He was christened in 1785 at St Saviour, Southwark, the son of Henry and Elizabeth and brother of Thomas Hastings (Grimwade p.539-40).
He entered his only maker’s mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1808 in partnership with his brother. Whereas Thomas subsequently entered maker’s marks alone Grimwade does not identify another mark for Rowland.
The christening record for a daughter in 1813 at St John, Clerkenwell names her mother as Ann and their address as St John Street. No record of the marriage between Rowland and Ann has been found.
Christening records for a further 5 of their children at St James, Clerkenwell 1817-23 show their address as Ironmonger Street.
The christening records for a further 2 of their children at the same church in 1825-6 show their address as Great Sutton Street.
All of the records show their father as a silversmith.
Ann Hastings burial aged 38 years was recorded in 1828 at St John, Clerkenwell; her last address was Great Sutton Street.
As a widower he married Katharine Farmer at Christ Church and St Leonard, Foster Lane in 1834; both were from that parish.
The 1851 UK Census for 34 Great Sutton Street records Rowland as a silver thimble maker employing 3 men and a boy.
The England & Wales Death index for Clerkenwell registry records his death in 1860.