Parish : St Pauls
These graves were not found by CFHS during their survey of the Cemetery
William Delph (1833 – 25 July 1909)
William was the son of John (1804-) and Susannah (née Preston) (1803-1867) and was born in Soham,where he was baptised on 15 September 1833. His father was a gardener in Soham, and aged 18, William was working as a ‘gardener and fish monger’. He went to Canada, and married Eliza Smith, in Waterloo, Ontario on 8 May 1858. Eliza was originally from Burwell, and their first son William James was born in Kitchener, Ontario. They had returned to Cambridgeshire by 1860. The couple had seven children: William James (1858-1919), Walter John (1860-1862), Ellen Eliza (known as Nelly) (1862-1898), William Walter Preston (1866-1897), Mary Louisa (1868-1870), Mary Louisa (1870-1961) and Florence Susan (1875-1879).
In 1861 the family were living in Chesterton, next to the Portland Arms and William was documented as a gardener. However a little time later he had changed career, and began to sell fruit – establishing a very well known Cambridge institution. By 1871 the Delphs were living at 7 Caius Street, and by 1881 at 45a Hills Road, and at least three of the children helping in the business, which was located on Market Hill. A second branch was opened at 50 Hills Road. A Christmas shopping guide by the Cambridge Daily News in 1900 described ‘flowers, fruits and vegetables for Christmas can be obtained at 38/39 Market Hill and 50 Hills Road….their shops are always pictures by reason of their flowers on view’. Floristry also became an important part of the business.
The family later moved to 10 Downing Terrace, Lensfield Road (1891) and then 12 Norwich Street (1901). He retired from the business in c.1904, which was then managed by his eldest son William.
After he was widowed in 1903, William moved to Homerton Street, he died there aged 76 years old. His obituary in the Cambridge Daily News read ‘by the death of Mr William Delph…Cambridge has lost one of its oldest and most successful inhabitants. Few of the burgesses of the older generation were better known than Mr Delph, and few enjoyed a greater measure of regard. A native of Soham, he established the florist’s and fruiterer’s business now well known in Cambridge over 40 years ago, and for approaching half a century has traded in and around Market Hill in a manner in keeping with the traditions of Cambridge commercial life. At Covent Garden Market he was a well known figure and was one of the oldest stall holders in the uncovered Cambridge market. Mr Delph, who was a very fine judge of fruit, possessed one of those generous dispositions which during a long life accomplishes a good deal of philanthropy without attracting public notice and his kindliness of heart earned him a large circle of friends, who keenly regret his demise’.
Eliza Delph (née Smith) (c.1834 – December 1902)
Eliza was born in Burwell, the daughter of James (1799-1879) and Mary (née Miller) (1901-1875). She died at Norwich Street and was buried at Mill Road Cemetery on 2 January 1903
John Walter Preston Delph (1866 – 24 February 1897)
John was born in Chesterton and was the third son of William and Eliza. He was baptised in Chesterton on 12 January 1867 and worked in the family fruit/floristry business. He married Mary Amy Gale (1867-1943) on 20 January 1892 in Buckden, near Huntingdon. The couple had two daughters: Phyllis Ivy (1893-1987) and Ruby Joan (1896-1985) and lived at 56 Tenison Road. He died at home of ‘consumption’ (TB) after 18 months of ill health and was buried at Mill Road Cemetery on 2 March.
Mary and Florence Delph were buried in a seperate grave to their parents and brother
Mary Louisa Delph (1868 – March 1870)
Mary was baptised in Chesterton on 16 August 1868. She died aged 2 years old at Norwich Street and was buried on 17 March.
Florence Susan Delph (1875 – 22 October 1879)
Florence was baptised at the Primitive Methodist Chapel on 2 January 1876. She died at 45a Hills Road aged 5 years old and her funeral was held on 24 October.
Eldest son William was buried in the St. Mary the Great area of Mill Road Cemetery, his grave has not yet been identified
William James Delph (1858 – 27 November 1919)
William was born in Kitchener, Ontario, but had returned to live in Cambridgeshire by the time he was 2 years old. He married Ellen Buxton on 4 July 1880 at St. Giles’ Church. They had four daughter and four sons: Florence Maud (known as Florrie) (1880-1965), Winifred (1883-1971), Miriam (1883-1957), Beatrice Louisa (1886-1924), Sidney Buxton (1887-), William Leonard (1892-), Gordon Charles (1894-1955) and John Edgar (1895-1962).
William worked as a wine merchant’s clerk for Messrs. J F Miller and Sons, but later worked in the family business. By 1899 it was names W. Delph and Son, and later as Delph & Son. They lived at Victoria Road (1881), Alpha Road (1891) and 67 Hills Road (1911). In 1918 he advertised the house on Hills road for sale, and is thought to have moved to live at Market Hill.
William was a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Foresters (a friendly society offering insurance) and acted as auditor, also sitting on the High Court Investigation Committee. He was a Conservative, and a member of the Central Conservative Club. He helped to found the Cambridge Horticultural Society, and was a prolific prize winner across many years and competitions. He also was on the committee of the Victoria Asylum and President of the Cambridge and District Horse Club.
William returned from a holiday in Brighton in Autumn 1991 and fell ill. He ‘gradually lapsed into unconsciousness’ and died at Market Hill aged 60 years old. His obituary described him as a ‘well known and hightly esteemed tradesman’. His funeral was held on Monday 1 December at St Edward’s Church, where he had been a sidesman for many years. There was a very large turnout, including the Mayor, many members of the Ancient Order of Foresters, representatives of the Victoria Asylum, Fruiterers’ Association and the Cambridge District Horse Club. Many wreaths and messages of condolence were left on the grave.
Many of the family left Cambridge, which perhaps why no other family are buried in William’s grave.
His wife Ellen died in Vancouver in March 1942 and is buried there. Sidney Delph emigrated to Australia, Winifred and Miriam to Canada. Beatrice and Leonard emigrated to New Zealand. Florrie married Albert Tebbit who was a very well known skater and three times amateur champion – she died in South Africa. Youngest son John Edgar Delph took over the running of the family business, until it went into receivership in June 1939, seventy years after his grandfather had founded the company.
Sources:
Ancestry
Parish bural records
Newspaper archives
by Claire Martinsen
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