Below are a selection of events for October 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.
| October | ||||||
| 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 | ||
2.—William Harrington, a ragged and destitute boy and orphan, aged 15, fell out of an apple tree in Thomas Baldwin’s grounds, Chiswick, with a bag of apples. After leaving the workhouse seven months ago he’d working in the brick field but work had failed. Magistrates referred him to the workhouse.
5.—Alfred Bird, Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, was advertising his new wine prices “since the reduction of duty on wines.” French Port or Sherry, 20s. dozen, 1s. 9d. a bottle, 10s. 6d. a gallon.
8.—“A Bromptonian” wrote to the West London Observer deploring Matthew Feilde’s scheme for public libraries in Kensington (18 Sept.), pointing out the Vestry were overwhelmingly against it, people should buy their own books, and there were implications for the ratepayers.
14.—George Borrow watched the race between Deerfoot, the Seneca Indian, and Jackson, the “American Deer” at Brompton. Immense crowd, much disorder, day exceedingly hot and Deerfoot won. [source: Knapp, vol. 2, p. 203]
16.—At a meeting in Vestry Hall, Kensington, Mr Fielde read a long address in favour of founding public libraries in Kensington. After debate it was negatived by about 200 to 3.
16.—Later in the Vestry meeting, a Mr. Maydwell, backed by a memorial from 100 Brompton Road ratepayers, motioned a “Committee be formed for the purpose of improving the Brompton Road between Sloane Street and the building now being erected for the International Exhibition of 1862.” Unused ground on one side resulted in a narrow road causing major problems. The owner of 36 houses in Brompton Road had already agreed to give up land for the scheme. Passed.
18.—Miss Ida Macfarren, aged 8, made a wonderful debut at Bayswater Athenæum reciting pieces with an “understanding of the subject ... seldom met with except amongst the most consummate artistes.”
19.—Kensington Dramatic Club were advertising 2 or 3 vacancies. Gentlemen should contact William Wade, Hon. Sec., 13 High Street Kensington.
21.—At Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, a dramatic and musical entertainment would be given for the benefit of William Carpenter (see 28 Sept.)
22.—Mr. Mullenger, churchwarden at St. John’s Walham Green, applied for a summons against George Abbot for hawking and selling goods on Sunday 20th. Mr. Dayman, magistrate, could not remember a conviction under the Lord’s Day Act in London, and said it was a police matter.
23.—Matthew Feilde, 12 Queen’s Road, Norland Square, wrote to the West London Observer defending his rate-supported “not charitable” public libraries, rebuffing the numerous letters that had appeared ridiculing him. The “slanders on the Brompton side of the Parish” were particularly rebuked.
26.—A letter from “a hater of humbug” appeared in the West London Observer concerning the “Parson’s Churchwarden’s” (Mullenger, see 22 Oct.) first skirmish with “people who supply food of a Sunday”: “Magistrates will not be instruments of oppressions in the hands of busy-bodies.”
30.—Mary Hill, a decent-looking woman, was brought before Westminster Police Court charged with stealing a piece of beef value 2s. from George Golding, butcher, 15 Rawstone Street, Brompton. Prisoner had nothing to say, committed for trial.
30.—Around 2 a.m. police constable 269 D. discovered 45 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, on fire (Mr. Hare’s Confectionary). He awoke the sleeping inhabitants and sent for the engines. The Paddington and then Notting Hill engines put out the fire, which was confined to the kitchen.