Landlords Prince Albert Moor Common

Not to be confused with the briefly in existence Prince Albert in Marlow. Both came under Marlow for licensing requirements.

Gaps in dates represent gaps in our knowledge. For full historic lists of pub landlords many with pub histories attached in the Marlow district see the Pub Related Index.

1851-63 Joseph Jones. Wife Mary. Joseph also worked as a butcher.

1868- unknown landlord. Two customers found to have stolen pheasants upon their person in the tap room. They'd been poaching of course. 

1869-72 Edmund Shervall /  Shurville / Shervill / Shervel / Shurvell. Says on census that he was born in Great Marlow. May be the baptism 1836 Medmenham to unmarried mother Elizabeth. Wife was Eliza. Edmund was an agricultural labourer for most of his life including while the landlord of the Prince Albert. Eliza would have ran the pub on a daily basis while Edmund got another wage. This was a common set up in smaller pubs which could not get enough trade to function as the family's only income source. Edmund, Eliza and their children left for West Wickham, Kent.

1872 -86  Richard Ayres who was also a woodman. The J.ps granting Ayres the licence express the wish that he will live up to his prior good character and will not run the premises "in accordance with the very bad traditions" of the place!  In 1885 John Wakefield who lived at the pub was accused of sheep stealing from Barmoor farm Marlow. He worked at Greenlands, Hambledon. Sent to quarter sessions for trial. He seems to have been a relative of the Ayres. 

1886 - 97 Alfred Webb. Wife Sarah. Note: Alfred had a niece with the last name Ayres. This is a very common local last name but may mean Alfred was related to previous landlord Richard Ayres. Alfred's wife Sarah was assaulted by a customer who she had asked to leave in 1894 . [could richard have gone to ship inn cadmore end and died age 58 in 1895]. Alfred was charged with selling liquor at 11.20 pm when the pub should have closed at 10pm. He argued that those in the pub drinking were friends and relatives whom he had invited to have supper and a drink with him after they went to a sale together. They had arrived back at 10.50 pm, the pub had closed on time.  Sat in tap room as it was the only room still with a fire burning and it was a cold night. Bench believed him and case dismissed.

1897- 1902 James Frederick Plumridge. In 1901 used for inquest when a woman Emma Tibbs drowned herself and her 6 month old baby daughter Winifred in the water tank of their new home in Moor Common. Her husband said that his wife had known better times and was depressed at living in small cottage especially when she found the cottage had fleas. She had been up all night dealing with them and was exhausted.

1902 - J Grover or Grove briefly before James Frederick Plumridge again, also briefly. The pub enters a period of instability with frequent landlord changes, suggesting a difficulty in making the business a going concern.

1903 - Henry Talbot landlord. Customer jailed for assaulting him. Grabbed throat and tried to push him into the fire. Customer was disorderly and had been asked to leave premises.

1905 - Frederick Ward

1908 - Charles Read transferred to George Ambrose 

1910 Frank Edwin Wallace  who transferred licence to Thomas Plowman.

1910-1914 Thomas Plowman. He was  on the census as a widower (wife had been Emily originally from Bisham Berkshire). Thomas was originally from Sussex and had worked as a carpenter in the years before he took on the pub. He lived with his daughter Elizabeth and little grandson at the Prince Albert.

We generally list landlords up to around the time of the first world war. The pub is still there today.

Researched by Charlotte Day. 

Selected sources - 

England and Wales Censuses transcribed by me from microfilm except 1911=

"England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7KQ-2JV : 22 July 2019), Thomas Plowman, Hambledon House, Oxfordshire, 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.

and 1881 West Wickham "England and Wales Census, 1881", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27W-92K7 ), Entry for Edmund Shervell and Eliza Shervell, 1881.

Windsor and Eton Express 12th September 1868. British Newspaper Archive, via the BNA. South Bucks Standard 26th October 1894 and 19th March 1897 both British library archives, via the BNA. Maidenhead Advertiser May 8th 1901 as above.

South Bucks Free Press 28 December 1872 

Duttons directory 1863.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N6DJ-X8R

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this information with credit to the blog.

Blue Flag / Old Blue Flag Handy Cross

Today we would probably call this near High Wycombe but Handy Cross was historically in Great Marlow parish.

Property owned by the Clayton family and leased by Wethered's Brewery of Marlow. Sometimes referred to as The Blue Standard. 

 Landlords listing and history timeline:

1833 - William Earis. Premises consisted of a house, adjoining cottage and shoeing forge for a blacksmith. The surname Earis is a very Handy Cross one. It also occurs as Earys, Ayres, Eyres, Ayris, Airis, Aris etc.

1840-Mrs Earis keeps a shop at Handy cross (beer shop?)

1841 - The scene of a meeting of Liberal supporters (known as the Blues) after the election at Great Marlow. Clayton who owned the property was the successful Liberal candidate. The name of the beer house is definitely not a coincidence! The celebration was however premature as Clayton had a majority of just 1 and the  election result was over turned when some of the votes were considered invalid. A Tory candidate then overtook him in the polls and he lost the seat. 

1842 Susanna Earis widow of William of the Blue Flag died age 64. She may be the Mrs Earis who was a shop keeper at Handy Cross in 1840. In this instance "shop" may mean beer shop. Though in 1844 a Joseph Earis, (her son?) was running a grocers shop at Handy Cross and getting in trouble for selling alcohol in it without a licence.

