Below are a selection of events for September 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.
| September | ||||||
| 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* |
2.—The “near famine” prices of butchers’ meat was commented on, which an unnamed Chelsea butcher explained was down to the meat coming from abroad, with the cattle plague leading to great scarcity. [cn 2 Sep]
4.—The Cowkeepers, Diarymen, &c. would meet at the National School rooms, Hammersmith to receive a report on the Cattle Disease. The paper’s editorial was also on the cattle plague, pointing out the immense damage it could cause by stopping the milk supply and pushing up the price of meat. [wlo 2 Sept]
5.—Fulham Workhouse presented “a scene of mirth and happiness” as an annual treat for the school children was held. An omnibus with a pair of horses with other transport, accompanied by Capt. Conwun’s Company of Volunteers’ brass band, took the children to Hampton Court where there was beef, bread, ale and lemonade, football, plum pudding, races etc. [wlo 9 Sept]
6.—The Chelsea Guardians would appoint a night porter for the workhouse. Applicants should be active men between 30–45 and apply in their handwriting. A single man would be preferred. Salary £20 per annum with board, lodging and washing. [cn 26 Aug]
7.—Mr. Bird held an inquest at the Arundel, Kensington, on the death of James Rice, aged 51, a hair-dresser. His son, also James Rice a hair-dresser, of 11 Allen Street, Lambeth, said his father had recently been freely indulging in drink. Sir Edward Blennerhasset found the deceased dying and a post modern found death was caused by poisoning by essential oil of almonds. [wlo 9 Sept]
9.—Royal Cremorne Gardens reminded readers that in the “continue delightful weather” their Special Summer Fete, refreshment rooms and dancing platforms were ready to welcome customers. The new Trotting Ground in the Ashburnham was nearly completed and the Giants of the Forest and the Sea were attracting much attention. [wlo 9 Sept]
12.—At Chelsea Vestry the Medical Officer reported that despite precautions a cow had died of the cattle plague in the parish. The Guildhall had resolved to erect a sanitarium for diseased cattle, cost £1,000, to try and stem the plague. Mr. Rhind thought inspections, not cattle hospitals, were required. [cn 16 Sep]
13.—Matthew Welsh, aged 3, of Jenning’s Buildings, Kensington, had his clothes catch fire from a candle his mother had placed on the table, and was rapidly envoloped in flames. He was taken to St. George’s Hospital but died on admission. [wlo 16 Sep]
14.—A special Excursion Train would call at Chelsea at 7.10 and Kensington at 7.20 a.m. on its way to Weston-Super-Mare, Taunton, Paignton etc., returning on the 23rd September. For details contact J. Grierson, General Manager, Paddington station. [wlo 2 Sept]
15.—The Chelsea Literary and Scientific Institution commenced its public series of “amusement and instruction” at the Vestry Hall where Mr. D. Kennedy delineated the Scotch character with readings and songs. Mr. Land’s “Recollections of Burns” were much appreciated. [cn 23 Sep]
15.—At the Kensington Vestry Hall F. Godrich, medical officer, read a report on his inspection of Messrs. Tucker’s candle factory [which was opposite the hall and caused a great smell.] No melting of fat was being done, nor was there any fat on the premises. Fat normally arrived by cart at 8 p.m. and melting started at 10 p.m. All was found to be in order and the Vestry could not close him down. [wlo 23 Sep]
16.—The editorial congratulated residents of Kensington and Hammersmith on the completion of the six month’s work to “perfect” the Hammersmith and City Railway line, which was built to carry 12 trains a day, whereas 90 trains, in both directions, were demanded. [wlo 16 Sep]
16.—In noting that there was a great deal of the potato disease, the newspaper quoted a salesman at Farringdon market saying he had to throw away 30 bushels a week, which weren’t even fit for the pigs. [wlo 16 Sep]
17.—At 11 a.m. at Kensington Presbyterian Church, Foxley Road, the Rev. Gavin Carlyle, M.A., editor of The Collected Writings of Edward Irving, would begin a series of lectures on the life of Jesus. [wlo 16 Sep]
18.—At Hammersmith Police Court John Lund was charged with stealing stone belonging to his former employers, Messrs. Corbett and M’Clymott, builders, of West Brompton. Lund had directed John Brown, a carman in service of Corbett and M’Clymott to take the stone to near Lund’s house. Remanded. [wlo 23 Sep]
20.— Henry Patlept, Peter Street, Westminster, was walking to his work at Cremorne, Chelsea, when approaching Rother’s lime and brick works by the Thames he saw the drowned corpse of George Allsopp, 22, of 7 Little Durham Street, Chelsea. At the inquest George’s father John, a general dealer, said George had lately been intemperant. Verdict: death by drowning. [wlo 23 Sep]
22.—At 2 a.m., Henry Flood, 23, a carpenter employed by Messrs. Pickering, contractors who were building an arch for the new London Bridge Railway, was getting down after finishing the arch, when it collapsed and he was killed. Accidental death but stronger plates must be used in future. [cn 30 Sep]
23.—George William Miller, 1 Heath Place, Shepherd’s Bush was adverting his 4s. a week service of taking horses to grass at Wormholt Farm, Shepherd’s Bush which was only 3¼ miles from Marble Arch. [wlo 23 Sep]
25.—The Kensington Friends of Labour Mutual Loan Society would hold its regular Monday meeting from 8 to 10 p.m. at the George Tavern, Church Street, Kensington. Information from Mr. Blunden, established 1860 etc. [wlo 23 Sep]
26.—Stephen Harris, 8 Alexander Villas, Uxbridge Road, was summoned for travelling on the Hammersmith and City railway on the 10th, and failing to provide a ticket, claiming he’d paid and left it in the carriage. E. Thomas, barrister, gave evidence that Harris had purchased a ticket. Mr. Ingham, magistrate, said anyone who could not produce a ticket should pay again. Fined 5s. and 2s. [wlo 30 Sep]
27.—During the trial of Thomas Pabey, aged 45, at Westminster Police Court, for being drunk in Brompton Road the previous night, Sergeant Morgan informed the court that large crowds were nightly assembling outside 56 and 58 Brompton Road, believing them haunted. This blocked the road traffic. [wlo 30 Sep]
28.—At the first meeting of Metropolitan District Railway the directors announced they had raised capital, purchased land, appointed Sir Morton Peto and Co. contractors at £1,710,000, and started works on Kensington to Cannon Street. [This is now known as the south-western part of the Circle line and would result in Gloucester Road being dug up to provide a station.] [wlo 30 Sep]
30.—It was announced that an iron girder railway bridge would “forthwith” be built across Fulham Broadway, in an oblique direction to the east side of Mr. Hunt’s premises. The houses of Mr. Churchman, Mr. Mussared and Mrs. Gayleard would be required. [wlo 30 Sep]
30.—Francis Ede, 23 Drayton Grove, Brompton, after leaving Mr. Manson’s tavern at 12 Oakley Street, Chelsea, missed his gold watch and money. At the subsequent trial an Abel Beer (22 November), who had deserted his wife and children in Lyme Regis, was found to have left a gold watch inscribed “Catherine Ede” at his lodgings. Francis explained Catherine Ede was his aunt who gave him the watch 29 years ago. Unable to admit paperwork, Mr. Arnold discharged Beer. [wlo 25 Nov]