St Catharine’s Hall, Coton

History of St Catharine's Hall

The farmhouse retains traces of the original 14th century hall house. It was remodelled in the 18th century.

1571 The Master and Fellows of St Cats Hall hold one Messuage in tenour of Richard Aunger by lease made unto himself wth a Close adjoining next the Cawsy Lane on the west …….  (from Coton through the Ages)

1863 The Great Fire of Coton

Coton Through the Ages by Kathleen Fowle includes an article by Sue Miller about the Great Fire of Coton. It was reported in the Cambridge Chronicle for 15th August 1863.

Reynolds the farmer and his wife had gone to church leaving their small son at home. He then started a bonfire in the farmyard; the fire spread to surrounding barns, stables and stacks; many people gatherered to fight the blaze but there was little water available. Fire engines from Cambridge arrived but the farm buildings could not be saved and total losses amounted to £1,700. The boy first tried to blame an old beggarman but later admitted. However, the newspaper printed a correction two weeks later on instructions from Mr Reynolds that it was not his 4 year old son who started the fire, but a 9 year old cowkeeper named Augood.