Pages 60 to 91

"An account of all the inhabitants of the Parish of Croydon
in the County of Cambridgeshire commencing from 1 January 1843"

by
Rev Francis Fulford 1803-1868
Rector at Croydon 1841-1845

Additional notes by Reverend R S B Sandilands, Rector 1845-1848
Commentary by David Ellison | Online edition by Steve Odell

Explanatory Notes

This is the annotated text of the "Speculum Gregis" pages 60 to 91 inclusive. This annotated version includes additional background material, family research contributions, excerpts from the 1841 census, and some related photographs.

The wording used in both versions is a distillation of three separate transcriptions of the original hand-written text. Where the texts differed, I have followed the majority unless historical evidence suggests I should do otherwise.

In the pages of the original "Speculum Gregis", two handwritings are apparent, that of Francis Fulford (entries from 1843 to 1845) and that of his successor, the Rev Sandilands (entries from 1845 to 1848). The notes by the Rev Sandilands have been shown in this online edition as RSBS: (dark blue text within round brackets) and sometimes identified as a later entry. Fulford generally devoted one page to each family; and I have retained his page numbers as serials for the entries. Crossings out are as in the original document. Information, notes and commentary additional to the original "Speculum Gregis" texts are shown in [grey italic in square brackets].

A national Census was taken on the 6 June 1841, three weeks before Fulford's arrival in Cambridgeshire and eighteen months before the "Speculum Gregis" was started. Details from the Croydon-cum-Clopton census have been added to page entries where appropriate. Note that the ages of adults were generally rounded to the nearest five years by the census enumerator and therefore they should not be taken as a reliable indication of age. The enumerator also reported that 26 Croydon labourers were "having left the district for the hay harvest in the neighbourhood of London", which would explain the absence of a number of the known heads of households.

I want this site to be as accurate and as informative as possible - please let me know if something is wrong, however trivial the correction. I would also welcome additional family information to add to the annotated text - especially from those with 'family' in Croydon between 1840 and 1850. Please e-mail with full details.

Page 60

Clopton Farm
- under the same roof as the last [page 59]
James and Mary King
He works for Mr Elliston at Wimpole. She is daughter of William Pateman (page 30).
1. Alfred King, aged 6.
2. Emily King, aged 5.
3. Ellen King, aged 3.
4. Sarah [Ann] King, aged 1.
They were married and the children Christened at Croydon Church. They attend Church.

RSBS: (King is now a sort of overseer for Mr Elliston - he is a steady man - but said not to be very good tempered to the workmen; she is a very quick, good sort of woman.)

[1841 Census: James King (aged 30), agricultural labourer, wife Mary King (30), Alfred King (5), Emmelia King (3) and Ellen King (1).]

[Contribution: James King (1808 Littlington) married Mary Pateman (bap 1815 Bassingbourn) at Croydon-cum-Clopton on 21 March 1836 with children Alfred (bap 1836), Emily (1837), Ellen (1839) and Sarah (1841).]

Page 61

Old Larkins
Father of the Publican [page 14?], rents some land and is a cattle jobber and drover. He has been at church two or three times. He is a civil old man.

William Larkins and Wife
and son Joseph Larkins
A butcher, drunken, idle, abusive. She has very bad health. Her friends are in good circumstances at Morden. Larkins is never at Church, she but seldom on account of her health - a good sort of woman.

RSBS: (Later note: Died 10th October 1847.)
[Above paragraph is crossed through]

[1841 Census: William Larkins (aged 70), drover, William Larkins (25), butcher, wife Emma Larkins (25) and son Joseph Larkins (4).]

RSBS: ( This farmhouse has been converted into four tenements,
one of which is occupied as above.
a third second by Isaac and Sarah Thompson (see page 52).
a third by Joseph and Mary Darlow [Darter/Darler] (see page 55).
a fourth by John and Mary Endersby (see page 57).

RSBS: (Later: The Larkins' have quitted this house, which is now occupied by John Simons and wife.)

Page 62

[Farm above Rectory]
Chandler Merry
Farmer - churchwarden - a man of good private property - and a very steady respectable man. He has an estate of his own at Orwell, holds one of Downing College [Farm above Rectory] in which he resides, and has just taken a large farm of Mr Gape's [Manor Farm] up on the hill, above the Rectory.

