The Laurels stood next to the Bluebell on the site of the present flats. This view is from Lawn Ave. You can see the entrance to the child health clinic (which has recently been demolished) on the right of the picture, the chimneys above the clinic belong to the Bluebell.
This photo was kindly sent to me by George Meadows. Who says "My Gt Gt Grandfather was Richard Perkins. His daughter Sarah married Leonard Letch and they lived next door at the Laurels, where my grandmother was born."
"When it (the Laurels) became vacant it was vandalised so my father had it demolished, which was a shame as it looked a very nice house. Then travellers invaded the site so eventually he sold the land to Tom Dickens who built the four flats that stand there now.
Richard Perkins died in 1877 and in his will, of which I have a copy, it mentions a house 'lately occupied' by William Allatt, whom I have seen mentioned elsewhere in your website, I think this was the Laurels. It also mentions the four cottages in Dogsthorpe which must be 16-22 Fulbridge Road. They are shown on your 1901 map and somewhere I have seen in the will Fulbridge Road referred to as Paston Lane.
On the other side of the Bluebell I think were the Truss family who are somehow related. Emily Beards is also related to us."
In the Dogsthorpe 1901 census I found
- Leonard Letch b1853 Thrapston, Retired Bread maker
- Sarah A Letch b 1848 Dogsthorpe,
- Jane Letch b 1885 Dogsthorpe, Fruiterers assistant
- James Abbott (cousin) b 1835 Gt Gidding, a widower and retired publican
Although the address is Paston Lane and doesn't appear to be close to the Bluebell. There is a house called the Laurels on the 1901 Census, however this is in Garton End Road, and I beleive it may still be there.
In the 1891 census Leonard and his family including another daughter Emily b 1875 Dogsthorpe, are living in Gunthorpe. His occupation is retired Baker even at the age of 38.
In 1881 Leonard and his family were living at 12 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, his occupation is Baker and Grocer.
In 1871 Leonard is an unmarried groom and gardener in Titchmarsh, Northants, for Frederick M Stopford, the Rector of Titchmarsh.
In 1861 Leonard is 7 and living in Titchmarsh with his parents and siblings.
Leonard obviously spent some time in Dogsthorpe between 1871 and 1891 (or at least his wife did) which is not captured by the census for his 2 daughters to both be born there although 10 years apart.
By 1911 Leonard and Sarah Ann are living in Dogsthorpe, with 2 boarders Richard (80) and Annie (85) Freeman a retired miller. Leonard's occupation is horse dealer. From this census we also learn that one of Leonard's children has died and he had been married 37 years. The Freemans had no children had had been married 52 years. The postal address is simply Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, however the house has 7 rooms, which is more than average.
Emily Mary Letch died in the last quarter of 1904, aged 29.
The photo right of Leonard and Sarah was taken on their daughter Jane's wedding day on 30th April 1908 and was kindly sent to me by George Meadows.
A newspaper cutting of Leonard and Sarah Ann's Diamond Wedding in 1933 tells us that they lived at the Laurels for at least 30 years and gives more details of their lives in Dogsthorpe.
Sarah Ann Letch of the Laurels Dogsthorpe died 12 September 1937. Leonard died in March 1940 at the age of 87.
In the Dogsthorpe 1881 census 5 houses away from the Bluebell, which is consistent with the location of the Laurels:
- Ann Perkins widow b 1813 Werrington, income from land and houses.
- Richard R Perkins unmarried son, b 1851 Dogsthorpe, Butcher.
- Amy Beards, grandaughter, b 1876 Peterborough.
- Emma Plant, servant, b 1866 Dogsthorpe.
In 1891 census Ann is a widow of 78, living in a "Village House" - The Laurels (most were "Village Cottage"). With her were son Richard 40, widower, and daughter Jane Canwell 47 widow, and 3 grand children Richard R Perkins 8, and John R Perkins 7, and Emily A Beards 15.
In 1901 4 houses away from the Bluebell:
- Ann Perkins widow now 88, living on own means.
- Emily Beards daughter, b 1848 Dogsthorpe
- Emily M Letch grandaughter, b 1875 Dogsthorpe.
- Richard J Letch grandson, b 1878 Dogsthorpe, a Railway Engine Fitter.
This entry made me wonder where Richard J Letch had been for the previous 2 census. In fact it is a ditto mark below Letch, I believe it should be Richard J Beards, who was also living with his mother Emily in the previous census. George Meadows confirmed it was Richard Beards and added :
"Regarding Richard Beards he was a big man known as little Dickie, in my day he lived in a wooden house at the Eye end of White Post Road. Could have been a railway engine fitter as I remember he came to us one Christmas day and my mother said he would be interested in my Meccano as he was an engineer."
George has sent me an estimate and plan of the Laurels from 1926 when they had the new toilet connected to the main sewer.