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…
Category: Downes
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…
What’s In a Name?
Frank Newby with three of his children at Watton Road, Great Ellingham . Photograph courtesy of Sue Gent When researching family history, it is not unusual to find the name by which an individual is known differing between census returns and other documentation, such as registrations of birth, marriages and deaths. In other blogs, I…
The Newby’s Home in Watton Road
Frank Newby with three of his children. Thought to have been taken in the 1930s. Photograph courtesy of Sue Gent Frank Newby This is a lovely photograph capturing Great Ellingham born Frank Newby with three of his children – sons Arthur B (known to the family as Ben) born 1923, Basil born two years later…
April Fool’s Prank by George Anderson?
Illustration by Christine Fuller The Norwich Mercury of April 12th, 1905 reported on the case of the theft of a hen heard recently at the East Harling Petty Sessions. George Anderson of Great Ellingham was charged with stealing a hen belonging to farmer Josiah Carter at Great Ellingham on the 1st April. Given the date…
Many Brought by Horses for a Special Service at the Church
Church of St James, Great Ellingham The Mid-Norfolk Federation of the Church of England Men’s Society held a special service at the Church of St James, Great Ellingham on a Tuesday evening in December 1908. It was reported that the Lord Bishop of Ipswich gave an interesting and constructive address to a large congregation. Many…
John Mallows died 1870 but buried 1869!
The inscription on the headstone in the churchyard at Great Ellingham for John Mallows and his wife Amy is still clear after over 130 years. John Mallows. Born August 19th, 1802. Died August 7th, 1870. Also of Amy, his wife. Born November 7th, 1805. Died February 24th, 1885. Burial entries for John Mallows and his…
December Wedding for John Penson and Ellen Downes in 1924
December 22nd, 1924 Wedding of John Penson and Ellen Downes at Rockland All Saints. Photograph courtesy of Lucinda Bell-Tye Jack Penson Although John Penson was born and raised in Willey, Shropshire, John’s maternal ancestors came from Norfolk. John, born in 1887, was one of four children of John Penson and his wife Lydia née Matthews….
Housebreaking & Theft of Soap, Candles, Matches and Other Articles
Illustration by Christine Fuller Martha and Jemima Downes Committed for Trial Sisters Martha and Jemima Downes (Downs) of Great Ellingham appeared before Mr A Cockell Esq, a local Attleborough Magistrate, in the August of 1878. On the information of Police Constable Gooch, the sisters were charged with housebreaking at Great Ellingham. They were committed for…