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…
Category: Bow Street
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…
Nathaniel Hawkes & Elizabeth Pitts and their Cottage on the Rocklands Road
Inclosure Statement of Claims Listed at No.7 of the Statement of Claims for the Great Ellingham Inclosure of c.1800, is Nathaniel Hawkes. Nathaniel claimed one cottage and one acre of land which he occupied. He also claimed various rights on the Commons and Waste Lands in Great Ellingham which included rights of Common and Pasture….
Robert & Sarah Simmons of Pen Hill
Notice to Creditors or Debtors of the late Robert Simmons Benjamin Barnard of Great Ellingham, the Executor of the late Robert Simmons, also of Great Ellingham, placed a Notice in the Norfolk Chronicle of 2nd April, 1859. The Notice requested that all persons owing money to, or are owed money by, the late Robert Simmons…
Sale by Auction of Cottages in Bow Street in 1874
Illustration by Christine Fuller The Norwich Mercury dated 29th August 1874, contained a notice of a sale of property by Public Auction. The auction lots would include cottages in Bow Street, Great Ellingham. The Auction would be held at the New Inn (now the Royal Hotel) in Attleborough, at four o’clock sharp, on the 3rd…