Below are a selection of events for April 1862 showing what was happening around George Borrow and his family. The Borrows lived in 22 Hereford Square, Brompton, London, from September 1860 until George finally left in the second half of 1874.
The page for the 1862 gives a bit more background and links to pages explaining the sources and other months/years.
This is an on-going effort, and is expected to be updated. David would especially link to thank the wonderful staff at Kensington Local Studies for all of their help in researching this.
| April | ||||||
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
| 1* | 2* | 3 | 4 | 5* | ||
| 6 | 7* | 8* | 9* | 10* | 11 | 12* |
| 13 | 14 | 15* | 16 | 17* | 18 | 19* |
| 20* | 21* | 22* | 23* | 24* | 25* | 26* |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30* | |||
1.—Thomas Screech, a young man dressed as a baker, was charged with wheeling a barrow on the pavement in Lansdowne Road, Notting Hill, a distance of 100 yards. Thomas disputed the distance and said nobody was on the pavement at the time. Fined 10s. and costs, or seven days. [wlo 5 Apr.]
2.—Kensington Vestry received a letter from the promoters of the Kensington Junction Tramway (Warwick Road to the Exhibition), saying they were abandoning their enterprise.
5.—An update on the Campden House fire was published: a large portion of the walls had fallen in, mainly on Wednesday when there was a high wind and Mr. Wolley was still recovering from the shock with rescued guests still recovering. Workmen had been repairing the damage to Mr. Egg’s house. [wlo 5 Apr.]
7.—The World Renowned Professor James, wizard, ventriloquist and improvisatore, with Goblin Sprightly, would perform at the New Assembly Rooms, Palace Avenue, Kensington, for one night only. Doors open 7.30 p.m.
8.—Thomas Jarvis, around 40 who walking on crutches, arrived in a hansom cab at Mrs. Stroud’s, clothier and outfitter, High Street, Notting Hill, purchased goods of 14s. 3d., tendered a £5 note and drove off in cab. Note later found to be a forgery. [wlo 12 Apr]
9.—The first meeting of the Godolphin School Cricket Club was held and officers elected. Through the liberality of the head-master, Rev. H. Twells, members were to receive Professional Instruction. Colours: blue cap and one shirt with red facings. [wlo 12 Apr]
9.—Around 5.30 p.m. Thomas Jarvis, arrived in a cab at William Hatch’s, a draper, 5 Gloucester Road South, Kensington, and purchased 17s. of goods, tendering a forged £5 note. Police sent for and Jarvis arrested. At the trial the following day Jarvis was revealed as being wanted in various locations for passing forged notes: his real name was William Mason, originally a tailor. Remanded. [wlo 12 Apr]
10.—James Broadbent, 5 Addison Terrace, Hon. Sec. of Brompton Road Improvement Committee, wrote to the West London Observer pointing out a misprint in their report: the owners/occupiers of Queen’s Buildings had agreed to give up a large piece of their land without compensation. [wlo 12 Apr]
12.—Margaret Kinnerfick, 43, with son James, 9, were again tried for passing counterfeit coin (see 24 Apr.) and were joined by her other son, Wm. Kinnerfick, 14, a labourer. Jury acquitted James who scarcely overtopped the dock, who was then taken to the workhouse. Margaret 12 months hard labour and William 3 years in the reformatory. [wlo 19 Apr]
15.—A meeting would be held at the Windsor Castle Tavern, Hammersmith, where the Hammersmith and City Railway would explain the forthcoming undertaking, and sell the remaining shares. [wlo 12 Apr.]
17.—At the Kensington Board of Guardians Archdeacon Sinclair was elected chair for the coming year, but being a busy man, would not be able to attend regularly. [wlo 19 Apr.]
19.—A large advertisement for the Hammersmith and City Railway company appeared. Their Act had passed into law and works would soon start with a capital of £180,000 in 18,000 shares. Charles Blake, Stanley Gardens, Notting Hill was one of the directors and residents of New Brompton would also benefit “by means of the various existing Omnibus communications.” [wlo 19 Apr]
19.—The West London Observer’s editorial noted the surprise of visitors who visited Hammersmith to find it destitute of railways. Remote districts such as Kew, Chiswick and Mortlake had railways, but the closest station to Hammersmith was “a tortuous line ... to Fenchurch Street, ... practically no utility ... Hammersmith ... avoided as a place of residence.” [wlo 19 Apr]
20.—[Easter Sunday] A great many of the South Middlesex Riffle Volunteers, with their spouses, left London by train to go to Brighton for the Volunteer Review. After enjoying the breach in the afternoon they dined in “various hostelries” with “substantial” meals. Monday began wet but cleared to a glorious day when Lord Clyde, French Officers etc. came to inspect. Around 250,000 spectators saw 20,000 men under arms. [wlo 25 Apr]
21.—[Easter Monday] The West London Observer wrote of Easter Monday holiday: many went to the fair at Greenwich, 28,988 went to the Crystal Palace, 22,000 went to the British museum, 18,000 to the National Gallery and 23,954 to Regent Park’s Zoo.
22.—Matthew Feilde, 24, Queen’s Road, Norland Square, wrote to the West London Observer claiming the proposed 1s. admission price for the forthcoming International Exhibition was a day’s provision for the poor, and proposing 6d. on Mondays to widen participation. [wlo 3 May]
23.—Mr. Davies, landlord of the Holland Arms Tavern, died in the evening, after becoming completely exhausted following a carriage ride on Monday. He had been broken hearted since his wife had died. Mr. Davies was a member of Kensington Vestry. [wlo 25 Apr]
24.—The Hammersmith and City Railway would hold a meeting at the Plough Hotel, High Street, Notting Hill at 7 p.m. Undertaking to be explained, shares issued etc. [wlo 19 Apr]
25.—J. Guest, Grocer, Hammersmith, issued a public apology to Messrs. Adam and King, King William Place, Hammersmith, for mentioning their names to Rev. Cookesley, St. Peter’s, Hammersmith, in a manner which caused annoyance and injury. The apology was repeated printed for the next few weeks. [wlo 3 May]
26.—Charles Ballard, “Chymist”, King Street, Hammersmith was again adverting Taylor’s Liquid Stopping which instantly cured tooth-ache and regenerated decayed teeth. 1s. and 2s. bottles. [wlo 25 Apr]
30.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Wilkins complained that many of the lamps in the Old Brompton Road were not lit until 8.10 p.m. Mr. Gilbert said that in many places in the parish the lamps weren’t lit until 30–45 minutes after the time in the contract. A letter of complaint to be sent to the Gas Company. [wlo 3 May]