Transcript of Rachel Anne Ketton’s Diary
MS/109 1863
1867
January to June
1st January
Ground covered with snow; went out shopping and went with Margaret to Mr Grocock’s ball; about
100 there; got home at 5 in the morning. Rent audit at home.
2nd January
John came up by coach; most bitterly cold and went to the Quarter Sessions and brought Mr Mott
home to lunch. Spent the evening at Bracondale.
3rd January
Very busy all the morning getting lunch ready; lunch for the Mott’s who came into Norwich from G
Buxton’s. Mr and Mrs Mott, Freddy and B Upcher came. Margaret went to the Pantomime and I
went to Bracondale.
4th January
Snow very deep; Margaret and Beals did the rest of the shopping. Went home at night. Thought
we never should have got through the park.
5th January
Pond laid; every one skating; sent lunch down to the ice. Mr and Mrs R Pigott, Emma and
Edmund came in the afternoon and had elder wine. Gave Martha warning.
6th January
No one able to go through the snow to Aylmerton; some went to Felbrigge. Rain and sleet all the
day. John ill with cold and toothache all day.
7th January
Snow all gone, pouring rain all day. John keeping the library and very cross; Priscilla and three of
the girls went to a Cromer ‘reading’ by Mr Law.
8th January
John rather better but still in the library; the morning spent in clearing and decorating the dining
room, bills perpetually coming in and of course more than was expected, keeping John in a state
of wrath, amongst them Spurgin’s and Bridgeman. Shall be very glad when tomorrow is over.
After lunch the gale blew the whole bath room casement out but John did not hear it.
9th January
John still very ill and cross. All hands working hard at the preparations for the dance, but
everything was ready in time. John got out the wine and got better, it was a more successful
dance and was not over till 3am. The music was very good.
10th January
A most uncomfortable day, ever thing out of order and John ill with fever all day. Got things into
tolerable order by night. Arthurton working hard.
11th January
Junior and Arthurton were driven to Aylsham; Mr Mott, Mr Gurdon, Mr Upcher, H and B, Mr
Shepherd and Mr Grocock woodcock shooting; there were constant heavy snowstorms all; Mr
Mott came back after lunch and sat in the library all the afternoon and just as they were going to
walk with the sportsmen, Mr Upcher came and stayed in the billiard room. Mr H Buxton wrote to
ask if he might bring his boys to fish tomorrow. The last shooting party of the season; what a
happy thing!!
12th January
John rather better and went out, heavy snow storms all the afternoon.
13th January
Letter from Mr Birkbeck about Horace. Snow very deep; John and I unable to get out.
14th January
At 11.30 Miss Pellew and four of the Andersons came. John went ‘justicing’. It came on to snow
and they all came in to lunch and spent the afternoon singing.
15th January
Six of the Anderson’s came and three of the Pigotts; lunch was sent down to the ice but the snow
came so heavily that they had to come into the schoolroom and play ‘Jacks’. As they left the
Andersons turned their sledge over but no one was hurt.
16th January
Soon after breakfast a landau drove up and to our great astonishment HC came with a statement
of his affairs and wanted immediately to borrow £3000.400 [sic] and John to advise him about his
affairs, which he declined as he was far too old to undertake a business he know nothing about.
No one able to get out today.
17th January
Snowing hard all day; sent to the post but did not get letters till nearly one. The snow 9 feet deep
in places; no one able to go out or come to the house.
18th January
Same as yesterday; Minnie walked out in Canadian snow shoes.
19th January
As yesterday; a number of men employed in cutting a pathway down to the Norwich Gates.
John’s temper very easterly.
20th January
One of the dullest Sundays I ever remember. No church anywhere and everything gloomy.
21st January
Very sharp frost. The children skated all day. Six of the Andersons came in the afternoon.
22nd January
Skating all day. The Andersons and Edmund Pigott came. Mr and Miss Pellew left Metton today.
Mrs Anderson spent the afternoon in the library. Told us Henris episode.
23rd January
Rapid thaw. The water came through Anna’s closet, all over her dresses. Thick fog; no one able
to get out.
24th January:
Partial thaw, nearly all the snow gone. Mr Upcher and his children and Mrs F Buxton called. Went
into the garden; the first time out for three weeks.
25th January
About 11.30 we discovered that a pipe had burst and the green room and dining room were
flooded. All hands went to work and fortunately John was shut up in the library and did not find it
out but such a day I think I never passed.
26th January
A very miserable day indeed.
27th January
Went to Felbrigge in the morning; no music, learned afterwards that Edward had an attack of
pleurisy and Mrs Anderson had been up two nights with him. Letter from Ellen containing
satisfactory accounts from Norwich.
28th January
Bobbie spent most of the day howling dismally but at 5 o’clock was sent back to Gresham. Martha
did not go to church yesterday but went with Chamberlin to Roughton. As soon as John came
from ‘justicing’ Chamberlin gave him a months warning.
29th January
Margaret and Minnie rode to Northrepps to enquire for the Dowager. Priscilla and Anna went to
Metton. It rained in torrents.
30th January
A very fine morning. John, Priscilla and Margaret went to Norwich at 4.30. it began to rain just as
they were starting and continued all night in torrents. Just as we came up from dinner we found
another pipe burst and during the evening the pipes burst in four places. We sat up till past
twelve.
31st January
A very fine day; fires all over the house trying to dry the places. Anna and Minnie rode with Mr
Upcher to Barningham. Laura and B Pigott were there; the latter told Minnie that the Gerald
Upchers were staying with the people there; H John gave them an introduction to the Wyatt
Smiths.
1st February
Anna went to Aylmerton church to practice. Mr and Mrs Feilden called to ask if we intended to
continue our subscription to the Baconsthorpe Horticultural and about special prizes. John came
home from Norwich at seven. Mr Caley was buried at Norwich and all the shops were closed.
2nd February
Minnie rode with Bobbie, went with Priscilla to the farm; while gone the Dolphins called. Martha
went away and Sarah Brown came home and made a mistake and came to Cromer costing me 8/(eight shillings) instead of 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence). Very provoking!!
3rd February
Went to Aylmerton in the morning; ‘Mac’ very ill all day.
4th February
Anna and Margaret rode in the morning with Mr Upcher. It rained heavily all the rest of the day.
We were to have called on Mr Spurgin but John sent the cheque by Rudd instead.
5th February
Priscilla, Anna, Margaret went to see the hounds and lunch at Sheringham. At a quarter before
one Mr Anderson, Mary and Willie came to fish. While we were at lunch it began to rain very hard
but Mr Anderson went to the water and caught three pike.
6th February
Went with Anna and Priscilla to call on the Spurgins and Fishers. The children went to Miss
Custance’s.
7th February
Anna and Margaret went with Mr Upcher part of the way to the meet at Hanworth. After we had
done lunch Mr Upcher came for some on his way to the meeting of the Baconsthorpe Society.
8th February
Went to call on the Dowager Lady Buxton and saw Dow. Catherine who is staying with her.
Minnie rode with Bobbie to Sheringham to return a book. A most tremendous thunder storm at 5
o’clock. Oliver here two days putting the water pipes right.
9th February
A very fine day; Minnie and John rode to Kelling. The rest went to Metton and brought Mary
Anderson to 5 o’clock tea and drove her back with Lion.
10th February
During the Communion Service Mr Anderson left off and came and told Chamberlin if he could not
remember where he was he had better leave the Church.
11th February
John went ‘justicing’ and gave Mr Upcher £5 for the Lifeboat – Mr Mott apologised for not being
able to ask us to dinner.
12th February
Priscilla, Anna and Ellen went to Norwich after breakfast to go to a concert and spend the rest of
the week. Went out for a walk with Minnie and Gertie; while out the Fishers called.
13th February
The children went to Cromer. Mrs Anderson wrote to ask John to dine with her and meet the
Fishers, he went and did not sleep all night after it. Only Mr Nelson there besides the Fishers.
14th February
The girls went to Gresham to ask for Bobbie; found him at home at his lessons looking very dull.
Went to the farm. While gone the Beauchamps and Mr Nelson called.
15th February
A very fine day. The children went to Metton and saw the Cornwallis’s. Miss Law sent to ask for
some ice as her father was very ill.
16th February
Rather rainy. Priscilla and the girls came home with young John, not having been once invited by
Mr Heaviside.
17th February
Went to Aylmerton in the morning and Felbrigge in the afternoon. John sen. did not go out all day,
not having slept all night.
