Below are a selection of events for December 1860 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 1860 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.
| December | ||||||
| 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.—Kensington Potteries Infant and Ragged Schools continued their advert appealing for £350 “wanted immediately,” and listed current dontations—they had raised just under £40 so far.
3.—A “humorous lecture” was due to be delivered in the Temperance Hall, Black’s Road, Hammersmith by Mr. W. J. Auvache upon “The Manners and Customs of the East.” Admission 6d., reserved seats 1s.
5.—Fulham Board of Works heard that Dawes Lane footway from Parsonage to St. John’s Church was “very bad,” “ankle deep in mud.” Mr. Weaver then complained that when the roads were scraped the mud was allowed to lie in heaps without being removed. It was noted that many areas had been “broken up for laying down gas pipes.” Referred to the General Purposes’ Committee.
6.—Mrs. Thomas, landlady of 12, Trevor Square, Knightsbridge, was summed for assaulting Louisa Williams (“a tall, flashy-looking young woman”) of 4, Monpelier Terrace on 24 November. A bonnet had been torn and a face scratched. After “a long statement” etc. the case was dismissed.
6.—The foundation stone of St. Peter’s National School was laid by the Bishop of London. A long report appeared in the West London Observer.
7.—The British Electric Telegraph Company informed Fulham Board of Works that it intended at 8 p.m. to “open and break up the road ... called Shepherds Bush Green and Lane, and Brook Green and Lane ... to construct ... Electric or other Telegraph.” The West London Observer heralded it as “The Telegraph Coming to Hammersmith.”
8.—Hetherington and Dennis, 3 Lownes Terrace Knightsbridge were advertising their new Autumn stock of silks, shawls, droguets etc. The New Royal Rep Skirt was 7s. 11s., reduced from the usual 12s. 9d.
15.—The West London Observer editorial waxed lyrical on reports that the railway was coming to Hammersmith: “We may fairly expect not only one line but several ... picture ... the removal of the block of buildings forming the North Side of the Broadway, with a splended and commodious station on the site, with lines running to the four points of the compass.”
19.—Margaret Nagle, a “strong and stout-looking Irishwoman, who carried a child in her arms” was tried for fraudulently obtaining a blanket from a charitable society. She had claimed to live at 14 New Street, Notting Hill, but in fact lived in Jennings’s Buildings, Kensington. Sentenced to three months with hard labour.
19.—The Brentford Gas Company had written to Fulham Board of Works seeking payment of the latest quarterly bill by the following day. The bill was for £500, the Board had only £300 in hand. Referred to the Finance Committee.
22.— The Hammersmith Parochial Soup Kitchen advertised for donations; Elliott’s, 16 King Street, Hammersmith, advertised wholesale potatoes (13s. per sack of 168 lbs.); and a strong boy was required to turn the Mangle and make himself useful in a Laundry, apply 6 Bramley Terrace, Kensington Park.—All West London Observer.
25.—A seasonable present of a case of currants (48lbs.) had been presented by Mr. Pezzali to be eaten on Christmas Day. The Hammersmith Annual Christmas Dinner for the poor of Hammersmith, chiefly aged, took place at St. Paul’s School Rooms. 227 persons sat down to 565lbs. of meat, 520lbs. of plum pudding, 60 loaves, 36 gallons of ale, beside potatoes.
26.—The South Middlesex Volunteer Rifles would muster at Victoria Station at 9.50 a.m. and would proceed by rail to Caterham Junction and thence march to Caterham, visit the site of the proposed Volunteer Encampment. Each man should have ten rounds of blank ammunition. Return trips 6d. each, return train would leave Croydon at either 6 or 7 p.m.
28.—The annual Christmas Dinner for the distressed and deserving poor was due to be given at the National School Room adjoining St. Paul’s Church. An advert on 22 December in West London Observer solicited donations.
29.—Mr. Day, Sadler &c. had a well-bred mottle grey horse for sale, about 15 hands 2 inches high. £20 for the horse, £5 for a harness, £35 for accompanying carriage, the owner having no further use of them. The Necropolis Company also advertised its services, as they did every week.
29.—Coldest point (12.1 F) reached in the week. The whole week (25–29) had been very cold, with a heavy fall of snow on the evening of the 27th.
31.—The annual tea meeting of the Mothers’ Society would be held at the Norland and Kensington Potteries’ Ragged School room, St. James’s Place, Norland Square, S. Gurney Esq. in the chair. The Rescue Society would have their New Year’s Tea meeting at the same place on the 1 January 1861, followed by the Girls’ Ragged School tea meeting on the 3rd and the Boys’ Ragged School tea meeting on the 4th.