Below are a selection of events for May 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.
| 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* | ||
2.—W. L. Diggens, clerk to the Chelsea Guardians, advertised for a relieving officer for one the Chelsea districts, in which he would have to reside, devoting his whole time to the duties etc. A security of £150 would be required and the salary was £150 per annum. Applicants must attend the selection meeting on 23rd May, which would be in the board room of Chelsea Workhouse. [cn 5 May]
2.—At Kensington Vestry a proposal to renumber Gloucester Road, Old Brompton, was declined as outside the Vestry’s control; Messrs. Peto, Betts & Co. applied to demolish two lamps in Pembrdige Square and others in Stamford Road so they could construct the Metropolitan Railway; the appeal of the Hereford Arms public house, Gloucester Road, against removing its lamp, was dismissed. [wlo 5 May]
5.—Wilkins & Son, oil, colour and Italian warehousemen, 63 & 65 Fulham Road, Brompton, announced the dissolution of their partnership of 34 years. In future only John Wilkins would carry on the business, 4 doors from the old shop at 55 Fulham Road. [cn 5 May]
5.—A clergyman of the Church of England possessing an income of £2,000 a year sought a lady of suitable position and education with a view to matrimonial alliance. Write to “Alma”, 8 Robert Street, Grosvenor Square, London. [wlo 5 May]
6.—Henry Hobart, Scarsdale Terrace, Kensington, was walking Kensington High Street when Charles Abraham Johnston, a tall, thin young man, who demanded a night’s lodging, and became threatening. This was repeated later when the police were called. Johnston claimed he suffered from epileptic fits and had come to London for treatment. Remanded. [cn 12 May]
7.—The 5th anniversary of the Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters [masons] was celebrated at the Court Houses, Kensington Arms, Warwick Road, Kensington, with nearly 40 members and their friends sat down to a large dinner. [cn 12 May]
8.—The Annual General meeting of the Governors and Subscribers of the West London Hospital, Hammersmith, would be held at the Hospital at 11 a.m. [wlo 5 May]
8.—After years of wrangling a very complex court case was brought against the Lots Road Trustees, in order to wrest control of compensation money awarded to them (in 1824) and transfer it the County Court, for distribution to the Parish. After considerable legal debate Sir Eardley Wilmont ordered the transfer, and the parish Vestry and newspaper were jubilant. [cn 12 May]
9.—At 1 p.m. Mr. George Berry, in conjunction with Messrs. Watlin and Son, would auction approximately 200,000 bricks (which had been cleaned and stacked) and were adjacent to Putney Railway Station. Catalogues from the auctioneer’s office (opposite the Putney Railway Station). [cn 5 May]
11.—Mr. Gibbons, the master of Chelsea Workhouse, accompanied by the matron, conducted some inmates to North Surrey School so that they could visit their children. The behaviour of the inmates was most satisfactory and they wished to thank the guardians for this indulgence. [cn 19 May]
12.—After a lot of meetings, a newspaper campaign etc. The Chelsea News editorial explained that if the current Reform Bill passed Chelsea and Kensington would become a borough, with two members of parliament. It felt, however, that this progress was to serve a radical party agenda to weaken the conservative interests, rather than to purely enfranchise the parishes. [cn 12 May]
12.—Mr. Thomas Dominick Tully, Fulham Manager for the Imperial Gas Company instructed George Thomas Condy to write to the newspaper demanding an apology for several libels, especially the paragraph headed Gas Encroachments. The newspaper claimed innocence and said perhaps the Gas Company won’t light cottages outside its works. [wlo 26 May]
13.—Late in the afternoon a fire broke out at Mr. Brown’s, the hairdresser, Sutherland Terrace, Pimlico. Mr. Brown’s cigar had set fire to some hair, but the engine arriving quickly, the property was saved, with damage to the first floor and kitchen: he was insured. [cn 19 May]
14.—The Universal League (for the relief of the distressed, and by practical application of Social Science to remove the numerous causes of want and crime) would hold a meeting to promote the Chelsea branch at the Vestry Hall, King’s Road, Chelsea which would be chaired by the Marquis of Townshend. Admission free, all welcome. [cn 12 May]
14.—“Hydro Philos”, Scarsdale Villas, Kensington wrote asking the newspaper to help get water delivered to Kensington 7 days a week. Currently the water company would not provide water on a Sunday, and his family invariably ran out, with all cisterns designed to hold a single day’s usage only. [wlo 19 May]
15.—Another meeting pushing for the Enfranchisement of Chelsea and Kensington would take place at the Chelsea Vestry Hall, King’s Road at 8 p.m. In particular it would consider the distribution of seats. [cn 12 May]
16.—At night a fire broke out in Mr. Doyle’s, grocer and tea dealer, 190 Sloane Street. Numerous engines attended but the building and contents were destroyed. The cause of the fire was unknown (no mention of insurance was made). [cn 19 May]
