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,…
Category: Town Green
Valentine Treats at The Hall
Illustration Christine Fuller For many years, Sarah the wife of Benjamin Barnard, of The Hall, Great Ellingham, entertained members of the church choir and friends on or around Valentine’s Day, the 14th February. The Norfolk Chronicle of February 20th, 1875 reported of such an event organised by Mrs Benjamin Barnard at the Hall on February…
Prize given for Recognition of 11 Year’s in the Service of Mr Benjamin Barnard
An Annual Meeting of the Shropham & Guiltcross Agricultural Association was held at East Harling on Friday 25th September, 1841. The edition of the Norfolk Chronicle of October 3rd, reported on the event and remarked that the Association was “the most effective of this kind in the country“. Amongst other things, the Association gave prizes…
Charlotte Fisher convicted of Attempting to Murder her Employers
In 1871, Great Ellingham girl Charlotte Fisher was convicted of attempting to murder her employers. There is no doubt that the misdemeanour will have attracted a lot of attention in the village of Great Ellingham and further afield. Did Charlotte’s family receive sympathy from their neighbours, or did they encounter hostility? I also wonder…
Samuel Warren – Convicted of Attempting to Defraud Railway Company
Possibly Wretham or Great Hockham Railway Station. Postcard Addison/Divita Family Collection Court Case At a Petty Sessions at East Harling held in May 1847, Samuel Warren of Great Ellingham was convicted of attempting to defraud the Norfolk Railway Company on the 6th May in that he had travelled in a carriage of a higher class…
John Mallows died 1870 but buried 1869!
The inscription on the headstone in the churchyard at Great Ellingham for John Mallows and his wife Amy is still clear after over 130 years. John Mallows. Born August 19th, 1802. Died August 7th, 1870. Also of Amy, his wife. Born November 7th, 1805. Died February 24th, 1885. Burial entries for John Mallows and his…
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…
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….
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…