Portrait of George Borrow
This page is in draft and not yet finished

George Borrow’s Brompton, April 1865

Below are a selection of events for April 1865 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 1865 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.

April
SMTWTFS
1*
23*4*5*67*8*
91011*1213*14*15*
16*17*1819*20*2122*
23*24*2526*272829
30*

1.—On and after this date the Metropolitan railway would reduce return fares between all stations to 2d.  Hammersmith to City trains would now run every 20 minutes, no longer stop at the Kensington Line junction and take 30 minutes. [wlo 1 Apr, wlo 18 Mar]

3.—At the Committee of Management meeting for the West London Hospital a number of donations were announced: Duchess of Cambridge, £5; Princess Mary of Cambridge, £1 (annual); J. S. Mansfield, £5; Chiswick Trademan’s Ball, £3. [wlo 15 Apr]

4.—At Hammersmith Police Court John Acton, a well-dressed young man, was charged with being found under the table of William Stevenson, 34 Addison Gardens South, Kensington, between 1 and 2 a.m., supposedly for an unlawful purpose.  He pleaded being let in by a lady servant. [wlo 12 Apr]

5.—The London City Mission would hold a meeting in the Vestry Hall, which had been given free of charge by the Vestry. [wlo 25 Feb]

7.—A Grand Concert in aid of a reduced widow would take place at Victoria Hall, Archer Street, Westbourne Grove.  Taking part would be the Misses Aitkens (soprani), Madame Parry, Miss Maud Clifford etc. (contralti), Mr. R. Pain, Mr. Cater etc. (tenors), Mr. Lesingham, Mr. J. Woolams (baritones) etc. [wlo 25 Mar]

7?.—A major meeting was held in the National School Room, Walham Green, to consider what to do about the Imperial Gas Company’s Bill to take 100 acres and turn it into “a monster gas nuisance”.  It would “endanger the health of the inhabitants, and deteriorate the value of property.”  Resolutions put and agreed. [wlo 15 Apr]

8.—The 83rd Starr Bowkett Building Society, offices 1a Hornton Street, Kensington, announced that nearly 500 shares were taken up.  Members obtain £300 repayable by instalments of £30 per annum. [wlo 8 Apr]

8.—The Metropolitan and Great Western Railway pointed out that Hammersmith Station was close to Hammersmith Bridge, the best place to view the Oxford and Cambridge Boat race.  Train to run every 10 minutes. [wlo 8 Apr]

11.—At midnight “a gentleman of Northend,” Fulham, being taken dangerously ill, took two hours to find a medical man, 5 being run for.  The paper suggested ladies and gentlemen in the area should be prepared to send to London. [wlo 15 Apr]

11.—Robert Winning, 14, was re-examined at Hammersmith Police Court on the charge of stealing a duck from Turnham Green Common.  Robert’s mother said he was a good boy, had never been in trouble before, but others led him astray.  Discharged with mother bound over for good behaviour. [wlo 15 Apr]

13.—There would be a grand performance by the Stand Company at Beaufort House Theatre, Walham Green.  A comedy, Short and Sweet would be H. J. Craven’s drama Miriam’s Crime.  Stalls 4s. etc. [wlo 8 Apr]

14.—About 12.45 a.m. a fire broke out in the back premises of Mr. Smith, upholster, 26 Archer Street, Notting Hill.  Police raised the alarm and using a ladder got the inhabitants safely out from the 2nd floor.  Firemen Elijah Nokes and Samuel C. Smith were on the roof when it collapsed.  Nokes died of injuries later that day whilst Smith was in hospital with hopes of recovery. [wlo 22 Apr]

15.—The editorial discussed the “remarkable silence” of the intentions of the Fulham Railway Bill.  It would put a railway through the Market Garden grounds of Fulham Fields, create an unsightly girder bridge across the Broadway, deprive Hammersmith of fresh vegetables, etc.  Who were the promoters of this “wild goose scheme”? [wlo 15 Apr]

16.—[Easter Sunday.] A solemn High Mass would be sung at Holy Trinity Church, Brook Green, at 11 a.m.  The Choir would sing Robert’s Mass in E., Ett’s “Hæc Dies,” and Nixon’s “Victimæ Paschall.” [wlo 15 Apr]

17.—The South Kensington Museum would be open for free from 17th April to 22nd April inclusive (i.e. Easter holidays), from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  The Animal Products’ Collection would be in the Arcades overlooking the Royal Horticultural Gardens. [wlo 15 Apr]

19.—A meeting was held at Mesrs. Pearson’s, High Street, Notting Hill, to decide the best means to help the widow and young children of the young fireman Elijah Nokes, and Samuel C. Smith, who had been seriously injured and had a wife and six children to support (see 14 April).  Subscription formed; over £31 given at meeting. [wlo 22 Apr]

19.—The Arlington Park Cricket Club, Turnham Green, would hold a meeting in the back chamber at the Duke of Sussex Tavern, Turnham Green.  Gentlemen wishing to join should contact the landlord, J. Golidge. [wlo 1 Apr]

20.—P.C. Ahearne was on duty in High Street Kensington when he say a rough-looking boy, Henry Nicholls, put his hand in a gentleman’s pocket and pull out a handkerchief.  Henry was arrested (known to police for some months) and later that day remanded. [wlo 22 Apr]

22.—John Miller, Carpet and General Furnishing Warehouse, 23 Broadway, Hammersmith was advertising carpets, carpets, carpets.  200 pieces of rich Tapestry Brussells, 2/6½–3/6 per yard, 500 all wool Kidderminster, 2/8–3/9 per yard etc.  Carriage free within 10 miles. [wlo 22 Apr]

23.—Two anniversary missions sermons would be preached at Oakland’s Chapel, Shepherd’s Bush: Rev. W. H. Hill, Calcutta in the morning, and Rev. Chas. Short, Swansea, in the evening.  Collections in aid of the London and Baptist Missionary Society. [wlo 22 Apr]

24.—Mrs. Williams, 2 Cave’s Terrace, New Road, Hammersmith, would open a Preparatory School. [wlo 15 Apr]

26.—The Kensington Park Dramatic Club would perform School for Scandal and The Unfinished Gentleman at the Bijou Theatre, Victoria Hall, Archer Street, Baywater, with proceeds to the West London Hospital. [wlo 22 Apr]

30.—Rev. S. B. Bergne, Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society would preach at Kensington Chapel at 11 a.m., Rev. T. Baldwin Brown, Clayland’s Chapel, Brixton, at 6.30 p.m.