82 Ainsworth Street

82 Ainsworth Street

Number 82 is a mid-terrace house on the east side of Ainsworth Street.

The deeds of the house state that in March 1871, carpenter William Brocket bought a double plot from Joseph Sturton, with 33 ft 6″ frontage, now nos. 80 and 82. In September 1872 William sold the double plot to library employee Henry Hancock, who is recorded as living at 80 Ainsworth Street in 1881 and 1891. There is no census record for no. 82 in 1881 and 1891. In 1892, no. 80 and the empty plot were bought by Samuel Scarr. By 1899, a house had been built on the plot, and the freehold was advertised for sale. It is described as having a hall, parlour, a sitting room, a kitchen (with a ‘Larbert’ range, copper, furnace, and a sink with water laid on), a pantry, three bedrooms, some fitted cupboards, a conservatory, coal place and WC.

1901 census

Edward Hasdell, head, 29, railway clerk, b. Peterborough, Northamptonshire
Caroline Hasdell, wife, 26, b. Cambridge
Marjorie B Hasdell, daughter, 3, b. Cambridge

Railway clerks were the higher tier of labour on the railways, mostly doing administrative and non-manual work. They had good promotional prospects, job security, good pay and a monthly salary.

The family moved to 35 St Phillips Road.

1911 census

David Webb, head, 48, railway signalman, b. Bottisham, Cambridgeshire
Rebecca Webb, wife, 43, b. West Dereham, Norfolk
Frederick Henry George Webb, son, 21, bookseller’s assistant, b. Willingham, Cambridgeshire
Sidney Arthur Webb, son, 19, tailor’s clerk, b. Henham, Essex
Florence Ellen Rebecca Webb, daughter, 18, tailoring, b. Henham, Essex
Alice Sophia Webb, daughter, 16, knitting company (knitter), b. Fen Ditton, Cambridgeshire
David Stanley Horace Webb, son, 4, b. Cambridge
22 years married, 5 children

1921 census

David Webb, head, 58, railway servant, GER, Isleham, b. Lode, Cambridgeshire
Rebecca Webb, wife, 54, home duties, b. West Dereham, Norfolk
Frederick H G Webb, son, 31, bookseller, Bridge St, b. Willingham, Cambridgeshire
David S H Webb, son, 14, b. Cambridge

David Webb was station master at Isleham, a station that was closed in the 1960s.

In 1919 his son Frederick had co-founded a bookshop, Webb & Brown, at 73 Bridge Street. For further information, see:
https://hidingundercovrs.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-lost-cambridge-bookshop.html

Source: 1881–1921 England Census.