The Hornigolds come to Kings Lynn.
The Hornigolds are often remembered as being one of the traditional families from the North End of Kings Lynn. This was a tightly knit fishing community, whose inhabitants tended to stay within their own part of town and generally only married into other families within the community. St Nicholas Church, which strictly speaking was a chapel, was the local church where the fishing family’s baptisms, weddings and funerals took place. However, despite being part of this community for generations, the Hornigold’s were originally from a little further inland in Norfolk.
William Hornigold was baptised at All Saints church, Shipdham on 9th September 1766. A little less than twenty years later he was at the same church getting married. He married Mary Goddard on 30th May 1786. A son, William, was baptised at Shipdham on 6th June 1789 and a daughter, Mary, on 24th February 1791. Mary died at a young age, but was replaced by another daughter of the same name. This Mary, and her brother Robert were baptised at St Nicholas church, Feltwell on 30th December 1792. This shows that William and Mary had moved from Shipdham to Feltwell. Two more daughters, Sophia and Lucy followed before the family moved again. This time William and Mary moved their family to West Raynham, although their subsequent children were baptised at nearby East Raynham. Charles was born on 23rd May 1802 and baptised on 6th June. Maria was born on the 19th February 1804 and baptised on 24th March 1804. Goddard, named after his mother’s maiden name, was born in 1807. Twins James and Henry were born on the 22nd April 1811 and baptised two days later. James died when only a year old. He was buried at East Raynham on 6th September 1812. Sophia later married and moved to Surrey, Robert became a farmer at Stradsett, not far from Kings Lynn. Of Lucy there seems to be no trace. All five of their surviving siblings subsequently married in Kings Lynn.
William was the first. His parents were still living at nearby West Raynham when William married Elizabeth Caseman at St Margaret’s church, Kings Lynn on 15th July 1811. Witnesses to the wedding were William Hornigold, presumably the grooms father, or perhaps a cousin, and Catherine Hodson. The parish record states that William was living at West Hinton at the time of his marriage. This may be a transcription error as no place of this name exists in the local area and perhaps it should actually be West Raynham. Elizabeth had been married before and was a widow living in Kings Lynn.
Like many before him, William was probably attracted to the bright lights of the town, as his rural childhood would have been very quiet. He would not have literally seen bright lights just yet though as the Kings Lynn Gaslight Company was not formed for another dozen or so years and it would be another thirty years before the entire town was covered.
The couple’s first child, William, was born on 15th March 1813 and baptised the next day at St Margaret's church, the primary church within Kings Lynn. The family were living in Norfolk Street and William senior was a shoemaker.
Kings Lynn had expanded rapidly in the early 1800’s with much of the expansion being smaller rented properties for the lower classes. Many of these were hidden from view in yards behind the more upper class properties. The area between King Street and High Street for instance was full of yards and Norfolk Street also had many yards off of it. This resulted in a subtle migration of some of the wealthier inhabitants of the town. London Road, to the south of the original town centre, had been built a few years before William moved into Kings Lynn. As the centre of town filled with yards full of working class people, many of the wealthier moved out to London Road and the south of town. Seeing the Hornigolds living in places like Norfolk Street and Queen Street, does not signify a secret wealth – they would have been living in yards and cheaper properties on or behind these main streets.
The couple’s next son, Charles, was born on 3rd October 1816 and baptised the same day at St Margarets. A same day baptism can indicate a child that is not expected to survive. I have been unable to trace further records and it is possible that this child did die as an infant. By this time the family had moved to North Street and William was a labourer. North Street is within the fishing community’s area of North Lynn, more commonly known as North End. It was also a busy street with access to the town docks and I do not think that this move was necessarily the start of the Hornigolds becoming part of the fishing community.
The couple’s next child was a daughter, Charlotte, born on 24th September 1820 and baptised at St Margarets on 7th January 1821. William was still a labourer, but the family had moved again and were now in Queen Street.
A few years later William's brother Charles got married. On 14th June 1824 he married Mary Thompson at St Margarets church in Kings Lynn, the home town of Mary. The couple both “made their mark” so were not able to write. Witnesses to the wedding were William and Lucy Hornigold. The parish record shows that Charles was already living in Kings Lynn. He had followed his older brother William in coming to Kings Lynn and may have been living with him or with their parents. The Eau Brink Cut, which was the straightening of the River Ouse to the south of Kings Lynn, was undertaken by navvies and completed in1821. Charles may have come to Kings Lynn to work on this project or to work elsewhere in the town, which would have seen an increase in day to day business, and it is quite possible that Charles initially stayed with his brother. At that time William was living in Queen Street and Charles was certainly living in the same street a year after his marriage.
The next sibling to marry was Maria. A year and a half after her brother, she followed the same route and married John Owen at St Margarets church on 14th October 1824. Neither she nor her brother wasted any time in starting a family. Maria and John had a son, John-William, on 10th October 1825 who was baptised the same day at St Margaret's church. The family were living at Broad Street and John was a mariner. Maria’s brother Charles was a little quicker and had a son named Charles after his father, who was born on 27th March 1825. Charles, Mary and Charles junior were recorded on the baptism record the following October as still living at Queen Street. Charles was a labourer.
Both Maria and Charles continued to add to their families. Charles had a son named William on 17th December 1826. Maria gave birth to another daughter, Mary-Ann, on 29th August 1827. Mary Ann died as an infant. Maria and her family had now moved to St James Street and soon had another daughter, also called Mary Ann. She was born on 27th September 1829, by which time her parents had moved again. They were now living at Providence Row. Throughout this period Maria’s husband John was a mariner. Still more children followed with Charles adding a daughter Elizabeth in 1828 and a son Carter in 1830. Sadly Carter would die young. Maria was the next to add to her family with a son James, who was born on 18th September 1830. Two years later and Charles’s family had another addition, a daughter Eliza born on 28th October 1832. Charles and his family also found some stability throughout this period, continuing to live at Queen Street and with Charles still working as a labourer. Their next child was a daughter Harriet who was born in 1833, but died three years later.
