Abstracts from newspapers from the 18th century onwards also containing articles on Soham, will be updated as we find them. if you have anything you think may interest others, and would like it included, please contact us here at Soham Roots. Email sohamgen@hotmail.com

The Times 6th August 1787
Married
Thomas Cockayne, Miss Hewitt, Rev. Hodgson, James Merest and Miss Drage.
Thursday, at St. Sepulchres, Cambridge, Thomas Cockayne, Esq, of Soham, in that county, to Miss Hewitt, niece to the Rev. Mr Hodgson, of that place.
Same day at Soham, in Cambridge, James Merest (spelt Merell), gent, to Miss Drage, niece of John Drage, Esq, late High Sheriff for that county.

The Times 15th October 1787
Country News
John Cadenham, William Cockerton & Eliz Seaber
On Monday John Cadenham of Isleham and William Cockerton, alias Jockey, of Soham, late of Littleport, were taken up on suspicion of stealing a black mare, which they offered to sale. Cadenham said his name was Bell, and lived at Feltwell, Norfolk; on enquiry and being questioned, he prevaricated, which gave reason to suspect they did not come honestly by the mare. Cockerton absconded, the former was taken before the Mayor of Thetford, when he confessed he and his accomplice had stolen the said mare from Eliz Seaber of Isleham Bank. Cockerton was taken in a plantation at the end of the town the same day; and on Wednesday the above two men were committed to Cambridge Castle for the said offence, by the names of John Cadnam and Cockerton William Ross.

The Times 1782-83
Bankrupts
John Christopher of Soham Cambridgeshire, Inn holder.

The Times 9th June 1820
Auction of Half Acre Farm
Mrs Bullman
Important Freehold Estate, Soham Cambridgeshire, with possession at Michaelmas next. To be sold by Auction, by Mr. Wm. Bullman, at the Red Lion Inn, in Soham, in lots, on Monday June 26th 1820, unless previously disposed of in 1 lot, by private contract, of which due notice will be given, all that valuable compact Estate, called Half Acre Farm, comprising a good farm house with garden and orchard, 2 barns, stables, bullock lodges, 2 wells of excellent water, and about 300 acres of rich grazing and corn land, part very superior highland, divided by thriving quicks, remainder fen or marsh land ( with a good water engine upon it ), which, from its situation, and being upon a very rich clay, is equal in produce to highland; the whole lies contiguous to the homestall, which is situate about half a mile from the high road, leading from Soham to Ely, and about the same distance from the navigable river Cam, with good roads to each; the above has been in the possession of the present proprietor, Mrs Bullman, for upwards of 30 years, who wishing to retire from business, is the reason of the Estate being to be disposed of, £3.000 may remain upon security of the Estate if required; Soham is distant from Newmarket only 8 miles, and 6 from Ely, both good market towns; to gentlemen wishing to purchase freehold landed property, either to occupy or let, the above is well worth their attention, being in a very improving and respectable neighbourhood, and where parochial and other outgoings are very low.
May be viewed and further particulars had of Mr. Wm. Wilkin, solicitor, or Mr. Bullman, Soham, who are authorised to treat for the same; letters to be post paid.

County Chronicle 27th November 1827.
Grave Robbers.
Within the last ten days the neighbourhood of Cambridge has been visited by a gang of resurrectionists,  and though suspected, and consequently watched, they eluded the vigilance of the guards, and succeeded on Monday night last in disinterring the body of Mr. J. Golding from Cherryhinton churchyard.  Several gravestones, also at Soham were demolished on the 13th instant.

The Times 5th November 1832
Notices
George Cooks, grocer
A Footman, a young man, age about 27, who has no objection to make himself generally useful, and would not object to town or country. Direct to J.S., Mr. George Cooks, grocer, 3 Churchgate Street, Soham.

The Times 16th November 1836
Nominations for Sheriffs
John Dobede
Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire - Thomas Mortlock of Little Abingdon Esq, Edward Humphrys Greene of Hinxton Esq, and John Dobede of Soham Esq.

The Times 1st February 1837
Sheriffs Appointed for 1837.
John Dobede
Cambridgeshire & Huntingdonshire, John Dobede of Soham Esq.

The Times 13th November 1839
Nomination of Sheriffs for the ensuing year in the Court of Exchequer
John Slack.
Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, - Thomas Mortlock, of Little Abingdon, Esq, Edward Humphreys Greene, of Hinxton, Esq, and John Slack, of Soham, Esq.
 

The Times 20th May 1840
Partnership Dissolved
Archer & Hustwick Soham Cambridgeshire, Attorneys.

The Times 17th February 1841
Partnership Dissolved
J. and T. Seaber, Fordham and Soham, Cambridgeshire, grocers.

The Times 14th November 1842.
Marriages
Dobede Taylor & Slack.
On the 9th Inst., at Soham, Cambridgeshire, by the Rev. Henry Tasker, John Dobede Taylor, Esq., of Bishop Stortford, Herts, Solicitor, to Margaretta, eldest daughter of the late John Slack, Esq,. of the former place.

The Times 15th March 1843
Married
William Waring, Mary Wall, John Tasker.
On the 14th inst, at Wilmington, Kent, by the Rev. Henry Tasker, vicar of Soham, Cambridgeshire, William Waring, Esq, of Farningham Hill, eldest son of Thomas Waring, Esq, of Chelsfield, Kent, to Mary Wall, eldest daughter of John Tasker, Esq, of Dartford, Kent.

The Times 18th March 1846
University Intelligence
Cambridge March 18th
Daniel Winham.
The Rev. Daniel Winham, B.A., of Christs College, to the curacy of Soham with Barway, Cambridgeshire.

The Times 19th December 1846
Rolls Court, Chancery Lane, December 18th.
Hitch v. Wells / Threader
Mr Turner and Mr Worledge moved for the new trial of an issue which had been directed by the Master of the Rolls to be tried in the Court of Common Pleas, respecting the will of Mrs Sarah Wells, deceased, the wife of Thomas Wells. In October 1809, a settlement was made upon the marriage of Mrs Sarah Threader, widow, with Thomas Wells, of lands at Soham, in the Isle of Ely, by which the wife was to have a power of disposing of these lands by will, Mrs Wells died in October 1825, without children.
The bill was filed by the plaintiff in right of his wife, who claimed the lands under the settlement, paying for the cancellation of an alleged will of Mrs Wells, and for a declaration that the plaintiff was entitled to the lands. The Court directed this issue, - " Whereas Thomas Wells affirms, and John Hitch denies, that Mrs Wells did, on the 19th of April, 1825, make her will in the presence of the attested by three witnesses, Hazlewood, Bartle and Peacock; and Wells affirms, and Hitch denies that Mrs Wells was of sound and disposing mind, - the Master of the Rolls was desirous of ascertaining the truth of these allegations by the verdict of a jury, " and it was ordered accordingly. The trial of this issue took place at Cambridge before Mr. Baron Alderson, when there was a verdict in favour of the will, upon which the present motion for the new trial was made, and, in support of it, it was contended that there had been no proof of publication of Mrs Wells's will.
Mr Buske and Mr Archer, and Mr Cooper and Mr Glasse, for parties claiming under the will, opposed the motion.
Lord Langdale said one witness was dead, he had been told that another was not to be believed, and that a third was uncertain, but he thought it was a case where everything in favour of the instrument was to be presumed, and there did not appear to him anything in the shape of fraud to interfere with that presumption. He thought the jury had come to a right conclusion upon the testimony before them, and the inference to be drawn from it, and he must refuse the motion, with costs.

