Below are a selection of events for August 1866 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 1866 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.—The new lists of voters would be placed upon the doors of Churches and Chapels: Liberal Electors were asked to check their names were present and contact Mr. Gilbert of the Liberal Registration Society if not. August 25th would be the last day for claims. [cn 28 Jul]
1.—A special meeting of Kensington Vestry was held to discuss the approach of Cholera, hundreds having already died in East London. They also considered a request from Secretary Walpole to swear in special constables in order to keep the peace (after the Hyde Park Riots). Rev. John P. Gell complained that in the Pottery District (Notting Hill), large numbers of swine were next to St. John’s school for 150 children. [wlo 4 Aug]
3.—James Boyd, 5 Vicarage Gardens, Kensington, wrote to the paper complaining that the passage from Church Street to Palace Gardens had now been closed for five weeks “for repairs” causing great inconvenience: “dilatory proceedings” had made it last so long and now the paving at the Palace Gardens end would have to be redone. [wlo 11 Aug]
4.—Charles Bunting, aged 26, a carpenter, of Gloucester Grove East, Old Brompton, was working on Mr. Higgs house, Cromwell Road, Kensington when the ladder slipped and he fell from the top of the building. He was taken to St. George’s Hospital but despite the efforts of house surgeon Mr. Ransford he died. [cn 11 Aug]
6.—A great pyrotechnic display in imitation of a Naval Battle would take place at Cremorne Gardens as a benefit for Mr. E. T. Smith. Admission 2s. 6d. By a new arrangement 1s. tickets (to see every performance and exhibition in the Gardens) were available. Daily admission 1s. This was subsequently cancelled owing to bad weather. [cn 4 August]
7.—PC. Mackay was called to a disturbance at a public house in Portobello Lane, where James Hooper, a brick-maker, took off his coat, challenged Mackay to a fight and struck him a violent blow saying “there’s one for Hyde Park.” Fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour. [wlo 11]
8.—Miss Lawrence, of North End Fulham, retired from the honorary office of organist at South Kensington Chapel, Gloucester Road, after 8 years’ service. Rev. S. Bird presented her with a very elegant electro-plated tea and coffee service and a teapot. [wlo 25 Aug]
8.—In his report to the Chelsea Guardians Mr. J. Gibbons, the master of the workhouse wrote: “I also visited Mr. Well’s house, 9 Arthur Street, and found pigs, the stench of which was of a most offensive character, the cellar ... was used either as a pig-style or a stable and the stairs leading to which were covered with three inches of dung, or some other vegetable matter, in a state of decomposition emitting a poisonous effluvia ... how dangerous this must be to the health of hundreds of people, both sick and infirm, in your Workhouse within 12 yards of it.” [cn 11 Aug]
8.—At Kensington Vestry, Rev. John Philip Gell remarked on the cholera and the steps being taken. Mr. Pignet agreed and pointed out that whilst his family was fine, people in Queen Street, Brompton did not have any water on Sundays, as did other parts of Brompton. Dustmen were refusing to remove refuse unless paid extra. [cn 11 Aug]
9.—Notwithstanding good play by the Brompton bowling club, they were beaten for a third time by the Hammersmith club at a match at the Bioleau Arms. After the friendly contest they enjoyed a repast by Mr. Hauseman. [cn 11 Aug]
10.—Samuel Cornell, clerk to the Kensington Guardians, advertised for a nurse for the workhouse infirmary. Applicants to be between 20 and 45, testimonials of character and qualifications required, salary £20 per annum. Appointment to be made on 23 August. [cn 11 Aug]
11.—Following the Hyde Park riots in future the Police would keep the park. No decision had been made as to whether the park would be lit by gas. The destruction of the railings in the riots meant Park Lane would now be widened. [wlo 11 Aug]
11.—Under a heading of Cholera! Morison’s Pills claimed “in former visitations of the cholera Morison’s Pills were found to be the ONLY EFFECTUAL REMEDY.” Readers were reminded that of 270 patients admitted to the London Hospital in the last 16 days (from 1st Aug), 120 had already died.” [cn 11 Aug]
13.—John Perceval, Notting Hill, wrote to the newspaper pointing out that the arguments made for holding public meetings in Royal parks were based on fallacies. The Sovereign in Kensington Palace would not approve of the “monster meeting” recently held underneath their windows in Hyde Park. [wlo 18 Aug]
14.—A boy Patrick Crockwell “almost in a state of nudity” was charged with stealing fruit from Mr. Humphreys of Fulham. On being arrested Crockwell clung to the officer’s legs causing him to fall over, and he was then attacked by Crockwell’s mother and others, whilst Crockwell bit his thumb and legs. Had been in custody before. Fourteen days imprisonment. [wlo 18 Aug]
14.—Charles Lahee, Chelsea Vestry Clerk, issued a long list of duties and responsibilities for dust collectors which included requirement for dustmen to wear a badge, minimum of one collection per week, that they could be fined for omitting to clear out any dustbin, for not collecting weekly, for requiring money from householders etc. (see 8 Aug) [cn 25 Aug]
16.—James Wilkinson, a shabby-looking middle-aged man, with a long stick entered the World’s End Tavern near Cremorne, Chelsea, landlord Stephen Pusey, and ordered a pint of beer. Pusey’s son re-entering the bar detected Wilkinson removing a sovereign from the bar, stuck to the end of his stick. Wilkinson ran but was apprehended then remanded. [cn 18 Aug]
