Below are a selection of events for May 1863 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 1863 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.
| May | ||||||
| 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* | ||||||
2.—J. Walker, 5 Clarendon Road, had recently taken over Norland Nursery, Princes Road, Notting Hill, and now offered 50,000 well-grown plants for bedding out, 2s. per dozen. Geraniums, Fuchsias, Petunias &c. [wlo 2 May]
4.—At Hammersmith Police Court John Kennedy, a youth, was charged with violently assaulting Louisa Bridges, 4 King Street, Kensington, a married women. Kennedy grabbed Louisa in Wright’s Lane, kissed her, and when she objected, punched her in the eye knocking her down, then repeatedly striking her. 14 days with hard labour. [wlo 9 May]
6.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Green reported that the Railway Bill, Victoria Station then crossing Brompton Road, had been abandoned. Mr. Godrich, medical officer, gave a report on the small pox: cases were not above average and more people (15) had died from measles. [wlo 9 May]
9.—Good Mantle Hands (references required) were wanted as apprentices at 18 Gloucester Terrace, Park Walk, Chelsea. J. Robertson Rosse was advertising educational services (Old Ebenezer Chapel, King Street): “Youths of Neglected Education improved,” preparations for Civil Service exams etc. [wlo 9 May]
11.—The “Hearts of Oak” (M. Division) Metropolitan Police played T. Division at cricket on Shepherd’s Bush Common. M. Division contested ably but were outclassed by T. Division. [wlo 16 May]
12.—The 7th annual meeting of Governors and Subscribers of the West London Hospital took place at noon: Rev. R. G. Baker (vicar of Fulham) in Chair, apologies from Bishops of London and Chichester, dean of Westminster elected a Vice President, etc. [wlo 2 May + 16 May]
13.—Numerous “irregularities” appeared at the inquest on the death of Emma Frances Rowbothem, aged 2½, daughter of Samuel, a non-qualified medical man. Samuel had treated Frances until two days before her death, when he called in Mr. Fyes of Brompton, who refused a death certificate, so Samuel wrote one. It also transpired that Samuel was bigamously married to a 16 year old girl from Brompton, who had run away from him. Samuel defended the bigamy saying that when he married his “first” wife he was already married, so that marriage was null and void. [wlo 16 May]
13.—The Kensington, Notting Hill and Brompton elections were held. In Brompton Messrs. Archbutt, Barnes, Carver, Edwards, Gawtrey, Stimpson, Triggs, Walters and Wilkins retired, all then re-elected except Archbutt, Barnes and Triggs; George Symons, Brompton Row, Mr. O’Bryen, M.D., Thistle Grove and J. Sparham, Gloucester Grove West were elected in their stead. [wlo 16 May]
14.—George Castles, a boy, was charged with possessing a basket of gooseberries in Deadman’s lane, assumed to have been taken from Mr. Deadman’s. Castles said he found the basket, but it then transpired he’d been imprisoned for 9 months before for robbery. 14 days hard labour. [wlo 16 May]
16.—The South Western Train Company published its complete timetable of trains from Kensington Railway station. There were 35 trains each day from Kensington through Chelsea, Battersea and Clapham junction, to Kew or New Croydon. [wlo 16 May]
16.—Messrs. W. and T. Ayres, 89, 91 and 93 King Street (opposite the West London Hospital) were selling off their large stock of new and second-hand furniture, carpets, beds, bedding, clothing etc. to make room for extensive alterations and enlargement. [wlo 16 May]
20.—At Kensington Vestry a request was received to use the Vestry Hall for a public meeting for closing public-houses on Sunday, to be addressed by Sir Morton Peto, M.P. Considerable debate followed but it was eventually allowed, 16 for, 13 against. [wlo 23 May]
21.—When Kensington Board of Guardians met they were told that one of their number for the last 14 years, Mr. Maydwell of Brompton, who had been ill for some time, had died on the 19th. Many expressed their regret at losing an esteemed and hard-working colleague. [wlo 23 May]
23.—W. Richards, having declined the Albion Brewery business in favour of his sons, William and Robert, thanked the public for 15 years of patronage and solicited its continuance. [wlo 23 May]
23.—Mr. Hamilton, King Street, whilst going through a recent purchase of the papers of the late Mr. J. G. Seeling, came across a memorandum proving the late J. M. W. Turner, artist, painted “London Beggar, his Wife, and Dog.” The painting was now expected to fetch 1,500 guineas. [wlo 23 May]
24.—At St. John’s Hammersmith, Bishop Edward Twells would preach in aid of the West London Hospital. Kensington Presbyterian Church, Allen Street, would open with Rev. William Arnot (Glasgow) and Rev. James Hamilton (Regent Square) preaching and collections for building fund. [wlo 23 May]
25.—[Whit Monday] The Ancient Order of Foresters held their Fete in the Windsor Castle (public house) field in aid of their band, who played on the day. Various performers appeared on stage, courtesy of W. Anderson, manager of Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge. [wlo 23 May + 30 May]
25.—The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a dinner at Kensington Palace given by the Duchess of Inverness. Numerous dukes, duchesses, lords and ladies were present. Dinner was served at 8.30 p.m. and in the centre of the table was a 1,800 ounce silver candelabra. [wlo 30 May]
27.—At noon Thomas Davis was driving his vegetable cart down High Street, Notting Hill, with the pony reeling as it went along. Mr. Choyce, an officer of the RSPCA, examined the pony and found it very old and in a terrible condition. At the trial later that day Davis was fined 10s. for cruelty. [wlo 30 May]
29.—Mrs. Curtis, Vernon Street, complained to Mr. Dayman, magistrate, that her estranged husband had returned and was trying to sell her goods. She’d been married 10 years ago, and deserted 3 years after that. Protection order given for everything since her husband deserted her. [wlo 30 May]
30.—Chas. C. Williams, 5 & 6 Prospect Place, Walham Green, advised those about to be married to purchase their wedding ring from him. Ringer and Keeper only one Guinea and money advanced on every description of property. [wlo 30 May]
31.—PC. Banyard watched 18 men in the garden next to George Bennett’s Jolly Gardeners Beer Shop, Rectory Place, Fulham. Bennett would climb a ladder from the Jolly Gardeners and serve the men with beer, but not on his premises. Between 9 a.m. and noon 22 pots of beer passed over. Fined £5 and 2s., immediately paid. [wlo 20 Jun]