According to Simon Willis in his book ‘How our Ancestors Died‘, at least one in six people died of tuberculosis during the Victorian period. Tuberculosis was also known as phthisis as well as consumption. My own family (as well as those families living in Great Ellingham), were no exception in being affected by this disease….
Category: Occupations
Legacy funds two cottages at the Baptist Burial Ground
Extract from O.S. Map c.1945Courtesy Ray & Maureen Beales The blue arrow on the above extract from a map dated c.1945, shows the position of the ‘Burying Ground Cottages’ in Great Ellingham. However, the cottages were built over a century earlier. Tithe Map The Great Ellingham Tithe Map of 1843 shows a cottage and garden…
William Day, formerly of Great Ellingham
The edition of the Bury & Norwich Post of Tuesday 15th June, 1869, included the following death notice: On the 8th instant, aged one year, the infant son of the late Mr William Day of Eye, Suffolk, formerly of Great Ellingham I endeavoured to find more information about this infant and his father, William Day….
George Saunders makes an elm coffin for Jeremiah Edwards
George Saunders’ house & premises is in the centre of this postcard (the house side-ways) in Church Street, Great Ellingham Kelly’s Directories of 1908 and 1912 lists the name ‘George Saunders’ under Great Ellingham. Saunders is described as a carpenter, builder and undertaker, with the added words ‘joinery a speciality‘. Bill of G.Saunders for providing…
Jack Penson takes in Evacuees at Tanyard Farm
Early 1930s Jack Penson with son Sidney John at Tanyard Farm Great EllinghamCourtesy Lucinda Bell-Tye Just before the outbreak of World War II, the government initiated Operation Pied Piper. The result being an evacuation of some 800,000 children from urban areas to the countryside. As a consequence, Great Ellingham welcomed a number of evacuees. Although…
Frederick Barker Fined Thirty Shillings for Stealing a Hen
In the past, many of the inhabitants of Great Ellingham kept hens. These chickens provided many a ‘cash- strapped’ villager with a plentiful supply of fresh eggs and, on occasions, ‘Sunday lunch’. Unsurprisingly, there were several instances of hen thefts. Consequently, many offenders appeared before the Magistrates. One such wrong-doer was Frederick Barker. Illustration Christine…
Sarah Tilson struck down with Paralysis at the Baptist Chapel
Baptist Chapel Long Street Great EllinghamCourtesy Attleborough Heritage Group Marriage in Attleborough The wedding of Samuel Tilson and Sarah Wright took place at St Mary’s Church, Attleborough on the 25th May, 1812. At the time of their marriage, both Samuel and Sarah were single and lived in Attleborough. St Mary’s Church, Attleborough Move to Great…
For Sale – Newly built farmhouse known as Wylands Farm
Illustration Christine Fuller Wylands Farm lies to the most southern end of Long Street not far from the village boundary with Attleborough. Extract from O.S. Map c.1945. Courtesy Ray & Maureen Beales The Thetford & Watton Times of the 23rd September, 1916, published the following notice: PROPERTY SALE On Wednesday afternoon Messrs W S Hall…
William Downes brings his family to Bury Hall Farm
Bury Hall. Courtesy Emma Wilson Following the Rushbrooke family’s emigration to New Zealand in 1897, William Downes moved into Bury Hall Farm with his wife and family. Early Life William Downes was born in Attleborough on the 27th July, 1860. He was the seventh of eight children born to James and Ann Downes (née Page)….
Book of ‘Family Worship’ belonging to James & Ann Downes
Extract from the Book of Family Worship. Downes Family. Courtesy Rita Downes A Family Bible is a useful resource for family historians. Although the information is usually limited to a list of names and birth dates, it nevertheless helps to piece together members of a family. It may also provide details which would otherwise remain…