Soham Chronicle
1848-1879
2nd September 1850
To George Willis Esq., Surgeon – a daughter.
Accident to Julius Ceasar Martin – fell in pantry and broke one or two ribs and damaged shoulder. Attended by George Willis Esq., surgeon.
21st December 1850
On December 17th before J. Dobede, S.Y. Benyon and Rev. W. Acton, Arthur Kent Cobbin and Edward Fenn of Soham, labourers convicted of an assault on Daniel Kidd, 13 years son of Mr. Kidd, relieving officer. Each fined £4 5s 4d and 14s 8d costs or in default 2 months. *
17th April 1851
The wedding of Mr. John Bowers boot maker to Miss Fitch of Soham.
14th May 1851
Death of Mr. William Levet aged 58.
Elizabeth aged 16, daughter of late Mr. John Collin of Soham Fen.
Mrs. Martha Peachey, widow of late Robt. Peachey, Farmer, aged 77.
7th November 1851
Gas Lighting Public Meeting held in the Town Hall for the purpose of adopting the Watching and Lighting Act *
19th November 1851
Inquest By Charles Philips Esq., and a jury at the Bull at Barway. Boy named Greaves aged 5 years and brother, aged 9, were left at home whilst their parents had gone to Ely. The childs clothes caught fire and caused such injuries he died shortly afterwards. Verdict of “accidental death”. Second child in family to die the same way.
Robbery Saturday night Mr. Malden Staples butchers shop was broken into and 30s meat stolen and 2s in coppers.
Free Trade Emigration is still going on, some fathers going alone and leaving their children to be supported by the parish. Four and five families receiving parochial relief. Where will these things end.
10th January 1852
Soup kitchen opened to relieve the wants of the poor and destitute during the inclement season. *
Robbery A fat wether sheep was stolen from Mr. Luke Staples miller and farmer at Clipsall Field. The skin was left but the carcass taken, second sheep lost this winter.
George Houghton, a carpenter and wheelwright of East Fen Common used gun powder to split a tree near his house, and the explosion injured both his thighs and head and hand. In a precarious condition.
6th March Soup kitchen closed, funds exhausted.
Caught The Honorable Henry Hack late Master of the Free School in this town, who decamped some time since leaving creditors minus £100 is now enjoying the exercise of the tread mill for a month, for leaving his wife and family chargeable to the parish of Battersea, Middlesex.
20th November 1852
Recent heavy and protracted rains caused much flooding. On Mereside many cottagers obliged to leave their houses, hundreds of acres completely under water.
Duke of Wellington Shops and places of business closed Thursday last and a dumb peal with great solemnity, was heard from our venerable tower throughout the day to the memory of the Duke.
29th August 1853
Death at Highfield Farm. Sarah, aged 33, beloved wife of George Dennis, farmer, leaving a disconsolate husband and five small children.
29th October 1853
Cholera A poor man named Bye called upon H. Miller Esq., surgeon to make a small payment to the Medical Club of which he was a member. He was in perfect health; about an hour afterwards he became alarmingly ill and Mr. Miller pronounced symptoms of Asiatic Cholera. The man died at 3 o’clock in the morning, the hands having the same shrivelled appearance as a washer womans. Four fresh cases of cholera developed last Wednesday and more cases of diarrhoea. A boy was also buried last week.
14th April 1855
Burial Board Meeting Site for new Cemetery agreed upon, on the road from Soham to Fordham, belonging to Mr. Staples. *
22nd October 1855
An inquest was held at the Red Lion before Charles Phillips Esq., on Mrs Sarah Brown widow, aged 62, found drowned opposite her residence on East Fen Common. It appears she had gone to the steps to fill her tea kettle when she slipped into the water and her body was discovered later. Verdict, Accidentally drowned.
20th October 1856 Wedding
By the Rev. J.W. Cockshott, Mr, John Skinner of Downham to Miss Mary Delph of Soham.
31st January 1857
Narrow Escape On Monday last the dress of an old lady named Bartle, who resides in one of the almshouses in Bull Lane caught fire. She must have been burnt to death but for the timely aid of a neighbour. We think a like occurrence might be prevented if some one were placed with such helpless inmates of these houses.
25th August 1857
Died. Mary Ann Peachey of Brook Street aged 20.
28th August 1857
Fire started in back premises of W. Addison Esq., Surgeon *
28th August 1857
Arthur Kent, Soham was charged with making a disturbance in the street on 19th July last, ordered to pay 10s.
9th June 1860
Obadiah Maton, a farm servant was charged before S.Y. Benyon Esq., on Friday of last week, with having left service of Mr. Will Hawkes, with whom he was engaged as a servant in husbandry *
21st December 1861
On Monday last, shops were closed and the great bell tolled for some hours on the death of H.R.H. the Prince Consort. *
5th April 1862
Edition In Toronto, West Canada, James Brown was executed for the murder of Mr. J.S. Hogan, committed on Dec. 1st 1859. Brown was apprehended on 4th April 1861. He was a son of respectable parents living in Soham and had emigrated in 1852.
16th August 1862
On Sunday evening last a telegram was received announcing the death, after a short illness of William Anthony Hustwick Esq., at Scarborough whither he had proceeded on his wedding tour. He was the eldest son of Thomas Hustwick Esq., solicitor and was married only on the Tuesday 22nd July at Morcott, Rutland *
14th September 1862
Wedding By the Rev. A.J. Holmes M.A. Robert Brown to Harriet Game both of Soham.
Death Mr. J. Palmer of Hall Street, ages 72.
Death Mrs. Tabraham of Soham Fen, ages 20.
30th November 1862
Death of Mrs. James Bradley, Soham Piece.
