Harmer and Lown

Following an enquiry from Viv Perry, we have the following information which you might find helpful:

My great grandfather Charles Harmer (b 1844 Tunstead), lived with his maternal grandparents James and Frances Lown in Ludham. ( I do not know why this was, as his parents were alive and living at Witton, and then at Bacton with other younger children for many years).
The Lowns, and my great grandfather, are on the 1851 census at Ludham Hall, when Charles is only 7,  and James Lown was  a "team man", and  on the 1861 census at Pages Farm, Ludham, when both were agricultural labourers.
In 1864, Charles Harmer married Hannah Curtis, the daughter of Benjamin Curtis, a farmer, of Hickling.  I think he went to live there. They had a child, Charles, born 1867 in Hickling.
By 1871, Charles Harmer had left Norfolk for London, a widower, Hannah having died aged 23 of TB,  leaving behind his son Charles Harmer in the care of the Lowns.
The Lowns  appear on the 1871 census, with little Charles aged 4, and with James Lown still an agricultural labourer, now  living in Manships Lane, Ludham. They also appear on the 1881 census, still living in Manships Lane. Charles is now 17 and a groom. James Lown, now 78  is still described as an agricultural labourer. (See note below on James Lown)
I know this Charles Harmer went to Colchester and enlisted in the army in 1885, later dying in India.

One of the cottages in Manships Lane 1967.

Here are some further notes from the Ludham Archive about these families:

From School Logbook

5th.October 1877. Charles Harmer to stay in every day for a month reckoning from Monday last for truanting.

Nov 19th 1886. Examined Ist.Standard and found there many dull ones viz. B.Harmer etc The majority of the class is doing good work.

Apr.29th 1887. Herbert Harmer (lst.St.) : dull --impediment in speech.

May 29th 1888. Board Meeting in School at 7 pm. The Board decided to place the
following children for exception Willie Harmer

30/11/1878  Charles Robert Harmer marries Emily Cutting in Stalham Church

1936  Russell Harmer sailed with Chris Boardman (Ludham) in the 6m class at the Olympic games winning a gold medal.

Lown
No Lowns (or similar spellings) in Ludham Churchyard with marked graves. (May be unmarked)

James Lound  b1809. Died Apr/Jun 1884 in Smallburgh aged about 75. Ref 4b25. Smallburgh is the registration district for Ludham. We think this is the right person.  We think he was born 1808 and was 73 in 1881.

Here are a couple of family trees. Let us know if you need a higher resolution scan: