Below are a selection of events for June 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.
| 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 | ||||
1.—At Hammersmith Police Court Harriet Robinson and Emma Bourne, two young girls in deep morning were charged with picking flowers from graves in Brompton Cemetery. They had been caught by the Cemetery beadle, Farquhar, with a number of flowers in their pockets. Although liable to a £5 penalty, they were fined 5s. each, their friends paying the fine. [wlo 6 June]
1.—The night being cool and cloudless with a gentle wind from the south-east, many watched a total eclipse of the moon at around 8.50 p.m. lasting until 2.07 a.m. The newspaper printed a detailed account. [wlo 6 June]
3.—As Mrs. Jane Elizabeth Butler, 15 Blenheim Cresent, Kensington Park was leaving St. Peter’s she felt a hand in her pocket and missed her purse. Mary Ann Jackson, daughter of a pew opener, was apprehended and the purse found nearby. Case eventually dismissed for lack of evidence, after which it appeared 10 ladies lost purses at the same service. [wlo 6 June + 13 June + 20 June]
3+4.—A Bazaar would again be held at Zion House, Turnham Green, in aid of funds for the Ladies’ Institution for Females of Weak Intellect. Military Band in attendance. [wlo 9 May]
6.— Miss Crathern, daughter of the late William Crathern, Professor of Music, had removed to Prince’s Cottages, St. Peter’s Road, Hammersmith where she continued her instruction on pianoforte, harp and guitar. Terms moderate. [wlo 6 June]
8.—William Wade, a cab-driver, had agreed to pay 12s. a day for a cab and two horses from Robert Brown, 4, Pelham Street, Brompton. Brown sued for non-payment of 17s. but this was later dismissed as action started too late. [wlo 13 June]
9.—James Bird, Coroner, held an inquest into the murder of a child at Chelsea Workhouse. Thomas Dickinson, Chelsea surgeon, had been called to Elizabeth Harvey, kitchen maid at 6 Lowndes Square, who showed symptoms of having given birth. A search found a female child’s body with the throat cut from behind. Verdict: wilful murder. [wlo 13 June]
10.—The Prince of Wales, accompanied by his new wife, inaugurated Joseph Durham’s monument to the Great Exhibition of 1851. Situated on the Horticultural Gardens the memorial “if not very striking, is certainly in no degree offensive.” [wlo 13 June]
11.—At the Kensington Board of Guardians the master, Mr. Blackwell, reported that “persons who had servants ... expected to find the workhouse a wonderful place, and were greatly surprised to find it so different.” Two cases of smallpox had been admitted with Blackwell suggesting they should have gone to a hospital instead. [wlo 13 June]
13.—A 10s. reward was offered “To Printers and Others” if they would reveal who wrote the Handbill with a Mourning Border, headed “Died” and purporting to be “By a Forester”. Particulars to 99, King Street, Hammersmith. [wlo 6 + 13 June]
13.—Various gentlemen had assisted the editor of the West Middlesex Advertiser against liable claims arising from his editorial duties. The list of donations included C. Wentworth Dilke (£2 2s.), T. O. Halliwell, West Brompton (£1 1s.), T. B. Simpson, 6 Boltons, Brompton (£3 3s.) etc. and many others from Brompton and Chelsea. [wlo 23 May 13 Jun 27 Jun]
15.—Reuben Green, Clerk to Kensington Vestry, advertised that the contract for 2,000 yards of broken flints, to be delivered to Draw-dock, Hammersmith, was being tendered. The Works, Buildings and Sanitary Committee would award on 26th and the proper forms must be used. [wlo 20 Jun]
15.—The International Exhibition 1851 correspondence was released by the Government among which was Sir Morton Peto’s acceptance of £80,000 for the removal of a portion of the building, his feelings triumphing over questions of financial gain. Mr. Gladstone replied the Government had offered the full value. [wlo 20 Jun]
17.—At Kensington Vestry Mr. Broadbridge reported that Mr. Freake had setup workshops on the Old Brompton Road, narrowing it to 18ft. The buildings were temporary and would last until the estate was finished (15 years). Given Mr. Freake’s previous improvement of the parish the matter was dropped. [wlo 20 Jun]
17.—Kensington Vestry also heard that the improvements to Brompton Road, now almost complete, were expected to cost less than £1,000 — the parish was expecting a much higher figure. [wlo 20 Jun]
20.—J. Brown and Son, 15 King Street, Hammersmith, were advertising fresh real Devonshire butter 1s. 2d. and fine Dorset butter 1s. a lb.; hams from 6d. to 8d. a lb. [wlo 20 Jun]
22.—Catherine Rowe, 29, a domestic servant, attended an illegal fair at Sand’s End, Fulham, with her friend Susan Mills. Both rode in a swing boat but Catherine was forced out and twice crushed frightfully before the boat was stopped. She was pronounced dead at the scene. [wlo 27 Jun]
22.—George Borrow visits the gipsies of the Potteries at Notting Dale, which smells of hogs, spending time talking to their most famous resident, Thomas Herne. [source Lavo-Lil]
23.—With the permission of W. L. T. Robinson a bazaar would be held in St. Peter’s Square, Hammersmith, under the management of Hon. Mrs. Wrottesley etc. Proceeds to payment of church debts (cf. organ). Admission 1s., Mr. Green, Confectioner, supplying refreshments. [wlo 20 June]
23.—At the laying of the foundation stone of St. Saviour’s, Pimlico, Lord Grosvenor read the names of the subscribers: Marquis of Westminster, £7,000; George Cubitt, M.P., £1,000; etc. with £2,600 still needed. [wlo 27 Jun]
25.—W. D. Salter, Clerk of Fulham Union, advertised a tender to build a boundary wall at the east end and south wall of the workhouse. Plans available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. [wlo 27 June]
25.—As Valerio the wire-walker was performing on the 600ft wire in Cremorne Gardens the wire gave way and he fell 60ft to the ground. He was conveyed, insensible, to Chelsea Hospital but with no hope of recovery. Lightening was thought to have damaged the wire. [wlo 27 Jun]
26+27.—The two-day South Middlesex Rifle Volunteers Fair was held at Beaufort House with rain spoiling the Friday, but a fine day on Saturday. Among those attending were New Zealand Chieftans. There were bands, plays etc. but sadly Valerio did not perform, having died of his injuries. [wlo 20 Jun + 4 Jul]
27.—John Godbolt, Westcroft Place, Hammersmith, advertised funerals performed at stated charges, house building and life assurance. The Messrs. L. Caldesi & Co., 6 Victoria Grove, Kensington, advertised Cartes-de-Visite Portraits taken. [wlo 27 June]
29.—At the New Independent Chapel, Broadway, Hammersmith, a meeting heard Thomas Jones, secretary to the Building Fund, give a statement of accounts. Total costs were £2,863 of which £2,131 had been paid; £100 was in hand, leaving £632 to be raised to be raised by a new subscription. [wlo 4 Jul]
29.—The Ancient order of Foresters would hold their Grand Open Air Fete at Holland Park in aid of the West London Hopsital. Bands included Queen Victoria, Drum and Fife and Band of 2442. Entertainments included archery, aunt Sally, Punch and Judy, Sam Collins, W. T. Critchfield and Evanion (magician and ventriloquist). [wlo 27 Jun + 4 Jul]