CFHS code : AL102
Parish : St Andrew the Less
Inscription : JOSEPH PROCTOR —————- MARY ANN MARSHALL d Nov 27 1932 aged 85 JOSEPH PROCTOR —————- July 1[3]1879 aged 58
Monument : Coped stone
Above information amended from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
This cruciform coped stone is located about 5 rows east of the central path as it bends towards the north gate. It is hidden by encroaching bushes. The inscription is very badly eroded and we were only able to identify it as it is the only coped stone recorded by CFHS in this area. There is a matching monument for Mary’s granddaughter on the other side of this parish – see link below.
Inscription
JOSEPH PROCTOR [13 March 1908 aged 83]
MARY ANN MARSHALL d Nov 27 1932 aged 85
JOSEPH PROCTOR —————- July 1[3]1879 aged 58
Joseph Proctor (1824 – 20 March 1908)
Joseph was the son of Robert (1776-1850) and Frances (née Snell) (1789-1867) and was born in Kettle Baston, three miles east of Lavenham. He was baptised in Kettle Baston on 12 September 1824. His father was a farmer, who farmed in Lawshall, Suffolk, and after Robert died in 1850, his widow Frances ran the farm with the help of Joseph and his younger brother Alfred. Joseph married widow Elizabeth Marshall in 1854, who had two children from her first marriage. In 1861/1871 the couple were living at Reed Farm Cottages, Hills Road Babraham, and Joseph was working as a farm bailiff. After Elizabeth died he continued to live at Reed Farm with step daughter Mary Marshall, who acted as his housekeeper(1881). After he retired the pair moved to 102 Norfolk Street (1891) and Sunnydene, 50 Victoria Park (at least 1901 onwards). He died at home aged 83 years old and was buried at Mill Road Cemetery on 23 March.
After his death Joseph’s property portfolio was auctioned, and consisted of three houses on Fitzroy Street, two cottages in Eden Place, a house and hairdresser’s shop on Norfolk Street, four cottages on Norfolk Street and 22 John Street.
Mary Ann Marshall (1847 – November 1932)
There is some discrepancy regarding her date of death, as probate records show she died on 19 November 1932. but because of the erosion this is most likely a transcription error. Burial records for this date have not survived.
Mary was born in Risby, three miles west of Bury St. Edmunds and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (née Meekings) Marshall. William was a farm bailiff and the family lived at Church Road, Risby (1851). Her father died in 1851, and she then grew up with her mother and step father Joseph Proctor in Babraham. Elizabeth continued to live at Victoria Park (1911) after Joseph’s death, before moving to 1 St. Anthony’s Buildings, St Anthony Street. She died at Mill Road Infirmary aged 85 years old.
Mary Proctor (née Meekings) (1821 – 13 July 1879)
Mary was the daughter of James Meekings and was born in Thorp Morieux, Suffolk, a village four miles north of Lavenham. She married William Marshall (1816-1852) in Felsham, Suffolk on 18 March 1841 and they had two children: Henry (1841-1908) and Mary Ann. After being widowed she married Joseph Proctor, and died in Babraham aged 58 years old.
Mary’s granddaughter Edith Sarah Marshall is also buried at Mill Road Cemetery.
Sources:
Ancestry
Parish burial records transcribed by CFHS
Newspaper archives
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]