In 1829 William Higgins a 24 year old thatcher from Well End by Little Marlow was amongst other workers repairing or pulling down depending on which report you read a tiny cottage in Flackwell Heath.
To his great surprise William found a hoard of golden guineas hidden in the thatch. Some early reports other workers found them too but later reports clarify that it was just William. The coins date from as far back as the reigns of James 2nd (deposed 1688). The exact number of them couldn't be got out of the workmen but was reckoned to be at least 700, probably in fact 2000.
William started to spend them freely. His premature death a few months later was put down to his new "dissipated" ways as he enjoyed his treasure trove.
Further examination of the cottage revealed an old will from a member of the Sawyer family which gave instructions as to how to find not only that treasure but others hidden in the building too. A thousand more guineas were then discovered by following those further instructions.
An "inquest" into the coins after William's death declared that William had found at least 700 coins himself. That may be the number he had left at his death. There is no detail I can find as to who was able to claim the rest or why the coins were not demanded of William immediately by the cottage's owner. Even if he did not wish to tell anyone what he had done with them couldn't he be forced to produce them sooner? And why had that will gone undiscovered in the cottage apparently for years? Was it also concealed?
Sadly we'll probably never know. No will at the National Archives of a Sawyer is the will in question. I read them all! It may be the will was never taken to probate being so out of date.
The name Higgins or Higgens goes back a while in little Marlow but I did not see William's baptism there upon a cursory sweep of records. If I do find out more about him or the will I will upload.
Remember to check your thatch, everyone!
Researched and written by Charlotte Day.
To find other posts about Flackwell, Well End and other places around Great Marlow see the post index here
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Sources:
Newspaper copies at British Library Archives accessed via the BNA March 2021=
Sussex Advertiser 25th May 1829.
Hampshire Telegraph 25th May 1829.
Berkshire Chronicle 30th May and 7th November 1829.
Bucks Gazette 2nd January 1830.
