CFHS code : CL61
Parish : St Clement
Inscription : TTLMO ELLEN JANE GRAY d Dec 4 1914 aged 61
Monument : Stone cross (base only)
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Lat Lon : 52.202386, 0.13830942 – click here for location
Monument
This plinth has broken apart since it was recorded by CFHS over 20 years ago. We were unable to find the inscription and relied on their maps to conclude it was the correct monument. The stones are roughly 4 rows west of the east path and close to the listed column of the Lawrence family in the parish area of St Clement’s.
Inscription
To The Living Memory Of
ELLEN JANE GRAY d Dec 4 1914 aged 61
Ellen Jane Gray [nee Stonebridge] (1853 – 4 December 1914)
Ellen was the daughter of William and Mary Ann Stonebridge. She was born in Cambridge and baptised on 31st July 1853. Her father was a college servant. and she grew up at 8 Thompsons’s Lane. Aged 17 [1871] she was working as a dressmaker. She married William Wythers Gray on 1st February 1874 – William was the son of Thomas and Rebecca Gray.
Ellen and William had at least three children: Rev Horace Gray [1874-1938], Clement [1877-1933] and Ellen (known as Nellie) [1879-]. Horace went to the Perse School, and then to Jesus College. Clement became a chemist/pharmacist and emigrated to Australia c.1909.
William Gray worked for the Cambridge University and Town Waterworks Company. In 1881 he was working as a clerk and the couple were living at Chestnut Terrace on Histon Road. In 1884 he was appointed Manager of the Cambridge Waterworks and the family moved to 4 Benet Street, which was the Water Company headquarters. He later became Engineer, and in 1896 Company Secretary. He seems to have been a formidable character in the town and it was said ‘he was one of the hardest workers of Cambridge…..he was a magnificent custodian of the Company’s interests and he guarded the spending of every penny. Waste caused him pain, and sixpence unaccounted for at the annual balancing of accounts gave him a sleepless night..He [is] remembered for his blunt honesty and straightforward dealing….he..disguised, never successfully that he was a kindly man’.
Ellen died aged 61 years old. William remarried in 1915 to Susanna Myra Pye [1864-]. He died at 4 Benet Street in February 1931 after a three month illness and was buried in this parish possibly here..
Claire Martinsen
Source: Ancestry/newspaper archives
[If you have any further information about this person, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]