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…
Category: Mill Farm
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,…
Harry Rix’s Early Boyhood Recollections of Great Ellingham – Church Street
Many of us will have memories of our childhood. For example, recollections about our family, where we lived and went to school, the names of our friends and neighbours, and who else lived in our street. The recording of our memories ensures a long lasting legacy for the next generations. Similarly, the recording of local…
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…
Harry Rix’s Early Boyhood Recollections of Great Ellingham – Attleborough Road
The recording of everyday histories is of vital importance. Written accounts often focus on prominent figures and major events. Documenting daily life preserves the lived experiences of ordinary people. Great Ellingham is particularly indebted to two Great Ellingham inhabitants who recorded some of the history and life in the village: William Robert Lebbell (1884-1965) and…
The Wigbys of Mill Farm
1965. Mill Farm to the left of the photograph. Courtesy of Angela Crocker Funeral and Burial of Mrs Louisa Wigby Two days after Louisa Wigby was buried in the churchyard at St James, Great Ellingham on January 16th, 1939, a report of the funeral appeared in the Eastern Daily Press. The funeral service, conducted by…
A House Fit for a ‘King’
Great Ellingham is fortunate to have several fine listed buildings, with many of them situate in what today is known as Church Street. British Listed Buildings website describes Mill Farmhouse in Great Ellingham as a Grade II late seventeenth century timber framed farmhouse, on a flint plinth with rendered clay walls. The farmhouse also has…
Great Ellingham ‘Born and Bred’
Mary Ann Rivett nee Warren. c.1810 to 1888. Photograph courtesy of Pauline Bezant Mary Ann Rivett, the wife of Jonathan Rivett, was very much a ‘Great Ellingham girl’. She lived in the village for her entire life. Warren Family Baptised in the Church of St James on the 28th January 1810, Mary Ann was the…
Jonathan Rivett – Charge of Furious Driving
Illustration by Christine Fuller The illustration is creative interpretation and intended for humour only. No offence is intended or implied. 1866 Court Appearance Jonathan Rivett of Great Ellingham appeared before the East Dereham Magistrates in the June of 1866. He pleaded guilty to a charge of driving a horse and cart furiously along Swan Lane…