1845 "Old Blue Flag"  - Joseph Earis. Wife Mary Ann nee Beesley. Joseph wants to press charges against three men who he says assaults his wife, her brother and her father at the beer shop. However the case is dismissed as it's considered all were as much to blame as each other. The Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News adds they considered that this was a "beer shop quarrel" caused by the "bad temper" of the landlord and wife. [October 25th 1845]

1863-64 = James Clarke / Clark.  James was an inveterate poacher! In 1863 for example he was fined for being in possession of a pheasant which he said he'd come across on the side of the road. Such things were happening to James a little too often go convince the authorities! In a previous case the same year he was accused by the magistrates of keeping his house open "for the purpose of concocting robberies".   They lamented they did not have the power to take away his licence. On the 1861 census he was a shepherd at Handy Cross with his wife Elizabeth who was a dressmaker.

1868 - William Harper

1869- Brewery were struggling to find a licensee sufficiently respectable for the magistrates to approve of. Sam Beasley has to try three times for the transfer before it's accepted. 

1869-72 Samuel Beasley / Beesley. Wife Mary. In 1870 Samuel's gun, knife and handkerchief were amongst other articles stolen from his premises (Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News 23rd October 1870). The thief was caught and earned 18 months in prison.  Samuel may have sold groceries on the premises too. The Beasleys took over the Royal Oak High Wycombe in 1874 and remained there until 1877.

1873- the police try to get the premises closed, saying it did not meet the minimum size requirements for an alcohol licence. Two adjoining cottages were being used for the business but their combined size couldn't be allowed to count, the police argued, as there was no door or other communication between the two cottages. The magistrate at the licensing hearing offered the brewery (Wethereds of Marlow) a chance to have the property surveyed and revalued but they said they were not bothered about keeping it open as they had the bigger Blacksmith's Arms also at Handy Cross. Yet the Blue Flag at Handy Cross is still mentioned as late as 1902. It is possible it continued as a lodging house only. Many of these had pub-like names and signs. 

1875- premises used for an agricultural auction.

1902- Last known mention of the Blue Flag, Handy Cross as existing (South Bucks Standard 4th July 1902).

Landlords and history of the nearby Blacksmith's Arms, Handy Cross here

Index of pub related posts on this blog here. Contains pubs Great Marlow, Little Marlow, Lane End, Medmenham, Well End.

Written and researched by Charlotte Day.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Early History Of Dedmere Road and Field House / Field House Farm

Dedmere Road, Marlow existed as a rough way through the countryside  as "Dedmere Highway" [Deedmere, Dedmore, Dudmere, Dadsmere....] in the 1600s (access to Common Fields) but its residential development was mainly from the early 1890s onwards. One earlier exception was Dedmere House also known as Field House which existed as the home of James and Sarah Webb and their children by 1871. It was a small distance off of Dedmere Road.  They had moved there from West Street. 

James was a farmer of 20 acres on the 1881 census, employing one man. Two years previously a tame goose and some ducks were stolen from them.

In 1886 the Webb's son in law Charles Fisher a butcher of Harrow was charged with coming to the Webb's house and trying to shoot their guest Mrs Sarah Holm in an effort to force her to produce his wife Mary (known as Polly) who was there with her parents. Sarah had never seen Charles before in her life and seems only to have been confronted by him because she was in the house and opened her window upon hearing banging at the front door in the hope this heralded the arrival of a telegram she was expecting. She seems to have been out of the loop in regards a delicate family situation involving the Webb's and Fishers. The rest of the household, alarm raised by Mrs Webb, in recognising the door knocker had decided to studiously ignore Charles and not let him in to speak to Polly. He fired shots at both the front and rear of the premises. Charles ended up breaking down the door, assaulting a male house guest and asking another to fight with him out in the road. At his trial Polly was excused by the judge from "the pain" of testifying against her husband though she was called as a witness by the prosecution. It is a fallacy that women could not testify against their husband in court- look at court reports and you will see that they did so regularly, but judges and magistrates would be seen as ungentlemanly if they asked a wife to do so if other witnesses could do the job as well. As not everyone in the house had heard any shots and the accused had no reason to wish to harm Sarah Holm the case was dismissed with the option for the Webbs to decide to press charges for Charles breaking into their house or their guest to prosecute for being assaulted but it seems in neither case this happened. Polly was back living with her husband in Harrow at the time of the 1891 census, hopefully with some peace and happiness in her life and this embarrassing incident swept under the carpet. The case seems to have been poorly conducted with the bench ignoring the fact that Charles having a lack of personal animosity towards Sarah Holm was hardly the point on which the probability of his guilt of firing at her hung. She was shot at because she was being intimidated as a person, any person, in the same house as Polly with the aim that Polly would be forced to agree to see him. There is no question that Charles had a gun with him that night, though he initially lied to police about that fact. That poor Sarah Holm had had sufficient motivation to crawl, terrified, in her nightdress along the landing to get help was given no importance by the bench.

Note that Polly's sister Elizabeth was married to Charles's brother William.

The Webb's often seem to have had a house full of guests or lodgers. In 1874 one lodger, Harcout Hardy, who had made his money as a tea merchant in Shanghai, died at the Webb's home from the long term affects of less temperate drinking- several bottles of sherry a day plus whisky. He was only 37. The presence of a live in male medical attendant come servant was insufficient to stop his drinking. The inquest was held at the new Railway Hotel in Marlow. No mention is made in any report of where his wife Amy was living while Harcourt was trying to recover his sobriety in Marlow. The couple had a son Frederick together. Harcourt's will has as beneficiaries a James Hardy and John Gray Hill.

