Brown’s Yard (MoC)

164 (72) Newmarket Road, Brown’s Yard

History of 164 Newmarket Road

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.

1848

Cambridge Independent Press 7.10.1848

CAMBRIDGE. PAPER MILLS TRUST. On Saturday last a meeting of the Trustees was holden at the Lion Hotel; W. P. Hamond Esq, in the chair. A deputation from the Cambridge Improvement Commissioners attended relative to the formation of a sewer on the Newmarket Road, from the corner of East Road to Coldham’s Lane.—Mr. H. Smith, as one of the deputation stated that many of the courts in that locality, such as Brown’s yard Swann’s yard, were in the most filthy state, dangerous to public health; with large open cesspools and accumulations of filth of every description while the inhabitants were huddled in small, close apartments, and hence the places were never free from fever and small pox, which thus spread over the town and neighbourhood. By the Act for removal of nuisances, which had just been printed the Commissioners could compel the owners of the property to remove these nuisances, but then there was no common sewer into which drains could be made; and, in order that the owners should have no excuse whatever, the Commissioners considered they would only be doing their duty by providing one, if they could obtain the assistance of the Trustees; for although as Trustees they had perhaps little to do with the existing nuisances yet their road would be essentially benefitted by the formation of a sewer, as it would thus admit of ready drainage. At present they had merely nine inch inch drains, which emptied into an open ditch in Coldham’s Lane, and which, by the new Act, their surveyor would be compelled to “scour, cleanse, and keep clear.” They had, therefore, to ask the Trustees to take the matter into their serious consideration, and assist in carrying out the work, the expense of which had been estimated at £153.—Mr. H. H. HARRIS, another of the deputation, said he could fully bear out the statement of Mr. Smith, and advocated the necessity of immediately forming the sewer, in the expense of which he hoped the Trustees would join.—Mr. WITT said the subject was one of great importance, but of course no decision could be come to at that meeting. He therefore moved that the following gentlemen be a committee to examine the spot and report thereon at the next meeting. 

[The Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Act 1848 was an important early piece of public health legislation in Britain. It was passed during a period of severe concern about outbreaks of Cholera, particularly the epidemic of 1848–49, and formed part of the wider movement that led to the Public Health Act 1848. Its purpose was to give local authorities greater powers to identify and remove conditions thought to endanger public health.]

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Nuisances.—Mr H. Smith produced the report of the Committee as to the state of Swann and Brown’s yards, Barnwell. It was as followes :— “The Committee appointed on Tuesday last proceeded to view the locality and found the places known by the name of Swann’s yard and Brown’s yard, in a most filthy and disgusting condition, most injurious to public health there being at present no means of draining these and similar places, in that locality; the Committee recommended the the construction of a sewer from the corner of East road to Coldham’s lane, the estimated cost which will be about £156., and of which they have reason to hope the trustees of Paper Mill’s Turnpike road will pay a part. The Committee also earnestly recommended that immediate proceedings should be taken under the ‘Nuisance Act,’ against the owners of the property alluded to, to compel them instantly to abate and remove the nuisances complained of.”

Mr. Smith said there could not be two opinions on the subject ; the necessity of the sewer was imperative. Mr Smith then referred to the interview with the trustees of the Paper Mills Turnpike Trust, alluded to above, and proposed that the Clerk be requested to take the steps for the abatement of the nuisance.—Dr. Thackeray seconded the resolution. — Mr. Asby thought before so large an expense was incurred, the Committee ought to examine the place again. He believed it would be found quite a useless expenditure. Mr Cooper suggested that Mr Harwood’s opinion should be taken upon the subject. It was, after a long conversation, that as the propriety or impropriety of making a sewer would come before the standing Committee next month, then would be the time to name any objection. Ultimately it was agreed, upon the motion of Mr Cooper, seconded by Mr. Hopkins, that Messrs. H. Smith, Asby, Apthorpe, Beart, Papworth, Dennis, H.H. Harris, J. Lawrence, and Crisp, be a Committee to do all necessary acts on behalf of the Board, with reference to the complaints as to Brown’s yard and Swann’s yard ; and with reference to all future complaints under the Nuisances and Diseases Act of 1848; three of such Committee to be empowered to act in all cases. 