[Mr Merry's first wife died during the summer of 1840.] His [second] wife [Ann] is a London lady - they have 2 children. They are very civil and friendly.

[1841 Census: Chandler Meery (25), farmer, wife Ann Meery (20). Also living here at the time of the census were: Emily Robertson (15), Maria Edwards (15), servant, Samuel Greaves (25), agricultural labourer, and John Nelson (14), agricultural labourer.]

[Contribution: Chandler Merry (1812-1864) was born in Orwell. The "Cambridge Chronicle" of 10 July 1841 reported that "Chandler Merry... attempted to put an end to this existence by cutting his own throat with a razor, and so far succeeded that his life is despaired of...". He happily survived and married his second wife Ann (Abrahams) in London and it is understood they eventually had eight children. In the 1851 census for Croydon-cum-Clopton it was recorded he was 39, a farmer of 600 acres, and employer to 21 men and 8 boys. ]

[John Nelson - see contribution on page 83]

Page 63

Thomas Jackson
Farmer, has had a former wife; and his wife a former husband, and each had children, but none by this marriage. A civil friendly man - she a very violent temper.

RSBS: (Removed to the farm formerly occupied by Charles and Emily King, deceased (see page 70). The farmhouse is divided into tenements (see page 91).)

[1841 Census: Thomas Jackson aged 50 and Mary Jackson aged 40. At the time of the census, Ann Thompson (aged 13), servant, and James Paine (25), agricultural labourer, were also living here.]

Grave Stones in Croydon Churchyard.
(right) "In memory of Thomas Jackson
who died January 30 1863 aged 73 years"
(left) "Ann the wife of Thomas Jackson"
then most obscured.

Page 64

In the close near Mr Jackman's
Mary Edwards
Aged and a widow, she has had two husbands.

To her first, who was called Richardson, she was married at Great Warley church, Essex, and by him she has a son aged 41 and blind who lives with her, William Richardson.

She was married to her second husband Edwards at Croydon. She can't read - is very constant at Church - unless prevented by illness - her son generally attends Eversden Meeting Independents, and is a decided dissenter.

She is grandmother to Samuel Richardson (page 5), and also to Anne Thompson (page 52).

(1841 Census: Mary Edwards (aged 65) and William Richardson (40), agricultural labourer.]

Grave Stone in Croydon Churchyard.
"William Richardson
died 1875 aged 75 years"

Page 65

Next door
John and Mary Pateman
Can read very little, works for Mr Ellis. She can't read. He is son of William Pateman (page 30) - she is daughter of John Lee (page 68). They were married and their child Christened at Croydon. He generally attends a Meeting House at Great Morden. She is very constant at Church - and is a Communicant.
1. John Pateman, aged 5. In the Sunday school

RSBS: (His brother lives with him. His name is [left blank]. He works for Mr Pearman.)
[RSBS entry is crossed through]

RSBS: (Later: He has left here now.)

[1841 Census: John Pateman (aged 25), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Pateman (20) and son John Pateman (3).]

[Contribution: John Pateman (bap 1817 Croydon) married Mary Lee in Croydon in 1837. They had children John (1837), Martha (1845-1847), and Martha (1847).]

[Contribution: Eight years later John and Mary Pateman left for Australia on the 'David McIver'. Mary died on the voyage. John arrived in Sydney, NSW, in 1852. He later remarried to Ann Kentsbeer, had six children and died in 1904 at Lower Ulmarra at the age of 87.]

Page 66

Henry Spencer
A widower, can read, brother of John Spencer (page 51).
1. Anne Spencer, aged 21.
Has but this one child at home - one son has lately enlisted.

He is shepherd for Mr George, and is but seldom at church. She occasionally is at church and sometimes attends Bassingbourn Independent Meeting.

He is lately married to Betsy and has a child.

RSBS: (She [Anne] has lately attended church more regularly - she is supposed to be likely to marry William Lee. Mary Spencer, the eldest daughter, is lately married to Hosea Simpson, and they live here at present, I believe.)

RSBS: (Later: Anne is married to William Lee.)

[1841 Census: Henry Spencer (aged 40), agricultural labourer, and
daughter Ann Spencer (15).]

