Callaby’s 1935. (photo L Cobbett) (Cambridgeshire Collection)

Midsummer House, Callaby’s, Midsummer Common

History of Midsummer House

1891

Richard Callaby, head, 79, dog fancier, b Norfolk

Maria, 90, b Essex

Maria, 41, dressmaker, b Essex

 

Robert R Royston, head, 62, artist and painter, b Cambridge

Sarah, 62, b Cambridge

Alice M M, 31, b Cambridge

Royston family were previously at 10 King Street

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1901

Robert R Royston, widower, 72, herald painter

Flora S, 49, herald painter,

Alice M M, 44, herald needleworker

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1916 (Kellys)

Misses Royston

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Vanishing Cambridge, Mike Petty, notes: Callaby’s sign lasted long after his death. Callaby was a familiar character at the turn of the century; with a long-backed fancy mongrel under his arm he greeted undergraduates: ‘Want a little dawg, sir? Buy this one sir?’ At his home beside the Fort St George public house on Midsummer Common he also offered stables for University boat horses at 3/- and dogs at 2/6 [A E Reeve].