Spire of the Church of St James Great Ellingham. Photograph taken May 2020 During the winter months, the lights which usually adorn the church tower of St James at Christmas draw our attention to the tower and spire, but I wonder how many of us look up at the spire at any other time? Top…
Category: Lebbell
‘Keen Agriculturalist’ Henry Colman dies aged 84
Great Ellingham Parish Church The Norwich Mercury of 21st October 1905 reported on the funeral which had taken place at the Parish Church in Great Ellingham of Mr Henry Colman. It was reported that Henry Colman was a keen agriculturalist and that he regularly attended Norwich Market. His last trip to the market was earlier…
The Erection of the British School in 1855
Before the nineteenth century, there was no national system for education. Opportunities for formal education were generally only available to those who could afford to pay. The schools that did exist relied on the generosity of local benefactors or people trying to make a living. Very few children received any schooling. The former British School…
Great Ellingham Ancient Order of Foresters
One of these two men is likely to be Josiah Carter. Do you recognise either of the men? Photograph courtesy of Ray Beales The Ancient Order of Foresters was formed in Britain in 1834 for the purpose of helping less financially secure workers and their families in times of financial need. For example, when the…
Charles & Frances Thilthorpe survived only by their daughter Thomasin
Marriage and Children Charles Thilthorpe arrived in Great Ellingham with his wife Frances (neé Bunkall) sometime after their marriage in Watton on 11th October, 1772. Baptisms for at least eight children of Charles and Frances Thilthorpe appear in the Great Ellingham Parish Registers between 1774 and 1785. One entry confirms that Frances was formerly spinster…
Three Cottages in the street late called Churchgate Street
Long Street with Mill in background. Postcard Carol Ewin 1897 James Houchen Buys Three Cottages By an Indenture (property deed) dated 11th October, 1897 three cottages with gardens and grounds were conveyed to James Houchen of Great Ellingham. An earlier deed of 1874 and a later deed of 1920, described the cottages as being ‘in…
Great Ellingham Beneficent Society formed October 1876
A branch of the Universal Beneficent Society was formed in Great Ellingham on the 3rd October, 1876. The Patron was the Marquess Townshend. The object of the society is to relieve the poor and needy in the parish of Great Ellingham. With a membership fee payable, there would also be a one shilling entrance fee…
William Shepherd: Enumerator District 5 Great Ellingham 1871 Census
Rockland All Saints Church lies on a country lane less than a mile from the boundary with Great Ellingham. In the churchyard, I found a headstone for William Shepherd and his wife Abigail Warren Shepherd. The inscription on the headstone is clear: William Shepherd died August 19th, 1914 aged 82 years. His wife Abigail Warren…
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…
Blacksmith’s Shop in Town Green
Property Owner Benjamin Turner In 1800, Benjamin Turner owned five dwellings and one blacksmith’s shop in Great Ellingham. Turner occupied one of the dwellings, and let the other properties to tenants. The blacksmith’s shop (copyhold of the Manor of Ellingham Hall), was occupied by James Lebbell. Where was the Blacksmith’s Shop? Extract from 1802 Map…