Below are a selection of events for March 1861 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 1861 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.
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| 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 |
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4.—Edward Hawkins, a man with one leg who had the previous week been found drunk, dancing on his crutches and singing in the King’s Road, was tried for assaulting a Police Constable (Hammersmith Police Court). Previously believed to be insane, he was now believed sane and given 8 days imprisonment.
6.—Mr. Wilkies, of Brompton Ward, mentioned at the Kensington Vestry that mendicants “were increasing to an alarming extent in Brompton”. Householders in Brompton complained of the state of the footpath from Drayton Tavern, Old Brompton Road, to 10, Rich Terrace, Earl’s Court Road. Committee would inspect it.
7.—The Kensington Amateur Dramatic Performance at the “Adam and Eve”, in aid of the Benevolent Society, was very well attended.
9.—W. R. Braine, the organist of St. Barnabas Church, Kensington, was again advertising his “Hymns for the Church or Home Circle”, price 5s. The West London Observer’s editorial was on mendacity which was “in a very flourishing condition”. The paper advised its readers not to give to beggars in the street.
9.—Mary Sayers of the Potteries, Kensington, was caught pushing a cart from Chepstow Villas West to Kensington Park Guardians whilst disposing of fish offal on the road by dropping it through a hole in the cart causing a very offensive smell. Sayers said she’d done this many times before. Fined 5s. and costs and cautioned not to do it again.
14.—A 7.50 p.m. a 12 year old girl named Wheeler (of 10 Southbrook Street, Hammersmith) boarded the omnibus at the Seven Stars, Starch Green carrying a little child and was sexual assaulted by George Ernest Pescodd, the omnibus conductor. In the court case Pescodd was fined £10 (or 3 months imprisonment with hard labour).
16.—The West London Observer’s editorial denounced the Electric Telegraph Company who had “completely eclipsed” previous attempts to monopolise public rights for private advantage. Posts and wires had been put up everywhere in Shepherd’s Bush and the company were planning to move next to Hammersmith. Kensington had forced them to put the wires underground.
20.—Kensington Vestry, in a heated debate, considered an application from Matthew Feilde to use the Vestry Hall for a lecture on establishing a Public Library in the parish. Mr. Feilde had previously pressed the case with Captain Shuttleworth. The Vestry were horrified of the increase in the rates should a library be formed, and refused the request.
21.—Earl Grey’s House of Lord’s committee approved the Hammersmith, Paddington and City Junction railway bill. The company was proposing to raise a capital of £180,000.
21.—Mrs. John Wilkins gave birth to a son at Gray’s Place, Brompton.
23.—Frederick Barker and Son, 13 and 14 Dorcas Terrace, Hammersmith were advertising their cheap pianos. Starting at £13 10s. for a 6¼ octave mahogany, to £23 10s. for a rosewood. Harmoniums started at £6 6s. for 4 octaves.
23.—The West London Observer carried a book review of “A List of Captain Norton’s Projectiles, and other Naval and Military Inventions, etc.”, Gravesend, 1860. The work was “of special interest at the present time.”