Below are a selection of events for November 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.
| November | ||||||
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| 11* | 12* | 13* | 14* | 15* | 16* | 17* |
| 18* | 19 | 20* | 21* | 22* | 23* | 24* |
| 25 | 26* | 27* | 28* | 29 | 30* | |
1.—Sanger’s Great Circus, the largest establishment in the world, would be at Hammersmith with a grand procession at 1 p.m., performances 2.15 p.m. and 7.15 p.m. [wlo 27 Oct]
2.—Jane Raynor a young woman, servant of Mr. W. Hatch, Gloucester Road, South Kensington, absconded, after having two days earlier confessed to various thefts from him. The following day her sister returned her, and she was given in custody for further thefts: 11 dresses were later recovered from Mr. Chapman’s Pawn Shop, High Street Kensington. [wlo 3 Nov]
3.—A number of Hammersmith businesses advertised earlier closing hours during the winter. J. Hunt & Co., 19 & 21 Broadway, would close at 7 p.m.; W. Mussared, would close at 8 p.m. etc. [wlo
5.—The Chelsea Teetotal Society celebrated their 26th anniversary at the Teetotal Hall, New Road, Chelsea where 90 members sat down to tea, cake &c. Afterwards J. Relihan talked of his former life as a hodd carrier and his reformation; Mr. Anscombe of Sydney Hall talked of his 27 years as a teetotaller, then Mr. Wright (26 years teetotaller), Mr. Phillips 26 years, Mr. Brown of Pimlico, 8 years, Mr. Clark of Knightsbridge, 38 years etc. [cn 10 Nov]
5.—A complex case of multiple piano thief in Brompton was heard at Middlesex Sessions. John Cuthbert Pattison, 34, was part of a gang that took houses in fashionable places and hired pianos from George Peachy, which they then pawned. The main evidence concerned 49 Brompton Square. [wlo 10 Nov]
6.—John Roberts, Devonshire Villa, New Road, Hammersmith, wrote a long open theological letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury demanding to know why the four churches in the parish performed the Church’s ceremonies in different ways, and why in St. John’s “the Mummery and Buffoonery of the Puseyite” abounded. [wlo 10 Nov]
6.—Various boys appeared in court for letting off fireworks: John Keefward, a Catherine-wheel at Shepherd’s Bush Railway Bridge (“it did not make much fire”); Thomas Pembridge, fireworks at Walham Green; Patrick Doolin, fireworks in Hornton Street; John Ledgerwood, one firework at New Road, Hammersmith; Edward Corbett, fireworks in Kensington Place. All were fined 2s. 6d. [wlo 10 Nov]
7.—Mr. Charles Ernest’s celebrated Christy’s Minstrels would give an entertainment in aid of the Omnibus Servants’ Benevolent Society (providing relief for aged and afflicted Omnibus Servants) at the Vestry Hall Chelsea. Seats 2s., 1s. and 6d. Mr. F. Knott, 41 Camera Square, Chelsea, society secretary, would gratefully receive donations. [cn 3 Nov]
7.—At 2.30 p.m. Jeremiah Sullivan, well-known as a riotous fellow, was drunk and fighting in Sloane Square, Chelsea, when he was apprehended by PCs Nicholas, Stone and Hopton. He then fought the police and excited a mob who threw missiles at them. About 300 yards from the station John Edie Snell in the garb of a gentleman, came up and complained of police brutality, barred their way and attempted to free Sullivan. Once Sullivan was in the station, officers returned and arrested Snell. Sullivan a month’s imprisonment, Snell fined 20s. or 14 days. [cn 10 Nov]
10.—Lucy Martinson, 5 Edwardes Terrace, Kensington, wrote an open letter: “Madam, I beg to announce that my show of Millinery, Straw and Fancy Bonnetts, Head Dresses, ... for the present season are now ready, ... all my goods will be sold very cheap as I am about to retire from business.” [wlo 10 Nov]
11.—At the Colonial and Foreign Missions anniversary services, Radnor Chapel, Chelsea, Rev. Joseph Shaw and Rev. Stacey would preach, and on the following day (Monday) a tea and public meeting would be held. Collections after each service, tickets for tea from Mr. W. G. Cattle, Hon. Secretary, 102 King’s Road, Chelsea. [cn 10 Nov]
12.—Henry Norris, a shoe black boy, appeared at Hammersmith Police Court: he had been from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday at Kensington Place, Silver Street with his box of cleaning shoes. There had been complaints and he caused an obstruction. Discharged with caution. [wlo 17 Nov]
13.—J. S. Groome would sell at 1 p.m. a large number of growing crops: 20,000 moss rose trees, tulips, sweet briars, dahlias, half an acre of parsnips, two horses, manure, old iron lead pumps, at Poplar Cottage, New Richmond Road (formerly Crown Lane), five minutes’ walk from West Brompton Railway Station. Land being sold for building purposes. [cn 10 Nov]
13.—At Chelsea Vestry the Clerk reported receiving £50 for the parish Fire Engine, and that premises had been taken for a station of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, next to the Jew’s Burial Ground, Brompton Road. [cn 17 Nov]
14.—Philip Cable, 19, was re-examined by Mr. Dayman for committing an unnatural offence in a stable in Manor House Lane, accused by Thomas Starkay. Cable was liable to be hanged, but Mr. Dayman said the evidence was lacking and discharged him with a caution. [wlo 10, 17 Nov]
15.—The St. Stephen’s Schools, Shepherd’s Bush, penny reading would commence with a reading by Rev. J. Connell, M.A., Vicar of Hammersmith, and musical entertainment would also be provided. Admission 1d. [wlo 10 Nov]