18th February
Sent out invitations for a small dinner party on Friday. John went to the ‘Board’ and home to lunch
with Mr Upcher. Pris. Junior and 4 of the girls went to Gresham and found Bobbie again in
disgrace for not applying to his lessons and left him in tears as he was not allowed to go part of
the way home with him.
19th February
Anna and Minnie rode to Northrepps with Mr Upcher and just as they left the Hall Caravan threw
Minnie off. She was not much hurt but her wrist was sprained and her feelings wounded.
20th February
Went to call on Mrs Rogers who was out; was three hours before I got home as John was farming
at Kelling. The Motts called, Mr Anderson and Mr Nelson came to fish and only caught 2 small
pike. Sent some grapes to the Dowager. Mrs Anderson and 5 of her children at the house when I
came home. The girls left off their crinolines the first time today.
21st February
The girls rode with Mr Upcher to meet the hunt. Went to Cromer shopping and on to the Metton
farm. The scullery maid ill with inflammation of the eyes.
22nd February
Mr and Mrs Gay and Mr and Mrs Fisher came to dinner which passed off very well.
23rd February
The scullery maid went to Norwich for advice. The girls walked with the Andersons to call on Miss
Custance; Gertrude Mott staying with them. Anna rode by herself.
24th February
Not able to go to church, bitterly cold and a strong gale.
25th February
Chamberlin left today, John went ‘justicing’ and brought Mr Upcher home to lunch. Anna ill all day
with toothache.
26th February
Most bitterly cold. Went with Anna to enquire for Lady Buxton and called upon Mrs Fisher.
27th February
A very cold day; spent the afternoon in the kitchen garden. Kitchen maid ill.
28th February
Sharp frost and hail storms. Mr Upcher and ‘Hammy’ came to fish but the cold prevented the
Rogers from coming. The Fishers and May Rogers came in the afternoon.
1st March
Bitterly cold. No one able to go out.
2nd March
Went to the farm, 7 calves there. Wind as before but sunny.
3rd March
Went to Aylmerton in the morning and Felbrigge in the afternoon. Most dreadfully cold but dry.
John did not sleep for the last two nights.
4th March
Went to call at Barningham. Mr and Mrs Mott recovering from the influenza. The Andersons
there. As cold as ever. Mrs Mott and Freddy going to London for six weeks; she said we might to
take pity on Mr Mott when she was gone.
5th March
Mr Rogers and his daughters and Mr Upcher and his brother Abbott came to fish. It was a lovely
day and they had very good sport. Aylmerton bible meeting in the evening.
6th March
Went to Norwich as John had to vote the next day. Shopping all the afternoon and spent the
evening at Bracondale. Kitchen maid left today.
7th March
Constant snowstorms. John very cross at going to Yarmouth. Spent the morning with Minnie at
Bridgman’s. In the afternoon the Canon sent Mr Morse to ask if we would give up our house in
The Close, which John positively declined.
8th March
Still stormy. Left Norwich at two. Mr Upcher came to lunch as the hounds met at Hanworth.
Minnie went to lunch at the Canons and had cold mutton.
9th March
Minnie and Bobbie rode to Northrepps and saw the Dowager, who was better and coming home
met Mary Anderson who told her Mrs Pellew was dead and her parents were in London.
10th March
Pouring rain from the north east so bad that no one went to church. Mr Anderson came and there
was sacrament. Some went to Aylmerton in the afternoon and got wet through. Mr Hankinson
had his head plastered, having been thrown out of his pony cart the day before.
11th March
Constant hail storms. Anna and Minnie could not go to Holt to lunch; not able to get out all day.
12th March
Ground covered with snow which prevented Priscilla and the girls going to Sheringham to see the
hounds meet. Went with Margaret to call on the Beauchamps, found them at home and had 5
o’clock tea with them.
13th March
Most dreadfully cold. Priscilla and two of the girls went to call on the Fishers and Miss Custance.
Expected the scullery maid and new kitchen maid; neither were there, but the latter sent her
boxes.
14th March
Letter from new kitchen maid refusing to come but giving no reason and requesting immediate
return of her boxes. Do from Harriet to say she would not be well enough to come till Saturday.
Weather bitter as before.
15th March
Ground covered with hailstones and constant storms. In the afternoon Mr Upcher, Henri and Mr
Pigott called and asked them to go to the Christy Minstrels at Cromer. Priscilla and four of the
girls went and enjoyed it very much.