Page 67

William and Mary Gentle
Can't read, works for Mr George. She can read. She was a widow of the name of Allen -
has a son ____ Allen - just discharged from the Marines with a pension and settled at Eversden.
1. Philip Gentle, aged 22. Now in goal for a riot at Caxton Work House.
2. Joseph Gentle, aged 21. Now living at Eversden as a Carpenter.
3. Marianne Gentle, aged 18. Silly.

They attend church very constantly. She used always to go to Eversden Meeting, and now does once a month. He has been a very drinking man; has much improved. She is a very respectable woman.

RSBS: (Philip is gone to Canada. Joseph is married and settled at Eversden.)

[1841 Census: William Gentle (aged 50), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Gentle (65), Joseph Gentle (20), carpenter, and Mary Gentle (15).]

Page 68

John and Elizabeth Lee
He can't read, works for Mr Merry. She can read a little.
1. Joseph Jerah Lee, aged 18. Works for Mr Merry.
2. David Lee, aged 14. In the Sunday school. Works for Mr Rust.
3. Eliza Lee, aged 12. In the Sunday school.
Joseph is very steady, David is not.

They have many other children in this parish (pages 17, 35, 53, 65 and a son at Hatley etc); a married daughter who lived in the same house died in her confinement in April 1842, named Elizabeth How[s], leaving an infant child which sometimes stays with its grandmother.
They are very regular at church, and are very steady, respectable people.

[Joseph/Jerah Lee left Sunday School "creditably, July 1843 having been a year and a quarter in the school, and a steady boy. Withdrew [from Confirmation] by his own desire" - FF]

[David Lee dismissed from Sunday School 1843. "[he was a...] very disorderly boy who had been used always to do as he pleased before I came, and would not submit to discipline and disturbed the school." - FF]

RSBS: (Lydia, an older daughter, is come home to live, when her brother married - whose house she used to keep.)

[1841 Census: John Lee (aged 55), agricultural labourer, wife Elizabeth Lee (55), and children Elizath Lee (15), David Lee (12), and Eliza Lee (9). Also living here at the time of the census were: Joel Hows (aged 20), blacksmith, and Elizabeth Hows (15) [see note on page 17].]

Page 69

David and Kezia Law
He is brother to William Law (page 11). She is sister to Mrs Newman and Mrs Graves.

They have four children - are steady respectable people and generally at church.

[1841 Census: David Law (aged 25), agricultural labourer, Kisian Law (25) and Ann Law (1). Also living here at the time of the census was: David Allen (10), agricultural labourer.]

Page 70

Farm on the Tadlow Road
Charles and Emily King
They were married last July 4 - she came from St Neots - her name was Cross. He is only 20 years old. He had a sister married at Croydon Church July 5 1842 to Mr Youngman of Waterbeach, now living at Arrington Mill.

[Contribution: Charles King (bap Croydon 1823) son of Charles and Elizabeth]

Sarah Janeway another sister aged 22, lives with him and is a communicant.

Emily King was in a decline when she married, most of her family having died of that disorder. She has now been confined to her bed for many weeks. During her illness I have visited her once or twice every week.

William Warder - an aged man, sleeps on the premises by permission, having worked many years in the farm.

Jabez Chapman, son of Bathsheba Chapman (whose husband has left her, and she is living at Hatley with a man of the name of Mims) sleeps on the premises, and is a carter.

Eliza Warboys (page 26) is their servant.

[all entries above are crossed through]

[1841 Census: Charles King (aged 17), farmer, and Heneretta King (20). Also living here at the time of the census were: Maria Wenham (65), Susan Lee (15), servant, William Ward (65), agricultural labourer, William Pedley (15), agricultural labourer, and Robert Lion (15), agricultural labourer.]

RSBS: (Mr Jackson [page 63] now lives here and the Kings are all dead or removed. Sarah King lives with her uncle, Mr Wenham, near Arrington Bridge and occasionally attends Croydon Church.)

Page 71

"Downing Arms" - Public House
William Simons and Wife
And a large family. He is a bricklayer also, and a very respectable man and his wife also bears a good character. Some of the sons are unruly. They seldom come to Croydon Church, but go, I believe, to Tadlow.

[1841 Census: William Simons (40) and Barbara Simons (40) , with children Jane Simons (20), William Simons (15), George Simons (14), Stephen Simons (10), Samuel Simons (8), Fredrick Simons (6), Elizabeth Simons (5), Susan Simons (3) and Emma Simons (2). Also living here at the time of the census was Thomas Randell (65), agricultural labourer P [pensioner?].]

