Sarah was baptised on the 11th of October 1807. Her parents are identified as Thomas and Ann. (IGI C032232 3041)

Lincoln Archives, Mareham Le Fen register records baptisms for 1807, ‘Sarah, daughter of Thomas & Ann Duckering, October 11th 1807'

From Sarah’s statement given to the coroner and recorded in the newspaper article below we learn following about Sarah:
- age 27, so born about 1808
- she knew William Mimmack intimately for 12 weeks, so for from about Feb to May 1835.
- she lived in a workhouse for 2 years - 1833/35
- she had a child with a gentleman called Brough, who was still alive (died Dec 1835)
- she was living in Wisbech 1835 and moved to Long Sutton about March 1835

Stamford Mercury, 22 May 1835. Melancholy Occurrence at Gedney. Coroner’s Inquest.
On Thursday morning the 14th inst., almost before the tradespeople and itinerants had commenced their preparations for the busy hum and bustle of the second fair-day at Long Sutton, a report was in general circulation, and which, alas! Proved too true, that a young married couple of the name of Mimmack, residing in Fleet Lots, with their infant child, had been thrown out of a light cart on their return from the fair the preceding night, the mother killed on the spot, and the child seriously injured. That which was at first looked upon as a melancholy accident, was in the course of the day magnified into something worse: scandal with her ever-busy tongue was at work, -doubts were thrown out as to the cause of the catastrophe, -the character of the husband was commented on in no very measured terms, and mysterious hints were whispered as to the purity of his intentions in the affair. To silence these rumours, or confirm them, a Jury as a matter of course was summoned to inquire into the particulars. The body of the deceased was then lying at a house in Gedney Fen Ends, situate about a quarter of a mile from the spot where the cart was overturned, -to which place the Jury proceeded at half past 11 on Saturday: they were sworn before Saml. Edwards, Gent. Coroner, and commenced their task by viewing the body: it was a scene at which the heart sickened: stretched in a coffin, encompassed in habiliments of death, lay the form of a young and blooming female, who had only three days before been in enjoyment of the fullest health, -a beautiful flower suddenly cut down. Near the coffin, in a cradle, an infant was writhing under the effects of the sad event which had so early in life deprived it of a mother’s care.
The examination of the woman who laid out the body was first taken: her evidence went only to show that no marks of great violence were apparent, that no blood was observable, and that the countenance of the deceased was very natural until the preceding day, at which time decomposition began.
The jury then adjourned to the Black Lion in the Chapel-gate, a distance of three miles. On their re-assembling, William Mimmack, the husband of the deceased, who appeared to be greatly distressed, gave his evidence as follows: -I was at Long Sutton on Wednesday with the deceased; arrived from that place at Wm. Landen’s house at about a quarter to 12 on the night of that day; it is about five miles from Sutton; started from White Lion, Sutton, at about 11 o’clock in a light cart, driving a horse which belonged to my brother John; deceased was with me, and her infant, about a year and half old; deceased was 27; it was moonlight; I drove as far as Mr Wm. Clark’s, then deceased at her own request took the reins, and I nursed the infant: we had proceeded about two miles in that way when the horse (then going at the rate of seven miles an hour) flew from the middle of the road, which was in a dry state, and when I found the cart must go into the ditch, I threw my infant on the road; the cart was turned upside down, in the near-side ditch; my wife was thrown on the grass by the side of the ditch, the horse falling on her; she was far advanced in pregnancy. Just before the cart upset, my wife being at that time half out and half in, said, “Oh, Mimmack, I am killed!” I was thrown into the ditch, but not hurt in the least; I found on looking that she was dead, so picked up my baby, and went to Mr Landen’s; I tried to extricate her, but could not; she laid full length on her right side on the grass, the hind quarters of the horse on her stomach; the horse’s head lay towards the road. I was sober at that time, but had been otherwise in the course of the evening; a basket, bundle, and umbrella were in the cart; I had no quarrel with deceased on the road; on arriving at Landen’s, I called them up; Mr L. soon made his appearance, with another man named Roe; with their assistance I got the horse up, and they took my wife’s body to Landen’s house; on their arrival there, Mrs Landen went immediately to the house of Mr Francis Hunter, a neighbour, who married a sister of my wife; Mr H. sent his man to Holbeach for Mr Watson, surgeon, who was at the house in less than an hour, but my wife was quite dead. I left home about ½ past 11 in the forenoon, and dined at the White Lion; deceased dined at Mr Slator’s; saw her at Mr S’s, but did not see her again till about 11 o’clock, when she came to Threadgill’s (the White Lion) to ask if I was ready to go; I said I should not go just then, but started soon afterwards; Mr Threadgill was in the room at the time this conversation took place.
On his further examination, Mimmack said he was at the Woolpack part of the afternoon, with Mr Cook and Mr Green; was not in the company of females, but was talking to one near the shows; Mr Fletcher, of Whaplode, was near at the time, but could not say whether he noticed them. Witnesses declined at first mentioning who the female was, but afterwards, on being pressed, said her name was Sarah Duckering, that she lived at Sutton; did not know how she got her living, but supposed she worked for it by charing, &c.; did not make any observations respecting his wife at Threadgill’s in the evening; Wm. Chambers, brother of the deceased, was at Sutton, when she (deceased) came for witness; she asked whether her brother might ride home with them, which he (witness) refused. Called at Slator’s some time in the afternoon; Wm. Chambers and Mr Hanker were there, and not wishing to meet Chambers, did not stop a minute; did not enquire for his wife; had a little dispute with her before starting, but they always lived in the most comfortable manner. Deceased did not utter any cry after the horse fell on her; ascertained she was dead by putting his face against her’s and not discerning any breath; would have cut the harness and let the horse at liberty, but had not knife; did not stop a minute by the side of the cart after the accident happened before he proceeded to Mr Landen’s with the infant.
William Landen corroborated Mimmack’s evidence as to the state in which the body was found; he and Roe got the horse at liberty; belly-band was cut or broken; thought the horse could not have been removed by one person. Mrs M. was quite dead.
