Headstone for James Matthews in Great Ellingham Churchyard Memorial Inscription After 120 years, the inscription on the gravestone for James Matthews of Great Ellingham which lies in the churchyard of St James remains very clear. James Matthews was born on April 5th, 1817 and died on July 3rd, 1899. James was 82 years old when…
Category: Low Common
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…
The Intemperance of the Skipper Brothers
Illustration by Christine Fuller Appearance before the Magistrates in 1881 The Norwich Mercury of 25th June 1881, published a report of recent cases heard at the East Harling Petty Sessions. The defendants included brothers Abraham and Jeremiah Skipper from Great Ellingham. The men were “charged upon the information of Superintendent Starke with being drunk on…
Mrs Abigail Studd buried March 16th, 1867
Great Ellingham Parish Church Abigail Studd was buried in the churchyard of Great Ellingham Parish Church on March 16th, 1867. She was aged 42 years. Abigail’s burial entry is one of only three burials for the name Studd in the Great Ellingham Parish Registers between 1813 and 1878. In the same period, there are no…
Burial of Robert Hurst aged 105 – or was he?
Great Ellingham Parish Church of St James The Burial Register for the Parish Church of Great Ellingham includes an entry for the burial of a Robert Hurst on August 9th, 1863. The deceased was stated to be 105 years of age! A life span of 105 years is extraordinary even by today’s standards. But was…
Auction Sale of Live and Dead Farming Stock of the late Mr William Green
The Norfolk News dated 20th September 1873, contained details of an Auction to take place at Great Ellingham on Monday 6th October, 1873. The Auctioneers, Salter & Simpson, would sell the valuable Live & Dead Farming Stock which was the property of the late Mr William Green. The stock included: 15 horses and colts, 5…