Double Cottage at Penhill Road Photograph courtesy of the McDouall family
This double cottage has stood along Penhill Road since at least 1811. Like many other historical houses in the village, the cottage has undergone many changes over the years. Furthermore, it will have seen the comings and goings of many occupants.
We left Part I when Colchester shoemaker Joseph Ashby sold the double cottage to James Rose. The story continues with James Rose’s purchase in April, 1842. We conclude the history with the occupants of the property in 1921.
Purchaser James Rose
On the 21st April, 1842, James Rose purchased the following property from Joseph Ashby for £135:
All that piece of land formerly parcel of the Common pasture of Great Ellingham sometime since in the occupation of J Warren containing by estimation two acres bounded by a public road leading from Great Ellingham to Shropham towards the north by land of William Kiddell Warren towards the east by lands then late of Benjamin Turner and then late of Theophilus Smith towards the south and by lands then late of Robert Brooks and then of Roger Turvey towards the west
AND ALSO ALL THAT DOUBLE COTTAGE or tenement erected and built in part of the said piece of land as all the said premises were then late in the occupation of the said Jno. Ashby and Joseph Ashby and were then or then late in the occupation of George Haylett and John Pea
Ashby Family Ownership
Since 1810, members of the Ashby family owned the double cottage. Bachelor John Ashby originally purchased the property from John Warren.
In his will of 7th December, 1811, John Ashby created a trust. Firstly, he created life tenancies in the property for his brother and sister in law, Joseph and Sarah Ashby and, after their deaths, for their daughter Mary.
Thereafter, the ownership of the property would pass to the male heir of the Ashbys, and then to the eldest son etc. Accordingly, the property could not be mortgaged or sold.
Nevertheless, Joseph Ashby (a nephew of John Ashby) took the matter to the High Court of Chancery. In the event he was successful and the property became free from the entailment.
James Rose
A son of William and Amelia Rose, James Rose was baptised in St James’s Church, Great Ellingham on the 18th April, 1809.
Although he spent much (if not all) of his childhood in the village, at the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Cordy in Scarning in 1838, James Rose was in Shipdham. However by 1841, James Rose was back in Great Ellingham with his wife and children.
James Rose purchased the double cottage in Penhill Road as an investment. He did not live in the property, but occupied a house with shop premises in Church Street. This shop was later known as ‘The Supply Stores’.
The ‘Supply Stores’. The house and adjoining shop was once the business and home of James Rose
Occupiers
At the time of Rose’s purchase, the double cottage was occupied by John Pea and George Haylett.
John Pea’s wife Susan (Susanna) was formerly Susan Ashby, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Ashby. Susan had spent her early life living with her parents in the property.
However by 1843, the double cottage is occupied by George Haylett and Richard Drake.
George Haylett
The 1851 census finds 75 year old George Haylett with his 74 year old Deopham born wife Kerenhappuch living in Pen Hill.
Attleborough born George is a farmer of two acres but also a dealer. The couple had married in Deopham on the 18th November, 1816.
Richard Drake
Next door is 41 year old Stow Bedon born Richard Drake. He is with his 40 year old wife Elizabeth. 16 year old Henry Drake is also with the couple. The census gives his relationship to Richard Drake as ‘servant’.
The census also gives Richard Drake’s occupation as a farmer of 31 acres.
Rose Mortgages the Cottage
On the 12th November, 1851, James Rose signs an Indenture of Mortgage in favour of Richard Clarke, a gentleman, of the City of Norwich.
He borrows the sum of £400 with interest which he agreed to secure over all his property in Great Ellingham and Attleborough. This included the double cottage in Penhill Road.
Death of Richard Clarke
James Rose’s lender, Richard Clarke, died on the 28th September, 1858. The £400 mortgage debt is still outstanding. However, all interest had been paid up to date.
Nevertheless, Clarke’s executors required the borrowing to be repaid. The deeds mention that this was ‘inconvenient to James Rose’.
New Lender, Charles Jolly
Accordingly, Rose procured another lender. Charles Wilson Jolly, a coach manufacturer, of Norwich agreed to pay off James Rose’s debt but upon the same security i.e. all Rose’s properties in Great Ellingham and Attleborough.
On the 30th July, 1859, the mortgage debt is transferred to Jolly.
The 1861 census captures 54 year old Charles Wilson Jolly with his wife, children and servants living in Newmarket Road, Norwich.
1861 census
James Rose continued to let his double cottage in Penhill Road. However by around 1851, he had moved to Attleborough. The 1861 census captures a large household headed by 51 year old grocer and draper James Rose in Crown Street, Attleborough.
In Great Ellingham, Richard and Elizabeth Drake are still living in one part of Rose’s cottage in Penhill Road. However, Drake (now said to be 46 years old) is now an agricultural labourer. Ten years earlier, he was farming some 31 acres. This is quite a significant change in his occupation.
