1881 Census for the Parish of Orwell (Part Four - New Orwell) [Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, much of the area of Orwell on the Cambridge Road, previously known as 'New Orwell', is now part of the modern-day Parish of Wimpole.]
A local history and genealogy page for the Parish of Wimpole.
New Orwell, Cambridge Road, c1910 Looking westwards, the houses on the left (south) were in 'New Orwell', in the Parish of Orwell.
The houses on the right (north) were in 'New Wimpole', in the Parish of Wimpole.
[Image kindly donated by Brenda and Michael Skinner (2002)]
The 1881 Census for Orwell, Cambridgeshire.
Reference: Ref. RG11/1656 (with acknowledgement to the
Public Record Office).
Date of Census: 3 April 1881.
Population (1881 census): 802. (1871 Census: 801) (1891 Census: 689)
There is a national Census every ten years when
the year ends in a one. This page details the population of the Parish
of Orwell on the night of 3 April 1881 (the list includes children and visitors
from outside the parish in temporary residence within Orwell on the night
of the census).
My thanks and acknowledgements to the 'census team' who provided the documentation and who typed and checked the various page transcripts back in 2002/2003. Particular thanks to Mike Giddings, Susan Giddings, Alexandra Morton and John Parkins for all their help, assistance and encouragement. Any errors are probably mine.
Columns (left to right):
1. Name.
2. Relation to Head of Household.
3. Married, Widow, Widowed or Unmarried (18 years and
over).
4. Age.
5. Occupation.
6. Place of Birth.
The house numbering sequence shown below was used/allocated in 1881 and therefore unlikely to relate directly to present day postal addresses.
[Information, notes and comments additional to the 1881 Census are generally shown italicised within square brackets]
I would be pleased to hear from you if you can offer any additional genealogical or family information relevant to this page, especially if you possess old photographs that could be added to this site for those who follow. Please use the site's Contact Page in the first instance.
[1] Completed pages.
[2] Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, much of the area of Orwell on the Cambridge Road, previously known as 'New Orwell', is now part of the modern-day Parish of Wimpole. [3] These pages are being rebuilt after their transfer to the new website. The basic listings remain available for reference during the rebuilding.
Coprolite Mining:
In the 1881 Census, many individuals in Orwell are shown to be employed in the mining of coprolites (phosphatic nodules) to be processed as agricultural fertilisers. The following table shows the rapid rise (and subsequent fall) in local parish populations due to the temporary influx of coprolite 'diggers' and their families between 1861 and 1891:
Census Year:
1861
1871
1881
1891
Barrington:
0
155
120
4
Haslingfield:
6
105
49
17
Meldreth:
0
39
11
0
Orwell:
0
1
58
6
Whadden
0
73
17
8
Wimpole:
0
3
7
0
For further information on the local mining of Coprolites refer to: (a) Wimpole Coprolites - a report by the Cambridge Archaeology Field Group describing coprolite mining and the related social consequences in the Orwell/Wimpole area.
(b) Coprolite Mining in Orwell - on the 'Orwell Past and Present' website.
The 1881 Census for Orwell continued from Part Three
1 Cambridge Road, New Orwell.[1]
(Folio 28 Schedule 45)
Alfred CHAPMAN
Head
M
36
Agricultural Labourer
Kneesworth, Cambridgeshire
Emma CHAPMAN
Wife
M
33
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
William CHAPMAN
Son
12
Agricultural Labourer
Kneesworth, Cambridgeshire
Jane CHAPMAN
Daughter
9
Scholar
Kneesworth, Cambridgeshire
George CHAPMAN
Son
6
Scholar
Kneesworth, Cambridgeshire
Julia CHAPMAN
Daughter
4
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Florence CHAPMAN
Daughter
5m
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] This property was listed as New Orwell in the 1881 census. It was not affected by the April 1999 parish boundary changes and it remains situated within the Parish of Orwell. Modern address: 1 Turnpike Cottages, Cambridge Road, Orwell.]
