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BUTCHER, Caroline
1840 - Yes, date unknown Has 9 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
1813 - 1890 (77 years)-
Name BUTCHER, Caroline Birth 1840 Martock, Somerset, England 
Gender Female Death Yes, date unknown Person ID I7824 Edgoose Last Modified 1 Feb 2026
Father BUTCHER, Joseph, b. 1813, Martock, Somerset, England d. 1890, Martock, Somerset, England (Age 77 years) Mother BAILEY, Mary, b. 1821, Martock, Somerset, England d. 1912, South Petherton, Somerset, England (Age 91 years) Marriage 2 Apr 1840 Martock, Somerset, England Family ID F2829 Group Sheet | Family Chart
Family IRELAND, Sealy, b. 1842, Yeovil Registration District, Somerset d. Yes, date unknown Marriage 4 Feb 1866 Martock, Somerset, England Family ID F2848 Group Sheet | Family Chart Last Modified 27 Jan 2026
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Notes
CAROLINE BUTCHER 1840-1916
The birth of Caroline BUTCHER was registered in 1840.
(GRO September Q 1840 Yeovil 10 495)
From the 1841 census of North Street, Martock, Somerset:
Joseph BUTCHER, aged 25, agricultural labourer, born in Somerset;
Mary BUTCHER, aged 20, born in Somerset;
*Caroline BUTCHER, aged 1, born in Somerset;
Martha BAILEY, aged 60, born in Somerset.
(HO107/951/1/15/25)
Caroline, Joseph and Eliza, three children of Joseph BUTCHER, labourer, and Mary, were baptised at Martock, Somerset, on 12 October 1845.
(FamilySearch)
From the 1851 census of Water Street, Martock, Somerset:
Joseph BOUCHER, head, married, aged 36, fruiter, born at Martock, Somerset;
Mary BOUCHER, wife, married, aged 28, glover, born at Martock, Somerset;
*Caroline BOUCHER, daughter, aged 10, born at Martock, Somerset;
Elizabeth BOUCHER, daughter, aged 8, born at Martock, Somerset;
Joseph BOUCHER, son, aged 6, born at Martock, Somerset;
Martha BOUCHER, daughter, aged 4, born at Martock, Somerset;
Lucy BOUCHER, daughter, aged 1, born at Martock, Somerset;
Martha BAILEY, [mother-in-law?], widow, aged 69, glover, born at Martock, Somerset.
(HO107/1930/37/18)
"On Tuesday, before G. HARBIN and H. B. BATTEN, Esqrs.,
Caroline BUTCHER was charged with stealing a 4lb loaf, the property of Mrs. JOHNSON, of the White Hart Hotel, Martock. She was seen by a daughter of the prosecutrix take the loaf from the larder and run off with it. The magistrates fined her 5s."
(Sherborne Mercury, 23 December 1856)
"COUNTY & DISTRICT NEWS
MARTOCK
WEDNESDAY. - Before John WOOD, Esq.:
Joseph BUTCHER and Caroline BUTCHER, were brought up in the custody of Sergt. CLARKE and P.C. WHEATHAMS; the latter was charged with stealing 2 ribs of beef, about 2lbs of mutton and a piece of salted beef, and the former with receiving the same from the White Hart Hotel, Martock, on Monday night last. It appears from the evidence of Miss [sic] JOHNSON that about 7 o'clock on the evening in question, she saw the meat quite safe in the larder, and about a quarter past eight the same eevening she missed it. She immediately gave information to the police, and Sergt. CLARKE, in company with P.C. WHEATHAM, went to the house of Joseph BUTCHER, and there found a part of the mutton and the two ribs of beef locked in a box up stairs, and the younger prisoner concealed behind the door, who denied all knowledge of it. On being brought before the justice she said she did not steal the meat, but found it near Mrs. JOHNSON'S front door. The father denied all knowledge of knowiing its being in his house. The meat was clearly identified by Mrs. JOHNSON, and both were committed for trial. Joseph BUTCHER is 48 years of age, and has been previously convicted, and his daughter Caroline is about 20 years of age, and has been convicted for stealing a loaf of bread about four years ago from the same larder."
