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58 Ainsworth Street

58 Ainsworth Street

Number 58 is one of a terrace of six houses, called Orleans Terrace, on the east side of Ainsworth Street, built in 1877.

1881 census

Robert Tate, head, 39, engine driver on GER, b. Cambridge
Sarah Tate, wife, 42, b. Yaxley, Huntingdonshire
Ellen Tate, daughter, 13, scholar, b. Ely, Cambridgeshire
Hannah Tate, daughter, 8, scholar, b. Cambridge
Emily Tate, daughter, 6, scholar, b. Cambridge
Fanny Tate, daughter, 4, scholar, b. Cambridge
Thomas Tate, son, 2, b. Cambridge
William Tate, son, 3 months, b. Cambridge

1891 census

Chas E Gates, head, 33, police constable, b. St Helier, Jersey
Susan H Gates, wife, 35, b. Kentish Town, London
Florence E Gates, daughter, 9, scholar, b. Cambridge
Gertrude A Gates, daughter, 5, scholar, b. Cambridge
Frances M Gates, daughter, 3, scholar, b. Cambridge

Charles Emmanuel Gates, born in Jersey, had arrived in Cambridge by 1881, when he was living at 85 Sturton Street with his first wife Sarah Ann. She died in 1883 when their daughter Florence was only 2, and in 1884 Charles married Susan Harriett Edwards, who gave him two more daughters. By 1901 the family had moved to Sleaford Street.

1901 census

Joseph J Beard, head, 49, railway signalman, b. Barton, Cambridgeshire
Susan Beard, wife, 40, b. Barton, Cambridgeshire
Lilly A Beard, daughter, 19, b. Cambridge
John Beard, son, 15, accountant’s clerk, b. Cambridge
Arthur Beard, son, 12, b. Cambridge
David Beard, son, 11, b. Cambridge
Edith Beard, daughter, 8, b. Cambridge
Dennis B Beard, son, 6, b. Cambridge
Ernest Beard, son, 4, b. Cambridge
Percy L Beard, son, 3 mo, b. Cambridge

Joseph Beard gave evidence at the fatal accident involving John Robinson in 1900.

By 1911 the family had moved to 77 Ainsworth Street.

1911 census

George Argent, head, 33, wood sawyer at joinery works, b. Cambridge
Rachel Argent, wife, 31, b. Great Thurlow, Suffolk
Gracie Argent, daughter, 9, school, b. Cambridge
Harry Argent, son, 5, school, b. Cambridge
May Argent, daughter, 2, b. Cambridge

George and Rachel had been married for ten years and had three children.

George features in a news story from 1913 (Cambridge Daily News, 15 Aug 1913):

DOMESTIC DIFFERENCES: A machinist, named George Argent, of 58 Ainsworth Street, was summoned for assaulting Esther Pleasants, a young married woman, of 51 Ainsworth Street on August 13th.

Complainant said defendant was her brother-in-law, and there were some domestic differences between them.  On the day named defendant came to witness’ house and struck her.  Witness, in answer to defendant, said she threw a piece of wood at him after he assaulted her.

George Biggs, a coachman, of 49 Ainsworth Street, spoke to witnessing the assault.  He saw defendant strike the complainant a violent blow with his fist.  Witness at once intervened, and prevented the defendant from hitting the woman again.

Mrs. Beatrice Biggs, wife of the last witness, corroborated.

Defendant, in the witness box, said his mother-in-law had been carrying tales between his wife and complainant. Defendant said he hit the complainant, but he had great provocation.

Rachel Argent, wife of the defendant, said that in consequence of what she said to her husband the latter went over to complainant’s house.  Witness followed, and Mrs. Pleasants caught hold of her and beat her.  Witness’ husband then hit Mrs. Pleasants.

The Bench said there seemed to be some feeling between the parties.  Both ladies in the case should bear and forbear.  However, there had been no justification for the defendant striking a woman.

Defendant, who conducted his own case in a very business-like way, was fined 5s. and £1 costs.

1921 census

George Argent, head, 43, wood machinist, b. Cambridge
Rachel Argent, wife, 41, home duties, at home, b. Thurlow, Suffolk
Grace Millicent Argent, daughter, 19, jam bottler, b. Cambridge
Harry George Argent, son, 15, apprentice bookbinder, b. Cambridge
May Dorothy Argent, daughter, 12, b. Cambridge

George Argent worked as a wood machinist for builders J R Bennett & Sons of 111A Catharine Street. Grace Argent worked as a jam bottler for Chivers & Sons in Histon. Harry Argent was an apprentice bookbinder at Cox & Allen of 7 St. Andrew’s Hill.

Source: 1881–1921 Census, Mill Road Cemetery,

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