2 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1] (Folio 29 Schedule 46)
John SELL
Head
M
39
Agricultural Labourer
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
Harriet SELL
Wife
M
40
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
John SELL
Son
19
Agricultural Labourer
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
Charles SELL
Son
13
Agricultural Labourer
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
Geoffrey SELL
Son
12
Agricultural Labourer
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
Martha SELL
Daughter
8
Scholar
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
Elizabeth SELL
Daughter
6
Scholar
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
Arthur SELL
Son
5
Scholar
Littlington, Cambridgeshire
William SELL
Son
2
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] This property was listed as New Orwell in the 1881 census. It was not affected by the April 1999 parish boundary changes and it remains situated within the Parish of Orwell. Modern address: 2 Turnpike Cottages, Cambridge Road, Orwell.]
Brewery Cottages, Cambridge Road, New Orwell c1905
Heads
No 15
(No 17)
No 19
No 21
No 23
No 25
No 27
No 29
No 31
(No 33)
1881:
Newell
-
Miller
Arthur
Rayner
Charter
Hagger
Barker
Wilkins
Wilkins
1891:
Walker
Matthews
Miller
Arthur
Rayner
Charter
Hagger
Barker
Wilkins
Wilkins
1901:
Wilkins
Reed
Wilkins
Rodwell
Rayner
Taylor
Bullen
Wilkins
Wilkins
Rule
1911:
Brotherton
-
Knight
Scott
Rayner
Pearson
Heaton
Ferguson
Freestone
Williams
3 Cambridge Road, New Orwell.[1][2][3] (Folio 46 Schedule 29)
Oliver NEWELL [4]
Head
M
37
Blacksmith (Master - employs 2 men and 1 app)
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Martha NEWELL
Wife
M
36
Morden, Cambridgeshire
Elizabeth NEWELL
Daughter
8
Scholar
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Richard NEWELL
Son
2
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
George NEWELL
Father
W
86
Blacksmith
Wrestlingworth, Bedfordshire
Abraham WALKER
Boarder
U
21
Blacksmith's Apprentice
Morden, Cambridgeshire
Eliza CLARK
Servant
U
20
General Servant (Domestic)
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
[1] Working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this end-terrace cottage was built by 1840 and pre-dates the 'higher' c1876 terrace by some 35 years. It was originally built as a stand-alone semi-detached cottage. The third cottage (on the right) was built later.
[2] It is believed that the Newells probably occupied the two end cottages at the time of the census (see note below). Now a private residence at modern postal address 15 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4] Oliver Newell, the Wimpole village blacksmith and publican ('The Queen Victoria') from c1885.
The Newell family are recorded as occupying the end terrace cottage (No 3 as above), which was alongside their Forge and Blacksmith's Shop and yard. The Millers' appear to be occupying the 'third' terrace cottage from the end [as they also do in the 1891 census] recorded as No 4 (below). Therefore the middle cottage between the two is is not recorded and thus we are missing one of the three 'front doors' in the 'lower' terrace. The assumption is that either the middle cottage was unoccupied [not stated by the census enumerator] or, and perhaps more likely, the Newell family with their border and servant occupied both end cottages recorded as a single unit by the census enumerator. The 'middle' cottage would today have the theoretical address of 17 Cambridge Road, Wimpole, although practically it has been absorbed into postal address No 15.
4 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 46 Schedule 29)
Joseph MILLER
Head
M
29
Brewer's Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Eliza F MILLER
Wife
M
28
Abington, Cambridgeshire
Alice A MILLER
Daughter
1
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] This mid-terrace cottage was built after the original two semi-detached cottages (either as an simple addition or as a later infill development) but probably pre-dates the later c1876 terrace.
[2] Now a private residence with modern address 19 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
5 Cambridge Road, New Orwell.[1][2][3] (Folio 46 Schedule 29)
Allen ARTHUR
Head [4]
M
36
Gardener
Eltisley, Cambridgeshire
Betsy ARTHUR
Wife
M
38
Eltisley, Cambridgeshire
Frederick ARTHUR
Son
15
Agricultural Labourer
Eltisley, Cambridgeshire
James ARTHUR
Son
13
Agricultural Labourer
Eltisley, Cambridgeshire
Florence ARTHUR
Daughter
11
Scholar
Eltisley, Cambridgeshire
George ARTHUR
Son
8
Scholar
Fen Stanton, Huntingdonshire
Rosa ARTHUR
Daughter
3
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Lily ARTHUR
Daughter
9m
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this is the first of the seven 'higher' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence with modern postal address 21 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4] Future Heads: 1891 Census: Allen Arthur.