16th March
Weather as before. No one able to go out. Harriet came back.
17th March
Constant snow storms; not able to go out. Perhaps the coldest day this year.
18th March
Weather as before. Call from the Steward’s wife at Metton to ask what share she was to have in
the eggs etc as fowls were a great deal of trouble and would keep her at home. Fall of snow in the
evening.
19th March
Snow melted but bitterly cold. Went to call on Mrs Anderson who was at home and then to
Cromer; saw Lady Colne and Mrs Fowell Buxton there. In the evening the snow was two inches
thick.
20th March
Snowing and thawing all day. Letter from C Buxton asking for Chamberlin’s character. No one
able to go out all day. Mr Hankinson called to ask for some help in the Sunday School.
21st March
Harriet ill again and gave up the place. Snow thawed a little and Anna and Margaret went to
Sheringham to return a book.
22nd March
Snowing hard all day. No one able to go out.
23rd March
Harriet left today and went out door patient at the hospital. Priscilla and the girls walked out and
got wet through.
24th March
Had an attach of bronchitis and could not go out. Gertrude also was ill from getting wet. The
others went to church both times.
25th March
No better. Pris. Margaret and Anna were just dressing to go to Northrepps when it began to rain
and rained heavily all the afternoon.
26th March
Housekeeper’s room chimney on fire. Jarvis came and mended one of the pipes.
27th March
Went to Norwich with Anna and Margaret to see some servants. It rained hard all the afternoon.
12 kitchen and scullery sent down. Mrs Douglas came and stayed an hour. It was the 3 rd day she
had spent in court that week.
28th March
Anna taken very ill and obliged to lie in bed till tea. Obliged to go and choose gas fittings for John.
Very ill myself with headache all day. Margaret lunched with Mrs Heaviside.
29th March
Anna better and going to dine with Margaret at the Canon’s and go to Dickens readings in the
evenings. Mrs Symonds gave notice to leave her farm at Michaelmas which much annoyed John
as it upset some of his plans about the exchange of land. Reached home at 3 o’clock.
30th March
Most bitterly cold again, obliged to stay in. Heavy storms of rain during the day. C Fenn and L
Clark came home tonight.
31st March
Still colder but fine. Dare not go out as my cough was so bad. Ellen played at Aylmerton as Anna
and Margaret were at Norwich.
1st April
John went justicing the first time for 3 weeks. Just as we had done lunch Mr Fish came and made
a most excellent one completely peeling the beef. Letter from Miss Fitch asking to put my name
on the Hospital Committee. Priscilla called at Northrepps and saw Dowager Catherine; she then
called at the Fitches and paid £5 as an annual subscription to the Cottage Hospital.
2nd April
Mrs Bocking refused to keep the new kitchen maid and I was obliged to give her the under
housemaid and take the other in her place.
3rd April
Went with the children and Priscilla to Thorpe Nursery but could only lay out 1/6 (one shilling and
sixpence) there.
4th April
Smith very abusive and declined making an apology to his master, so I suppose he must be
parted with. Mrs Bocking ill.
5th April
John and Priscilla went to Norwich to bring the children home and see ‘Lord Dundreary’. A bitterly
cold day; did not go out.
6th April
Mrs Bocking very ill but would not see a doctor. Priscilla John and both the girls came home at
night.
7th April
Mrs Bocking obliged to send for Cooper who ordered her a hot bath and a sofa. Went to
Aylmerton church in the afternoon.
8th April
Mrs Bocking no better. John went ‘justicing’; H Upcher on the bench for the first time. Mr Upcher,
Henri and Mr Mott came to lunch and John got up a bottle of sherry 41 years old to drink his health
in.
9th April
Mrs Bocking worse. John very angry at having early dinners. Priscilla and the three eldest girls
went to dine at Sheringham and heard a lecture on ‘Iceland’ from H Upcher afterwards. Only Mr
Mott there.
10th April
Wood auction. Blowing a gale. Went to the farm, the first time for a month.
11th April
Raining at intervals all day, no one able to go out. Sent little Everett into the Cromer hospital. Had
penny readings of Mr Shepherd’s work on ‘Iceland’.
12th April
A very cold day, went with Priscilla to call on Mrs Feilden, who was out. After we came home the
Gays called. Mr Cooper told us Charles Buxton was thrown from his horse and had fractured his
jawbone.
