8 Covent Garden

History of 8 Covent Garden

You can read detailed information about the house in the draft report A Short History of 8 Covent Garden by Ian Bent (2011).

Census Info

1901

Frederic George Cable, 39, carpenter, b Essex
Elizabeth, 36, b Cambridge
Frank Henry, 14, baker’s assistant, b Cambridge
Albert, 13, office boy, b Cambridge
Helen [Ellen?], 10, b Cambridge
Frederic George, 3, 3, b Cambridge

In 1911 Frank was living at 9 Sturton Street.

In 1897 Frank Cable had joined the choir at Peterhouse as a boy treble.

1911

Frederick George Cable, carpenter
Elizabeth
Albert, 23, carpenter,
Ellen, 20, shop assistant,
Frederick George, 13
Henry, father, 71, retired baker, b Essex

In 1939 Ellen is married and living at 4 Summerfield.

According to Jane Barham in Backstairs Cambridge, 1986, her great-grandmother, Elizabeth Cable, and her eldest daughter, Nellie (Ellen), worked as bedders for Gonville and Caius College. They were responsible for sorting out laundry as well. They were entitled to take away any left over food, as well as damaged laundry and other remains. They returned in the evening to turn down the neds and do any washing up required. If a student wanted a meal in their room in the evening a bedder would often serve the meal and clean up afterwards.

Ellen ‘Auntie Nellie’ decided to get married in middle age, to a widower college porter with two grown-up daughters. See Summerfield.

1930s:

From the 1930s until 1953 the house was the home of the RSPCA