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1849 Cambridge Independent Press 21.7.1849

MAN KILLED BY HER PARAMOUR. BRUTALITY AND DEMORALIZATION. On Tuesday last it was currently reported that a woman named Simms, who had been living in Brown’s yard, one of the lowest localities of Barnwell, had died from the effects of ill usage sustained at the hands of a man named George Shaw, with whom she had been cohabiting; an inquest was consequently held on the body, before Mr. David King Coroner, the same evening, at the George and Dragon Inn, Newmarket road; but was adjourned until Thursday evening, at the same Inn, when Shaw was present. Shaw gains a precarious livelihood by attending fairs and feasts; keeps at times a paltry gambling table, for children to risk and lose their halfpence;  at other times he attends races to sell cards on the course, and on all which occasions the unfortunate deceased accompanied him, to gain money by infamous practices, for his use. On Thursday week they both went to Melbourn feast, and on their return home about one or two in the morning while on the road, for some cause or other, whether she had not procured money enough to satisfy his avariciousness, or whether she had been spending too freely at a public house cannot be said, but certain it is that be gave her a most severe beating. Three men saw the transaction, and with unaccountable cowardice made no effort to stay the ruffian’s hand, but went into the feast, and acquainted the people there that they had seem a man beating a woman most dreadfully on the road, and gave a description of the parties. Two young men with two young women who knew Shaw and Simms quite quite well, two of them living in the same yard, at once judged who they were, having seen them also in the feast, and onwards they pressed. Having proceeded about a mile on the road, they came to a pool of blood on the road, from which place it appeared by the state of the road, and the drippings of gore, that a body had been dragged into a wheat field twenty yards off. The young men, with becoming valor, jumped over the gate, and a rough voice exclaimed ~ “What the _ do you want? Do you want me?” Then both curs (as the coroner very properly termed them) jumped back again and all four resumed their journey to Cambridge; both girls admitting they saw Ann Simms lying covered with gore.The men said they did not see her; they were probably ashamed to confess it ; but they did say “What a shame it is for a man to use a woman so.” A man passing by with a cart, Shaw gave him sixpence to put the poor woman in, and she was brought home. Shaw carried in his arms to his own door, and finally dragged her in, after procuring  his key of a neighbour. He appeared very attentive to her during her illness; but on Monday last, he went to Stanford races. On Tuesday the girl died, amd p.c. Robinson was sent in pursuit. He found him on the Race course, and he was brought to Cambridge on Thursday. There was a good deal of excitement on the matter, and while the coroner was holding the inquest there were at least 300 round the house.

The CORONER, in opening the business on Thursday, informed the Jury that a person was in custody relative to the death of Ann Simms ; and as various reports were afloat as to the manner in which deceased had met her death, he cautioned them not to heed such reports, but to rely only on the evidence which would be adduced before them.

The first witness was Elizabeth Johnson, who had been nurse to the Union; she said: Ann Simms was confined in the Union, and I was with her the whole time. I saw her no more till I recognised her body, last night, where it was lying in Brown’s yard. She left  the Union in good health. I easily identified her because she was such a rough looking woman.

One of the Jury remarked that he saw nothing particularly rough looking in the deceased. In fact she was rather delicate looking than not.

Mr. John Deighton said he attended the decease from Saturday the 7th, when she was in a state of stupor, till the time of her death, when he made a post mortem examination. On removing situation the scalp, he found a small portion of blood effused beneath it; the situation corresponding the to the wound upon the head. On removing the upper part of the skull, and the external membrane of the brain, a layer of coagulated blood appeared upon the right hemisphere of the brain. In other respects the brain was healthy. The body was in a perfectly healthy state. The death of the deceased was evidently caused  by the effusion of blood upon the brain, which he believed was occasioned by a blow on the head; asked her in her illness who gave her the blow on her head; she said, “That man who has just left the room” (meaning Shaw), but this was not the wound which caused her death; asked her when she was knocked down if her head struck the ground, and she said “Yes.” The lower part of the body was also much swollen, the result of a kick said to have been received six months ago; the chest, lungs, intestines, and heart, were all healthy. Death was evidently caused by effusion of blood on the brain.

At this moment the prisoner was brought into the room; Mr. Deighton’s evidence was read over to him, and the Coroner cautioned him as to whatever he might say would be taken down, and might be produced against him; but there was no occasion for him to say any thing unless he liked.

The prisoner said he had two important witnesses at Stamford, who would have been present to give evidence, but were misled by a mistake of Robinson, who informed them that the adjournment of the inquest would take place on Saturday, and not today. They would come, however, if necessary.

