Below are a selection of events for August 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.
| August | ||||||
| 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.—Chiswick Church advertised that after £577 15s. donations for repairs received, a further £46 had been given (names listed). S. Hirst, a Cambridge graduate, 21, Merton Road, Kensington, advertised lessons on the Philosophical Principles of the English Language. Lessons by post available. [wlo 1 Aug]
1.—John Cowland, Builder, Notting Hill, gave a substantial roast beef dinner with plumb pudding etc. to 200 of his employees at Rye House, Hoddesdon. Afterwards all took part in the sports: boating, rifle shooting, horse race, cricket, aunt sally etc. [wlo 8 Aug]
1.—A Margaret Ann Guelph married to Albert Edward Guelph by Cardinal Wiseman, appeared at Hammersmith Police Court against James Roe, Priest of Brompton Oratory, for unlawfully detaining a gold ring. Roe hadn’t received summons so case dismissed, when Margaret’s mother claimed her daughter’s father was George the Fourth. [wlo 8 Aug + 29 Aug]
2.—Mark Huxley, a drunk and wife abuser, appeared again at Hammersmith Police Court. His wife was well-known in Kensington as a hard-working women who maintained her family by keeping a stall near the Crown public house. Although married for 23 years, the last 6 years had seen increasing abuse. She eventually pleaded for his release. [wlo 8 Aug]
4.—In a batch of Vestry Summons the owner of 49, Chapel Place, Brompton, was ordered to drain a stable which was in an unwholesome state for lack of drainage. [wlo 8 Aug]
5.—At 2.30 p.m. Richard Reeves left his coat in a phæton outside his shop-door at Earl’s Court and returned shortly afterwards to find a group of boys had stolen it. John and Alfred Bolton were charged, produced an alibi which was countered by P.C. Jenkins who saw them at the time near Rich Terrace in the Brompton Road. Remanded. [wlo 8 Aug]
6.—At Fulham Board of Guardians a letter from Mr. G. Cushen, a young butcher who supplied meat to the out-door poor, was read, complaining that the Board had paid its other trademen but not him. It turned out his bill was in a locked box which the Board couldn’t open because W. D. Slater, clerk, was ill and had the key. [wlo 8 Aug]
7.—The inquest was held into the death of George Triste, 69, who lived with his sister at 16 Hendon Place, Kensington. For over a year brother and sister had refused to let anyone enter the house, and when Triste died his body was found to be covered with vermin, the house swarming with them, filthy rags everywhere, no furniture or beds etc. It was thought both had money as there was plenty of food. [wlo 8 Aug]
8.—John Furby, 47 Addison Road North, Notting Hill, was advertising all daily papers supplied or lent to read. As well as piano music half price, he was selling off 500 library books at 3d. per volume. [wlo 8 Aug]
10.—J. A. Smith would be selling the furniture of 4 Overington Square, Brompton, at noon. Arabian and Parisian bedsteads, Brussells Stair Carpeting, Rosewood Drawing-Room suite in Tabard etc. [wlo 8 Aug]
10.—At Hammersmith Police Court Ellen O’Connell was charged with assaulting a young man, Matthew Handley, with a broomstick, after they had been quarrelling most of the night. Fined half-a-crown or 7 days imprisonment. [wlo 15 Aug]
12.—Fulham Board of Works considered the sewers that were needed for Fulham and district, with the total coming to £39,818. Given the large sum it was decided to print and distribute the plans. A loan of £40,000 would be required, to be paid back over 30 years. [wlo 15 Aug]
13.—When John Bailey, aged 8, appeared before Hammersmith Police Court for throwing stones at the apple trees in Sir James South’s garden, Campden Hill, Kensington, Mr. Dayman (magistrate) said the gardener should have thrashed him with a cane as the parents would prefer that to the court. Admonished and case dismissed. [wlo 15+22 Aug]
15.—The Gauntlett Brothers, Manor House, 7 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, were advertising their successful mode of photographing children. Wednesday and Saturday were especially for children. [wlo 8+15 Aug]
17.—The Notting Hill Philanthropic Society would, for the 21st time, run their annual Steam Boat Excursion to the Nore and Sheerness in aid of funds. The Sea Swallow would have a band on board; tickets 3s. 6d. adult, 2s. 6d. child. [wlo 25 Jul]
18.—William Swift, Jennings’ Buildings, Kensington, appeared at Hammersmith Police Court charged with assaulting William Ryan, an Irishman, with a steel file. Incident arose out of a row between the Swifts and Ryans. Referring to the Jennings’ Buildings Mr. Selfe, the magistrate, asked “Does it ever stop?” [wlo 25 Aug]
19.—Dennis Swift, father of William Swift, Jennings’ Buildings, Kensington, appeared at Hammersmith Police Court charged with assaulting Patrick Fitzgerald. A further charge of assaulting the Ryans [see 18th] with “pokers, files and other deadly weapons” was brought. Two months 14 days hard labour. [wlo 25 Aug]
22.—“When are we to hear the last of Jennings’ Buildings and its abominations?” asked the Editorial. The inhabitants “are a standing disgrace to a civilized country”. The Editorial claimed Kensington would be delighted if it burn down. [wlo 22 Aug]
22.—Frank Fowler, journalist, author, secretary of the Library Company, died at his residence Oakley Cottage, Hammersmith after a short illness, aged 30. A widow and 3 young children were left unprovided for. [wlo 29 Aug]
24.—Mr. E. W. Frazer, 7 years a gardener to the Queen, now a beer-shop keeper in Hammersmith, appeared before Hammersmith Police Court charged with having wine on the premises. Frazer had applied for a wine license but before it was granted the wine he ordered (£70 worth) arrived. Fined but instructed how to appeal. [wlo 29 Aug]
26.—Kensington Vestry considered the Exhibition Refreshment Department Appeal Case. The legal costs had come to £371 6s. and 8d. with the Vestry having to pay half. There were considerable misgivings at starting the action, but Mr. Banting said they had “got out of it very satisfactorily.” (see 25 Aug 1863) [wlo 29 Aug]
27.—Kensington Board of Guardians considered the case of a boy, Waldon, 14, who was sent from Plashet School wearing a wet shirt with no other clothes, to be bound apprentice to Mr. Bull, a Plaistow tailor. Waldon arrived seriously ill. School to explain. [wlo 29 Aug]
29.—The stock in trade of D. Lynn, Upholsterer, 5 Newland Place, Kensington, were being sold off. Items included a Chandelier, £3 15s., various tables and a capital carding machine. [wlo 29 Aug]
31.—John Green, toll collector, appeared before Hammersmith Police Court charged with detaining a whip belonging to John Luckett, tobacconist, Westbourne Place, Paddington. Luckett hadn’t shown his toll exemption ticket at Harlesden Green Gate and whip was taken in payment. Green to pay 2d. toll and Luckett’s 2s. 6d. costs, with whip to be returned. [wlo 5 Sep]