Extract from 1906 Ordnance Survey Map. Second Edition. Surveyed in 1881. Author’s Collection
Curriers Arms
The Curriers Arms Public House once stood along the road to Rocklands, not far from the Prince of Wales Public House. The green dot on the above extract from the 1906 Ordnance Survey map identifies the position of the public house. The building itself exists today as a private dwelling.
The Curriers Arms was one of at least two pubs which began life as beer houses. However it was before 1900 that the building ceased to be a public house, and became known as Curriers Farm. I think it more than possible that over time, the Curriers Arms included a certain amount of land which was farmed by a succession of landlords of the pub.
John & Florence Ransome
It was between September 1939 and 1942, that John and Florence Ransome came to Curriers Farm.
Lincoln Family
Florence was born on the 11th May, 1908 in the nearby village of Deopham. However, she spent her childhood in Besthorpe with her parents, Alfred William Lincoln and Alice Maria nèe Skitmore, and her siblings. Alfred Lincoln was born in Great Ellingham.
In 1924, Alfred Lincoln purchased Rookery Farm in Great Ellingham. As a consequence, Florence moved to Great Ellingham with her family. Rookery Farm also sits along the road to Rocklands, not far from Curriers Farm.
Marriage
On the 30th January, 1937, Florence Lincoln marries John Wells Ransome in St James’s Church, Great Ellingham. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Wymondham.
1939
The 1939 England & Wales Register finds 42 year old John W Ransome with his 31 year old wife Maud F Ransome living in Melton Road, Wymondham. By this time, the couple have welcomed the first of their two daughters. John Ransome is working as a horseman.
Move to Great Ellingham
The family then moved to Curriers Farm, Great Ellingham. As far as I know, John Ransome purchased the farm.
In 1940, John and Florence Ransome welcomed another daughter. I have no doubt that this child was born at Curriers Farm.
The 1942 Great Ellingham Invasion Committee Records lists the couple and their two children along with Florence’s mother, Alice Maria Lincoln.
The individuals have been allocated various duties to help the ‘war effort’. John Ransome is part of the village’s fire service, Florence is given ‘general utilities’ as is her mother. Alice Lincoln is also a member of the Women’s Voluntary Service in Attleborough.
Death of John Ransome
Scoulton born John Wells Ransome of Curriers Farm, Great Ellingham died on the 3rd September, 1959. He is buried in the churchyard at St James.
As far as I know, his widow Florence continued to live at Curriers Farm until the farm was sold in 1968.
Death of Florence Ransome
Great Ellingham born Florence Maud Ransome nèe Lincoln died in Attleborough in 1986.
Sources:
Thanks to Shirley Towler, granddaughter of Florence Ransome
1942 Great Ellingham Invasion Committee Records. Sue Fay
1911 census RG14/11472/91
1921 census RG 15/9790, ED 4, Sch 37; Book: 09790; RG 15/9750, ED 19, Sch 91; Book: 09750
1939 England & Wales Register The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6533G Ancestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Draper, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
GRO Index. Also viewed via FreeBMD website
Florence Maud Ransome. 1986. John Wells Ransome 1959. England & Wales Probate Calendar (Index of Wills & Administrations) 1858-1995. Principal Probate Registry; London, England; Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. Ancestry.com. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
Yarmouth Independent 6th February, 1937 . Viewed via The British Newspaper Archive