The CORONER replied the Jury would be very glad to adjourn no doubt, to give him every opportunity to rebut any charge that might be brought against him, and asked him if he had any questions to put to Mr. Deighton.

Shaw replied he should like to ask Mr. Deighton if he (Shaw) did not behave very well to the deceased since the affair.

Mr Deighton: You seemed very attentive to her in my presence.

Shaw: Yes I was up with her eleven days, and never had my clothes off.

Martha Carter, sworn: I live in Brown’s Yard; I only knew the deceased by the name of Ann. I saw her alive a week last Friday, when I saw George Shaw and deceased come home together. I gave him the key of their door, of which I had the charge: the deceased was prostrate on the ground;  it was one o’clock in the morning —[The witness was obviously mistaken as to the time.]— I gave Shaw the key from my door. Shaw then lifted up deceased and carried her in to the house. I supposed Ann was in a fit; Shaw said as much; she had fits sometimes. I saw her again in the day-light, and asked her how she was. I once saw her in a fit six months ago. When Shaw carried her in his house he seemed kind to her; be neither kicked her nor swore at her. When I saw her in a fit she struggled about, but when she lay at her door she was quite quiet; when I asked her how she was she made no complaint nor did she say she had had a fit; I saw her again on Sunday, and she said she was very bad ; once saw Shaw knock her about at Biggleswade, but on no other occasion. When he beat she had a fit directly afterwards, and I went to her assistance. That is twelve months ago; Ann was drunk at the time.

This woman, either from ignorance or wilfulness, gave her evidence in a very loose manner, and was continually giving contradictory answers, for which she was checked the Coroner.

James Gates: On Thursday week I saw George Shaw and Ann Simms at Melbourn feast, as I was returning home I saw something had been dragged along the road and there were spots of blood;  I traced them, and went to a gate field leading into a wheat field; I saw a man lie there, whom I believed to be George Shaw, but I should not like to swear to him. (The witness here fenced a good deal; talked of the man having a yellow handkerchief on ; it be being hardly daylight &c; on being spoken to sharply by the Coroner, he said he believed Shaw was the man.) The man lying in the field said, “What do you want? Do you want me?” “No” There was another man with me, but we neither had the courage to see the occasion of the blood. I don’t recollect that he said to me “I’ll serve you the same.” I was frightened. I saw no female nor any portion of a female’s dress. I saw no more of Shaw till I saw him now.

Thomas Mayes: I am a labourer of Barnwell; I neither know Shaw nor Ann Simms. on Thursday week I was at Melbourne feast; I saw that man (Shaw) at the feast: he lives in Brown’s Passage ; so do I. When I saw him at the feast he was neither with a woman nor a man. Gates and I started to come home from Melbourne about two or three o’clock in the morning; we saw that some one had been dragged into a wheat field; I looked into the field and saw man; I don’t know who he was, and I should not know him if I were to see him again. I got over the gate and so did Gates; the man said, “ What do you want ? Do you want me?” He spoke very mildly. I will swear they are the exact words. [The previous witness, after a good deal of that pressing,  acknowledged that Shaw used two horrible words ????? “Do you want me ?” This witness said the man did not use any harsh language.] What made me look over the gate was that I heard three men from Fowlmere say that a man had been knocking a woman about. These men were a mile off. I saw no portion of a female’s dress. We told the man we did not want him, and came off to Cambridge.

By a JURYMAN: Why did you not go near the man ?

Witness: He spoke so sharply that we were afraid.

CORONER: You just said he spoke very  mildly.

Witness: He seemed drunk and wore a yellow neckerchief. This is the same man (consternation).

[Shortly before , the witness said, “I should not know him again if I were to see him.”]

The CORONER: You and Gates are two valuable members of society and  a great protection to an injured female. You were both told that a man had been knocking a woman about, you trace blood to a field, a man lying in it mildly says, “What do you want?” and you both walk off.

Witnesses: Yes, that’s it.