17.—Around 11 p.m. Mons. Arthur D. St. Martin, a respectable-looking man with hands neatly gloved and aged around 30, called at 11 Halsey Street, Chelsea, put a pistol in his mouth and blew out his brains. Mr. Doble, the chemist, tried to assist but life had fled. The later inquest found temporary insanity and inspector Holden was praised for his evidence collection as the deceased was a foreigner. [cn 19 May, cn 26 May]
18.—At The Duke of Sussex Acton Green at 5 a.m. the wife of Mr. Joseph Goodge gave birth to a daughter. [wlo 19 May]
18.—The Rev. George Heavyside, 63, a clergyman, was again tried for being drunk and incapable (same as previous instance last week) at Kensington Place, Notting Hill. He’d been staying with friends at Blandford Square, Noting Hill, but they evicted him for drunken habits. Fined another 5s. The following day he was again drunk etc. when he was locked up for 1 month. [wlo 26 May]
19.—Stuart Brothers, photographic artists &c., 47 Brompton Road, were offering superior carte de visite portraits at reduced prices: 24 copies 7s. 6d; 13 copies 4s. 6d. etc. Customers were asked to note the address, it was the second studio from Sloane Street, mistakes having been frequently made. [cn 19 May]
20.—Between 10 and 11 p.m. some person or persons entered the forecourt of 28 King’s Street, Hammersmith and broke an invalid’s chair. 50s. reward for information leading to conviction, or 25s. if accomplice does this. [wlo 26 May]
21.—Chas. Ernest’s Grand Evening Concert would take place in Chelsea Vestry Hall, admission 1s. (plus extras). Artistes included Ellen Glanville, Alfred Hemming etc.; the Vocal Quartett Union (who had appeared before the Prince and Princess of Wales); A. C. M. Chirsty Minstrels. Doors open 7.30 p.m., carriages can be ordered at 10.30 p.m. [cn 12 May]
22.—The four day International Horticultural Exhibition and Botanical Congress would be held at the 1862 Exhibition site with participants from all over Europe. Two international public discussions would take place, refreshments in the horticultural gardens, they’d be 3½ acres of exhibition and it would end with a grand banquet at the Guildhall. [wlo 5 May]
23.—Chelsea Vestry would hold a meeting for parishioners at the Vestry Hall, King’s Road, at 8.30 p.m. to consider how to appropriate the money received from the West London Extention Railway Company for the Extinction of the Lammas Rights in “The Lots” Meadow. [cn 26 May]
23.—Messrs. Dixon, Gawtry and D. O’Bryen retired as Vesrymen for Brompton Ward, and John Ball, Sloane Square; Edward Green, Brompton Road; and Robert Rawlinson, the Boltons were elected in their stead. [wlo 26 May]
24.—Robert Clinch, cheesemonger, Church Street, Kensington, advertised that if Mrs. Brymer did not remove her goods from his shop within 14 days they would be sold to defray expenses. [wlo 25 May]
26.—Various people were needed: the Lithography department of Bell’s Machine Printing Works, 133 King’s Road, Chelsea, wanted a respectable youth for an apprentice; 1 Alpha Terrace, Blenheim Street, Chelsea wanted a good, plain, needlewoman; and dress-making apprentices (premium according to circumstances) were wanted at 47 Halsey Street, Chelsea. [cn 26 May]
26.—The Fire-wood Manufactory, Chelsea Wharf, Queen’s Road West (near the Cadogan Pier) reminded people that its van regularly visited Chelsea, Brompton, Fulham, Welham Green, Parson’s Green, Notting Hill, Hammersmith, Battersea and Clapham with a constant supply of fire wood bundles. Contact Horner & Co. [cn 26 May]
28.—Fanny Temple, aged 5, died as a result of ill-treatment at Chelsea Workhouse. She had been found on the 23 filthy and bruised and under the charge of a drunken old woman sitting on Chelsea Old Church steps. The Workhouse had taken her in, called the doctor, but the case was too far gone. The inquest gave a verdict of manslaughter against Charles Temple, the father. [cn 2, 9, 16 Jun]
29.—At 8 p.m. in Chelsea Vestry Hall, Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., incumbent of St. Jude’s, Chelsea, would lecture on Mania: Its Types, Responsibilities, and Causes of Increase in England. Tickets 2s. reserved seats, 1s. gallery; proceeds to St. Jude’s National and Sunday schools. [cn 26 May, cn 2 Jun]
30.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Freeman, as one of the deputation to Mr. Cowper, First Commissioner of Works, reported that it had been agreed that the Crown Lands of Cromwell Road, Prince Albert’s Road and Exhibition Road would be properly made up by the Crown before they were handed over to the Parish. [cn 30 May]
30.—Ferrall and Son, auctioneers, 28 Thurloe Place, South Kensington, would sell the household furniture of 25 The Boltons, Brompton. Brass four-post, French and other bedsteads, wardrobes, chests of drawers, Walnut wood Drawing room suite, rich Chalie Curtains, chimley glasses in rich gilt frames etc. [wlo 26 May]
30.—“H” wrote to the newspaper warning that project was on foot to spend £600 to £1,000 on “painting and papering” the parish church of St. Mary Abbotts, Kensington. Why was money being wasted? Why were “we” Protestants “content to worship in a hideous barn, when our Roman Catholic brethren ... are rearing a temple to the Most High ... Where is Mr. Banting?” (i.e. Brompton Oratory and William Banting) [wlo 2 June]
31.—Mr. Edmonds, relieving office of Kensington, admitted Patrick Nagle, aged 11, of the Jennings Buildings, to the workhouse, as the child was starving, had scarce any clothes etc. His father, Garret, who worked on the railway and had only Patrick to support, was remanded for witnesses (i.e. child neglect). [wlo 9 Jun 2017]