Of long standing farming stock the Webbs would have been quite at home in the then largely still rural vicinity of Dedmere Road. Yes there was the nearby railway station from 1873 with its busy goods yard, and later a chair factory and saw mill in Victoria Road near the junction with Dedmere Road but mostly there were fields all about them.

As was typical in Marlow housing development when it did pick up in Dedmere Road soon far outstripped the ability of the powers that be to keep up with adding the necessary infrastructure. There was no gas main in the road in 1901. A small extension was made that way in 1903 to allow a few street lamps to be provided but five years after that the whole road still did not have the privilege of a gas connection. Nor did all the houses have access even to their own cesspit. The road remained unsurfaced until 1909. The local unemployed were roped in to do the labour for that job.

Flooding from the river could be a problem. Mr P Nelson Smith lived at Field House in 1904 and fumed to the council that the land around his home and the lane leading up to it was under a water for a third of every year. The same year the property was put up for sale by its owner along with 27 acres of accompanying land, pasture and orchards. The advertising stressed the "convenient arrangements" of the "well built house" but naturally did not mention the somewhat aquatic nature of its gardens. 

Previous flooding of the farmland may have been a factor in the business failure of a Mr Hutton Stallworthy farmer of Field House Farm (and Spring Gardens Bourne End) in 1893. He had been at the farm since around 1891 and returned with his wife to Oxfordshire following his insolvency. From there they moved to Hampshire, to Northants and finally via possibly a few other places back to Waddesdon Bucks.

On the plus side all that nearby water helped firefighters quickly quench a fire that broke out on part of the farm in 1892. This part was being used by farmer Mrs Morris so must have been let or sublet separately from the main farm which was then in the hands of Hutton Stallworthy and his wife Emma (nee Dodwell).

On the time of the 1891 census Hutton and Emma had 19 year old Ernest Coltman with them. He is described as a visitor but he was in fact a paying pupil learning farming from Hutton at a cost of £90 a year. Hutton borrowed £100 from him to help buy a traction engine but couldn't keep up with payments and it was seized. Ernest found it difficult to stick with any particular trade, or to stay out of personal debt and  he burned through an inheritance he had received at a rapid rate leading to him too being declared insolvent in 1894. Numerous Marlow tobacco sellers were left with unpaid bills.

Hutton and Emma's son "Earnest" born at Field House Farm in 1893 may have been named after Ernest Coltman as he lived with them at the time.

WW1 touched every part of Marlow including Dedmere. The Reading Mercury on 25th September 1915 reported that Private A Ayres of the Border Regiment, late of Dedmere Road, had died of wounds received at Gallipoli. I have not been able to trace his military service otherwise.

From 1899 to the middle of WW1 Field House Farm was occupied by Keziah and George Barrett who operated it as a dairy farm. It had by then increased in size from the 20 acres James Webb had had to 30 acres. They had bought the farm from the executors of an Alfred Webb in 1899. On the 1911 census the Barretts had a 20 year old servant girl Florrie Yates living with them but perhaps either servant or mistress was unhappy as a few weeks after the census Keziah advertised for a new servant girl - wages up to £11 a year.

Keziah and George both died in 1916 and the farm stock was sold off. Coming in after them was the rather shady Edward Fenner Fennel, horse dealer and dairy farmer, who went bankrupt almost immediately. He had a string of aliases making straightening out his financial affairs a challenge. In 1919 he was given 6 months hard labour in Kent for forging a reference.

After the war there was increased development in the Dedmere area. Though still mainly residential in character the neighbourhood included the Greenwich Saw Mill in Victoria Road which had replaced the earlier chair factory come saw mill as mentioned above. Dedmere Road residents were amongst those who went to the Council in 1946 to complain about the amount of sawdust from it that blew their way. The council did not consider much could be done about it.

From (at least) the 1920s to at least the late 1950s Field House Farm was used by the Pinches family as a stud specializing at first in cart and van pulling horses then later in quality riding horses. It was also a riding school and I believe a livery stable too. It was sometimes then called Pinches Farm. Mrs Pinches who ran the riding school was Margaret nee Morris whose family were at Barmoor Farm in Marlow.

Researched and written by Charlotte Day.

Related Posts:

For more history posts about specific Marlow Streets or named houses see this menu. There is a lot for instance on the people of nearby address Glade Road.

Over 4,000 people are mentioned on this blog. Search for all mentions of anyone on the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. You will find plenty more Webb family mentions amongst many other people.

Everyday life in old Marlow post index: Here

Sources Included:

Reading Mercury 12th August 1911 and 17th July 1886. British Library Archives, accessed via the BNA.

The Timber Trade Journal and Saw Mill Advertiser Volume 77 published by De LA Rue.

"England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPJ3-3DBS : 30 August 2018), Harcourt William Hardy, 16 Oct 1874; citing Probate, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Great Britain.; FHL microfilm .

Census transcription by Charlotte Day except 1891 Harrow which was by Jane Pullinger.

GRO marriage registration index, GRO online.

Marlow Directory and Almanack 1907, Marlow Printing Company.

Kellys Directory 1915 by Kellys Directories Limited. 

Slough Eton and Windsor Observer July 17 1886 - Slough Library

Maidenhead Advertiser 29th July 1904. 

South Bucks Standard 30th June 1893 and July 13th 1894. These two editions British Library Archives, accessed via the BNA.

