Below are a selection of events for May 1864 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 1864 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.
| May | ||||||
| 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 | ||||
3.—Fulham Vestry unanimously resolved to raise £7,000 on the poor rates, to be repaid over 20 years, to purchase Fulham Fields as a burial ground, and equip it with non-conformist and Church of England chapels. [wlo 7 May]
3.—The Rev. Nathanial Liberty, 27 Hereford Square, suffered a burglary with spoons, money, etc. being taken. Articles belonging to his mother-in-law, who lived with him, were also taken. (see also 11 May) [Central Criminal Court, 6 Jun, t18640606-600]
4.—The promoters of the South Kensington New Road asked Kensington Vestry if they would maintain the road, if the company did not erect bars at either end. Handsome mansion designs were submitted. Committee formed, decided yes. [wlo 7 May]
5.—Two services would be held as part of celebrate the St Mary’s, North End, jubilee celebrations, with collections made in aid of the church improvement fund. [wlo 30 Apr + 21 May ]
6.—John Buist (latter found to be John Webb) appeared at Hammersmith Police Court charged with stealing a watch from K. Mackenzie, Orford House, Chiswick Mall, which had been given to Mackenzie’s father by General Garibaldi. 3 months with hard labour. [wlo 14 May + 21 May]
7.—The 3rd London Rifles Regiment, 1,200 strong, would march through Hammersmith to the Windsor Castle, where it would go through drill. Volunteers intending to join would find no subscription or entrance fee, cost of uniform £2 10s. 10d. [wlo 30 Apr]
8.—The Rev. J. T. Marley, perpetual curate of Mortlake, would preach a sermon at St. Peter’s Church, Hammersmith, to raise money for the payment of the remainder of the debt from the painting &c. of the Church last year. [wlo 30 Apr]
9.—The second committee on metropolitan railways met to consider the Kensington Railway: running from the Great Western Hotel, Paddington, 1 mile 7½ chains to Notting Hill, near High Street, then 1 mile 43 chains and under Kensington High Street to Alfred Place West, Thurloe Square, Brompton, near the South Kensington Museum. Cost £1,200,000, with five years to build. [wlo 14 May]
9.—Prosecutions against striking brick-makers continued at Hammersmith Police Court. Mr. Ingham, magistrate, stated that if the men did not return to work they would be imprisoned for 3 months. Men returned to work, summonses withdrawn. [wlo 14 May]
11.—Kensington and Brompton elections passed with little interest shown. New members for Brompton were Mr. Royle, Foulis Terrace; Mr. Ferrall and Mr. Horsley, Thurloe Place; Thomas Charles, Brompton Road, elected auditor. [wlo 14 May]
11.—John Upham and Henry Watson were tried for the burglary of 27 Hereford Square, Brompton, and the Neville Terrace robbery. During trial more robberies (e.g. 5 Earl’s Court Gardens) were added to the case, as were more prisoners. Eventually committed to trial. [wlo 14 May, wlo 21 May, wlo 28 May, wlo 4 Jun]
13.—Kensington Guardians advertised that at the school there were several girls for domestic service and boys for apprenticeships. Interested persons should contact Mr. Blackwell, the Workhouse Master, for further information. [wlo 14 May]
14.—William Brain, late Sergeant-Major 3rd Royal Middlesex, informed the Gentry that he was appointed Traveller and Collector for the firm of Lee and Jerdein, Coal Merchants. Contact Ince Hall Coal Depot, Warwick Road, Kensington. [wlo 14 May]
17.—William Bonner, whilst driving the London General Omnibus Company’s service to Hammersmith, just after setting a passenger down at Palace Gates, had a fit and fell insensible onto the road. James Oliver, conductor, was thrown into the kerb. The coachman of Colby House tries to grab the reins to stop the horses, and was pulled under the wheels and mortally hurt. The horses then dashed down crowded and narrow Kensington High Street with more people injured, lamps knocked down and were not stopped until Brook Green. [wlo 21 May]
18.— Kensington Vestry heard that the promoters of South Kensington New Road (continuation of Cromwell Road to Pont Street, Belgrave Square) had agreed to the Vestry’s terms, but all believed opposition was so great the bill would be withdrawn. (see 4 May) [wlo 21 May]
19.—Signor Gavazzi would give another oration of Garibaldi and Italy at Kensington Vestry Hall, starting 7 p.m. Tickets 1s., reserved seats 2s., a few at 6d. [wlo 14 May]
21.—Charles Watson, Homœpathic surgeon, had removed from 12 to 2 Holland Terrace, Holland Road. Meanwhile, J. Cooper, Providential Nursery, Starch Green, was selling 100 dozen of Garibaldi’s bedding plants, as he had no desire to take them to Caprera. [wlo 21 May]
22.—The Italian Committee arrived at Chiswick to place a wreath on the grave of Italian patriot Ugo Foscolo, who died at Turnham Green, 10 September 1827. The Duke of Argyll, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, Earl and Lady Grosvenor, with others who had been attending church, joined in to hear an address in Italian etc. [wlo 28 May]
23.—Sophia Leander, Zion House, Turnham Green, appeared in Bow Street Police Court charged with admitting “more than two lunatics” (actually 80 persons) into the house and not being a licensed lunatic asylum. Sophia said they weren’t of unsound mind, but weak intellect. Mr. Leander bound over with £50 for his wife’s appearance at a later trial. (see 1 June) [wlo 28 May]
24.—A three-day Bazaar in aid of funds for enlarging Starch Green Schools would be held in the grounds of Askew Villa, Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, under the patronage of Baroness Rothschild and Lady Peto. [wlo 14 May]
25.—John Basham, bath chair man, was drawing Lord Robert Clinton through Ovington Square, Brompton, when he was stopped by Mr. Wood, Inspector of Nuisances for Kensington, the parish having a bye-law preventing all carriages on footpaths. The road was good and there was no need to go on the path. Fined 10s. [wlo 25 Jun]
26.—The Fulham Board of Guardians were desirous of apprenticing eseveral boys who had received Industrial training as shoemakers, tailors etc. Apply J. Harrison, Workhouse Master. [wlo 11 Jun]
28.—St. Paul’s Church, Hammersmith, listed recent subscriptions newly received for the restoration and enlargement of the church, bringing the total to £750. Meanwhile the West London Cheap Window Glass, White Lead, Colour and Varnish Warehouse, 1 Warwick Road, Kensington, advertised any quantity at wholesale prices. All articles warranted genuine. [wlo 28 May]
30.—At Hammersmith Police Court, William Webb, charged by Sergeant Brown as a deserter from the 60th Rifles, now admitted he was a deserter, and was committed in the usual way. [wlo 4 Jun]