Today we are featuring former Marlow and Hurley residents Emma and Dennis Wargent.
"Emma Price That Was"
Emma Price, the future Mrs Wargent, was born in 1827 in Great Marlow to John and Sarah Price. John worked in the most typical of Marlow occupations of the time - he was the captain of a barge or "barge master," which ran between Marlow and London. He transported goods not just originating in Marlow itself, but from a wide area around bought to one of the several Marlow wharves to move onwards. The family lived in Dean Street, or as it was often known at that time Well End (not the same as Well End, Little Marlow). This area contained the largest concentration of working class homes and especially later a (not always deserved) reputation for roughness. However much of the worse of that, with the association with poaching and skewer making, was a little in the future when Emma was born. The number of beer houses were yet to explode with the relaxed licencing of the 1830s. The occupation and income of the residents was of a mixed type than later, and some later subdivided homes were still intact with largish and pleasant gardens. The home of John Price, a cottage with garden, cost £4 a year to rent when it was up for sale in 1829. Crucially it was of sufficient value to qualify the occupier the right to vote in the Marlow elections. This was an open selling point for the property, in a time when local elections here were rarely without some claim of bought votes, corruption or indeed rioting! See the linked posts below for more on this.
When she was approximately 17 Emma married young tailor Thomas Davis*, of Spittal Street, son of Richard. (1843) Thomas and Emma settled in Dean Street too. While Thomas seems to have been successful in his business - he was described as a master tailor (that is one fully and professionally trained) he later chose to change occupation and became a grocer. A little obituary of Emma says this business was located at the corner of Quoiting Square - we are in the process of confirming this location. Most grocers lived on their trading premises at this point, and Emma and Thomas still lived in Dean Street at the time of the 1861 census although his occupation had changed to grocer. Prior to that change though, the young Emma worked as a satin stitch worker doing fine embroidery. This was probably the single biggest employment category for young women in Marlow outside of domestic service and lace making at this period. There were baby linen warehouses employing the women directly on the premises. Much however was done at home. It was not always well paid considering the skill and patience required but it was considered reliable employment. Amongst the bigger employers were the Flints of West Street of whom more here. Take a look at our recreated trade directories linked below to get a flavour of some of Marlow's other past industries. Some of Emma's younger unmarried sisters still residing in the Dean Street Price family home were also engaged in this work and dressmaking.
Emma was bereaved young (1877). But she was not long a widow. In 1878 she married widower Dennis Wargent...
Dennis, gardener par excellence
Dennis Hignell (Hignall) Wargent was born in the late 1820s in Remenham near Henley. As a 14 year boy he was working as a servant at Remenham Lodge. Very probably in the garden. This was a very typical age to have begun a career as a domestic gardener. 10 years later he is specifically described as a garden labourer at Remenham. Although he as an under gardener may have had to do a considerable amount of the gardens "donkey work", he was also clearly trained in the finer art of producing superlative flowers and produce which was the point of these sometimes long "apprenticeships". Gardeners tended to move on to other positions once they were proficient unless the head gardener was perhaps likely to retire soon.
Dennis scored a job at the significant Marlow property known in the whimsical style of the time as "The Cottage". This was in fact the 9 bedroom home later known as Quoitings/ Quoitings House/ Quoiting Place and now demolished. This had a gardener's lodge off Oxford Road, which would become home to Dennis and his then wife Hannah nee Bailey**. He was there by the time of the 1861 census. Mrs Sarah Faussett (Fawcett/Faucett) was resident in the main house. Quoitings had gardens known for their fruit as well as a small dairy - a common accessory for Marlow homes at this period including the grandest. In all around 13 acres.
Throughout the 1860's Dennis romped home with prize after prize at the local horticultural shows and events. Balsams, roses, ferns...all grown to perfection by the hardworking gardener. Among the events he attended were the early versions of the Great Marlow horticultural society shows at Harleyford Park and Court Garden, and the charming sounding "rural fete" at Danesfield.
One of Marlow's forgotten industries was that of wholesale fruit dealing, especially based around the Dean Street area. This meant the less scrupulous hoping to pilfer something with an easy resale value were fond of targeting fruit and nut frees in private gardens and on farms. Others of course just like to enjoy some free fruit. Whatever the motive, labourer Daniel Lovegrove of Marefield stole into the garden at The Cottage on a quiet Sunday in 1874 and made off with some prize apricots. Dennis however caught him at it, and Daniel was bought before the petty session court in Trinity Road. He received a 3s 6d fine for his trouble.
