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…
Choir Stalls Painted Dark Green
Great Ellingham Parish Church of St James St James is fundamentally a mid-14th century church. Kelly’s Directory of 1904, describes the church as “a spacious building of flint, with stone dressings, in an Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave of four bays, aisles, north porch and an embattled western tower with spire, containing 5…
Anthony Beales sells his Windmill to John Browne in 1685
Since the 1600s, Great Ellingham has had at least three windmills at various times. The earliest evidence of a mill in the village which I have so far discovered, is a Conveyance Deed of 1685. On the “Twelfth day of October in the first yeare of the Reigne of our most gracious Soveraigne Lord King…
Inmates of the Wayland Union entertained by the Rocklands String Band
The inmates of the Wayland Union Workhouse at Rocklands were included in the local celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The Norwich Mercury of the 2nd July, 1887 reported on the participation of the inmates in the Golden Jubilee festivities which took place the previous week. Church Service On June 21st, the workhouse residents attended…
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…
John Bartram Bound Over to Keep the Peace for Six Months
Court Case The Norfolk News of 1st April 1876, reported on a case heard at the East Harling Petty Sessions on the previous Tuesday. John Bartram described as a farmer of Great Ellingham was charged with using threatening language to William Myhill. Myhill was also a farmer of Great Ellingham. Bartram was bound over in…
Payment of Legacies to be made in the Porch of St James
Porch at the Church of St James Great Ellingham Isaac Eke buried in 1784 In his will dated December 13th, 1779, yeoman Isaac Eke of Great Ellingham nominated the porch of the Parish Church of Great Ellingham as the place where his executors will hand over the legacies which Isaac sets out in his will….
‘Copings’ on the Church Wall made at the Brick Kiln, Hingham Road
Part of the church wall at Great Ellingham showing the coping stones According to the author of ‘A Little History of Great Ellingham‘ the coping stones to the northern end of the front wall of the Church of St James, Great Ellingham came from bricks made at Brick Kiln Farm around 1850. It is also…
Disorderly Behaviour at the Prince of Wales
Illustration by Christine Fuller Court Case Edward Houchin, a blacksmith, of Great Ellingham was summoned to appear before the Magistrates at the East Harling Petty Sessions by the landlord of the Prince of Wales Public House, Benjamin Lane. Houchin was charged with being drunk and disorderly and failing to quit the Prince of Wales when…
‘A Miller’s Account’
The Norwich Mercury of 26th November, 1902 reported on the case of Underwood -v- Wilkin which was heard at the County Court at Attleborough on the previous Saturday. The newspaper report’s heading was ‘A Miller’s Account‘. The parties in the action were the Plaintiff, James William Underwood, and J. Wilkin junior, the Defendant. James Underwood…