40 Ainsworth Street
Dressmakeer, Bricklayer and a Fishmonger's Boy
Number 40 is one of a terrace of four houses standing on the east side of Ainsworth Street.
1881
Sarah A Clarke, 25, Widow, Dressmaker, b. Cambridge
Charles F Clarke, 1, b. Cambridge
Ann Hutchinson, 64, Widow, Sarah’s Mother, b. Barrington, Cambridgeshire
Lionel Aldis, 20, Lodger, Railway Telegraphist, b. Norwich, Norfolk
1891-1935
John Wilson, 37, a bricklayers labourer from Trumpington and his wife Sarah (36) live at number 40 with their family. They have moved from number 38.18
In 1891 their son John William, 15, is a Fishmongers Boy and their son Harry, 13, is still at school. They have a lodger called Charles Webb, he’s a 25-year-old coal carter from Linton.
“CAMBRIDGESHIRE PETTY SESSIONS – MISCHIEVOUS BOYS – Henry Wilson, 13, of Ainsworth Street, Henry Arnold, 16, of Fitzroy Street and Richard Cornwall, 16, of New Street, were charged with having stolen six pork pies, of the value of 1s, the property of John Tebbs, confectioner, at Chesterton, on the 31st. Frank Coe, a boy in the employ of the prosecutor, stated that on the 31st December, he was sent out by his master to sell seven pork pies. He met the accused near the Fort St. George public house, and they asked him the price of the pies. On witness saying that they were two pence apiece, one of the boys said “Let us put half pence each and have one.” The boys then got around him and took the pies out of his basket. The defendants ran away without paying for the pies. The boys elected to be dealt with by the Magistrates. They stated that they only took the pies for a lark and they intended paying for them. The boys were each fined 2s.6.” Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 16 January 1891
“THIS DAY’S POLICE – At the Borough Police Court this morning, before Dr. Cooper, presiding, […] Henry Wilson, 14, of 40 Ainsworth Street, for using bad language on Station Road, on the 23rd inst. was fined 2s.6d. and costs” Cambridge Chronicle and Journal 26 May 1893
In 1901 John William is still living with his parents, but no occupation is given for him. Harry can’t be located on the 1901 census, so it is possible he has died by this time.
John is still living with his parents in 1911, confusingly aged 29, he is a carter labourer. The 1911 census records that John and Sarah have had 4 children and only John is still living.
By 1921 the son, John William, is living at this property with his wife Eveline (32) and her 11 year old daughter Nora Jeeps(?). John works as a general labourer for the Cambridge Corporation.
Electoral registers between 1919 and 1935 show John and Eveline continuing to live at number 40, before they move to 96 Hobart Road.
Sources – 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 & 1921 UK Census, 1939 Register, Cambridgeshire Electoral Registers, Burgess Rolls and Poll Books (1722-1966),