Elizabeth Morris: I knew Ann Simms; I live in Brown’s yard ; I was at Melbourn feast on Thursday week, and saw both Shaw and Ann Simms there ; the last I saw them in the feast was between twelve and one in the morning; she was very well then, and did not appear as if she had been drinking; I came away from the feast with Mayes and Gates, and a girl Catherine, who lives with Mayes. We heard before we left the feast that a man had been ill treating a woman, that the man was a tall one, and had on a yellow silk handkerchief;

[From here the BNA OCR scan is too poor to read]

and so! it was Shaw ; we saw a large pool of we went to a gate; Gates sod Ma: to a man, who | saw was Shaw, gut seer; lying near Shaw, a woman ima gore <7 blood ; Gates and might have seen her, but of course | cannot say whether id or not ; when we were told of the ill- usage, from the men py 6 road, | knew by the description that Shaw was the mam, and that was the woman, as they said she had a blue veil on ; there was a good deal of blood in the pool ; the gate was 30 yards off where the were when the man was spoken to, he used no i i saw the womanin her bleed, | knew it was the same en been living with Shaw ; I only knew her the mame of Ann ; she laid from top to toe in a gore of blood ; never spoke at all; I did we were not say any thing, thoogh [ was very much 1 bot we went off and never said anything ; | should to be left im such a state; | have seen Ann since her death, and | called upon her four days after 1 saw her in the field; she was il, but | never asked her any questions about being she never told me anything it when the woman was lyimg im the field she moaned ; | saw Shaw ill-use Ann Simms in Brown’s Yard about a week before the fair; be beat her om the head, and kicked her in the and seizing her by the hair of ber bead, her im the house ; I dare ‘both Gates and Mayse saw the im the field; they both said, “ What a shame it was a man should use a woman so. Shaw: I like the treth. 1 am the man; and when you saw me, was not Ana lyi oD knee? Witness: « No.” You stood bolt upright, aad said you want me?” Careline Bland who lives’ wi J said she was sent ont way where she wae saw lying x Te oe watt oe I did; she told me ok Shaw feust ? aS Ceara ae Witness: Very Sworn T im yond, oo did aod Simms ; Three weeks ago I quarrelied. I live beat Ann, and be was tired, he eaid “* lie there, if were not for life, | would cut =y and his throat from ear to ear, with the razer. make po most foul; Ann said,“ Pray, me?” come imto bed more words ; or do you mean to The next morning sbe came to see me and showed me bruises on her hips and black as my gown ; she also had a cut on the forehead , George had served her so, and as soon as she could get the traim, she woald leave him; we dip not know ber to the by the name of Simms; she never us, and so we called occamon | saw her tied up im the coal hole. Shed the cord in his hand, and now and then snatched it. She several cuts about bet bead at that time. Shaw (with a langh) blackguard im the yard. Everybody knowsthat yoo are the — Witness | may be a blackguard, bat | never murder. By the CORONER: When | saw Ann after her from feast, be said she was very ill; but she dared not com- By Shaw You were because a doctor was sent for, and said you coald have doctored her yourself; and you might as well be in h—il as among a set of * tlatties.” Ann when she was ill. Shaw: Before you leave the room, just state how I behaved to Oh, she died on ¢ well ; and when you went away on the Mon- T a you ever left her with a farthing Ror a piece of so much as a drop of water. w = Juryman Shaw : It is all spi what that gi ya, because I would not lend her Ann’s hes te go to Paar. Ican I have an that Ann was drund at the feast, and kept continually home out of fallimg down. I aAmit [ hired a cart to bring her Maria Howe, sworn: I live in Brown’s Yard; on Saturday week, bearing that Aum Summs was ill, | went to see her, and finding the state she was in I sent for a doctor ; told me that she had not had fits on the read from Melbourn ; was angry at the dector being sent for; he bathed her with vinegar and water ; when he left oa Monday he leamt over the bed, and fret while | am gove?” Ana said, No.” He replied, + will be home to-morrow if well, or the next day.” I beard Aun tell the dottor face, that he had strack her on the forehead with ae By Shaw: When yon left, said to me, “ For God’s sake take care of that woman saw the tears trinkle down yoar cheeks ; when left her would see the said you had no money, except & and | promweed L knew it when you were gone | caw she was dying Was 0° Use to go to the By the ER George told me he believed that het illness was brought on bis hitting her on the bead with a and m+ bosband go as we were in bed ; ae wards saw the which | was what be threw at ber head ; saw a drese hanging up im room, with bleod on it; | suppose it was from a wound im the head, and that it ran down. The gown was which deceased had on at Melbourn feast. There were large spots of blood on it, bat it had evidently been washed ; her stays were also and they were stai with blood. Mrs. Carter re- the as tha: worn by the degreased at the feast, and Mrs. Howe brought u to her, that Shaw had waebed it. Howe recalled: This is gown. The blood has been attempted to be washed out. Serges ot Smith the clothes of the deceased, and said he had traced a shaw! and a frock at Mr. Smith’s, the pawnbroker’s,

The BNA text is legible from here:

pledged in the name of Shaw ; they had been washed by a person who did not understand it, as the colours had run. A smart pink bonnet was also stained with blood.

