The former home of the Higgins Family Reverend Higgins arrives at the Manse During 1906, the Reverend William Higgins with his wife and some of his children, arrived in Great Ellingham. William Higgins came to the village to take up the pastorate at the Baptist Church. Family Life Born in Poole, William Higgins married Emmeline…
Category: Long Street
The Tithe Barn in Long Street
In the Statement of Claims for Great Ellingham Inclosure c.1799, the Reverend Thomas Bond claimed: Tithes A ‘tithe’ or ‘tythe’ was a kind of taxation on a parish. Until the Tithe Commutaton Act of 1836 converted the tithe to a monetary payment, farming parishioners were required to make an annual payment of a tenth part…
Three Sons-in-law with the name John!
Illustration by Christine Fuller Death of William Downes William Downes died on the 30th August, 1853 at the age of 79. He was buried in the churchyard at the Parish Church of St James a few days later on the 4th September. Just three weeks earlier, William had put his affairs in order. He signed…
What’s In a Name?
Frank Newby with three of his children at Watton Road, Great Ellingham . Photograph courtesy of Sue Gent When researching family history, it is not unusual to find the name by which an individual is known differing between census returns and other documentation, such as registrations of birth, marriages and deaths. In other blogs, I…
A Long Marriage of 52 Years
William & Emily Houchen. Photograph taken 1921. Courtesy Pauline Bezant William and Emily Houchen had completed 52 years of marriage when William died in 1934. The couple had lived for many years in Reymerston before retiring to Yaxham. Early Life in Great Ellingham However, both William Houchen and his wife Emily (neé Rivett) were born…
Jane Houchen 1847-1925
Sampler worked by Jane Houchen in 1858. Courtesy of Pauline Bezant Jane Houchen may well have been approaching her eleventh birthday when she completed this piece of needlework. In days gone by, ‘Samplers’ were produced by young girls as a means of showing their skill in needlework. Often worked in embroidery or cross-stitching, some Samplers…
Village Postmasters and Postmistresses
From at least the time of the introduction of the ‘Penny Black’ in 1840, Great Ellingham has been served by a Post Office. This service to the community continues today with the Post Office & Stores in Long Street. But has this building always been the village’s Post Office? Great Ellingham Village Stores and Post…
Alms House Built on Lower Part of Town Green Common
Payment towards the Building of an Alms House The ‘Town Books’ for Great Ellingham between 1740 and 1760 reveal that the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Great Ellingham were making annual payments for ‘Town Rents for the Poor’. These annual payments ranged from £10 7s. 6d in the year 1742, to £3…
Court Appearance for Harriet Leeder, Grocery Dealer
Illustration by Christine Fuller Great Ellingham born Harriet Leeder was a grocery dealer living in Long Street during the 1860s, with her parents, William and Frances Leeder. Court Appearance In the August of 1864, Harriet Leeder, described as a flour seller, appeared before the Magistrates at the East Harling Petty Sessions charged with having an…
Robert Le Grice’s Effects to be Auctioned
Auction The Norfolk News of 17th September, 1864, announced a forthcoming Auction taking place in Great Ellingham on September 26th, 1864. The Auction would include the live and dead farming stock, household furniture and other effects belonging to the late Robert Le Grice. Amongst these items were two tumbrils, a road waggon, ploughs, harrows, luggage…