The Times 9th November 1847
Presentation
Rev. Daniel Winham B.A.
The Rev. D. Winham, curate of Trinity Church, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, has been presented with a silver inkstand by his late parishioners, bearing the following inscription: - " Presented to the Rev. Daniel Winham, B.A., by the parishioners of Soham and Barway, Cambridgeshire, as a mark of affectionate esteem for him, and a testimony to his faithful discharge of the duties of the church whilst residing amongst them."

The Times 6th September 1848
originally reported in the Essex Herald.
Atrocious Cruelty
Some days back at Soham, a horse harnessed to a wagon heavily laden with wheat, was unable to move it.  The owner flogged and coaxed and kicked, but it was all to no purpose, for the poor beast was unable to pull the load; not to be foiled, however, the two-legged animal who owned the horse took two of the wheat sheaves from the load, placed them under the horse, and by way of making him move, absolutely, and with wicked cruelty, set fire to the straw, which instantly blazed up and caused excruciating pain to the poor animal, which kicked and plunged in a most desperate manner, but was totally unable to move the load, and it was some time before persons could get near to extricate him because of the flame and smoke, and indeed it required great efforts to save the wagon and its load from total destruction.  The poor horse, supposed to have been worth £30., was shockingly burnt, and although he has been well attended since he is never likely to be again worth as many shillings.

The Times 23rd January 1849
Court of Exchequer, Monday Jan 22nd (sittings in Banco)
Tasker, clerk v. Bulman
At the sitting of the Court to-day.
The Chief Baron delivered judgment in this case. The plaintiff was the rector of Soham in Cambridgeshire, and brought this action to recover a sum of money due to him on a lease of the tithes of that living to the defendant and others, at an annual rent of £1,600. The lease was dated October 11th 1844, and after its execution the tithes of the parish were commuted under the act into a rentcharge, the exact amount of which did not appear. The contention of the defendants was that the effect of this commutation was to annihilate the tithes, and so to evict them from the demised property, in which event the instalment sued for by the lessor might be legally withheld.
Time was taken to consider this point, and the Court was of opinion that it was not maintainable. Though the tithes might have been, and no doubt were, extinguished by the Tithe Commutation Act, it was clear that something else was substituted for them in the rentcharge. The lease between these parties would not, therefore, be put an end to by the operation of the act; and, as such was not the case, there was no eviction, and the covenants of the lease remaining in full force, the defendants were bound to make good all the rent reserved. There must, therefore, be judgment for the plaintiff.
Judgment accordingly.

The Times 16th May 1849
Bankruptcy Annulled
Thomas Tebbit, Soham, Cambridgeshire, victualler.

The Times 9th November 1850
Bankrupt
John Mainprice, an innkeeper at Soham, Cambridgeshire, who had been bankrupt or insolvent on three previous occasions, came up to pass his last examination, supported by Mr Wilkin, and opposed by Mr Lawrence. He Passed.

The Times 13th March 1851
Court of Bankruptcy, Basinghall Street, March 12th
Jonas Clarke
(Before Mr Commissioner Fonblanque)
In the Bankruptcy of Jonas Clarke.
The Bankrupt, a farmer and flour dealer, at Soham in Cambridgeshire, applied for his certificate.
The claims of unsecured creditors are £3,272, and to secured £956. The assets are between £400 and £500. The property held by creditors is valued at £1,233.
Mr Wilkin appeared for the bankrupt, and Mr Jones for the assignees.
No opposition was offered to the application.
It appeared that the bankrupt had been most unfortunate in his farming transactions, but no malversation of any kind was proved or suggested.
His Honour remarked upon the absence of proper accounts, but the assignees having expressed themselves perfectly satisfied, a second class certificate would be granted at the expiration of three months from the date of the last examination.

The Times 3rd May 1851
Partnership Dissolved
Malden and Wiseman, Soham, Cambridgeshire, merchants.

The Times 27th January 1853
Wanted Apprentice
Mr. M. Dennes
Wanted, immediately, a respectable and well educated youth, as an Apprentice to a chemist and druggist, also one who has served part of his time.
Apply to Mr. M. Dennes, Soham, Cambs.

The Times 26th October 1853
Bankrupts
Charles Sumpter Morris late of Soham, Cambridgeshire, Ironmonger.

The Times 28th January 1854
An Income Tax Grievance.
Plumbe & Dennes, William King, William Peachey, John W Bobby, Charles Fyson Junr & Richard Taylor.
Sir - Allow us through the medium of your valuable and wide spreading columns, to set before the public the injustice that has been practised upon most persons belonging to this town who were compelled to appeal against the exorbitant overcharges of income tax made by the surveyor of taxes for this district. Notices were issued that Wednesday the 11th of January, was fixed as a day of appeal at Newmarket, when as a matter of course, those persons who considered themselves aggrieved attended at the Rutland Arms, and after patiently waiting from 11 o'clock in the morning until 7 o'clock in the evening, were coolly told that we might go home, as we could not then be heard, but that we must attend some other day.
The next day appointed was Tuesday last, when 30 or 40 persons ( all men in business) were forced to lose another day to appeal, or rather, to be insulted by a mere lad, who appeared to assume the office of commissioner, surveyor, and clerk, for as each complainant entered the room, he was attacked and browbeaten by this officious youth, who flatly contradicted nearly every assertion that was made. Now, Sir, it is our firm impression - and we do not speak without good reason -  that every man who went to appeal on that day grounded his cause of complaint upon honest and conscientious foundation. In many cases most exorbitant surcharges were made, and in some instances persons were assessed half as much for income as the actual amount of trade returns.
These things we not only boldly assert, but are in a position to prove; but the only means now left us to obtain redress is to wait in propria persona upon, or send a statement to, the Board of Commissioners at Somerset house. One or the other it is our intention to do, and we recommend the same to every other person similarly situated.
We remain, Sir, you obedient servants,
Plumbe and Dennes, William King, William Peachey, John W Bobby, Charles Fyson junr and Richard Taylor.
Soham.
added by the Editor.
Newmarket is a town containing about 3,000 inhabitants, eight miles from Soham, to which place the Soham people are obliged to go to make every appeal, to obtain a summons, or to have their rates signed by the magistrates: and yet Soham contains a population of 5000.

