Below are a selection of events for June 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.
| June | ||||||
| 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.—Customers were invited to try Rushton’s home-made boots and shoes, 12 Earl Street, Kensington: a large stock was always on hand. Similarly, Lawrence’s sedative cough lozenges (recommended by several medical practitioners) and prepared H. Lawrence, Dispensing Chemist, 49 High Street Kensington. [wlo 2 June]
2.—The second of the Cremorne Gardens fashionable fetes was held with half-a-crown entrance covering all attractions (previously lower entrance fees didn’t cover everything within.) Blondin walked the rope, El Nino (a “marvellous and handsome boy” aged 8) performed on the trapeze, then his father Signor Farini performed, etc. [wlo 2 Jun]
5.—At Chelsea Vestry A. W. Barcley, medical officer, reported that in the three weeks ending 26 May that in Chelsea there had been 5 deaths each from Measles, scarlatina, and whooping coughs (i.e. total of 15 deaths) and one of small pox, but so far there was no appearance of Cholera. [cn 9 Jun]
6.—The Choral and Instrumental classes of the Literary Institution, Chelsea, gave a very successful concert in the Vestry Hall. There were over 100 performers and proceeds went to their conductor, Mr. H. R. Bird. [cn 16 Jun]
7.—Mr. Blackwell, master of Kensington Workhouse, presented his report for the week: workhouse had 436 inmates, 20 had been admitted, 1 born, 17 discharged and 4 died. His letter saying that the number of pauper nurses in the workhouse was insufficient was also read, but the Vestry deferred consideration. [cn 9 Jun]
9.—The 54th Annual Report of the Chelsea, Brompton and Belgrave Dispensary had just been published: patients admitted increased from 3,289 to 3,489 compared to previous year; 223 poor married women attending in their confinement; 1,222 causal cases had been dealt with etc. [cn 9 Jun]
10.—Mr. C. Herrick of Richmond was taking a large cross-bred bulldog to give it a swim in the river when it attacked him. After a long struggle he managed to free his arm, which was severly lacerated, only for the dog to seize it again. Two boys in a boat came to his assistance with a knife, and he killed the dog. [wlo 16 Jun]
11.—The West London Observer noted that after a long and somewhat stormy meeting the shareholders of the Firm of Overend, Gurney and Co. unanimously agreed to wind up the estates voluntarily. A committee to meet the liquidators was then appointed. [wlo 16 Jun]
12.—The Congregational Church, Edith Grove, West Brompton, would hold it’s opening services with Rev. S. Martin (Westminster) at 11:30 a.m. and the Rev. John Stoughton (Kensington) at 7 p.m. A cold collation (2s.) will be provided at 2 p.m. followed by addresses from ministers, tea (1s.) at 5 p.m. in marquee on adjoining ground. [wlo 2 June]
13.—A solider in the Grenadier Guards and Chelsea pensioner (John Keenan) were charged with steeling valuable shells from a hawker at the Prince Arthur beerhouse, Queen’s Road East, Chelsea. Each accused the other and both were committed. [cn 16 Jun]
13.—Kensington Vestry discussed the lack of water on Sundays. Mr. Kingdon said some parts of the parish were nearly 2 days without water as it was on early Saturday then again early Monday. Messrs. Wilkins and Strickland said Brompton was well supplied with it turned on Saturday night, and sometime Sunday mornigs. [wlo 16 Jun]
13.—Messrs. Peto, Betts and Co., contractors for the Metropolitan Railway, applied to form a permanent carriage entrance in the High Street, Kensington, adjoining Mr. Lloyd’s premises: granted on the usual conditions. [wlo 16 Jun]
14?.—An inquest was held in Chelsea Workhouse on the body of Ann Keenan, aged 45, wife of John Keenan, a penionser of Chelsea Hospital, who dropped dead at the top of Smith Street, King’s Road, Chelsea, whilst waiting for an Omnibus. Post mortem found rupture of blood-vessel. [cn 16 Jun]
15.—Miss Rogers, A. C. P., of King’s Road, Chelsea, died of consumption. She was greatly beloved of those who knew her and was related to John Rogers, Dr. Wm. Harvey and the Rev. Wm. Welton. [cn 23 Jun]
16.—James Sweeney, boat and shoemaker for the last 15 years announced that he was moving his business to 5 Queen’s Road East, Chelsea. Extensive assortment of 1st class goods including Wellington Boats, Blucher, Side Spring and Balmoral; ladies and children’s. A trial is respectfully solicited. [cn 16 May]
16.—“A Father of a Family” wrote to the paper complaining about the indecent imprints or photographs exibited in the stationers’ windows in Chelsea parish. Young girls and boys were “looking eagerly at these precious productions”. [cn 16 Jun]
17.—The Rev. W. M. Stratham, Trevor Chapel, Brompton would preach at 3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. at the newly opened Congregational Church, Edith Grove, West Brompton. (see 12 June). [cn 2 June]
