Below are a selection of events for February 1866 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 1866 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.
| February | ||||||
| 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* | |||
2.—The libel charge against West London Observer, brought by Mr. Bendall, a butcher of Notting Hill, in consequence of their printing a letter by Mr. Lovett, was dismissed. In the printed letter Mr. Lovett, Sanitary Inspector for Kensington, said Mr. Bendall sold bad meat. [wlo 3 Feb]
3.—Progress on the underground railway was reported: a quarter of a mile of houses had been demolished in Queen’s Road, Bayswater; at Campden Hill (Kensington) two shafts of the 400 yard tunnel had been sunk; building of High Street Kensington station had commenced; the brickwork was well advanced at Earl’s Court, extensive excavations were underway at Cornwall Road, South Kensington, Pimlico, Victoria Station etc. [wlo 3 Feb]
3.—The Brompton and Chelsea Volunteer Fire Brigade were again advertising that gentlemen residing in the area and desirous of joining as active members should obtain an application form from the Guard Room, 177 Fulham Road. [cn 3 Feb]
3.—17 Seaton Street, King’s Road, Chelsea, a substantially built 10 room house (gas laid on, drained to sewer) was to be sold freehold for a term of 459 years. A few minutes walk from the railway station and steam boat pier. Apply to L. Rigsby, 6 Britannia Terrace, King’s Road, or on the premises. [cn 3 Feb]
4.—At St. Stephen’s Church, Shepherd’s Bush, at the second morning service (11 a.m.) and evening service (6 p.m.), collections would be made in aid of the Choir Fund. The Rev. Alexander J. D. D’Orssy (of Corpus Christi College) would preach. [wlo 3 February]
6.—About 7 p.m. Eliza Matilda Peache, 19, barmaid in the service of Mr. Williams, Portobello Tavern, Kensal New Town, threw herself into the canal between Paddington and Kensal New Town after a private domestic quarrel. Although rescued alive, she expired shortly afterwards. [cn 10 Mar, wlo 17 Mar]
6.—The New West London Fancy Rabbit Club would hold their half-yearly show at the Pembroke Arms, Pembroke Square, Earl Street, Kensington. Admission 6d. [wlo 3 Feb]
7.—A numerously attended concert took place at West End Chapel New School-Rooms with pieces such as Mozart’s Glory to God in the Highest, Mendelssohn’s Morning Prayer etc. ending with Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. Performers gave their time freely and proceeds went to liquidating the School Room debt. [wlo 10 Feb]
8.—The Notting Hill Tradesmen’s Ball took place at Victoria Hall, Westbourne Grove. Most of the fashion of this “select neighbourhood” were present, and the catering, by Mr. Kingham, gave the fullest satisfaction. [wlo 10 Feb]
11.—In the evening the Rev. W. C. Frith, for many years Pastor of the Congregational Chapel, Chiswick, was knocked down by a cart whilst crossing Pentonville Hill road. His died of his injuries a few hours later. An inquest was adjourned to 28th March in order to locate the cart driver. [wlo 24 Mar]
12.—Applications were due for the post of organist at St. John’s Church, Walham Green. Duties included three services on a Sunday, one evening in the week for practise, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Ash Wednesday. Salary £30 per annum. Apply via the churchwardens: William Sadler, 5 Waterford Road; James Curtis, 17 Moor Park Road. [wlo 3 Feb]
13.—Chelsea Benevolent Society would give an amateur concert in the Vestry Hall. The band of the Royal Military Asylum would perform, various vocalists and the American Coloured Minstrels (registered title) would give their Serio-comic entertainment. [cn 10 Feb]
13.—Kensington Vestry considered an application from Mr. Amphlett, 49 Grove Place, to alter an iron grating in front of 181 Brompton Road so it could be opened. They also considered an application from Mr. Brignall, 74 Brompton Road, for permission to place a 6 inch. stone step on the pavement in front of his house. Both refused. [wlo 24 Mar]
14.—Mr. Woolgar’s annual entertainment at the Vestry Hall, Chelsea, would consist of selections from Macbeth with Locke’s original Music, a miscellaneous concert and recitations. Also appearing would be Chelsea Glee Club (chairman C. Chamberlain). Stalls 3s., reserved seats 2s., body of hall 1s. [cn 10 Feb]
17.—C. Snelling, the Grosvenor Tea Warehouse, 32 Grosvenor Row, Pimlico, reminded readers that Gladstone’s budget for 1866 had again reduced tea duty and as a result a new tariff would apply: Snellins’s Popular tea, 2s.; Gladstone Mixture, 2s. 3d.; good sound Congou 1s. 6d. (all prices per pound). [cn 17 Feb.]
17.—The Chelsea News apologised that a serious accident had occurred and two pages were “literally broken to pieces” and therefore the edition would have little local news. [cn 17 Feb]
20.—At the meeting held in Chelsea Vestry Hall to support the Primates and Bishops in maintaining the purity of the Church of England (Mr. R. C. L. Bevan in the chair), the inertness of the clergy towards recent ritualistic practices was condemned. The Earl of Cavan said the church had been betrayed by “men who were no more protestant that Dr. Manning.” A suitable resolution was unanimously adopted. [cn 24 Feb]
23.—At 3 p.m. Chelsea Vestry would meet to consider tenders for cartage. Parties tendering should supply horses, carts and drivers as may be required in any part of the parish: apply on the proper forms, and appear in person at the Vestry. [cn 17 Feb]
24.—A very crowded meeting at Kensington Vestry Hall discussed the forthcoming improvements to the High Street, and their impact upon the poor. Mr. Hawkins said 300–400 poor would be turned out of their homes. Lord Lennox said traffic had increased enormously during his long residence in Kensington. Mr. Freeman recalled the frequent accidents in the narrow part of the High Street. Robert Cocks said the poor wanted the improvements. Mr. Field could not understand why there was opposition. [cn 3 Mar]
24.—A clergyman named Griff obtained a verdict against the Metropolitan Railway of £2,000 on a house in Thurloe Square, Brompton. Evidence showed property values were increasing in Brompton and the house, let at £85, was now worth £150 a year. [cn 3 Mar]
25.—At 5 a.m., a 70 year old bearded man, about 5 ft. 10 in., who had taken a passage from London to Southwold, Suffolk, on board the steamer Rainbow, was missed and presumed to have committed suicide. His possessions were left with the Yarmouth Police (the Rainbow plied between London and Great Yarmouth). [wlo 3 Mar]
26.—“Equity” wrote to the papers complaining of the low wages of Market Garden labourers in Fulham Fields. Six weeks either side of Christmas they got 13s. 6d. per week for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; then until May 15s. a week for 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; then 3d. per hour for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Many labourers were poor, had large families, and were Irish. [wlo 3 Mar]
28.—Archdeacon Sinclair, Vicar of Kensington, laid the corner-stone of St. Stephen’s church in South Kensington. The church would not cost less than £13,000, was designed by Joseph Peacock and Rev. John Astbury Aston would be the incumbant. [wlo 3 Mar]