After so many births, and sadly in a few cases, burials too, there now came a wedding. The fourth Hornigold sibling, Goddard, married Emma Webb, who was born in Kings Lynn, on 11th September 1833 at St Margarets church. The marriage was perhaps a little rushed, or more to the point a little late, as their daughter Lucy was born on 20th August of the same year! She was baptised on 27th May 1835. At that time her father was a labourer and the family were living at North Street. This was nearly twenty years after his brother William had lived in North Street, and like his brother I suspect that this was simply a case of finding work at or near to the docks, rather than becoming involved with the fishing community.
William Hornigold senior died in Kings Lynn and was buried on 24th August 1833. He was 67 years old and a labourer, living in North Street. His widow Mary, then living in Queen Street, died two years later and was buried on 22nd February 1835. We know that their son William was the first Hornigold to move to Kings Lynn because William senior and Mary were still adding to their own family at West Raynham when the younger William married in Kings Lynn. However, we do not know when the couple moved to Kings Lynn, or whether their other children moved with them or independently.
Meanwhile Charles Hornigold was still adding to his brood and a son Robert was born on 22nd October 1836 and baptised at St Margarets church on 1st November 1836. Robert died in 1839. Like his brother Goddard, Charles and his family had now moved to North Street. Charles was still a labourer.
The fifth and final Hornigold sibling married in 1836. Henry Hornigold married Pleasance Hall at St Margaret's church on 22nd November.
Goddard was the next to add to his family with a son, also named Goddard, who was born on 1st January 1837 and baptised on the 18th of the same month. The family had moved from North Street and were now living at King Street. Goddard senior was a labourer.
William Hornigold, the first of the five siblings to move to Kings Lynn, died aged 50 on 23rd December 1838. At that time he was a labourer living in the High Street.
The children continued to arrive on a regular basis. Charles had a daughter Jane, who was born on 24th January 1839 and baptised at St Margarets church on 16th March. She was to die just a few years later. The family had now moved to Chapel Yard. Charles, as he had always been, was a labourer. At the same time Goddard had a son named Henry William, sometimes known as Harry, and Henry had a daughter called Mary Ann. At that time Henry was a labourer and he and Pleasance were living in King Street. A son, Henry, was born on 23rd December 1840 and baptised at St Margarets on 22nd February 1841. Maria’s next child was a daughter, Eliza, who was born on 19th January 1840 and baptised at St Margarets church on 13th February. Her family were also living in, or off of, King Street. Her husband John was still earning a living as a mariner, but apparently a second career was in the pipeline too. Charles then had another son who was named Carter, the same name as the earlier child who had died. He was born on 16th January 1841 and baptised at St Margarets church on 22nd February 1841. His father’s address was recorded as Chapel Street, not the Chapel Yard that was recorded on the previous sibling’s baptism record. In any event these addresses put Charles and his family firmly in the North End. Goddard had a son named Robert was born on 28th February 1841.
The 1841 census.
The 1841 census records Maria and her family as living in King Street. John was a publican, probably at the Royal Oak, 12 King Street, now called Chequer Street. A John Everitt was publican there until 1839 and a William Pilch from 1851. John Owen is only actually recorded as being there during 1845. Still at home were children William, Mary, James and Eliza.
Henry and his family were living at Annes Yard, off King Street. Mary was 2 years old and Henry 5 months. Henry senior was a labourer.
Goddard and his wife Emma were with their four children Lucy, aged 7, Goddard, aged 4, Henry aged 3 and Robert, aged 1.They were living in the High Street. Goddard was a labourer, like his brother Henry.
William Hornigold’s widow Charlotte was living in Lynn with her widowed mother and 77 year old Ann Martin. William’s oldest son William had married Margaret Grimmitt at St Margarets church in Kings Lynn on 7th May 1834. They were now living in Church Street with their children William, aged 5, Mary, aged 2 and Charlotte aged 2 months. William was a porter.
Charles and his family were living at one of the yards off of St Annes Street. By this time Mary had had nine children, three of whom had died. With Charles and Mary were children Charles, William, Elizabeth, Eliza, Jane and new born son Carter. Charles is recorded as a fisherman for the first time, five years after first moving to the North End as a labourer. Both Charles and his brother Goddard had previously lived in North Street, but Charles seems to be the first of the Hornigolds who can truly be called a North End fisherman.
The Fishing Community.
The North End which Charles had become entwined with was a fascinating place. The centre of the community was St Nicholas church. Best clothes were worn on a Sunday and boats did not set sail on that day. The women were all regular churchgoers, the men slightly less so.
The fishermen all wore similar clothes, a kind of unofficial uniform. Sealskin hats were gradually replaced by flat caps. Some men wore earrings giving them a piratical character. Long leather boots, which became incredibly stiff with wear, protected their legs. Jackets were reefer jackets and they partly concealed the most important item of clothing – the gansey. A gansey was a knitted sweater of dark blue wool. Each family had their distinct pattern, handed down over generations. A silk scarf, knotted at the neck, completed the outfit.
Life at sea was hard and apart from the obvious risk of drowning had some unique ailments. The constant exposure to sea water and the repeated handling of wet ropes made the skin tough, but deeply cracked skin and nasty boils were common.