Bucks Free Press 10th November 1916, Bucks Free Press Archives.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this research for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog.

Webb's Gang Of Marauders

 In the 1820's Great Marlow and the country about was in a state of terror to quote one newspaper of the day. The neighborhood was the victim of a prolonged crime wave encompassing house breaking, robbery, and sheep stealing to name a few. Householders were aghast at the seeming impunity with which the criminals were able to conduct their business. It seemed no one was safe from their attentions, whether a shop keeper or a wealthy landowner. 

Rumours and counter rumours circulated but the conclusion generally reached was that a good number of the crimes were very professionally done and quite possibly the work of one determined and prolific gang. Some thought they were from London, others from Reading, but the truth was unfortunately a little closer to hand. 

Webb's Gang

Webb's gang of marauders, or Webb's banditos as they were generally known, consisted of a large number of men. It is doubtful we can ever be sure of the identity of all the members. Some also worked independently at least some of the time but it was as a "frightful confederacy" that they aroused the most fear. The Webb of the title refers to the supposed ringleader Richard Webb of Cookham Dean, whose brother Thomas was also heavily involved as well as other relatives who participated in a more minor way. The other principle member was blacksmith James Ayres (Earis, Ayris,Eyres) of Handy Cross but there were many others.

Stolen To Order

Richard Webb said he was born in Mapledurham. He certainly worked Oxfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. James Ayres in his respectable day job as blacksmith was the one responsible for scouting a number of properties for nefarious purposes. He was called upon to do jobs at many of the large estates in the area, including that belonging to significant Marlow landowner Sir William Clayton at Harleyford. James had an excellent reputation as a craftsmen and was often called back to do more work by his satisfied wealthy clients. Unfortunately while on the estates, James took the opportunity to assess the best way in and out, and what livestock would be available to liberate. The gang had a particular interest in meat for reasons that will soon become clear! It is likely that James used his smith skills to provide the tools of the housebreaking trade that were later found in the gangs possession. 

Richard had a barn at Cookham Dean, which was used to store much of the gangs tools and ill gotten gains, in pits under the floor to protect them from casual notice. These hiding places were partially uncovered during a thorough search after his eventual capture but it's telling that some of them were only discovered when a gang member revealed their location. Money was also found under the floorboards of his home. Richard worked, amongst other things, as a carrier of goods between Maidenhead / Cookham, and London. This provided him with the perfect cover for frequent trips to the capital to dispose of the stolen goods. It also enables him to take orders for the gangs next jobs. Orders? Yes, such was the gangs success at stealing livestock that they supplied a number of cookshops and butchers with their regular meat orders! Chief amongst these, was that belonging to brother Thomas Webb. Richard appears also to have had a cookshop, at Ipstone (Ibstone) for a time - a premises there was certainly supplied by them but there is some confusion as to ownership. For example, Lord Carrington's estate at Wycombe Abbey was a favourite stop  - 13 turkeys, 5 geese and a number of fowls were taken on one average occasion. It was often wondered afterwards how the gang managed to steal such quantities of animals at once, without making too much noise. It was suspected by understandably embarrassed estate staff that the gang were drugging the beasts, but at first this was dismissed as pure speculation  The gang were regarded as ambitious and reckless but yet remained at large. Poor farmer James Crook at Clay Lane was another repeated victim. Horses, pigs, sheep...all found their way into the gangs hands. (Another man was  10 years later transported in connection with a theft from James, which also involved some Handy Cross residents!) Mr King of Chisbridge Farm near Bovingdon Green also suffered more than one raid on his larder. 

Where it all began

Thomas Webb would later say that he had first came to know Ayres and his friend Reeves while he was living at the tiny hamlet of Spital Cross not far from Handy Cross. Thomas had worked as a farm labourer, shepherd and ploughman and was approximately 35 years old. At some point he had suffered an injury to one eye, leaving him partially sighted. 

The men had gone poaching together mostly on Clayton and Carrington land around Marlow, Harleyford and Wycombe. Their success lead them to consider operations on a somewhat wider scale. In 1825 Thomas had moved from Spittal Cross to Willsden, Middlesex where he rented a house and set up a cookshop there, before moving to Sleaford Place Battersea to run the same. Those tucking into the hot mutton dinners and pies may have been surprised to find the shop was entirely supplied by criminal endeavour.  The brothers Webb had became the centre of the gang that would bear their name. Ayres was already allegedly an experienced house breaker and the men were connected to many other thieves, poachers, and fences. 

Christmas Keeps Them Busy

In December 1826 the gang were particularly prolific, going on a thieving spree on a considerable scale to fulfil Christmas orders. Perhaps they were too busy to be as careful at covering their tracks but suddenly Thomas Webb came under suspicion. On Boxing Day, he was apprehended at his Battersea Fields cook shop where a suspicious amount of valuable meat remained which could not be properly accounted for. He was subsequently sentenced to death and held at Reading gaol in the mean time. Previously only relatively minor if prolific members of the gang had been arrested.   

James Ayres was unaware that the net about him was beginning to tighten. Also in December 1826, he partnered with his frequent collaborator,  labourer Edward Reeves lately of Wycombe, to commit yet another burglary. The victim this time was the "most respectable" widow Rachel Wise of Cockpole near Wargrave. Rachel had a chandler's shop. She locked up as normal on the 23rd December and retired to bed on the premises, sleeping soundly through the entire experience. This is perhaps fortunate as uncorroborated claims in contemporary newspapers suggested that Reeves had expressed a wish to "do for" the lady should she disturb them at which Ayres had suggested she would scream too much so they had better hold off any plans to finish her off. These "two desperate characters" were waiting and watching outside. Under the cover of darkness they removed the outer door and helped themselves to poor Rachel's seasonal takings plus items from the larder of course. Bacon, butter, pies and tobacco amongst other goods. They around this time also robbed the home of Mrs Skinner in Wargrave. 

