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: Taylor
Stephen Houchen taken into Custody by the Norwich Police
In the Autumn of 1863, Great Ellingham born Stephen Houchen became embroiled in a case of robbery in Norwich. It involved his association with widow Susan Bayes. The Guildhall, Norwich. 23 September 1934. George Plunkett. georgeplunkett.co.uk The case was brought before the Magistrates at the Guildhall in Norwich. On the 20th February 1864, the Norfolk…
Great Ellingham born Harry Houchen appointed Headmaster at the Londonderry School of Art
Great Ellingham born Harry Houchen 1870-1914.Courtesy Christian Humphries. (Harry’s 1st cousin 3x removed) I am always thrilled to hear from anyone with family connections to the past people of Great Ellingham. A recent email dropping into my inbox is no exception. I learnt from the email that in 1869, Great Ellingham born James Houchen married…
The Barnard Family buys Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 2020Courtesy Tracy Knowles Great Ellingham Hall is a wonderful Grade II listed building. It was ‘re-built’ in the 16th century during the Gurney family’s tenure. With no direct Gurney male heirs, the property then came into the ownership of the Davy family, subsequently passing to Sir Roger Potts by marriage. In 1712,…
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…
Francis Coleman’s tenure of Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham HallPhotograph taken September 2020 Ancient Moated Farm House White’s Directory of 1864 refers to ‘The Hall’ at Great Ellingham as “an ancient moated farm house, formerly the seat of Sir Roger Potts, Kt., is now the residence and property of Benj. Barnard, Esq., on whose estate a remarkably fine stone celt and a…
William Easlea buys the delightful Brick Kiln Farm
Brick Kiln FarmCourtesy Jon & Fran Elliott William & Edna Easlea Marriage in Canada On the 24th June, 1914, farmer William John Fellowes Easlea married Edna Brigstocke Fellowes. The marriage took place at St James’s Church, Ingersoll in the County of Oxford, Ontario. Both 30 year old William and 26 year old Edna aged were…
The History of the Double Cottage on Stalland Common – Part II
The Cottage formerly known as Hillside and now Owl Cottage at Stalland CommonCourtesy A. M. Like many of the village’s historical houses, ‘Owl Cottage’ at Stalland Common was built as a double cottage. It is only in modern times that the house became one dwelling. In Part I, we looked at some of the owners…
The History of the Double Cottage on Stalland Common – Part III
The Cottage formerly known as Hillside at Stalland CommonCourtesy A. M. In 1981, Watsons Estate Agents refer to a house named ‘Hillside’ in Great Ellingham as a ‘picturesque detached period cottage”. Their description includes: “The property has period features including exposed beams, and construction is part brick, part clay lump on a timber frame under…
Great Ellingham Property Owner & Carpenter James Houchen
James Houchen was a Great Ellingham man ‘born and bred’. From his birth in 1847 until his death in 1916, James Houchen lived his entire life in Great Ellingham – and, quite possibly, in Long Street. At one time, James’s parents, Francis and Matilda Houchen lived at a farm towards the southern end of Long…