16.—James Bird, coroner, held an inquest at Kensington Workhouse on the death of Ann Collins, spinster, 65. Her sister, Bridget Lane, 58 Jennings’ Buildings, Kensington, was called to her just before she died and stayed with her. Ann took medicine from a local chemist, but gradually got worse. Verdict: chronic disease of the lungs. [wlo 24 Nov]
17.—Miss Parkiss, a lady with several years’ experience in tuition (English, French, German, Music, Singing, Drawing and Water Colour) was again seeking morning or daily engagement. Address at 9 Edith Terrace, Fulham Road. [cn 17 Nov]
18.—Following the unexpected death of Mrs. Getliffe, matron of the Fulham workhouse, the Rev. W. Norval preached to the inmates on the shortness of life. The body, accompanied by the inmates, was taken to Fulham graveyard on Wednesday and buried two graves from Mr. Johnson, the late master of the workhouse. [wlo 24 Nov]
18.—There was a severe storm over London with considerable rain, leaving streets impassable at Fulham and causing much damage. The Thames also overflowed. [wlo 24 Nov]
20.—The Fulham Savings Bank would be closed for deposits immediately after this date. Charles Watts, secretary of the bank, started to advertise this back on 27th August. [wlo 1 Sept]
20.—James Charles Chorley, the keeper of the Black Boy, the Potteries, Notting Hill, was found to have served 47 men and 1 woman between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Chorley claimed to have 7 lodgers who worked on the Underground lines. Fined 10s. and 2s. costs for Sunday Trading. [wlo 24 Nov]
21.—The 28th annual dinner of the Chelsea Benevolent Society would take place at the Commercial Hall, King’s Road, Chelsea: dinner at 6.30 p.m. with tickets 5s. each. Chairman: Thomas Symons; Vice-Chairman: A. F. F. Birch; Chelsea Hospital Secretery: Charles Cannon. [cn 10 Nov]
21.—The cottage lecture group who met in Cromwall Lane, South Kensington, presented their lecturer, Rev. Cosmo R. Gordon, M.A., curate of St. Paul’s Onslow Square and head master of Notting Hill and Bayswater preparatory schools with a handsome testimonial. [wlo 24 Nov]
21.—At Chelsea Guardians the master reported that Edward Bowler, aged 24, had been given permission to go to Brompton Oratory to attend mass, but had absconded taking with him the workhouse clothes. Also the Rector (Rev. Gerald Blunt), Rev. Owen and a large delegation attended to express concern that the charity schools in the parish (most had been in existing 20 to 40 years) were previously unrated, and were about to be rated. The schools were already always in debt. [cn 24 Nov]
22.—Kensington Guardians heard that Mr. Harrod, of Brompton, had been chosen to supply the workhouse with a hogshead of raw sugar at 30s. 6d. cwt. and lump at 41s. 9d. A tender of £192 for the erection of baths &c. in the new casual wards, from Mr. Bowden was accepted. [cn 1 Dec]
23.— George Copass, for many years a foreman to the Great Western Gas Company, fell down dead in Love Lane, Brompton. His body was taken to Kensington Workhouse where an inquest by the coroner, Mr. J. Bird, on the following Tuesday resulted in a verdict of “found dead.” [cn 1 Dec, wlo 1 Dec]
24.—Pickthall & Parker, sole London agents for the Wigan Coal and Iron Company, proprietors of Kirkless Hall and Haigh Collieries in Wigan, were now delivering coal of the best quality for house purposes on the most favourable terms from their depots at: Chalk Farm (London and North Western Railway); Cremorne, Chelsea (ditto) and Hampstead Heath (North London Railway Station). [cn 24 Nov]
26.—1st Middlesex Engineers, musketry squad, would drill at head quarters (67 College Street, Brompton, at 7.30 p.m. and on Wednesday at the same time. A drill would take place at Gower Street on Thursday and Friday 30th would be the last day for class firing this year. The range at Wormwood Scrubs would be open for practise on the 4th Saturday of each month during the winter. [cn 24 Nov]
26.—A meeting was held to raise funds and awareness at Exeter Buildings Ragged School, Sloane Square, Chelsea, which had just reopened after enlargement. The costs incurred were £372 whilst donations were £323 (including £50 from the Ragged School Union). Donations at the meeting were £26 with further donations accepted at: Mr. Symons, 3 Exeter Street, Sloane Square; Mr. Lewis, 1 Lowndes Terrace, Knightsbridge and Mr. Channons, Post Office, Brompton Road. [cn 1 Dec]
27.—Two men named Pearce and Bruges were excavating a trench as part of building the Metropolitan District Railway in Sloane Square when the earth collapsed upon them. They were taken to St. George’s Hospital, where one was enabled to resume work on the following day, whilst the other is recovering rapidly. [cn 1 Dec]
28.—This evening (and also 24th Nov.) the Grenadier Guards’ (1st Battalion) Amateur Theatricals would perform Schinderhannes, or The Robber of the Rhine; and Turn Him Out (a farce by T. J. Williams), at Chelsea Barracks. Front seats 6d., back 5d., refreshments at bar. This started a series of plays running past Christmas. [cn 24 Nov]
30.—At Hammersmith Police Court Miss Lawrence, who worked in the second class bar of Mr. Guy’s Refreshment Rooms at Kensington Station, explained she’d been assaulted by Mr. Guy who accused her of being drunk. Numerous witnesses from the railway said she was sober. Mr. Guy sued her for refushing to leave. Both cases dimissed. [wlo 8 Dec]