The boats had a very shallow draft and little or nothing in the way of rails to hold onto. Falling overboard was a very real danger and many of the fishermen could not even swim. Some felt that if they were to fall in, then drowning quickly was preferable to drowning slowly while trying to swim to safety! The boats obviously had no modern instruments and fog was a potentially deadly hazard. Ice in tidal creeks could create a hole in such basic boats and bad weather generally was an unpleasant experience on board. A small cabin below the foremost part of the deck was the only protected area in which to take shelter. Here was kept the all- important frying pan and kettle. The frying pan would contain the same fat for days or even weeks, usually being changed only when the footprints of rats could be seen in it. Even then the fat was not wasted, but was used to grease the wooden beams of the mast. Tea was made in the kettle, which would be topped up with milk and sugar. “Fresh” mugs of tea must have been very well stewed and an acquired taste.
Various fish and shellfish were caught. Mussel fishing was achieved by mooring the boat on a sandbank at low tide and literally digging and raking up the mussels. Oysters, cockles and prawns were caught by dredging. Herring, and several other fish, were caught by drift nets. A beam trawl was used for shrimps and prawns.
On shore the associated trades including making, mending and treating nets and cleaning the caught fish were all dealt with within the community.
More children and two weddings.
The baby boom continued with Maria having a son, Thomas, on 7th October 1842. Goddard’s next child was a daughter Maria, who was born on 1st March 1843. She was born deaf and dumb, never married, but became a dressmaker. Much of her life was spent living with her brother Henry William, although the 1891 census shows that she was with another brother in North Ormesby. Charles had a daughter Harriet on 23rd April 1843. She was baptised at St Nicholas church, the church of the fishing community. Henry had a daughter Georgina in 1843 and a son William on 22nd June 1844. Sadly Georgina died when only a year old. The Hornigold’s continued to move house regularly. 1842 saw Maria at Ferry Lane and Charles at Pilot Street, still in the North End. Henry was still at King Street. He was now a porter. Given his previous occupation as a labourer this new role was probably not a doorman but a porter who moved baggage.
Charles Hornigold’s son, also named Charles married Sophia Goldsmith at St Nicholas church on 1st October 1848. Her father Joseph was a sailor. Both families lived in Norfolk Street at this time.
Henry’s next child was a daughter, Pleasance, who was born on 3rd June 1846 and baptised at St Margarets on 28th March 1852. The family were still at King Street and Henry was no longer a porter, but was now a labourer again. Goddard’s next child was a daughter Sophia who was born on 12th February 1846 and baptised on 2nd May of the same year. The family were now living at Pilot Street and the baptism record shows that Goddard was now a fisherman too. Sophia’s baptism was at St Nicholas church, the church of the fishing community.
Charles too was still adding to his family. A daughter Ann was born on 10th October 1846 and baptised on 20th August 1848, at which time the family were living at Pilot Street. Goddard’s next two children were daughters. Sarah Jane, known as Jane, was born in 1846, and Kerenhappuch Sophia was born on 23rd February 1847. Kerenhappuch would go on to marry William Merry on 6th February 1873but she died later that year. Henry’s next child was Eliza, who was born on 10th August 1849.
The next marriage was that of Charles’s son William. He was a fisherman like his father and on 14th July 1850 he married Peace Coe at St Nicholas church. William Bann and Harriet Barker were witnesses. Peace had been born on 5th January 1831 and baptised on 26th April at St Margaret's church in Kings Lynn. Her baptism record lists her mother as Diana but no father is listed. On her marriage record a note is made to the effect that she was illegitimate, but despite this her father is recorded as John Roberts, a harness maker. In 1851 the probable father, saddler John Roberts and his wife Elizabeth were living at 51 Lynn Road, Gaywood.
In true Hornigold fashion William and Peace wasted no time in starting a family. Louisa was born in 1850, the year that her parents married. Initially the family lived in North Street with Peace’s grandparents Henry and Diana Coe.
The Regatta.
The Kings Lynn Regatta was a big event, watched by many of the townspeople who crowded the banks and even watched from moored boats. With such big crowds pickpockets were an unwelcome problem, some travelling to the town just for the big event. On the boating side, the name Hornigold appears regularly in the winner’s lists.
Thursday 27th July 1848. This was a one day regatta, but in later years the regatta would become a two day event. The weather had been very unsettled but the day itself was mostly dry, with a stiff breeze making the water a little choppy. The scheduled 1 o clock start had to be delayed by two hours because of the tide. Not a good example of forward planning. The crowd was estimated at six to eight thousand, boosted by those that had arrived by train specifically to see the event. The river banks were full of spectators, some of whom watched from their horse drawn carriages. Frederick Hornigold finished fifth in the race for pair oared boats [sculls]. There is no trace of a Frederick Hornigold on the 1841 or 1851 census records and as the Hornigolds were often known by their second Christian name or by a nickname, this gentleman could be one of several Hornigolds. The duck hunt category for a man in a gun boat was won by H Hornigold in a time of fifteen minutes. This won him a £2 prize. The scratch match, which was open to all, saw the Nereid finish second with H Hornigold part of the crew and the Enterprise finish fourth with G Hornigold and C Hornigold as crew members. The first of these Hornigolds were almost certainly Henry, born in 1811 and Goddard born in 1807. The other is probably Charles, born in 1802, but could be one of several younger men.
The 1850 Regatta took place on a Friday. The previous night had been very wet, leaving an extremely soggy riverside for the spectators. The day itself was showery too. So wet summers are not just a recent phenomenon! H Hornigold in the Helen Faucit won the pair oared boats race with a prize of £3. This would have been Henry Hornigold, born in 1811.
The 1855 Eau Bank Regatta, as it was sometimes called, was not such a good event. It rained all day, although the local newspapers referred to the speed with which boats are loaded and unloaded as being a problem. Surely boats that have been dealt with and left the dock, would have been replaced with more waiting to unload? The race for pair oared boats was again won by H Hornigold, this time in the Freda.
