The Histon Land Tax Records of 1829 show James Coe as occupier and proprietor of land for
a garden; in 1830 the occupier was Robert Barrett, the proprietor; in 1831 the land was freehold,
8s 6d land tax was paid.
The 1851 Directory of Cambridgeshire lists James as a farmer and gardener.
The 1851 Census lists them as living at Oakington Road, Histon.
The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal dated 30/07/1859 reports on the inquest of James Coe:
"An inquest was held at Histon on Monday, and continued, by adjournment, on Thursday, before F. Barlow, Esq.,
coroner for the county, on view of the body of Mr James Coe, a highly respected market gardener, at Histon,
who had been killed the previous Saturday night. From the evidence, it appeared that the deceased, with
other members of his family, and two lads, left Cambridge, about a quarter past ten o'clock, on
Saturday night. When they had got to the "British Queen", on the Histon-road, Mr Papworth, of Histon, and his
son, returning from Cambridge in their cart, passed them; and about three-quarters of a mile further, the
Papworths observed three travelling vans drawn up by the side of the road, with a bright fire burning on the
grass, throwing its light across the road. Papworth's horse took fright at this, and bolted and galloped about
half a furlong before he could be stopped. On stopping the horse, Papworth called to the people with the
vans, that if the fire was not put out, he would send the police to them. During this time the deceased's cart
was coming up towards the vans at a foots pace, and as they approaced, they saw the fire by the roadside,
and inasmuch as the horse was accustomed to shy, particularly of a dark night at any strange object, when
they got to within twenty paces of the vans, the deceased and two of his sons, Frederick and George, and one
of the lads got out of the cart, the deceased taking hold of the horse's head-stall on the off side, and
Frederick Coe having hold of the chap-rein ( a rein used for curbing the horse) on the near side. On reaching
the vans, Frederick Coe observed that the light, which before had been bright, and shining across the road,
had become faint, and appeared to be a candle only; but, on reaching the vans, the horse suddenly flew out
to the off side, and knocked down the deceased, dragging the wheel of the cart over his chest, fracturing the
breast bone, left collar bone, two ribs on each side, and tearing the lungs, causing almost instant death. A
host of witnesses were examined before the inquest, which lasted, with ten minutes intermission for the jury
to obtain a little refreshment, from 10.30am, to 8.45pm, and was then adjourned to Thursday afternoon, at
four o'clock, when it was resumed, and six fresh witnesses examined, after which, the Coroner summed up the
evidence, and explained the law of manslaughter to the jury, who, after consulting together for nearly half
an hour, returned a verdict of "Accidently killed"; the evidence of Frederick Coe bearing out that of four
of the parties travelling with the vans, that between the time the Papworths passed and that of the arrival
of the deceased's cart opposite the vans, the light, which those with the vans swore was a naptha lamp, and
not a fire, had been put out, and a candle only lit. Summonses were then served upon the parties for penalties
under the Highway Act."
