CFHS code : AL541a
Parish : St Andrew the Less
Inscription : Sacred to the Memory of side 1 SOPHIA beloved wife of JOHN BRANCH d Aug 6th 1861 in the 58th year of her age side 2 To the Memory of SOPHIA DOUBBLE widow of THOMAS DOUBBLE who was buried [Kil]ndown Kent d May 15 1900 aged 67 side 3 also In Memory of JOHN BRANCH and of SOPHIA BRANCH ——— also of ANN BRANCH
Monument : Dome Column/square (ivy covered)
Above information amended from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
This small column, located onion the parish of Andrew the Less, stands against the west wall directly opposite the gate leading to Gwydir St. It has been hidden by ivy for a long time but cleared in 2024 when the wall was inspected. The carved inscription on the east face is still clear the others less so. The structure appears sound standing on a tiered base with an indented dome at the tope carved with a single flower on at least 3 sides.
Inscription
east face
Sacred to the Memory of SOPHIA beloved wife of JOHN BRANCH who died Aug 6th 1861 in the 58th year of her age
north face
To the Memory of SOPHIA DOUBBLE widow of THOMAS DOUBBLE who was buried at Kilndown, Kent who died May 15 1900 aged 67 years
south face
Also In Memory of JOHN BRANCH [Husband of] SOPHIA BRANCH ———
Also of ANN BRANCH
Relationship; Mother, father and two daughters
Sophia Branch (née Moore) (1803 – 6 August 1861)
Sophia was born in St. Ives, Huntingdonshire and married bricklayer John Branch on 2 November 1828 in St. Ives. They had at least four children: Sophia (1833-1900), Thomas (1838-1922), Ann (1842-1914) and James Thomas Medbury (1846-1906). The family lived at 15 Melbourn Place (at least 1851 onwards) and Sophia died at home aged 58 years old.
Sophia Doubble (née Branch) (1832 – 15 May 1900)
Sophia was the eldest daughter of John and Sophia and was baptised on 7 October 1832. She married Thomas Doubble (1814-1885) on 22 December 1859 at St. Nicholas’ Church, Brighton. Thomas was a brush importer/importer of foreign goods and they lived in Margate (1861), Broadstairs (1881) and Hawkhurst. They appear to have lived quite well, and in 1881 were living at Portland House, Broadstairs with two domestic servants. Sophia was widowed in June 1885, and Thomas died a relatively wealthy man, presumably leaving her well provided for. In 1891 Sophia was living at Flimwell House, Hawkshurst with her sister Ann as her companion. She died at home and her two brothers were executors of her will.
John Branch (1803 – 13 January 1870)
John was born in Mildenhall, Suffolk and died at Melbourn Place aged 66 years old.
Ann Branch (1842 – 6 June 1914)
Ann grew up at Melbourn Place and after her parents’ death lodged at 2 Willow Walk (1871), working as a dressmaker. In 1881 she was living at 120 Gwydir Street, with the Berry family and was documented as being a retired cook. She lived with her sister Sophia in Kent (1891) before returning to live at 25 Hills Road, Cambridge (1901). Ann was hospitalised for the last twelve years of her life – from January 1902 until her death aged 72.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]