The Times 13th November 1854
Court of Bankruptcy
Basinghall Street, November 11th.
Before Mr. Commissioner Fane.
E. Staples
The bankrupt, E. Staples, jun, was a miller at Soham in Cambridgeshire. This was a certificate meeting. There was no opposition.
His Honour, after looking through the proceedings, considered the case was one in which the bankrupt was clearly entitled to a first class certificate.

The Times 2nd December 1854
Burials
The Churchyard
By orders in Council, dated November 27, 1854, it is ordered that from and after the dates therein mentioned, and except as therein excepted, burials shall be discontinued in the burial ground of St Andrews Church, Soham.

The Times 12th October 1857
Indian Mutinies - The Relief Fund
Collections at Soham £10.

The Times 18th November 1858
Court of Probate and Divorce, November 17th.
Mr. Eyre Coote of Fordham.
Fyson and others v. Westrope and others.
( Before the Judge Ordinary and a Special Jury)
The plaintiffs in this case are the executors of the will of the late Mr. Eyre Coote of Fordham, Cambridgeshire, dated the 17th of January 1857, and they propound that will and two codicils, the first dated the 23rd of May, the second the 24th of August 1857. The defendant, Mr. William Westrope, opposes the grant of probate of the second codicil, alleging that at the time of its execution the deceased was not of testamentary capacity, that it was procured by fraud and undue influence, and that the deceased was ignorant of its contents. The other defendants, Mrs, Cutting, the heiress-at-law of the deceased, and her son, opposed the original will, and also the two codicils.
Mr. Edwin James, Q.C., Dr. Deane, Q.C., and Mr. Hawkins were counsel for the plaintiffs; Mr. Atherton, Q.C., Dr. Twiss, Q.C., and Mr. Coleridge for Mrs. Cutting; and the Attorney General, Mr. O'Malley, Q.C., and Mr. D.D. Keane for Mr. Westrope.
It appeared from the opening statement of Mr Edwin James that the deceased was a farmer residing and farming his own land at Fordham, and that at the time of his death he was a bachelor, 46 years of age, and was possessed of personalty to the amount of about £12,000, and of realty producing about £1,200 a year. By the will of January 1857 he left to Mrs Eliza Cutting, who was his paternal cousin, £1,500; to Eliza Nurse, £1,100; to each of his cousins Sophia and Mary Fyson, £500; to his housekeeper, Sarah Cator, £200; and other small legacies, the residue being given to Mr Robert Fyson, one of his maternal cousins, who was also appointed an executor. He left his realty to trustees, who were to pay over the rents and profits to Mr Robert Fyson, Mr Thomas Hustwick, Mr William Westrope, Mr W.M. King, Eliza Nurse, and Mr Robert Coote Cutting, the son of Mrs Cutting, for thier lives and the life of the survivor, with remainder after their deaths to Mr Robert Coote Cutting, if living, and if not to his heirs. The only alteration made by the first codicil was the striking out of the names of the housekeeper and of a shepherd who had been in his employment, and to whom small legacies had been given.
By the second codicil the name of Mr William Westrope was struck out. The testator was a man of intemperate habits, which clung to him until a short period before his death. Mr Westrope was a neighbour and a very intimate friend of the testator, associated with him a great deal. and was described by the learned counsel as his boon companion. Mr Hustwick, another intimate friend of the testator, and one of the executors, is a solicitor, who has been in practice at Soham for upwards of 20 years, and who managed the testators affairs for about 10 years previous to his death. The testator was of perfectly sound mind, memory, and understanding at the time of the execution of the will and codicils, and the reason for making the last codicil, by which Mr Westrope's name was removed from the will, was that during his last illness Mr Westrope, instead of endeavouring to make him comfortable, had done various things which displeased him. The deceased had for a considerable time been afflicted with a pulmonary complaint, which terminated in consumption. His death took place at Lowestoft, where he had been advised to reside on account of his health, on the 25th of August 1857.
In support of the learned counsel's statement Mr Hustwick was examined, and gave a detailed account of the instructions which he had received from the testator previous to the execution of the will. He added that, as his name was mentioned in it, he felt reluctant to draw it up. and it was only at the repeated request of the testator, and after taking the advice of counsel, that he consented to do it. Several conversations took place with regard to the distribution of the property, and , after full consideration, the will was executed on the 17th of January 1857, and was attested by Mr Hustwick, Mr Willis, the medical man in attendance upon the testator, and Mr Cockshot, the clergyman of the parish. The first codicil was executed and attested in the following May. At this time the testator was staying at the house of his cousin, Mr Fyson, having himself given up housekeeping in consequence of his bad state of health. With regard to the second codicil, Mr Hustwick stated that in the autumn of 1857 the testator went to Lowestoft, accompanied by Mr Westrope; and Mrs Smith, the housekeeper of Mr Westrope; that on the morning of the 28th of July he received a letter from Mrs Smith to the effect that Mr Coote desired his immediate attendance, and that he proceeded on the same day to Lowestoft. On his arrival he saw Mr Westrope, who said that Mr Coote had requested him to write, and who asked him to make it all right about the letter, as he had not complied with that request. He then saw Mr Coote, who was apparently at the point of death. Mr Coote was much agitated, and with tears in his eyes complained of Mr Westropes conduct both on the journey and during their stay at Lowestoft, expressed great indignation at his not having written to Mr Hustwick, and said that he was determined that none of his property should go to him. Mr Hustwick remonstrated, reminding him of the intimate terms on which he had always lived with Mr Westrope, suggesting that his conduct had probably been caused by his having taken a little drop too much, and advising him to pass the matter over. The testator, however, was determined to strike out Mr Westropes name, and on the 24th of August the codicil was executed in the presence of the Rev Mr Cockshot, who had arrived at Lowestoft in the meantime, of Mr Hustwick, and of Mrs Smith, the housekeeper.
A letter written by Mr Westrope to Mr Hustwick, who had arrived after that gentleman's departure from his own residence, was forwarded to him at Lowestoft, and was seen by the testator. It did not request Mr Hustwick's attendance, and the testator was even more annoyed than before at Mr Westrope's conduct after he had read ir, and told Mr Hustwick to keep it, as it might be useful here after to explain why the alteration in the will had been made. On the following day the testator died. This witness, as well as the medical man, Mr Willis, stated that the testators mind was not in the least affected up to the time of his death, and that he was at all times quite competent to transact business.
The Court adjourned before the conclusion of Mr Hustwick's examination.

