Crossways

1 High Street

1 High Street lies on the south-east side of the High Street, and was named Crossways from 1928 onwards.

Before 1928 it was known as Church View, and prior to that possibly as Church House.

"built about 1825 of brick, painted, with end walls of flint and pebblestone; it has a hipped, slate roof with end and ridge chimney tacks. At the back of the house there is an outbuilding of the same date with a thatched roof."

1888

The Kelly's Directory for 1888 listed for Fulbourn:

PERKINS, Whitfield M.D. Church House.
CROUCH Rev. William B.A. [curate]
DURELL Rev. John Vavasor M.A. [rector]

1890

The Medical Directory, For 1890 said:

PERKINS, Whitfield, Church House, Fulbourn, 
Cambs - M.D. Durh.1886 ; M.R.C.S. Eng. 
1872 ; L.S.A. 1870 ; (Guy's); Mem. Brit. Med.
Assoc., Camb. Med. Soc. and Durh. Univ. Med. 
Grad. Assoc.; Surg. Gt. E. Railw., Anc. Shepherds, 
Wilbraham Assts., and Roy.Oak Prov. Socs;
late Med.Off. Sir G.Bowles' Hosp.; Med. Off. Health
Glastonbury ; Res. Med. Off. Camberwell House
Asyl., and Asst. Med. Off. CityofLond.Lunat.Asyl.
Contrib."Carcinoma of the Right Breast in a Man,"
Lancet, 1879.

Sadly Dr Whitfield didn't leave Fulbourn in good standing when he went back down south:

From the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal, 24th October 1890:

Fulbourn.- Bankrupcy of Dr. Whitfield Perkins.- At the Truro Bankruptcy Court yesterday (Thursday) week, Dr. Whitfield Perkins, now of Port Isaac, Doctor of Medicine, but recently of Fulbourn, appeared before Mr. Registrar Chilcott for his public examination in bankruptcy by the Official Receiver (Mr. G. Appleby Jenkins). Debtor's unsecured debts amounted to £452 and his assets to £19, which included book debts, £32. After deducting preferential creditors £8, a deficiency of £411 was left. In reply to the Official Receiver, debtor said he attributed his failure to an action brought against him by a Dr. Nicholls. Previous to this action he had no liabilities worth speaking about. He had been living at a place called Fulbourn, in Cambridgeshire, and had sold his practice there to Dr. Nicholls. After he left Fulbourn he went to Matlock, and afterwards an action was brought against him by Dr. Nicholls. He first of all received a threatening letter from Dr. Nicholls' solicitor, and a long time afterwards an action was brought against him for alleged fraudulent misrepresentation of sale of his medical practice at Fulbourn. His solicitors, Messrs. Ginn and Mattew, Cambridge, had the correspondence and papers in connection with the action. Dr. Nicholls purchased the practice from him for £420. In November he received the money, and a fortnight afterwards the claim alleging misrepresentation was made against him. He replied to the letter denying that there had been any misrepresentation, and objecting to the claim. Subsequently debtor was asked to arbitrate, but his solicitors declined to do so. He left everything to his solicitors, and was guided by their advice. He laid all the facts of the case before his solicitors, and was advised that he had a very fair defence to the action. After further questioning, the examination was closed.

1891

In 1891 the house was called Church House, and it was occupied by Rev. Robert George McClelland (34, from Newtown Crommelin, Ireland), Curate of Fulbourn, and his family, wife Henrietta Luard McClelland (39), sons Henry (9, Ireland) and Arthur (4 months, Fulbourn) and daughter Eileen A.M. (4, Bury St Edmunds). Also in the house were two servants Annie E. Avis (20) and Mary A. Dean (14) who was a nursemaid.

Previously, in 1881, his not-yet-wife Henrietta L. Lawrence, was living with her parents at the Rectory in Tolleshunt Knights, and Robert G. McClelland is listed as a visitor.

In 1885 he was sent to St Johns, Bury St Edmunds.

By 1888 he is living at 2 Orchard Street, Bury St Edmunds, according to Kelly's Directory.

The Bury and Norwich Post reported in October 15, 1889:

A TIMELY GIFT. - The Rev. R. G. McClelland, 
senior curate of St. John's, has been ordered by his
medical advisers to seek a warmer climate than Bury St.
Edmund's for the winter, and to rest for a few months
from parish work. A few friends who have had the
opportunity of knowing the untiring labours of Mr.
McClelland among the poor of St. John's parish have,
through the vicar, subscribed a sum for him in token
of their sympathy with him in his trouble, and
Rev. Dr. Stantial had the pleasure, in the name of the
donors, of presenting Mr. McClelland with £77, 
expressing the hope that a few months' of entire rest
may enable him to resume his ministerial work.- The Rev.
R.G.McClelland has requested un to convey his best
thanks to the kind friends, who have, through the Rev.
Dr. Stantial, presented him with so valuable a token of
their sympathy.

