2 Station Road, Poplar Cottage

Histgory of 2 Station Road

Royal Commission Survey of Cambridge 1959: part of the premises of Messrs. Rattee and Kent, builders, of two storeys, has walls of red and white brick and slate-covered roofs. The site was built by Rattee, who founded the business there in 1843. The house was built probably within the decade; the porch is an early addition…. The house is a remarkable example of virtuosity in bizarre pattern and colour composition by a builder……

1871

(Poplar Cottage)

George Kett, 61, carver and builder, employer 66 men

Sarah, 61, born Norfolk

Sussanah Elizabeth, 24, born Middlesex

Frederick James,22, born Cambridge

Jane Norman, servant, 21, born Cambs

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1881

?

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1891

Edmund J Kett, 29, builder’s assistant, born Cambridge

Anna E, 27, born Norfolk

Anna M, 4, born Cambridge

Bertha Cundell, servant, 20, born Cambs

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1901

Thomas S Adkins, builder’s clerk

Rebecca carter, servant, 55, housekeeper, born Melbourn

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1911

Thomas Samuel Atherton Adkins, 39, builder’s clerk, born Cambridge

Beatrice Ellen, 37, married 9 years, 2 children, 1 dead,  born Cambridge

Thomas Charles, 6, born Cambridge

Margeruite [sic] Elizabeth Turner, servant, 16, born Burwell

1913

T S A Adkin

The cottage here is the original cottage attached to the Ratte and Kett yeard. It seems in 1917 to have still been leased by Susan Elizabeth Kett from Jesus College although she had lived for several years with her daughter and son-in-law. In the photo of Sattion Road, Poplar Cottage is on the right hand edge.

This fire insurance certificate seems very likely to be that for Poplar Cottage.

Poplar Cottage was demolished in 1960.