Auction The edition of the Norwich Mercury dated 14th May 1887, included the announcement of a forthcoming Auction of properties situate in Griston, Scoulton and Great Ellingham belonging to Mr Isaac Lebbell, a Bankrupt. The Auction, by the firm of Edward Banham & Son of Methwold and Watton, would take place at five o’clock in…
The Miller Family’s Emigration to Australia
Whether William Miller saw an advertisement in the local newspaper offering a new and better life in Australia, or he knew of a family who had taken (or was about to take) such a journey, 39 year old William Miller with his wife and children emigrated from Great Ellingham to Australia in 1852. Born in…
The Tale of a Pair of Trousers being made at the top of the Spire!
Spire of the Church of St James Great Ellingham. Photograph taken May 2020 During the winter months, the lights which usually adorn the church tower of St James at Christmas draw our attention to the tower and spire, but I wonder how many of us look up at the spire at any other time? Top…
Penalty & Costs of Thirty Shillings
Furious Driving James Wilkins of Great Ellingham appeared before the Magistrates at the Petty Sessions held at New Buckenham in early May 1864. An account of the offence of furious driving on the road from Great Ellingham to Stow Bedon was given by Police Constable Bugg. James Wilkins was convicted and adjudged to pay 30s…
William Barnard in Financial Difficulties at Bury Hall
Bury Hall, Great Ellingham. Courtesy of Emma Wilson To be unable to meet the demands of creditors would have been bad enough for William Barnard and his family to endure, but it seems that this Barnard family suffered additional heartache. William Barnard A son of James and Sarah Barnard (née Rose), William Barnard was born…
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…
Auction of the Crown with ‘Good Potential’
Crown Inn with adjoining shops. Postcard courtesy of Carol Ewin 1845 Auction Lydia Barnard had been the licensee of the Crown Inn at Great Ellingham for many years prior to the proposed sale of the premises at Auction. The Norwich Mercury of Saturday, September 13th, 1845 included a notice “To Brewers” of the forthcoming Auction…
William Reynolds Suffers a Broken Thigh
Illustration by Christine Fuller Included in the list of the casualties received by the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital which appeared in the Norfolk Chronicle towards the end of February 1865, was William Reynolds of Great Ellingham. He was admitted with a fractured thigh. Who was William Reynolds? The 1861 census finds 34 year old veterinary…
The Newby’s Home in Watton Road
Frank Newby with three of his children. Thought to have been taken in the 1930s. Photograph courtesy of Sue Gent Frank Newby This is a lovely photograph capturing Great Ellingham born Frank Newby with three of his children – sons Arthur B (known to the family as Ben) born 1923, Basil born two years later…
In Memory of the Late King
Tablet in the wall surrounding the Church of St James, Great Ellingham. 2020 I wonder how many of us walking along Church Street have noticed the rectangular limestone tablet in the wall surrounding our Parish Church? How long has the tablet been in the wall and why was it put there? Sadly, the tablet has…