Historical deeds can be both interesting and enlightening. Before the relatively recent requirement for the registration of property and land transactions, bundles of deeds were investigated by a buyer’s lawyer and handed over to the new owner on completion. Unlike most of the modern conveyancing documents, the old indentures contain lengthy narratives. These narratives provide…
Category: Lebbell
A Timeline of some of the History of ‘Grey Roofs’
Grey Roofs, Long Street. Photograph taken Christmas Day 2023 Norfolk Heritage Explorer website describes the Grade II listed building known as ‘Grey Roofs’ as House. Early C18. Timber framed with lath and plaster infill, roughcast. Corrugated iron roof. Lobby entrance plan. One storey and dormer attic. Door in centre. Three three-light C20 casements. Four sloping…
Harry Rix’s Early Boyhood Recollections of Great Ellingham – Long Street
Many written accounts of ‘everyday histories’ focus on prominent figures and major events. However, it is the documenting of the working class which preserves the lived experiences of ordinary people. We are indebted to Great Ellingham man Harry Rix. In 2001, 80 year old Harry decided to record some of his boyhood memories of the…
Francis Colman Negus’s Tenure of Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 1960sCourtesy of Susan Fay Great Ellingham Hall and the ‘Ellingham estate’ came into the ownership of the Coleman family in 1712. Francis Coleman purchased the estate from the Potts family. Francis Coleman’s Children The surnames ‘Coleman’ and ‘Colman’ are consistently interchangeable in records. However on the most part, ‘Colman’ seems to be…
Occupiers of the Baptist Church’s Cottage
‘Elizabeth Asty’s House’ in Long Street. Photograph taken November 2024 Earlier History This delightful ‘old cottage’ in ‘Chapel Yard’, Long Street was once owned by Elizabeth Asty. She died in or about 1724. Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of George and Elizabeth Asty. The cottage had belonged to Elizabeth’s mother before her marriage. However when…
Timeline of the History of The Crown
Church Street including the Old Thatche Shoppe to the left, Islay House to the right and the Crown Public House with adjoining shops in the centre. Date unknownAttleborough Heritage Group For centuries, the Crown Public House has been an integral part of Great Ellingham. It is one of five known pubs in Great Ellingham and…
Fete held in the Grounds of Hall Farm
Illustration Christine Fuller The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied The following report was published in the Yarmouth Independent on Saturday 28th June 1930: FINE PARISH EFFORTFor the Recreation Ground at Great EllinghamThe grounds at the Hall Farm, Great Ellingham, lent by Mr T.F. Palmer, provided…
‘A most wonderful gale of wind’ causes much damage
Diary entries can be a very useful historical source. Many will include entries about an individual’s ‘day to day’ life as well as a record of other happenings and events. Minute Books for meetings taking place in a particular parish can also include details of important and, sometimes, unusual events. In this case, I found…
The Baptist Church sells the ‘Old School Room’
The former British School in Long Street. Image courtesy of Sue Fay Norfolk Heritage Explorer describes ‘Great Ellingham British School’ as ‘A small, plain building’. It also goes on to say that ‘There is little known of its history, and it is now a house’. Looking at the image of the building (possibly from the…
The History of The Crown Public House – Part III
The Crown Public House possible 1960s. Courtesy Tony Brooks The Crown in Church Street is one of at least five pubs and beer houses which were once in Great Ellingham. However, it is now the only surviving public house in the village. The origins of the pub go back over 200 years. The first mention…