CFHS code : AL541
Parish : St Andrew the Less
Inscription : In Loving Memory of THOMAS CHAMBERS NEWMAN d November 13 1865 aged 61 also of ANN wife of the above b December 8th 1808 d March 8th 1877
Monument : Headstone
Above information amended from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
This headstone with fluted top stands against the west wall in the parish of Andrew the Less, directly opposite the Gwydir St gate. It is in a reasonable condition and the ivy that has covered it for many years has not caused significant damage apart from making the carved inscription a little less easy to read.
Inscription
In Loving Memory of THOMAS CHAMBERS NEWMAN who died November 13 1865 aged 61 years
Universally Respected
Also of ANN wife of the above born December 8th 1808 died March 8th 1877
Thomas Chambers Newman (1804 – 13 November 1865)
Thomas was born in Bottisham, the eldest son of farmer Thomas Newman. He married Ann Hudson on 5 May 1829 at St. Edward’s Church, Cambridge and they lived at 4 Brunswick Place from at least 1851 onwards. At least two of his brothers were farmers, but Thomas was an agricultural agent selling a variety of products including: Lawes’ Patent Turnip Manure and insurance from the County Hail-Storm Insurance Company. He was appointed relieving officer for St. Andrew the Less in 1840. He later was the registrar for births, marriages and deaths for St. Andrew the Less, as well as relieving officer, a post he was asked to leave in September 1864 due to ill-health and ‘incapacity’. The Cambridge Board of Guardians met on 31 August to discuss the situation and th board were told that ‘the mental and physical condition of Mr. Newman rended it compulsory to resign the office of Relieving Offier…at the current half year’. Because he had held two positions (clerk and relieving officer) the Board of Guardians decided he was not entitled to a pension as he had also worked as Clerk to the Comission of Taxes. There was much debate as the Board wanted to compensate him in some way but eventually decided that ‘Mr Newman had discharged his duties for a very long time most faithfully and indefatigably, and they therefore were most anxious to grant him some allowance if possible, and they much regretted it was beyond their power to do so’. It is thought he was hospitalised and died in London. Thomas was buried on 17 November at Mill Road Cemetery.
The job of Relieving Officer was advertised on 10 September in the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal. The annual salary was £70, payable in installment and the specification requested that successful applicant ‘devote the whol of his time ot the duties of the office’.
Ann Newman (née Hudson) (8 December 1808 – 8 March 1877)
Ann was born in London and baptised at Christ Church, Greyfriars on 10 January 1809. She was the daughter of Henry (1778-1838) and Alice Hudson, sister of Philip. Her father was cook of Trinity College and the family lived in Cambridge from at least 1823 onwards. After she was widowed Ann lived at 36 Clarendon Street with servant Elizabeth Hancock. She died at home and was buried on 13 March.
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]