Illustration by Christine Fuller The Offence The Norwich Mercury of 20th December, 1873, reported on a court case concerning Mary Ann Catling. Mary Ann was the wife of drillman, Henry Catling, of Great Ellingham. The magistrates were told that on the 10th December, the dwellinghouse of James Chaplin, a farmer and dealer of Great Ellingham,…
Category: People
George Barlow Fined for Keeping a Dog without a Licence
Illustration by Christine Fuller Court Appearance George Barlow, a farmer of Great Ellingham, appeared at the Petty Sessions at East Harling in the June of 1876. He was charged by J Tinton, a Supervisor of Excise, for keeping a dog without a licence. George was fined 25s (twenty five shillings). Whinburgh born George Barlow and…
Higgler, Mark Hart, of Great Ellingham Bankrupt in 1862
Bankruptcy The issue of the London Gazette of 28th January, 1862, referred to a Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy filed in the County Court at Attleborough on 23rd January 1862 whereby Mark Hart, a higgler (an itinerant dealer) of Great Ellingham, was adjudged bankrupt. The first meeting of the creditors was to be held at…
The Death of Kind & Tender-Hearted Charles Watts
Artist’s impression of an image of Charles Watts – by Christine Fuller Not only did the Norfolk News of 1st July 1876, announce the death at Great Ellingham of 69 year old Charles Watts, the edition also included an obituary. Interment in the Baptist’s Burying Ground Charles Watts died on the 20th June 1876 at…
Theft of Scissors at the Prince of Wales Inn
East Harling Magistrates Court The edition of the Norwich Mercury of November 22nd, 1905 reported on the recent alleged theft of two pairs of scissors at the Prince of Wales Inn in Great Ellingham. The case came before the East Harling Magistrates. Mrs Amy Evans of Great Ellingham told the court that she was married…
Probably the Oldest Soloist at the 1935 Jubilee Celebrations?
Newspaper Cutting The recent find of an old newspaper cutting included an image of a past resident of Great Ellingham, ‘Mrs M Pilgrim’. The cutting referred to Jubilee Celebrations in the village for which people of all ages in the village were taking an interest. Taking part in the celebrations would be 92 year old…
Samuel Williamson – From Town Constable to Insolvent Debtor?
Church of St James, Great Ellingham The name Samuel Williamson (or variations of the name such as Willyamson and Willyomson) appears amongst the names of the churchwardens, overseers, constables and surveyors in the Great Ellingham Town Books 1741-1775. This is a period of time when the churchwardens, overseers, constables and surveyors dealt with the administration…
Robert Love born in Carleton Rode dies in Great Ellingham
Headstone for Robert Love in the churchyard at Great Ellingham Marriages, baptisms, misdemeanours and the like all tend to leave a paper trail which, in years to come, is extremely useful to a family historian. In the case of Robert Love of Great Ellingham, we know from two census returns that Robert was living in…
Many Brought by Horses for a Special Service at the Church
Church of St James, Great Ellingham The Mid-Norfolk Federation of the Church of England Men’s Society held a special service at the Church of St James, Great Ellingham on a Tuesday evening in December 1908. It was reported that the Lord Bishop of Ipswich gave an interesting and constructive address to a large congregation. Many…
Will of Stephen Martin, Yeoman, of Great Ellingham dated 9th October 1715
Extract from the Will of Stephen Martin of Great Ellingham dated 9th October 1715. Original held at Wymondham Town Archive It is hard to imagine a time back history some three hundred years ago when Stephen Martin, a yeoman, of Great Ellingham signed his last will and testament. In the presence of witnesses John Turner,…