December 22nd, 1924 Wedding of John Penson and Ellen Downes at Rockland All Saints. Photograph courtesy of Lucinda Bell-Tye Jack Penson Although John Penson was born and raised in Willey, Shropshire, John’s maternal ancestors came from Norfolk. John, born in 1887, was one of four children of John Penson and his wife Lydia née Matthews….
Category: Places and Buildings
A case of ‘Theft Most Fowl’
Illustration by Christine Fuller Charge of Stealing Four Fowls The Eastern Daily Press of Saturday March 2nd, 1907, reported on the appearance before the Magistrates at Wymondham of two labourers from Great Ellingham. John Lee and George Anderson were charged with stealing four live fowls from Charles Leverett of Hingham. The fowls had a value…
First Marriage at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in 1900
Methodist Church in Church Street. Postcard Carol Ewin Charles H Jude, the eldest son of local farmer George Jude of Rookery Farm, Great Ellingham, married Elizabeth Brant at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in Great Ellingham on October 24th, 1900. Reported in the Norfolk News Details of the wedding appeared in the Norfolk News just over…
Housebreaking & Theft of Soap, Candles, Matches and Other Articles
Illustration by Christine Fuller Martha and Jemima Downes Committed for Trial Sisters Martha and Jemima Downes (Downs) of Great Ellingham appeared before Mr A Cockell Esq, a local Attleborough Magistrate, in the August of 1878. On the information of Police Constable Gooch, the sisters were charged with housebreaking at Great Ellingham. They were committed for…
Auction Sale at Penhill Farm as Frederick & Helen Brighton Emigrate
Illustration by Christine Fuller Auction In the Autumn of 1895, Frederick Brighton of Penhill Farm, Great Ellingham instructed Auctioneer, James Mobbs, to sell his Live and Dead Farming Stock. An Auction, which also included the sale of Brighton’s dairy utensils and part of his furniture was arranged for Wednesday, 9th October, 1895 at Penhill Farm….
Edmund Houchen signs his Last Will & Testament in 1853
The surname Houchen has appeared in the Great Ellingham Parish Registers for many, many years with variations such as Howchen, Houchin. These alternative spellings also occur in the census returns. However I will keep to the spelling as ‘Houchen’ whether or not the spelling appears as such in the documentation to which I have referred….
Marriage of Schoolmistress Miss Ethel M Beales in 1927
Overton and Beales Families. Marriage of Ernest H B Overton and Ethel M Beales 1927. Facing photograph back row from right to left fourth is Ethel’s brother Luther and next to him third from right is his wife Dorothy. Photograph courtesy of Joan Barnard Marriage The marriage between Ernest H B Overton and Ethel M…
Claim for Rent & Rates on the Stone Cottage in Bow Street
Illustration by Christine Fuller A case of ‘Strange Contradictions’ was reported by the Norfolk News in their edition of 20th July 1878. A claim was brought by James Lane (the Plaintiff) for rent and rates amounting to £4 5s from James A Rix (the Defendant). The case was heard before the Judge, Edwin Plumer Price…
Charles Carter, Fishmonger at Town Green
Town Green Long Street approaching Town Green. Postcard courtesy of Carol Ewin In 1851, the inhabitants of Great Ellingham could buy their fish from Charles Carter living in an area known as Town Green. 32 year old Charles and his wife Lucy, were one of at least 37 households at Town Green at that time….
Arson Attack After Village Receives Threatening Letters
A reward of £200 was offered by the victim, Mr John Barnard, the Lord of his Majesty’s Treasury and the Norwich Union Fire Office following an arson attack at Great Ellingham. Details of the Fire It was reported in the edition of the Norfolk Chronicle & Norwich Gazette of Saturday, May 27th, 1832, that about…