13th April
Raining all the morning. Went with three of the girls round by the Holt Road; it rained very heavily
and we all got wet through. Bobbie came home for a fortnight.
14th April
Raining heavily all day; no one able to get out in the morning. John and Priscilla went to Felbrigge
in the afternoon in spite of the rain. In the evening there was a sermon for the Jews at Aylmerton
preached by a Mr Cousins of London. Mr Hankinson told them Mr Cremer was dying and Mrs
Hutton was come.
15th April
Went to Cromer in the afternoon shopping. Priscilla and Margaret called at Colne House and saw
the Dowager and then went to the hospital. We then called on Miss Pointer. Anna and Bobbie
went to the Cremers and saw Tom; Mr Cremer just alive.
16th April
A very cold day. Bunnett came. Went with Margaret to call on Mrs Mortimer, who was not
expected home for a fortnight.
17th April
A very fine day, but cold. Went out and then of course the Feildens called.
18th April:
John and Priscilla went to Norwich. Ellen and Minnie went with them to stay at Bracondale.
‘Tombland Fair’; the ‘Bonesetter’ went to be sold. Anna went out on Caravan and rode with Mr
Upcher, three of the Buxtons, 2 Pigotts and 6 Gurneys came to ask her to ride with them. Bobbie
lunched at Metton and brought James home to fishing and tea and cards. Mr Cremer much better
and Mrs Hutton ‘Gavazenels’? today only 5 days after her arrival.
19th April
Good Friday; went to Church at Felbrigge in the morning. John, Priscilla and junior came home at
two. Aylmerton church in the afternoon but only three went.
20th April
Raining heavily but J Mott dropped in just as we were going to lunch and when it was nearly over
H & B Upcher came. Mr Upcher came in the afternoon and went down to the water. They caught
22 pike and went all to Barningham. Mott took 3 pike, Henri 3 and left us 4.
21st April
Easter Sunday; it rained in torrents and the gale was so strong that the rain was blown into the
bedrooms in the west front through the brickwork. John went to Felbrigge it was sacrament and
the congregation consisted of Mrs Anderson, John and the clerk. They all went to Aylmerton in
the afternoon.
22nd April
Junior went back as there was so much business doing there. Went to call on Miss Custance –
found her gardening. Anna and Margaret went to Metton but did not go in as the children had the
chicken-pox. Mary Anderson came back with them. A Mrs Ware wrote to John to ask if he
wanted a companion for Miss Ketton and to superintend his large establishment.
23rd April
Priscilla, Anna and Margaret went to Beeston and saw Miss Cremer; Mr Cremer better and Mrs
Hatton and her son going on well. Began to gravel the garden so had the first asparagus at
dinner.
24th April
Anna went to Cromer and had Moe’s likeness taken and they heard of Major Cornwallis’s death.
Just as we sat down to lunch Mrs Jones came and asked me to lend her £12 till Michaelmas,
which I declined.
25th April
Robertson our late sewing maid called having left us 2 ½ years. She had just left her place in
London and was going to another on Saturday. Quite winterly again, wind full north.
26th April
E and J Anderson came in the afternoon and went to the water. Bobbie caught two pike. Mr
Upcher, Laura and M Pigott came and asked Anna to ride tomorrow. Savin’s Photographs were
sent; ‘Moe’ looked very well. Mr Upcher took one, but selected one without ‘Moe’.
27th April
The two Andersons came fishing and caught 4 pike. It rained all the afternoon but Mr Upcher and
E Pigott came and Anna rode with them.
28th April
Bright sun, but north east wind. Went to church in the afternoon and walked in the kitchen garden
after.
29th April
Very cold, Anna and Bobbie rode with Mr Upcher on his way to the Board, which John attended to
speak for old Gray who requires parish allowance. Priscilla and Anna went to Cromer with Ariel
and the new horse. Bobbie went back to Mr Spurgins in very bad spirits.
30th April
Raining all day; no one able to go out. Margaret had a bad sore throat.
1st May
Very cold north east wind, John went to Kelling with Page. Beals went to Norwich for the day and
coming home the axle tree broke and they were very near meeting with an accident.
