23 Market Hill

History of 23 Market Hill

1851

Thomas Wilson, widower, 63, watchmaker and jeweller, b Hunts

23 Market Hill, date unknown

1861

James White Robinson, 44, shoe maker

Alice, 33

Allen, 8

Alice, 7

Elizabeth, 5

William White Robinson, 3

Susan Hull, 23, servant, b Bourn

A major source of James Robinson’s business seems to have been the supply of boots to the police. His descendants have copies of many contracts from which it looks as if the police placed an order for between 50 and 100 pairs of boots every year from at least as far back as 1857.

23 – 24 Market Hill, White Robinson

1871

James White Robinson, 55, shoe manufacturer, b Cambridge

Alice, 44, b Herts

Allen J, 18, b Cambridge

Alice, 17, b Cambridge

Elizabeth W, 15, b Cambridge

William W, 13, b Cambridge

Sarah W, 9, b Cambridge

Clara N, 7, b Cambridge

Eva W, 5,  b Cambridge

Kate W, 3, b Cambridge

Zippora Smith, servant, 15, b Bourn

James White Robinson (1816-1891) was the son of James Robinson and Elizabeth White (1795-1821). Elizabeth was the brother of Robert White.

In 1881 the family are living in Over.

In 1891 James White Robinson and family are at 5 Mill Road.

1881

(23 & 24)

William White Robinson, 24, boot and shoe maker employing 6 men, b Cambridge

Emma Elizabeth, 24, b Cambridge

Lilian E, 6 mos, b Cambridge

Elizabeth Richardson, 52, monthly nurse, b Essex

Sarah Ginn, 18, domestic servant, b Beds

James Johnstone, lodger, 21, undergraduate, b Ireland

The picture of the premises was sent to the museum by one of his descendants in 2020. The stall looks to be outside but it was linked to the premises.

1891

(23 & 24)

William White Robinson (died 1896)

Emma E

Lilian E

William W, 8, b Cambridge

Edith, 6, b Cambridge

Tom A, 4, b Cambridge

Mary Ann Smith, 30, servant, b Cambridge

Ruth Langram, 15, servant, b Cambridge

In 1901 the Robinson family are at 10 Earl Street

Boots the chemist were here in the early 1890s. In 1898 the shop moved to Petty Cury

1901

1911

1913

Stephanus P Ora, tobacconist