A Noose Awaits Richard

The end came for Richard early in 1827. He stole a horse from Thomas Pearman of Mapledurham, and also set light to a barn at the property. The exact reason for the latter action is uncertain, with statements at the time suggesting he either had a particular grudge against Pearman or it was an accidental action. Either way, Richard's luck had run out and the horse was traced before he could pass it on. Arrested at last, with something less than the struggle predicted, Richard found himself in Oxford gaol. He was convicted, and sentenced to death. Horse stealing was regarded as a particular serious theft and the sentence was virtually inevitable, even if he had been suspected of involvement in no other crime. He was hung outside the county gaol on the 27th March 1827. 

Net Closing On All

 Interest was now focused on Ayres and Reeves. It was not the first time the pair had targeted the Cockpole area and it seems their appearance had begun to arouse suspicion when it coincided with a crime. Local landowner Edmund Gardiner of Remenham Lodge was determined to stop the crime wave locally. He set about tracing James and Edward and pursued them relentlessly. Mostly thanks to his efforts in posting rewards for information, the "ruffians" were caught although not for several months.  They were recognised as the last remaining significant members of Webb's gang and with their arrest in 1827, the country breathed a cautious sigh of relief.  One man in particular must have been grateful.. Wycombe mill clerk John Fowler. When the gang had raided the premises of his employer Mr Prestage in 1824, they had made away with a quantity of money. So skillfully had the gang broke in that at first it was considered an inside job and as counting house clerk poor John Fowler had come under suspicion. He had protested his innocence and no action was taken against him but he felt that suspicion had only really  been lifted from his shoulders when items from the mill were found in the gangs possession. Some members subsequently confessed to the group's involvement there. (Ayres and Reeves were the principle two involved)

By the time of Ayres trial, Thomas Webb was already sentenced to death. This was however commuted to transportation for life. His crime was recieving stolen goods, which was often treated as seriously as doing the crime itself, in order to act as a deterrent to those enabling the wrongdoers to lead a profitable life.  As such I have noticed that this sequence of events, a capital sentence followed by immediate or virtually immediate commutation to something such as transportation was common. After his conviction at the Berkshire Assizes, Thomas made quite a lengthy confession to his gaoler. In this he detailed the gangs involvement in a number of crimes they had not been suspected of. He was transported for life on the ship Marmion on the 2 Nov 1827, arriving at Van Diemens Land in March 1828. There he was placed in a chain gang with hard labour a condition of his commuted sentence. The time he was to spend in this way was extended by 3 months after he was caught stealing vegetables growing in the garden of a Mr Kennedy. 

The Trial Of Ayres

Ayres trial was therefore held after other gang members had at length derailed his involvement in their confederacy. The principle witness against him was described as the wife of an already convicted gang member whose husband had been sentenced to transportation. I believe this was the wife of Thomas Webb. This lady aroused the pity of many of those watching, as she held a baby in her arms during her evidence. This little child was cheerfully gurgling and playing with its mother's bonnet ribbons, unaware of the fact it had lost its father and he or she was hearing words that would seal the fate of another. The judge however said the wives evidence came from a "contaminated" source as she had profited from her own husband's involvement with the crimes committed. The jury should therefore disregard her testimony if it could not be corroborated by other evidence. Unfortunately for 25 year old Ayres, it could. It was proven amongst other things that he had access to a barn in which the tools of the criminal trade were found. (Muzzled pistols, picklocks, crowbars, adapted lanterns). James had used his smithy to process some of the group's bounty. For example he erased the private marks on the silverware stolen from a wealthy lady in Sonning, which would have easily identified the pieces as hers. 

He was found guilty and sentenced to transportation for life. He was according to the Berkshire Chronicle, one of the most accomplished burglars ever let loose on his majesties subjects.  He was transferred to the York Hulk in September 1827 to await transportation. He left on the same ship as Thomas Webb, the Marmion, which departed Portsmouth on 2 November 1827, and arrived at Van Diemens Land 6 March 1828. In 1843 it was reported that James was going to be given a general pass or ticket of leave, while the governor awaited a decision on his recommendation that James be given a pardon, or end to his sentence.  It looks like James was indeed granted a conditional pardon. A pardon is not a quashing of the conviction. Those transported for life were usually entitled to be considered for a ticket of leave after 8 years or so served, subject to good behaviour. This ticket allowed them more freedom, and the ability to do paid work. Then a pardon may be issued, which might be conditional or absolute, the latter allowing legal return to the UK. James appears to have been giving leave to settle anywhere that wasn't in Europe so he could go to another colony. I believe he stayed in Australia as he made an application for his family to join him there. 

Bold and Unblushing

It seems that even the most suspicious were stunned by how many crimes the men had got away with for years. "Short of murder they were stained with every species of crime"..their "atrocities" "without parallel".  What everyone wanted to know was how they had managed to take sometimes dozens of animals, night after night. The answer according to Thomas Webb, was that they had drugged the beasts by sprinkling peas and barley meal mixed with laudenham on the ground. In 10 minutes they could collect the senseless animals with ease they said and carry them off. 

I am uncertain yet as to what happened to Edward Reeve (s) immediately after  his arrest. He was caught at the same time as Ayres but does not seem to go on trial at that time. He may be the Edward Reeves who was transported for 7 years on the Sarah in August 1829, although this conviction was for perjury. A delay between conviction and transportation is not uncommon, with the time spent in a mixture of gaol and prison hulks but further research is needed. Edward had lived in Marlow but immediately before his rest he had been living at the Bull inn in High Wycombe. 

Other Members:

I have mentioned the leading gang members so now is a mention of some others. 

Firstly I will mention two boys who were not gang members but who were taken on at least one burglary expedition. Perhaps to learn the trade. This is according to the confession of Thomas Webb. These were the two nephews of Thomas, William who was age 14 at the time, and James age 11. The two youngsters took no active part in proceedings and no action was taken against them. At the time it was stated as shocking that such young men were due to be indoctrinated in the trade, which was perhaps out of touch with the reality of child crime. 

James Rockall/ Rockell of Remenham. Transported for life, Bucks Assizes. Left on ship Mangles July 1824 age 21. Mostly involved in burglary. Worked with Ayres, Biggs, and Dean on a number of jobs.  See Dean below. In 1825 was convict servant in Newcastle to Dr Carlyle. In 1828 was working as assigned shephard to F & A Little. Granted ticket of leave 1830 as he apprehended a bush ranger targeting his employer Archibald Little. (A horse had been stolen) Place given then as Gammon Plains.  Sometimes given as Rockhol. 

Richard Biggs/Briggs of Wycombe. Alias Johnson. Mostly involved in the burglaries. 

Transported for life 1824, on the transport ship Mangles. See Dean below. 

Josiah "Dutchman" Deane. Age 19 on conviction in March 1824 at Aylesbury. One of those involved in the Chisbridge thefts. Sentenced to transportation for life. A carter from High Wycombe. Left with Rockall and Biggs on board the ship Mangles which departed under master John Cogshill in July 1824 and arrived New South Wales 27 October 1824. Conduct on the journey "pretty good". Assigned as convict servant to "Mr Crawford". In 1828 is still a servant, at Ellalong. 

"Donkey Dean" identity not properly established. Not apprehended. 

Thomas East of Marlow. Said to have been caught by March 1827 and likely to be transported but I have not researched him further yet. From a long family of butchers. Suspected of handling stolen goods. 

William Clark. Possibly of Marlow. 

 Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

© MarlowAncestors. 

 Related Posts:

To find all posts about an individual here use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

Other crime related posts including tales of more convicts, poachers etc here

Clay Lane farm mentioned above ; history timeline here

Sources include:

Handy Cross research by Charlotte and Kathryn. 

Pearce Egans Life In London, 12 aug 1827, digitised by Google.  

Sun London August 1827. (Collected edition, circa 1899)

Oxford University and City Herald 

31 March 1827

Hampshire Chronicle 2 April 1827

Oxford Journal 10 March and 28 July 1827, Via the BNA. 

The Globe 25 August 1827, via the BNA. 

Berkshire Chronicle 29 September 1827 British Library. 

Australian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 89, Class and Piece Number HO11/6, Page Number 291 (147)

Convict Indents. State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 12188; Item: [4/4009A]; Microfiche: 654

Https://www.freesettlerorfelon.com

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Part 2 1820s Marlow Trade Directory

After exhaustive trawling of wills, property records, court cases, adverts etc I have put together a trade directory for Marlow in the 1820s. It will never be complete, especially for women who make less of a mark in surviving records, but it may be interesting to you anyway. For some of those listed the exact premises are known, and some of the traders have dedicated posts about them already on the blog. See the A-Z Person Index for any mention however small of any particular person or Biographies of Individuals for full length dedicated posts only.

This is ongoing work. I have lots more names to add.

Part one contained occupations Auctioneers to Insurance Agents alphabetically and is available here

Can't find your ancestor? Look at my 1820s Street Directory of Marlow. This lists for every street not just those with a known trade but anyone we have found as a tenant of land or property there but for whom no known trade has been identified.

Ironmongers

John Henry Badger. 1822+ High Street.

Lydia Lane, West Street. To death 1844. More on Lydia here.

Lace Makers

Samuel Washbourn (business owner). Probably Chapel Street, was later.

Lace Merchants

John Glover. Dean Street. 1822

Henry Lovegrove. West Street. From pre 1820s. In 1822 Henry was injured when his gig was run into by the Greenwich stage coach. He received £10 compensation for his injuries and the damage to his vehicle.  

Lawyers / Solicitors

Henry Allnutt. Died 1821. Keen amateur gardener whose detailed notebooks of his success and failures in his Marlow kitchen garden were used by grandson Henry to produce "A system for Cropping a Kitchen Garden" published 1867. 

Henry Goldsmith. Chapel Street. 1823. Started as clerk to Robert Goldsmith, in Marlow.

Ralph Spicer 1826 to after 1820s. Biographical post on him here.

Mr Wright. Pre 1820s. High Street 1822-29. Probably John.

Liquor Merchants

Charles Wethered. 1820+. High Street. Earlier described as a malster.

Malsters

Samuel Barnes. St Peter's Street.

James House. Medmenham.

Thomas Webb.

Millwrights

Charles Moss. 1828.

Papermakers

John Dell. Will proved 1821.

John Jacques.

Francis Pepper. From pre 1820s.