Grave Stones in Croydon Churchyard.
(left) Emma Simons, daughter of William and Barbara Simon
died January 1892 in her 52nd year
also of Samuel Simons their son
died 15 September 1868 in his 56th year
(middle) Barbara, wife of William Simons
who died 15 June 1870, aged 78 years
(right) William Simons (much illegible)
1856 (?) aged 59 years.

Page 72

In the Farm yard behind the "Downing Arms"
William and Ann Rayner
He works for Mr King of Tadlow. He can't read - his wife can - they mostly attend Tadlow church, they say, which is considerably nearer than Croydon.
She is a base-born daughter of Lucy Simpson (page 45).
1. William Rayner, aged 24. Works for and sleeps at Mr Jackman's - can't read. Attends Croydon Church.
2. Edward Rayner, aged 22. Works for Mr King with his father - can't read. Attends Tadlow Church.
3. Marianne Rayner, aged 17. In service at Cambridge.
4. Harriet Rayner, aged 14. In service at Cambridge.
5. Sarah Rayner, aged 12. Reads very little.
6. Elizabeth Rayner, aged 10. Reads very little.
7. Joseph Rayner, aged 7.
8. Alfred Rayner, aged 5.

Married at Croydon Church and children Christened there.

[1841 Census: William Rayner (aged 45), agricultural labourer, wife Ann Rayner (40), with William Rayner (20), Edward Rayner (20), Harriett Rayner (12), Sarah Rayner (10), Elizabeth Rayner (8), Joseph Rayner (6) and Alfred Rayner (3).]

Page 73

Last Farm on the Tadlow Road
Elizabeth White
About 45, unmarried. Her father who was for many years churchwarden, died about last June and was buried at Tadlow. She rarely attends Croydon Church.

RSBS: (She has left the parish) [Received notice to quit in July 1843.]

[Above entries are crossed through]

[1841 Census: Richard White (aged 80), farmer, Elizabeth White (35), Francis White (male) (50). Also living here at the time of the census were: William Theobalds (30), agricultural labourer, Sarah Yarrow (15), servant, and Elizabeth Yarrow (14), servant.]

RSBS: (Later:
Mr and Mrs John King
live here now.
She is sister to Mr Ellis. He is son to Mr James King of Tadlow. She is a very pleasing, well principled young women. We used to see a good deal of her before her marriage, when she lived with her brother in the village. He also bears a very good character.
Mr John King is Overseer of the Poor this year.)

Page 74

On the Hill near Tadlow
Mary Casbourn
A widow - died in April 1846. She occupies a Farm partly in Croydon, partly in Tadlow. Is aged, and the road to her farm is scarcely passable in winter. She attends Croydon church occasionally regularly in summer and is a communicant. She has been twice married.

Christopher Lyon (page 36) sleeps on the farm and so does Alfred Presland (page 46). She keeps two maids who attend Croydon Church occasionally, those now being with her are not natives of this parish. Their names are Elizabeth and Sarah Harper.
[Above paragraph is crossed through]

[1841 Census: Mary Casburn (aged 65), farmer. Also living here at the time of the census
were: Phebe Watson (2), Sarah Harper (15), servant, and
James Spencer (20), agricultural labourer (see entry at page 51).]

RSBS: (She is about to leave this farm; and it will be occupied by Mr Elliston or his son - who now live at Wimpole and hold another estate in Croydon. The Ellistons are very respectable people - Mr Elliston, the father, was brother to Elliston [*] of Drury Lane.)

[Contribution: *ELLISTON, ROBERT WILLIAM (1774-1831), English actor and theatre manager, was born 1774 in London , the son of a watchmaker. He acted at Drury Lane from 1804 and leased the theatre from 1819, presenting Kean, Mme Vestris and Macready. Ill-health and misfortune culminated in his bankruptcy in 1826, when he made his last appearance at Drury Lane as Falstaff. Leigh Hunt compared him favourably with Garrick; Byron thought him inimitable in high comedy; Macready praised his versatility.]

Page 75

Mr Henry Mole
and Wife [Mary Ann] and 3 or four children.
Farmer, lately come into the parish from the neighbourhood of St Neots. They are very constant at church - seem to wish to be on friendly terms - he is Surveyor of Roads this year.