2nd May
Grand row with the servants, one of them wanting a separate bed. Old Catton while washing the
passages –
3rd May
Went to Norwich, spent the afternoon at Boulgers and the evening at Bracondale. Ellen and
Minnie came back to The Close with me very reluctantly did not go to bed till one looking over old
Humfreys furniture.
4th May
Went to John’s house; spent all the morning shopping till two and had a bevy of housemaids
under, all the afternoon. Minnie ill all the way home.
5th May
Felbrigge church in the morning. H Upcher at Aylmerton and went to tea with Mr Hankinson.
6th May
Fifteen cases before the Magistrates today. Mr Upcher and Henri came to lunch. Mrs Upcher and
Mrs Pigott called. The Upchers start for Paris tomorrow. Mr Cremer died today.
7th May
Bunnett. Went out with Anna for a drive; hot and cold alternately; caught the toothache.
8th May
A Mr Ray, his son and two friends came to look at Symonds farm. They had lunch by themselves
and left at 3.30. Priscilla and the girls went to call at Barningham and found all out. Mr Gayford
and his son came by coach and had high tea with only me and I afterwards spent the evening in
the schoolroom.
9th May
The two Gayfords were out all day about the estate. Priscilla and the girls had tea at the water
with the Andersons. There were only four of us to dinner.
10th May
A fine morning but a succession of thunder storms the rest of the day. Seven of us were at dinner,
but it passed off very well except the fish being let down and spoiled. The lightning all the evening
magnificent. Beals not well and went to Cromer to consult Mr Cooper.
11th May
Thunder storms at seven. The Gayfords had the brougham to go to the coach in. Went in the
afternoon to the kitchen garden, the white horse and Ariel were feeding quietly but just as we were
going down to dinner Sam came in to say that the white horse had kicked Ariel’s leg and broken it
so that it must be shot. Anna went to see the poor thing and cried very much about it. John said
he would send Sam away the next day for carelessness and was fearfully angry all the evening,
upon the whole, it was a most unpleasant day. John being angry about business and Junior’s
carelessness again Beals very ill and unable to do anything.
12th May
Letter from the under housemaid’s mother accusing one of the servants of robbing her daughter of
postage stamps, which being clearly false I took no notice of. Most bitterly cold, went to Aylmerton
in the morning and soon after they came home in the afternoon it began to rain heavily from the
north and continued all night. John very miserable and did not sleep.
13th May
Cooper came to attend Beals. Rainy and cold.
14th May
The Holt show. Priscilla, Margaret and Ellen went; it was a bad show. Dowager Catherine came
with Miss Fry and asked me to show her the house and china and afterwards Mrs Anderson came
to talk about the Confirmation. Excessively cold.
15th May
Priscilla and Anna went to Northrepps to carry the Dowager some strawberries, who was much
pleased with them. Went down to the farm and saw all the young fowls.
16th May
Mr Rogers and his two daughters came to lunch and shoot rooks; they only shot ten as the rooks
were too young; Margaret and Minnie each shot two.
17th May
John, Priscilla, Anna and Margaret went to Norwich; the two latter to stay a few days with the
Douglas’s. We were expecting Lady Buxton and her daughters to walk in the woods at 2.30 as
they appointed with Priscilla but the whole afternoon passed and we saw nothing of them. Ellen
and Minnie very cross at being kept at home for nothing.
18th May
Letter from Mr Upcher to Anna from Paris, do from Mrs Rogers, do at noon from Lady Buxton
saying that she had forgotten all about the engagement of yesterday, as she had an ‘interesting
sacrament’ instead. The two Dowagers called but I was out.
19th May
Felbrigge in the morning. The new altar rails up, very ugly. Archdeacon Hankinson read the
service at Aylmerton – his brother preached, text ‘by little and little;. Ellen played the harmonium.
20th May
Henry Upcher came round in the pouring rain after ‘justicing’ to tell us the right way to get to Paris.
A Mr Spencer came to see Symonds farm and as he came 40 miles and it continued to rain
heavily all night we were obliged to ask him to say the night. Russell Upcher home on leave for 6
months.
21st May
Mr Spencer went away. Bunnett and Caro. Went to the church to look at the new altar rails which
are hideous. Priscilla went to the Spurgins and saw Bobbie and asked him to come rook shooting
the next day.
22nd May
Snow and hail storms all the morning. John sent to put off the Andersons, who were to have come
rook shooting. It cleared up a little in the afternoon and Minnie went to ride with May Rogers and
came home wet through and had her feather spoiled. Bobbie came and shot some rooks with
Meering. Very heavy hailstorms all the evening.
