Early 20th Century Shopkeepers In Queen's Road Marlow

Queen's Road was fields before residential development began, slowly at first, from the mid 1800s. In Victorian times it had at least a pub and a grocers. This post deals with the early 20th century.

Virtually all historic buildings have been destroyed in this road so that any street numbers given here bear no relationship to any modern property in the road with the same number. 

Henry and Margaret Brown(e). Margaret Brown(e) grocers. Not here 1907 but this husband and wife are censused together with Henry named as a grocer in 1911. Margaret seems to have started operating alone from late 1911, suggesting that Henry had died. She was still there running the shop in 1915 but not 1920.

John Bryant general shopkeeper at number 24 from at least 1911 to at least 1921 but not before 1901. This shop was on the Cambridge Road side of the street, not far from Eton Place. Also a market gardener. John was a retired soldier who came originally from Flackwell Heath. Probably still in the shop in 1924. Born c.1846. Wife Annie assisted in business. The couple previously ran the Fighting Cocks pub in Dean Street for a few months before it was closed down. They had also lived at Spittal Square (c1899-1901) and possibly also at Newtown Road Marlow before arriving in Queen's Road. Their son Robert was killed in action in WW1. During that period John was charged with profiteering by selling potatoes at inflated prices at High Wycombe. He grew potatoes at allotments in Marlow. He'd probably need more than an allotment to consider himself a market gardener. There were market gardens in Queen's Road itself at the time which he may have hired part of. In 1939 John Dawkins occupied these premises.

William Buckland a general shopkeeper cum grocer at number 41 from at least 1907 (but probably not before 1905) until at least 1939. This was on the corner of Prospect Road. It was later turned into a house. William was born circa 1865. 

Mary Grantham (Mrs) called herself a sweetshop keeper in 1901 but later was a grocer. Mary was originally from Wiltshire and the widow of Thomas Grantham. She died aged 55 in 1915. The business was taken over by her daughter Elsie Grantham who ran it as a general shop. Elsie was born circa 1894 and looks to have married Harry Armstrong in 1935. The shop was almost on the corner of Oxford Road, on the Cambridge Road side of the street.

William Henry Saunders at no.26. On Cambridge Road side of the road not far from Eton Place. Bakery by 1907 to at least 1920. Assisted by wife Jane (nee West, whose parents lived at Keynsham's Farm, Cadmore End when their daughter married in 1896). This couple were Wesleyans. They lived in nearby York Road before being based in Queen's Road. Number 28 was later converted into a house without the removal of the bread ovens and still referred to as "The old bakery".

Just as a bonus, another business in Queen's Road in this period though not a shop:

Frederick Dunn insurance agent at no 36 at least 1911-20. Wife Louisa. He was born Lane End 1870. They moved to Marlow from High Wycombe but had also previously lived briefly in Manchester. Frederick had previously worked as a chair caner. The couple's son Frederick jnr worked at the paper mills as a boilerman.

And also mention must be made of:

J East a general dealer in 1907 (Cambridge Road side of the road). Uncertain whether he had a shop or dealt more informally which was common in that occupation.

And the Grace family whose shop was on the corner of Dean Street and Queens Road in this period and earlier with the main entrance however on Dean Street. More on them and other Graces here

Some Sources:

England and Wales Census, 1911," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VP-VH9 : 22 July 2019), Mary Grantham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

"England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VP-J4M : 22 July 2019), Fred Dunn, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

Marlow Almanack and Directory 1907.

Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire etc 1911, 1915 and 1920 editions 

1891 census of England  and Wales Great Marlow transcribed from microfilm by Jane Pullinger and 1901 census transcribed by me. Census information is Crown Copyright

"England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV8Z-KYB5 : 8 October 2014), Elsie M Grantham and null, 1935; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1935, quarter 2, vol. 3A, p. 3266, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England. 

Personal Interviews - thanks to all!

South Bucks Standard 4th September 1896.

Reading Standard 7th September 1916. This edition from British Library Archives via the BNA. As was Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News April 17th 1917.

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