1845 Auction Lydia Barnard had been the licensee of the Crown Inn at Great Ellingham for many years prior to the proposed sale of the premises at Auction. The Norwich Mercury of Saturday, September 13th, 1845 included a notice “To Brewers” of the forthcoming Auction by George W Salter of the Leys, Attleburgh. The Auction…
Author: Heather Etteridge
William Reynolds Suffers a Broken Thigh
Included in the list of the casualties received by the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital which appeared in the Norfolk Chronicle towards the end of February 1865, was William Reynolds of Great Ellingham. He was admitted with a fractured thigh. Who was William Reynolds? The 1861 census finds 34 year old veterinary surgeon William Reynolds with…
The Newby’s Home in Watton Road
This is a lovely photograph capturing Great Ellingham born Frank Newby with three of his children – sons Arthur B (known to the family as Ben) born 1923, Basil born two years later in 1925 and one of his daughters – at their home in Watton Road, Great Ellingham. At the age of 22, Frank…
In Memory of the Late King
I wonder how many of us walking along Church Street have noticed the rectangular limestone tablet in the wall surrounding our Parish Church? How long has the tablet been in the wall and why was it put there? Sadly, the tablet has not weathered well and there is little left of the inscription. However, a…
A Marriage of 52 Years
William and Emily Houchen had completed 52 years of marriage when William died in 1934. The couple had lived for many years in Reymerston before retiring to Yaxham. Early Life in Great Ellingham However, both William Houchen and his wife Emily (neé Rivett) were born in Great Ellingham and spent their childhood and early married…
Great Ellingham ‘Born and Bred’
Mary Ann Rivett, the wife of Jonathan Rivett, was very much a ‘Great Ellingham girl’. She lived in the village for her entire life. Warren Family Baptised in the Church of St James on the 28th January 1810, Mary Ann was the eldest daughter of Great Ellingham born John Warren and his wife Mary (neé…
Jane Houchen 1847-1925
Jane Houchen may well have been approaching her eleventh birthday when she completed this piece of needlework. In days gone by, ‘Samplers’ were produced by young girls as a means of showing their skill in needlework. Often worked in embroidery or cross-stitching, some Samplers were quite elaborate. Who was Jane Houchen? A daughter of Francis…
Village Postmasters
From at least the time of the introduction of the ‘Penny Black’ in 1840, Great Ellingham has been served by a Post Office. This service to the community continues today with the Post Office & Stores in Long Street. But has this building always been the village’s Post Office? A few facts about the Post…
Mary Ann Scent, daughter of James Matthews
A resident of Chequers Lane, Mary Ann Scent died in Attleborough on the 29th March 1929 at the age of 79. She was buried a few days later on April 3rd in the churchyard at the Parish Church of Great Ellingham. In her Will of July 7th, 1927, Mary appointed her nephew John Penson of…
‘Bastardy Orders’ for Great Ellingham Men
Maintenance payments for children born out of wedlock is not a modern day provision. Reputed Father: Robert Downs of Great Ellingham When Mary Cable of Bunwell was delivered of a male child in the Parish of Bunwell on the 9th May, 1806, and was unable to (or chose not to) provide for her child, the…