Emergency Powers Just days before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 came into effect. This new legislation gave the government “special powers to take almost any action necessary to carry out the war successfully.” The new powers controlled many aspects of everyday life during the war – including…
Category: Downes
Pair of Cottages become Owner Occupied after 150 years
Extract from 1906 Ordnance Survey Map. Second Edition. Surveyed in 1881. Author’s Collection For nearly 150 years, two clay and tiled semi-detached cottages standing along the Attleborough Road, Great Ellingham, were occupied by tenants and not by the owners. During this time, the cottages saw the comings and goings of several families. However, the Wenn…
Two Clay and Tiled Cottages adjoining the Churchyard in Great Ellingham
A family ownership spanning nearly 150 years came to an end at an auction at the Royal Hotel, Attleborough, on the 23rd June, 1910. Royal Hotel, Attleborough. Postcard courtesy Brian Vidler Following the death of Daniel William Cocking Warren, his daughter Annie Matthews Gladden, instructed auctioneers Salter, Simpson & Sons to sell her late father’s…
Thomas Drake Chilleystone
Newspaper Articles Newspapers are a great source of information for local and family historians. Publications may include reports of events taking place in the parish, or reports concerning the inhabitants. Some articles reflect ‘happy events’. For example, weddings and other celebrations. However, newspapers will also include reports of misdemeanors and tragedies. Nevertheless, together the varied…
The Living Conditions in Robert Oldfield’s Church Street Cottage
Amongst other things, the provisions of the Housing of the Working Classes Act gave enforcement powers to local authorities, in relation to sanitary conditions and overcrowding in housing. 1901 census Wreningham born William Lane came to Great Ellingham with his wife and two children before the birth of their son William c.1896. The 1901 census…
The Marriage of Josiah Carter & Sarah Downes
Baptist Chapel, Long Street, Great Ellingham. Courtesy of Attleborough Heritage Group Wedding Report The Bury Free Press of Saturday 10th November 1894, reported on a wedding which had taken place at the Baptist Church in Great Ellingham on Wednesday, 31st October. The marriage of Josiah Carter and Sarah Ann Elizabeth Downes had ‘roused an unusual…
Baptists’ Burying Ground with a Colman Family Connection
Colman Family Connection Helen Caroline Colman writes in her book ‘Jeremiah James Colman: A Memoir’ : “In the little Burial-ground at Great Ellingham, connected with although a mile or so distant from the Baptist Chapel, a stone marks the spot where, away from the high road, amidst fields and guarded by scotch firs, Jeremiah Colman…
Last Miller to Occupy the Post Mill?
Where was the Post Mill? Extract from 1802 Map of Great Ellingham. Original held at Norfolk Record Office. Russell James Colman Plans. Cat. Ref. C/Ca 1/84. With kind permission of NRO The above extract from an 1802 map shows the position of the Post Mill in Mill Lane, Great Ellingham. The map also clearly shows…
Owners of Islay House in the Nineteenth Century
Islay House. Courtesy of Charles Mason ‘The Buildings of England Norfolk 2: North West and South‘ describes Islay House as ‘A very typical timber-framed cottage with lath and plaster infill built in the mid C17 and given a brick skin in the late C18‘. The house had the most common house-plan used in this country…
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…