Eliza Rix was 33 years old when her husband Thomas Rix died at the age of 76 in February, 1870. The couple had been married nearly 17 years during which time Eliza had given birth to 7 known children. Sadly, Thomas and Eliza’s youngest child (and only son), Benjamin Robert, died at just one year…
Category: Edwards
George & Louisa Edwards both die from Phthisis
According to Simon Willis in his book ‘How our Ancestors Died‘, at least one in six people died of tuberculosis during the Victorian period. Tuberculosis was also known as phthisis as well as consumption. My own family (as well as those families living in Great Ellingham), were no exception in being affected by this disease….
The Tragic Life and Death of Anna Eliza Rix
There is no doubt that life can be arduous and hard. At the turn of the 20th century, every day life for some of the people in Great Ellingham was no exception. A fair few families found themselves living in squalid conditions. Others suffered the loss of loved ones – the ‘breadwinner‘, the ‘house-keeper’ or…
Timeline of Tanyard Farm Cottages 1800s to 1954
Tanyard Farm CottagesPhotograph courtesy of Bryan Dye At the turn of the 19th century, Tanyard Farm was owned by John Warren. The property then comprised a house, tan office, barn, stable, yard and garden. Warren also owned a nearby beam shed and barn, together with several acres of land. In addition, Warren owned other cottages….
Emigration following a ‘Brush with the Law’
Jeremiah John Edwards. Courtesy Jane Sayliss Jeremiah John Edwards was born in Great Ellingham in 1904. He was the fourth child of George William Edwards and his wife Elizabeth nèe Lincoln. Tanyard Farm CottagesPhotograph courtesy Bryan Dye Tanyard Farm Cottages The 1911 census captures the Edwards family living at Tanyard Farm Cottages. Farm labourer George…
Private 5774000 Stanley Frederick Giles, 4th Bn. The Royal Norfolk Regiment
Stanley Frederick Giles (1917-1942) Courtesy Jane Sayliss Stanley Giles was 25 year old when he died as a prisoner of war in Thailand on the 14th December, 1942. Great Ellingham Born He was born in Great Ellingham on the 15th November, 1917. His parents, John and Nellie Giles, already had three children – Douglas, Winifred…
For Sale – Newly built farmhouse known as Wylands Farm
Illustration Christine Fuller Wylands Farm lies to the most southern end of Long Street not far from the village boundary with Attleborough. Extract from O.S. Map c.1945. Courtesy Ray & Maureen Beales The Thetford & Watton Times of the 23rd September, 1916, published the following notice: PROPERTY SALE On Wednesday afternoon Messrs W S Hall…
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…
The Case of Hart -v- Wade
Attleborough County Court – August 1861 The Norfolk News of the 10th August, 1861, published a report of a recent case at the Attleborough County Court. The case centred around an action brought by Mark Hart, a higgler, of Great Ellingham against John Wade, an innkeeper, of Little Ellingham. Hart was seeking to recover £8…
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…