In 1861 The Hornigolds again featured prominently. The gunboat match was won by H Hornigold in the King Fisher with G Hornigold finishing second in Marlinspike. The gunboats were used on the marshes for duck shooting and were therefore very shallow. They were propelled by the occupant standing up with a double ended paddle, which must have looked a little like a clockwork toy. The rowing match for boats from Lynn ships was won by H Hornigold in the Rose. This was probably Henry, born 1811, but could have been his son or his brother Goddard’s son, both of whom were also named Henry! The G Hornigold would have been Goddard, born 1807, or possibly his son of the same name!
The 1862 Regatta, held on Thursday 21st August, saw better weather – a beautiful summer day. Newspapers referred to there being several thousand spectators, who could enjoy the many refreshment stalls and live music as well as the regatta itself. The mayor had dictated that all shops in the town must close so as to allow staff and customers to instead attend the regatta. This principle was always applied to the February fair – the Mart –too. There were two sailing, and six rowing, matches but the former took three hours due to a lack of wind! The rowing match for pair oared boats saw H Hornigold finish second in the Toby.
The 1863 Regatta again saw the name Hornigold feature prominently. The £2 first prize for the gun boat race was won by W Hornigold junior in the Tom Tit. Second was H Hornigold in the Petrel and fourth was W Hornigold in the Harkaway. The Regatta had apparently been slightly declining for a few years but the presence of the Royal Family at Sandringham was used by the organisers to help promote the event. Yet again the weather was far from ideal with showers in the morning, but a better afternoon. It could have been worse as the evening saw heavy rain. The riverside amusements included Aunt Sally, Young Mace, Ethiopian Serenaders, performing ponies, rifle shooting and musical bands. Almost ten thousand spectators spread along both banks of the river.
The 1865 event saw a Hornigold collect the Ouse Cup by winning the sculling match for gigs. The £3 prize would probably have been as welcome as the cup.
The 1866 Regatta was held on a sunny day. In addition to the usual excursion trains, there were some specials which ran from Kings Lynn, along the Sutton Bridge line to West Lynn, enabling people to easily gain access to the west bank of the river. Large telegraph boards were used so that the crowds could see the results of the races. W Hornigold finished second in the Ouse Cup race for amateurs who had connections with the river. Apparently the heaviness of his boat stopped him from winning! This was probably William, born 1813, whose father was also called William.
The 1851 census.
Charles and his son Carter seem to be absent from the census. His wife Mary and children Eliza, Harriet and Ann are lodgers with Sarah Senter, in Pilot Street. Sarah’s son James and niece Mary Ann are also in the house. The absence of Charles and Carter could possibly be explained by them being at sea, but why are his wife and other children recorded as lodgers, rather than being in their own home?
John, Maria and children Eliza and Thomas were living at Cuckoo Street. John was no longer just a mariner, or even a publican, but a master mariner. A master mariner was someone qualified to take command of a ship, although not necessarily a captain and often referred to someone who owned several boats and captained one of them himself.
Strangely the census records Henry Hornigold as an innkeeper. The family were living at the Whitby Tavern, 40 King Street. Children Mary Ann, Henry, Pleasance, William and Eliza were all with the family. In 1844 Henry was a porter and in 1852 he was a labourer, so his spell as an innkeeper seems to have been short lived. The tavern was sold freehold at auction on 9th September 1847, as part of the estate of the late John Morse. The ground floor included a parlour, two kitchens, a cellar and a dining room. The upper floor had four bedrooms. It seems likely that the new owner employed Henry as innkeeper. Perhaps Henry’s brother in law John Owen was involved somehow as he was a publican as well as a mariner.
Goddard and his family were still at Pilot Street. Goddard was a fisherman, Goddard junior a bricklayer’s boy and Harry [Henry] a rope makers boy. Youngsters Robert, Maria, Sophia and Jane were all living at home. Missing from this census is youngster Kerenhappuch Sophia.
William’s son William was living at Croker Lane. William was a labourer and his son William was a sailor. Children Mary, Charlotte, Harriet, Elizabeth and Walter were all living at home.
Even more children and a strange event.
Goddards next child was Frederick Juell who was born in June 1851 and baptised on 1st July of the same year at St Nicholas church, along with older siblings Henry and Sarah Jane. Frederick and several of his siblings would later move to North Ormesby, which is now part of Middlesbrough.
By 1854 Maria’s husband John Owen was a master mariner, but also the publican at the Valiant Sailor in Nelson Street. From 1848 the pub was leased by the local Bagge family, who went on to buy the pub in 1885.
And still there were more children! Goddard had a son, John James, known as James, who was born on 16th December 1853. He was followed by Thomas William, known as William, who was born on 24th September 1856. He was baptised at St Margaret's church on 10th October of the same year along with his brother John. The family were now at Purfleet Street. Purfleet Street ran from the High Street to the Customs House and was therefore close to the river, but it was not in the North End. The families most recent baptism had not been held at the fishermen’s church either. There may have been some sort of a problem for Goddard with the fishing community, but there is another, perhaps more likely scenario. The “New Cut”, which was the straightening of the River Ouse closest to the dock was started in 1850 and completed in 1853. This would have caused some disruption to the fishing fleet and there may well have been insufficient moorings. Goddard’s new home was very close to the Boal Quay which may have become an alternative mooring place. Goddard was certainly still a fisherman. Henry was still adding to his family too. A son, Arthur, was born in September 1856.
Meanwhile Charles’s son William and his wife Peace had been adding to their family too. A daughter Mary Ann Elizabeth was born in 1854, followed by a son Charles in 1856 and a son William in 1858. By then the family had moved to Pilot Street, where they remained until 1870.
