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Water Street range, Chesterton

5 – 11 (5) (16) Water Street, Chesterton / Green Dragon

History of 5 - 11 Water Street, Chesterton

According to Alison Taylor, Cambridge The Hidden History p. 122:

The earliest building [in the Water Street area] is the Green Dragon, built in the 16th century but probably serving traders at the fair from much earlier. Edward Ward’s pamphlet about Sturbridge Fair published in 1700, mentions ‘the Black Bull, where the Country Chapmen generally lodge that come to the Fair, for the sake of rare strong humming Ale, for which ’tis famous; over which they get Drunk, Quarrel, and make Bargains.

Royal Commission Survey of Cambridge 1959: range of four tenements, the ‘Green Dragon’ inn, Nos. 7, 9, 11 Water Street ….. has plastered timber-framed walls and tile-covered roofs. It was built in the 16th century, with two wings on the back; additions have since been made beside and on the ends of the wings. The building is of note as a timber-framed range of the 16th century.

1851:

William Essex, publican

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1861:

Ephraim Mansfield, publican

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1869: Alfred Carter (Post Office Directory)

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1871:

Ephraim Mansfield

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1879: Jacob Holmes (Kellys)

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1881:

Jacob Holmes

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1883: J Holmes (Kellys)

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1891:

George Hall

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1892: Geo Hall (Kellys)

1896: Walter Chappell Rayner (Kellys)

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1901: (16)

John Fordham

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1904: John Fordham (Kellys)

1913: (16) J Fordham (Cambridge Directory)

1916: John Fordham (Kellys)

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1939: (5)

Walter Shelley, b 1883, licensed victualler

Hetty, b 1884

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1963: Green Dragon

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The following are postcards of ‘The Green Dragon’ supplied by J D Baker: