In 1800, there were three farms along Penhill Road. William Cockell owns the farm furthest west. It is occupied by William Stebbings. Much later, this farm became known as Penhill Farm West. Joseph Flodman Clover owns a nearby farm. This farm is ‘split’ between two occupiers. Robert Pain occupies the cottage with a barn and…
Category: Spencer
Timeline of the Owners & Occupiers of Church Farm & Cottages
Church Farmhouse. Photograph 2022 According to Historic England’s website (historicengland.co.uk), Church Farmhouse, is a Grade II Listed Building and was built in the early 17th century. However, the present owners believe it was built much earlier, as there are parts of the building which may date from the 14th or 15th century. Earlier Property Ownership…
Occupiers of the Cottages in Watton Road 1891-1942
The three pairs of semi-detached cottages with the former Prince of Wales Inn to the right along the Watton to Attleborough Road. March 2026. Courtesy Alison Crowter The above photograph shows the former Prince of Wales Inn (on the far right) and the three pairs of semi-detached cottages. These may have been built at a…
Joseph Warren is the next custodian of Cemetery Farm
Extract from 1906 Ordnance Survey Map. Second Edition. Surveyed in 1881. Revised 1904 In 1862, 31 year old Joseph Warren inherited two farms in Great Ellingham. The farms had belonged to John Whittred, his late maternal grandfather. The larger of the two farms, later known as Cemetery Farm (today Home Farm), was purchased by John…
The Marriage Settlement of Harriet Barnard and Richard Clarke
Historically it was common for aristocratic families, the gentry and those families owning land, to want to control the descent of their property. This could be done by incorporating a trust within a purchase deed or in a Will. However it was also common to do this by Marriage Settlements. Arranged Marriages For centuries, arranged…
Annie takes over from her Father, William Wilkins
Great Ellingham Village Stores and Post Office. April 2020. The Wilkins family is one of a few families who can trace their ancestors for several generations in Great Ellingham. In fact, the Wilkins family has been in the village far longer than the present Post Office building, where some of the Wilkins family lived and…
John Roberts’ Bill for Repairs to the Church
Parish Chests The Poor Law of 1552 brought in mandatory legislation that every parish must have a strong chest, with three keys, in which to keep the alms for the poor. Earlier 16th century legislation required every parish to have a locked parish chest for the safe keeping of the Parish Registers and other parish…
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,…
Two Cottages on the road from Great Ellingham to Hingham
Extract from 1802 Map of Great Ellingham. Original held at Norfolk Record Office. Russell James Colman Plans. Cat. Ref. C/Ca 1/84. With kind permission of NRO Cottages Occupied by Charles Thilthorpe & John Fox Amongst the five properties included in her claim to the Commissioners relating to the Great Ellingham Inclosures of 1799, widow Mary…
‘Harvest Frolic’ at the Queen’s Head
Illustration by Christine Fuller The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. On the last Friday of September, 1894, and in celebration of the end of the Harvest, about fifty people sat down to a ‘repast of good old English fare‘ provided by the landlord of the…