The Times 22nd March 1859
Spring Assizes, Norfolk Circuit, Cambridge, March 21st.
Tibbitt v. Crick
Mr O'Malley, Q.C. and Mr Couch were counsel for the plaintiff, and Mr Keane and Mr Metcalfe for the defendant.
This was an action for an assault. The parties were neighbours living at Soham, the plaintiff being a carpenter, and the defendant a beershop keeper, living opposite. Some dispute arose about a load of straw which had been sold by the defendant to the plaintiff, but returned, and again sent, with, as the plaintiff alleged, a request from the defendant that he, the plaintiff would "eat it." This led to a coolness between the parties, and on the plaintiff coming to the defendant's house with an account which he had against the defendant, a discussion arose as to the amount, which was followed, according to the plaintiff's version, by a threat "to punch his head," and an execution of that threat by the defendant, who pursued the plaintiff out of his house, and boasted of the unpleasant effects produced on the plaintiff by the fright which he then experienced.
His Lordship, in the course of the case, suggested an arrangement, to which the defendant at first demurred, but shortly after expressed his readiness to consent to the withdrawal of a juror, but declined to shake hands with the plaintiff. Mr O'Malley observed that this would not be the complete reconciliation desired by the plaintiff, who immediately walked over the table of the court and tendered his hand, which the defendant refused to take, and the cause thereupon proceeded. The version of the affair given by the defendant and his witnesses differed from that of the plaintiff. Eventually, however, on an intimation from the Judge, the plaintiff consented to shake hands with his opponent  "outside the court" and a juror was then withdrawn.

The Times 11th May 1859
Partnership Dissolved
R. Taylor and S. Clark, Soham, Cambridgeshire, brickmakers.
 

The Times 4th April 1860
Bankrupts
Edmund Underwood. Soham Cambridgeshire, Grocer, to surrender April 13. at half-past 11 o'clock.  May 10, at 2. at the Bankrupts Court: Solicitors, Mr Rennols, Lincoln's inn-fields: Mr Watts, St Ives; official assignee, Mr Bell, Coleman street buildings.

The Times 9th December 1861
Soham Corps
Captain Roper has inspected the drill ground selected for the use of the Soham Corps, and has pronounced it well adapted for the purpose; the range is nearly 1,000 yards.

The Times 21st November 1862
Court of Exchequer, November 20th
Marchioness Townsend & William Dunn Gardener
Sittings in Banco, before the Lord Chief Baron, Mr. Baron Martin, Mr. Baron Bramwell, and Mr. Baron Chanell.
The Attorney General v. Gardener
The Attorney General, the Solicitor General, Mr. Locke, Q.C. and Mr. Alfred Hanson of the Chancery Bar, appeared for the Crown; and Mr. Lush, Q.C., and Mr. J.W. Chitty ( Chancery Bar ) for the defendant.
This was an information filed by Her Majesty's Attorney General to recover Succession Duty.
The late Marchioness Townshend, under a settlement made by her father, had power after her own death to dispose of an estate called Soham More. She disposed of it by deed in favour of her father, William Dunn Gardener, who died in 1831, having devised the property to the defendant, who was a stranger in blood. The Marchioness died in 1858, after the commencement of the Succession Duty Act, and thereupon the defendant succeeded to the beneficial enjoyment of the property.
In this state of things the Crown claimed duty at 10 per cent, as on a succession derived by the defendant from W.D. Gardener under his will.
The defendant contended that he was not a successor at all, but merely a transferree of W.D. Gardener's interest, and was therefore, under the 15th section of the Act, in precisely the same position as W.D. Gardener himself, and as the original settlement was made by W.D. Gardener, who consequently by section 12 was altogether exempted from duty, so the defendant was equally exempt.
At the conclusion of the arguments the Court took time to consider judgement.

The Times 13th February 1863
Court of Bankruptcy
Basinghall Street, February 12th.
Before Mr. Commissioner Fane.
Henry Porter
The bankrupt Henry Porter was a corn merchant of Soham, Cambridgeshire.  His accounts show debts £621, and assets  ( realized ) £150.  Mr. Doyle, for Mr. Sorrell, a creditor for £8, asked that the bankrupt might be required to furnish a cash account for the last six months of his trading,  The assignees were willing that the bankrupt should pass his examination and receive an order of discharge.  The bankrupt protested against being required to furnish additional accounts.  He had given up every farthing he had in the world.  The creditors had refused him any allowance, and he had been obliged to borrow money to enable him to come from Soham that day.
The Commissioner.-- The creditor is entitled to the account he asks for, and there will be an adjournment accordingly.  I think the old law was much better than the new; more effectual against knaves; more kind to honest men; and I am very sorry it was altered.

The Times 26th October 1863
Notices
Thomas Peek, deceased - Pursuant to the Act of Parliament, passed in the session of Parliament held in the 22nd and 23rd years of the reign of Her present Majesty, chapter 35, intitled " An Act to further Amend the Law of Property and Relieve Trustees," notice is hereby given that all persons, either as creditors or otherwise, having any debt or claim against the estate of Thomas Peek, late of Soham, in the County of Cambridge, farmer and miller ( who died on the 17th day of February, 1863, and whose will was proved by Chambers John and William Chambers Peek, his sons, and William Bobby, of Soham aforesaid, grocer, the executors therein named, in the Peterborough District Registry of Her Majesty's Court of Probate, on the 11th day of May 1863 ), are hereby required to send the particulars of such debt or claim in writing, addressed to the said executors, at my offices in Soham aforesaid, on or before the 25th day of November next; after which day the said executors will distribute the funds or assets of the said testator among the parties entitled thereto under the said will having regard only to the debts or claims of which they shall then have notice; and the said executors will not be liable for the said funds or assets, or any part thereof, so distributed, to any person of whose debt or claim they shall not then have had notice. - Dated this 21st day of October, 1863.
Thomas Hustwick, Soham, Solicitor to the said Executors.

The Times 19th February 1864
Notices
Elizabeth Ives & Charles Fyson
Elizabeth Ives, deceased. - Statutory Notice to Creditors - Pursuant to the Act of Parliament, 22nd and 23rd Victoria, chapter 35, section 29, notice is hereby given, that the creditors of Elizabeth Ives, formerly of Camden Terrace, Peckham, afterwards of Crescent cottage, Southampton street, Camberwell, then of High St, Peckham, and late of Diamond cottage Southampton Street aforesaid, all in the county of Surrey, and of Balsham in the county of Cambridge, spinster (who died on or about the 16th day of December 1863, and letters of administration of whose personal estate were granted to the undersigned Charles Fyson, of Soham in the county of Cambridge, farmer, by the Principal Registry of Her Majesty's Court of Probate, on the 29th day of January 1864). and all other persons having any claim or demand against the estate of the said Elizabeth Ives, are to send the particulars, in writing of their claims or demands to the said Charles Fyson, the administrator, at his residence at Soham aforesaid, on or before the 18th day of March 1864: on the expiration of which time the said administrator will distribute the assets of the said Elizabeth Ives among the parties entitled thereto, having regard to the claims of which he shall then have had notice; and will not be liable for the assets so distributed to any person of whose debt or claim the said administrator shall not then have had notice; and all debtors to the estate of the said Elizabeth Ives are requested to pay the sums due from them to the said administrator at his residence aforesaid -
Dated this 16th day of February 1864.
Charles Fyson, Administrator.

