Illustration by Christine Fuller
Auction
In the Autumn of 1895, Frederick Brighton of Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham instructed Auctioneer, James Mobbs, to sell his Live and Dead Farming Stock.
An Auction, which also included the sale of Brighton’s dairy utensils and part of his furniture was arranged for Wednesday, 9th October, 1895 at Penhill Farm.
A four year old pedigree Hackney stallion was to be sold along with other horses, cows, pigs and fowls. Also for sale were tumbrils and carts together with farming implements such as ploughs, chaff cutter, grinder, pulper, scarifier, bins, forks and harnesses.
Sitting room and bedroom furniture (as well as other effects) were also being auctioned.
The notice stated that Frederick Brighton would be leaving Penhill Farm. Why were the Brightons leaving the farm?
Bankrupt
It seems that Frederick Brighton was in financial difficulties. His name appears in the list of bankrupt persons appearing in the Huddersfield Chronicle on Saturday January 11th, 1896. This may well be the reason why Frederick left Great Ellingham and took his wife and daughter to South Africa.
Frederick & Helen Brighton
1891 census
The census of 1891 captures 27 year old Frederick Brighton, a farmer, at Penhill Farm with his 31 year old wife Hellen (Helen) and six month old daughter Aldyth. The family have a general domestic servant – Great Ellingham born 12 year old Alice Sizeland.
The census also tells us that Frederick Brighton and his daughter were born in Great Ellingham. Helen Brighton is said to have been born in Somerset. However an earlier census gives her place of birth as Islington, Middlesex.
Marriage
A marriage between Frederick Brighton and Helen Toll was registered between January and March in 1890 in the Wayland District.
1881 census
The 1881 census finds 21 year old unmarried Helen Toll with her parents, James and Mary Toll living in Long Street, Great Ellingham. James Toll was Pastor at the Baptist Church in Great Ellingham from 1871 to 1876.
Given that Helen’s father was a retired Baptist Minister, I think it most likely that her marriage to Frederick Brighton took place at the Baptist Church. Further, I believe that Frederick and his family also attended the Baptist Church, as I cannot find any baptism, marriage or burial entries for the Brighton family in the Parish Registers for the Church of St James.
Great Ellingham born
Born in the village around 1863, Frederick Brighton was the son of farmer, William Brighton and his wife Lucy.
The 1871 census finds the Brighton family living in Penhill Road, Great Ellingham. 7 year old Frederick is one of five children (all born in Great Ellingham) listed in the Brighton household – George William aged 12, Walter 9, Frederick 7, William Ernest 3 and one year old Elizabeth Rosa. Whilst William Brighton was born in Wymondham, his wife Lucy was born in Little Ellingham.
South Africa
Both Frederick and Helen Brighton died in South Africa. I wonder whether they ever came back to Great Ellingham.
Updated June 2023
Sources:
Norwich Mercury September 28th, 1895
Huddersfield Chronicle 11th January 1896. British Library Newspapers. THE BANKRUPTCY ACTS, 1883 AND 1890
Date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 1896. Publication: Huddersfield Chronicle (West Yorkshire, England)
Issue: 8877 NCC Library Service 7.6.20
1871 census RG10/1841/78
1881 census RG11/1974/90
1891 census RG12/1549/71
Bugden, David. The Story of 300 Years of the Baptist Church at Great Ellingham
Free BMD website https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=wsXW4H6%2F7zZZnW6UI3T%2Fqw&scan=1 Viewed 07/10/2019