Below are a selection of events for November 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.
| November | ||||||
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
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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* |
1.—Messrs. Hanson and Beales held court at Kensington Vestry to revise the parish list. After a long “uninteresting” debate between the Conservatives and Liberal representatives, it was proposed to strike off 400 Liberals and 50 Conservatives. Appeals etc. were launched.
4.—Police constable Grubb caught two boys, James Mitchell and John Mills, throwing 14 stones at the windows of the labourer’s church off High Street, Notting Hill. Mr. Dayman, magistrate, said neither skill nor fun was involved and fined 10s. each or 14 days imprisonment. Both locked up for default.
5.—The pupils of Westbourne College were treated by the Rev. C. Mackenzie to an excellent display of fireworks. Many former pupils attended and although the ground was very wet, the evening was beautifully clear. A bonfire and the Drums and Fifes of the Regimental band added to the attractions.
6.—Fulham Board of Works heard a letter from Mr. Nelson, Queen’s Buildings, Brompton, complaining of the state of Munster Road. “Unless something was done he should not be able to get to his house in that road without the assistance of a boat.” Referred to Metropolitan Board as showing the need for sewers.
7.—An amateur concert in aid of funds for St. Mary’s Schools, would take place at 8 p.m. in the School Room, William Street, North End. Front seats 3s., back seats 18d.. No money taken at the door, tickets from Incumbent, Curate and churchwardens.
9.—John Salter, F.R.H.S., was again inviting the public to visit his unrivalled collection of chrysanthemums which were in full bloom. His Winter Garden at Versailles Nursery, William Street, near Hammersmith Turnpike contained several thousand plants, admission was free and it was open every day except Sunday.
9.—The West London Observer editorial was looking forward “with some anxiety” to the report of Kensington Vestry on the three great improvements to the parish: removal of the Toll-Gates, widening High Road from Knightsbridge Green to Kensington Museum, and improvements to High Street. All very desirable, but at what cost to the ratepayers?
11.—Dr. F. R. Lees, author of the Alliance Prize Essay &c., lectured on The Philosophy of the Temperance Enterprise at 8 p.m. at the Vestry Hall, Kensington, Admission was free but lacking a chair from Chelsea or Kensington, Mr. Ayrton, M.P. for Tower Hamlets presided. There was loud applause at the end.
12.—Jeremiah Barrett, “a brute”, was brought before Hammersmith Police Court for violently assaulting Margaret McCarthy with a poker etc. at Jenning’s Buildings, Kensington on 12th October, after she had refused to give him beer. Margaret was put in hospital for over two weeks. Committed for trial.
13.—Kensington Vestry received a letter from the Metropolitan Free Drinking Association, chairman Samuel Gurney, M.P., highlighting the lack of drinking fountains for the working classes in South Kensington and Brompton. Letter referred to committee.
16.—Elliott’s Wholesale and Retail Potatoe Warehouse, 16 King Street, Hammersmith, were advertising best selected York Regents at 12s. 0d. per sack of 168 lbs. Delivery within three miles.
17.—Two sermons would be preached in St. Paul’s Church, Hammersmith in aid of funds for the West London Hospital.
19.—Around 7 p.m. a fire broke out in Mr. Phelps’ (builder) workshop at the back of Argyll Road, Kensington. The wooden building was soon reduced to ashes. On the way to the fire volunteer Smith of Notting Hill brigade, jumped off engine to lighten the load and was run over. No bones broken.
20.—At the Fulham Board of Works Mr. Lammin called attention to the dangerous fever in Star Lane, North End, Hammersmith, “owing probably to the state of the closets behind.”
23.—A notice in the West London Observer informed readers that Rev. Charles Graham (late of Kendall) had become Pastor of Oaklands Congregational Church, Shepherds Bush. Also, Mr. Wright, Shoemaker, Fulham, was selling 3 copyhold houses and six other cottages to pay “12 per cent.”
25.—A fire broke out at John Sampson’s beershop, Paddy’s Glory, in Jennings Buildings, Kensington at 6.30 p.m. The local engines put the fire out but most of Paddy’s Glory was destroyed. A large body of police “had great difficulties in keeping the excited population in order.”
26.—A meeting of former pupils and teachers of West End Chapel Sunday School, Hammersmith, would take place, starting with tea at 5.30 p.m. Tickets for the (free) tea should be obtained from Mr. Leechmen, 22, Park Villas or Mr. Maishman, Dorville’s Road.
26.—A meeting at Vestry Hall Paddington considered the proposal to have a subway through Hyde Park to connect Paddington and Bayswater with Brompton and South Kensington, Colonel Wortley presiding. Mr. D’Iffanger proposed the Commissioners for the Great Exhibition should pay for it. Mr. Freeman said the residents of Kensington would oppose any road across Kensington Gardens.
30.—C. Hall announced in the West London Observer that he had taken over Mr. Denny’s premises at 2, King Street, Hammersmith, and now traded as a fishmonger and poulterer. Cambridge sausages were fresh daily.