A house here is described in the Royal Commission Survey of Cambridge 1959 but is unnumbered and appears to have been later demolished (ed. 2019).
House, on the N side of Scotland Road, 1/4 m. N by E of the parish church, of two storeys with attics, has brick walls and tile-covered roof. It is a 17th century timber-framed structure remodelled in the 18th century when the SW side and the ends were encased in gault brick.
1849
The Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser 3/3/1849:
“Fire which consumed a considerable amount of property and some livestock broke out on premises attached to Scotland Farm in Back Lane Chesterton, the property of Mr William Wragg and occupied by Mr Jabez Ablett. Fire was first observed just before midnight. A man sleeping in the granary to guard the poultry against thieves, immediately gave the alarm. Although the hour was late, a considerable portion of the village population immediately turned out to assist. The houses were thatched and so rapid and destructive was the progress of the flame. Every effort was made to save the livestock but one heifer and 16 fat hogs fell pray to the flames. There was no doubt that the fire was the handiwork of an incendiary.”
This fire was only a week or so after a fire in Cottenham on premises also owned by Jabez Ablett. This fire is described (Bury and Norwich Post 11.4.1849) as taking place on 23rd February 1849; however it is not listed in the catalogue of Cottenham fires by Francis Garrett, Cottenham Ablaze.
Elizabeth Ablett (b 1824 Cottenham) married John Smith Clements at the Ebenezer Chapel Chesterton 3/10/1848. John was a tailor and draper from Soham.
In 1851 Elizabeth and John were living in Soham. John was a Master Tailor. By 1861 they were at 363 Kings Road, Chelsea.
Sarah Ablett married Henry Mann, miller, at the Ebenezer Chapel 24/7/1849. In 1851 they were living at the Mill House, Ely Road, Chesterton.
1851
Jabez Ablett, 59, employing 5 men and 1 boy, b Gamlingay
[Jabez married Ann Finkell of Steeple Morden and moved to Cottenham. It seems very likely that he lived, and possibly built, Ablett’s House and Ablett’s Row there according to Cambridgeshire Place Names by A. Poulton-Smith.)]
Ann, 66, b Steeple Morden
Mary, 34, b Cottenham
Finkell, 20, b Cottenham
Jabez, 17, b Cottenham
[By 1860 Jabez was living in Whaddon.]
Jane Desborough, 17, servant, b Rampton
[The Ablett family also had two married daughter, Sarah and Elizabeth, living elsewhere.]
1856
William Few charged with using threatening language towards Finkell Ablett.
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal (19.4.1856) records that “The defendant, who is a respectable man, is of an irritable temper, and some persons in Mr Ablett’s employment had insulted him, which caused an outburst of temper. The Rev Mr Smith presiding gave both parties good advice and the case was dismissed. The defendant shook hands with the plaintiff and they left the court reconciled.”
1859
A conviction dated 15th day of January 1859 whereby Finkell Ablett was convicted of having on 14th day of January 1859 at Chesterton unlawfully assaulted and beaten one William Few and adjudged to pay sixpence penalty and twelve shillings costs.
1861 (Farm House Back Lane)
Jabez Ablett, 69, farmer 135 acres employing 5 men and 1 boy
Ann, 66,
Finkle, 30,
Sarah Ragford, servant, 19,
1864
Finkle Ablett died aged 31. Cause of death was pulmonary tuberculosis and haemoptysis.
1866
Jabez Ablett died 1866, aged 75. Buried 29.9.1866.
He bequeathed to his wife al his household effects and £100. The Leasehold of the Chesterton farm was passed to his son Finkell. The residue was shared between his children, his daughters’ legacies left in their sole control. The share for his daughter Sarah was kept in the family’s control since her husband, Henry Mann, had gone bankrupt in 1861.
In 1871 Ann Ablett was living at 16 Brunswick Place.
1872
After Ann’s death the property in Chesterton was auctioned off. It is described by the Cambridge Chronicle as:
“a comfortable brick and slate dwelling house situate in the centre of the village, together with a stable, chaise-house, premises and garden at the back. Also six tenements with small gardens and separate lodge and pigsty to each.”
1881
George Winters, 30, farmer 118 acres employing 3 men and 3 boys, b Chesterton
1891
(Scotland Farm House)
Samuel Walter Doggett, 30, farm foreman, b Chesterton
1901
Scotland Farm
Walter Doggett, 39, foreman on farm, b Chesterton
Scotland House
David Camps, 59, dealer, b Cambridge
1911
Walter Doggett, farm foreman, b Chesterton
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