The Jury expressed a wish to hear the evidence of the man who brought the woman home in the cart, and also the evidence of the men who saw Shaw beating the woman, if it could be provided.

Robinson pc said he said he thought that they could be found, and the Jury agreed to meet again on the following evening, at the gaol, at six o’clock

On Shaw being taken away there was some ill feeling displayed by the mob outside, and some cried “hang him;” while the wife ????? abused Mrs. Howes for giving her evidence against the man ( though she was not in the room to hear it). Then Mrs. Howes applied and epithet to her adversary which was resented by a smart slap of the face. Mrs Howes threatened a warrant, and the other an action for defamation of character. We understand that Shaw is known by the name of Small, and sometimes Williams. He is a tall, bony, powerful man, and his looks are by no means recommendatory. The deceased was a dark diminuitive woman.

Not one of the persons who gave evidence could sign their name, except the surgeon.

As Mayes and Gates gave such contradictory evidence, and apparently knew more than they chose to tell, the Coroner directed that they should be detained in custody, and they were consequently conveyed to the town gaol in a fly, with the prisoner. This seemed to annoy several ruffians who were mingled in the crowd and adopting the Barnwell phraseology which is anything but euphoneous, they dared the men to “split,” and they, with a wild and reckless laugh, said they’d “be d— if they would.” The crowd of women present however, appeared highly exasperated with Shaw, and expressed a strong desire to get hold of him  that they might inflict Lynch law upon him. All three men were brought up to the Hall this morning, and the case was adjourned to the Town Gaol, at two o’clock, when Mr. Deighton, surgeon, and Maria Howe were examined; but their was the same in effect to that given at the Coroner’s inquisition, so that there is no occasion to report it. At five o’clock the Magistrates adjourned till seven, at the same place to hear the remainder of the evidence. At six o’clock, the Coroner and Jury assembled at the Gaol and the inquest was continued. The additional evidence was as follows:

Joseph Pryor, landlord of the Bull’s Head, Melbourn : I recollect the feast; I was aroused about two o’clock on that morning by the barking of my dogs; and I saw, out of my window, a man hunting a woman round my horse-trough; I saw him strike her several times, and at last she fell down and crawled under the trough, and he then kept kicking her, saying “I’ll kick your — guts out:” the woman said “Pray George, don’t kill me;” I then opened my window and said, “You leering hound, you mean to kill the woman,” when he immediately said, “You —,I’ll smash your head, and break every window you have in the house,” and took up several large stones to put his threat into execution; she then got up, and he again kept kicking and hitting her about; I heard her again exclaim, “Pray, George, don’t hit me: I may have better luck at the next fair;” but he still continued to strike her for about 150 yards ; I then lost sight of them, through the  darkness of the night.

James Cooper , of No 16, Occupation road, Barnwell, green- grocer: I was at Melbourn feast; I was coming home about one o’clock on Saturday morning, from the feast, the second day, when the prisoner requested me to let a woman ride home in my barrow; he said she had been in a fit; when he asked me she was about three quarters of a mile on farther behind a stack ; we walked on until we came to her, when prisoner lifted  on to the barrow ; she was quite helpless, and could not speak ; she was very wet; we came on until we came to a pump at Harston ; George then gave her some water, and said, “You shall soon have a little rum.” We then came on to Cambridge and went to Brown’s Yard ; the prisomer gave me sixpence to bring her home;  he asked me, about ten o’clock, to carry her home the same night. In reply to the prisoner, witness said, “You asked her several times if she was comfortable, and rode easy.” I thought the woman would have died before we got home.”

Caroline Brown, of Brown’s Passage: I was at Melbourn feast on the Friday, and left between 3 and 4 o’clock; I have known the deceased some time ; as I was coming home I observed a pool of blood on the road, about 2o yards from the gate, where the woman lay; I was with Elizabeth Norris and several more companions; I looked over the gate and saw the woman Ann Simms lying in blood. George was standing by her side. A person named Gates, who I was with, got over the gate, when George said, “ What do you want? Do you want me ? Gate’s said “No,” and we then came home, and did not mention or talk about what we had seen.

