Below are a selection of events for October 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.
| October | ||||||
| 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 Directors expected the Metropolitan Underground line (Paddington to the City) to open on this date. Trains to run every 20 minutes from 6–8 A.M., every 10 minutes 8 A.M.–8 P.M., then every 20 minutes from 8 P.M. to midnight. Some fares as low as 2d. [wlo 6 Sept]
4.—R. W. Blamy, 12a Portland Road, Notting Hill gave notice that his wife having left him on 22 September, he would not be answerable for any debts she may contract. [wlo 4 Oct]
6.—Kensington Vestry heard a letter from William Sutherland Hanson, 2 Walgrave Terrace, Earl’s Court, Old Brompton, complaining the Vestry accounts were unpublished and 3 months late. The printer said the Medical Officer’s tabular report was late and promised them the following day. Mr. Hanson attended the meeting but unfortunately fell asleep. [wlo 4 Oct]
7.—Hammersmith was due to be visited by Sanger’s Menagerie and Circus. A great collection of horses would be encamped in Windsor Castle Field: “morning” performance at 2 p.m., evening at 7.30 p.m., and parade at 1 p.m. Great crowds expected. [wlo 4 Oct]
8.—A letter from Henry Hanson, 16a Elm Grove was read at Fulham Board of Works. Mr. Hanson was being troubled by four cows, the property of Mrs. Roach, being driven through a 3 ft. door (15 yards from his door), morning and evening, to some land at the back of Eagle House. Women and children would be run over by the cows on the 1½ yard footway. Referred. [wlo 11 Oct]
9.—Henry Ward, of Mr. Martin’s school, Kensington, was tried for throwing stones at William Drinkwater, of the Kensington National School, at Fulham Police Court. It transpired that the boys from both schools threw mud and stones at each other “about once a day.” Dismissed. [wlo 11 Oct]
11.—The Editorial discussed Kensington Vestry’s desire to appoint paid and independent Inspectors of Weights and Measures. Under the previous system ratepayers were often appointed inspectors without their knowledge and then had to “turn common informers against their fellow-ratepayers.” [wlo 11 Oct]
11.—John Bailey, 75 years lessee and occupier (at £12 10s. ground-rent) of Bloomfield Villa, Silchester Road, Notting Hill, appeared in a special jury compensation case against the Hammersmith and City Railway. Three local surveyors supported a claim of £1,000; whereas the company’s surveyors supported between £400 and £576. Awarded £750. [wlo 18 Oct]
14.—The Wind-Up supper of the Arlington Park Cricket Club would take place at George Oxford’s John Bull Tavern, Turnham Green. Tickets 3s., starting at 7 p.m. precisely. [wlo 11 Oct]
15.—A letter from J. F. Redgrave, on behalf of Charles Gore, was read at Kensington Vestry. The 8 small gratings in the south end of Kensington Palace Gardens road were too narrow in heavy storms, and damage was occurring to the road. Referred to works committee. [wlo 18 Oct]
16.—Alfred Russell, a little boy, was summoned by Rev. Robinson, Latymer Road, Hammersmith (at Hammersmith Police Court), for disturbing his congregation by rushing into the service, scraping his feet against the forms, laughing and then letting a bird loose. Russell admitted having the bird in his pocket but said he didn’t let it lose—it escaped. Bound over for six months. [wlo 18 Oct]
18.—J. A. Smith, Auction and Estates Offices, Broadway, Hammersmith, advertised that he’d been appointed to sell the Pavillon Vitrini, an erection for books 18 ft. by 9ft. wide, from the French Department of the International Exhibitions. [wlo 18 Oct]
18.—William Cooke’s sons (late of Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre), announced they were opening the Victoria Riding School, Onslow Terrace, Brompton, and would teach horse riding to ladies and gentleman, “decidedly essential to a Finished Education.” Terms moderate, ladies instructed by Mrs. Cooke if preferred. [wlo 18 Oct]
19.—James Kennedy, an Irish labourer upwards of 60, was charged with being drunk and disorderly and calling out “I am for Garibaldi” at Vicarage Gardens, Kensington, at 4 a.m. Fined half a crown. [wlo 25 Oct]
20 + 21.—On Monday Rev. Dr. F. Hessey would lecture on the Distress in the Cotton Manufacturing Districts at Kensington Working Men’s Association, Earl Street School Room. On Tuesday Rev. H. Twells would lecture on “Cheap Literature” at St. John’s Working Men’s Association. Seats ranged from free to 6d. [wlo 18 Oct]
23.—Edward Summers was found working a horse with wounds on the back and fore-leg in High Street, Kensington. Independent of the wounds the horse was worn out and unfit for work. Fined 20s. with horse to be sold if not paid. [wlo 25 Oct]
25.—James Bain, 1 King William Place, Hammersmith, having taken over the premises, would open this day. Best store candles 6d. per lb., pure malt vinegar 2d., 3d., 4d. per pint with choice pickles, new marmalade, Lea and Perren’s Worcestershire sauce etc. [wlo 25 Oct]
26.—At 11 a.m. at Kensington Chapel Rev. John Stoughton would preach; and at 6.30 p.m. Rev. A. Tidman would preach, collections being made at both services in aid of the Lancashire Distress. [wlo 25 Oct]
29.—At Kensington Vestry a request from Stevens’ Patent Bread Company was read, asking for a copy of the permission to construct cellars in 1, Grove Terrace, Brompton, where a steam engine had been quietly buried under the public highway for at least a week. Copy provided. [wlo 1 Nov]
29.—Kensington Vestry heard a special report on Mr. Tucker’s Candle Factory (see 5 March). An inspection by the Medical Office had found nothing wrong, but the Vestry insisted the noise and smell were intolerable. Vestry to keep their eyes upon the works. [wlo 1 Nov]
30.—Mr. Roberts, West London Cricket Ground, Brompton, was summoned before Hammersmith Police Court for allowing running and shooting matches which caused a public nuisance. His barrister, Tindal Atkinson, promised they wouldn’t happen again and summons was withdrawn. [wlo 1 Nov]