[Contribution: Henry Tingey Mole, born c1817 at Little Barford, Bedfordshire. Mary Ann, born c1817 at St Neots, Huntingdonshire. Their first two children, Henry (c1840) and John (c1842) were both born in Hail Weston, Huntingdonshire. The third, Sarah, was born (c1845) in Croydon-cum-Clopton. At the time of the 1851 census, they also had two servants living with them.]

Page 76

Croydon Wilds Farm - Mr Gape's
James and Sarah Law
1. David Law, aged 11. Reads a little.
2. Martin Law, aged 7. Reads a little.
3 Philip Law, aged 5.
4. Sarah Anne Law, aged 4.
5. An infant born 14 Sept 1842.

They were married at Croydon. They are very much inclined to dissent, and neither of them attend often at Croydon Church. She, I believe, is partly prevented partly by distance and bad roads. Their children have been baptised at Bassingbourn Meeting, all except the youngest and that has not yet been taken anywhere for baptism. He is brother to John William Law (page 10).

RSBS: (James Law died about two years since.)

[1841 Census: James Law (aged 25), farmer, Sarah Law (25), David Law (8), Martin Law (5), Phillip Law (3), Sarah Law (1). Also living here at the time of the census was: Phillip Gentle (15), agricultural labourer.]

Page 77

Next door farm
William and Sarah Wilkins
They were bred as Baptists. He is first cousin to Mrs Jackson. Neither he nor his wife often attend Croydon Church, but the boys come most Sundays.
1. Ivatt Wilkins, aged 21 [more probably 17]. Works as a Miller at Sandy.
2. Susan Wilkins, aged 16.
3. John Wilkins, aged 13.
4. David Wilkins, aged 10.
5. Henry Wilkins, aged 8.
6. James Wilkins, aged 6.
7. Sarah Anne Wilkins, aged 5
8. Jane Wilkins, aged 4.
9. Marianne Wilkins, aged 4 months.
The children, I believe, were all baptised at Eversden Meeting.

John Blowes sleeps on the premises as Horsekeeper.
[Above sentence is crossed through]

Wilkins acts as gamekeeper for Mr Gape.

[1841 Census: William Wilkins (aged 40), farmer, wife Sarah Wilkins (40), children Ivett Wilkins (15), miller, Susan Wilkins (14), John Wilkins (12), David Wilkins (9), Henry Wilkins (7), James Wilkins (5), Ann Wilkins (3), and Jane Wilkins (1). Also living here at the time of the census were: Mary Wilkins (25) and Elizabeth Mims (15), servant.]

Page 78

Widow Larkins
Rather deaf - a very respectable person. Goes out as Nurse, is an excellent cook and has lived as housekeeper to Mrs Yorke [**].

She has
One son, a very wild one.
One daughter [Jane] married to Simons, the bricklayer's eldest son.
Two daughters unmarried and both in service.

RSBS: (She now lives in the farm lately occupied by Mr Jackson.)

[1841 Census: Charlotte Larkins (aged 35), and Charles Larkins (15).]

[* Contribution: 'Widow Larkins' is Charlotte Larkins, born Maidstone Kent, wife of James Larkin(s), a cattle drover. The 'wild one' son was Charles Larkins born Croydon-cum-Clopton 1823. One of the unmarried daughters was Sarah Larkins (born Croydon-cum-Clopton 1830. James and Charlotte Larkins had many children: William (1820), Charles (1823), Sarah (1830), Jane (see entry below), Elizabeth, Caroline, Louisa and Violetta are known.]

[** Contribution: Mrs Yorke was probably Lady Elizabeth Yorke (d.1858) at nearby Wimpole Hall, wife of the 3rd Earl of Hardwicke until his death in 1834.]

Simons and Wife
[John and Jane] Simons, and three children. Bricklayer - son of the man at the "Downing Arms". His wife a shocking dawdle and bad health. He is a civil man, but said to like sitting in a public house much better than at home.

RSBS: (His wife is said to be in fault. She is daughter of Widow Larkins above.)

[1841 Census: John Simons (aged 20), bricklayer, Jane Simons (15), and child Emmelia Simons (3 months).]

[Contribution: John Simons, bricklayer, born Gamlingay of parents William and Barbara, wife is Jane (nee Larkin), Eldest child is daughter Emmelia (or Emmeley) Simons 1841, then William Simons 1843 and George Simons 1848.]