18.—The editorial, entitled “The Cup Dashed from our Lips” bewailed that the Bill that would have turned Chelsea into a Borough had fallen in Parliament on this day, when the Ministry were beaten. The paper believed this was hope deferred, and Chelsea would one day be a Borough. [cn 23 June]
18.—Eliza Bushnell, wife of a journeyman tailor, Walgrave Road, Earl’s Court, Kensington, appeared in court charged with verbally abusing her neighbour Mrs. Eliza Griffen for the past six months: accusing her of murdering her son by means of poison and a galvanic battery, of making a hole in the wall between the two houses, of trying to kill her using the hole and a battery etc. Deemed insane and the usual steps taken. [wlo 23 Jun]
19.—Around 7 p.m. Henry Darling, cabman, of 23 Denmark Street, Brompton was driving at a furious rate down Regent Street, with John Osborne (26 Bedfordbury, butcher) and Edward Bazley, 7 Newport Market (smith) both drunk on the top of the cab. Having run over a gentleman he was stopped by Mr. Mend and later bailed for £40. [wlo 23 Jun]
20.—Reuben Green, Clerk to the Kensington Vestry, issued a tender for the construction of two 250 foot sewers in Richmond and Earls Court Road, together with side entrances, air shafts, gullies, etc. Plans etc. available from James Broadbridge, Vestry Surveyor, and all tenders to be submitted by 4 p.m. on 6th July 1866. [cn 23 June]
21.—The body of Michael O’Dowd, aged 30 and assistant to Mr. Bowden, surgeon of Crawford Street, was found dead in Kensington Gardens. O’Dowd had lately taken to smoking and drinking and it appeared that after taken laudanum he drank from a bottle of hydrocyanic acid. At the inquest the deceased was shown to be of curious habits. [cn 30 Jun]
23.—The newspaper thought that like the late strange series of accidents in the Welwyn Tunnel on the Great North Line, where train had run into train with astonishing rapidity, the Stock Market was running dangerously fast, and the recent panic in the City had overborne many good and solvent houses, ruining many a stately pile. [cn 23 June]
23.—Miss Cooke would deliver a lecture on the Life and Times of Jane Grey in the Kensington Vestry Hall at 8 p.m. All proceeds to the Kensington Industrial Home for Crippled Boys, 31 High Street. Tickets from the home, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Spalding’s etc. [wlo 26
24.—A small brown dog, very long body, of the Turnspit breed, was lost in East Acton. A 10s. reward was available to whoever would bring the dog to Sulhamstead House, Turnham Green. [cn 1 July]
26.—James Lovell, a gypsy, at 8.45 p.m. was seen riding a grey horse furiously down St. Anns Road, Notting Hill by PC. A summons could not be served so a warrent was issued and later at court Lovell said the horse could not go faster than 7 miles an hour and somebody hit it. Fined 20s. and 2s. costs. [wlo 14 Jul]
27.—The Kensington Vestry received a report from the Brompton Road Improvement Committee (signed by Sir Wentworth Dilke etc.) saying that because of difficulties caused by obstructive householders re: Improvement of Queen’s Buildings, the committee had transferred their power and funds elsewhere. [cn 30 Jun]
27.—Fulham Board of Works received an offer of £40 from the Metropolitan Board of Works to purchase the small fire engine, much condemned and derided as the Hammersmith Squirt. The engine had been purchased by public subscription and the churchwardens and given to the board. As it was the board’s property, they sold it. [wlo 30 Jun]
28.—The Kensington Improvement Bill received Royal assent in the House of Lords and so the widening of the High Street would now go ahead, enabled by the law of the land. It would be discussed in the next Vestry meeting. [wlo 30 Jun]
29.—“Northender” (i.e. someone living North End Road, Hammersmith) wrote to the paper complaining that by 11 a.m. Tuesday morning the Hammersmith road, between the Red Cow and railway bridge had not been watered. (The weather had been very hot and much dust was present). [wlo 30 Jun]
30.—The Hairdressers’ Saturday Early Closing Association announced that the following Brompton and Kensington employers would close their establishments at 5 p.m. on Saturdays: Mr. Couteau, Mr. Phillip, Mr. Caum, Mr. Slack and Mr. Horswell. [mp 30 Aug]
30.—Among the books being advertised by A. H. Bailey and Co., Exchange Buildings, Cornhill (West End agent R. G. Glenie, Sporting Library, 4 Connaught Terrace, Hyde Park) was William John Lawson’s Who’s Who for 1866. [cn 30 June]
30.—Mr. B. Mumford, 245 East Street, Old Kent Road, had a plot of land in Chelsea for sale: frontage of 98 feet in Lawrence Street and 87 feet in Little Cheyne Row. Mr. Macrow, 80 Marlborough Road, Brompton, was selling an 8 roomed house in Chelsea, term 99 years with ground rent £7 for £450. [cn 30 June]
30.—William Henry White of 12 Gloucester Terrace, Hereford Square and 14 Southampton street, Strand, was declared bankrupt. He would be discharged 11 October 1866. [London Evening Standard 10 may 1867]