History of 7 Gwydir Street

This information has come from the house deeds and other research.

19 December 1867 The Rev Richard John Geldart, sold land to Joseph Sturton, a wholesale chemist of Fitzroy Street.

10 October 1868 A conveyancerecords the sale to William John Bowyer surveyor, for the sum of �202: "A piece of land on the West side of Gwydir Street with a frontage 96ft and depth 89ft recently purchased of the Rev Richard John Geldart; And a further part adjoining Cambridge Cemetery in depth (N side) 54ft, (S side) 86ft and length (E side) 96 ft, (W side) 102ft."

5 December 1876 William Bowyer sold to Charles Wright, Builder, for �315 a plot in depth (N side) 143 ft, (S side) 175 ft, and in length (on Gwydir St) 116ft, (at the Cemetery) 102ft. This appears to be the grounds of the 6 houses now nos 5-15 - it is slightly longer on its Gwydir St frontage than the plot sold in 1868.

11 January 1877 Charles Wright sold to Joseph Turner Bailey, Gentleman for �168 a frontage of 40ft and depth (N side) 143ft, (S side) 156ft, bounded on the North by the property of Bennett, with heriditaments. - i.e. the 3 houses now nos 5, 7 and 9. The houses must have been built shortly before, or possibly after, this sale.

It appears from the 1878 street directory that Gwydir Street was originally continuously numbered, so No.7 was briefly called No.4. The present odds-and-evens numbering system was in use by the time of the 1881 census.

The houses were let for rent and No.7 had several tenants in its early years. The following are known to have lived here:
Henry Leeder, Tailor, with his wife and daughter (tailoresses) (1878 directory & 1881 census).

George Moon, Carpenter (1884 directory).

George Wilson, Postman, with his wife and 2 infant sons (1891 census).

Frederick Dean, Printer (1895 directory and 1904 directory).

Mrs Dean (1913 directory).

From then on, the house was occupied by one or more of the Dean family right up to 1978.

26 April 1917 Joseph Bailey died and left a life interest in the properties to his friend Stephen Thompson of the Earl of Beaconsfield Beerhouse, and to pass upon his death to the Governors of Addenbrookes Hospital.

1925 Changes in Property Law carried through Parliament meant that the entail to the Governors of Addenbrookes Hospital lapsed, and Stephen Thompson became the owner 'in fee simple' - that is, with no conditions attached.

25 February 1948 Stephen Thompson sold No.7 to Arthur Octavius Dean and his sisters Cecilia and Lily, who had previously been renting the property from him. The price was �350.

5 September 1978 Cecilia Dean (whose brother and sister had by then died) sold No.7 to present owners for the sum of �10,000.

This record was made by the present owner of 7 Gwydir St in 1994.

See a memory in number 3.

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19 December 1867	The Rev Richard John Geldart, sold land to Joseph Sturton, a wholesale chemist of Fitzroy Street.
10 October 1868	A conveyancerecords the sale to William John Bowyer surveyor, for the sum of �202: "A piece of land on the West side of Gwydir Street with a frontage 96ft and depth 89ft recently purchased of the Rev Richard John Geldart; And a further part adjoining Cambridge Cemetery in depth (N side) 54ft, (S side) 86ft and length (E side) 96 ft, (W side) 102ft."
5 December 1876	William Bowyer sold to Charles Wright, Builder, for �315 a plot in depth (N side) 143 ft, (S side) 175 ft, and in length (on Gwydir St) 116ft, (at the Cemetery) 102ft. This appears to be the grounds of the 6 houses now nos 5-15 - it is slightly longer on its Gwydir St frontage than the plot sold in 1868.
11 January 1877	Charles Wright sold to Joseph Turner Bailey, Gentleman for �168 a frontage of 40ft and depth (N side) 143ft, (S side) 156ft, bounded on the North by the property of Bennett, with heriditaments. - i.e. the 3 houses now nos 5, 7 and 9. The houses must have been built shortly before, or possibly after, this sale.
	It appears from the 1878 street directory that Gwydir Street was originally continuously numbered, so No.7 was briefly called No.4. The present odds-and-evens numbering system was in use by the time of the 1881 census.
	The houses were let for rent and No.7 had several tenants in its early years. The following are known to have lived here: Henry Leeder, Tailor, with his wife and daughter (tailoresses) (1878 directory & 1881 census). George Moon, Carpenter (1884 directory). George Wilson, Postman, with his wife and 2 infant sons (1891 census). Frederick Dean, Printer (1895 directory and 1904 directory). Mrs Dean (1913 directory). From then on, the house was occupied by one or more of the Dean family right up to 1978.
26 April 1917	Joseph Bailey died and left a life interest in the properties to his friend Stephen Thompson of the Earl of Beaconsfield Beerhouse, and to pass upon his death to the Governors of Addenbrookes Hospital.
1925	Changes in Property Law carried through Parliament meant that the entail to the Governors of Addenbrookes Hospital lapsed, and Stephen Thompson became the owner 'in fee simple' - that is, with no conditions attached.
25 February 1948	Stephen Thompson sold No.7 to Arthur Octavius Dean and his sisters Cecilia and Lily, who had previously been renting the property from him. The price was �350.
5 September 1978	Cecilia Dean (whose brother and sister had by then died) sold No.7 to present owners for the sum of �10,000.