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66 Sturton Street

The Family of a French Polisher

1881

Peter Boreham, head, married, 40, groom, b. Radwinter, Essex
Susan Boreham, wife, married, 35, b. Sawston, Cambridgeshire
Martha Boreham, daughter, 13, scholar, b. Babraham, Cambridgeshire
Frederic Boreham, son, 9, scholar, b. Trumpington, Cambridgeshire
Charles Boreham, son, 6, scholar, b. Trumpington, Cambridgeshire

1891 – 1901

Head of household in 1891 is Henry Squires, a 42 year old French Polisher. There is an annotation on the census document that reads “cabt” meaning “cabinet”.  Henry is married to 43 year old Harriett (nee Smith), who was born in Haslingfied.

In 1881 the family were living at 1 Milford Street.  In 1891 their daughter Alice Edith is working as a servant to a family at 27 Trinity Street.  She marries Frederick Start in 1894 and the couple are living at 81 Sturton Street by 1911.

The couple have three children living with them.  Frederick William is 17 and an apprentice hairdresser.  Alfred James (11) and Frances Elizabeth Elsie (9) are both at school.

“School Attendance Cases – The following educational cases were heard: – for neglecting to send their children to school: Henry Squires of 66 Sturton Street, attendance order made,” Cambridge Independent Press 2ndJune 1893.

Frederick married Rose Jones in 1895.  In 1901 he is working as a hairdresser and living at 169 East Road.  When he died in 1906, they were living at 35 Gold Street.

In 1901 Alfred is 21 and working as a stone carrier.  Frances is 19 and a domestic servant.

Later in 1901 Alfred married Ellen Bertha Livermore.  The couple can be found living at 16 York Street by 1911, and Alfred is working as a cement labourer.

Alfred was killed during the First World War whilst serving with the 22nd Battalion of the Manchester Regiment.  His service record shows that another daughter, Eva Joyce, was born in 1915.  Alfred is buried at Gommecourt British Cemetery No.2, Hebuterne.

Henry died in 1905.

Frances married college servant Frederick Haggis in 1907.  The couple are buried in Mill Road Cemetery.

1911

James Needham, head, 35, married, carman, b. Cambridge
Ethel Needham, wife, 24, married, b. Cambridge
Fredrick Thomas Needham, son, 3, b. Cambridge
Amelia Alice Needham, daughter, 1 year 6 months, b. Cambridge
Elsie Dow Talbot, step daughter, 5, school, b. Cambridge
Married 3 years, 3 children

12th May 1933

“What caused John Nicholls, a 71 year old bricklayer, to fall heavily and receive a fatal injury while cycling down the hill at Coldham’s Lane on Thursday morning?” The question remained unanswered and the Coroner decided that it was an “accidental death”, remarking “Whether men of that age ought to ride bicylces is a matter entirely for them.”

“Charles Lowings, wireless assembler, of 66 Sturton Street, identified deceased as his father-in-law who resided at 73 Sturton Street.  Although 71 years of age, he was an active man and worked as a bricklayer.  He was used to rising a bicycle, his machine being in good order.”

Sources – 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 UK Census, Cambridge Independent Press 02 June 1893, Civil Registration Marriage Index (1837-1915), Saffron Walden Weekly News 12 May 1933, British Army World War I Service Records, 1914-1920, Forces War Records, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Mill Road Cemetery,

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