William Roe heard Mimmack call Landen; got up and assisted them; was certain the belly-bands were cut, and the strap round the shaft, with some sharp instrument, before either he or Landen arrived at the spot. Mimmack appeared sober.
These were all the witnesses summoned; but the Jury not feeling satisfied with the evidence produced, and many reports being in circulation respecting Mimmack’s behaviour to his wife previously to their starting from Sutton on the fatal night, Mr Winfrey was dispatched for the following persons, who were supposed to know some of the particulars:
Thomas Brown, of Sutton, about 9 o’clock on Wednesday night heard a man who was walking a short distance before Sarah Duckering in the street, say that he would “finish the b_ before he got home,” but could not swear Mimmack was the man.
Rebecca Wright, housekeeper to Mr Slator, of Long Sutton, deposed that deceased dined at Mr S.’s on Wednesday; Mr Mimmack went in about 7 or 8 o’clock in the evening, quite tipsy; he asked if his wife was ready to go home, but on deceased’s preparing to go he refused to start, went out for a short time, returned again, and repeated his former expressions, adding a great deal of abuse to his wife; he vowed vengeance against her brother William, said he might take the whip and drive her to h_ll if he liked, for he (Mimmack) had a w_ in town, and would not go home till 10 o’clock in the morning; deceased did not give him an angry reply, but sat down and cried bitterly. Deceased left the house soon after with Mrs Hanker, in quest of Mimmack, and returned about ½ past 10 with the cart for the infant; Threadgill’s ostler held the horse; Mr M. was not there.
Charlotte Hanker, sister to the deceased, saw Mimmack at Mrs Slator’s, and corroborated last witness’ statement as to his abuse of his wife; had heard him abuse deceased before, but never at any time heard him hold out any direct threat. Deceased did not ask Mimmack whether her brother William might ride home with them. Had not known Sarah Duckering personally until a few days back, but had heard of Mimmack’s being improperly acquainted with her.
James Hanker, the husband of last witness, was in Mr Slator’s at the time that Mimmack came; heard him say he had 10/. or 15/. In his pocket, and that he would spend it all before he left town, but never heard him mention anything about having a w_ in the town. (This apparent contradiction in the evidence was afterwards explained by Mrs Hanker, who said the expression was used by Mimmack during the temporary absence of her husband.)
John Dunham, tailor, &., Long Sutton, was in the White Lion about 9 o’clock; Mimmack went in, looked very much excited, and told the innlady he wanted “something good;” Mrs Mimmack arrived some time after, and pressed him to go home, but he refused, adding that she might take the cart and go whenever she pleased, but gave strict orders that the landlord should not let the horse go; said he did not intend starting till 4 o’clock in the morning; he abused deceased very much, but did not threaten to do her any bodily harm; told her she might go where she pleased, and he would find lodgings for himself.
William Mimmack re-examined. Denied that he ever made use of the words “I will finish the b_ before I get home:” was not with the girl Duckering after 7 o’clock in the evening.
As Sarah Duckering’s name had been frequently mentioned in the evidence, and it was possible she might be implicated in the affair, Mr White, of Fleet, proceeded to Sutton in quest of her; he soon returned, and the Jury resumed their duties.
Sarah Duckering examined: Knew William Mimmack; saw him for the last time on Wednesday evening, near Mrs Easom’s the dress-maker’s, about 7 o’clock; he was with her for about ten minutes in a garden adjoining the turnpike near Mr Millns’, the Rose and Crown; he appeared very tipsy; Mr Wm. Dolton and Mr Goodacre’s servant passed by at the time. Witness had known Mimmack ever since they were children, and had been intimately acquainted with him for about twelve weeks; knew him to be a married man; had received money from him on three different occasions, to the amount of 35s.; was in the workhouse two years since, and was delivered of a child which is now living; a person named Brough was the father; did not remember Brown’s being in the workhouse; never heard Mimmack say anything disrespectful of his wife on Wednesday night, nor at any other time; always said she (deceased) was a very good companion, and that he should always be a good husband to her. Never saw him after 10 minutes past 7 on that evening; had a letter from him on Thursday afternoon about 4 o’clock; it was brought by a person named Speechley, and was directed “Sarah Duckering, Long Sutton.” (A piece of paper was here produced, which was all that remained of the communication, the other part having been destroyed: it merely contained in pencil the words “My dear friend,” eveidently written by Mimmack.) Witness said its contents were as follows: “My dear friend, we have happened a melancholy misfortune; the cart was overturned, and killed my wife, and hurt the little child very much; we have had the doctor, she has been bled, and I hope she will recover; if you get a new gown, I will pay for it. W.M.” Had a letter from Mimmack once before; I was then residing at Wisbech; it was written in ink. (This note was produced: it merely wished Duckering to sell her chairs and change her residence to Long Sutton, that town being more convenient than Wisbech; which desire, it appears, she immediately complied with.) In consequence of Mimmack’s last note, witness bought stuff for a black gown of Messrs. Hobson, which was then making up; lodges with Mrs Stapylton; went up town with Mr Millins’ servant about 9 o’clock on Wednesday night, but never heard a man at a short distance from her use threatening language. Her age is 27.
William Mimmack was again called in, and positively denied ever having written to Duckering since his wife’s decease!
The case was now closed. The jury had with the most exemplary patience endeavoured to sift the matter to the bottom, and although there was nothing to criminate Mimmack, there was quite sufficient to exhibit his moral character in no enviable point of view: the fact of his connexion with Duckering before he had been married two years, the taunting his deceased wife with “I have a w_ in town, and I will not go home,” &c., and, above all, his writing to his kept-mistress ere the slain body of his lawful and amiable partner was well cold, engendered a deep feeling of horror and disgust in the minds of the coroner and jurors, who, after canvassing the matter over for a short time, returned a verdict of accidental death; “and that from the evidence that has been brought before them, the moral character of the said William Mimmack in reference to his wife, some short time before and even since the decease of his said wife, has been most wicked, disgraceful, and disreputable.” Deodand on the horse ten pounds, on the cart ten pounds.
The infant expired on Monday night; an inquest was to be held on the body on Wednesday.
 
