In 1809 a subscription was raised to repair the Cross, which was then in a very dilapidated state. The shape was not in any way altered, but it was covered with cement, and at the same time various architectural embellishment were introduced. On each face of the octagon is a shield containing one of the letters composing the word Totenham in the old characters. The Cross was then surrounded with a curb and iron railings, which were removed a good many years ago.

At the back of the Cross there were the three shops still standing, a stationer’s, draper’s, and butcher’s; by the side there was a green planted with beautiful elm trees, only three of which remain now. At the back of this stood two pretty old houses, in occupation of Mr. Thomas Corney and Rev. James Baird. This was originally one house and was occupied by Dean Wood, who about the year 1600 had the present cross erected, which in 1809 was repaired and altered to its present appearance.

Next to Mr. Baird’s there was a blacksmith’s shop, where the old skeleton horse stood over the gateway. This horse belonged to Mr. Charles Tuck, who kept the butcher’s shop at the corner, which is now a chemists, and was such a willing animal that one day it fell down dead, drawing a load which was too much for him. I remember him well, and used often to feed him with bread.