The Rowe's premises will be remembered by many as the site of fellow jewellers F Hinds. At the time of writing (2025) it is occupied by The White Company. Previously the site was occupied by the premises of Richard Harding who is famous for building the magnificent pleasure barge The Star Of The Thames in the land locked garden. More of that here. Earlier still it was the site of the Turks Head inn (aka The Saracens Head). It was rented from the Williams family of Temple House until 1905 when the Rowe family purchased the shop themselves.
A man with a shocking talent
Frederick senior was a native of Barnstaple, arriving in Marlow c 1862 as a young man. He married Anna, youngest daughter of Marlow Baptist minister, bookseller and stationer John Winch Burnham in 1870 at Bloomsbury Chapel, London. Frederick himself was associated with the Congregational church and assisted in their Sunday School for many years. So far so conventional. But in his spare time, our man has some interesting hobbies. He clearly loved mechanics and had a great curiousity about the technology of the day. Frederick could be found at many fetes and fundraising bazaars accompanied by his galvanic battery in the 1870s and 1880s. Patrons paid for the novelty of being - relatively - gently electrocuted. I say relativey as a report of an event he attended in 1883 said the shocks were quite large and made people cry out. Customers were told to hold on tight to something to steady themselves during the experience!
If you wished to be entertained in a quieter manner, Frederick could cater for that too. His flea circus was almost as much of a staple of local events as his battery. But the items I would most like to have seen were Frederick's collection of working models. I don't know if he made them all himself, but his expertise as a watch and clockmaker suggests he'd have the skills needed to do so. One was a model of Marlow bridge complete with vehicles going over it and boats going under. What a charming sight that must have been.
Frederick was a committee member and strong supporter of the Victorian era Mutual Improvement society, which hosted lectures, talks and debates for mostly working class men and traders. They eventually amalgamated with the Marlow Literary and Scientific Institute. More on that can be found here
Advert used 1903-7, showing some of Rowe's ever popular Marlow souvenirs.
In his youth Frederick played for Marlow Football Club right at the start of its life in the 1870s. Match play was unconventional to our eyes as fewer rules had been standardised or at least successfully so. Many of Frederick's matches were played 15 a side, with perhaps an hour each half and this was quite acceptable. Some games extended for longer than the agreed match play time because both teams were enjoying themselves too much to stop!
Frederick may sound quite a fun man to be around but there were two sources of amusement he did not approve of - Marlow Fair and Sunday opening of places such as museums and art galleries. The fair was held at that time in the street right out side his premises and was generally unpopular with shop keepers who had to watch people spending money there and not with them. The fair was also noisy but it was popular with a large portion of the town. When Frederick suggested at a 1879 public meeting that it should be cancelled for good, his idea was met with boos and hisses. The full story of the highs and lows of the event can be found here
His opinions on Sunday opening were expressed in debates with the Mutual Improvement Society and Marlow Institute on this subject in the 1890s. He said Sundays should be kept a day of rest for as many as possible. If educational attractions such as museums were allowed to open he feared it would lead for a demand for places such as refreshment rooms and fruit sellers to do the same to cater for guests and then where would it all end? Those speaking for the other side said that many of those in favour of Sunday closing themselves employed servants who worked at least part of that day. Frederick was one of those with at least one servant but he may have followed other non conformists who made a point of doing their own meals and fires on Sundays. Frederick said he thought in general working men had never had so many holidays and in fact they had too many altogether!
Frederick and Anna retired to live at Fernbank, Cookham Dean and their eldest son Frederic who had acted as his assistant was then in charge at Rowe's.
The Shop - something for all occasions
It's in the era of Fred junior from the 1890s that the shop advertising took off. To avoid generational confusion I'm going to refer to this son as Rowe.
Many Marlow people have a family keepsake that was designed and made by Rowe and his father. As silversmiths they produced the cups, medals and prizes for dozens of local events, not least the Marlow Regatta. They also produced a large number of patented design tourist souvenirs too. These tourists may well have dined at hotels graced with fancy silverware also made at Rowe's - they specialised in kitting out such places including Marlow's Crown Hotel. He also supplied items like official badges for members of the rowing club and Marlow Urban District Councils new seal (1897).
Throughout the year, Rowe could use any occasion to suggest you might like to pay him a visit to part with your cash. Severe fogs reported in London? Stay safe in Marlow and shop with him instead. (1909) Nights drawing in? Better order an alarm clock there to make sure you got up. 1907 models were known as the "Rousem" and the "Wakum". New year's Day? Just the time to go to Rowe's for a gift for the people you forgot at Christmas.
Whatever the fashion was, Rowe could cater for it. Bohemian glass Christmas decorations were selling well in 1894 and self pouring teapots the following year.
In 1904 the congregational church Maidenhead saw the marriage of Rowe and Miss Dora King of that town. They made their home at Thornwood, Cromwell Gardens.
