The Muggletons, Charles Dickens and the castle!

James and Sarah Muggleton migrated to NSW in 1839, not long after getting married. They were the first generation of the Muggletons in Australia, establishing themselves at Rosebank Farm in Tamworth and having 12 children.

I discovered that James was born in 1816 in Rockingham, Northamptonshire, England. His father Humphrey lived in the 'Keeper's Cottage" at Rockingham Castle with wife Sarah, where their children were born. He was the game keeper at the castle, which was established for hunting and administration by the King of England, William the Conquerer, some time after 1066 . In 1544 Henry VIII leased the castle to Edward Watson. His grandson ended up buying it in 1619 and it has remained in the same family since.

Charles Dickens was friends with Richard and Lavinia Watson and frequented the Castle. Dickens once wrote “I always think of Rockingham, after coming away, as if I belonged to it and had left a bit of my heart behind.” Interestingly enough, In Pickwick Papers, Dickens wrote about a cricket match between All Muggleton against Dingley Dellers and later wrote a periodical called Master Humphrey's Clock!

This is a little snippet of an incredible history. Who would have known that checking family details in Tamworth would lead to this other world!