11 High Street, The Old House, Little Selfridges, Cottenham

History of the Old House

Listed Building:

C17 or earlier

1841

James Peck, 50, farmer

Sarah, 50

Ann, 20

Thomas, 17, farmery

1851

James Peck, 64, farmer of 42 acres, employing 1 labourer, b Cottenham

Thomas, 28, employed on farm, b Cottenham

Mary, 24, b Cottenham

Josiah, 4, b Cottenham

James Furbank Peck, 2, b Cottenham

John Ward, farm servant, 21, b Cottenham

Harriett Savidge, 10, house servant, b Cottenham

1861

Thomas Peck, 37, farmer of 8 acres and land owner, b Cottenham

Josiah, 13, farm work, b Cottenham

James, 11, farm work, b Cottenham

Arthur, 4, b Cottenham

Fullard, 2, b Cottenham

Elizabeth Moule, 53, housekeeper

1871

John Cross, 35, grocer

Rebecca

Herbert, 10

1881

John Cross, 45, farmer and grocer, b Cottenham

Rebecca

Herbert, 20, b Cottenham

Agnes Kate, 5, b Cottenham

1891

Rebecca Cross, grocer

Agnes

Cottenham in Focus (2002) notes that two elderly spinsters, Agnes Cross and Clara Smith,  ran this shop known as Little Selfridges. If you rang a bell, one of them would appear from behind a curtain. Miss Smith was known as ‘Kisser Smith’ for her habit of kissing children.

1901

Rebecca Cross, 65, grocer

Agnes Kate

1911

Rebecca Cross, 77, grocer

Agnes Kate, 36, grocer, b Cottenham

[Next door]

William Henry Fowler, 25, horse keeper on farm, b Cottenham

1939

Agnes K Cross, b 1875, shopkeeper

Clara Smith, b 1872