On Saturday 23rd July 1910, the Norfolk News published an article about the death of farmer Charles Warren Gladden. The article also tells us that Charles Gladden died whilst driving his horse and cart through Great Ellingham.
Family Connections
Although born in Stratton Strawless, Charles Warren Gladden has family connections with Great Ellingham.
His maternal grandfather, John Warren was baptised in St James’s Church in 1814. Although he lived in Little Ellingham, John Warren owned property in Town Green, Great Ellingham.
Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe F W Neeve. Postcard courtsey Carol Ewin
Charles Gladden’s maternal uncle, Daniel William Cocking Warren, owned the property in Church Street, Great Ellingham, which later became known as ‘Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe’.
Born in Stratton Strawless
The eldest son of John Miller Gladden and his wife Mary nèe Warren, Charles was born in 1870. He spent at least his first ten years at the family’s farm in Stratton Strawless. By 1891, the Gladden family moved to Swannington.
Marriage & Children
Charles married Esther Thurston in the Parish Church at Wilby on the 16th December, 1895. At that time, Charles Warren lived in Norwich.
The 1901 census captures 30 year old Charles Gladden with his 32 year old wife Esther living in Calvert Street, Norwich. Charles has his own business as a furniture maker and upholsterer. His premises were in Colegate Street, Norwich. The couple have two children – 4 year old Charles Reginald and Elaine Esther aged 2.
In 1903, Charles and Esther welcomed Constance Mary.
Esther Gladden gave birth to twins, Edward George and Madalene Ruby, in 1905. Sadly, both Edward and Madalene died during the latter part of 1906.
Move to Ling Farm
Prior to his death in 1910, Charles Gladden relocated his family to Ling Farm, Attleborough. Following her husband’s death, Esther and her surviving children remained living at Ling Farm.
Inquest
The newspaper report of the inquest into the death of Charles Gladden provides more information about Charles Gladden and the circumstances which led to his untimely death.
The County Coroner likely held the proceedings at one of the two public houses in the centre of the village – the Chequers or the Crown. The local curate, the Reverend G W Russell, was appointed foreman of the jury.
Charles’s father, John M Gladden of Rockland All Saints, told the inquest that his son was ‘subject to heart attacks from a weak heart’, which had been ‘brought about by rheumatic fever many years ago’. However, Charles was ‘in his usual health’ when he visited his father earlier that morning, before leaving for Attleborough.
Postcard of Great Ellingham Schools Postmarked 1905
During his journey to Attleborough, Charles Gladden passed roadman Philip Thurling near Great Ellingham School. Thurling told the coroner that Charles Gladden seemed well and that he had given him a nod in recognition as he went by.
Just before 10am, Charles Gladden passed Great Ellingham fish hawker William Fox. Fox could see that things were not as they should be. Charles Gladden was in a kneeling position in his cart, leaning against the side with his head on a lamp bracket. William Fox stopped the horse. Tragically Charles Gladden died before he could be removed from his trap.
The jury found that Charles Gladden died from natural causes.
Church of St James, Great Ellingham
A well attended funeral service was subsequently held at St James’s Church, Great Ellingham.
Sources:
23 July 1910 Norfolk News. Viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
1881 census RG11/1931/118
1891 census RG12/1516/43
1901 census RG13/1836/52
1911 census RG14/11469/150
GRO Index
Wilby Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD98. Marriage record viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk
England, Norfolk Register of Electors, 1832-1915″, , FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2C9R-DHW : Wed Feb 28 02:56:03 UTC 2024), Entry for Charles Warren Gladden, from 1908 to 1909