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This property is no longer standing. Numbers 129, 131, 133, 135 & 137 formed a terrace on what is now St. Matthew’s Piece. The 1888 Cambridge Town Plan refers to this section as “Lower York Street”.
This house is not on the 1881 or 1891 Census.
The Cambridge Independent Press for the 24th August 1894 runs a public notice announcing that “Desirable freehold properties” including “Nos. 129, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 131, 133, 135, 137, 143, 145, 147, 149 & 151 Lower York Street” are to be sold by Auction.
“Cambridge Borough … Assault – Emma Bruce, of 137 York Street, married woman, for assaulting on the 14th inst. Elizabeth Farrington, was fined 5s.” Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 18 March 1898
Thomas Knight, head, 38, carman, 1863, Huntingdon
Miriam Knight, wife, 40, 1861, Offord, Huntingdonshire
George Knight, son, 12, 1889, Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire
Arthur Knight, son, 8, 1893, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
Ernest Knight, son, 5, 1896, Peterborough, Northamptonshire
On the 15 December 1902 the Cambridge Daily News reported three cases of men being fined for having no control over their horse and cart. “Thomas Knight, carman, of 137 York Street was summoned for a similar offence at Grantchester on December 9th. He pleaded guilty… a fine of 5s and costs was inflicted.”
The odd numbered properties, 129 – 151 (Lower) York Street, all appear on the 1910 Land Tax owned by a Mrs M C Sheldrick who lived at 151 Chesterton Road.
Mary Catherine Sheldrick (1850 – 11 September 1922) was married to Joseph Albert Sheldrick, a Superindendent for the Post Office.
Frederick Read is the tenant on the Land Tax document.
Caroline Reid, 44, college bed maker’s help, b. Norwich
Caroline has recorded that she has been married for twenty one years and has eight children, two of whom have died. She says she is married and doesn’t call herself head of the household, so her husband must have been away from home on census night.
Mary Reid, 20, daughter, jam factory hand, b. Burnham Market
Annie Reid, 11, daughter, b. Norwich
Frederick Bruce, 27, son-in-law, general labourer, b. Cambridge
Florence Bruce, 28, daughter, laundry maid, b. Norwich
Florence and Frederick have been married for a year and have two children. From the childrens name it appears that Frederick is their step-father.
Lillian Bruce Frost, 3, grandchild, b. Cambridge
Rose Bruce Frost, 1, grandchild, b. Cambridge
By 1919 Florence and Frederick have moved next door to 139 York Street.
Caroline Reid, born 1868, retired college servant
Annie Reid, born 1901, serving room maid
Arthur R Frost, born 1865, retired ticket collector
Stephen A Bruce, born 1927, scholar
Sources: 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 UK Census, 1888 Cambridge Town Plan, 1910 Land Tax, Civil Registration Birth Index (1837-1915), Civil Registration Death Index (1916-2007), Cambridgeshire Electoral Registers, Burgess Rolls and Poll Books (1722-1966), 1939 Register, Cambridge Independent Press 24 Aug 1894, Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 18 March 1898
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