An unusual court case took place in 1857 involving a Mr Royston, a tenant of Lady Howard of Castle Rising, against Mr Charles Hornigold. In 1852 Charles Hornigold’s boat had drifted onto a marsh, miles from habitation, but on the land let to Mr Royston. Charles continued to live there and constructed some banks in order to enclose a half acre of marsh. He literally lived and slept there and at high tides his new home was like an oasis. He made a living from wildfowling and fishing and his position enabled him to help out when ships were wrecked or in trouble. He caused no harm through taking up residence there and regularly sent Mr Royston some fish. Charles then decided he needed a pony and a donkey in order to take his fish to Lynn. On the other side of the banks he had created was meadowland on which sheep grazed at low tide. It was when Charles put his donkey and pony out to pasture on this land that he was accused of trespass, resulting in the court case. It was as though his setting up home had been accepted, but now he was overstepping the mark! He was told by the court that he would have to pay for trespassing, but he counter claimed squatters rights! Nominal damages were awarded to Mr Royston and it was stated that no person had the right to squat! Charles may have pursued his claim to squat, or perhaps peace was restored and he was simply left alone again. He certainly continued to live there.
Charles’s son Charles and his wife Sophia were living at 67 Pilot Street. Next door was Sophia’s father, a fish vendor.
Goddard’s next child was Elijah, who was baptised at St Margarets on 10th December 1858. The family were still at Purfleet Street, but on the baptism record Goddard is recorded as being a ballast heaver, not a fisherman. This may have been a temporary and/or additional job as most of his life from the 1840’s until his death was spent as a fisherman.
Charles Hornigold and wildfowling.
There are various references made to the Hornigold’s being fishermen but along with others from the North End they were also wildfowlers. In fact they were probably fishermen for eight months of the year and wildfowlers for four months, although some fishing also took place during the winter wildfowling season. Charles Hornigolds move to the marshes of North Wooton may have coincided with him spending more time wildfowling, although census records continued to refer to him as a fisherman. Charles, his son Charles and his grandson Charles [William and Peace’s son] comprised the famous "three Charles" Hornigold punt gunners, one of whom made the pages of the Lynn News when he got 19 geese with a single shot. In summer they were yachtsmen for the wealthier Lynn families, mainly the Cresswell family who were bankers.
The coast around Kings Lynn consists of large areas of marsh with various creeks and dykes leading to the sea, some permanent and some tidal. The main tributaries had banks beside them which provided a dry pathway and a place to hide for the fowlers. Sometimes old boats, past their best, were converted to houseboats and moored up as temporary homes and shelters to be used while fowling.
The main targets were ducks; Mallard, Teal, Widgeon and geese; Brent. Today Norfolk is famous for its grey geese, primarily Greylag and Pink Footed, but when the Hornigolds were wildfowling the Brent Geese were the common ones. The geese would sleep out at sea, flying in before dawn to feed and returning just before dusk. The fowlers would be waiting beneath their flight paths, hidden from view by banks. Wading birds, mainly Curlew, Snipe and Lapwing, known locally as Peewits, were also shot. A less comfortable method of staying out of sight prior to shooting involved digging a “grave” in which to lie in, from which the fowler would suddenly sit upright as the birds flew over. A more elaborate version of this was to sink a barrel into the mud, but this would need baling out each day. In both of these cases it would have been a very cold and damp wait until a shot could be taken.
Hard frosts on the marshes would force the birds to feed nearer to the sea, amongst the tidal creeks. Here punt guns could be used. The fowler would lie down in the shallow flat bottomed punt, paddling gently with small hand paddles until he was close enough to shoot. The massive punt guns could hit as many as a hundred birds with one shot if the flock was large. The fowler would then quickly stand up and paddle in close to catch the dead and crippled birds, sometimes using dogs to retrieve them. Springer Spaniels were often used. In my lifetime I can remember four different Spaniels all of whom were named Wash after the area of sea framed by Norfolk and Lincolnshire. My dad claimed that this name was a Hornigold tradition.
The 1890 book “The Birds of Norfolk: with remarks on their habits, migration and local distribution”, reveals much about the birds of Norfolk during the latter half of the nineteenth century and also specifically mentions the Hornigolds. A Mr Cresswell apparently told the author about a wildfowler named Charles Hornigold who caught seven geese in one short section of netting on the shore of the Wash, near to Kings Lynn. The birds were so tangled in the netting that they could only be retrieved by cutting the net. It is likely that the Charles Hornigold referred to here is the one who lived “on the marsh” at North Wooton. Netting was another method of catching birds and was often used for plovers. A large net was rolled up and attached at one end to a pole, with a line going back to the wildfowlers hiding place. A spring such as those found on a carriage was incorporated between pole and net. Birds would be tempted in to land by using decoys, often including live, tethered birds from a previous catch. When a good number of birds were in the line of fire the net was released by pulling the line and the net would shoot out in an arc and drop over the unsuspecting birds.
The Hornigold’s would use some of the birds themselves, others were sold to local game dealers who sent many of them to the London markets.
The 1861 census.
Goddard and his family had moved again and were now at West Lynn. This was literally just across the river from the Boal Quay where his boat may have been moored when he lived at Purfleet Street. Again the reason for the move is not known, but one way or another Pur Fleet itself may be the reason. Kings Lynn had several “fleets” which were used as both a source of water and as drains. Not exactly a healthy mix! Pur Fleet was one of the worst and would not have been pleasant to live near. Between 1865 and 1866 Purfleet was filled in as far as the High Street just leaving the short section still in situ by the Customs House. In order to achieve this several properties were demolished, including those that were built on a bridge, called High Bridge, which was roughly in line with the High Street. It is possible that Goddard knew what was to come and decided to move out. With Goddard and Emma at West Lynn were some of their children; Henry, a fisherman like his father, Maria, a dressmaker, Kerenhappuch, Sarah Jane, Frederick, John James, Thomas William, Elijah and a grandson Robert.
