CFHS code : HT251
Parish : Holy Trinity
Inscription : Sacred to the Memory of GEORGE SMITH d June 2nd 1868 aged 56 also MARY ANN SMITH widow of the above d Nov 5th 1896 aged 83 footstone G S 1868 M A S 1896
Monument : Headstone/Kerb stones/Footstone
Above information amended from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Monument
Inscription
George Smith (d1813 – 2 June 1868)
George was born in Windsor, and is thought to have been the illegitimate son of Frances Smith. He worked as a chimney sweep and married Mary Kidd in Cambridge on 7 August 1834. They lived at Ram Yard, Bridge Street, then 13 Sidney Street (at least 1851 onwards) and had at least five children: Lizzie (1837-1870), George Joseph (1843-1885), William (1847-), Frederick Thomas (1850-) and Charles Harry Hewitt (1856-1943). George’s business advertised that it was patronised by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Leeds, and emphasised their use of men to climb chimneys, rather than boys. The business cleaned the chimneys of hospitals, almshouses and other charities for free.
In July 1851 he was presented with a silver medal (with very handsome ribbon!) by the ‘Climbing Boys Committee’, which was lead by the Earl of Shaftesbury. The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal reported ‘Mr Smith has long co-operated with the committee in their efforts to do away with the pernicious and too often fatal practice of sending lads of tender ages up flues and in bringing to condign punishment such masters as offend against the existing enactment on the subject’. George died at home after a ‘long illness’ and his funeral was held on 5 June.
Mary Ann Smith (née Kidd) (26 August 1813 – 5 November 1896)
Mary was the daughter of carpenter John Kidd and his wife Mary Ann. She was baptised on 18 October 1813 at the Downing Street Chapel and grew up on King Street. She took over the running of the business after she was widowed, but by 1871 was recorded as being a pensioner. In 1881 she was running a Lodging House at Milton Road, and raising her granddaughter Minnie Lizzie Leete (1857-), who was daughter of Lizzie Leete (née Smith). She then went to live at 103a King Street with her widowed daughter-in-law Emily Smith (wife of George Smith). She died at King Street and her funeral was held on 9 November.
George and Mary’s son George was also buried in the Holy Trinity area of Mill Road Cemetery, but his grave has not yet been identified.
George Joseph Smith (1843- 12 December 1885)
George worked as a tailor, when he was 18 years old, but was later a chimney sweep. He married Emily Cowell (1844-) in Soham on 6 July 1870 and they had at least three children: George (1872-), Sidney John (1874-1923) and William Harold (1882-1944). They lived at 15 Hills Road (1871) and then 103a King Street (at least 1881 onwards). He died at home aged 42 years old and was buried on 17 December.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
Parish burial records transcribed by CFHS
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]