Note: Deodand means: “a thing that by English law before 1846 was forfeited to the crown and thence to pious uses because it had been the immediate cause of the death of a person.”


FS.org Mass. Deaths & Burials: Sarah Roberts death 23.4.1871 age 63 born 1808 married to George, her father Duckering & her mother Elizabeth A. Buried Mt Hope - see copy of original

FS.org Mass. Deaths & Burials: Sarah Roberts death 23.4.1871 age 63 born 1808 married to George, her father Duckering & her mother Elizabeth A. Buried Mt Hope - see copy of original

In searching Lincolnchire for Richard Brough, assuming Sarah named her son after the father, then only one person is illegible to be the father. Richard Brough born abt 1806 at Thornton Le Fen/Wildmore Fen. He is recorded in the 1841, 1851, 1861 & 1871 Census records at Sibsey farming.

He married in 1836 Lucy Ireland 15th December at Sibsey in the presence of George ireland and Jane Ireland.

He died in March 1875 age 69 and was buried at St Margaret Church, Sibsey 19 March 1875. His abode is recorded as Frith Bank, Sibsey.

On the marriage certificate, George's occupation is given as a soldier. (Michael D. 26.6.96)

Assuming this is the correct Sarah Duckering, as cannot find any other illegible Sarah born to a Thomas.

The marriage certificate for Sarah DUCKERING and George ROBERTS, records that they married on the 4th November 1839 at St Nicholas Church, Brighton. He was a bachelor, the son of William ROBERTS, a soldier, living at 21 Marine Square and working as a servant. Sarah was a spinster, the daughter of Thomas DUCKERING, a farmer, and living a 21 Marine Square and working as a servant. (See copy of certificate on file)