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Turbutsey Farm, Ely

History of Turbutsey Farm

1841 Turbutsey

James Cross, 50,

Elizabeth, 50,

James, 25,

Jonathan, 25,

Nathan, 20,

Mazy Ann, 20,

Jacob, 20,

Obed, 15,

Uriah, 15,

Elizabeth, 10,

Jaris [?]. girl, 10,

Jane Hannah, 6,

Lee Hannah, 6,

William Evans, 60, farmer

After 1841 it is possible to track Obed’s life via his son’s address at 24 Fore Hill, Ely.

Obed Cross’s reminiscences survive in old exercise books. They were transcribed for Ely Memories, 1998.

He was born 16th February 1824, son of James and Elizabeth, on Turbutsey Farm. It was like a small island in a wilderness in a reed bush on the sea. They had 4 acres of dry land.

Obed describes how he saved farthings and groats and then bought a calf from his grandmother. It was known as his Farthing calf. That calf went on to have its own calf and in that way Obed earned some money. Another way of earning money was by catching snipe with traps. he also started to work as a carter when his father’s horses were unoccupied.

He was obviously quite a smart business man because he describes how he raised £200 to buy land and build a house, called Worthea Hall in 1847. In the same year he built the Rising Sun Beer House.

Obed had been earning 1s 6d per day but when the railways came he could earn 10s 6d a day to work at the clay pits. he travelled on the first ever excursion train to London for 5s. He appears to do quite successfully for a while then got into debt and ended up in prison.

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