Joseph Wright. From pre 1820s.

Pawnbrokers

James Clark from at least 1806 to at least 1823.

Daniel Humphries 1821. Will written 1826. Also a substantial landlord. Market Place. Someone tried to sell him a stolen velveteen waistcoat in 1822.

Plumbers

Mr Cox. Market Square. 1826.

George Goldsmith. Dean Street. 1823.  In business to at least 1836 but not necessarily in Dean Street. 2. George Wilmer Goldsmith, plumber and glazier, died July 1834.  

John Rance Lovegrove. West Street. Also glazier. Pre 1820+. Died 1827. Will proved 1828. First wife was Susanna. Second was Henrietta. Third wife Harriet (all as per will). Business left to his son James Thomas Lovegrove who worked with him by 1823. John witnessed the will of fellow West Street resident William Sawyer. See  here. Will summary of John's daughter Mary is available here

Joshua Phillips. Little Marlow. Also Publican etc. See here

Postmaster 

James Field, also insurance agent. Also teacher, see schools below. Will here

"Publicans", Innkeepers, beer sellers etc - for more on all these pubs and publicans see our Pub Related Index of posts here NB publican as job description was not in common use at this time, it is included to aid modern readers. 

Thomas Archer. White Hart number 2 (Spittal Square) see Mary Fletcher below. 1823 to post 1820s. 

James Biddle. Unknown premises. 1826.

Thomas Bowen. Red Lion. 1823 to post 1820s.

William Bowles. Greyhound Inn. 1825. Greyhound landlord listing - here

William Bowles. Six Bells. 1823-24. Probably same as above.

Richard Clark. Jolly Maltsters. Dean Street. More here The name Clark has a very long pub / innkeeping heritage in Marlow. Later at Rose and Crown Dean Street.

William Clark. The Ship. West Street. 1823-24. Wife Ann.

Robert Collins. Victualler. Will 1826. Premises unknown.

William Cresswell. 1823 to post 1820s. Complete Angler/ The Angler(s), Angler Inn. Read more on him here

George Davis. The Chequers.High Street.

George Phelps Dell. Barge Pole, to into the 1830s. See the grave of him and some others of his family here

Mary Fletcher. White Hart number one (Chapel Street). To post 1820s. There were two White Hart pubs at the same time.

Richard Furnell. Upper Crown. Died on premises of a fit of apoplexy 1820.

John Green - at the Three Horseshoes, Burroughs Grove. 1826. More on him.and his family 

William Harding. Throughout period. Turks Head. High Street.  Also shoemaker.

George Hawkins. Two Brewers 1823. Wife Mary. This may be a mistake for John.

John Hawkins. Two Brewers. Died 1826. Wife Mary then ran.

Mary Hawkins (nee Hewett). Widow of John above. Two Brewers. 1826+. 

William Hoare. Three Horseshoes Gun Lane. 1823+

William Lloyd. The Roebuck, Causeway. 1823+ A man of the same name was a butcher. Probably not the same man though many beer sellers had other occupations at the same time.

Robert Mossenton. Greyhound Inn. Started 1819. Left 1825. Also a horse dealer. Went Uxbridge. Coach from his premises to and from London Piccadilly via Maidenhead. Only a five hour trip each way! For more than on this and other stagecoach services, see here

Joshua Phillips. Kings Arms, Little Marlow. See here.

John Pierce / Pearse. Coach and Horses. West Street. 1823+ There was another man who was a butcher with this name in town at the same time.

Richard Ruddle.1829. Was a few years later at the Hare and Hounds and was most likely already there in 1829 too. Earlier in the 1820s was described as a tallow Chandler.

William Sparkes. Black Boy.

Richard Westbrook. Upper Crown. 1823-24. Mr Westbrook 1826.

Robert White. The Swan. 1823.

Thomas Wyatt. Horns Inn. 1823 to post 1820s. Much more about him and his family here 

Rope Makers

Richard Gibbons. From at least 1822. Also Hemp and Flax Merchant. In the 1840s Gibbons of Marlow provided ropes for ringing the church bells at Hambledon on several occasions. Lived St Peter's Street. Also brewer etc 

John Muspratt. 1819+. Labourer rope spinner.

Saddlers 

Hackshaw and Son. (And harness makers) Thomas and John. Partnership dissolved 1821 (insolvent) West Street. Thomas provided ropes for ringing the bells of Hambledon church 13 times between 1803 - 1839. He may be the parish constable mentioned here. John was again insolvent 1823. See under harness makers for more on him.

Sawyers

Robert Rose. 1828+

Shoemakers - see Bootmakers and Cordwainers. 

School Teacher's see the Education section on the General Marlow History menu here for more on these schools and teachers.

Misses Bond. West Street. Perhaps Mary Ann and Elizabeth who were apprentice teachers early in the 1800s to Sophia Tylecote at Albion House set up their own school later.

George Cole. Day School for boys Chapel Street. 1812 to post 1820s.

William Faulkner. Great Marlow School at Prospect House. 1826 to post 1820s.

William Francis. Borlase.

James Field. High Street. Also post master. To post 1820s.

Misses Field. West Street. To post 1820s. Probably Matilda and her sister.

Mary Garland Lovegrove. 1829+. West Street. Day and boarding g school for girls. Her will on the blog and more on her here.

Misses Rolls. Brampton House. High Street. 1823 to post 1820s.

Henry Terry. Prospect House. 1823-26.

Servants (selected)

William Hackshaw. 1822.

Skewer Makers -more on this trade in Marlow here

Mr Robinson. 1829. (Business owner)

Mr Todd. 1829.

Stone Masons

Theophilus Clifford, High Street 1823 to post 1820s. Post on him here

Surgeons

Robert Colbourne. Started in town in 1823. Also apothecary. To post 1820s.

John Creighton. 1828. 

Henry Riggs Goodman.  1825-27 at least. By 1831 he was living in Portland Place Islington and was the Surgeon for an orphanage. Looks to have emigrated to Canada with his second wife shortly afterwards.

John Goodman, High Street 1823,24.

William Hickman. Pre 1820s to post 1820s. See here for more on him.

John Shaw. From pre 1820s. Will proved 1823. Also apothecary. High Street. See his grave and will summary here. Robert Colbourne takes over his practice. 

Robert Colbourne : see Shaw above. 

Tailors

James Allum. 1821.

William Allum. Through period to at least 1840s. High Street. A Mr Allum senior tailor died 1830. Perhaps a father to William?

Henry Clark, West Street 1823

Samuel Clark. West Street. To post 1820s.

Joseph Grey. 1824+. In High Street 1830s, may already have been.

William Massey. 1820.

Tallow Chandlers

John Gibbons. See Grocers above, same man. 

Mary Horniman. West Street. 1825.

Richard Ruddle. 1823. By 1829 was a publican at unknown premises and by 1833 ran the Hare and Hounds pub. 

Thatchers

William Higgins. Died 1829. Well End near Little Marlow. 

Tinplate Workers

William Harper. West Street. 1823.

Turners

George Ball. 1828.

James Ball. 1826.

George Bavin. 1825. Brother of William below.

William Bavin. Chair maker and publican later. See here

Henry Hawes. 1823+

James Pusey. To 1822.

Watchmakers

Mr Costar. Chapel Street. 1829. May be same as below.

John Coster. Chapel Street. 1821

Edward Jackson. West Street. Pre 1820s to 1823.

Wheelwrights

George Butler. 1820.

James Cox. 1826+ Probably working for Thomas below.

Thomas Cox. Oxford Road / Quoiting Square. To post 1820s.

Stephen East. 1823 to post 1820s. Was later in Spittal Street running the Wheelwrights Arms pub too.

John Green. Chapel Street.

Wine Merchants

Charles Wethered. High Street.  Earlier described as malster.

Wire Manufacturers

John Washbourn. Bankrupt 1822.

Wood Cutters

Francis Friar. 1827.

Related Posts:

Recreated 1600s trade directory Part One

Recreated 1700s trade directory here

Index of posts related to specific shops and businesses here

Call the Apothecary! here

 

To find every mention of a family or individual here, use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

By Charlotte Day. Additional research Kathryn Day. 

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse this material for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Lane Grave Hurley

 Hurley churchyard.

Mrs Ann Ayres Lane who departed this life July 24th 1861 aged 62.

Photographed March 2021.

Post by Charlotte Day.

Find more graves on the blog by looking at the Graves option on the menu.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use content for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

A Valued Maidservant

This interesting grave in All Saints reads:

Duffin White d. October 19th 1793, age 56

ALSO OF 

Sarah Dennis. Date of death unreadable as it's obscured by grass and grave is leaning forward slightly. However burial records tell me Sarah died 1794.

Duffin White was a cooper of Great Marlow whose will was written and proved 1793. In it Duffin appointed his serving maid Sarah Dennis [spinster], who is buried with him as his main heir and sole executor of the will. Sarah inherited the house they lived in [which was in the High Street] all the furniture, Duffin's stock in trade and any residual property.

She was also the trustee - along with George Trash the Marlow surgeon - of two more properties which Duffin had owned and which were to be sold to pay other legacies in the will.

These legacies were:

Kinsman Henry Laurence, bargeman of Great Marlow £5

Cousin Ann Webb widow of Great Marlow £5

Cousin Elizabeth wife of John Beaver £5.

The will was witnessed by Marlow men Thomas Rolls a draper, Richard Aveling a grocer and attorney Robert Goldsmith.

Duffin was baptised at Great Marlow in 1737 to Thomas and Ann White.

Sarah was baptised at Great Marlow in 1765 to Samuel and Elizabeth Dennis. She did not live long to enjoy her inheritance as she died the year after Duffin.

In her will she said that she was sick and weak. She asked George Trash to sell her home and all her china, plate [silver] and linen to pay the legacies she wanted to give. George himself got £10 while a Mary Glanville who lived with her was to receive £5. An income of 2 shillings a week each went to her aunts Jane Ayres a widow and Anne Humphreys. After their deaths I think her uncle Thomas Dennis, a bricklayer was to receive it.

Sarah asked for twin headstones to be put on her late master's grave. One to her, the other to Duffin White and a Thomas White whose headstone was to be altered or replaced (I couldn't quite read it) to say the names and ages of Thomas and Duffin White. Presumably this Thomas was the Thomas who was Duffin's father, though he may be a brother to Duffin or another relative. Obviously George Trash for some reason did not carry out these instructions precisely as to the gravestones. It is possible however that the stone we see today is a later replacement.

Will witnesses were James Glanville a maltster, Thomas Rolls a draper and Robert Goldsmith an attorney. 

Photo by Kathryn Day. Research by Charlotte Day.

To find other wills on the blog see Will Transcriptions on the top drop down menu. See also the Graves and Person Index options.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this content for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog and a link here.