Page 79

Edward and Maria Thomas
([Maria] Dead)

He can read a little, works for Mr Pearman, is son to Widow Thomas (page 17). She can read. She is of a querulous disposition. They are very regular at Church.
1. Edward Thomas, aged 4. Christened at Croydon Church.
2. William Thomas, aged 7 months. Christened at Croydon Church.

Edward Thomas has been laid up for near two years with swellings and ulcers, supposed to be the effects of bad typhus fever - of which also his wife died.

RSBS: (He is now bedridden, has received the sacrament. I have attended him for a long time. His brother lives with him. she is of a querulous disposition [?].)

RSBS: (Later note: Edward Thomas died in October, and his Mother and children are about to be moved out, and the Lowrings from the Brick Kilns are going into the house.)

[1841 Census: Edward Thomas (25), agricultural labourer, Maria Thomas (20), Edward Thomas (2) and Rebecca Thomas (3 months).]

Page 80

[Manor Farm]
Mr Gape's Farm on the Hill
John and Anne Pearman
He farms the estate for his father, who lives at Abington. His brother Abraham lives there generally and is a wild youth (see page 25). Anne Pearman cames from Kneesworth - her name was Saggers.
1. Elizabeth Pearman, aged 5 months. Christened at Croydon Church.
These people has left the parish.
[Above entry is crossed through]

[1841 Census: John Pearmain (aged 20), Abraham Pearmain (20) and Elizabeth Pearmain (15). Also living here at the time of the census was Sarah Larkins (12), servant.]

RSBS: (A family of the name of Beales are there now, but they are just about leaving - Mr Merry having taken the farm - and he wishes to let the house.)

[From the Croydon Farmers: Manor Farm was advertised as having "a pleasant two storey house with a porch". There were then two parlours downstairs, with a kitchen, wash-house and dairy behind; and four upstairs bedrooms. Outside there were three barns and another 'chaff and cutting barn', a cow house and a bullock house, two stables for ten horses, a granary, cart shed, piggery and poultry houses. Two new cottages had been erected for Pearman's two stock men, Blowes (page 82) and Clark (page 81).]

Page 81

[Cottage at Manor Farm]
____ Clarke, wife and large family
A rough lot, never come to Church or send their children to School.

[1841 Census: Richard Clarke (aged 35), agricultural labourer, Mary Clarke (40), Hanah Clarke (15), John Clarke (13), David Clarke (10), Charles Clarke (6), Sarah Clarke (3). Also living here at the time of the census was John Clarke (aged 1).]

[Contribution: Richard (c1806/c1797) and Mary Clarke (c1801/c1795). First estimated year of birth as 1841 census, second as 1851. Known children (list possibly incomplete): Hannah (c1826), John (c1828), David (c1831), Charles (c1835), Sarah (c1838). John (c1840) is possibly a grandchild (see page 37).]

[Contribution: There is a suggestion that Charles Clarke (born c1835) above was the son of Ruth Endersby (née Clarke) to another man prior to her marriage to William (See page 37). What is known is that William and Ruth Endersby emigrated to Australia in 1854 and Charles Clarke went with them.]

Page 82

[Cottage at Manor Farm]
Next door
William and Mary Blowes
They can read a little. He works for Mr George and attends Church vary rarely; she never, I believe, goes anywhere.
1. John Blowes, aged 18. Can't read. Horsekeeper at W Wilkins [see photo below].
2. Moses Blowes, aged 15. Reads very little. Horsekeeper to James Law.
RSBS: (lately comes to the Sunday school)
3. James Blowes, aged 12. Reads very little. Lame from an accident.
4. Kitty Blowes, aged 8. Reads very little.
5. An infant.

She is a daughter of Jane Thacker (page 2). They were married and the children baptised at Croydon Church. Another rough lot, and never come to Church or School.

[1841 Census: William Blows (aged 35), agricultural labourer, Mary Blows (35), John Blows (15), agricultural labourer, Moses Blows (13), James Blows (10) and Kitty Blows (7).]

John Blowes 1825-1908 ["Here’s a pic of “Pap” Blowes. I don’t have a date for it but it was probably taken in the 1880s. He died in 1908 at the home of one of his daughters in Great Stukely. He married a Sarah Titchmarch or Titmous in Croydon in 1848 and they had seven children. All of them grew up in Croydon but with increased industrialization most of them had migrated to cities by the late 1870s. Two of them emigrated to Canada (Manitoba). His son, Arthur, the second youngest and my great-grandfather (which would make John my great-great-grandfather) was a groomsman in the stables at Wimpole. He met my great-grandmother there. She was a servant in the great house." - Contribution by Ralph Sprague.]