Next door is 37 year old poulterer Jonathan Wright and his wife Elizabeth. With them are their four children Ann 7, Alvina 6, Arthur 4 and Angelina 1. They were all born in Great Ellingham.
Death of James Rose
Death Certificate James Rose. Private Deeds Collection. Sue Simpson
On the 14th October, 1862, 53 year old James Rose dies in Attleborough. His death certificate gives the primary cause of his death as delirium tremens with jaundice contributing to his demise.
At the time of his death, the principal mortgage debt of £400 to Charles Jolly remained outstanding.
James Rose’s Executors
In his will of 12th June, 1857, James Rose appointed John Cordy, George Cordy and Charles Cordy all farmers of Shipham, as his executors. Given that James Rose’s wife was formerly Elizabeth Cordy, I have no doubt that John, George and Charles were all relations of James and Elizabeth Rose.
At the time James Rose signed his will, his youngest son, Charles Cordy Rose was still a minor. However, the will provides for Charles Cordy Rose to be an executor as soon as he reaches the age of 21.
In the event, Charles Cordy Rose was 18 when his father died.
Nevertheless, the provisions of James Rose’s will are clear. He left all his copyhold cottages and land in Whissonsett (which he purchased from Richard Pratt), to his wife Elizabeth. The remainder of his land and property to be sold.
Auction
The executors and mortgagees of the late Mr James Rose instructed auctioneers Salter & Simpson to sell Rose’s property and land in Great Ellingham and Attleborough by auction. This auction would take place at the New Inn, Attleborough on the 18th June, 1863.
On the 17th June, 1863, the Norwich Mercury published a notice advertising the auction.
IN GREAT ELLINGHAM
Lot 1 - a Very desirable small farm of mixed soil arable and pasture land containing in the whole, 41a 0r 18p, with dwelling-house, barn, stable, harness, chaff, and hay houses, bullock boxes, yards, with capital shelter sheds, cow house, calves’ cribs, turnip houses, cart lodge, piggeries, and other outbuildings; yard, garden and well-planted orchard, now in the occupation of Mr William Brighton, at an annual rent of £80
Lot 2 - two enclosures of productive arable land containing 5a 0r 1p, abutting upon the Townlands and the lands of Messrs. Cockell and Mr Robert Martin, and now in the occupation of Richard Drake
Lot 3 - a Messuage with stables, sheds, fowl and other out-houses, yard, gardens and pightle of arable land, containing together 1a 3r 26p, abutting upon the road to Rockland, lands of Mrs Turvey and Mrs Mallett, and now in the occupation of Richard Drake and Jonathan Wright
IN ATTLEBOROUGH
Lot 4 - A valuable piece of accommodation pasture land containing 0a 3r 18p, abutting upon the Watton Road and lands of Arthur Cockell Esq., Mrs Cole and Mr Minns, and now occupied by the Executors of the late Mr James Rose
Plan to the Auctions Particulars
18th June, 1863. Plan to Auction Particulars relating to the Estate of James Rose. Author’s Collection
The plan to the auction particulars relating to the auction on the 18th June, 1863, shows the position of the various lots.
This confirms that Lot 1 is the property known as Rose Farm in Hingham Road. Lot 2 is indeed the double cottage in Penhill Road, occupied by Drake and Wright.
Lot 3 is a parcel of land near to what is now Penhill Farm West and Home Cottage Farm.
James Rose’s Debts
Nevertheless prior to selling the properties, James Rose’s executors are tasked with sorting out Rose’s financial affairs.
At the time of his death, James Rose had an account with the partners of Wholesale Linen Drapers in Norwich. The partners were Robert Chamberlain, Alexander Robert Chamberlain and William Simon Rackham. When Rose died, there was a substantial debt outstanding on the account. The debt was secured against all James Rose’s properties, including the double cottage.
Chamberlain, Chamberlain and Rackham required £748 13s 9d in order to discharge the debt and release Rose’s properties to the executors.
In addition, it appears that James Rose was also indebted to Catherine Graver, a widow, lately of Wymondham, but then of Norwich. This debt (in excess of £1,226) was also secured by Rose’s properties.
Edward Palmer Clarke of Wymondham was also owed a sum just over £338. Rose was also indebted to widow M. Lane of Attleborough.
Charles Cordy Rose
It seems that ‘all was not well’ between James Rose and his son, Charles Cordy Rose.
When Charles Cordy Rose reached his 21st birthday in 1860, he was then able to act as an executor for his late father’s estate.
However a deed dated 1st August, 1863, made and signed by Charles Cordy Rose, grocer and draper of Attleborough, reveal that Charles refused to act in proving his late father’s will, or in executing any trusts.
Charles also ‘fully and absolutely’ renounced and disclaimed any right to any of his late father’s real and personal estates and effects bequeathed by his father in the will.
New Owner of the Double Cottage
In the event, Rose’s affairs were settled ‘one way or the other’.