23rd May
Wind full north. Priscilla and the three youngest girls were to have lunched at the Rogers but
could not go.
24th May
Went to Norwich soon after breakfast and met Anna and Margaret in The Close who had come
that morning from Thorpe. Went with them and Junior to the Major’s Déjeuné. Had very good
places appointed; the entertainment lasted 4 hours. 5 members of Parliament were there and it
went off very well. Walked into The Close with Canon and Mrs H at 8 o’clock. Went to
Bracondale and did not go to bed till one talking with cook about the furniture.
25th May
Went to Mrs Bloggs at 10 as she was ill in bed; her daughter fitted the dresses; shopped all the
morning. The girls went out with Mrs Douglas and Amy after lunch and I and cook went to no.8
and settled all the feuders. Mrs H and the Douglas party had 5 o’clock tea with us and then we
returned to Felbrigge. Very cold.
26th May
Every one very tired, very cold rain; no one able to go out in the morning. Some of them went to
Felbrigge in the afternoon.
27th May
All too busy preparing to go to Paris to go out, except Margaret who called at the Spurgins.
28th May
Bunnett and Caro. Peter Hansell came to lunch. Note from Mr Mott requesting our ‘young people’
to engage a room in Paris at the same hotel they were going to. Working hard all day. Anna had
toothache in the evening.
29th May
The party for Paris left here at 4.30; it rained all the evening at intervals. John went with them to
stay the rest of the week in Norwich.
30th May
Ascension Day. Went with Minnie and Gertie to Felbrigge church where the Andersons and three
old women compound the congregation and were continually addressed as ‘my brethren’. Letter
from Norwich from Priscilla to let us know there was a report about Norwich that Mr Upcher was
dead, that a telegram was send down on Monday to Sheringham. Sent Minnie to Mr Hankinson to
tell him all the music services were out and on her way she met L Upcher and M Pigott; wrote to
Paris to that effect. A most awfully hot glaring day.
31st May
All hands busy cleaning. Very hot. Mr Hankinson and Lady Parry called and told me Mrs Hutton
and Miss Cremer had lunched with them and told them Mr Hutton was coming in August to resign
the living.
1st June
Duncan went out for a week. The kitchen maid went to Norwich for the day. Went with Minnie
and Gertie to Beeston and saw Miss Cremer and Mrs Hutton who told me Edmund was coming in
August and that they intended to stay in Scotland. John came back with Martins.
2nd June
Felbrigge church in the morning. The two girls went to Aylmerton in the afternoon. Very hot.
3rd June
Sea fog. John went justicing and saw Mr Upcher who said he was a grandfather. Minnie and
Gertie went to Metton to tea. Mrs Anderson’s eldest brother came to stay but they did not see him
as he did not like strangers.
4th June
Letter from Paris; John wrote to tell them to stay a few days longer as they liked it so much. Went
to the farm in the afternoon at milking time. Walked with John and Minnie. Cranmer who had
agreed to stay gave warning today.
5th June
John did not sleep all night and would not go by coach as agreed; very heavy rain till eleven when
he set off in the Brougham. Very cold, none of us able to go out; had a fire again.
6th June
No letter from John though he said he would write; one from Priscilla who had not got ours; a card
of remembrance from Mrs Landy Brown of her eldest daughter.
7th June
Letter from John informing me he was better and one from Priscilla to say they would be home on
Sunday night. Heavy thunderstorms all day. Cranmer came and said “is there any chance of my
going to Norwich tomorrow?” I said “certainly not, but you can go on Wednesday”. Because said
he “I have heard of two situations”.
8th June
Went to call on Mrs Upcher, with Minnie; saw only Mr Upcher, who met us in the park and asked
me to come in as he had something to tell me, but all I could gather was that he had a letter from
his sister mentioning our party he seemed much amused about something. Johnny Mott married
today. Bobbie came home till Monday.
9th June
Letter from Paris to say they were going to stay there till Monday. Obliged to send a telegram to
John who remained in Norwich and expected them home at three this morning. Had to put off
Bunnett on Tuesday. Went to Felbrigge church in the afternoon.
10th June
Began to clean breakfast room; spent the afternoon in the woods. Bobbie went home at 5 o’clock.
