Bobbys Chemist in the High Street, c.1914.

The Chemist was established in 1826 by a Mr William King a Chemist, who's Daughter Ellen married Charles Frederick Bobby the Son of Mr William Bobby a Grocer & Draper who lived on Sand Street Soham. The Bobby Family had come to Soham from Diss in Norfolk and on Charle's Marriage to Ellen King in 1854 he had a Grocer's Shop on the Corner of Brook Dam Lane in the High Street. Charles and Ellen had 7 Children all born in Soham , they had 4 Daughters and 3 Sons, Their eldest Son, Charles William  Bobby, followed in his Grandfathers footsteps and qualified as a Chemist in 1891. Charles William Bobby was listed in the 1881 Census as a Chemists Apprentice aged 25, he was living with his Grandfather and his Grandfathers Sister in Law along with his own Family. The House was quite large with several out barns and a stable yard and stables and remains much the same today.

1881 Census
High Street Soham.
William King, Head, Widower, aged 80, Chemist, born Litcham Norfolk.
Charles W Bobby, Grandson, aged 25, Married, Chemist Assistant & Distributor of  Stamps, born Soham.
Mary Bobby, Granddaughter in Law, Married, aged 22, born Littleport Cambs.
Sarah Currey, Sister in Law, aged 65, Housekeeper, born Feltwell Norfolk.
Matilda Clarke, aged 21, General Servant, born Soham Cambs.

Advert dated 1914.

William King died in December 1881 aged 80 years and is buried in Soham Cemetery with his Wife Elizabeth who had died in July 1872 aged 65.
Charles William Bobby took over the business where he bought up his Family of 4 Daughters and 2 Sons, his first Son Charles Frederick Bobby died in 1899 aged only 3 years. His second Son Stanley followed in his Fathers foot steps and qualified as a Chemist in 1921 at the age of 22. Charles William Bobby died in 1946 aged 90 years and is buried in Soham Cemetery with his Wife Mary who had predeceased him dying in 1891 aged 33 years. Stanley continued to run the Business and was also a Herbalist owning a Kiln in Paddock Street where he used to dry Dandelion roots amongst other plants, to make his various medicines that were well renowned to work. Stanley continued in business until 1970 when the business was taken over by Mr John Neville. Stanley died in 1972 aged 73 and is buried in Soham Cemetery with his Wife Irene who died in 1987 aged 83 years.

The building as it looks today.

The shop remains much the same as it did when the  Kings and the Bobbys owned it, the only alteration to the front is a new window of plate glass that was put in around 1900 to replace the small panes of glass which were there originally. For many years and still within living memory the large bottles of coloured liquid, the mark of the Chemist, adorned the window sill which had been put there by Charles William Bobby. the shop still retains it's original curved door and many local People will remember the old counter with it's small drawers containing the pills and potions.