Below are a selection of events for June 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.
| 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.—The Hammersmith and City Railway would start running a late train at midnight from Farringdon Street to allow theatre-goers to get back to Paddington, Shepherd’s bush etc. [wlo 3 June]
2.—The Metropolitan Railway’s Dog Show at Islington would be open on the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th of June, with King’s Cross the nearest railway station. [wlo 3 June]
5.—[Whit Monday] The fifth Foresters’ Fete to help the West London Hospital would be held in the grounds of Beaufort House. Three brass, drum & fife bands would be joined by others. Performing would be Mrs. J. F. Brian the popular serio-comic singer, Paddy Brogden the comic Irish emigrant, James Rowell, tenor, etc. Aunt Sally, photographer plus dancing on the green. 1s. adults, 6d. children under 12. [wlo 3 June]
5.—A cricket match would be played between a side of married men and a side of single men at the new Anglesea Cricket Ground, Wellington Road, Hammersmith at 2 p.m. Sweepstakes, climbing greasy pole, first class refreshments from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. first. [wlo 3 June]
6.—The South Kensington Museum would be open for free for the whole week (starting Whit Monday). The collection of animal products in the South Arcades of the horticultural gardens would be exhibited Monday and Tuesday, the loan collection of portrait minutes would be open etc. [wlo 3 June]
8.—A numerous meeting of Fulham Parishioners attended a meeting which voted thanks to the 800 subscribers against the Imperial Gas Company’s Bill (for expansion), which, presented by the Bishop of London and Lord Ravensworth, caused the rejection of the said bill. Any expansion “would have enabled them to do an irremediable injury to the health of the residents and property of the district.” [wlo 17 June]
9.—Robert Drew, an old, grey-headed man, appeared at Hammersmith Police Court. The previous day, around 3 p.m., when drunk and with a pipe and blanket, he tried to enter the Carmelite Order (Roman Catholic) Chapel in Church-street, Kensington. On being declined entry he offered to fight the Rev. Father Irving and was removed by two constables. He returned 20 minutes later and interrupted a service, started fighting and hit Francis Foley under the ear. Eventually removed kicking and foaming at mouth. Fined two sureties of £10 each to keep peace for 6 months, locked up in default. [wlo 17 June]
10.—The West London Observer carried a special report on the exhibition of Portrait Miniatures at the South Kensington Museum (see 6 June): there were 3081 portraits on display, many of marvellous beauty and by the most celebrated painters and enamellers. They lamented that the art is being lost now that “the cheap mechanical process of photography” has been invited. [wlo 10 June]
11.—Richard White, carver and gilder of Hammersmith Gate, died suddenly of heart disease, at 5 a.m., aged 48. A well-liked business, a fluent speaker, best known as a member of the Wesleyan Free Church, North End where he was a class leader for many years and involved in the Sunday school as teacher or superintendent for 20 years. He leaves a widow, Hannah, but no children. [wlo 17 June]
14.—Samuel Cornell, 1 Devonshire Terrace, Kensington and clerk to the Kensington Guardians, advertised the contract for the supply of 300 tons of Lambton’s or Hetton’s Wallsend coals plus 150 tons of furnace coals for the workhouse. No less than 20 tons in any delivery, no delivery charge. Contractor to be selected 29 June. [wlo 17 June]
15.—At 5 p.m. the Rev. Alex J. D. D’Orsry would commence a course of three lectures on public reading and speaking at St. Barnabas’s Lecture Room, Holland Park Road, Kensington. For syllabuses and tickets apply at Mr. Rist’s, 1 Edwardes Terrace. [wlo 10 June]
15.—A Mrs. Hughes appeared before the Kensington Guardians with an infant in her arms to apply for relief. Her late husband was potman at the Northumberland Arms, Brompton Road, and had died suddenly about two weeks ago. Granted 4s. and three loaves weekly for three months. [wlo 24 June]
16.—A bazaar of useful and ornamental work would be held in the School-Room, William Street, North End, Fulham in aid of the Church Alteration and Improvement Scheme. Refreshment stall and piano music, open 2–8, entrance sixpence (was also on at higher price previous day). [wlo 10 June]
17.—The Albert Bridge Company, incorporated by Act of Parliament (1894) was advertising that it had £90,000 in capital in £10 shares and power to borrow £30,000. Investors were sought and the company already had a responsible contractor to build their suspension bridge over the Thames from Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, to Prince Albert Road, Battersea. Income of tolls of £6,153 per annum for Battersea Bridge were cited. [wlo 17 June]
19.—Professor Anderson, the Wizard of the North, would give an entertainment in natural magic in aid of funds for the West London Hospital at Beaufort House, Walham Green. [wlo 3 June]
23.—The Navvies and Labourers building the North End Sewer, around 160 in total, were entertained to a substantial supper by James Wild, next to his grounds in Edith Road. Revs. W. M. Statham and R. Macbeth said a few words afterwards and a copy of the New Testament was given to each man. [wlo 1 July]
24.—The Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan, and Great Western Railways published their June timetable. On week days trains Farringdon to Kensington were every 30 minutes between 8.05 a.m. and 11.05 p.m., in the area stopping at Edgware Road, Bishop’s Road, Notting Hill, Kensington, Shepherd’s bush and Hammersmith. [wlo 24 June]
25.—Two boys, Huxley and Dean, were arrested for playing pitch and toss (it was Sunday) at South End, Kensington. At Hammersmith Police Court on Monday Joseph Dickinson, a coachman, 3 Clarendon Mews, complained of the boys and it was revealed that a Constable had been positioned there to catch offenders. Fined 2s. 6d. each. [wlo 1 July]
26.— The newspaper reported the Royal Cremorne Gardens had been “extraordinarily popular this season”. The new Fire Work Temple, illuminated Shakespearian Temple, Mr. Jones’ painting of Florence (60,000 feet), the improved plant collection (superior to Kew and Hampton Court), Mr. Charles Hengler’s equestrian troupe (opened this day) and Miss Emily Cooke’s “Balloon” performances were particularly noted. [wlo 1 July]
28.—Mr. Lovely reported to The Fulham Board of Works that the Fulham Railway Bill had passed its third reading in the Lords. The Board also approved a report asking it to restrain the Imperial Gas Works at Sand’s End. [wlo 1 July]
28.—Henrietta Clarke, George Borrow’s step-daughter, marries Dr. William MacOubrey, a physician of 134 Sloane Street, at Kensington Parish Church (St. Mary Abbots). [source: see our William MacOubrey page]
29.—A well-attended public vestry was held at Chiswick to consider purchasing four acres of Glebe (Church land) for a parish cemetery, chiefly for the poor. Mr. Clark (Churchwarden) objected: the land was unsanitary as it could not be drained, unlike the pockets of the ratepayers. The Vicar favoured a Cemetery, Dr. White thought property values would suffer etc. Meeting voted against. [wlo 8 July]