CFHS code : AL158a
Parish : St Andrew the Less
Inscription : In Memory of JOSEPH AYRES d June 22 1900 in his 90th year
Monument : Headstone
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
This headstone stands against the east wall about 22 metres south of the Gwydir St gate in the parish of St Andrew the Less. For many years it has been hidden behind a bush that was cut back in 2024. The monument is well preserved with most of the decorative features in place. The carved inscription is still legible. The epitaph should read “after life’s fitful fever”. The s appears to be missing.
Inscription
In Memory of JOSEPH AYRES
Who died June 22nd 1900 in his 90th year
“After life fitful fever he sleeps well”
Joseph Ayres (1811 – 22 June 1900)
Joseph was the son of farmer Matthew Ayres and his wife Ann (née Lockington) and was born in Littleport. Aged 30 he was living at home with his parents and four servants and was working as a farmer. By 1851 he was living with his brother William Ayres on his farm in Stuntney (between Ely and Soham). He married widow Matilda Ballard (née Toller) on 29 August 1866 at St Pancras, London – Matilda had already been twice widowed.
By 1871 the couple were living at 5 Brunswick Place with servant Elizabeth Shipp, and Joseph was described as having income from land and interest of money on the census. There is some evidence that the marriage was not a harmonious one. In 1881 Joseph was living at 5 Brunswick Place with servant Emma Churchman, and Matilda was a lodger in Godmanchester with her sister-in-law Maria. Matilda died in Harston in April 1885, where she had been living with her sister Betsy Toller. By 1891 Joseph had moved to live at 3 Mackenzie Road, and Emma Churchman was still his housekeeper. He died at 45 Mill Road aged 89 years old.
Source:
Ancestry
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any further information about this person, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]