Saxham Street in the 1850s to '90s.
This is still a work in progress. Reliance on census reports for this period can lead to confusion as road names can be inconsistent. Without moving residents can seem to have lived in Saxham Street, Mendlesham Road, Pitman’s Road, Stonham Road or Main Road.
The 1870s were a difficult time for rural communities. Traditionally families in Saxham Street relied on nature to supply them with water for daily life, but in the 1870s there was less rainfall then normal.
In 1869 a Cottage (218tm) owned by George Baker in Saxon Street.
In 1869, a cottage occupied by Widow Race had a rateable value of £3. 10s . Is this the same property where Mary and Thomas Racce (both born 1801) with 6 children and a boarder where living in 1841?
In 1869 a Cottage owned by George Baker in Saxon Street.
In 1869 a cottage occupied by Thomas Cook had a rateable value of £4. Is this the cottage where in 1841 Thomas( b. 1811) & Susan (b1821) Cook were living with 2 young children?
In 1869, Mrs Erskine executors owner of Cottage ((153 tm, later known as Grange Farm Cottage).
In 1869 this cottage next door to Saxham Cottage was still occupied by Richard Bly (b1811).t has a rateable value of £3 5.0d. In 1841 he had lived there with his wife Lucy ( b1811) and 5 children.
In 1869, Mrs Erskine executors owner of Cottage
In 1869 the occupier was Thomas Chapman and the rateable value was £3. 5s. 0d
In 1869 owner and occupier of cottage in Saxon Street (215 tm).
This is believed to be Saxham Cottage, in 1969 owner/occupier of a house and shops was John Robinson, a carpenter. It has a rateable value of £6.5.0. ( In 1841 the own/occ was John Quinton also a carpenter.)
In 1861 George Pike (1783 – 1864) is living in Saxham Street with his wife Sarah, but in 1841 he was living in Pitman’s Road, in 1851 he was in Mendelsham Road. He worked with horses and died in January 1864 and is buried in Stowmarket cemetery. His wife died 11 months later and is also buried in Stowmarket.
In 1861 Sarah (nee Baker 1784 -1864) is living in Saxham Street with her husband George. In 1841 she was unmarried and working as a nurse in Tavern Street, Stowmarket, caring for 2 ladies who had 2 servmts. In 1851 she has moved to Mendlesham Road with her husband George Pike and in 1861 they are in Saxham Street.
Known Occupations of 19th century Saxham Street Residents
We know from the census returns that most local men were employed by local farmers as labourers, horsemen or cattlemen. However this was not true of everyone,
We know from the 1871 census that a David Stockings (age 20) from Saxham Street was working as a labourer at the Gun Cotton factory, while his younger brother Thomas (age 18) worked at the Iron Foundry (in Stowmarket).
Next door to the Stockings were the Allards. The father James was a labourer at the Chemical factory and his son was an apprentice fitter at the Iron Foundry.
10 years later both families have moved from Saxham Street, and the men are all recorded as working on the land.
Shoe making
Whilst we can’t locate Dennis Beecroft in the 1891 census, according to White’s directory he was in Saxham Street.
Blacksmiths, wheelwrights and carpenters
These were all essential crafts in rural areas and there were a couple of ‘smithies as well as carpenters in Saxham Street. John Quinton is the first known owner of Saxham Cottage in the 1840’s, he was a carpenter owning a shop and properties in Saxham Street. He was succeeded by John Robinson, also a carpenter.
