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21 Telegraph Street, (Watson’s Lane, Back Lane, Cottenham

History of 21 Telegraph Street

In the 1861 census there is a ‘Back Lane’ listed. This is in fact a composite of properties on apparently unnamed streets. In the 1871 census a Watson’s Lane appears; this, from the names of the inhabitants is clearly part of the 1861 ‘Back Lane.’ In 1881 and 1891 the inhabitant’s of ‘Watson’s Lan’e are listed; in the 1901 census we are told that ‘Watson’s Lane’ is the same as ‘Telegraph Street.’ Telegraph Street has already appeared on the 1881 OS map of Cottenham where there is no Watson’s Lane.

The household of Martha Buttler appears on the 1861 census. From what is already noted about houses lost in the earlier fires, in particular the buildings belonging to Wattson and Everett in ‘Telegraph Street’, it seems that the Buttler household must have lived near no.21. No more can be said at present without further research.

1861 Back Lane

Martha Buttler, widow, 32, charwoman, b Cottenham

Charles, 11, ag.lab., b Cottenham

Mary Ann, 9, b Cottenham

Harriett, 4, b Cottenham

Phoebe P, 2, b Cottenham

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