North Road Farm, Whaddon

History of North Road Farm

Listed Building

House formerly a farmhouse. Early C17 with C18 and C19 additions and alterations.

North Road Farm was part of the Wimpole Estate in 1840, one of 8 estate farms. The farm had been here since at least the 17th century.

Jablez Ablett married Elizabeth Strickland in 1860 at Little Eversden church. In 1851 he had been living with his family at Back Lane, Chesterton. According to Ablett family history, it is likely that   Jablez was already living at North Road Farm at the time of his marriage as his address is known to have been in Whaddon. Jabez farmed there for 44 years and there are records of a Jabez, farmer of Whaddon, in 1869, 1892 and 1896.

1871

Jabez Ablett, 37, farmer of 182 acres employing 5 men and 2 boys,  b Cottenham

Elizabeth, 39, b Little Eversden

Frank, 8, b Whaddon

Jabez, 7, b Whaddon

Mary Elizabeth, 5, b Whaddon

Arthur, 2, b Whaddon

Eleanor Ann, 1, b Whaddon

Mary Strickland, mother in law, 81, annuitant, b Steeple Morden

Susan Jane Baker, 27, dairy maid, b Chishill

Eleanor Page, 20, servant, b Sheldreth

1881

Jabez, farmer of 182 acres

Elizabeth

Jabez, 17,

Mary Elizabeth, 15,

Arthur Finkell, 12,

Eleanor, 11,

Frederick William, 7, b Whaddon

Jane M Selby, 25, governess, b Cambridge

Sarah Jacklin, 17, servant, b Kingston

Charlie Miller, 37, shepherd, b Arrington

1891

Jabez Ablett

Elizabeth

Frank, 28

Jabez, 27

Mary Elizabeth, 25

Eleanor Ann, 21

Selina Murfin, visitor, 34, b Ripton Abbotts

Ellen Miller, 16, servant, b Arrington

Selena Murfin and the younger Jabez married in 1892. By 1895 the family had moved to Thornberry Hill Farm, also on the Wimpole Estate.

In 1894 J Ablett was churchwarden at the time of the restoration of the church tower.

1901

Jabez Ablett, 67, farmer

Elizabeth

Frank, 36

Mary E, 30

Eleanor Ann, 27

Elizabeth R Stalyburn, 19, servant, b Meldreth

1903

The contents of the farm were auctioned in December. Included were 5 cart horses, a pony, 2 cows, 9 pigs, 70 chickens, pony traps, wooden ploughs, cultivators, hen coops, 14 acres worth of straw, 40 tons of mangelwurzels and 1 acres of swedes.

1904

Jabez Ablett filed for bankruptcy in January and died two months later.

Herts & Cambs Reporter & Royston Crow 18/4/1904:

“Whaddon.  Death of Mr Jabez Ablett.  Death has again removed a familiar figure from our midst.  As a farmer of the old type, Mr Jabez Ablett was well known in the district and at the various markets in the neighbourhood, although of late years failing health has prevented him from going far from home.  Also many in Royston will have come in contact with him on occasions when skating parties have visited the Basin in Wimpole Park, and Mr Ablett has kindly placed his stables and barns at their disposal.  The deceased who was native of Cottenham came to the North Road Farm 44 years ago where he has resided to the time of his death.  After a long and painful illness he passed away on Saturday last at the age of 71 years.  The deceased leaves a widow, four sons and two daughters.  The funeral took place on Wednesday last at Whaddon Churchyard.  The Rev JG Eames officiated.  Mr JF Beaumont played the organ.  The hymn Rock of Ages was sung and the Dead March in Saul played.  The following were among the mourners: Mr Frank Ablett and Miss Ablett; Mr & Mrs Jabez Ablett; Mr Fred Ablett and Mr F Ablett (sons); Mr WS Judd and Mr F Strickland (nephews); Mrs Judd and Master E Ablett and Miss S Ablett (grandchildren.  Wreaths included one from his loving wife and family.”

In 1911 Elizabeth was living with her daughter Mary Elizabeth and son Finkell at 9 Richmond Road, Cambridge. She died in October 1911.