Page 83

Next door
James and Biddy Hagger
Can't read. He works for Mr Haydon, is given to drinking. She was a widow by the name of Nelson and is an Irish Roman Catholic and has two children by her former husband.
1. John Nelson, aged 17. Can't read. Works and sleeps at Mr Merry's.
2. Kitty Nelson, aged 13. Rather weak in her intellects. She is in the Sunday school.

William Hagger, son to James by a former wife, aged 26, lives here, and is a sad drunken fellow. [Mary Titmus (page 84 below) is daughter to James.]

RSBS: (Mentioned at page 58. They have removed to the Lime Kilns, and a family from Tadlow of the name of Titmus are come in.)

[1841 Census: James Hagger (aged 60), Biddy Hagger (50 - born Ireland) and Kitty (Hagger/ Nelson) (11 - born Ireland). Also living here at the time of the census were: Margret Easy (25 - born Ireland), Eliza Easy (4) and Alfred Easy (2). John Nelson (14) is recorded as living at Chandler Merry's Farm (page 62).]

[Contribution: John Nelson was born in Croydon-cum-Clopton, Cambridgeshire around 1827. John's sister Kitty Nelson (who was born around 1832) is listed as being born in Ireland as was John's mother Biddy (or Bridget) Hagger. By 1838, John's natural father had presumably died and his mother Biddy married James Hagger. On their marriage certificate Biddy lists her father as Edward Brown. I have discovered that John Nelson joined the 43rd Regiment, Light Infantry but I then lose track of the entire family until John resurfaces in the 1881 census with an Irish born wife (Margaret from Kilkenny) and grown children born in Ireland (daughter), India (son and daughter), New Zealand (son) and England. John is by this point retired and living in Chatham, Kent. His son, George Nelson, born in New Zealand, was my great grandfather, and he was a shipwright by trade. Does anyone know who John Nelson's father might have been and what became of the family after 1841? Family rumours indicate a possible link to Kings Lynn in Norfolk.
Dianne Bray.
(If you have further information, please e-mail with full details)]

Page 84

Next door
Charles and Mary Titmus
He is nephew to Charles and Kitty Titmus (page 43). She is the daughter of James Hagger (pages 83 and 58). They can neither read.
1. James Titmus, aged 12. Is lately come into the Sunday school.
2. Thomas Titmus, aged 7.
3. Emma Titmus, aged 5.
4. Susan Titmus, aged 4.
5. John Titmus, aged 1.

They were married and their children Christened in Croydon Church. He works for James Law at Croydon Wilds. They are an unsatisfactory lot, always in rags, never attend Church or School. She and her children have been clothed by us more than once, but it does no good.

[James and Thomas Titmus attended Sunday School "...had their names in the School for about a year, and left without notice June 1844 having been always very irregular" - Rev Francis Fulford]

[1841 Census: Charles Titmus (aged 30), agricultural labourer, Mary Titmus (30), James Titmus (10), Thomas Titmus (5), Emma Titmus (4) and Susan Titmus (2).]

Page 85

In the Walnut Field
John and Mary Story
Can't Read. He generally works on the road. She is mother, by a former husband, of Ruth Lyon and Elizabeth Spencer (pages 36 and 51). Dinah Storey's husband was their son; he died about two years since by an accident in a gravel pit [Downing College records indicate suicide]. They attend Church - very regularly - she is a communicant, and very lame and has been accustomed to take Laudanum [opium in liquid form] for a pain in leg.

RSBS: (John Story is dead. Mary is entered page 51.)

[Above entries are crossed through]

[1841 Census: John Story (aged 65), agricultural labourer, and Mary Story (65).]

Austin Simpson, son of Lucy Simpson, married widow Chapman mentioned at page 15, and they have one child born since. He is Horsekeeper to Mr Ellis. Clean, tidy people.

Page 86

Next door
James Chapman
An aged man, a widower, brother-in-law to Mary Storey next door - he has a grandchild Jane Chapman living with him - her friends live at Whaddon - she is rather out of her mind - aged 22.