The CORONER then in a few words addressed the jury, and said that if they thought the deceased was seized with a fit, and died from want of  proper treatment on the part of the prisoner, then verdict must be for “Manslaughter”; but if they thought she died from violence and ill treatment she received that night, then the verdict must be “Wilful Murder.”

The Jury having consulted for a short time, it was found that was a disagreement among them, ten being for a verdict of  “ Murder” and two for “Manslaughter”. At the instance of the coroner, they retired to a private room. After half an hour the jury and returned a verdict of “WILFUL MURDER.”

The Magistrates ended their deliberations shortly after and committed Shaw for “Manslaughter.” It is not certain that the prisoner can be tried at the present assizes.

The report of the trial of George Shaw (37) can be found in Cambridge Independent Press 28.7.1849.

1849 Cambridge Independent Press 22.9.1849. He was convicted and sentenced to transportation for life. However, a search of available on-line records shows no evidence of actual transportation which suggests that the sentence may have been commuted in some way.

Ann Wolfe, of Brown’s Yard, and whose complexion denoted her descent from the gypsy tribe was charged by Eliza Butler with an assault. Complainant stated that yesterday morning she gave defendant permission to boil her kettle, and met with only abuse for her pains; and on remonstrating with her, defendant hit her on the side of the head. Fined 5s. and costs, or 14 days’ imprisonment.

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1850

Cambridge Independent Press 26.10.1850

IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS. A meeting of the Commissioners was beld on Tuesday last; Mr. C. F. Foster presided. MEETINGs FoR 1851. The Chairman, Mr. Hopkins and Mr. H. H. Harris were appointed a Committee to arrange the meetings for 1851.

BROWN’S YARD. Mr. Ald. Brown read the report of the Committee ap- pointed with reference to this place, as follows :— “The Committee have examined the cesspools on the Newmarket Road and find them not only defective but almost useless, owing to their smallness of size and peculiar construction. They recommend their immediate removal and the substitution of more efficient ones. The state of the premises in Brown’s Yard and Shamrock passage continues most offensive and dangerous to health, from a want of drainage, and the daily accumulation of filth that is permitted, and the Committee experience much difficulty in enforcing an efficient improvement.

Mr. Brown said that they could not find anyone to own the premises; the Mr. Brown whose name the yard took had said that the property was not his; he was merely an agent to gather the rents, but he could never obtain any. There was also a nuisance at the back of New street, where the scavengers emptied all their filth, and the Board ought not to allow their agents to create such a nuisance.

After some observations from Mr. APTHORPE, who contended that the expenses of the work ought to be paid by the Paper Mills Trust, the report was carried nem. con. 

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1851 (57?)

James Mullin, 52, labourer

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1861 (72)

Thomas Mullens, 67, labourer

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1871 (72)

James Mullens, 82, general dealer

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1881 (72)

James Reynolds, 20, sugar boiler

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1882 Cambridge Independent Press 1.4.1882

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CASES. John Smith, of Brown’s yard, Newmarket-road, was charged with disobeying the orders of the magistrates that he should send his child to school.Fined 2s. 6d.

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1890

Cambridge Independent Press: 18.10.1890

Caroline Page (25) a woman of bad character of Brown’s Yard Newmarket Road, was summoned for assaulting Mary Ann Day, also a bad character, on Newmarket Road, on the 13th of October. The defendant pleaded not guilty and the case was dismissed.

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1891

Brown’s Yard:

Amelia Bradford, widow, 42, laundress, b Great Wilbraham

Alice, 18, servant, b Fulbourn

John, 8, b Cherry Hinton

Harry, 7, b Cherry Hinton

Sarah A Rayner, boarder, 26, laundress, b Cambridge

 

Walter Newman, 36, labourer, b Cambridge

Kate Smith, single, housekeeper, 35, b Liverpool

 

Caroline Page, single, 25, laundress, b Great Shelford

William, 4, b Cambridge

Emily, 2, b Cambridge

George, 1, b Cambridge

John Spaxman, lodger, 24, labourer, b Cambridge

 

Annie Woodroffe, single, 26, dressmaker, b Cambridge

 

Mary A Day, married, 53, charwoman, b Cambridge

Ada M Derbyshire, boarder, widow, 35, laundress, b Salisbury

(72)