While Goddard was getting out of Purfleet Street his brother Henry was moving in, so another possibility is that Henry simply took over the property that Goddard moved out of. Henry was now a boat builder. With him and his wife are children William, a cabinet maker, Pleasance, a dressmaker, Eliza and Arthur. Later in the year daughter Pleasance died.
Charles was living at North Wooton, in the “cottage on the marsh” as the census described it. Converted boat on the marsh would be more accurate. Charles was still a fisherman as was his son Charles, who was now living back at home again. Daughter Harriet was a field worker and all other children had left home.
Charles Hornigold junior appears on the census with his parents at North Wooton. His wife Sophia’s whereabouts are unknown and she does not seem to appear on the census, but reappears on the next one. Given a future event, perhaps she was enjoying the hospitality of the local police! Charles was still a fisherman.
Maria was recorded on the census as a victualler’s wife. Daughter Eliza was still at home, but her husband John was at sea. He was the master of the Rose. Also on board was his brother in laws son Goddard [the son of Goddard] who was an able seaman. The ships mate was William Owen and two other able seamen made up the crew; Robert Lake and Thomas Henderson. Later that year, on 17th December, Goddard junior married Jane Elizabeth Mitchell, whose father William was a shoemaker. The wedding was at St Peters church, West Lynn. The wedding record confirms Goddard’s occupation as a mariner. Unfortunately Goddard ultimately died whilst serving on the Rosa. He drowned at sea on the 27th October 1862.
William’s son William was now living at Smith Court, Bridge Street. William was a coal porter and daughter Elizabeth a servant. Children Walter, Charles, Margaret, Madelina, Priscilla and Matilda were all living at home.
Two weddings, more children and more strange events.
Charles’s son Carter was the next Hornigold to be married. He wed Ann Elizabeth Brady at St Johns church on 22nd September 1861. Witnesses were William Howard and Robert Bannet. Several children soon appeared in quick succession. Daughter Susanna Rebecca was born in 1862, Elizabeth Mary in 1864, Rebecca Ann on 3rd July 1866, and Christiana Ann in 1868.
William and Peace continued to expand their family too. A son Carter was born in 1861, followed by a son Arthur Henry in 1863 and a daughter Kerenhappuch, known as Happy, in 1866. A son Henry Wallace was born in 1867, but died in 1870. In that year a daughter Isabella was born.
Henry’s son William married Elizabeth Bullen at St Margaret's church on 22nd February 1866.
On 12th November 1866 a labourer called Zacharia Warnes was knocked down by a horse and cart which was being driven by an Inland Revenue officer called William Thompson. Zacharia was walking home from work in the evening and suffered a bruised shoulder, loosened teeth and a partly severed ear. Witnesses were Goddard’s wife Emma Hornigold, and their daughters, deaf and dumb Maria and Sophia. Zacharia was off work for fifteen weeks due to his injuries. The court agreed that the cart should have stopped in time to avoid the collision although the driver may have called out a warning, which was not heard.
Henry’s son William and his wife Elizabeth soon started a family. A son William Henry was baptised on 16th December 1866 at St Peters church, West Lynn. At that time William senior was a shipwright.
In January 1867 a group of young men and fishermen were going out from the west ferry landing. James Green of Dersingham was pulling up the anchor when it snagged and he fell backwards into the river. The ebb tide carried him away before anyone could help him. A fisherman called Hornigold rowed after him but could not catch him and his body was found later that day. The would-be rescuer would almost certainly have been Goddard or his son Henry.
In May 1867 Sophia Hornigold, the wife of Charles junior, was arrested by Sergeant Tungate for being drunk and disorderly in Norfolk Street on a Saturday afternoon. She was fighting and “almost in a state of nudity” so the Sergeant was obliged to lock her up. She was reprimanded and discharged. Apparently she was a regular offender, which may explain her absence from the previous census.
In April 1868 Carters wife Ann was in trouble. [This Carter was the son of Charles]. Along with Christina Anderson she was charged with assaulting William Howard and his wife at the cemetery. They were ordered to pay expenses, which they refused to do, so they were fined with costs. When they also refused this they were incarcerated for seven days!
The winter of 1868/69 saw one of the Hornigolds suffer an assault. John Riches of Pilot Street was charged with assaulting Sarah Hornigold, also of Pilot Street. He had broken several windows in the house next to hers and when she told the owner, he smashed her windows too. Not satisfied with that her also hit her, knocked her down and kicked her. He was given two months in prison with hard labour. There does not seem to be a Sarah Hornigold who fits in with this and I think that it was actually Sophia Hornigold, the wife of Charles’s son Charles.
Henry’s son William added to his family with a son Harry who was baptised at St Peters church, West Lynn on 5th April 1868. A son Herbert Edward was baptised on 20th February 1870.
The Hornigold family suffered another tragedy. William’s grandson, also named William like his father and grandfather, drowned while working on the Ann Guzzwell, a fishing boat from Grimsby. He drowned on 19th May 1869.
Carter and Ann had a son Frederick Charles who was born in 1870 and baptised at St Nicholas on 25th December 1870. He died when he was just two years old.
The 1871 census.
Goddard’s family were settled at West Lynn. Twenty two year old Kerenhappuch, a char woman, sixteen year old James, a fisherman, fourteen year old William, an agricultural servant, twelve year old Elijah, a farm labourer and twenty eight year old Maria, a dressmaker, were all still living at home with Goddard and Emma. Goddard’s son Henry, known as Harry, had married Hannah Cousens in 1864. They were also living in West Lynn with children Mary Ann and Henry William. Harry was a fisherman.
