Below are a selection of events for July 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.
| July | ||||||
| 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 | 31 | ||
1.—The International Exhibition was so thronged that some portions were impassable, with 62,336 attending during the day. There had been over 1½ million visitors since the opening. [wlo 5 July]
2.—The Thames National Regatta started at Putney with participants from around the world. Many locals from Chelsea, Hammersmith, etc. took part. [wlo 5 July]
2.—The Royal Horticultural Society 3rd great meeting was held at their Brompton garden. Stove and greenhouse plants, orchids, fuchsias etc. were on display together with various fruits including grapes, figs, nectarines and strawberries. Prizes amounting to £550 awarded; Prince Charles attended together with upwards of 11,000 visitors. [wlo 5 July]
4.—In Victoria Road, at 11.15 p.m., after passing Edward Huntley, a watchman guarding the open sewer, Mr. Wallis, manager of the estate in Prince Albert’s Road, living at 4 Cambridge Place, Victoria Road, Kensington, was attacked by three men and severely beaten. Huntley disappeared and was later arrested by police, suspected of being involved. [wlo 12 July]
6.—Rev. John Stoughton would preach a sermon at Kensington Chapel, Phillimore Terrace, on the decease of Rev. John Leifchild, the former pastor. [wlo 5 July]
8.—George Gates, aged 10, 19, James Street, Hammersmith, was tried for robbing his father George, a plumber. George was often kept without food, chained up, and had few clothes. He’d stolen the money to buy clothes and flee his father, who was a “cruel man”, had turned wife out and came home drunk every night. Remanded. [wlo 12 July]
9.—William Banbury, licensed cab-driver, was summoned for not taking passengers desirous of hiring him in the Cromwell Road, at 6 p.m. on 20th June. Several persons hailed him (including a police constable). Fined 40s. and in default one month with hard labour. [wlo 12 July]
12.—A 9 room residence with garden, St. Peter’s Square, Hammersmith, was available for £45 a year rent. Apply Mr. Godbolt, House Agent, Westcroft Place. [wlo 12 July]
13.—Rev. John Stent, Norland Chapel, Norland Road, Notting Hill, “riveted” his hearers in a hour long sermon on Rev. xxi 26 as he took them on an imaginary tour of the International Exhibition, South Kensington. [wlo 19 July]
14.—The trial heat for the Wingfield Challenge Sculls, the principal amateur Thames race, took place from Putney to Mortlake (having being rerouted because of steam-boat traffic). Mr. G. R. Cox, London Rowing Club raced W. B. Woodgate, Brasenose College, Oxford. Woodgate won in 27 minutes 8 seconds, a very good time considering the high wind and rough water around Corney Reach. [wlo 19 July]
15.—A two day Grand Highland Gathering, under the patronage of the Duke of Argyle etc. would take place at Beaufort House, Brompton Road. Gates open at noon with competition by the most celebrated men of Scotland from 1 p.m. till dusk. Admission 1s., reserved seats, 2s. 6d. [wlo 5 July]
17.—Charles Hubbard, who had erected a wooden refreshment booth in the Cromwell Road (for the Exhibition), without proper notice, appeared before Hammersmith Police Court. There were hopes a prosecution would clear the many wooden building which had been put up. Adjourned. [wlo 19 July]
19.—Miss Moffatt and Fraulein Keiffenheim were advertising their Superior Morning School for young ladies, 9 Holland Street, Kensington. Terms moderate. [wlo 19 July]
19.—The annual feast of the boys of the Blythe House Reformatory School, Hammersmith, took place with much cake, fruits etc. donated by the Catholic Gentry of the Neighbourhood, many of whom attended. There were games and the school band played. [wlo 26 July]
21.—The Kensington Guardians visited Plashet [workhouse] School for the annual inspection. They found the children in excellent health and well-instructed, the rooms clean and comfortable. Mr. Wilkins, Vice-Chairman, handed £2 to the Matron for a little treat. [wlo 26 July]
23.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Green said that the fever in Jennings Buildings was not spreading and the Medical Officer thought all that was required was to flush the sewers. [wlo 26 July]
26.—Mr. Roberts, West London Cricket Ground, near Thistle Grove Lane, Brompton, was charged with allowing pigeon shooting and running matches which attracted crowds of “idle persons” which “caused great nuisance to the inhabitants.” Various inhabitants of Thistle Grove testified to the shootings, some of whom had been mistaken shot. Adjourned. [wlo 2 Aug, wlo 9 Aug]
27.—The 3rd anniversary of the consecration of St. John’s, Hammersmith, would take place with a morning sermon by Archdeacon Denison followed by luncheon at St. John’s school. There would be an Offering for the Parsonage House building fund. [wlo 19 July]
31?.— Mr. Pummell, the Kensington Beadle, had “succumbed to modern improvements” and through the instrumentality of Mr. Richardson, Norland, the Kensington Fire Engine would be replaced. The old engine, ridiculed as the “parish squirt” was unable to deal with the large buildings that had recently been erected. [wlo 2 Aug]