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…
Category: Long Street
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…
WANTED: Respectable Housekeeper
Advertisement for Housekeeper An advertisement for a ‘housekeeper to a working man’ appeared in the ‘Wanted’ section of the Norwich Mercury of 25th February, 1905. It was stated that the housekeeper should be around the age of 30, respectable and preference would be given to applicant’s with small dairy experience. I wonder how many applications…
The Erection of the British School in 1855
Before the nineteenth century, there was no national system for education. Opportunities for formal education were generally only available to those who could afford to pay. The schools that did exist relied on the generosity of local benefactors or people trying to make a living. Very few children received any schooling. The former British School…
Mary Ann Catling charged with Housebreaking
Illustration by Christine Fuller The Offence The Norwich Mercury of 20th December, 1873, reported on a court case concerning Mary Ann Catling. Mary Ann was the wife of drillman, Henry Catling, of Great Ellingham. The magistrates were told that on the 10th December, the dwellinghouse of James Chaplin, a farmer and dealer of Great Ellingham,…
George Barlow Fined for Keeping a Dog without a Licence
Illustration by Christine Fuller Court Appearance George Barlow, a farmer of Great Ellingham, appeared at the Petty Sessions at East Harling in the June of 1876. He was charged by J Tinton, a Supervisor of Excise, for keeping a dog without a licence. George was fined 25s (twenty five shillings). Whinburgh born George Barlow and…
The Death of Kind & Tender-Hearted Charles Watts
Artist’s impression of an image of Charles Watts – by Christine Fuller Not only did the Norfolk News of 1st July 1876, announce the death at Great Ellingham of 69 year old Charles Watts, the edition also included an obituary. Interment in the Baptist’s Burying Ground Charles Watts died on the 20th June 1876 at…
A Case of Buying & Selling Game in Ignorance of the Law
Illustration by Christine Fuller Appearance before the Magistrates Great Ellingham butcher Alfred Partridge appeared before the magistrates at the East Harling Petty Sessions in early October 1906. He was charged with selling game otherwise than to a licensed dealer. The alleged offence took place at Great Ellingham on the 26th September. At the same time,…