The Times 30th July 1864
Summer Assizes, Norfolk Circuit, Cambridge July 28th
Mainprice v. Westley
Nisi Prius Court. (Special Jury).
This was an action for not selling a house and premises to the highest bidder at an auction, and raised a somewhat important question with reference to sales by auction, viz, the meaning of the expression " peremptory sale " where nothing is specified in the conditions of sale as the there being no reserve.
Mr O'Malley Q.C. and Mr Keane Q.C., were counsel for the plaintiff, Mr Douglas Browne and Mr Markby for the defendant.
The facts as they appeared from the plaintiff's evidence were simply these: - That the plaintiff went to a sale by auction, conducted by the defendant, of a beerhouse and premises at Soham, each being attended by a solicitor - the sale having been advertised as a peremptory one, and that advertisement and the conditions of sale, in which nothing was said about any reserved bid on the vendor's part, having been read out before the sale commenced. The plaintiff, who was the last bidder in the room, and who bid up to £187, having found to his surprise that there was a reserved price of £195, protested against that and claimed the property as his under the advertisement and the conditions. This claim was rejected, and the result was the present action; in the course of which a discussion arose upon the meaning of the expression " peremptory sale " in which the case " Warlow v. Harrison " (29 L.J.Q.B. 14) was cited and commented on. Eventually it was agreed that a verdict should be taken for the plaintiff on all issues for £10. ( the amount of damages fixed by the jury), leave to move being reserved to the defendant to enter the judgment for himself, and no appeal by either party except by leave of the Court; this, however, not to apply to any motion in arrest of judgment.
In the course of his remarks to the jury his Lordship said, " the common sense meaning of a peremptory sale seems to me to be an outright sale without reserve. If parties do mean to have a reserve bid, they had better say so outright. Auctioneers should not put " peremptory" unless they are going to sell out-and-out."

The Times 5th November 1864
Court of Queens Bench, Westminster Nov 4th
Mainprice v. Westley
This was a case which raised a question of some importance, analogous to that lately carried to a Court of Error, as to the liability of Auctioneers to parties who bid the highest price at sales by auction, announced to be "peremptory" or "without reserve." The plaintiff alleged that the defendant, an auctioneer in Cambridgeshire, had put up for sale some premises at Soham in that county, at a sale by auction, announced by advertisement to be "peremptory" that the plaintiff bid at the sale and was the highest bidder, but that, nevertheless, the defendant refused to declare him the buyer. The fact was that there was a "reserved" price, and that after the plaintiff bid £185, the agent for the seller bid £195, and thus "bought in" the property. The case was tried at the recent assizes, and the jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £10.
Mr O'Malley Q.C., (with whom was Mr Keane Q.C.), now moved, on the part of the defendant, the auctioneer, for a rule to arrest the judgment on the ground that there was no legal cause of action in such a case, or for a new trial on the ground that the evidence did not sustain it. The learned counsel observed that the case was one of great and general importance, and had lately been before a Court of Error in the case above adverted to, "Warlow v. Harrison," where, however, there was this difference, that the auctioneer himself had "bought in" the property, whereas here it was done by an agent of the seller. In the case cited this Court held that there was no cause of action, and the Court of Error affirmed that judgment in the case as it stood, though they allowed the plaintiff to amend with a view, if he could, to make out some other cause of action. Here, however, the agent for the seller himself had bought in the property, and no action would lie against the auctioneer. It was clear law that the seller might revoke the authority to sell, and here there had been an implied revocation. If there was any ground of action at all, it would be against the seller or his agent, not against the auctioneer. How could the auctioneer sell after his authority was revoked ?. In the case cited this Court laid it down that until the hammer went down the auctioneer was the agent of the seller. That being so, the seller could revoke his authority at any time before the hammer was down. In the Court of Error it was true that some of the judges were of opinion that the plaintiff upon some ground might be entitled to recover, but that was indecisive, and, indeed, the judges were decided.
Mr Justice Mellor. - This Court, composed of four judges, were unanimous; in the Court of Error two judges agreed with the judgment, and three were against it, so that in truth there were six judges in favour of the judgment, and it was reversed by three.
Mr O'Malley said that was so, no doubt, and it would not be difficult to show that the reasons given by the three judges were fallacious.
Mr Justice Crompton observed that the only ground of action he could conceive in such a case would be of warranty of authority to sell without reserve.
Mr O'Maller. - And how can he warrant against a revocation of his authority by his employer ?. He had the authority at the time he represented that he had it, but it was afterwards revoked.
The Lord Chief Justice observed that, even if there were any ground of action, the damages surely would be merely nominal; for supposing the auctioneer before the sale announced that such a lot was withdrawn, no one could complain; and if the lot was bought in the result was in substance the same, and the only ground of complaint would be that the bidder had been "made a fool of". There was no real damage in the one case more than the other.
Mr O'Malley said that was so; and as to the word "peremptory" it did not materially alter the case when all the circumstances were disclosed. It would hardly amount to an absolute warranty of the continuance of the authority to sell peremptorily. Sometimes the expression used was "peremptory," sometimes "without reserve." There was some difference of opinion in the trade whether the word "peremptory" meant that the property should be peremptorily sold, or that there should be no reserved bid.
The Lord Chief Justice observed that if the term had acquired in the trade a particular meaning it would be understood to be used in that sense; but he should suppose that the word "peremptory" meant the same thing as "without reserve".
Mr O'Malley said so he should think. The learned counsel then tried to raise a point of evidence, that there was no contract in writing within the Statute of Frauds signed by the party to be charged - i.e., by the auctioneer, the defendant.
Mr Justice Crompton however thought that the conditions of sale, &c, would be sufficient as against the auctioneer, bearing his name printed thereto.
The Court granted a rule nisi to arrest the judgment, on the main ground as to the right of action against an auctioneer under such circumstances.
 

The Times 9th February 1866
Marriage
William Addison & Charlotte Woolverton
On the 6th inst., at St Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth, by the Rev. H.R. Nevill, incumbent, William Addison Esq., of Brierley Hill, Staffordshire, youngest son of William Addison Esq., Soham, Cambridgeshire, to Charlotte eldest daughter of Mr. Charles Woolverton of Great Yarmouth. No cards.

