Benjamin William Rising (1821-1897) of Caister-on-Sea

Plus his wife Harriot Gillett (1827-1913)

Benjamin William Rising was born on 13^th October 1821 at Caister-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth as the sixth child of George Rising & Mary Beart. He was baptised at Caister-on-Sea on 19^th October the same year.  He had six siblings, namely: Mary, Anne, George, Sarah, Helen and Bright.

When he was 19, in 1841, he lived with his parents “On the Hill”  at West Caister-on-Sea where his father was a farmer. In 1860 Benjamin married Harriot Gillett, the daughter of Richard & Mary Gillett at St Peter & St Paul Church, Halvergate. Her name is sometimes recorded as Harriet.

1.11.6 Benjamin & Harriot Gillett had the following children:-

1.11.6.1 Helen Harriett Rising who was born on 8^th September 1861 at Martham and lived for many years at Sutfield House and Hope Cottage, The Green, Martham. She died in 1944 at Kensington, London.

1.11.6.2 Harold Benjamin Rising was born in 1863 at Tunstall, Halvergate, Norfolk. He spent his younger years living with his parents at Sutfield House, Martham. As an adult he moved to South Africa and died in 1944 at Heidelberg, Transvaal.

1.11.6.3 Mary Louisa Rising was born in 1865 at Tunstall, Halvergate, Norfolk. She married Arthur Douglas Cowburn on 31^st July 1895 at St Mary the Virgin, Martham. Mary died on 7^th June 1952 in Surrey and Arthur died in 1944 at Earls Court, Kensington, London.

1.11.6.4 Rupert Wyllys Rising was born on 8^th February 1870 in Martham. He spent his younger years living with his parents at Sutfield House, Martham. As an adult he moved to South Africa and died in 1941 at Durban.      

1.11.6.5 Maria Anne Rising was born on 23^rd November 1872 at Martham. In her formative years she lived with her parents at Sutfield House, Martham and towards the end of her life she lived at Hope Cottage, The Green, Martham. She died on 31^st August 1962 in The Nursing Home, Hemsby.

One known owner of Sutfield House in Martham was Thomas Sutfield Rising. He died in 1855 and the only brother to outlive him was George Rising so it is thought he inherited the house. George was Benjamin’s father and George died in 1859 so it seems Sutfield House passed to Benjamin as he was living there in 1861 with his wife and a servant. George farmed 45 acres employing two labourers and a boy. This land may well have been that at Caister-on-Sea where his father had farmed rather than at Martham. The couple continued to live at Sutfield House until they died; Benjamin on 20^th March 1897 and Harriot on 27^th July 1913. Harriot and her sister, Anne, were the last of the Risings to consistently live in Martham and the death of Anne saw the end of the Rising family association with Martham.

There is a brass plaque memorial to the couple in St Mary the Virgin, Martham which is shown at the top of this page. They are buried in the graveyard at section G, plot C along with their daughter Maria (1872-1962). In 2017 the grave had become worn and dilapidated but the family had it renewed in 2018 and returned it to a fitting memorial.

Benjamin’s estate was probated on 18th May 1897 at Norwich recording that he was formerly of Sutfield House. Probate: Gentleman. Died 20th March 1897. Administration Norwich 18th May 1897 to Harriot Rising widow. Effects £755  2s  4d.

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