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234 – 238 High Street, Nelson’s Head, Lord Nelson, Cottenham

History of the Nelson's Head

1676:

See F Garrett, Cottenham’s Inns and Hostelries:

Fire broke out near this location on Saturday morning 29th April. Most inhabitants had gone to the market in Cambridge. The fire raged along both sides of the High Street and reached the Church where lead on the roof began to melt. About 100 houses plus farm buildings were destroyed.

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1806: William Kimpton granted a liquor license at the Lord Nelson. It seems to have been called the Cross Keys previously where Francis Kimpton had held a license from 1784 – 1800. It was the terminus for the Cottenham High Flyer which ran from the Lord Nelson to the Dolphin Inn, Cambridge each day.

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1848: William Kimpton died aged 70. His son William took over the oub.

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1852:

See Francis Garrett, Cottenham Ablaze:

22.4.1852: fire was discovered in the middle of the afternoon which spread from the Nelson’s Head to Lambs Lane. Houses had been rebuilt of brick and slate after the 1850 fire but outbuildings and stacks were lost. there was serious damage to 10 hourse, 10 farms and a number of shops.

The fire had started in a straw stack in the yard and the Nelson’s Head premises were completely destroyed. The cause was thought to be an arsonist as the stack lay next to a footpath. The total damage was estimated as over £3,000.

Pub was rebuilt but possibly not the brewery.

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1877:

Kimpton sold premises to Robert Ivatt (maltster) and John Badcock became licensee.

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1880:

John Burgess licensee

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1881: Nelson Head

John Burgess, 48, plumber glazier painter, b Wisbech

Mary, 40, b Beds

Thomas, 15, school teacher, b Norfolk

Ada M, 9, b Wisbech

Eliza Smith, 16, servant, b Histon

 

John Lingwood became licensee in 1881

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1882: Alfred Bolton

1884: William Gibbs

1888: Samuel Gawthroup

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1891: Lord Nelson

Samuel Gawthrop, 32, publican, b Histon

Emma, 35, b Cottenham

Mabel E, 10, b Cottenham

Frederick C, 8, b Milton

Herbert L, 7, b Milton

Grace E, 5, b Cottenham

Francis W, 2, b Cottenham

Henry J, 1 m, b Cottenham

Emma Moden, 18, servant, b Cherry Hinton

Richard Hardwick, boarder, 50, millwright, b Hull

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1895: sold by auction for £500 to A F Tooth, Cambridge brewer.

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1909: license refused and public house closed

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1910: house bought by William Nelson Kimpton

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