Below are a selection of events for May 1865 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 1865 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* | |||
1.—The London General Omnibus Company would commence a new service. Starting outside The White Hart, West End, Hammersmith, it would run via Hammersmith New Road, Starch Green, Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill, Bayswater, Oxford Street and then on via Charing Cross to Bank. [wlo 8 Apr]
2.—Phœbe Williams appeared in Hammersmith Police Court charged with being drunk the previous night, and biting P.C. 214 while in the execution of his duty. She’d been ejected from the Rising Sun, Fulham, but would not go away. P.C. called, became violent etc. Fined 10s. or seven days. [wlo 6 May]
4.—The annual dinner of the Kensington Benevolent Society would be held at the Adam and Eve Tavern, The Terrace, Kensington, with dinner on the table at 7 p.m. precisely. Tickets 3s. 6d. [wlo 22 Apr]
6.—S. Gibbs, News-agent (widow of the late Mr. Allen Gibbs), 5, Myhill’s Terrace, Albion Road, Hammersmith, intended to carry on the business for the support of her young family. [wlo 6 May]
8.—The South Middlesex Rifle Volunteers would perform Retribution followed by Cool as a Cucumber at the Beaufort House Theatre. Tickets 1s. to 3s., doors open 7.30 p.m. [wlo 6 May]
9.—A Grand Ball would be held at the Willis’s Rooms, King Street, St. James’s, by the South Middlesex Rifle Volunteers, with 17 lady patronesses, including the Marchioness of Downshire, Hon. Mrs R. Cecil Curson etc. Gentleman’s ticket 15s., ladies, 10s. 6d. [wlo 29 Apr]
12.—Hammersmith Police Court heard the case of a 12 year old boy and his sister, whose father, a missionary had died three weeks ago, leaving them £2 10s. to take them to their grandmother, Mrs. Jacobs, of Pool [Poole?] On their way to the railway station they lost the money, and decided to walk to Pool, and were eventually taken in and sheltered by a kind Irish lady. It turned out they had run away from their stepmother, fearing the workhouse. [wlo 13 May]
13.—William Tailby informed the gentry of Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush that he had opened a Cricket Ground at his Angelsea Tavern, Wellington Road. Reasonable terms, spacious marquee, first class refreshments, five minutes walk from railway station. [wlo 13 May]
13.—Lewis Dennis thanked people for supporting him since he succeeded his uncle, Mr. Gawtrey, and having purchased the premises of Mr. Hetherington, 10 Lowndes Terrace, Knightsbridge, or rather had been to law to get the Dennis / Hetherington partnership dissolved, hoped to resume business on May 22. [wlo 13 May]
15.—William Howitt, better known as William Jackson the American Deer, of King Street, Hammersmith, appeared in the Police Court charged with obtaining 20s. from a 12 year old delivery boy in Notting Hill on the previous Friday. Witnesses proved Howitt was in the City at the time. Howitt discharged, but unhappy as he’d been held since Saturday. [wlo 20 May]
16.—The Finance committee of the Fulham Board of Works to discuss how to pay for watering the streets. Mr. Bird, solicitor, had recommended to charge it at an equal rate on the whole assessable property in the areas affected. The committee didn’t like this and deferred the question to the following week. [wlo 20 May]
17.—Kensington Vestry consider whether awarding Mr. Bazalgette (Chief Engineer, Metropolitan Board of Works) and his three assistants the sum of £10,000 out of the rates. They didn’t like it at all, and Mr. Brown said he wasn’t surprised the engineer wasn’t satisfied with £1,500 a year when the chairman got £2,000. [wlo 20 May]
18.—The Parochial Officers of Hammersmith “beat the bounderies” on this day, starting at 8.30 a.m. and finishing at 5.30 p.m.: an encroachment was found at Norland Chapel, new stones were ordered for the Signal Box and Clarence Terrace. In St. Mary’s Terrace, the builders had removed the stones. On the inspection they met the Acton officials on the same purpose, accompanied by a band. [wlo 27 May]
20.—Freehold building land on a 99 year lease, close to Kensington (Metropolitan) Station and partly occupied by semi-detached villas, let to highly respectable people, was available. Apply to Mr. Crookes, Brook Green, Hammersmith. [wlo 20 May]
22.—Lewis Dennis & Co., having purchased the stock of Mr. Hill, Linendraper, &c., of Kingston-on-Thames, would hold a sale at 10 Lowndes Terrace, Knightsbridge. Very advantageous circumstances. [wlo 13 May]
23.—The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone for St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington (the existing building being too small). Various local groups had raised the money, including the Foresters who had held two fetes at Lord’s Cricket Ground. [wlo 13, 27 May]
24.—The 1st Middlesex Engineer Volunteers would perform Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady, The Rent Day and Perfection; or, the Lady of Munster at the Royal Bijou Theatre, with the corps band as orchestra. Prices 1s, to £2 2s. [wlo 20 May].
27.—Morgan’s Dining and Coffee Rooms, High Street, Kensington, wanted a young woman as a housemaid and to assist in waiting. One used to business preferred. [wlo 27 May]
28.—Whilst Henry Barr of the Hand and Flower, Sand’s End, Fulham, was ill in bed on Sunday, his barmaid served two females whom she knew. At the trial for Sunday trading witnesses to Barr’s good character for the last 10 years came forth, and case was dismissed after 2s. costs were paid. [wlo 10 June]
29.—William Thompson appeared before Hammersmith Police Court charged with stealing 10 lettuces from the grounds of Mr. Bagley, Turnham Green. Witness James Casey saw prisoner, challenged him, and eventually was struck and thrown to the ground. Fined 10s. plus 10d. in value, or 14 days imprisonment. [wlo 3 June]
31.—The Kensington Vestry heard that Mr. Bazalgette would not be getting the £10,000 gratuity and were very pleased [see 17 June]. Inhabitants of Brompton road had written to condemn Mr. Broadbridge’s attendance at a meeting on the South Kensington New Road bill, after they had strongly objected to it. Shopkeepers in Brompton road feared losing trade. [wlo 3 June]