Mrs Hazelwood, formerly of Red Lion Inn aged 88.
Mrs. Palmer leaving a family of small children.
2nd December 1862
Death Mr. James Kidd, aged 86.
4th December 1862
Death Mrs. Cater at Meeting- Lane, aged 57.
Death Harriet, wife of Mr. Thomas Fordham, carpenter, aged 21.
18th December 1862
Fatal Accident At Hasse-fen Farm gault pit, on Friday evening, one man, William Taylor, lost his life and two other, John Norman and Edward Martin were seriously injured. Property of John Dobede Esq. *
19th December 1862
Death Sarah Peachey, Hall Street, aged 89
25th December 1862
Married By Rev. A.J. Holmes M.A.
John Peacock to Elizabeth Pollard.
John Gilbey to Margaret Palmer.
Jonas Ames to Sarah Martin. All of Soham.
8th March 1863
Married By Rev., A.J. Holmes M.A.
George Fendick to Charlotte Eve, both of Soham.
14th March 1863
Wedding of Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra was celebrated *
5th November 1864
Married By the Rev. H.B. Robinson, at the Baptist Chapel,
Mr Martin Bradshaw to Rebecca Lister.
By Rev. H.B. Robinson at Baptist Chapel
James Fisk to Ann King.
30th September 1865
Accident As Mr M.J. Mason was driving through Pratt Street, Wednesday evening last, a boy ran a hoop under the pony, which took fright and threw Mr. Mason out of the cart upon Mr. Danby’s iron fence inflicting a severe wound in his leg. We hear he is going on favourably.
25th November 1865
Hurricane Last Wednesday has done considerable damage to trees, brickbats, tiles etc have been flying about in all directions.
Meteor A splendid meteor was seen on Tuesday night shortly after 6o’clock, it appeared as large as the moon and presented a most brilliant appearance.
21st December 1867
About 1 o’clock on Thursday morning the post mill on the Fordham Road was discovered by the Police to be on fire. They immediately gave an alarm, but as it was constructed entirely out of wood, in a short time it was burnt to the ground. The owner Mr. John Mann was insured.
28th March 1868
On Wednesday evening last about 9o’clock a fire broke out in Speed Lane in a cottage occupied by a family named Johnson. Three children were left in the house, an infant and a boy about 4 years old. The elder girl was left up and having occasion to go to a closet where firing was kept, took a light and accidently set the place on fire. She went to fetch her father and mother from a nearby public house but before they arrived the staircase was burnt down and the boy and infant died from suffocation. An Inquest was held on Friday.
8th June 1869
by Rev. Canon Tasker, vicar, assisted by Rev. N. Fyson, Alfred Slack Esq. To Lucy Birch, only daughter of George Willis Esq., surgeon.
10th February 1871
Died Mr Will Reeve, well known Veterinary Surgeon, aged 50.
30th March 1871
Died Mr. Benjamin Dennis well known landlord of the White Hart, aged 68.
February 1872
Fire Alarm On Sunday afternoon last, at Mr. Wm. Bull’s Farm, Soham Fen.
The fire engines were there quickly but it was 3 miles from Soham and a large stack of wheat was on fire very near the house, which with good help was saved from destruction. Stack of 11 acres of wheat destroyed.
11th August 1877
Soham Moor Charity The Charity Commisioners’ scheme for the above foundation is before the inhabitants, under the Endowed Schools Act. The scheme orders sufficient accommodation for 60 day scholars and 12 boarders none under 7 years old, or to remain after they are 15. Boarders fees are fixed at £35 per annum, exclusive of tuition fees which would not be less than 33 or more than £6 per annum. The instruction to include reading, writing, arithmetic, book keeping, geography, history, grammar, composition, mathematics, geometry, mensuration, mechanics, 2 European languages, natural science, chemistry, experimental physics, drawing, vocal music and drill.
4th December 1877
About 4pm on Saturday last a boy named Murfitt aged 8 was in Hall Street pushing a pram in which Harriet Lambert aged 9 months (his half-sister) it appears that a fly from the “Lamb” at Ely driven by George Symonds came in contact with and ran over the perambulator killing the child. The little boy was knocked down but not hurt. Mr. J. Taylor and Mr. Archer of Ely were riding in the fly at the time and said it was going steadily. At the inquest at the Kings Head on Monday before J. Neal York Esq., a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned, no blame attached to Symonds.
5th September 1878
A fire broke out upon the premises of Mr. R. Clements on Qua Fen Common and before the flames could be quenched a double tenement and 2 cottages, 2 barley stacks, pea stacks, straw stacks and hay were destroyed. The buildings were the property of M.W.S. Martin and were insured, and in the occupation of R. Clements, Will Sheldrick, Will Hills, and Charles Hills. There is an excellent large fire engine and 2 smaller ones belonging to the parish but are seldom any use at a fire for want of proper organisation. On the present occasion the engines stood in the street more than an hour before any means were used to get them to the fire and when they did arrive all danger was over and the buildings burnt down. Surely some steps should be taken to establish a fire brigade or appoint some person to take on the management of the engines.
8th February 1879
Skating Return skating match between Soham and Barway, witnessed by large numbers of spectators. Barway 5 and Soham had 2 winners.
12th April 1879
On Tuesday afternoon last as Mr. Fysons’ traction engine was travelling down Pump Lane, drawing the thrashing apparatus and a straw elevator, being just after school time a number of children climbed up for a ride. At the bottom of the lane several fell off and the wheel of the last carriage passed over the head of George Smith aged 6 and he was killed instantly.
18th October 1879
The first excursion train to London via Newmarket ran from Soham on Thursday morning, when nearly 150 persons availed themselves of the trip.
8th November 1879
Death of William Tebbit aged 64.