The Times 15th February 1866
The Cattle Plague across the Country
Cases of the disease up to the 27th January, Cheshire 17,971, Forfarshire 10,099, Lanarkshire 4,371, Cambridgeshire 4,364, Lincolnshire 4,080, Norfolk 4,063, Yorkshire 19,331.
Suffolk & Cambridgeshire
The district around Newmarket is at present free from the disease. It is still on the increase, however, in the neighbourhood of Soham, it has even made its appearance among some stock upon an isolated farm at Isleham, although the premises are two miles from any other yard and a considerable distance from the public highway, while nothing likely to spread the contagion is known to have been admitted.

The Times 20th February 1867
Notice of Adjudications & first meeting of Creditors.
To Surrender in the Country
Edwards R, Fordham, Cambridgeshire, wheelwright, Feb, 28th, Soham.

The Times 16th November 1867
Notice of Adjudications & first meeting of Creditors.
To surrender in the Country
George White of Soham, Teadealer, November 30th in Soham.
 

The Times 26th February 1868
Notice of Adjudications & first meeting of Creditors.
To surrender in the Country
Francis Munns of Soham to surrender to the County Court Bailiff, March 27th Soham.

The Times 9th September 1868
Notice of Adjudications & first meeting of Creditors.
To surrender in the Country
R. Baker, Soham, Cambridgeshire, hackney carter, Sept 17th, Soham.
 

The Times 25th March 1870
In Court
Pope v. Staples
Norfolk Circuit, Ipswich, March 24th. ( Before Mr. Justice Blackburn and a Common Jury ).
This was an action for breach of promise to marry.
Mr. O'Malley, QC., and Mr. E.L. O'Malley appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. Merewether for the defendant.
This was a very simple story, containing little or nothing of the ordinary characteristics of breach of promise cases. The Lady, Miss Pope, whose age is 32, is the niece of a Mr. Bartholomew, an innkeeper, at Newmarket, and has acted for him as barmaid. The defendant is a butcher, aged 47, residing in the same town, and ( according to the evidence given on the other side, for no witnesses were called for the defence ) holds a farm of 400 acres at Soham and is possessed of a capital of £3,000. Two years ago he began to pay his attentions to her and after a time was received by her and her relatives as a lover and an accepted suitor.
The engagement went on for some months, and had got to the point of fixing the time and of making preparations for the marriage, when suddenly the defendant seems to have undergone a change in his feelings which induced him to write to Miss Pope announcing that his love for her had ceased, and that it would be wrong for him to take a partner if he could not make her happy. In addition he also added that he could not do what she wished - viz, contribute to the support of a mother-in-law.
The question for the jury was simply one of damages, which they fixed at £100.

The Times 23rd April 1870
Births
Frederick Appleyard Johnson
On the 16th April, at Soham, Cambs, the wife of Frederick Appleyard Johnson, Esq., of a son.

The Times 12th March 1874
University Intelligence.
Rev J. C. Rust
At a meeting of the Master and Fellows of Pembroke College yesterday ( March 11th ), the Rev. J. C. Rust, M.A., Fellow of the College, was presented to the vicarage of Soham

The Times 29th December 1874
Death
Margaret Haslam.
On the 26th instant at 29 Milton street, E.C., Margaret, wife of William Haslam, Soham Cambridgeshire, aged 36 years.
Friends will kindly accept this intimation.

The Times 2nd July 1875
Inquests
Ann Shaw
Yesterday an inquest was held at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, touching the death of Mrs Ann Shaw, the wife of an Innkeeper of Soham Cambridgeshire, who was admitted into hospital last Wednesday suffering acutely from the effects of an accident to one of her eyes, she was told that nothing would give her relief but the removal of her eye. She asked for chloroform to be used, but died while under the influence. Professor Humphry, who would have performed the operation, stated that the chloroform was administered by Mr Wherry with great care and caution. Every means was used to restore animation, but in vain. Professor Humphry thought it right that the public should know that persons could not expect to have the benefits of anaesthesia without the risks attending thereon. All agencies for producing unconsciousness were attended with some danger. The jury returned a verdict " That deceased died while under the influence of chloroform, and that the same was carefully and properly administered. "

The Times 4th August 1875
Births
Rev Rust
On the 1st inst., at the Vicarage, Soham, Cambridgeshire, the wife of the Rev. John Cyprian Rust, of a daughter.

The Times 31st August 1876
Marriages
Dennis & Crosse
On the 26th August at the Parish Church, Soham, by the Rev. J.C. Rust, assisted by the Rev. C.H. Crosse, father of the bridegroom, John Greene Crosse, of Trinity College Cambridge ( grandson of the late J.G. Crosse, M.D. of Norwich ), to Edith Constance, only child of the late Henry John Dennis. No cards.

The Times 14th March 1877
Notices
Cornelius Harvey deceased- Pursuant to the statute 22nd and 23rd Victoria chapter 35 intituled " An act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees, ".
Notice is hereby given that all Creditors and other persons having and debts claims or demands against the Estate of Cornelius Harvey late of Soham in the County of Cambridgeshire Yeoman, ( who died on the 27th day of December 1876 and whose Will was proved by James Westley and William Smith Martin the Executors therein named in the District Registry attached to the Probate Division of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice Peterborough on the 22nd day of January 1877, ) are hereby required to send particulars in writing of their debts claim or demands to us the undersigned, as Solicitors to the said Executors, on or before the 14th day of April 1877.
And Notice is hereby given that at the expiration of that time the said Executors will proceed to distribute the Assets of the said Testator among parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the debts claims and demands of which they shall then have had notice.  And the said Executors will not be liable for the Assets or any part thereof so distributed, to any person or persons of whose debt claim or demand they shall not then have had notice.
Dated this tenth day of March 1877.
Hustwick & Livett Soham, Solicitors to the said Executors.

The Times 23rd October 1879
At the Guildhall
Joseph Granger a farmer of  Fordey Farm, Soham Cambridgeshire, was summoned before Alderman Fowler for sending four quarters of a cow to market which were unfit for human food. Mr Baylis prosecuted; Mr Lickfold, from the office of Messrs Lewis and Lewis, appeared for the defendant. In this case a cow got into a dike and struggled there until it died. When found its throat was cut, but the flesh was bad, and the defendant was advised not to send it to market. He did send it, however, and Mr Wyld, a meat inspector at the Metropolitan Meat Market, seized it. Alderman Fowler said it was a very bad case, and fined the defendant £20 and two guineas costs, the alternative being one month's imprisonment.

The Times 19th September 1883
Marriage
John Waugh and Pattie Allen
On the 17th inst, at Kingsland Congregational Chapel, by the Rev. Thos. Aveling, D.D., John Waugh, M.A., M.D., 42. Colvestone Cresent, Dalston. to Pattie, daughter of Jas. Allen, Esq, Soham.

