Illustration by Christine Fuller The 1851 census finds single man, 23 year old Charles Hannant as a grocer and draper in Church Street, Great Ellingham. Charles’s father, 51 year old William Hannant, is visiting his son. Although his present home was in Stepney (an area in the East End of London), jeweller William Hannant was…
Category: Occupations
Three Sons-in-law with the name John!
Illustration by Christine Fuller Death of William Downes William Downes died on the 30th August, 1853 at the age of 79. He was buried in the churchyard at the Parish Church of St James a few days later on the 4th September. Just three weeks earlier, William had put his affairs in order. He signed…
A G Cracknell’s Shop in Church Street
1954. A G Cracknell’s Shop in Great Ellingham. Photographs courtesy Diane Davis Purchase of Church Street Shop Arthur George Cracknell purchased this familiar village shop in Church Street, Great Ellingham in 1952. For many years, he ran the general stores with his wife Evelyn, whom he had married in 1924. Their son, Colin, also worked…
‘Stranger in Blood’ Hannah Saunders
Extract from 28th January 1898 Inland Revenue Account of Succession to real or leasehold property completed by R W H Venn, Solicitor, Attleborough for the Executors of William Lebbell deceased The above extract from an Inland Revenue Account dated 28th January 1898, confirms that Hannah Saunders, a beneficiary of property under the Will of the…
Ellis Houchen Admitted as Copyhold Tenant
In the nineteenth century, some of the land in Great Ellingham was freehold (or held on a long lease). However, other land was copyhold. This was another form of property ownership before its abolition in the 1920s. There were three Manors in Great Ellingham: Ellingham Rectory, Ellingham Hall and, the largest, Bury Hall. Most of…
Mr Isaac Lebbell, a Bankrupt
Auction The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated 14th May 1887, included the announcement of a forthcoming Auction of properties situate in Griston, Scoulton and Great Ellingham belonging to Mr Isaac Lebbell, a Bankrupt. The Auction, by the firm of Edward Banham & Son of Methwold and Watton, would take place at five o’clock in…
The Tale of a Pair of Trousers being made at the top of the Spire!
Spire of the Church of St James Great Ellingham. Photograph taken May 2020 During the winter months, the lights which usually adorn the church tower of St James at Christmas draw our attention to the tower and spire, but I wonder how many of us look up at the spire at any other time? Top…
Penalty & Costs of Thirty Shillings
Furious Driving James Wilkins of Great Ellingham appeared before the Magistrates at the Petty Sessions held at New Buckenham in early May 1864. An account of the offence of furious driving on the road from Great Ellingham to Stow Bedon was given by Police Constable Bugg. James Wilkins was convicted and adjudged to pay 30s…
William Barnard in Financial Difficulties at Bury Hall
Bury Hall, Great Ellingham. Courtesy of Emma Wilson To be unable to meet the demands of creditors would have been bad enough for William Barnard and his family to endure, but it seems that this Barnard family suffered additional heartache. William Barnard A son of James and Sarah Barnard (née Rose), William Barnard was born…
Auction of the Crown with ‘Good Potential’
Crown Inn with adjoining shops. Postcard courtesy of Carol Ewin 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…