On 30th May, 1890 the Rev. W. Crouch, curate of Fulbourn, was presented with an illuminated address and some silverware on the occasion of his leaving the parish to go to the rectory of Gamlingay

In 1891 R. G. McClelland is living at Church House, Fulbourn.

In 1892 the Kelly's Directory says:

MacClelland Rev. Robert George B.A. [curate], Church House.

In the Bury and Norwich Post on the 11th April, 1893, Rev. R.G. McClelland is referred to as the curate of the Parish of St Peter's, and was asked a question as the representative of the Rector, the Rev. Thomas Lingard Green.

In the Suffolk and Essex Free Press, on July 19, 1893 he is reported as Inspection of Sudbury Grammer school boys, while they performed their drill.

In the Bury and Norwich Post on September 26, 1893 he is listed as performing a ceremony at St Peter's church, Sudbury. He performed the second half of the ceremony at the cemetery.

In Essex Standard January 27, 1894, Rev R.G. McClelland is one of the two curates at a funeral in Sudbury. He read the part of the sermon at the graveside.

By April 1895 he is curate of Haverhill, and is preaching Easter Sermon at St Mary's church, Haverhill

By 1896 another Kelly's directory entry lists him at High Street, Haverhill.

On the 7th September 1896 his son Arthur McClelland was admitted to Eaton Socon County primary school, and his father, Rev. R.G. McClelland was noted as being the curate of Eaton Socon, Bedfordshire.

By 1901 (and again in 1911) they are living at the Vicarage in Spaldwick, Huntington, a post which he took up in late 1898.

In 1915 he took up the vicarage at Frampton, Lincolnshire.

So he could only have been living in Fulbourn at a maximum of between 1888 and 1896.

Robert died on the 26th January 1940 at the age of 83, at Frampton Vicarage, near Boston, Lincolnshire.

1896

From the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal March 6, 1896

Fulbourn
A DESIRABLE
Freehold Country Residence
With Surgery, Coach-house, 2-Stall Stable and small 
Garden, known as "Church House," Fulbourn, let 
at the low rate of £21 per annum (old rent £32).
Solicitor: R. C. Burrows, Esq., St Andrew's Street, Cambridge.

From the Cambridge Chronicle and Journal March 27, 1896:

March 27, 1896

Property Sale . - on Tuesday evening last 
Messrs. Catling and Son offered for sale by auction 
at their sale rooms, Corn Exchange street, a 
freehold country residence, known as "Church 
House", Fulbourn which realised £345.

In the Kelly's Directory of 1896:

LEWIN Mrs. Church House

1911

February 3, 1911

Re J.E. Freeman,  Esq., Deceased
Church View,
Fulbourn.

A Portion of the Household Furniture and Effects, comprising: Well-made Mahogany Writing Table, 
Adjustable Walnut-framed Easy Chairs, Mahogany Sideboard, 6 Dining Chairs, Mahogany Card Table, 
Grandfather Clock (brass dial), Bentwood Chairs and Settee, Wicker Chairs, old Copper Urn, 
Satin Walnut Bedroom Furniture, Mattresses, Clocks, Lamps, Polished Pine China Cupboard... 
which Messrs. Arthur Rutter, Sons and Co. have been instructed by the Exors. of J.E. Freeman, Esq., 
deceased, to Sell by Auction, on the Premises, on Thursday, 9th February, 1911, at 12.30 o'clock prompt.

One James E. Freeman was registered as dying in Jul/Aug/Sep 1910 in Chesterton (Fulbourn was part of the Chesterton district). He was 57 (so born around 1853). Vol 3b, page 208.

There doesn't appear to be a census entry for James in Fulbourn from earlier, but a James E Freeman from Kennington in London was living in Hemingford Grey in Huntingdonshire in 1901. He was a farmer and auctioneer, salesman and commission agent. His wife was Mary A, and his sister was Mabel.

His probate read:

FREEMAN James Edmund of Church View Fulbourn
Cambridgeshire died 3 September 1910 Probate London
23 December to Mary Ann Freeman widow and Albert
James Edward Freeman salesman.
Effects £12776 12s. 9d.

1911 Census

In 1911 the house was called Church View, and was occupied by Hubert Nutter (25), a surveyor from Finchley in London. With him are his mother, Fanny Martha Nutter (64), his sister Violet Evelyn Nutter (23) and his niece Wanda Alice Williams (7) who was born in France.

The house was listed as having 8 rooms (not including halls, bathrooms or sculleries). Which would match the house's current complement of 4 bedrooms, living room, dining room, study, and kitchen.