Rowe's in the First World War
During the war trading was difficult for all. When in 1916 the town severely reduced the number of street lamps lit to save fuel (and the length of time those left were kept burning) Rowe announced he would have to close his shop early in the winter. Shop hours were routinely longer than is often usual now, so early closing meant 6pm on weekdays and 8pm on Saturday. Shoppers say they didn't feel safe walking to and from the shops in unlit streets. Businesses were also encouraged to save gas and gloomy premises did not show off Rowe's sparkling stock very well.
Frederick appealed to the local tribunals for exemption for some of his highly skilled assistants from war service. He said they had unique specialised skills that could not be easily learned by someone stepping into their place who may be medically exempt from fighting for example. He was successful at getting their call up delayed but only temporarily.
In 1915 Rowe's offered a discount on wedding rings to men in uniform. If your loved one was away, he suggested suitable gifts for those serving at the front could include a photo pocket case (from 1s each) or an illuminated watch (from 21s). In 1917 Rowe offered to turn bits of Zeppelins into war mementos such as brooches or buttons. I wonder how many took him up on this offer?
Roll onto 1918 and 1919 and Rowe could sell you an enamelled "Peace Flag brooch" instead. (1s) At the peace celebrations Rowe was in charge of the abundant flares and rockets that left the crowds ears joyfully ringing.
Above, an advert from 1931
Rowes in the 20s - 40s
After the war there was a rush to both buy and sell gold and jewels. Rowe said he was forced to work late to keep up with the demand generated by high prices. He placed adverts suggesting those who had family pieces to sell should take advantage of what may be never repeated high prices. You needed a licence to trade in these items and Rowe advertised cash rewards for those who had information to offer about those engaged in any illegal dealing locally. There was a long delay with the availability of parts for mechanical devices etc so stock levels were problematic at times. The arrival back on sale of items like alarm clocks and and Thermos flasks after years of shortages was a subject of celebration. (Rowe said he was the person to introduce a Thermos into Marlow)
The shop continued to offer innovative or fashionable products and services such as self stropping razors (1922) and ear piercing (1930s).
In the second world war came the familiar stock and supply problems. Rowe suggested antique jewellery as a good alternative to hard to find new pieces - and better still they required no coupons. For the man himself there was no better accessory though than a buttonhole of sweet peas - he was a champion grower of them.
Throughout the war (and before) both Mr and Mrs Rowe were steady helpers at the Congregational church and the Marlow Cottage Hospital. He was a deacon in the church and a much beloved Sunday School superintendent there. Rowe was said to walk about with sweets from his ration in his pockets to give to children who he loved to stop and chat to on his daily walk. The couple had no youngsters of their own. Mrs Rowe ran the congregational Pleasant Tuesday Afternoon group which was a big feature of the social and spiritual life of the town in its time. In fact she is never absent from the list of helpers at church events, often contributing piano and violin numbers. Both supported the hospital in numerous ways from donating goods and acting as a lady visitor (Mrs Rowe) to winding and repairing the hospital clock free of charge (Mr Rowe).
Rowe retired in 1946 when the shop was taken over by F Hinds. He died age 74 at home at Thornwood, Claremont Gardens two years later.
Here's a couple of nuggets relating to the Rowes to end with:
- The artist E J Gregory rented one of their properties in Cookham Dean in 1893.
- In 1893 an "artistic doorstep" was installed at the shop. This was a mosaic bearing the Rowe name in a central scroll. There's no apparent trace of it now.
- Percival J Rowe, son of Frederick senior was the architect and surveyor for Wethered's Brewery.
- Among Rowe's contracts were to re-nickel the helmets of the Marlow Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Written and researched by Kathryn Day.
Related posts:
For more about any specific shop or business or premises see the index
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Some sources:
Census information from the transcripts of Jane Pullinger.
Marlow "Almanack" & directory 1907.
Bucks Advertiser & Aylesbury News 18th June 1870, 14 July 1883
South Bucks Free Press 17th February 1871, 12th November 1879, 28th July 1882, 26th October 1883, 14thbDecember 1894, 15th February 1895, 8th November 1912, 5th March 1914, 10th December 1915, 30th June & 27th October 1916, 16th February 1917
South Bucks Standard - 23rd December 1892, 7th September 1894, 6th April 1897, 8th January 1909, 25th November 1910
Bucks Free Press 25th July & 22nd November 1918, 4th March 1921, 4th January 1924, June 3rd 1927, 20th February 1931, 4th March 1932 to 26th November 1943, 21st January 1944, 6th February 1948.
Maidenhead Advertiser 3rd March & 30th August 1893, 8th June 1904
William's Estate Sale map 1905, with thanks to the local history group, Marlow Society.
Kelly Directory for Bucks 1911, 1920, 1923, 1939.
Marlow Town Guide 1931
©Marlow Ancestors.