Henry Bruce, 45, gas worker, b Cambridge

Harriet, 46, b Cambridge

William Germany, step son, 25, labourer, b Cambridge

Edward Germany, step son, 19, labourer, b Cambridge

Maria Germany, step daughter, 15, b Cambridge

Alexandra Germany, step daughter, 9, b Cambridge

Emily Bruce, 13, b Cambridge

Lizzie Bruce, 9, b Cambridge

Cambridge Independent Press 24.1.1891:

ALLEGED THREATS TO STAB. Ellen Crowe, a widow, of Brown’s Yard, Newmarket Road, was charged on a warrant with threatening to stab Katherine James, a single woman, of Newmarket Road, on the 19th January.—The prisoner pleaded not guilty.—The complainant stated that her witness had refused to come unless summoned.—The Bench remanded the prisoner until Friday, and issued a subpoena  for the attendance of the witness —The prisoner was also charged with using obscene language. She pleaded not guilty, and was remanded on this charge also.

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.

Cambridge Independent Press: 14.3.1891

RIOTOUS BEHAVIOUR, Annie Woodruff (26), a young woman of bad character, living in Brown’s Yard, Newmarket Road, was charged with using obscene language, and with behaving in a riotous manner, and also with resisting P.c. Marsh in the execution of his duty, the 7th instant. The prisoner admitted that she resisted the officer, but pleaded not guilty to the other charge.—P.c. March gave evidence, and the prisoner called a witness to prove her denial. The prisoner, who had been convicted on nine previous occasions, was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonmout, with hard labour.

Cambridge Independent Press: 11.12.1891

BAD LANGUAGE. George William Bradford (23), a labourer, of Brown’s Yard. Newmarket Road, pleaded guilty to using bad language Newmarket Road, the 3rd instant, and was fined 2s. fid. and costs

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1893

Alice Elizabeth Bantock, servant girl at Brown’s Yard, is a witness in a case of burglary reported Cambridge Independent Press 8.9.1893.

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1894

Cambridge Independent Press 1.6.1894:

THE MORALITY OF CAMBRIDGE. A short time ago the condition of the streets and the deplorable prevalence and licence of prostitution called forth much indignant protest on the part of the inhabitants of the town, and as a result eflfort,although it was but spasmodic, was made bv the police to rid Cambridge of what is undoubtedly the greatest blot on its escutcheon. Since this period of activity on the part of the police the denizens of Brown’s-yard, Newmarket road, wherein most, or rather the most notorious of the fallen characters of the town find their abode, have been brought prominently before the public through the Police Court by what has been aptly described as “civil war” among themselves. The fearful and disgusting conditions of life which these and other enquiries disclosed attracted the particular attention of more than one member of the Bench, and therein perhaps lies the origin of the fact that this week a raid has been made upon this hotbed of disorder and crime. Rarely, if ever, has the Police Court been the scene of enquiry so revolting in its character as that which took place on Tuesday, aud which disclosed to the public eye a phase of life in Cambridge the most horrible and the degraded is possible to imagine.— The Magistrates present were the Mayor (HJ. H. Parker, Esq.), Dr. Cooper, Dr Kenny, Dr. Waraker, W. B. Redfern, Hugh Porter, and J. Burford, Esqs—Mary Ann Laxton, of 2, Brown’s yard, was summoned for that she the 14th April and on divers other days between the 1st January and the 23rd May, being the occupier of certain premises did unlawfully and knowingly permit the said premises to be used a place for the carrying on of habitual prostitution.—The Town Clerk, Mr. J. E. L. Whitehead, appeared for the prosecution on behalf of the Police, and stated that the proceedings were taken under the and 48 and 49 Vic, chap. 69, sec. 13. Section 13 was divided into three sub-sections, and the second subsection comprised two offences. It was with the second of those that the defendant was charged. Charles Henry Wilkin, of 6, Hertford-street, Chesterton, who seemed to treat the proceedings as a joke, said he was the owner of No. 2, Brown’s yard, Newmarket-road, of which the defendant was the tenant. She held it on weekly tenancy, and paid 2s. week. There were two rooms in the house and a little back place, he thought. He did not often into it. — Eunice Clements and Elizabeth Missen, both living at 7, Brown’s-yard, deposed that they had used the defendant’s house for purposes of prostitution to the knowledge of the defendant, to whom money had been paid by them for the use of the room. There were two rooms in the house, which four persons lived ; until recently there were five.—The defendant said both witnesses were bitter enemies of her’s, and were swearing falsely.—The defendant was sworn, and said she was innocent of the affair of which she was accused. She totally denied the truth of the statement of the witnesses.—Charlotte Sutton, living at 5, Brown’s-yard, said she had never seen anything wrong at Mrs. Laxton’s house. She had never used the house herself.—Dr. Cooper immediately reminded the witness that on a former occasion when she was a witness before the Court she had given evidence to the direct contrary. He reminded her that she was liable to be committed to the Assizes —The witness said she did not understand what was meant then. She did not understand it at all. She denied that she told Detective Carter that the house was brothel. Florence Hume, of 8, Brown’s-yard, and Frances Ablett, of 1, Brown’s-yard, were summoned similar charges.—John C. Longstaff, of Haywood Villa, Newmarket-road, said he was agent for Mrs. Pink, the owner of 8,Brown’s yard. The defendant Hume was the tenant of that house ; she paid 2s. 1d. per week. There were two rooms in the house.—James Gibson, of Smart’s Row, said he was agent to Mr. Herbert D. Benton, 34, East road, the owner of No. 1, Brown’s-yard, which was let to the defendant Ablett —Eunice Clements and Elizabeth Missen gave similar evidence in these as in the former case.—The Magistrates retired for a short time, and on their return the Mayor said the Bench convicted all the defendants, and sentenced Mrs. Laxton and Mrs Ablett to three months’ hard labour each, and Florence Hume to two months. —The Mayor also called the attention of the lessees and agents of the houses to a section of the Act which constituted it an offence to let a house with the knowledge that it or any part of it would be used as brothel. It is to be regretted that while the charges were being investigated the discipline of the Court was somewhat relaxed, and that the occupants of the gallery were allowed to give such free and audible expression of the interest taken by them the cases ; also the removal from the Court of some of the companions of the accused, would have added more dignity to the proceedings.