18.—In the morning John Casey, 17, a hawk-boy who lived in Jenning’s Buildings, Kensington, was at work at a new building in Kensington when he fell from a scaffold, was picked up insensible, taken to St. George’s Hospital with a fractured skull and is now in a precarious state. [cn 25 Aug]
19.—The Bishop of London (Tait) spent the afternoon and evening visiting the cholera patients in the workhouses in the East End of London, and then preaching including at St. Peter, Old Gravel Lane, the centre of the cholera district. His advice was to keep houses clean, carry out the provisions of the law, and for children to avoid fruit. [wlo 25 Aug]
20.—The Brompton and Chelsea volunteer fire brigade would have a benefit at Cremorne Gardens, Chelsea (by kind permission of Mr. E. T. Smith) with additional amusements including a grand display of fireworks. Tickets from members of the brigade at Guard Room, 177 Fulham Road; Admiral Keppel Fulham Road; Cranley Arms Fulham Road; Wilton Arms Kinnerton Street, Wilton Place; and Mr. Whittick, Gough House Wharf, Queen’s Road, Chelsea. [cn 18 Aug]
20.—The Metropolitan Police, T. Division, would have a second excursion to Hampton Court: a special train would leave from Kensington at 9.15 a.m. and Chelsea at 9.20 a.m., the band would accompany, there would be the palace, gardens and maze, with cricket, dancing etc. Return train leaving at 7.45 p.m. Tickets (including train) 1s. 3d. [wlo 11 Aug]
21.—John Scarl, labourer of Chelsea, was discharged from the Metropolitan Railway works at Atwood’s Field for failing to report for work the previous day. Two days later Scarl returned, stole a shovel, and watchman William Moore, 39 Dartmoor Street lost him at Brompton. Shovel found in his cellar: 14 days prison. [wlo 25 Aug]
22.—A numerous deputation (including Mr. Goss from Chelsea Vestry, Mr. Burney of the Iron Steamboat Company and members of the Sunday League) attended Lord John Manners, commissioner of Public Works, and asked for permission for the band to play on Sundays in Hyde Park. Manners noted the good order of previous performances and would consider it. [wlo 25 Aug]
23.—Rebecca Beeston was charged with stealing part of the wooden fence which was the boundary of Mr. M‘Clymont’s estate, and Honey Lane (Brompton). Henry Hemmings had seen her carrying broken fencing for the last two weeks. William Avery, estate foreman, said about 300 ft. of fence had been stolen. Beeston was apprehended carrying the wood and refused to give an address: remanded. [wlo 25 Aug]
23.—The Kensington Guardians (workhouse) would meet at 10 a.m. to appoint a nurse to the workhouse infirmary, salary £20 per annum. Applicants should be aged 25 to 40, provide testimonials of character and qualifications to Samuel Cornell, clerk to the guardians, 1 Devonshire Terrace, Kensington. [wlo 18 Aug]
24.—The West London Commercial Bank, 34 Sloane Square, John Tatam Stanesby manager, was paying 5% interest per annum on deposits. [cn 25 Aug]
25.—An important notice was on the front-page: “Cholera having appeared with such severity in the Eastern districts of London .. solicit the co-operation of all ... to avert the calamity from the Parish [Chelsea].” Four things were requested: all court yards, basements, cellars and kitchens should be cleaned from filth and rubbish; All waterclosets, drains and sinks should be daily thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant; All water butts and cisterns should be kept clean and all dust bins should be regularly emptied. Lots of further instructions followed, covering most of the front page. [cn 25 Aug]
26.—A woman died of Cholera at 6 Augusta Court, Lawrence Street, Chelsea but when the undertaker appeared to collect the body he was resisted by six violent men. Undertaker went to Charles Lahee, Vestry Clerk (the Vestry having a legal duty to ensure removal), Lahee went to the police who refused to help as they had been ordered to avoid Cholera cases. Whole ended up in court two days later where Mr. Selfe said he could not help but eventually issued order for removal of body. [cn 1 Sep]
27.—A meeting of canvassers in the late election of Viscount Ranelagh would be held in the Windsor Castle with the chair taken by Mr. R. Pain at 8 p.m. Apparently they had not been paid. [cn 25 Aug]
27.—The funeral of Mr. Herbert Graham Boys, for some years clerk in the War Office and member of the Brompton and Chelsea fire Brigade, took place. His remains were followed to Brompton Cemetery by his comrades, other volunteers, and the engines. [cn 1 Sep]
28.—At Chelsea Vestry Mr. Birch complained of the bad smell emanating fro the sewers in King’s Road, especially at the corner of Smith Street which was abominable. The annoyance was felt in all the gullies to Sloane Square: could chloride of lime be put down? Mr. Cox agreed, especially given the current Cholera troubles. Agreed to empower Surveyor to use lime. [cn 1 Sep]
29.—William Wheeler, who had on Saturday night spat in the face of a P.C. Bisp, then kicked and bit him (in revenge for Hyde Park), got fourteen days imprisonment. James Baysell, who joined in the attack calling Bisp “a Hyde Park butcher” and caused Bisp serious injuries, was sentenced for two months. [wlo 1 Sep]
30.—A very little boy, James M‘Carthy, who had been caught begging with three other boys on Campden Hill, Kensington, was re-examined by Mr. Dayman, magistrate, who said James begged for money to gamble, a pack of cards being found on him: he hoped his father would give him a good thrashing. [wlo 25 Aug, 1 Sep]