Updated by Charlotte October 2023
Location : Address may be given variously as Little Marlow Road, Wycombe Road, "the Bourne End Road", Town End, Marlow Fields, or Chapel End. Wycombe Road is the most common in historic use but Little Marlow Road was "proper" address in more modern times.
1854 - James Johnson. Pub "newly erected" in 1853. James was however a carrier long before, running to London. In 1843 he suffered a severe setback when a valuable horse of his stumbled and fell in harness while crossing the bridge at "Bone End, Wooburn". [Bone End is now known as Bourne End] The bridge sides were only 2ft high and horse fell head first over them, to be left dangling with its head in the water. James was only slightly injured and frantically tried to cut the horse free with the help of others who ran to his aid but it was too late. The horses value was £14. The Bucks Advertiser complained the bridges in the neighborhood were poorly constructed and dangerous as a whole.
Property description 1853 from Reading Mercury 17th December edition= 8 rooms, with double coach house, stabling and yard.
1861 - James Johnson (born St.Albans)
1864 - James Johnson (address given as Chapel Street) Also runs carrier service.
1869 - James Johnson
1870 - James Meakes. Previously of Little Marlow. Cousin of George Joseph AKA Joseph Meakes pub landlord of a Lane End pub. See here.
1874 - "Plough Inn". That year Joseph father of James died at the pub.
1877- also "Plough Inn" James Meakes. He married that year Eliza Mann of Norwich. Has his licence endorsed for allowing gambling on the premises and opening later than allowed. James says everyone there out of hours were his private guests in a back room there to celebrate his forthcoming marriage and no money changed hands. He had forgot to lock the door he said but had called time by 11pm. However the magistrates considered the charge of gambling definitely proved, which was not allowed in a pub under any circumstances. So he's fined but a mitigated amount in consideration of his previous good conduct despite a previous warning for a similar offence.
1881 - James Meakes
1883 - James Tompkins "Marlow Fields"
1884 - J. Meakes.
1885 - John Meakes (Possibly James, sources differ) 2. John Gale
1886 - John Gale
1892 - John Gale, GB Hughes
1893 - G.B Hughes (See also The Carrier's Arms here) (also carrier running to Reading two days a week and to Wycombe on Fridays) Later at the Black Lion, Well End.
1895 - Mr and Mrs Smith. Provided dinners and teas for group outings coming to Marlow in order to enjoy the river.
1896 - Samuel Smith
1898 - Sam Smith transfers to Fred. Carter
1901 - Carter dies aged just 36. Widow Elizabeth takes on licence in immediate aftermath.
1902 - George Frederick Cox
1903 - George Frederick Cox
1905 - Charles F Cox 2. Mr A? Wheeler
1907 - Henry George Wheeler. That year his pub was the site of raucous celebrations after Henry East of Dean Street was acquitted at the Old Bailey of serious theft charges. The celebrations saw Wheeler charged with allowing drunkenness on his premises but the magistrate recognised that his small pub had been overwhelmed by 150-200 revellers and he had done all he could to keep order. One of the guests, teenager Kate Lunnon of Hatches Row, Dean Street had previously worked for East was however fined for getting insensibly drunk and passing out on a dung heap in the Plough Yard after drinking a whisky and ginger beer. She could have been more unfortunate and fallen in the pigstye that we know was also in the yard in that year (keeping the pigs of Harry Bowles). To be fair to her the pub was very small, full of people smoking and by all accounts stiflingly hot. Her arguement that she actually fainted after being helped outside to get some air sounds very credible. Henry East had bought her one drink but as far as I can see that was the extent of her alcohol consumption that evening. I demand a retrial! More on the Henry East court case here.
In 1908 Henry Wheeler suffered from a bad head injury after an accident involving his cart and another in collision on the Wycombe Road, past Burroughs Grove. He was dragged along the ground all the way back to the Inn. The other cart was undamaged, Henry's destroyed. Wife Lizzie. Both from London. Hosts the Plough Sick and Dividend Club slate club.
1913 - "Plough Inn"
1919 - Henry George Wheeler
1924 - Henry George Wheeler
1939 - Edward Ernest Wheeler
Related Posts:
There are posts on this blog about individual families associated with certain pubs, as well as on individual pubs themselves so have a look at the Pub Related index here & don't forget the Person Index for all mentions of someone on this blog. Find it on the top drop down menu.
Posts about life in the neighbouring streets here
More beer sellers than bakers -Temperance in Marlow here
Lists of posts about everyday life in old Great Marlow here
SOURCES
Kelly's Post Office Directory 1864, 1899, 1903, 1907, 1915,1920
Contemporary newspaper reports of licencing hearings, court cases and other related news, accessed via the BNA
Bucks Herald June 24th 1874 and 11th March 1877 as above.
South Bucks Standard - January 6 1893, December 24,1913, as above.
Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News 14 October 1843, as above
Census 1861,1871,1881,1891
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