Below are a selection of events for September 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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1.—Peter Kelly, of Kensington, a hawker of books, was summoned to show why he should not contribute towards the support of his step-daughter, Mary Kelly, 12, who was being detained in the Reformatory for 4 years. Kelly said the child was not his and he and his wife (who went out charring) had 5 children besides. Prosecution said both parents spent their money on drink. Ordered to pay 2s. a week, 2s. costs.
4.—The Fulham Board committee visited the pauper lunatics at the Hanwell Asylum and examined every case chargeable to the Union (workhouse). After 5 hours 30 minutes of examining the committee partook of a cold collation at Mr. Elliott’s farm, a mile east of Hanwell.
5.—Archibald Campbell, a driver for Mr. Chapman’s Omnibus company, Notting Hill, having been beaten to High Street stop by another omnibus which was picking up three passengers, whipped his horses, raced past the stopped omnibus and nearly knocked down the passengers, ran onto a heap of gravel and nearly overturned. Later fined 20s. and 2s. costs for furious driving.
6.—An Italian organ grinder was charged with causing an annoyance outside 4 Denbigh Row, Notting Hill, by playing the organ and refusing to leave. Mr. B. C. Jones, who lived at No. 4, said he didn’t want to press the case, just to be rid of the nuisance. Cautioned not to do it again and discharged.
11.—The Chelsea, Brompton and Knightsbridge Volunteer Cadets should assemble at Albert Gate at 1 p.m., or be at Victoria Station by 1.30 p.m. in order to take part in a review. The Drum and Fife Band will attend.
12.—Henry Ewen, aged 14, son of a cabman living at 1, Stanley Cottages, North End, Fulham, whilst playing with other boys near the Seven Stars ran out into the road and was knocked down by a grocer’s cart travelling at 6–7 mph., immediately after which the wheel ran over his body. He was taken to St. George’s Hospital in his father’s cab and died shortly after. The cart-owner offered to pay all expenses.
14.—Mr. J. A. Smith (house, estate and land agency offices), Broadway, Hammersmith, wanted furnished houses to let for the Great Exhibition of 1862. No payment upfront was required, and a let for 12 months or longer was sought.
14.—A Baker’s Patent Mangle and Table in good condition were advertised for sale in the West London Observer at £5 10s., apply 22, George Street, Waterloo Street, Hammersmith. Underneath J. Searle, 2 French Cottages, Albion Road, Hammersmith, was seeking to buy a patent mangle.
18.—Messrs. Prickett and Son were due to sell, by auction, 1 King William Place, a brick-built house and shop on the Hammersmith to Turnham Green road. Currently let to Mr. Guest, grocer and tea dealer at £38 per annum., £7 ground rent, with 60 years of the lease remaining.
18.—Matthew Feilde, Queen’s Road, Norland Square, wrote to the West London Observer informing them that a requisition had been sent to the overseers to convene a meeting Kensington ratepayers to adopt the 1856 Libraries Act (i.e. to setup public libraries). A two third’s majority at the meeting was required.
21.—Royal Cremorne Gardens were advertising that in the coming week the Great Cirque Orientale would open and would include acrobats, pyrotechnic displays, Cristoforo Buono Core (the great Italian Salamanda), Cooke’s dogs and monkeys etc. Admission 1s., table d’Hote at 6, 2s. 6d.
21.—A light spring cart and a baker’s truck (both second hand) were for sale at 28, Hornton Street, Kensington.
22.—Police constable 295 T. found Edward Patten, aged 80, destitute and insane in Addison Road, and took him to the workhouse where it was ascertained he lived at Frith Street, Chelsea.
26.—At the Kensington Board of guardians it announced there were now 308 inmates in the workhouse, 13 being discharged, 20 admitted and 1 dead. Tradesmen were appointed for the next six months, including The Swan, Sloane Street, Brompton (wines and spirits), Mr. Fenton of Gray’s Place, Brompton (tobacconist) and Mr. White (coffin maker).
27.—At Hammersmith Police Court Peter Joseph George, an Usher at Alton House School, Turnham Green, was summons for striking Thomas Jeffs Skeet, a pupil, multiple times with a book to the head, causing several bumps to arise. Fined 2s. 6d. and 2s. costs because a book was not a proper instrument for punishment.
28.—Being the last day of the season at Cremorne Gardens an extra day (30th) was announced when a dramatic musical entertainment would be performed for the benefit of William Carpenter, 40 years of the Metropolitan Press, but now incapacitated and nearly blind. Tickets 2s. 6d. inclusive of amusements.
29.—Between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Charles Read, a “fast youth”, aged 16, in an altercation, repeatedly stabbed James Cains, a barman, in the arm, at Westbourne Park Villa Mews. Refused bail (following day) and remanded.
30.—At Kensington Petty Sessions many licences were transferred, including the Bunch of Grapes, Brompton Grove, from Charles Evans to William Edwin Connolly.