6 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 46 Schedule 30)
Robert H RAYNER
Head [6]
M
32
Brewer's Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Martha RAYNER[4]
Wife
M
28
Croydon, Cambridgeshire
James LAW
Brother-in-Law
U
36
Coprolite Digger [5]
Croydon, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this is the second of the seven 'taller' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence with modern postal address 23 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4] Martha Rayner ran the village shop from her front parlour at this address for many years. In the c1905 image of Brewery Cottages above you can see her shop sign above the window (just above the group of children).
[5] For further information see note on Coprolite Mining.
[6] Future Heads: 1891 Census: Robert H Rayner.
7 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 46 Schedule 30)
John CHARTER
Head [4]
M
32
Brewer's Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Susan E CHARTER
Wife
M
32
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Arthur G CHARTER
Son
9
Scholar
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Alfred J CHARTER
Son
7
Scholar
Croydon, Cambridgeshire
Albert E CHARTER
Son
5
Scholar
Croydon, Cambridgeshire
Elizabeth A CHARTER
Daughter
3
Orwell, Huntingdonshire
Ernest W CHARTER
Son
1m
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this is the third of the seven 'taller' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence with modern postal address 25 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4] Future Heads: 1891 Census: John Charter.
8 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 46 Schedule 30)
William HAGGER
Head [4]
M
48
Agricultural Labourer
Bourn, Cambridgeshire
Elizabeth HAGGER
Wife
M
48
Bourn, Cambridgeshire
Eliza HAGGER
Daughter
11
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
Arthur HAGGER
Son
9
Scholar
Comberton, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this is the fourth of the seven 'taller' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence with modern postal address 27 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4]
Future Heads: 1891 Census: William Hagger.
9 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 46 Schedule 30)
James BARKER
Head [4]
M
44
Brewers Labourer
Baughing, Hertfordshire
Susan BARKER
Wife
M
48
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Charles BARKER
Son
14
Agricultural Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Sarah A BARKER
Daughter
8
Scholar
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this is the fifth of the seven 'taller' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence with modern postal address 29 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4]
Future Heads: 1891 Census: James Barker.
10 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 46 Schedule 30)
Edward WILKINS
Head [4]
M
45
Brewer's Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Rebecca WILKINS
Wife
M
46
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Henry WILKINS
Son
U
18
Gardener
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
William WILKINS
Son
15
Agricultural Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Sarah E WILKINS
Daughter
14
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Edward WILKINS
Son
10
Scholar
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
John WILKINS
Son
8
Scholar
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Arthur WILKINS
Son
6
Scholar
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Ralph WILKINS
Son
2
Scholar
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this is the sixth of the seven 'taller' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence. However, the front door of this cottage is now a window and the premises combined with No 11 (below). The combined property uses 31 Cambridge Road, Wimpole, as the modern postal address.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4] Future Heads: 1891 Census: Edward Wilkins.
11 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2][3]
(Folio 47 Schedule 31)
John WILKINS
Head (4)
M
35
Brewer's Labourer
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Elizabeth WILKINS
Wife
M
35
Harlton, Cambridgeshire
Charles H WILKINS
Son
12
Scholar
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Albert R WILKINS
Son
8
Scholar
Orwell Cambridgeshire
Susanna CONSTABLE
Boarder
U
26
Schoolmistress
Harlton, Cambridgeshire
[1] Still working east to west (from left to right viewed from the road), this end-terrace is the last of the seven 'taller' terrace cottages (see the photograph above) built c1876 by the Meyer brothers to house workers at their new brewery. Often referred to as the 'Brewery Cottages' although the row was re-named 'Rose Cottages' for a period between the 1920s and 1950s.
