Brick Kiln Farm
Courtesy Jon & Fran Elliott
William & Edna Easlea
Marriage in Canada
On the 24th June, 1914, farmer William John Fellowes Easlea married Edna Brigstocke Fellowes. The marriage took place at St James’s Church, Ingersoll in the County of Oxford, Ontario. Both 30 year old William and 26 year old Edna aged were living in Ingersoll. However, although Edna was born in Canada, William was born in Suffolk, England. Edna’s parents, Algernon and Emily Fellowes, had emigrated from England to Canada in 1885.
William and Edna were probably related – perhaps cousins. However, I have not investigated the ‘Fellowes’ connection.
‘Home’ to England
Not long after their marriage, William and Edna Easlea embarked on the White Star SS Laurentic at Montreal bound for Liverpool, England. They arrived on the 26th July, 1914. The couple may well have then made their way to Norfolk. They were living at Brick Kiln Farm when William Easlea purchases the farm in 1917.
Purchase of Brick Kiln Farm
On the 17th November, 1917, William Easlea completes his purchase of Brick Kiln Farm from George John Baly of Newmarket Road, Norwich.
The purchase also includes the double cottage (now known as Owl Cottage) and some 44 acres of land. This is the whole of the property and land which, over 70 years earlier, had been owned by Robert Large.
The purchase price is £1,090.
Algernon & Emily Fellowes
In 1920, Edna’s father Algernon Fellowes (still living in Canada) completes his purchase of a farm in Bow Street. This farm became known as Holly Croft Farm.
The following year, Algernon and his wife Emily travelled ‘home’ to England from Canada. I assume that they made their way to Great Ellingham. However, Algernon sold Holly Croft Farm around four months after returning to England.
I believe it is then that Algernon and Emily moved in with their daughter and son in law at Brick Kiln Farm.
1921 census
The 1921 census captures 37 year old William Easlea with his 33 year old wife Edna living at Brick Kiln Farm. With them are Edna’s parents, Algernon and Emily Fellowes, both aged 50.
The census also confirms that although Emily Fellowes and Edna Easlea were born in Washington, Ontario, they are both ‘British born’.
Sale of Land & Cottages
On the 28th June, 1926, William Easlea sells a piece of land to Wilfred Taylor of Necton.
In 1926, Easlea also sells the double cottage (now one cottage known as Owl Cottage) to Wilfred Taylor. This transaction may well have also taken place on the 28th June.
1939 Register
In the August of 1934, Edna Easlea’s father, Algernon Godfrey Butler Fellowes, died in Great Ellingham (likely at Brick Kiln Farm). His burial took place in the churchyard of St James on the 23rd August.
The 1939 England & Wales Register finds Algernon’s widow, Emily Fellowes (born 28th September 1862), with her daughter and son in law, Edna and William Easlea, at Brick Kiln Farm. The register also gives William’s date of birth as 8th February, 1884 and Edna’s as 18 June, 1888.
Death of William J F Easlea
William Easlea died at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital on the 2nd November, 1943.
Consequently, Edna Easlea became the owner of Brick Kiln Farm. She continued to live there until she sold the property to Edwin Robert Houchen in 1950.
Sources:
Ontario, Canada, Marriages 1826-1943. Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Reel: 317. Ancestry.com and Genealogical Research Library (Brampton, Ontario, Canada). Ontario, Canada, Marriages, 1826-1943 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Ontario, Canada, Select Marriages. Archives of Ontario, Toronto
UK & Ireland Incoming Passenger Lists 1878-1960. The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 581; Item: 4 Ancestry.com. UK and Ireland, Incoming Passenger Lists, 1878-1960 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. Original data: Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and successors: Inwards Passenger Lists. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA). Series BT26, 1,472 pieces.
1939 England & Wales Register. The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6590H Ancestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 609. Viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk
1921 census The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; 1921 Census Returns; Reference: RG 15/9790, ED 5, Sch 144; Book: 09790 Ancestry.com. 1921 England Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2025.
Private Deeds collection. Thanks to Jon & Fran Elliott
1911 census RG14/11502/153