I believe that Lot 3, the double cottage at Penhill Road, was subsequently purchased by William Brighton. He lived with his wife Lucy (nèe Allison) and children at the farm which, later, became known as Penhill Farm West.
The Brighton family owned the double cottage until 1929. Nevertheless, the property continued to be rented out. The various census returns from 1871 through to 1921, help us to identify the occupants over the years.
1871
Richard and Elizabeth Drake continued to live in one part of the property. The 1871 census describes 62 year old Richard Drake as a farmer of 31 acres. The couple employ 17 year old George Shingfield as a farm servant. George is also living with the couple.
By 1871, Jonathan Wright and his family have moved out of the other part of the cottage. However, their place is taken by Humphrey and Kezia Blackburn. Both now in their fifties, the couple have two sons living with them. 18 year old James and 16 year old Arthur. Humphrey and his sons are all working as labourers.
1881
Richard and Elizabeth Drake are still living in part of the property in 1881. Now in their seventies, the couple have 16 year old agricultural labourer George Whiterod living with them.
Probably living next door is 24 year old Isabella Laws. Given that the census describes Isabella as ‘married’, I suspect that her husband is away from home on census night.
1891
By 1891, the part of the property said to comprise three rooms is now occupied William and Virtue Fincham. The other part (four rooms) also has new tenants. 49 year old George Allen is with his 46 year old wife Rebecca.
1901
William and Virtue Fincham are still living in the cottage in 1901. George and Rebecca Allen have moved out.
William and Virtue have three lodgers. 70 year old Sarah Chilleystone, 26 year old James Banks and 24 year old Arthur Pearce.
I wonder whether the Finchams have moved into the slightly larger side of the cottage, as the side of the cottage comprising three rooms is now occupied by the Lincoln family.
Julia Lincoln is aged 26 and is the wife of an ordinary farm labourer. Her husband, George Luther Lincoln (a son of local couple Alfred and Deborah Lincoln), is absent from home on census night. Julia has four children with her. Ellin 6, Alice 5, Jacob 3 and one year old Albert.
1911
Now aged 85, William Fincham is still living in one side of the double cottage along with his 73 year old wife Virtue. Lodger James Banks continues to live with the couple.
Next door is 35 year old Elijah Fisher and his wife Ada. They have only been married a short time.
Interestingly the census mentions each side of the double cottage comprises 3 rooms. However this does not include any scullery, closet or bathroom.
1921
43 year old James Banks is living alone. Born in Besthorpe, James is working for local farmer ‘Mr J Mann’.
Possibly next door is 27 year old Walter Newby and his wife Daisy. There are two children. Daisy’s son 4 year old Wallace Adcock and the couple’s daughter, 2 year old Lilian May Newby.
Walter is working for ‘Mr G Brownlow’ at nearby Kirk Hall in Rockland.
Throughout this time, the double cottage is owned by the Brighton family.
A very different Life
With the help of property deeds and census returns, it has been possible to piece together the history of the double cottage in Penhill Road.
We can but wonder what life was like for the many occupants of the property. It is only in relatively recent times that the village has had all the ‘modern day’ services, including mains water and a much better standard of sewage disposal.
Today we also live in a world of huge advances – in engineering, medicine and technology, to name but a few. Life experiences for the occupants of the double cottage during the late Georgian era and into the Victorian times, were indeed very different from our modern day way of life.
Sources:
1802 Russell James Colman Plans. Great Ellingham. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref. C/Ca 1/84.
1799-1842 F W Horner, Records of the Surveyors to Commissioners for Inclosure in Parishes in Norfolk and Suffolk. Great Ellingham (Act 1799). Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: NRO, BR 90/2
1800 Inclosure Commissioner’s Particulars and Valuation, Great Ellingham. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: NRO, MC 2213/119
Private Deeds Collection. Shirley Caston
17th June, 1863. Norwich Mercury. Viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office. PD 609. Also available via www.familysearch.org
Scarning Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 306. Viewed via www.ancestry.co.uk
Deopham with Hackford Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office. PD 485. Transcript Marriages 1813-1901. Norfolk Family History Society
1841 census HO107/781/8, HO107/344/3
Great Ellingham Tithe Map 1843. Tithe Apportionments, 1836-1929 [database online]. TheGenealogist.co.uk 2023. Original data: “IR29 Tithe Commission and successors: Tithe Apportionments” The National Archives
18 June 1963. Auction Particulars. Author’s Collection
1851 census HO107/1823/112, HO107/1823/112-113
1861 census RG9/1219/95, RG9/1237/29, RG9/1237/81-82
1871 census RG10/1841/77-78
1881 census RG11/1974/82-83
1891 census RG12/1549/71
1901 census RG13/1867/68
1911 census RG14/11473/59-60
1921 census RG15. Registration District 231. Great Ellingham Schedules 120 & 121. Viewed via www.findmypast.co.uk