[2] Now a private residence incorporating much of No 10 (above). The theoretical number for this property should be (and might have been at some point) No 33 but a previous owner kept the number sequence intact and adopted 31 Cambridge Road, Wimpole, as the modern postal address for the combined dwelling. Number 33 has since been re-used for a recently built property (c2014).
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4] Future Heads: 1891 Census: John Wilkins.
"Oatlands", New Orwell 1922 See 12, Schedule 31 (below)
"Oatlands" House and Estate 12 Cambridge Road, New Orwell.[1][2] (Folio 47 Schedule 31)
Philip MEYER
Head [3]
U
53
Brewer and Master (Master employs 14 men and 1 boy)
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Arthur H MEYER
Brother
U
46
Brewer and Master with brother (partner)
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Hannah BONNETT
Sister
W
53
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Harriet BONNETT
Boarder
U
39
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Mary E ROSE
Servant
U
31
Cook -
Domestic Servant
St Ives, Huntingdon
Mary DARLOW
Servant
U
20
Domestic Servant
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Ann MILLS
Servant
U
21
Domestic Servant
Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire
[1] House (built c1876) and estate belonging to local brewers and farmers Philip and Arthur Meyer. The house was originally named "Oatlands" after a nearby field, and is currently named "Orwell Grange". For more information and history of the adjoining brewery, please visit The Old Brewery Building, Cambridge Road, 1908-1918.
[2] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[3]
Future Heads: 1891 Census: Philip Meyer. 1901 Census: Philip Meyer
Manager's House
13 Cambridge Road, New Orwell.[1][2][3]
(Folio 47 Schedule 31)
James SMITH
Head [3]
M
51
Brewer
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
Emily SMITH
Wife
M
47
Whaddon, Cambridgeshire
Anne SMITH
Daughter
U
19
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Helena SMITH
Daughter
U
18
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Charles SMITH
Son
15
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Albert SMITH
Son
13
Scholar
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] This the 'Manager's House', built c1876 by the Meyer brothers as accommodation for the Manager at their new brewery next door.
[2] Now a private residence named "Rose Villa" with modern postal address 39 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[3] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[4]
Future Heads: 1891 Census: James Smith
"The Queen Victoria", Cambridge Road, New Orwell c1905 Schedule 31 (below).
"The Queen Victoria" (P.H.)
14 Cambridge Road, New Orwell. [1][2] (Folio 47 Schedule 31)
Mortimer SMITH
Head [3]
M
35
Bootmaker and Publican
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Caroline SMITH
Wife
M
33
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Jeanette SMITH
Daughter
10
Scholar
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Emily SMITH
Daughter
8
Scholar
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
[1] "The Queen Victoria" Tavern, said to have been named to honour Queen Victoria's visit to Wimpole in 1843. It sold "Fine Royston Ales" in 1905. I don't know the date the pub was demolished but the 'Orwell Past and Present' website says "'The Queen Victoria' was still serving customers into the 1950s." Later the site became 'Majestic Motors' (garage and famous bus-stop) which was demolished in turn around 2005. Now the site of modern housing.
[2] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, the site is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[3] Future Heads: 1891 Census: Oliver Newell.
"Fox and Hounds" (P.H.) 15 Cambridge Road, New Orwell.[1][2]
(Folio 47 Schedule 32)
George PEDLEY
Head [3]
M
37
Publican
Croydon, Cambridgeshire
Elizabeth PEDLEY
Daughter
6
Orwell, Cambridgeshire
Caroline MILLER
Mother-in-Law
W
65
Arrington, Cambridgeshire
Moses MULBERRY
Visitor
U
61
Agricultural Labourer
Wimpole, Cambridgeshire
[1] Now a private residence named 'Foxhounds' with modern postal address 71 Cambridge Road, Wimpole.
[2] At the time of the census, this property was situated within the Parish of Orwell. Following a parish boundary change in April 1999, this property is now in the Parish of Wimpole.
[3] Future Heads: 1891 Census: George Pedley.
The 1881 Census for the Parish of Orwell ends here.
Town Green Road, Orwell c1905 Image from a postcard in my collection.
Orwell Parish Church c1905 Image from a postcard in my collection.
This page was last updated on: 10 February 2021. [Page rebuilt January 2021]