The Times 13th December 1884
In the Country
Arthur Barnett, Soham, Cambridgeshire, Butcher - December 19th, Official Receivers Office, Cambridge.

The Times 24th April 1885
Marriage
William Ernest Youngman and Annie Granger
On the 22nd inst, at the Church of St. John the Baptist, Pewsey, Wilts, by the Rev. C.W. Giles, D.D., of Milton Hall, Cambridge, and the Rev. and Hon. Bertrand Pleydell Bouverie, M.A. Rector, the Rev. William Ernest Youngman, Senior Curate, to Annie, widow of the late Henry Granger, Esq, of St. Etheldreda Lodge, Soham, Cambs.
 

The Times 27th May 1885
Births
Rev Rust
On the 25th May, the wife of the Rev. John Cyprian Rust, Vicar of Soham, of a son.

The Times 27th June 1885
Bankrupt
Walter Canham, Market Gardener, Soham, Cambs, July 15th Cambridge.

The Times 15th October 1887
The Bankruptcy Act 1883.
Frederick Bland of Fordham, Cambridgeshire, Farmer - October 27th at the White Hart Hotel, Soham;  October 26th at the Guildhall Cambridge.

The Times 10th December 1888
Situations
A Willis
Can a Lady Recommend a Nursery Governess to take entire charge of two children, aged respectively two and a half and four years ?.
Address A. Willis, Station Road, Soham Cambs.

The Times 8th February 1889
Vacancy
Mrs Rust
Governess Wanted, immediately. Three children under 12. Needlework, French, Music, Drawing, English. £20, and Laundress. - Mrs Rust, Vicarage, Soham, Cambs.

The Times 31st October 1891
Inquest
Mrs Barrett wife of Fred Barrett the Jockey
Last night Mr. C.W. Palmer the Cambridge County Coroner, inquired into the extra-ordinary death of Mrs. Barrett, wife of Fred Barrett the Jockey, and daughter of Mr. Goater, trainer of Newmarket. Fred Barrett said he lived at Soham. The deceased was 26 years of age, and was very much addicted to drink. A domestic servant in Barrett's employ, said that the whole of the previous afternoon the deceased was kneeling on the floor with her head in a stuffed arm-chair. She seemed to be asleep. At 6.15 witness went to deceased and found her dead.
Mr. Richard Cockerton, Surgeon, said that the cause of death was asphyxia, and from the evidence of the previous witness he thought there was no doubt the deceased, having her face pressed down upon the seat of the chair and being unable to recover herself, was suffocated. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

The Times 10th July 1893
The Assizes.
South-Eastern Circuit.
Livett & Hancock
At Cambridge on Friday, before Mr. Justice Mathew, George Chaplin Livett, 46 a doctor of laws and solicitor, in practice at Soham, was indicted for committing rape on Martha Jane Hancock, aged about 18, at Soham, on the 22nd and 23rd of April, 1893. Mr E. Turner appeared for the prosecution:. Mr. Kenny, Q.C. and Dr. J.W. Cooper defended the prisoner.  The prosecutrix  was in the service of the prisoner, and the alleged offence occurred a few days after the prisoners wife and son had gone away from home, leaving the prisoner and prosecutrix alone in the house.  Mr Kenny, for the defence, claimed that the prosecutrix was a consenting party to what was done ; and the prisoner deposed that he had used no violence towards the girl.  His Lordship, in summing up, said that, bad as the conduct of the prisoner admittedly had been, the jury must be very careful not to punish him for mere immorality, which was not a crime.  The jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty.

The Times 29th January 1894
Births
William Treadway
On the 25th Jan at Soham Cambs, the wife of William Treadway, of a daughter.

The Times 5th June 1895
Marriage
Steggall and Mould
On the 1st June, at Soham Parish Church, by the Rev. J. Cyprian Rust. M.A., Montagu Villiers, younger son of the Rev. F. Steggall, Consett Vicarage, county Durham, to Gertrude Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of William Henry Mould, Esq., of Soham Cambridgeshire.

The Times 10th July 1897
Patnerships Dissolved
Cutlack & Treadway
W. Cutlack and W. Treadway, brewers and maltsters and wine and spirit merchants, Soham, under the style of Cutlack and Treadway.
 

The Times 28th February 1898
Births
H. Townsend
On the 25th February at The Place, Soham, Cambs, the wife of H.W. Townsend of a daughter.

The Times 3rd May 1899
Births
H. Townsend
On the 25th ult ?, at The Place, Soham, the wife of H.W. Townsend, of a daughter.

The Times 15th September 1902
Births
Machin
On the 11th Sept at Chippenham Vicarage, Soham, Cambs, the wife of the Reverand Bertram W. Machin of a daughter.

The Times 8th December 1903
Births
Harding-Newman. - On the 30th ult., at Chippenham, Soham, Cambs, the wife of F.R. Harding-Newman of a son.

The Times 11th June 1907
Want Places
Bessie Osborne
Housemaid ( Good singlehanded ), three or four servants kept, London preferred, age 27, good references, £24-£26. Bessie Osborne, High Street, Isleham, Soham, Cambs.

The Times 19th August 1909
Wills & Bequests
Mr. Thomas Brown Whiting, of Soham, Cambridge, who died on February 19th, left estate valued at £34,960 gross, with net personalty £14,057. He left £100 each to the British and Foreign Bible Society, the London Missionary Society, Addenbrookes Hospital, and the feoffees of the United Charities, Soham, the income to be applied annually in the purchase of overcoats for the poor of the district.

The Times 22nd April 1910
Births
Ennion
On Monday, the 18th April 1910, at Moat House, Soham, Cambs, to Mr. and Mrs. Edgar R. Ennion - a son.

The Times 30th August 1910
Motor Car Accidents
George Townsend
While travelling through the Welwyn district along the North road in the direction of London on Sunday a car owned and driven by Mr George Townsend, of The Grove, Fordham, near Soham, was overturned owing to a sideslip, and its three occupants were thrown violently into the ditch beside the road. They were not seriously hurt, but the car was severely damaged.

The Times 8th June 1912
Personal
Martha Ethel Rix
I hereby give notice that having made sufficient provision for my wife, Martha Ethel Rix, of The Sycamores, Wicken, Soham in the County of Cambridge. I will not hold myself responsible for any debts or liabilities incurred by her.
Dated this 4th day of June 1912.
Signed. William Arthur Rix, Seafield Park, Fareham, Hants.
Witness - James H. Cooper, Solicitor, Wokingham, Berks.