In the census the houses are listed in order as:

• St Osyth - Dr Nicholls
• Church St - Mr Webb (Shopkeeper & Grocer)
• The Six Bells - Mr Joseph Dare
• Church St. - Mr Patten (groom, retired)
• the Post Office - Miss Elizabeth Turner (sub postmistress)
• Church View - Mr Nutter (Surveyor)
• Prospect House - Alice Gedny (Grocer & Draper)
• Thomas Stalley (Farmer)

This seems to makes no sense, as today we think of the house to the left of 1 High Street as the old post office. But in 1911 the post office was most likely on the right in the house currently occupied by the Sawos Kebab House. This small building has 4 front doors, so was likely occupied by several shops or families. Many years later it was the Crusty Cob bread shop.

Also today we think of this as the High Street, but back then it was Church Street.

If this is the case then "Prospect House" might be what we think of today as the Old Post Office.

John Chaplin or Abraham Basil John Chaplin

The house was owned by John Chaplin until 1928 when he moved to The Old House at Home End.

The Kelly's Directory of 1916 lists:

Chaplin, Jn. A. B. , farmer, Church view.

This is likely Abraham Basil John Chaplin.

1921 Census

In 1921 the house was recorded as Church View, High Street, Fulbourn, and the head was Abraham Basil John Chaplin.

Dr William Lawrence Balls

Between 1928 to 1960 it was owned by Dr William Lawrence Balls.

He was a great authority on cotton and Middle East Economics.

Dr. William Lawrence Balls

He also wrote books such as Egypt pf the Egyptians.

He was elected F.R.S. in 1923. and was awarded the C.B.E. in 1934 and the C.M.G. in 1944.

In 1930 the poll book lists Florence Balls and Lawrence Balls as being registered for "The crossways" in Fulbourn (lower case).

Retirement to Fulbourne 1945-1960

On his retirement Balls returned to the cottage at Fulbourn, near Cambridge. He was not intimidated by the problems in the gentle art of retiring. He had his workshop and study adjacent, the latter containing all books and files within reach for the first time for twenty years, instead of having them in the wrong country or building when wanted. There were things to make and much to be written His last book, The yields of a crop written during this period, finally brought together in masterly fashion the responsibility of the high water table for the decline in the Egyptian crop, a decline no less real because masked by genetical improvements in seed supply.

He busied himself in keeping a record of the first flower dates of all the plants in his little garden which has some amateur gardening interest.

He retired to Fulbourn, where he led an active life, writing, making bits of apparatus, reading widely, and even trying his skill at landscape painting in oils. He was always ready to talk on any of his many interests, and his wide knowledge was available to all both at his home and in the Combination Room.

1954

Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser - 12 November 1954:

ELDERLY DRIVER IN COLLISION

Failed to notice 'Halt Sign'

Stated to be a "cotton exporter of international repute and a botanist," Dr. William Lawrence Balls, aged 72, or Crossways, Fulbourn, Cambridge, was fined £5 , with £10 17s. 2d. costs, and had his license endorsed, at Warwick Magistrates' Court on Friday, when he pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on Stratford road, Warwick, on September 20th.

Inspire. B. Fielding told the court that at 11.25 a.m. a heavy motor lorry, driven by a Mr. John Pearson, was proceeding from Warwick to Stratford. As he was about to pass the junction of Bardord road, a car, driven by the accused, swung into the main road causing a collision.

Mr. R. Owen George, defending, said Dr. Balls, and his wife, had been visiting a friend at the National Vegetable Research station at Wellesbourne. He was traveling from Barford to Warwick and failed to notice the "halt sign." As a result of the accident Dr. Balls received concussion and a scalp wound, while his wife was badly bruised.

"Dr. Balls was misled but the sign and it is a danger to strange drivers," added Mr. Owen George.

Accused had been driving for 34 years without an accident, and had "vast experience| of driving in Europe and the Middle East.

1960

Dr. Balls died on 13th or 18th July 1960 (obituaries disagree), aged 77, leaving a widow and one son.

Dr. William Lawrence Balls

In 1960 only Florence E. Balls was registered to vote at 1 High Street.

1960 -

From 1960 the house was owned by Jack Balls, the son of Dr William Balls.

In 2002 and 2003 the occupants were Jack L. and Dorothy B Balls.

Rowan Peter Frost was registered there from

References

• Highways and Byways of Fulbourn by Crane Don
• Fulbourn Parish Magazine, May 1985 - a biography of William Balls
• Biographical Memoirs of the Royal Society
• 1951-1960 volume of Who Was Who
• The Times , obituaries, July 21 and 25, 1960.
• Wikipedia entry for William Lawrence Balls
• Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society Obituary William Lawrence Balls, 1882-1960
• The Eagle Obituary William Lawrence Balls, 1882-1960

Other Information

In 1869 there was a William Knox, surgeon and registrar of births and deaths in Fulbourn. In 1879 there was a Charles Edward Walker, surgeon, LRCP Edin. in Fulbourn.