CFHS code : AL178
Parish : St Andrew the Less
Inscription : In Memory of WILLIAM COXALL BAKER d Jan XV MDCCCLVII aged XXIX also of EMMA BAKER his wife d Feb XXIV MDCCCLXXXII aged L– EMMA MARY SMITH daughter of WILLIAM COXALL BAKER wife of ETHELBERT SMITH b March XXIII MDCCCLII d August XII MDCCCCXI
Monument : Large Urn on plinth
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
This large monument still shows some detailed carving but is showing signs of erosion. It is located to the east of the central path, north of the centre circle.
Inscription
west face
In Memory of WILLIAM COXALL BAKER He died Jan XV MDCCCLVII aged XXIX
also of EMMA BAKER his wife who died Feb XXIV MDCCCLXXXIII aged L[111]
Her remained rest in Caister [Catholic Church] Yarmouth
R.I.P.
south face
EMMA MARY SMITH daughter of WILLIAM COXALL BAKER wife of ETHELBERT SMITH
b March XXIII MDCCCLII d August XII MDCCCCXI
William Coxall Baker (1827 – 1857)
William was born on May 1st and baptised in St Edwards church on May 27th 1827. He was the second child of William Baker (b.1797 in Comberton) and Mary (née Coxall) (b.1804 in Toft).
In 1841, when he was 14 years old, William was a pupil at Trinity School, Fores Hill, Ely. On his return to Cambridge he worked with his father at their draper’s shop, 31 Market Hill.
In 1850 William Snr retired to Shelford and William Coxall transferred the business to a shop at 3 Sidney Street, now occupied by Lloyds Bank.
He married Emma Scott on February 20th 1851 in Holy Sepulchre (The Round Church).
His death at the early age of 29, was reported in the local paper where it states he suffered “a long affliction”. By this time the family were living at 13 Park Side.
Emma Baker (née Scott) (1829 – 1883)
Emma was born in Cambridge to David James and Sarah Scott of Ram’s Yard and baptised at Holy Sepulchre church on December 25th. Her father was a college cook.
After William Coxall’s death she may have returned to her parents home in Ram’s Yard as she is there for the 1861 census with her daughter Emma Mary and described as a “Lady”. In 1871 they are lodging with the Baker family (possibly relations) in Marylebone, London and in 1881 she is living in Royal Terrace, Northampton, with a housekeeper. Her income was derived from property.
Emma died at her daughter and son in law’s home in Yarmouth which is where she is buried in the Caister Road Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Emma Mary Smith née Baker (1852- 1911)
Emma Mary was born on March 23rd 1852 and baptised on May 2nd at the church of St Andrew the Great. She was the only child of William and Emma Coxall Baker. The family were living in Sidney Street which was also where William ran his drapery business.
[If you have any further information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]
Sources:
CFHS Transcriptions of parish & census records
Family Search
Cambridgeshire Collection, Central Library, Cambridge
by Davina Baker and Mary Naylor