Below are a selection of events for July 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.
| July | ||||||
| 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.—In view of the forthcoming dissolution of Parliament, Robert Culling Hanbury, Brick Lane, Spittlefields, and “Enfield”, 7 Charles Street, Berkeley Square, both took out front page advertisements to address the voters. [wlo 1 July]
2.—The Scotch Church, Foxley Road, Kensington, would have Rev. Dr. Schwartz to preach at 6.30 p.m. as part of their anniversary celebrations. [wlo 1 July]
3.—The Fulham Burial Board wanted an active, intelligent and well-educated man as resident superintendant of the Cemetery. Salary £60 per annum. (including coals and gas). Candidates should apply to James Parker, clerk, and attend the meeting at 6.30 p.m. on 11th July. [wlo 8 July]
3.—Philip Maguire, a postman, was delivering letters to the house of William Moyle, 2 Silchester Road, Notting Hill, when he was attacked by Moyle’s dog (which had previously attacked him as well as 6 to 7 other postmen). At the trial George Trickitt, auxiliary letter-carrier, gave evidence that the dog had bitten him etc. Moyle’s said it was an “affectionate” dog to protect his premises. Fined 40s. [wlo 15 July]
5.—J. W. King, secretary of the Albert Bridge Company, gave notice that applications for shared (from London) would close on this day, with applications from the Country closing the following day. [wlo 1 July]
5.—Around 3 p.m. fire broke out on the premises of Mr. Crow, carpenter, 3a, Orchard Terrace, Earl Street, Kensington, but with the speedy arrival of the Kensington Volunteers the flames were confined to an out-house, which was completely destroyed. [wlo 8 July]
6.—The Rev. R. G. Baker, 77, Vicar of Fulham, married Miss Sullivan, 40, at All Saints’, Fulham, the Bishop of London presiding, with Lord Palmerston and many local gentry attending. Miss Sullivan was Palmerston’s niece. [wlo 1 July]
7.—The Horse Show at the Agricultural Hall, Islington would commence and run until the 13 (Sunday excepted). The Metropolitan Railway advertised it and suggested that King’s Cross was the nearest station. [wlo 8 July]
8.—An editorial entitled “The Eyesores of Kensington” condemned the Jennings’ Buildings: Mr. Ingham, magistrate, said they were a lawless neighbourhood, the Vestry were horrified when the recently visited, there were daily scenes of riot and sanitary improvements would not help. Only recently posters had appeared on the walls. The only solution was demolition. [wlo 8 July]
10.—In Ravencourt Park, by permission of Mrs. Scott, the Richmond eleven would play the Ravencourt eleven. Admission 6d., refreshments available. Any surplus generated would be given to the West London Hospital. [wlo 8 July]
11.—The Annual Festival of St. Stephen’s Schools, Shepherd’s Bush, would be held. Children to assemble 2 p.m. for prayer, followed by procession to Wormholt Farm. Full brass band and refreshments. Children take tea at 5 p.m. Admissions 1s. adults, 6d. children. [wlo 17, 24 June]
12.—The [Kensington] Committee for inspecting into the sanitary condition of the Jennings’ Buildings visited the buildings and reported: the Sanitary Inspector should visit each dwelling and present a report to the Committee. [wlo 15 July]
12.—Cremorne Gardens had their first Juvenile Festival which was well attended by fashionable company. There was a performance by the circus, balloons, horse races, a chariot race, donkeys, clowns, a pony ridden by a monkey etc. [wlo 15 July]
13.—Fulham Union advertised tenders for altering the male and female idiot wards; the tailor’s and shoemaker’s workshops; for erecting am infirmary for contagious diseases and a boundary wall etc. [wlo 15 July]
13.—A good-looking young man of colour who gave his names as John Jumbo was charged by Joseph Tavener, constable of Kensington Square, with being drunk and disorderly, biting him and tearing his coat (when taken to the Station). Mr. Ingham asked if John could speak English: Joseph said he could but pretended not to when begging, instead using hand gestures. John had been before the court a short time ago. 14 days hard labour. [wlo 15 July]
15.—Noting that the Fulham Railway across the Broadway had received Royal Ascent, J. A. Smith, Auction, Estate and Land Agency Offices, 56/57 King Street Hammersmith, offered to prepare claims for those whose property or income would be destroyed or depreciated by the said Railway. [wlo 15 July]
15.—C. B. Hammond, 76 High Street, Notting Hill, would be selling watches, clocks and jewellery at 25% off, as his house was being demolished by the Metropolitan Railway. [wlo 15 July]
