Double Cottage at Penhill Road. Photograph courtesy of McDouall family For nearly two centuries, the above double cottage is one of just a few houses in Penhill Road. It was built around 1810 on a piece of land formerly part of of ‘Pennell Common’. Like many other historical houses in the village, the cottage has…
Category: Ashby
Samuel & Catherine Hilling of Low Common
Jeffrey Towler owned several properties in Great Ellingham at the end of the eighteenth century. He leased two dwellings together with 22 acres of land to Samuel Hilling. These properties were at the end of the lane which we know today as Swamp Lane. Swamp Lane The above extract a plan of c.1802 clearly shows…
James & Ann Clarke of Great Ellingham & Rocklands
I am always thrilled to hear from descendants of people who once lived in Great Ellingham. I am also grateful for additional information – particularly photographs of past villagers who once walked along the very same streets as we do today. This is the story of James and Ann Clarke who began their life together…
Susan Pea given 14 Days for Theft of Turnips
Appearance at Norwich Assizes 26 year old Susan Pea appeared at the Norwich Assizes at the beginning of April 1837. She was charged with stealing two bushels of turnips at Great Ellingham, the property of John Turner. Susan was found guilty and sentenced to 14 days imprisonment. Two bushels is approximately eight stone (or nearly…
Edmund Houchen signs his Last Will & Testament in 1853
The surname Houchen has appeared in the Great Ellingham Parish Registers for many, many years with variations such as Howchen, Houchin. These alternative spellings also occur in the census returns. However I will keep to the spelling as ‘Houchen’ whether or not the spelling appears as such in the documentation to which I have referred….
Great Ellingham Beneficent Society formed October 1876
A branch of the Universal Beneficent Society was formed in Great Ellingham on the 3rd October, 1876. The Patron was the Marquess Townshend. The object of the society is to relieve the poor and needy in the parish of Great Ellingham. With a membership fee payable, there would also be a one shilling entrance fee…
James Carter & Mary Ann Barnard
Headstone for James Carter and wife Mary Ann in the churchyard at Great Ellingham Marriage The marriage of James Carter and Mary Barnard took place in the Parish Church of Great Ellingham on November 28th, 1837. Registration In July of that year, the compulsory registration of births, marriages and deaths was introduced. Accordingly, the couple…