Happy new year everyone, 2022 is sure to be full of hope, optimism, and the number 2. As for this blog, there is much in store over the next twelve months. There will be the usual semi-random, highly-specific posts relating to Harwich and the surrounding area - these may be sporadic due to having to … Continue reading Harwicensis in 2022
On This Day: December 17
1588 (OS): An act of the Privy Council (P. 401) makes mention of Harwich mariner "Thomas Gray, one of the masters of her Majesties shippes", aka a Principal Master (later Masters Attendant) of the Royal Navy. 1683: Sir Anthony Deane was officially granted his coat of arms, the description of which is said to have … Continue reading On This Day: December 17
Standard Miscellany
Whenever I find myself at the Harwich Museum I seem to spend most of my time scouring old editions of the Harwich Standard looking for anything that is interesting or might be useful for research elsewhere - safe to say my notes are full of all sorts of stories and snippets. From these available editions … Continue reading Standard Miscellany
Augustine Worts: A Brief Sketch
Augustine Worts was one of the more respected citizens of Victorian Harwich, as a trusted chemist, and though he is all but forgotten today, his noteworthy name - in more ways than one - lives on through his legacy, and this post. Worts was baptised at Lessingham, in the north-east of Norfolk, on the 19th … Continue reading Augustine Worts: A Brief Sketch
The 1698 Building
Regular readers of the blog will know of my fascination with what I call "meta-history", as in the history of history itself - when we came to know what we know now. The building at 18 Church Street is a perfect example, with a plaster panel front and centre suggesting a build date of 1698 … Continue reading The 1698 Building
Discussing the Will of Sir Anthony Deane
Despite having talked about the life and subject of Sir Anthony Deane at great length in the past, this blog has almost completely glossed over his will, which is admittedly very unusual, but there are two main reasons why - his will is annoyingly sparse, considering his stature, and also a lot of the content … Continue reading Discussing the Will of Sir Anthony Deane
A Peek at the Pecks
A short time ago, I received a message from someone with a family interest in the Pecks of Harwich, so I thought I would put together some of the information I have, for their benefit as well as for that of any other curious reader. The Pecks were notable in Harwich from the early 17th … Continue reading A Peek at the Pecks
Harwich Guy Carnival: The Early Years
After an enforced break last year, the Harwich Guy Carnival returns in 2021 with all the fun it brings. Let's have a look at the historic festivities from this time of year, and the formation of the Carnival as we know it today. Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes' Day, has been commemorated in Harwich for … Continue reading Harwich Guy Carnival: The Early Years
On This Day: October 15
1578 (OS): Christopher Jones, father of the future master of the Mayflower, was buried at the church of St Dunstan, Stepney. 1664 (OS): Anthony Deane was issued a warrant to move to Harwich and take on the role of master shipwright. 11 years later he would become Sir Anthony Deane. 1870: Ad in the Ipswich … Continue reading On This Day: October 15
The Names of Bathside
When the streets of Bathside were established, the names chosen were all (excepting Stour Road) people of a certain stature, politicians and royalty. Some are more obvious than others, and fall into three distinct categories, so let's look at those. The first category is simple enough - relatives of Queen Victoria, who was on the … Continue reading The Names of Bathside
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