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? Great Ellingham Village Stores and Post…
Category: Occupations
‘Bastardy Orders’ against Great Ellingham Men
Illustration by Christine Fuller 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…
James Beatson, Trustee & Farmer
James Beatson, one of the Overseers of the Poor for the Parish of Great Ellingham in 1873, was also one of the Trustees of the Fuel Allotment Charity. But who was James Beatson and was he a local man? The 1861 census finds 47 year old farmer, James Beatson and his 54 year old wife…
Auction of Charles Rivett’s Farmhouse
Trustee and Overseer An application to the Charity Comissioners of 1873 by the Trustees of the Great Ellingham Fuel Allotment Charity refers to Charles Rivett as being one of the Trustees of the Charity. Charles Rivett was also one of two Overseers of the Poor for the Parish. James Beatson being the other. Local Man…
Fowl Dealer down on his Luck
Illustration by Christine Fuller County Court Hearing The Norwich Mercury of August 18th, 1887 reported on a recent matter before the Watton County Court. Robert Bowden of Great Ellingham, a farmer, had previously obtained a judgment against Samuel Harvey, a dealer, of Stow Bedon. Harvey, represented by a Mr Feltham, made an application to the…
Court Appearance for Harriet Leeder, Grocery Dealer
Illustration by Christine Fuller Great Ellingham born Harriet Leeder was a grocery dealer living in Long Street during the 1860s, with her parents, William and Frances Leeder. Court Appearance In the August of 1864, Harriet Leeder, described as a flour seller, appeared before the Magistrates at the East Harling Petty Sessions charged with having an…
‘Keen Agriculturalist’ Henry Colman dies aged 84
Great Ellingham Parish Church The Norwich Mercury of 21st October 1905 reported on the funeral which had taken place at the Parish Church in Great Ellingham of Mr Henry Colman. It was reported that Henry Colman was a keen agriculturalist and that he regularly attended Norwich Market. His last trip to the market was earlier…
The Fishy Tale of James Halls
Illustration by Christine Fuller At the Petty Sessions held at East Harling in the May of 1880, labourer James Halls of Little Ellingham received a prison sentence of 14 days with hard labour for the theft of fish. The Norfolk Chronicle and Norwich Gazette of the 15th May, 1880 reported on the case. Halls was…
Sudden Death at the Parish Reading Room
Newspaper report of the Inquest The Norfolk Chronicle of January 27th, 1900 reported on the sudden death of 54 year old Alfred Brighton at the parish Reading Room in Great Ellingham on the previous Tuesday, the 23rd January. At the Inquest held on the following day, Alfred’s wife Sarah Ann Brighton told the County Coroner…
Theodosia Morley, Landlady of the Queen’s Head
According to Norfolk Pubs website, Theodosia Morley became the Landlady at the Queen’s Head Public House at Great Ellingham around 1865. White’s Directory of 1864 lists her husband, Samuel Morley, at a Beerhouse in Great Ellingham. I think the ‘Beerhouse’ is most likely the Queen’s Head. Samuel and Theodosia Morley The 1861 census captures the…