Parson Drove c1920s. The school was replaced in 1933. On the left is the jailhouse and clock tower built in 1897 (Wisbech library, Lilian Ream)

Parson Drove data

History of Parsons Drove

For a vivid picture of life in Parsons Drove, see Edward Storey, The Winter Fens, pub 1993, in which he interviews Rev John Seaman.

In Chapter 6 of the same book, Edward Storey interviews the writerPolly Howat. He refers to her account of Sue Wiseman, ‘Happy Sue’ or ‘Holy Sue’.

1911 census:

Susannah Wiseman, 86, widow, infirm, b Terrington St John

Susan Elizabeth Wiseman, daughter, 48, b Parson Drove Wisbech

She claimed that she had once touched Jesus and therefore kept her had wrapped in a red flannel. Local people recalled that she would put a curse on anyone who displeased her. She had once had a child whom she named Jesus but was taken away from her. She died in 1936 and was buried in a pauper’s grave in Parson Grove (Southea) churchyard, Parson Drove.