16.—Elizabeth Morris (wife of Charles the painter), 20 Onslow Dwellings, found her neighbour, Mary Baker, 51, leaning against a wall and assisted her to her bedroom, where Baker expired about 20 minutes later. Thomas Whitefield, 27 Thurloe Place, Brompton, carried out a post-modem: cause of death was a spasm in the glottis. [wlo 22 July]
17.—Around 11 p.m. Francis Hill, landlord of The King’s Head, Earl’s Court, old Brompton, was assaulted by William Naylor, who had seen someone he wanted to fight, and been forbidden fighting in the pub by Francis. After assaulting Francis, William drank Maria Haslet’s beer by mistake, at which point she “gave him one or two”. William fined 10s. or 7 days hard labour. [wlo 22 July]
18.—Charles Russell Watts, ironmonger, 201 Brompton Road was fined 7s. for obstructing the pavement with some wire-work goods. Messrs. Jacob, 137 Brompton Road, were fined 4s. 6d. for similarly allowing a bedstead on the footway. [wlo 22 July]
19.—Mr. E. T. Smith of Royal Cremorne Gardens would hold a second Juvenile Festival following the success of the first one on 5th. Entertainments would include Grand Circus at 2½, dogs and monies at 3½, ballons at 4, Sea Bear at 5, then races with 60 horses, jokies and monkey-riders. Fireworks at 10. Admission 1s. [wlo 15 July]
20.—Mr. B Hall, boot and shoemaker, No. 2 Portland Place, Notting Hill, attended Kensington Board of Guardians to have James Fitzpatrick, a parish boy, apprenticed to him. James Ives, builder, Denbigh Terrace, was allowed Joseph Wells, another parish boy, for a month’s trial as apprentice. [wlo 22 July]
22.—The editorial of the West London Observer discussed the plans for widening Church Street, Kensington, which was a notorious bottle-neck, and would get worse once the railway (now High Street Kensington) opened. The Vestry wanted it, the ratepayers wanted it, businesses wanted it, but St. Mary Abbott’s graveyard would have to go. Those objecting were put down. [wlo 22 July]
24.—The Bishop of London would consecrate Fulham Cemetery at 6 p.m. The new cemetery was condemned in the letters page: “All the money they borrowed gone and what have they got for it? A ugly nondescript building, ricketty railings which anybody may pull down, a great portion of which fell down without pulling . . . ” [wlo 22 July]
24.—At Hammersmith Court, Charles and Frederick Lockyer and John Lewis were charged with breaking windows in the Anglesea Arms, Swan Lane, Brompton, landlady Mrs. Pitcher. After being turned out for riotous behaviour Frederick broke two windows with his fist (needing hospital treatment) and Mrs. Pitcher received a cut over the eye. Lewis fined 20s. or one month, the Lockyers discharged after Mrs. Pitcher did not press charges. [29 July]
25.—The Kensington Guardians visited the Plashet School (children chargeable to the parish). They found opthalmia prevalent, especially among the boys. Otherwise the school was clean and had good order. The Guardians left £2 with the matron for a treat for the children. [cn 29 July]
26.—After the routine business there was a long discussion at Kensington Vestry on the Jennings Buildings and a Committee was appointed to make sanitary improvements. [cn 29 Jul]
27.—At Chelsea Vestry the report of A. W. Barclay, M.D., medical officer, was read. Whilst the mortality in Chelsea was below the average for London there had been a high number of deaths from diarrhoea in the last fortnight: 11 children and infants. [cn 29 Jul]
29.—B. Carter, Cadogam Zinc Works, 5 Bond Street, Chelsea (opposite the Red House) manufacturer of Sky-lights, Gutters, Wind Guards, etc. advertised a large assortment of stock and experienced workmen to fit them. [cn 29 Jul]
29.—The West London Times, which had run for 285 issues, changed its name to the Chelsea News. Letters to the editor etc. should be sent to R. Land, 11 Sherwood Street, Regent Street. [cn 29 Jul]
29.—The Bishop of London would lay the foundation stone of St. Andrew’s School, Latymer Road, at 7 p.m., after which he would deliver a address. Further information from A. Dalgarno Robinson, M.A., incumbent. [wlo 29 July]
29.—The building strike partly ended with the carpenters and joiners going back to work with wages increased to 7½d. an hour and “after the 28th proximo, agreeing to wait for the other until March next.” The masons appeared to still be on strike. [wnl 5 Aug]
31.—Around 9 a.m. fire broke out in the basement of the premises of Samuel Parkhouse, draper, 2 Clifton Terrace, Fulham Road (Regent House). Watling Street fire engine and the other parish engines attended, and the damage done was not considerable. Insured. [cn 5 Aug]