The name of George Wilkins is inscribed on the Great War memorial tablet on the west wall of the Church of St James, Great Ellingham. George was a Private in the 1st Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Aged just 28 (or 29), he was killed in action in France, on the 15th September, 1916….
Category: People
1920 Sale of Pieces of Arable Land in Long Street
James Sadd Buys White House Farm James Sadd was already farming and living at White House Farm in Long Street, Great Ellingham, when he completed the purchase of the farm. On the 29th September, 1920, he bought the freehold farm for the sum of £750 from spinster Mary Fortune, of Poplar Grove, Scremerston, Berwick-on-Tweed. The…
Thomas Drake Chilleystone
Newspaper Articles Newspapers are a great source of information for local and family historians. Publications may include reports of events taking place in the parish, or reports concerning the inhabitants. Some articles reflect ‘happy events’. For example, weddings and other celebrations. However, newspapers will also include reports of misdemeanors and tragedies. Nevertheless, together the varied…
The Hall Brothers’ Misdemeanors
1845 Court Hearing In October, 1845, brothers William and Daniel Hall appeared at the County Quarter Sessions in Norwich. They were charged with breaking and entering, and taking items from the home of John Sayer, a miller, of Great Ellingham, on the 20th July. William and Daniel were alleged to have taken seven keys, one…
Denmark & Pitts bring Terror to the Neighbourhood
County Sessions, Norwich, 6th January 1836 On the 6th January, 1836, James Denmark and Goodson Pitts stood before the Chairman of the County Sessions held in Norwich, on a charge of larceny. Shoemaker John Hooke lived near to the Chequers Public House in what we today know as Chequers Lane. Postcard courtesy of Carol Ewin…
Theft of Lead from the Church Roof
Church of St James, Great Ellingham. Postcard courtesy of Attleborough Heritage Group Court Appearance 24 year old Samuel Spencer was amongst the prisoners appearing at the County Sessions in Norwich, on the 6th January, 1836. Spencer stole 26 lbs of lead from the roof of the parish church in Great Ellingham. He was found guilty,…
William Robert Lebbell – Blacksmith, Wheelwright & Dairyman Farmer
What follows is a short biography of William Robert Lebbell (1884-1965), written by William’s granddaughter, Susan Fay, from her memories of her grandfather: William Robert Lebbell aged about 17 years. Photograph courtesy of Susan Fay, granddaughter of W R Lebbell Born & Bred in Great Ellingham “William was born in the village of Great Ellingham…
W R Lebbell, Shoeing & General Smith & Wheelwright
To the far right of the above postcard is William R Lebbell’s smithy in Long Street. 1911 census The 1911 census shows 26 year old William Robert Lebbell with his wife Lily (née Wigby) and their two year old son, Owen William, living in a 5-roomed dwelling in ‘the Street’, Great Ellingham. Self employed, William…
Great Ellingham’s Pubs and Beer-houses
The Crown Public House in the centre. Courtesy of Attleborough Heritage Group Village pubs have always been a focal point of a community. Great Ellingham is no exception. During the Victorian period, Great Ellingham had five public houses, some of which were former beer-houses. Today, the village has one remaining pub. At the end of…
Susannah Storey buys Cottage with Garden
1928 Purchase On the 4th April, 1928, widow Sarah Ann Elizabeth Carter sold a cottage with a garden, together with the end of a wash-house, to Susannah Goss Storey. The conveyance deed also included a right for Susannah Storey to use a well and a roadway. Josiah Carter’s Purchase in 1906 Sarah Carter’s late husband,…