(1) let to Frances Ablett by D Benton of 34 East Road

(2) let to Mary Ann Laxton by Charles Henry Wilkin of 6 Hertford Street

(3)

(4)

(5) Charlotte Sutton

(6)

(7) Eunice Clements and Elizabeth Missen

(8)

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1894

Cambridge Independent Press 6.4.1894:

BROWN’S YARD AGAIN. Florence Ellen Hum, 23, a person of immoral character, Brown’s-yard, was charged on a warrant with threatening to “knife” Annie Cooke, of Coldham Lane, on the 31st March. — Prosecutrix said on the day in question she was on the Newmarket road, and defendant, abusing her, said “If you get summons out for me, if I can’t “fist” you I’ll knife you.” There was no one with her, but some persons on the opposite side of the road heard the remark.— Mr. and Mrs Spaxman, of Newmarket road, corroborated.—Defendant absolutely denied the charge, and said she was not near Newmarket-road at the time alleged. She called witnesses to support her story, complainant meanwhile continually interrupting by remarking that the witnesses were not present at the occurrence. This drew from the defendant the remark that she (defendant,) was not there, and of course the witnesses were not. —The case was dismissed, which drew from the gallery the remark, “Hear, hear.”

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1899

Cambridge Independent Press 27.1.1899

Accident – While Thomas Dennis, 31, of 1 Brown’s Yard, Newmarket Road, was helping to back a horse and cart on Monday, his left hand got caught between the wheel of the cart and a wall. The hand was smashed severely and he was at once taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where he was detained. He is now progressing favourably.

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1901 (72)

Israel Rockett, bootmaker

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1910

Cambridge Independent Press 27.5.1910

Emma Williams, 19, laundress of 3 Brown’s yard, Newmarket road, was charged with using obscene language, in Brown’s yard, on May 2nd. She pleaded not guilty. PC O’Connor stated that at 12.40 a.m he was in Brown’s-yard, and heard the prisoner screaming and shouting. She used filthy language and said that she was going to drown herself. lt was the third time he had been called to her and he took her into custody. She had beer drinking. Prisoner said that she had had a lot of trouble lately. She had got a baby four months old, which was under two doctors and a nurse. She was living with a man and his wife. The Chief Constable said that they all slept together on the floor like pigs. Mr Campkin said it was a pity she  was in such trouble and living under such horrible conditions. She would be bound over to be of good behaviour for six months and would be under the supervision of Miss Baker who would look after her in the position of probation officer.

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1913

Israel Rockett, bootmaker

Nathan Rockett, bootmaker

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1914

Cambridge Independent Press 11.9.1914

Edward Rippingale (28) carman of 3 Brown’s Yard Cambridge, appears on Roll of Honour of those who have signed up to the military.