The Times 19th December 1912
Marriage
Osborne and Price.
On the 17th Dec, at the Parish Church Soham, Cambridgeshire, by the Rev. R.J. Robb, M.A., uncle of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. J.C. Rust, M.A., Vicar of Soham, and the Rev. H.T. Havard-Jones, M.A., Edward Bertram, third son of C.T. Osborne, Balijan, Worthing, to Mildred elder daughter of Robert Price, Brook House, Soham.

The Times 6th August 1913
The Speed Of Motor-Cycles
Albion Elsden
At Newmarket yesterday Albion Elsden of Soham was fined 40s and 16s. 6d. costs for riding a motorcycle through Soham main street at a speed dangerous to the public.
The Chairman said motorcycles were the greatest curse they had on the road and they meant to put down the nuisance. The defendant had said 10 miles an hour appeared to bystanders flying: as a motorist ho could say that at ten miles an hour it was possible to shake hands with people on the side of the road and talk to them.

The Times 9th December 1913
Drowned while Fishing
Mr. Frederick Appleyard Johnson, of Soham Hall, Cambs was drowned while fishing at Haney, in the Cambridgeshire Fens, yesterday. He was with his son in a boat when the craft overturned. Several people hurried to the scene, but only one, a boy names Claude Fletcher, could swim. He was roped and swam out to the struggling men. The son was saved but the father was drowned.

The London Gazette 12th May 1916
Partnerships Dissolved
C.H. Martin, C.W. Martin & G.B. Martin, grocers and provision merchants, at Soham, Cambridgeshire, under the style of Martin & Sons: so far as concerns C.H. Martin.

The Times 1st June 1920
Silver Wedding
Steggall and Mould
On the 1st June 1895, at Soham Church, Cambridgeshire, Montagu Villiers Steggall, youngest son of the Revd Frederick Steggall, of Consett, Co Durham, to Gertrude Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of William Henry Mould, of Soham, Cambridgeshire.

The Times 21st August 1922
A Cambridgeshire Mystery
William Charles Turner & Olive Mabel Lawrence
An inquest was opened at Cambridge on Saturday, on the body of William Charles Turner, 50, licensee of the Anchor Inn, Soham, who was found shot, along with a young married woman, wife of a blacksmith, named Olive Mabel Lawrence, aged 23 at Soham, near Cambridge on Tuesday. Turner died on Wednesday, while the woman lies in a serious condition in the hospital. A police sergeant said that he found the woman outside a cottage in a semi conscious condition. She appeared to be badly wounded, and said, " Bill Turner did this." Turner was found lying dead 250 yards away. A sporting gun was lying on his right side, and a piece of string was fastened to the trigger and looped round the left foot. The inquest was adjourned.

The Times 24th November 1922
Wills & Bequests
William Mann
Mr William Mann of Croft House, Soham, Cambs, Farmer ( net personalty  £19,216 ) Gross Value £27,006.

The Times 8th October 1924
Golden Weddings
Rust and Warren,
On the 8th Oct, 1874, at Holy Trinity, Norwich, John Cyprian Rust. Vicar of Soham, Cambs, to Frances Marianne, daughter of John Neville Warren, C.E.

The Times 19th August 1925
Wills & Bequests
Mr. Ebenezer Horsley,  of Soham, Cambs Accountant and Farmer, net personalty £568, gross value £7,370.

The Times 22nd September 1927
Church Appointments
The Rev. P.F. Boughey, Vicar of St. Paul's Norwich, has been appointed Vicar of St. Andrews, Soham.

The Times 12 September 1939
Public Appointments
Grammar School
Cambridgeshire Education Committee.
Soham Grammar School for Boys.
Applications are invited for the position of Headmaster. Candidates should be Graduates in Honours of a British University. The salary will be at the rate of £600-£25-£700 per annum, according to qualifications and experience.
There are at present 197 pupils in the School, and a new Headmaster's house is about to be built on the School site.
Application forms ( which should be returned by Monday 25th September 1939) and further particulars will be forwarded by the undersigned on receipt of a stamped addressed foolscap envelope.
H Morris, Education Secretary, Shire Hall, Cambridge.

The Times 9th February 1940
Engagements
Captain R. Q. Gurney and Miss Boughey
The engagement is announced between Captain Richard Quintin Gurney, City of London Yeomanry, eldest son of Major and Mrs Quintin E. Gurney, of Bawdeswell Hall, Norfolk, and Elisabeth Margaret, elder daughter of the Rev. P. F. and Mrs Boughey, of Soham Vicarage, Cambridgeshire, and Narborough House, Narborough, West Norfolk.

The Times 1st November 1940
German bomber shot down
Soham Fen
A Junkers 88 bomber was shot down by British fighters in a sugar beet field near Ely, Cambridgeshire. When it reached the ground the two remaining occupants, each aged about 20 years, emptied their revolvers, threw them on the ground, and gave themselves up to a woman, who was the first person to arrive on the scene. The two other members of the crew had baled out and were captured at Soham Fen.

The Times 3rd September 1964
Soham Railway Station
Passenger train services on the 13 mile Ely to Newmarket line will be withdrawn on January 4th next year. British Railways announced yesterday. The withdrawal will involve the closure of Soham and Fordham stations.

The Times 17th July 1965
Soham Railway Station
Line to Close. - The Minister of Transport has consented to the withdrawal of passenger train service between Ely and Newmarket and the closure of Soham and Fordham stations, Cambridgeshire. Buses will be available instead.
 

The Times 19th May 1967
Corporal Punishment
Mr. E. Armitage, Headmaster Soham Grammar School.
Sir. - Whenever cases come to light of the gross misuse of corporal punishment in schools, the cry goes up for its total abolishment. In 30 years of teaching, 20 as headmaster, I have found my colleagues tolerant, understanding, humane and lenient in their handling of boys with never a complaint from a boy or a parent. I am sure that is the experience of most teachers. But in most schools there are a few boys who abuse tolerance and for whom a caning seems to be the most appropriate form of summary punishment.
In my school five cases of caning are on record this year. The offenders were all 13-15 years and the offences were swearing or smoking on the school bus, pulling a chair away from another boy about to sit down and disturbing morning assembly. Would those who advocate the total abolition of corporal punishment kindly state what alternative punishment they would advise a busy headmaster to give to these boys, none of whom was a first offender ?.
Yours faithfully.
E. Armitage, Headmaster.
The Grammar School, Soham, Cambs, May 16.

The Times 27th October 1972
Share offer by Parish Church
A Parish Church is to sell shares in itself to raise funds. The Church Council of St Andrews Soham, Cambridgeshire, is offering 5,000 shares at £1 each to parishioners in place of haphazard money raising schemes. But there will be no cash dividends for shareholders. The vicar, the Rev. Geoffrey Ogden-Smith, said, "There will be only spiritual rewards and the knowledge that the Church can continue.