(Sherborne Mercury, 22 January 1861)
"SOMERSET ASSIZES
THE CROWN COURT
Caroline BUTCHER, 19, & Joseph BUTCHER, 46 (daughter and father), were charged the former with stealing, and the latter with with feloniously receiving 10lbs of beef and mutton, the property of Charlotte Johnson, at Martook. The girl pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. By direction of his lordship the male prisoner was acquitted."
(Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, 21 March 1861)
"TRIALS OF PRISONERS
ROBBERY OF MEAT AT MARTOCK.
Catherine [sic] BUTCHER, 19, glover, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging her with stealing from the dwelling house of Charles JOHNSON, at Martock, 8lbs of beef and 2lbs of mutton, on the 14th of January last,
and was sentenced to three months' hard labour.
Joseph BUTCHER, 46, labourer, for receiving the same well knowing it to have been stolen, was acquitted."
(Sherborne Mercury, 26 March 1861)
Caroline BUTCHER and Sealy IRELAND were married at Martock, Somerset, on 4 February 1866. She was a 22 year old spinster from Martock, daughter of Joseph BUTCHER, labourer. Sealy IRELAND was a 21 year old unmarried labourer from Martock, son of John Ireland, labourer. Witnesses were Harry VIRGIN and Thomas HOOPER.
(FreeReg)
(GRO March Q 1866 Yeovil 5c 743)
"ILMINSTER
PETTY SESSIONS. - Caroline IRELAND was brought up in custody charged with stealing a shawl, the property of Mrs. Selina BANBURY, of South Petherton. - Prosecutrix deposed that in January last she remembered the prisoner coming to her house, annd on the following day she missed the shawl; she gave information to Sergeant ASHMAN, who showed her a shawl on Monday last which she knew to be her property by a mark near the fringe; the shawl was worth 5s. - Sergeant ASHMAN said that from thhhe information he had obtained he went to the house of the prisoner and asked her how many shawls she had? She said. 'Only one;' on turning round he observed a shawl hanging on a chair, and said, 'Is that the one?' she replied 'Yes;' he then said he had come to take her into custody, and charged her with stealing a shawl from the house of Mrs. BANBURY; she said, 'I never stole the shawl; I have had it six months, and my mother gave it to me [no apostrophe here]. For the defence the prisoner said she had stolen the shawl, but that she was willing to pay for it, - There was another charge against her, of stealing a pair of boots at Martock, and she was sentenced to three months' hard labour."
(Taunton Courrier and Western Advertiser, 25 April 1866)
"YEOVIL
COUNTY POLICE, Friday. - (Before G. HARBIN, Esq.) - Caroline IRELAND was brought up in custody by Sergeant CLARK, charged with stealing a muslin dress, the property of Hannah THORN, wife of Benjamin THORN, at Stoke-under-Ham, on the 30th ult. Prisoner, who had been convicted on two previous occasions, was committed for trial at the sessions."
(Somerset County Gazette, 14 September 1867)
"Caroline IRELAND was charged with stealing a muslin dress, value 8s. the property of Benjamin THORNE, at Stoke-under-Hamdon. Bill ignored."
(Western Daily Press, 18 October 1867)
A Calendar of Prisoners Tried at the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace - Midsummer, 30 June 1868 at Taunton, Somerset:
Caroline IRELAND, aged 26, labourer.
Committing Magistrate: George HARBIN Esq., Newton House, near Yeovil.
Date of Warrant: 25 May 1868
Date received into custody: 26 May 1868
Stealing one cotton sheet property of James SWEET, at Martock on 6th February 1868
When Tried: 2 July 1868
Guilty of Larceny after Former Conviction
Twelve Months hard labour at Shepton
Prisoner's Record:
1857 December 2, stealing apples - 14 days hard labor [sic]
1861 Taunton Lent Assize (in the name of Caroline Butcher) Stealing beef and mutton, 3 months hard labor, Taunton
1866 April 4, Criminal Justice Act, stealing a shawl, 3 months hard labour Taunton
1867 Wells Michaelmas Sessions, stealing a muslin dress (bill ignored)
"SOMERSET MIDSUMMER SESSIONS
CROWN COURT YESTERDAY
Caroline IRELAND, 26, labourer, Martock, was indicted for stealing a cotton sheet, the property of James SWEET, on the 6th February. Two previous convictions were proved against her. Twelve months at Shepton."
