Below are a selection of events for October 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.
| 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* |
3.—Mons Blanchet, professor of photography, studio 2 Upper Holland Street, Kensington, was advertising portraits, Carte de Visites etc. Weather no obstacle and portraits after death available. [wlo 3 Oct]
3.—The editorial considered the closure of the Hammersmith Institute, having attended the sale of its effects. The Institute provided a Library (a “miserable collection of books”), Reading Room (“great complaints have been made about it”) and lectures, “twaddle and amusement”. [wlo 3 Oct]
4.—Rev. H. Twells, master of Godolphin school would preach at St. Peter’s, Hammersmith, in the morning, and Rev. C. H. Butcher, curate of St. Paul’s in the evening, in aid of church funds. [wlo 3 Oct]
5.—At a meeting at the Albion Tavern, Pitt Street, Kensington, a subscription was started for Mr. W. F. Wolley, of the late Campden House fire (see 23 March 1863), whose loss had been increased by “oppressive measures used towards him at the late trial at Croydon.” [wlo 24 Oct]
5.—The last Grand Fete of the season, a Benefit Fete, would be held at Cremorne Gardens. Attractions included the Chinese Orchestra, Theatres and Circus. Mr. Smith was also forming a Cricket Club and Gymnastic Association for Ashburnham Park, and they would hold their inaugural event at the benefit day. [wlo 26 Sep]
6.—“Another Crusade against Costermongers” took place at Hammersmith Police Court, aimed at those standing their barrows in Clarendon Road North, Notting Hill, longer than was necessary for loading/unloading. Local shopkeepers handed in a unanimous petition in favour of the costermongers (except two grocers). Fined 6s. and police told not to summons in future. [wlo 10 Oct]
7.—Edmond Beales held court at the Windsor Castle, Hammersmith, to revise the voting lists for Chiswick, Fulham and Hammersmith with the great question being whether holding a share in Fulham Bridge made the person a landholder and hence conferred a vote. [wlo 17 Oct]
8.—At Hammersmith Police Court Henry Taylor, Bayswater, was charged with over-driving a horse, “at between 12 and 14 miles an hour, perspiration running off it, could hardly stand, shook violently, large whip marks to neck and shoulder etc.” Fined 40s. [wlo 10 Oct]
10.—The West London Hospital continuing their fund raising with a list of donors promising money if £100 total could be raised. Included were J. M. McCulloch and W. Bird of Kensington (£5 each). [wlo 10 Oct]
11.—At 7.20 p.m. as the London and Brighton train was leaving Kensington station (5 minutes late) it ran into the South Western Train from Clapham Junction (a few minutes late). Nobody seriously injured; cuts and bruises; brandy distributed and cabs called to take people home. Cause: signals jammed. [wlo 10 Oct]
14.—St. Stephen’s Singing Class would commence for the Michaelmas Quarter in the School Room at 7.30 p.m. Quarterly tickets 5s. from Mr. Fielcer, Post Office. [wlo 10 Oct]
15.—The North End Religious Tract Society would hold a meeting at Ebenezer Chapel, North End, at 7 p.m., Barnard Spaull in the chair. Rev. Robert Bushell etc. expected to take part. [wlo 10 Oct]
17.—45 Edwardes Square, Kensington was to let (with attendance, no other lodgers or children). The South Middlesex Rifle Volunteers wanted a few amateurs to complete the brass band: apply W. Pemberton, Bandmaster, 3 Montpelier Terrace, Brompton. [wlo 17 Oct]
19.—Rev. F. Henssey would lecture the Kensington Working Men’s Association, Earl Street, on “An Apostle of Modern Times”. Working men free, reserved seats 6d. etc. Association keen to increase membership, particularly the working class. [wlo 17 Oct]
19.—John Parish, “a boy”, was charged with letting off fireworks in Cirencester Street, Harrow Road, on Saturday night, an increasingly common problem. Fined 2s. 6d. on promising not to do it again. [wlo 24 Oct]
20.—At St. Johns Working Men’s Association W. F. Ainsworth would lecture on “Recent Discoveries in Geography.” Members free, non-members 3d. etc. Penny readings to commence a week later. Reading, Writing and Elementary Singing Classes available. [wlo 17 Oct]
21.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Brown suggested that future applications for Cow Houses should be refused, as was policy in London. Mr. Green thought the Vestry had no power to refuse, but only to make sure they were properly constructed. [wlo 24 Oct]
23.—At Hammersmith Police Court Emma Fuller, a servant of Mary Jane Charteris, 9 Cambridge Terrace, Holland Road, Kensington, was charged with stealing £40 of wearing apparel. Fuller was found to have stolen a number of smaller items but the £40 items could not be traced. Six months with hard labour. [wlo 24 Oct]
26.—E. F. Crowe, Beehive House, Broadway, Hammersmith, was offering for sale salvage from the late fire at Mr. Maybins’, 2 Aldermanbury. Shawls, mantles, gloves, blankets etc., “slightly damaged by water.” [wlo 24 Oct]
29.—At the Opening of Broadway Chapel Young Men’s Association (Hammersmith), Rev. R. Macbeth spoke of the need for the Association and was seconded by Rev. S. Green. Subscription 1s. 6d. a quarter: reading room with periodicals, library, drawing class etc. [wlo 7 Nov]
31.—Mrs. Diepenheim (late Mrs. Moss), 45 Robinhood Lane, Poplar, advertised that she had not sold her business at 19 Church Street, Kensington, and still purchased wearing apparel. [wlo 31 Oct]