Below are a selection of events for February 1863 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 1863 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* |
1.—Rev. Edward Twells, incumbent of St. John’s, Hammersmith, took leave of his congregation by preaching on 1 Cor. 9:26 in the morning and Psalm 127:1 in the evening. The following day he was ordained a Bishop and in a special evening service introduced Rev. J. G. Cowan as his successor. [7 Feb]
2.—Rev. Robinson, St. Andrew’s, Lancaster Road, appeared against the Hammersmith and City Railway, who had taken his school building in Latymer Road. Case dismissed but Railway Company donated £20 to help. [wlo 7 Feb]
2.—Mr. Morrison, a County Inspector of Weights and Measures who lately superseded the “Honest Jury of Kensington” appeared with his first batch of 20 cases against Kensington shopkeepers. [wlo 7 Feb]
2.—A meeting was held in The King’s Arms, Notting Dale, to resist attempts by Kensington to eject pig-keepers from Notting Hill. Strong language was used and £50 raised. A letter in the paper advocated buying out the “pig colony” before the railway arrived and increased house prices. [wlo 7 Feb]
4.—Benjamin Yatfield, a chimney-sweeper, drunk, abused the landlord of the Great Surprise, St. Ann’s Road, Notting Hill, and assaulted and kicked PC. No. 164. In the trial the following day he could not remember anything and was given 7 days imprisonment with hard labour to allow time “to reflect and recollect”. [wlo 7 Feb]
7.—W. H. Johnson, White Hart, Hammersmith, announced he’d been appointed sole agent for Hungarian Brandy. 4s. a bottle (pale or brown), 42s. per dozen and case included. [wlo 7 Feb]
8.—At St. Stephen’s, Shepherd’s Bush, Rev. Henry Twells, M.A., headmaster of Godolphin School would preach (collection for Choir); at St. John’s, Hammersmith, Edward Twells, Bishop of Orange River State, South Africa (former incumbent) would preach (collection for Mission). [wlo 7 Feb]
10.—At Chiswick Hall an Amateur Entertainment would be held in aid of the Lancashire Distress Fund. Choir, instrumental music, J. M. Morton’s comedietta The Little Savage, Miss Katherine Hickson presiding over Drama etc. Admission 1s., unreserved seats (with backs) 2s., chairs 3s. Doors open 7.30 p.m., carriages may be ordered at 11 p.m. [wlo 31 Jan]
11.—An amateur concert in aid of the Building Fund would be given in the New School Rooms, near St. James’s Square, Notting Hill, by ladies and gentlemen of the district, plus friends, at 8 p.m. Tickets 2s., 3s. and 5s. [wlo 7 Feb]
11.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Green reported the following bills had passed and were now in the Lords: West London Extension Railway; Barnes, Hammersmith and Kensington Railway; Hammersmith and City. The Kensington, Knightsbridge and Metropolitan Railway Bills, which would result in the demolition of Jennings’ Buildings, had been withdrawn. [wlo 14 Feb]
14.—Frederick Barker and Son’s Subscription Library (half a guinea per annum), 13 and 14 Dorcas Terrace, Hammersmith Gate, were advertising the latest additions to their library which consisted of thousands of books. Dickens, Thackeray, Trollope, Collins, etc. [wlo 14 Feb + 17+24+31 Jan]
16.—The first annual ball was held at the recently opened New Victoria Hall, Notting Hill. Around 150 ladies and gentlemen, lovers of the dance, attended in fashionable dress with music by Mr. Wells’s Quadrille Band and Mr. Christmas acting as M.C. [wlo 21 Feb]
17.—Around 7 p.m. a watchman noticed a fire at Messrs. W. & F. Radford’s Workshops, Pembridge Square, Notting Hill. The Notting Hill Volunteer Brigade and Engine were on the scene 8 minutes after being summoned, taking about 30 minutes to put the flames out. Other local engines arrived but were not required. Property insured. [wlo 21 Feb]
19.—Edwin Harris, organist to St. Peter’s Church, Hammersmith, would commence an Elementary Singing Class at St. Peter’s Boys’ School at 7.30 p.m. 3s. per quarter, tickets from Mr. Scott, Stationer, 4 Theresa Place, Hammersmith. [wlo 14 Feb]
21.—Ladies requiring good servants should contact Mrs. Bass’ Registry Office for Servants (opposite the Windsor Castle), King Street Hammersmith. Alternatively, the Gentry and Inhabitants were “respectfully informed” of Mrs. Hyder’s Registry Office for Domestic Services, 9 Bedford Terrace, Campden Hill, Kensington. [wlo 21 Feb]
21.—Butler Charles Nash of Lads of the Village beer-house, Kensal New Town, was inspected by Police Sergeant No. 5 who found 40 persons at the bar, some fighting. A follow-up visit occurred when there were 30 persons and 2 women fighting. Fined £3 and costs for keeping disorderly beer-house. [wlo 7 Mar]
22.—A sermon in aid of funds for West London Hospital would be preached Rev. Canon Morris at Holy Trinity, Brook Green, in the morning. [wlo 21 Feb]
24.— At 8 p.m. Rev. J. Stoughton would give a lecture on The City of Florence at the Hammersmith Institute, King Street. Free to subscribers, others 1s., or 10s. per annum, or 3s. per quarter; ladies 8s. per annum, 2s. 8d. a quarter. [wlo 21 Feb]
26.—Middlesex Volunteer Rifles: A friendly shooting match would take place at 2 p.m. at Beaufort House, between 10 Fulham Company and 10 Hammersmith Company. [wlo 21 Feb]
28.—A. D. Reynolds, 12 Angel Terrace, King Street, Hammersmith (from Marsh’s, Piccadilly) provides fashionable hair cutting for ladies and gentlemen. Hair cut 6d., children 3d. Families waited on at home at reasonable terms. Reynold’s Hair Dye and Stimulate (stops hair falling off) available. [wlo 28 Feb + 17 Jan etc.]