At the back of this location was Brown’s Yard. It appears on an 1830 map. It was demolished in the mid 20th century.
In 1851 12 properties were listed in Brown’s Yard; from 1871 there were only 8. It was probably one of the blind alleys with properties ‘unfit for human habitation’ according to the Cambridge Improved Industrial Dwellings Co. who bought the land in the later 1870s.
1851 (57?)
James Mullin, 52, labourer
1861 (72)
Thomas Mullens, 67, labourer
1871 (72)
James Mullens, 82, general dealer
1881 (72)
James Reynolds, 20, sugar boiler
1891 (72)
Henry Bruce, 45, gas worker
Cambridge Independent Press 25/7/1891: Jane Elsden a young woman residing in Brown’s yard was charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a married woman named Mary Ann Bird of Coldham Lane on 21st of July. Prosecutrix appeared in Court with her head bandaged and said about twelve o’clock on the night in question she was telling her child that she should not have been out at that time of night when the prisoner said “Don’t go home for the old _, ” and followed up the remark by striking her a violent blow on the head with a bottle, causing the blood to flow very freely. She was attended by Dr Lucas who examined her and found her almost covered with blood and suffering from two wounds. Prisoner was also charged with using obscene language and this offence was admitted. A fine of 40s and costs was imposed for using indecent language and on the more serious charge defendant was committed for trial.
Cambridge Independent Press 24.10.1891: JANE ELSDEN AGAIN. Jane Elsden (18), a woman of bad character, was charged on a warrant with having assaulted Mary Ann Bird, also of bad character, on the 15th of October.—The prosecutrix. who resides in Coldham Lane, Newmarket Road, said she was going home by Christ’s Church, about midnight, on Thursday, when the prisoner ran across from the other side of the road and struck her a blow on the face with her fist, at the same time saying, “Take that, you old cow.”—The evidence of the complainant did not satisfy the Bench, who dismissed the case, much to the delight of Jane.
1901 (72)
Israel Rockett, bootmaker
1913
Israel Rockett, bootmaker
Nathan Rockett, bootmaker
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