Maria was an innkeeper’s wife, with her husband John presumably at sea again. She was now at the Mermaid in Nelson Street. All of her children had left home.
Charles and Mary, now in their late 60’s were still living “on the marsh” at North Wooton. The winter of 1870/71 had been particularly severe and it must have been a very cold winter for fishing and wildfowling. Charles was still listed as a fisherman on the census. Charles died in 1880 and in 1881 Mary was living at St Annes Street, Kings Lynn with her son Carter and their family.
Charles’s son Charles and his wife Sophia were living at Half Moon Yard off of Pilot Street. Charles was still a fisherman.
Henry was still a boat builder. He and his family were living at Purfleet Street, at a yard called Exleys Yard Court. Fourteen year old Arthur, a page, was the only child still living at home.
William’s son William was now a widower and living at the workhouse in Exton Road.
Charles’s son William and his wife Peace were living at Trues Yard, the remaining cottage of which is now a museum of the old fishing community of Kings Lynn. Just a year later they were living at North Street and another daughter had been born; Rosetta. She was joined three years later by Jeanette Catherine.
Charles’s son Carter and his wife were living in Rhodes Yard, Pilot Street. Carter was a fisherman. Children Susanna, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Christiana and Frederick were at home. Also in the house was 21 year old net maker Sarah Ann Dow. She was an unmarried boarder.
Henry’s son William was living at Belvoir House, Hunstanton. His occupation was Lodging House Keeper and carpenter. With him and Elizabeth were children William, Harry and Herbert. Sixteen year old servant Mary Cozens was also living with them. She too was originally from West Lynn. Judging by the baptism records for his children William could not have remained at Hunstanton for long.
More children!
Carter and Ann had a daughter Sarah Ann who was born on 27th December 1872 and baptised at St Nicholas church on 19th January 1873. A son Carter Brady was born on 31st December 1874 and baptised at St Nicholas church on 24th January 1875. A son Charles Brady was born on 9th December 1877and baptised on 6th January 1878 at St Nicholas church. A son Benjamin James was born on 3rd November 1880 and baptised at St Nicholas church on 28th November.
Henry’s son William continued to compete with his brother in the family stakes. A daughter Kate Elizabeth was baptised on 1st November 1874. A daughter Amelia was baptised on 2nd April 1876. A daughter Pleasance was baptised on 24th November 1878. All of the children were baptised at West Lynn. William was a shipwright throughout this period.
The 1881 census.
Maria and John, who was at home, not at sea, were living at the Valiant Sailor in Nelson Street, where John was the publican. Living with them were son William, an out of work mariner, and his family. They would not stay here long as Richard Howes became publican on 26th June 1882. John died the same year and it may have been then that Richard Howes took over.
Goddard, Emma and two of their sons were still living at West Lynn. William was a farm labourer and Elijah a slater – a roofer who worked with slate.
Goddard’s son Henry, aka Harry, was described as a fisherman and gunner. The family had grown considerably in ten years with children Robert, William, Frederick and Matilda joining Mary and Henry William junior. They were still living in West Lynn. Harry’s wife Hannah would die the following year.
The 1881 census shows Henry, as a “captain of yacht” living off of Railway Road. He was now a 72 year old widower as his wife Pleasance died in April 1879 at the age of 62. Sharing Henry’s home were 65 year old Margaret Youngs, a housekeeper and 45 year old lodger Benjamin Rippingill. Henry died on 14th February 1882. His personal estate of £59 5s 6d went to probate. He was described as a boatman and his estate was proved by Francis Joseph Cresswell esquire of Kings Lynn who was the sole executor.
Charles’s widow Mary was living at St Annes Street with her son Carter and their family. Her son Charles was an agricultural labourer lodging next to The House on the Green public house at North Wooton. Next door, and probably his landlords, were the Drew family. Sophia is again not with him, but what appears to be the correct Sophia is a housekeeper to 76 year old hawker, Thomas Moore, living at Southgate Court, South Lynn. She died in 1884 and was buried on 9th February at All Saints church. On the parish record her abode was listed as the workhouse. It seems that the couple separated, but never divorced and that she ended up in the workhouse. Her liking for drunk and disorderly behaviour may have had something to do with this.
William’s son William was still living at the workhouse at the age of seventy. His occupation was listed as former domestic servant. He died in January 1884. With so many Hornigolds in Kings Lynn it is perhaps a little unusual that none of them were able to take him in rather than let him spend so many years in the workhouse.
William, Peace and their family had moved a short distance to Begleys Yard. As recently as the mid 1800’s all the families in the yard shared a washhouse and toilet. The smell within the virtually enclosed yards would not have been improved by the caught fish being sorted and cleaned. Fifteen year old Happy was a charwoman.
Charles’s son Carter and his family were living in St Anns Street. Carter was a fisherman. Children Elizabeth, Rebecca, Christiana, Sarah, Carter, Charles and Benjamin were at home. Also living with them was Carters mother Mary.
By 1881 Henry’s son William and his family had emigrated to South Africa.
A sad death.
The Wild Duck was registered at Kings Lynn in 1856 and was once owned by Francis Joseph Cresswell. For several years William Hornigold, the son of Charles, was employed by Francis Joseph Cresswell on board his yacht. The Cresswell family were quite illustrious. Francis Joseph had a brother, Captain Samuel Gurney Cresswell, who was the first naval officer to completely cross the Northwest Passage. The Gurney family, into whom the Cresswells had married [Francis and Samuels grandmother was a Gurney] were bankers and owned Gurneys Bank, which was based in Norwich. The branch in Kings Lynn was housed in a large building on the Tuesday market place. Gurneys merged into Barclays in 1896 and the same building was Barclays headquarters in Kings Lynn for many years. It seems likely that William Hornigold bought “The Wild Duck” from Joseph Cresswell. She was a typical fishing smack of around 43 feet in length and 12 feet in width. She was clinker built [constructed with overlapping lengths of timber] with a square stern and was cutter rigged. A cutter rigged boat has a single mast with a large main sail aft of the mast and two sails forward of the mast.
