Robin Hood Cottages – these are being built at the time of the 1881 Census.
Head of household in 1891 is Henry Palmer, a 44 year old general labourer who was born in Fen Ditton. Henry is married to Fanny Eliza (nee Unwin), aged 46 and working as a boot closer at the time of the 1891 census.
The couple married in 1879 and have two children, Harry Edwin (11) and Arthur Herbert (8), both boys attend school.
Fanny can be found on the 1871 census living at 25 Burleigh Street with her parents and two year old son, William Unwin. She appears to have had a child out of wedlock. William is with the family on the 1891 census recorded as Henry’s stepson. At this time William is 22 and employed as a Clerk.
Henry’s niece, Annie Louisa Unwin, is also with the family. She is 16 and works as an apprentice for a dressmaker.
Henry’s stepson and niece have lived with the Palmer family since 1881 at least. They are all together on the 1881 census living at 25 Burleigh Street.
They remain with the family on the 1901 census. Annie is still a dressmaker and William is a travelling draper.
Henry is now a bricklmaker’s labourer, rather than a general labourer. Son Harry is 21 and a compositor for a printer, and Arthur is 18 and works as a grocer’s porter.
In 1903 William married Maud Wilson. By 1911 the couple were living in Bedford and had three small children. Hilda and Frederick are with their parents, but 6 year old Harry can be found with his grandparents here at 132a Sturton Street.
Arthur married Mary Slater in 1906. In 1911 the couple are living at 12 Sleaford Street with their 4 year old son, also called Arthur. Arthur senior works as a brickyard labourer.
Annie died in October 1908. She was 33.
Henry Palmer is registered at 132a Sturton Street until his death in 1934. Fanny died a few years later in 1927.
Robert W Lawrence, born 1893, Commissionaire in a Department Store
Ada Gwen Lawrence, born 1884, unpaid domestic duties
Sources – 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 UK Census, Civil Registration Marriage Index (1837-1915), National Burial Index For England & Wales
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