Homelea Farm sits along a lane off Penhill Road, and to the west of Penhill Farm. The property has been known as Penhill Lane Farm, Low Lane Farm and Low Farm. However by the 1930s, it is known as Homelea Farm. For ease of reference, I will usually refer to the property as Homelea Farm…
Category: Downs
Harriet Fisher brings charges for ‘Arrears of Bastardy’
Police Custody On the 1st March, 1854, James Denny of Honingham spent a night in Police custody at the Wymondham Lock-Up at the Bridewell in Wymondham. James Denny was a 19 years old labourer and stood around 5 feet 4 inches tall. The Lock-Up Records also tell us that Denny could read. He was charged…
‘Bastardy Orders’ against Great Ellingham Men
Illustration by Christine FullerThe illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. 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…
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…
Housebreaking & Theft of Soap, Candles, Matches and Other Articles
Illustration by Christine Fuller The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. 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…
The Village of Great Ellingham Celebrates Jubilees
1887 Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee On the 20th June 1887, while Queen Victoria was breakfasting outdoors under the trees at Frogmore and, later, travelled to Buckingham Palace for a royal banquet, the inhabitants of Great Ellingham were getting ready to begin their Jubilee Celebrations on the following day, the 21st June. Jubilee Committee & Jubilee…