The Norwich Mercury of 27th May 1871 reported on a recent case heard before the East Harling Magistrates. The defendant was named as Alfred Lincoln alias Chapman. However, I believe the name ‘Chapman’ is erroneous and it should be Chaplin. Alfred Lincoln was charged and found guilty of being drunk and riotous at Great Ellingham…
Category: Bow Street
Court Appearance for Shopkeeper, Thomas Edwards
Illustration by Christine Fuller On 11th November 1857, the Magistrates at East Harling Petty Sessions convicted Thomas Edwards, of Great Ellingham, of having in his shop a light weight. He was fined 5s with 11s costs. Where was Thomas Edward’s Shop? The 1851 census captures 30 year old labourer and grocer, Thomas Edwards, with his…
First Marriage at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in 1900
Methodist Church in Church Street. Postcard Carol Ewin Charles H Jude, the eldest son of local farmer George Jude of Rookery Farm, Great Ellingham, married Elizabeth Brant at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Great Ellingham on October 24th, 1900. Reported in the Norfolk News Details of the wedding appeared in the Norfolk News just over…
Housebreaking & Theft of Soap, Candles, Matches and Other Articles
Illustration by Christine Fuller Martha and Jemima Downes Committed for Trial Sisters Martha and Jemima Downes (Downs) of Great Ellingham appeared before Mr A Cockell Esq, a local Attleborough Magistrate, in the August of 1878. On the information of Police Constable Gooch, the sisters were charged with housebreaking at Great Ellingham. They were committed for…
Edmund Houchen signs his Last Will & Testament in 1853
The surname Houchen has appeared in the Great Ellingham Parish Registers for many, many years with variations such as Howchen, Houchin. These alternative spellings also occur in the census returns. However I will keep to the spelling as ‘Houchen’ whether or not the spelling appears as such in the documentation to which I have referred….
Claim for Rent & Rates on the Stone Cottage in Bow Street
Illustration by Christine Fuller A case of ‘Strange Contradictions’ was reported by the Norfolk News in their edition of 20th July 1878. A claim was brought by James Lane (the Plaintiff) for rent and rates amounting to £4 5s from James A Rix (the Defendant). The case was heard before the Judge, Edwin Plumer Price…
Six Weddings and Several Funerals
Tombstone of Ann Margetson in the Churchyard at Great Ellingham An elaborate tombstone for Ann Margetson lies in Great Ellingham churchyard. The inscription on the tomb states that Ann Margetson was the widow of Abraham Downes of Attleborough. It also states that Ann was born on March 4th, 1828 and died on August 30th, 1919….
William & Sarah Chaplin marry in Great Ellingham in 1767
William Chaplin and Sarah Bailey married in Great Ellingham Church on April 30th, 1767. Their first son, William, was baptised in the Parish Church on September 18th, 1768. William and Sarah had at least a further ten children. Where Did They Live? The Statement of Claims for the Great Ellingham Inclosure of 1800, reveal that…
A Marriage Uniting Two Long-Established Families of the Village
The marriage of Francis Houchen and Matilda Dey at the Church of St James Great Ellingham on 5th January 1843, joined together two long- established families of the village of Great Ellingham. Houchen The name Houchen (also found as Howchin, Houchin) appears in the Great Ellingham parish registers from at least 1698, although no entries…
Fined for Allowing Horses to Stray on the Highway
Illustration by Christine Fuller 1883 Court Appearance The Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of August 4th, 1883 reported on the case of James Carter, a farmer, of Great Ellingham. Carter appeared before the Magistrates at East Harling on July 30th. He was charged with allowing two horses to stray on the highway. He was found…