William came to a sad and untimely end on 15th October 1885. He was the skipper of his boat, The Sheldrake, known as the Wild Duck, and sailing with him was 21 year old James Anderson, who was also from the North End. They had set sail from North End out into the Wash intending to catch shrimps. They ran aground on Ferrier Sand, just off of Snettisham and Heacham. Late in the day they were spotted by some other fishermen, including a member of the Balls family from North End. He suggested that William borrow his rowing boat as the Wild Duck did not have one, but William rejected the offer, seemingly quite confident that the Wild Duck would re-float as soon as the flood tide returned. Unfortunately when the tide did turn it was strengthened by a strong wind, sufficiently strong to knock a hole in the hull of the Wild Duck as it surged to and fro on the sandbank as the tide reached it. It was reported that William climbed the mast and held onto the rigging, perhaps looking out for other fishermen who could help. As the smack began to break up the mast fell into the sea. William and James were both drowned. When they did not return that night the North End fishermen set out to look for them and both bodies were found the following morning. William was still in some of the rigging into which he had climbed. Following Williams death his wife Peace moved in with other members of the family.
The wreck of the Wild Duck remained until 1902 when she was broken up.
Children again!
Carter and Ann had a son Frederick James who was born on 2nd August 1883 and baptised at St Nicholas church on 9th April 1894. A daughter Ada Elizabeth [possibly Ann Elizabeth] was born in 1884.She was baptised at St Nicholas church on 2nd April 1886. A daughter Margaret Ann was born in 1886.
The 1891 census.
Goddard, now in his eighties, and his wife Emma were living at 28 New Road, West Lynn. Goddard was still an active fisherman, but he died at 92 years of age and was buried at West Lynn on 29th March 1899.
Goddard’s son Elijah had married Charlotte Hannah Granger at St Peters West Lynn on 26th October 1884. In 1891 he and his family were living “in the lows” at West Lynn. Elijah was a slater. With them were children Elijah, Elizabeth, Elvina, Robert and Sarah Jane. As with most of the Hornigolds, his family was already quite large.
Goddard’s son Harry, now a widow, was living at New Road, West Lynn. He was now a yachtsman. At home were children Mary, Henry, an engine fitter, Goddard, a carpenter, William, an engine fitter, Frederick, Matilda and Herbert.
Widowed Maria, also well into her eighties, was living with her grandson Thomas at 48 Front Row, Gaywood.
The 1891 census records Charles junior as a fisherman again. He is living at the last property on the census in North Wotton – it is described as “boat-three brothers”! This would have been the boat and piece of land which his father seemed to have acquired via squatters rights. Charles died in 1893and was buried on 17th August at St Margaret's church. His address was listed as St Annes Street so he must have moved back to Kings Lynn from North Wooton.
Charles’s son Carter and his family were living in St Anns Street. Carter was a fisherman. Children Elizabeth, Christiana, Sarah, Carter, Charles, Benjamin, Frederick, Ada and Margaret were all at home.
More crime and strange events!
In the summer of 1893 18 year old Carter Hornigold and 15 others including Samuel Anderson and Thomas Goodson were charged with playing pitch and toss. All but one pleaded guilty and they were fined 6 pence each. Pitch and toss is a game in which players toss coins at a mark. The player whose coin lands closest to the mark then tosses all the coins in the air and wins all that land heads up. This particular Carter was the son of Carter, who in turn was the son of Charles.
When Carter’s brother Charles died in 1893, Carter inherited the piece of land that their father Charles had acquired by squatters rights. It is alleged that he subsequently sold this to King Edward VII. There are certainly pictures that show him proudly holding the gun which was presented to him by the King as part of the sale. Trevor Twyman, a descendant of Carter’s daughter Rebecca used the following phrase when reminiscing about the Hornigolds selling land to the King; “For centuries this old Viking family had lived in the tidal swamps of the Wash and had prospered from wildfowling, despatching the ducks and geese to London by train." Interestingly this implies that the Hornigolds considered themselves to be of Viking descent.
The 1901 census.
Goddard’s son Elijah and his family were living at 69 The Lows, West Lynn. Elijah was still a slater. Elijah junior was a carpenter’s apprentice. Goddard’s ever expanding family consisted of children Elizabeth, Elvina, Robert, Sarah Jane, Sophia, Arthur and Florence. Also living with them was Elijah’s widowed mother Emma.
Goddard’s son Harry was living by the River Bank at West Lynn. His occupation was “gentlemans yacht – not domestic”. Children William, an engine fitter, Frederick, a carpenter, George, a steam engine fitter, and Matilda, a housekeeper-domestic, were at home. Also in the house were Henrys sister Maria, a 50 year old self-employed dress maker working from home, and 8 year old Henry Greyston, who was Harry’s grandson.
Charles’s son Carter and his wife Ann were living in St Anns Street. Carter was a fisherman. Children Benjamin, Ada, Margaret and Elizabeth were at home. Carter later died, on 19th February 1923, at Extons Road workhouse.
Epilogue.
Five Hornigold siblings married in Kings Lynn, the first in 1811. By the early 1900’s many of their descendants had moved away or even abroad, but they had left a legacy of boat building, wildfowling and fishing and had become an integral part of the North End fishing community, as well as the community of West Lynn.
Arthur Hornigold, known as Rorke, was the great grandson of Charles, one of the five siblings, and Rorke continued to work as a fisherman until the middle of the twentieth century, by which time the North End had gone and the fishing community was just a shadow of its former glory.