Illustration by Christine Fuller
1883 Court Appearance
The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of August 4th, 1883 reported on the case of James Carter, a farmer, of Great Ellingham.
Carter appeared before the Magistrates at East Harling on July 30th. He was charged with allowing two horses to stray on the highway. He was found guilty and fined 15s (including costs).
1881 census
The census of 1881 shows four households headed by a James Carter living in Great Ellingham.
- At Mill Yard, is 28 year old mill assistant James Carter with his wife Sarah. The couple have a lodger, 19 year old general labourer Elijah Fox.
- Living in Bow Street, is 50 year old agricultural labourer James Carter with his wife Sophia. They also have a lodger, 74 year old Aaron Lane, a baker, of Hingham.
- 69 year old James Carter and his wife Mary are living in Town Green. This James Carter is also an agricultural labourer.
- Finally, living in High Road (what is now the Attleborough to Watton Road) is 60 year old James Carter with his wife Jemima. James is described as a farmer (of 20 acres) and drillman. The census indicates that James and Jemima were living not far from the Prince of Wales Inn (which was on the south side of the Attleborough to Watton Road between the junctions with Hingham Road and Bow Street).
Which James Carter?
Given that the James Carter who stood before the Magistrates is described as a farmer (and High Road was classed as a highway), I think that the James Carter living in High Road is the James Carter who appeared at the East Harling Petty Sessions on 30th July, 1883.
Further Offence
It also seems that the same James Carter (husband of Jemima) appeared at the East Harling Petty Sessions in the September of 1876.
James Carter described as a drillman of Great Ellingham, was fined 10s with 14s costs for drunkenness!
Updated April 2021
Sources:
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette August 4th, 1883 30 September 1876
Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette September 30th, 1876
1881 census: RG11/1974/91, RG11/1974/83-84, RG11/1974/80