Capturing Cambridge
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Custance map of Cambridge, 1798. Site of White Horse Inn

Northampton Street (Bell Lane)

History of Bell Lane

1799

Richard Kidman lived in Northampton Street at this time. He was implicated in the theft of silver with a man called Grimshaw. Grimshaw was arrested and executed; Kidman was transported. In 1810 Kidman returned to Cambridge and became a clock repairer.

Kidman, Northampton Street (MoC)

Henry Gunning describes Kidman’s return in Vol.II of his reminiscences for the year 1810, p268. Gunning briefly describes Kidman’s time in Australia. He then narrates how, after Kidman’s return, he came across him about 10 miles from Cambridge carrying a clock. Gunning engaged him to do a job of digging and planting his garden, during which time Kidman stayed at Gunning’s house.

George III, 1813 Act, covering road between St Neots and Cambridge

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Capturing Cambridge makes accessible thousands of photos and memories of Cambridge and its surrounding villages and towns. It is run by the Museum of Cambridge which, though 90 years old, is one of the most poorly publicly funded local history museums in the UK. It receives no core funding from local or central government nor from the University of Cambridge.

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