Marlow's Link to Peter Pan!

The very first grave to be dug in Marlow Cemetery was for Eleanor Chase, mother of American actress Pauline Chase. Eleanor died in New York in 1910 aged 48. Her body was bought to England especially for burial.

She was buried in Marlow because Pauline had fallen in love with the town and lived there when not away working.

Peter Pan author J.M Barrie, Pauline's godfather (from her baptism as an adult), attended the funeral. 

Pauline's most famous role was that of his character Peter Pan on the London stage. For this she was internationally famous and won continual rave reviews.

He wasn't her only famous connection either - her godmother was Dame Ellen Terry. The two women were both members of the Actresses Suffrage League set up to support the Suffragettes.

Pauline also showed her interest in social issues by being a regular donor to the Actors Orphan Fund.

Pauline's friend Charles Frohman visited her often in the town. The drinking fountain featuring a nude woman on the Causeway is in his memory. Pauline was one of those behind the project to erect the memorial. Some reports say that she was the model for it though not all agree with that. The illness of another instigator J.M Barrie meant that the unveiling of the statue in 1924 was changed to a quiet, informal event rather than a big public occasion.

Like Frohman Pauline was an enthusiastic early supporter of air travel. One of the two fiancés she had prior to her husband was himself a pioneering airman.

Pauline died in Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1962. She was 76 years old.

The name Chase is historically present in Marlow but whether Pauline had any kind of distant ancestors here I am uncertain. 

Researched and written by Charlotte Day. Photo by Kathryn.

See:

South Bucks Standard November 1910. Available via the British Newspaper Archive from the British Library's collections. 

Wikipedia and IDMB articles Pauline Chase.

The Stage 4th June 1908, 8th May 1924.