The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of June 16th, 1866 reported on recent cases heard at the Petty Sessions in East Harling. Amongst the defendants was John Layton, a Butcher from nearby Attleborough. He was charged with ‘removing a fat bullock from Great Ellingham to Attleborough without a license as required by the order of…
Category: Court Hearings
A Father’s Promise to the Court to keep his son under Restraint
Court Case A special sitting of the Wymondham Petty Sessions took place on 13th April, 1869 to hear a case of the theft of three pistols at Wymondham on 8th April. Robert James Matthews aged 17 of Great Ellingham was charged with stealing three pistols the property of Wymondham ironmonger, Arthur West. The Court was…
Grocer William Bennett granted Licence to Sell Sweets!
It is possible that Ye Olde Thatche Shoppe to the left or the shop attached to the Crown Public House was the grocer and draper’s shop of William Adam Bennett in 1871. Courtesy of Attleborough Heritage Group Grocer & Draper, William Bennett Chesterfield born William Adam Bennett was one of at least three grocers and…
John Chaplin – Ordered to Maintain his Mother
Court Appearances Drover, John Chaplin of Great Ellingham appeared before the Magistrates at East Harling in June 1873 charged with refusing to obey an order made by the Justices on a previous occasion, for the maintenance of his mother. The Magistrates imposed a penalty and costs of £1 9s. John Chaplin had been before the…
Court Appearance for Shopkeeper, Thomas Edwards
Illustration by Christine Fuller On 11th November 1857, the Magistrates at East Harling Petty Sessions convicted Thomas Edwards, of Great Ellingham, of having in his shop a light weight. He was fined 5s with 11s costs. Where was Thomas Edward’s Shop? The 1851 census captures 30 year old labourer and grocer, Thomas Edwards, with his…
A case of ‘Theft Most Fowl’
Illustration by Christine Fuller Charge of Stealing Four Fowls The Eastern Daily Press of Saturday March 2nd, 1907, reported on the appearance before the Magistrates at Wymondham of two labourers from Great Ellingham. John Lee and George Anderson were charged with stealing four live fowls from Charles Leverett of Hingham. The fowls had a value…
Disorderly Conduct at the Chequers Inn
Illustration by Christine Fuller Before the Magistrates A night of disorderly conduct at the Chequers Inn on the 29th May, 1866 resulted in the appearance before the Magistrates at East Harling of the Landlord and some of his customers. John Brown, the Landlord, was fined £2 and costs of 14s for permitting disorderly conduct at…
Housebreaking & Theft of Soap, Candles, Matches and Other Articles
Illustration by Christine Fuller Martha and Jemima Downes Committed for Trial Sisters Martha and Jemima Downes (Downs) of Great Ellingham appeared before Mr A Cockell Esq, a local Attleborough Magistrate, in the August of 1878. On the information of Police Constable Gooch, the sisters were charged with housebreaking at Great Ellingham. They were committed for…
Claim for Rent & Rates on the Stone Cottage in Bow Street
Illustration by Christine Fuller A case of ‘Strange Contradictions’ was reported by the Norfolk News in their edition of 20th July 1878. A claim was brought by James Lane (the Plaintiff) for rent and rates amounting to £4 5s from James A Rix (the Defendant). The case was heard before the Judge, Edwin Plumer Price…
Mary Ann Mace Pleads Guilty to Assault Charge in 1883
Court Appearance Mary Ann Mace, described as an Innkeeper’s wife of Great Ellingham, appeared at the Petty Sessions at East Harling on July 30th, 1883. The Defendant was summoned to Court on the information of labourer, John Fox (also of Great Ellingham), for assaulting his daughter, Ellen Fox. Mary Ann pleaded guilty and was adjudged…