11th June
Chimney sweeps the first thing. Petition from all the servants to go to Cromer which I granted,
though it was inconvenient. The billiard room pulled about and everything in confusion; spent the
afternoon in the garden.
12th June
The ‘Croydon Chronicle’ sent with I Eastly’s wedding in it. John and the whole party came home
at eight – very jaded, bringing the news that George was going to set up for himself and William
was dying.
13th June
Telegram from London that William was better. The morning was spent in unpacking and Mr
Upcher and May Pigott came in the afternoon; began 5 o’clock tea and supper today.
14th June
Mr Spencer came on business and lunched here and drove John to Norwich in the evening. Went
with Anna and Margaret to Northrepps and Colne House, saw the new conservatory. Heavy
storms at intervals all day.
15th June
Priscilla and Anna went to see Bobbie; the others went to see Miss Custance. H Upcher and the
two Pigotts had 5 o’clock tea. The former was going the next day to Norway with Russell. John
came home by coach and told us F Gayford was going into business with George.
16th June
Sacrament; most bitterly cold.
17th June
So cold we were obliged to have a fire. Anna and Margaret went to Cromer and called on the
‘Harpies’. John went ‘justicing; there were 20 cases; Mr Gay’s amongst the rest. Mr Upcher took
5 o’clock tea on his way home. Letter from Ellen telling us that G Stracey was engaged to Miss
Grocok and Miss Fellowes to Mr Grocock.
18th June
John went to Norwich by the omnibus. The Misses Johnson came to 5 o’clock tea and brought the
Miss Nicholls with them but they evidently did not understand the institution as they did not leave
till 9 and we sat with our bonnets on all the evening. M E Anderson came uninvited and had tea
but left soon after. We had to clear the drawing room for the sweeps after they were gone.
19th June
Called upon Mrs Gay who was out. While at 5 o’clock tea we saw Mrs Landy Brown go past and
some of the girls went out to speak to her; she was very ill and was come to Cromer for six weeks
and was not to see any one who could remind her of her daughter.
Soon after, Anna Buxton and Pris Johnston came – they had been taking tea with Mr Hankinson.
20th June
Went to the farm to see how everything was looking; saw the tenth calf this year. The first lot of
geese put up fattening. Mr Hankinson and Mrs Cox called.
21st June
Went to Norwich by myself. John in a very great fear of his son’s being able to conduct the
business; did some shopping and went to Bracondale in the evening. Most bitterly cold.
22nd June
Very busy looking over the furniture with Cook. George in the hall distributing cards of the new
Firm. Went home in the evening and found three of Margaret’s hats were stolen the night before
and Priscilla had searched all the servant’s boxes.
23rd June
Told Duncan that I would forgive the person who had taken the hats if she would but confess it
and that I should investigate it next day.
24th June
Carpeted all the servants but could make out nothing about the hats; gave them till tomorrow till I
should give them into the hands of the police. Began to clean the library today. Called upon Mrs
Cox who was out and then upon Mrs Fuller.
25th June
Found that the servants had taken the hats intending to go out all night to Aldborough Fair.
Carpeted the three guilty ones who stoutly denied it. Acquainted John with it who saw the Kitchen
Maid, who still denied it, but upon his saying he would instantly send for a policeman at last
confessed she did take the hats and gave them to King and when they were missed Dale burnt
them – paid the two laundresses off the same night.
26th June
Dale and King went away. Rent audit. Mrs Maturin came to pay her rent. Priscilla and the girls
went with John to Cromer to meet Mr Upcher and try a case. They called on the ‘Harpy’ and went
to see Miss Colson’s drawing’s.
27th June
A very great muddle; John went to Norwich, Mr Hankinson and Mrs Cox called and then the
Beauchamps, Miss Pearson and ‘Dicky’ came and stayed to 5 o’clock tea. Began painting the
schoolrooms same day.
28th June
Went to the church directly after breakfast to see to the lining of the pew etc. The ‘Harpy’ came
and brought a ‘Curate’ who turned over the leaves of the music while Ellen was playing.
29th June
Cranmer left this morning – Vincent went out for a holiday. Went to the farm in the afternoon. The
church was finished today.
30th June
Felbrigge in the morning. Went there with John – Priscilla and the children went to Aylmerton.
Walked in the wood in the evening.