Royal Commission Survey of Cambridge 1959: they were built in c.1820 and, though distinct dwellings, form a single block of unified and symmetrical design. Nos. 4 and 5 are good examples of large town houses of their period, with notable ironwork. the whole of Benet Place is a spacious early 19th-century development of much dignity.
1861
(4?)
Mary Warren, 60, no occupation, b Cambridge
Sarah Warren, sister, 55, no occupation, b Cambridge
Caroline Howell, 29, servant, b Northants
Harriett Howell, 26, servant, b Nothants
(5?)
David James Stewart, 45, MA Rev HM Inspector of Schools, b London
Louise, 40, b Sussex
Aubrey, 16, b Ely
Ann Gunn, 30, b Cambs
Harriett Ingrey, 17, servant, b Cambs
1871
(4)
William Henry Besant, 42, mathematical lecturer St Johns College, b Hants
Margaret E, 31, b Cambridge
Edith Mary, 4, b Cambridge
William L W, 3, b Cambridge
Lydia Smith, 62, cook, b Little Shelford
Mary Ann Smith, 31, nurse, b Berks
Susan Howlett, 18, housemaid, b Cottenham
(5)
David S Stewart, 54, clergyman inspector of schools, b London
Louisa, 52, b Sussex
Aubrey, 26, Fellow Trinity College, b Cambridge
Evelyn A Barker, 22, servant, b Stapleford
Esther Russell, 26, servant, b Cambs
1881
1891
(4) Alexandra Gordon, 25, servant, b Cambs
Elizabeth Newman, 23, servant, b Essex
(5) Emily A Kenneth, 30, b Calcutta
Edward J B M, 12 mos, b Cambridge
Mary C D, 12 mos, b Cambridge
Evelyn D V Scott, niece, 13, b Murree N. India
Madeline D V Scott, niece, 12, b Punjab India
Maria Rawlinson, servant, 25, cook, b Stapleford
Margaret Rawlinson, 19, housemaid, b Sawston
Edith M Dunn, 18, domestic nurse, b Cambridge
1901
1911
(4) Arthur H Miller, 30, physician, b Sri Lanka
Laura Dutton, 42, housekeeper, b Norway
Martha White, 36, cook, b Cambridge
Gabrielle Palmer, 27, parlourmaid, b Norfolk
Alice M Hauseman, boarder, 28, b India
Enid Hauseman, boarder, 4, b Scotland
Winnifred Lewell, 18, children’s nurse, b Cambs
1913
(4) –
(5) John McTaggart Ellis McTaggart, fellow of Trinity College
1962
(4) Mrs C L Kay
(5) Mrs K A Joseph
1941
The diarist Jack Overhill lived in Saxon Street during World War Two opposite the Archway. On 27th September he wrote about the Hurricane that had crashed in the garden of 5 Benet Place, killing the pilot:
When I arrived at Lensfield Road corner last night on the way home there was a big crowd opposite Downing Archway (facing our house in Saxon Street) and I thought there had been an accident. I hurried home to see if the family was all right and as nobody was in hurried up the archway – to meet Jess coming down with Jim (Jock was in the house). A Hurricane had crashed in an alley between two houses in Lensfield Road [the garden of 5 Bene’t Place], knocking part of a wall down as it fell in a garden. I heard all about it from Jack, first on the scene with Webb, a window-cleaner round here (he of stirrup pump fame!) and an airman, who telephoned for the ambulance. The Hurricane got in a spin, partly straightened out over Sheep’s Green (so Ted Clee the custodian at the Sheds told me), and crashed. Jack said they couldn’t get anywhere near to assist the pilot and they could not see him because of the flames from the wreckage. The ammunition exploded and I told Jack that it was dangerous to go near;… As I type I can see part of the wrecked plane on a lorry at the top of the archway. A soldier guarding it keeps shooing children, souvenir hunting , away — the distance ii crashed is barely 50 yards away from the house. I was told the incident happened at 10 minutes to 5.00.
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