Sober And Honest Please

Updated October 2023

The above premises served as a grocery shop for much of the Victorian era.

William Hobbs established his shop here in 1838. Prior to his occupancy the building seems to have been only a residence.

William was originally from Reading in Berkshire where he married Sophia Butler in 1826.

In 1842 William advertised for a general servant to work alongside his existing one. The successful applicant was to be able to provide a reference as to her "sobriety and honesty" as well as perform "plain cooking". Two weeks later the ad was still in the papers so maybe sober, honest servants were in short supply locally!

William and Sophia left Marlow in 1844 and moved back to Reading to run a grocery shop. For whatever reason this didn't last and William was reduced to being an assistant in someone else's shop.

Sophia died in 1851 and William in 1855. This inevitably left their six children in difficult circumstances. An unusual advert appeared in the Berkshire Chronicle after William's death appealing for any kind readers to donate money to help the second eldest daughter Sophia set up a "fancy stationery" shop to support her family. The ad stated that 2 of her younger brothers had already been apprenticed into the carpentry trade while the other had been sent to school. Her younger sister was also at school all thanks to public donations. Her elder sister Sarah the ad said had suffered a series of illnesses and could not work in any way. 

I'm pleased to say that the appeal must have been successful as Sophia appears on the 1861 census in Gun Street Reading as a 30 year old bookseller employing one live in assistant as well as her 17 year old brother Edward as a stationer. Sarah was living at home without occupation so presumably was still unwell.

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George Kidd, a native of Sussex, took over the Marlow grocery business which Hobbs had left in 1844. Four years later John Brown was accused of stealing a large 29lb loaf of sugar from him. That man must have had a sweet tooth! The theft was witnessed by shop assistant Walter Andrews who gave the alarm before setting off in pursuit with his master. George caught Brown first and handed him over to a constable. George bravely plead non guilty but he was sentenced to 7 years transportation as it was not his first offence. Browns reply to the magistrates on sentencing? "I'm much obliged to you sir."

In 1862 George had two cheeses by his door on the first day of the sometimes quite rowdy Marlow Fair. Or he did for a short time before someone reached in and helped themselves. Earlier that year Eliza Howard, fresh out of jail for another offense was charged with obtaining goods from him by false pretences.

Despite the trouble of thefts from him George must have been doing well as he and his wife Euphan could afford to send their son George junior to Marlow Place Academy boarding school in Marlow which wasn't cheap. It might seem odd to board your child in a school in the same town that you live in but I see such things often in Marlow history. Prospect House Academy was only a boarding school with no day pupil option so if they wanted George to attend that, the best local school, board he must.

George senior died of consumption aged just 57 in 1865. Mrs Kidd decided not to continue in the business alone and sold the business to Alfred Ilsley who would run things to past 1900.

Euphan died in 1871. George junior became a hotel proprietor in Twickenham. Daughter Dorothea remained in Marlow as a music teacher.

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Alfred Ilsley and his wife Emma were both originally of Hampshire and were Non-Conformist christians. Obituaries suggest two marriages for Alfred. I have not researched his second wife's name.

As well as a grocer and provision merchant Alfred was also a bacon curer and corn dealer. Marlow thieves were like moths to a flame when it came to bacon - it was their number one favourite pinch. In 1879 Joseph Black (possibly Blick) stole bacon and sugar from Alfred's premises. It's a wonder I found only one such theft from Alfred. I generally get the impression that if you left bacon on public display in Victorian Marlow it was likely gone before you had chance to blink!

Two years later Alfred advertised for a young man to act as a porter for him and to mind a horse and a cow, presumably out back.

In 1889 the thieves were at it again but perhaps there was no bacon about as George Grace was charged with stealing two cakes and 1lb tea from Alfred instead. There is more on the Grace family of Marlow here

Alfred successfully stood for election for the Marlow Urban Council in 1899, promising of course not to spend much taxpayer money. His shop advertising often stressed his "moderate prices" too. Obviously he knew the Marlow market! Alfred was a prolific advertiser, especially of his special blend tea and coffee. 

1905 Advert. 

As well as running his shop, Alfred was one of the trustees of the Buckinghamshire Chair Company, which had a factory in Marlow.

Alfred died in 1907 following a series of worsening strokes. Emma had died aged just 43 in 1886. The premises were put up for sale described as having been used as a "high class" grocery shop. As well as the shop there was then on site a granary and stables which fronted onto nearby Institute Road. The couple's son John had assisted in the business but presumably he did not wish to take over the concern.

Both Alfred and Emma were buried at Cookham Dean Baptist Chapel.

A future post will deal with later Edwardian occupiers of this property.

Written and researched by Charlotte Day.

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For other posts about other High Street historic shopkeepers and residents see here.

Sources:

Reading Mercury 30th April 1842. [Hobbs wanting a servant].

Maidenhead Advertiser 30th July 1879 [bacon theft].

Bucks Herald 5th January 1889 [cake / tea theft] and 18th January 1848, Bucks Gazette 8th January 1848 [sugar loaf theft].

Berkshire Chronicle 3rd February 1855 [appeal for Sarah Hobbs].

Maidenhead Advertiser 21st August 1907 [sale].

Property records held by my family.

Great Marlow census 1841-91. Transcribed by me from microfilm.

England Marriages 1538-1973 Familysearch http://familysearch.org/ark/61903/1:1:Nx392s

GRO Death Registration Index.

Death certificate.

1861 census record Reading supplied by Jane Pullinger. Thanks Jane.

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