Below are a selection of events for October 1864 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 1864 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.—On the previous Saturday the great eastern arch of the Exhibition (South Kensington) was demolished by gunpowder, with the western arch to be demolished on this day at 5 p.m. Those wishing to watch should go to the Horticultural Gardens. Volunteer soldiers were particularly invited to see things being blown up. [wlo 1 Oct]
3.—The Committee of Management of the West London Hospital met. The Foresters presented a cheque for £33 from the last Fete which was publicly acknowledged. During the past month there had been 250 new medical cases, 234 new surgical cases etc. [wlo 8 Oct]
5.—Smith’s Charity, Brompton, wrote to Kensington Vestry complaining that their tenants in Crescent Mews had received notice of the cost of paving the Mews. The Charity said it owned the land and the Vestry had no power to repair or charge. The leases would expire in 8 years and the Charity planned to pull the Mews down. [wlo 8 Oct]
5.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Godrich read a report on Messrs. Tucker’s candle factory. Under the Nuisances Removal Act nothing could be done except those means already adopted by Messrs. Tucker. [wlo 8 Oct]
6.—St. Philip’s Choral Association would commence their fourth season at St. Philip’s School-Rooms, Earl Street, Kensington, and would continue until 23 March 1865. Meetings start 8 p.m. and finished 9.30 p.m., subscribers’ tickets ½ guinea. [wlo 24 Sep]
7.—The 71st Star Bowkett Building Society would hold their first meeting in the Temperance Hall, Hammersmith. Members can be enrolled any Friday evening from 7.15 to 9.15. [wlo 1 Oct]
8.—Mr. Morris, riding master, at Cornand’s, 1 Wells Road, Shepherd’s Bush, continues to give lessons with quiet ponies for children and horses broken in to all purposes. Mrs. Towsey, late Hambidge, 73 King Street, Hammersmith, had a large stock of fireworks for the 5th November. Liberal allowance to schools etc. [wlo 8 Oct + 1 Oct]
9.—Around 11.45 two P.C.’s noticed a group of men drinking and smoking in the Jolly Carpenters beer-shop, Kensal New Town, landlord Joseph Green. On entering the premises through the front door nobody could be found, until a locked cupboard was opened and 3 men fell out. 16 men and 2 children where then found hidden in a bed-room. Fined 40s. [wlo 22 Oct]
10.—“An Inhabitant of Kensington” wrote to the paper which said Railway Plans were available for viewing at the Vestry Hall. On going to look only the porter’s wife was available, had only a few plans and couldn’t answer questions. When he left he was asked for 1s. fee. The Railway Company had lodged the plans gratis. [wlo 15 Oct]
12.—Mr. Wheatley, 2 The Square, Kensington, gives dancing, exercise and deportment classes at his residence on Wednesday and Saturdays at 2.30 p.m., evening classes Tuesday and Fridays. Schools and families attended. [wlo 8 Oct, wlo 15 Oct]
13.—A great sale of drapery would begin at E. F. Crowe’s General Drapery Warehouse, “Bee-hive House,” Broadway, Hammersmith. Having purchased the stock of Messrs. Rugg and Co., Wood Street, the whole would be disposed of at a large discount from cost price. [wlo 8 Oct]
14.—At the conclusion of the bowling season the “Extremity” club, Hammersmith and Kensington, sat down to a meal at The Bell and Anchor Tavern, Hammersmith Gate, after which many toasts were drunk. [wlo 15 Oct]
15.—The Hammersmith and City Railway was advertising week-day trains every half-hour. Kensington to the City in 38 minutes, ditto Hammersmith. However, “Tuscan” wrote to the paper complaining the directors were “fast asleep” as trains were not stopping at Norland Road, even though it was only built 6 weeks ago. [wlo 15 Oct]
17.—At Hammersmith Police Court Margaret Callaghan, wearing a hat and feathers, was charged with punching a young woman named Lawrance, outside the Duke of Sussex, High Street, Kensington, who was waiting for a young man that Callaghan had been “keeping company” with for 5 years. 14 days imprisonment. [wlo 22 Oct]
19.—The Medical Officer of the Fulham Board of Works reported that he had investigated 37 applications for cow house licenses in Hammersmith, 24 in Fulham, and had no objection to them. [wlo 22 Oct]
19.—Mr. James Spittle, Brompton, was charged with “exposing for show” a horse in Gloucester Grove, on the pavement, which the Kensington Act forbade. The horse was kicking and plunging. Fined 10s. and costs. [wlo 22 Oct]
21.—B. C. Hook, Esq. would lecture on “Witchcraft” at the School Room, William Street, North End, as part of a series of Friday lectures. Front seats 3d., back seats 1d., any profits to St. Mary’s Alterations and Improvement fund. [wlo 1 Oct]
21.—John Bevan, a young flying dustman, was summoned by John Johnson, Fulham brick-maker, for taking refuse from a house without being the licensed contractor. Bevan’s father had been summoned before for this and warnings had appeared in the paper (see 13 Sep. 1862). Fined £5 then 2 months in prison for deafult. [wlo 29 Oct]
22.—Among items wanted were one sitting in the body of Kensington Parish Church to rent, apply Mr. Lawrence, 14 Church Street, Kensington; general servant and cook for a family of three, £12 all found, apply 13 Verulam Terrace, The Grove, Hammersmith. [wlo 22 Oct]
24.—Patrick Costelow, an elderly man in workhouse clothing, was charged with robbing the workhouse. He’d been caught in Plough Lane, Notting Hill, with flannel under his arm, then soap fell out of his pocket. After a search 2 flannel workhouse shirts were found, 12 neck ties and a sheet. All workhouse property. Two months hard labour. [wlo 29 Oct]
28.—The Star Bowket Building Society was still in Temperance Hall, Black’s Road, Hammersmith on Friday evenings between 7.15 and 9.15 p.m. for those wishing to join, but early application was desirable as members were limited to 450. [wlo 22 Oct]
29.—The West London Permanent Mutual Benefit Building and Investment Society, 179 Sloane Street, Chelsea, est. 1850, was advertising. £145,894 received and invested, £48,678 advanced on property mortgages, £74,550 repaid to members and depositors, £11,489 paid to shareholders and depositors. [wlo 29 Oct]
30.—St. Stephen’s Church, Shepherd’s Bush, would hold a Harvest Thanksgiving for the late abundant Harvest. Thank-offerings will be devoted to the West London Hospital. [wlo 22 Oct]