(Bristol Times & Mirror, 3 July 1868)
"SOMERSET QUARTER SESSIONS
THEFT AT STOKE-UNDER-ZEARN
Caroline IRELAND, 27, glover, indicted for stealing a pair of cotton sheets, value 4s, the property of John Campbell HEBDITCH, was sentenced to two years hard labour, and police surveillance for seven years."
(Bristol Times & Mirror, 6 January 1870)
"COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS
Elias REYLAND was summoned for assaulting Caroline IRELAND at South Petherton. - Complainant stated that she was going home one night, when defendant stopped her and took hold of both her wrists. He used very bad language, and knocked her down. - Defendant admitted that he knocked complainant down, but said that he was not quite sober. Defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs only,as his employer gave him 10 years' good character. - He was further charged by Mary BUTCHER (mother of the complainant in the former case) with breaking several panes of glass in one of the windows of her house. - Complainant said that defendant came to her door on the night on which he assaulted her daughter, and "bust ope" the door twice. He then went to the window, breaking two panes and cracking three others. - Caroline IRELAND corroborated this evidence. -Defendant's excuse was that he fell against the window and thus broke it; but the magistrates considering the charge against him proved, fined him 2s 6d and costs, and orderd him to pay the damage (1s 6d.) Allowed a month to pay"
(The Western Gazette, 27 September 1878)
From the 1881 census of Banbury's Row, South Petherton, Somerset:
Mary BUTCHER, head, married, aged 60, glover, born at Martock, Somerset;
*Caroline BUTCHER, daughter, unmarried, aged 37, glover, born at Martock, Somerset;
Martha BUTCHER, daughter, unmarried, aged 25, glover, born at Martock, Somerset;
Arthur BUTCHER, grandson, aged 5, scholar, born at Martock, Somerset;
Louisa BUTCHER, granddaughter, aged 8, scholar, born at Martock, Somerset;
Frederick BUTCHER, grandson, aged 2, born at Martock, Somerset.
(RG11/2390/5/3)
From the 1891 census of St. James Street, South Petherton, Somerset:
*Martha BUTCHER, head, single, aged 38, charwoman, born at Martock, Somerset;
Louisa BUTCHER, daughter, single, aged 17, still room maid, born at Martock, Somerset;
Arthur BUTCHER, son, single, aged 14, farm servant, born at Martock, Somerset;
Fred BUTCHER, son, single, aged 11, scholar born at South Petherton, Somerset;
Mary BUTCHER, widow, aged 70, born at Martock, Somerset;
*Caroline MACE, sister, widow, aged 49, living on own means, born at Martock, Somerset.
(RG12/1896/1/22)
From the 1901 census of St. James Street, South Petherton, Somerset:
Mary BUTCHER, aged 79, head, widow, born at Martock, Somerset:
*Caroline MACE, aged 58, daughter, widow, born at Martock, Somerset.
(RG13/2298/22/1)
From the 1911 census of The Manse, St. James Street, South Petherton, Somerset:
Mary BUTCHER, head, aged 90, widow, born at Martock, Somerset;
*Caroline MACE, daughter, aged 70, widow, born at Martock, Somerset.
(RG14 PN14390 RD309 SD2 ED3 SN15)
NOTES & QUERIES:
1861 Census: Sentenced on 21 March 1861 to three months in prison. The census was taken on 7 April 1861.
1871 Census: Sentenced in January 1870 to two years in prison. The census was taken on 7 April 1871.
The death of a Caroline MACE aged 74 was registered in 1916, i.e. born in 1841 or 1842.
(GRO December Q 1916 Yeovil 5c 516)
What happened to Sealy IRELAND?
When and where did she marry MACE?
(revised 14.11.2015)