20a & 20b Sleaford Street (3, 11), Cambridge

House and former Carpenters workshop

20a Sleaford Street and 20b Sleaford Street were formerly the same property; 20b was built on the site of a carpenter’s warehouse (Pate’s Yard).  In 1881 the property was number 3, and in 1891 it was number 11.

1881 (number 3)

John L Pate, 43, master carpenter employing 1 man and 3 boys, b. Downham, Norfolk

Mary A Pate, 37, b. Cambridge

Thomas R Pate, 13, scholar, b. Cambridge

Minnie Pate, 9, scholar, b. Cambridge

Maria E Pate, 7, scholar, b. Cambridge

Hugh J Pate, 6, scholar, b. Cambridge

George W Pate, 4, scholar, b. Cambridge

Esther M Pate, 2 months old, b. Cambridge

Anna E Chapman, servant, 16,

1891 (number 11)

In 1891, this is home to the Robinson family. Elizabeth Robinson, aged 38, from Norfolk, is married to William A Robinson, a 40 year old Carpenter. They have 2 children: Harold, aged 11, and Gertrude, aged 7; both of whom are attending school.

1901 (number 20)

By 1901, Elizabeth, now 48, still lives here with William, now 49, still working as a Carpenter. Harold, now 21, works as a Piano Forte Maker; while Gertrude, now 17, works as a Milliner.

1911

By 1911, William, now 60, still works as a Carpenter and Joiner, Elizabeth, now 58, owns the next door house (Number 18); while William owns several houses along Sleaford Street – clearly the Carpentry business has been very profitable for the Robinsons. Gertrude, now 27, still works as a Milliner.

Sources: 1881, 1891, 1901 & 1911 UK Census, 1888 OS Town Plan of Cambridge, 1901 revised map of Cambridge

1913

William Albert Robinson, carpenter