Great Ellingham HallPhotograph taken September 2020 Great Ellingham Hall is one the oldest houses in Great Ellingham. According to British Listed Buildings website, the former manor house to the ‘Manor of Ellingham Hall’ was built c.1570. Writings left by a former owner, Henry Gurney (1548-1615) include details of earlier owners of the Manor of Great…
Category: Deopham Road
From the Davy family to the Potts Family – Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 1960sCourtesy of Susan Fay The British Listed Buildings website suggests that Great Ellingham Hall was built c.1570. However, I believe it may have been a little earlier. During the 16th century, Anthony Gurney began a ‘re-build’ of Great Ellingham Hall. He died in 1556. The Gurney family also owned property and land…
The Manor & Manor House of Great Ellingham Hall
Great Ellingham Hall 2020 Courtesy Tracy Knowles According to British Listed Buildings, ‘Old Hall Farmhouse’ was built c.1570. It is of a timber framed construction with wattle and daub, and some clay lump infill on a brick plinth. However from my investigations, there may well have been a house near or on the same site…
Robert Large allows his Widow to Use a Room
Robert Large came to Great Ellingham in the late 1820s or early 1830s. He died in the village on the 21st September, 1843, having made his last will and testament on the 12th December, 1842. Wills can be a great source of information for both family and local historians. However, some wills can be very…
William Downes brings his family to Bury Hall Farm
Bury Hall. Courtesy Emma Wilson Following the Rushbrooke family’s emigration to New Zealand in 1897, William Downes moved into Bury Hall Farm with his wife and family. Early Life William Downes was born in Attleborough on the 27th July, 1860. He was the seventh of eight children born to James and Ann Downes (née Page)….
Book of ‘Family Worship’ belonging to James & Ann Downes
Extract from the Book of Family Worship. Downes Family. Courtesy Rita Downes A Family Bible is a useful resource for family historians. Although the information is usually limited to a list of names and birth dates, it nevertheless helps to piece together members of a family. It may also provide details which would otherwise remain…
Morley St Botolph man Richard Jolly, an ‘Incorrigible Rogue & Vagabond’
Police Custody Between the 13th and 19th November, 1850, Richard Jolly (Jolley), found himself in Police custody in the Lock-Up at Wymondham’s Bridewell. From the Wymondham Police Charge Book 1850-1866 we know that Richard Jolly was a 66 year old labourer of Morley St Botolph. He stood 5 feet 3 inches tall and had ‘imperfect’…
‘Black Sheep’ in the Family
I am sure that many of us will find a few ‘black sheep’ amongst our ancestors. These ‘black sheep’ are usually individuals who are seen as troublemakers, failures or just people who do not fit in with the rest of the family. They may also bring disgrace or disrepute upon the family and, in consequence,…
Jacob Carter’s Apology for Speaking False & Malicious Words
On the 22nd May, 1780, Great Ellingham farmer Jacob Carter signed an apology to James Barnard junior of Bury Hall, Great Ellingham. Jacob signed the apology in the presence of local man, Daniel Lister. He then arranged for the publication of the apology in the Norwich newspapers. The apology appeared on page 3 of the…
Messuage at Bush Green later known as ‘Hill House Farm’
Hill House Farm, Deopham Road. Photograph taken c.1940 Courtesy Carolyn Boatwright John Garnham’s Claim At No.49 in a Statement of Claims in connection with the Great Ellingham Inclosures of c.1799, is John Garnham’s claim: One Messuage and 56A of Land, occupied by William Chaplin. Of which 27A 1R are Copyhold of Ellingham Hall, 14A 2R…