A few years later, Hannah Wargent died. She was buried in Remenham.
Marriage Again
Emma and Dennis, both now widowed married each other in 1878. They lived in Hurley village a little along the river from Marlow. Dennis would continue to work as a gardener and later a cow man there until his late 70s. He also spent many many years as the Hurley Parish clerk and also at times served as churchwarden there.
Farewell to Emma
Emma sadly fell ill in 1892. She was advised to go to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington for more specialised care, but I am not certain what condition she had been suffering from. She died after a few weeks stay, and is buried in Hurley. Her grave marker states her age at 70, some local death notices gave it as 68.
The following year, Dennis would marry a third time, to Louisa. (Born Hagbourne, Berkshire). Would his senior years prove quiet? Not perfectly! As a respected local man and former parish clerk, he was invited to be the treasurer of the East Arms Slate Club in around 1896. The first 9 years were uneventful. Local men paid in a fixed sum (a shilling in 1904/5) per month to the Club, in exchange for claiming a certain amount of the pooled funds in the event of a calamity such as illness or the death of a spouse befalling them. Any unused funds were divided out between members who had kept up their subscriptions, usually just before Christmas at a special share out supper or dinner. Most were hosted by a pub, although chapels also ran them. A very large number were run locally, and there is a high chance of an ancestor belonging to one at some point. In 1905 the club secretary was Thomas Reed, a carpenter of Temple Cottages, Bisham who had held the role for 7 years. Thomas had unfortunately suffered regular periods of unemployment that year. Ahead of the December 1905 share out he went to Dennis and collected the Club funds to distribute to the expectant members. Dennis gave him a receipt and waved him off towards the East Arms. Thomas arrived about 7pm and found 40 members there ready to have a good time. He however announced that he had forgotten a few important documents and would need to go back and get them. He excused himself and the others got on with their celebration supper. The share out usually happened last and so Thomas had time to go. But come midnight, Thomas has not returned. Some of the members, initially concerned for his welfare, went to his home. There they met his puzzled wife who had not seen her husband since he had left telling her he was going to the East Arms. Some then began to feel a little doubt and recalled Thomas had seemed on edge. They went to the home of Dennis Wargent who confirmed Thomas had left him whilst carrying the club funds. The following morning Thomas had still not appeared and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was apprehended close by and confessed to spending the funds. He admitted it had been an act of foolishness but he said the unemployment he had suffered had made him do it. He could not however account for what he had done with the money. He said his heart had failed him when he knew he would have to face the music so he had fled. He was sentenced to 2 months in Reading gaol with hard labour. The poor savers got none of their money back. Dennis testified in court during the trial.
In 1910, Dennis passed away aged 83. He had worked as a gardener until at least the age of 79. He is buried with second wife Emma at Hurley. See grave image at bottom.
NOTE
* There was more than one Thomas Davis in Marlow at this time. Our Thomas was the son of Richard and Mary Davis of Spittal Street. The "other" Thomas Davis was resident in Oxford Lane at this point. They were a similar age.
** Hannah and Dennis married 1856 in Kensington. She was born circa 1821 in Waltham St Lawrence.
Related Posts:
The Flint family embroiders here
Potted history and landlord listing for the East Arms, Hurley here
Other posts related to Hurley: here
Slate clubs and poverty in Victorian and Edwardian Marlow - COMING SOON
Where your gardening ancestor worked: here
Bargemen of Marlow - here
Posts related to the election violence and everyday life in old Marlow, plus links to the recreated trade directories: here
Every mention of an individual can be found in the A-Z person index top drop down menu where you will also find listings of more detailed biographies of people and families.
Sources include:
Kelly's Directory Berkshire 1883.
South Bucks Standard 28 October 1892.
Reading Mercury 12 September 1863, 08 August 1874.
Maidenhead Advertiser 29 May 1872.
Census 1841,1851,1861,1871,1881 and 1891 - transcribed from microfilm by Jane Pullinger and Charlotte Day.
Horticultural show records compiled by Kathryn - ongoing project.
Emma Wargent died 1892.
Dennis Wargent died March 8th 1910. Born Jan 1827.
Written and researched by Kathryn Day.
© MarlowAncestors