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This is gg grandpa John's story.
Born in 1830, the son of a Chelsea Pensioner, he started life as an agricultural labourer. When the railway came to Peterborough he found work there working first of all in the building of the Great Northern Hotel (where he helped dig out the cellars) and then in the GNR Loco works at New England. In 1856 he was involved in an accident where his left arm was caught in some belting and he was hoisted up to the ceiling. He was freed and the surgeons tried to save his arm, but alas they could not. The GNR Loco works paid a small levy to those injured and John received a few shillings "compensation". He bought a shop. Obviously having a brain, he studied the property market so then he bought a house and rented it out. Then another, then another. By the time he died in 1913 he was the largest private rate payer in Peterborough. He literally owned whole streets. He was well known locally and always seen in a frock coat, top hat and with his cigar and was known as "from sweep to mayor". He was known as a generous and kind landlord and never forgot his roots. Every time there was some major event, he was asked for his views by the local press (so I have loads of cuttings from interviews). His third son, Fred was my great grandfather. His daughter Sarah, had a tragic time, marrying in 1898 the heir to the brickworks and then being widowed only 4 months later.
I am, however sure, that Grandpa John had no idea that his son Fred was marrying the daughter of a 5x bigamist!!!!!!