.
153. Forehoe. William Pluket, Reginald Sperngald and John Attelongyerd were taken for the death of William Reyner killed at Wymondham. They were also taken for stealing 5 sheep from John Somerde worth 5s. and one pig worth 2s. from John le Neuman. They come and tell the court that William Reyner had stood witness in the court and was in the same gaol with them. The jurors investigated the matter and testified that William Reyner was alive. The accused put themselves on the country for the thefts and are acquitted.

Extracts from Norwich Registrar’s Returns Births October 1904 to December 1924 (excluding 1909-10)

Extracts from Norwich Registrar’s Returns Deaths January 1894 to December 1919 (excluding 1917 for East Wymer sub-district)

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