Penhill Farm is on the far left of this photograph taken in June 2026
For most (if not all) of the 19th century, the farm along Penhill Road which today we know as Penhill Farm, was owned by the Turner family.
Turner Ownership
John and Elizabeth Turner owned and occupied the property from before 1800 until their deaths. Elizabeth in 1808 and John in 1814.
I believe that they (and their children) were the only members of the Turner family to occupy the property. However, the ownership remained with the Turner family until at least 1888. However it may have been after 1892 (or much later) that the Turner family sold the farm.
New Farmhouse
From at least the 1830s and for the best part of a century, the farm is occupied by tenants. However, around 1926, a new brick and tile farmhouse was erected. This is the farmhouse which exists today.
Penhill Farm & Penhill Farm West
To make matters confusing, another farm in Penhill Road was once also referred to as Penhill Farm. The other farm is ‘Penhill Farm West‘, which is further west along Penhill Road, near to the village boundary with Rocklands.
For many years the Dove family occupied Penhill Farm West. Accordingly, I am confident that the Hammonds were at Penhill Farm.
The Hammond Family
William and Esther Hammond brought their family to Great Ellingham before 1916. When their son, Walter William, enlisted for service in WWI, Walter gave the family’s address as Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham.
Marriage
On the 22nd May, 1893, William and Esther Hammond married in New Catton. William was born in either Suton or nearby Spooner Row, and his wife Esther in Norwich.
Little Ellingham
The 1901 census captures 29 year old William Hammond with his 28 year old wife Esther and three children (Walter 7, Eva 3 and one month old Sydney), in Crown Street, Little Ellingham. William Hammond is a dealer of butter and eggs.
Before arriving in Little Ellingham, William and Esther are in Sprowston where Walter was born.
Carleton Rode
However by 1911, the family are living in a six-roomed dwelling at Double Bank, Carleton Rode. The census of 1911 confirms that the couple had completed 17 years of marriage during which time they had had six children. Sadly only five were still alive.
Great Ellingham
The 1921 census finds William and Esther Hammond at Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham. William Hammond is now 49 years old and his wife Esther 48. The couple have three of their children living with them, including the youngest 9 year old Lily who was born whilst the family were in Carleton Rode.
Sons Sydney 20 and Edgar 18 are working for their father on the farm.
23 year old Great Melton born George Lincoln is boarding with the family. He is working as a boot repairer for W.H. Hinchley in Connaught Road, Attleborough.
Five years later, and nearing the age of 55, William Hammond decides to ‘sell up’ and move on.
Sale of The Penhill Farm
The following notice is published in the Diss Express on the 18th June, 1926:
GREAT ELLINGHAM
John Symonds has received instructions from Mr William Hammond (who is retiring from farming) to sell at Auction at The Town Hall, Attleborough on Thursday 24th June at 3.30 pm
The Very Choice Small Freehold Occupation known as "The Penhill Farm"
A newly built brick and tile farmhouse, outside premises, water from well, excellent orchard and garden
The ample agricultural premises together with the deep mixed and rich soil arable and pasture lands in a high state of cultivation the whole containing 43A 2R 30P
I have no doubt from the wording of the notice that William Hammond owned the farm.
Give that the 1926 notice of the auction of Penhill Farm mentions the farmhouse to be ‘newly built’ and that the Hammonds came to the farm between 1912 and 1916, it is perhaps likely that the ‘new farmhouse’ was erected during William Hammond’s ownership. However, this is little more than a guess.
Fast-Forward to the 1960s
I can only assume that Penhill Farm sold at the auction in 1926. Certainly in the 1960s, the farm is owned by Herbert Carter Holman. However, I do not know whether he occupied the farm or rented it out. Nevertheless, he sold the farm in 1964.
The following year, the farm was once again offered for sale by auction. The Lynn News & Advertiser published a Notice of the Auction being held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich. on the 7th August, 1965. Included in the auction as Lot 1 is:
Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham with attractive small farmhouse completely modernised and re-decorated containing Entrance Hall; 2 Receptions; Fitted Kitchen and Pantry; 4 bedrooms; bathroom (h & c) and separate w.c.
Mains electricity and water. Pleasant Garden. Ample Farm Premises and 51A 8R 9P of productive medium soil arable and pasture
Penhill Farm would again have new owners.
Sources:
UK, British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920. Walter William Hammond. The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; War Office: Soldiers’ Documents from Pension Claims, First World War (Microfilm Copies and Medical Cards); Reference: WO364; Piece: 1504. Ancestry.com. UK, British Army World War I Pension Records 1914-1920 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Original data: The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
New Catton Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office; Norwich, Norfolk, England; Norfolk Church of England Registers. Ancestry.com. Norfolk, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Church of England Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office, Norwich, Norfolk, England.
1901 census RG13/1867/89
1911 census RG14/11458/10
1921 census RG15/9790 ED5 Sch 104
22nd May 1893. Marriage William Hammond & Esther Elizabeth King. Christ Church, New Catton. Norfolk Record Office; Norwich, Norfolk, England; Norfolk Church of England Registers. Ancestry.com. Norfolk, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: Church of England Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office, Norwich, Norfolk, England.
Private Deeds Collection Homelea Farm J & A Hughes
18 June 1926 Diss Express
7th August 1965 Lynn News & Advertiser. Newspapers viewed via The British Newspaper Archive