RSBS: (He is a bad old man - drinks etc.)

[1841 Census: James Chapman (aged 70) and grandaughter Jane Chapman (17).]

RSBS: (Later: Martha Spencer, mentioned page 51, now lodges here.)

["lodges" may be Sandilands' politeway of putting it. Martha apparently had a daughter by 74-year old James. Croydon Parish Records record "Baptism: 25 December 1845: Spencer, Charlotte Thacker, illegitimate daughter of Martha. Wife of James, formerly of the 30th foot, now of the St Helens regiment (note: Martha Spencer, mother of the child is a married woman, deserted by her husband, who left her for two years before the birth of the child, of which W. [= James the elder?] Chapman is the acknowledged Father.)" See also page 51.]

Page 87

On the hill going to Gamlingay
___Nash and Mary Newman
These parties are not married - he is a very free spoken man and justifies his life by quoting Scripture, and the examples of David and Solomon. I have warned and rebuked and presented them at the visitation. The woman would marry gladly. She has one daughter by her late husband and two children by Nash.

Mary Newman is daughter to Charles and Kitty Titmus (page 43).

[Somewhat speculative.... From the 1841 Census: The above might be the gypsy Thomas Nash (aged 35), and the two children could then be Isibell Nash (5) and Henry Nash (4) - see earlier entry on page 29. At the time of the 1841 Census Mary Newman (35) and daughter Mary Newman (12) appear to be living at Samuel and Mary Pressland's (page 47).]

Page 88

Church Farm c1930

Croydon Church Farm
William Ellis
Farmer - son of a Mr Ellis of Swaffam near Newmarket. Mr James King of Tadlow [whose threshing machine caused the riot] is his uncle and his sister married their cousin John King this year - 1845 - He is a steady respectable living man, engaged to be married but waiting for better times. He is a Communicant. He is the Parish Guardian and I have nominated him my Churchwarden twice, but he has never been sworn in, nor acted, Mr Merry having been some years in office and doing everything necessary. Mr Ellis is disposed to be a very kind neighbour - when at home always regular at Church, but he is often out of a Sunday.

[1841 Census: William [Stanton] Ellis (aged 25), farmer, wife Emma Ellis (20) and child Charlotte Ellis (8). Also residing at Church Farm at the time of the census were Thomas Carter (40/45) and Thomas Simpson (39) both agricultural labourers.]

Grave Stone in Croydon Churchyard.
"In affectionate remembrance of
William Stanton Ellis
April 10 1816 - January 18 1872
And of Sarah his wife
died February 5 1902
aged 77 years
Also of Caroline Frances Ellis
daughter of the above
died July 9 1856 - aged 18 weeks"

Page 89

Opposite Wendy Turnpike Gate
William and Priscilla Pedley
He is a sort of bailiff for Mr Rust (who farms lives on an estate the other side of Royston). He is a very steady respectable man, a Communicant but rather inclining to 'expounding' himself. His wife is daughter of John Simpson - late Clerk.
3 children.

RSBS: (He is now Clerk of Wendy church in _____ [the room of Hill?])

[1841 Census: William Pedley (aged 25), agricultural labourer, Persiller Pedley (25) and Alfred Pedley (5 months0.]

Page 90

Wendy Turnpike Gate
George and Ann Bartle Wootton
He is son of Joseph Wootton (page 21). She comes from Wendy. They seem to be steady, tidy, people.
1 child.

RSBS: (George Wootton died Sunday 27th December 1846 of consumption and Ann his widow married Thomas Lee.)

[1841 Census: No record.]

[Known spelling variations: Wooton, Wootton, Wootten.]

Page 91

At Mr Jackson's Old Farm
Whitchurch and Wife
And two children.
This man used to farm one of Mr Gape's estates, but through his own and his wife's faults, has been ruined, and is now reduced to work on the roads. His wife seems broken down in health and spirits. He is rather given to drink still.

They are only lately come here. He has friends in very good circumstances, but they are all tired out with helping him - an unsatisfactory lot.

[1841 Census: No record.]

RSBS: (Jonathan and Jane Chapman and family (see page 32) now reside in the adjoining house to the above.)

RSBS: (Later note: John and Susan Green and family live here also (see page 58).)

Back to Croydon | Introduction | Pages 1-29 | Pages 30-59 | Pages 60-91 |