Edwardian Spittal Street and Spittal Square Part Two

EVEN NUMBERED PROPERTIES SPITTAL STREET.

Note: Our Marlow ancestors were terrible at giving precise or consistent street addresses for themselves or others, knowing exactly what number they lived at (!), and the authorities made some confusing even bizarre property numbering decisions (don't get us started on Berwick Road... ). Some properties in Market Square at the bottom of Spittal Street were officially numbered as if in Spittal Street and would be described as being in Market Square or Spittal Street depending on the whim of the describer. They are included here. Properties in Spittal Square were also numbered as if in Spittal Street. Most of those were given even numbers. Throughout history Spittal Street and Chapel Street which run into one another were repeatedly confused. Never believe any property is definitely in one street rather than the other without multiple pieces of evidence!

***Edwardian building numbers are not necessarily those of the modern day*** Several of the properties mentioned below no longer exist.

In this post I follow the popular perception of the "Edwardian age" as extending 1901-1914. Some incidents in the earlier lives of the named residents are also included. Spittal Square addresses are very sloppy and reconstructing this street was tough.  If anyone has been missed we hope to remedy that as soon as possible.

2 - 4 George Dorsett's grocery shop. Really in Market Square but numbered as Spittal Street at this time. Bacon curer too. 

6 - 8 William Fisher's butcher's shop. Managed in a day to day basis by Frank Fisher from 1905 but William still in charge of the business overall. William was involved in an accident in 1910 when his horse drawn trap was in collision in the High Street with another vehicle and he was thrown out of it. William was much injured but fortunately had no broken bones. In the Edwardian era William supplied meat and groceries to the Union workhouse school in Bledlow Bucks which took children from Marlow and elsewhere. The quality of the meat he provided was questioned more than once. It has be said that the premises of William were considered a continuous serious health hazard by his Spittal Street neighbours and he was multiple times in court over sanitary breaches. The details are somewhat stomach churning and as you may have recently eaten we'll just draw a veil over the details. Like many butchers he kept some animals for slaughter - mostly pigs- out the back of his premises. In the Victorian era he had kept a stall at Marlow market too but it isn't clear whether he was still doing that in this era. By the end of the Edwardian age William no longer lived on the premises of his shop, but in Glade Road. His wife Elizabeth was nee Webb of the Webb of Field House Marlow family. William himself came from Aylesbury originally.

Premises on the edge of Market Square.

10  Sometimes given as Market Square but numbered as Spittal Street. Shop of Thomas "Tom" Rippington (bn 1879) fishmonger in 1907 and 1908. He also dealt in game and poultry. Smoked haddock a speciality! He was an assistant fishmonger on the 1901 census so must have come into his own business after that. Thomas is not to be confused with his dad Thomas Rippington of nearby Chapel Street who was not a fishmonger but a shorthand writer and marine store dealer. Tom and his wife Ruth moved to Great Missenden in late 1910 or 11 and his former Marlow premises were taken over by Nelson and Sons butchers. 

12 Sydney Smith's greengrocers. Members of this family continued the shop there for some years.

14 - 16 Bernal Harman chemist until his death in 1906 when his son Henry "Harry" Harman took over. A full biography of both Bernal and his son is already on the blog here. Long term chemist premises. 

18 William Smith, draper's shop. Wife Martha Jane ("Jane") born circa 1853 Maidenhead but William was a Londoner of origin. He was one of Marlow's volunteer firemen. Martha died after what was said to be a long and painful illness in 1908 at their home The Garth, Beaumont Rise. William continued to live at The Garth as a widower with his children Herbert and Dora. (Currently a greengrocer & sweet shop) 

Advert, 1905. 

20 Ironmongery ran by George Meakes until his death in 1903. Assisted by John Eddowes who then took over. A biographical post on these two is already on the blog here. Currently M&S food. 

22 - 24 Arthur Barnard's stores which were built at the very end of the Edwardian era. He already has a biography on the blog here where you will also find information about his two other shops. Prior to that three very small cottages stood on the site. Those properties were previously occupied by Thomas Andrews the hairdresser (wife Elizabeth), H Carter and the Steele family headed by William and Rosanna "Rose" Steele. William was a french polisher on his own account. His and Rosanna's son Sydney died of wounds he received while fighting in the First World War at Salonika. The Steele family previously lived at Bovingdon Green but had to leave when their thatched cottage burned to the ground. It was thought a spark from their fire of furze ignited the thatch. No one in the family was hurt and the family's possessions were saved. A lack of available water for the fire brigade and the fact the road from Marlow was so bad that the fire engine got stuck had contributed to the fire's destruction of their home. Using furze for fire would have been common at Bovingdon Green and Marlow Common as it could be gathered easily in the vicinity. Currently Marlow Bookshop. 

26 - 30 The Greyhound. For the Edwardian and other landlords of this historic  inn / hotel see here. (Demolished) 

32 Jacob's family home & store. Ralph Jacobs was a "marine store" dealer - that is a seller of secondhand items that would largely be of interest to those in trade or craft occupations (e.g carpentry tools or lead piping). They also traded in secondhand items a householder might use for gardening or home maintenance tasks. Examples of such items would be cloths  that could be used for cleaning, slop pails and garden tools. He later also operated as a rag and bone man and offered shoe repairs. His shop was at 32 but he also kept a storeroom for larger items in Duke's Place. His sons John and Ernest both helped in the business. Sadly Ernest was killed in action while fighting in the First World War. The mum in the family was Emily Margaret. This property no longer exists. In the first world war the Jacobs collected many items for the war effort. Demolished. 

34 Over the Edwardian period George Dean boot and shoe maker and Ellen White needlewoman both occupied this cottage at different times. This property no longer exists. The cottage was a very old one that had in Georgian and Victorian times been a grocer's shop. To read about the grocers who operated from no 34 in the 1800s see here (Eagle Family) or here (East and Harriman). The latter post contains some upsetting content. Demolished. 

36 - 38 a largish property divided up in several ways. Wiggington family premises for many years. Robert Wiggington the coal dealer with a sideline in timber dealing operated from here as apparently did George Aughton a timber dealer who had a sideline in coal. George was also later recorded as a greengrocer and haulage contractor. Robert Wiggington died unexpectedly while out on his coal van in 1915. The property incorporated a shop (officially 38) which was ran as a general shop in the Edwardian era by Miss Emma Glynn Jones the Wiggington's granddaughter and later by George Aughton's wife Charlotte. This property no longer exists in any way.

40 - by the 1920s incorporated into number 38. This property no longer exists. In 1915 just after our era R Hawkes.

42 -cottage considered unfit for human habitation in 1907, owned by a Mr Collins. Probably lived in then by Mr J Edwards. This property no longer exists. 

44 cottage considered unfit for human habitation in 1907, owned by a Mr Collins. Probably lived in then by Mrs Young. Must have been refurbished as in 1915 just after our era no 44 was lived in by Walter Tew. This property no longer exists.

46 The Cross Keys SPITTAL SQUARE properly. Historic landlords listing here

48 at the end of this era the home of John Baxter. In earlier Edwardian times it was George Baxter, "wardrobe dealer" (that was a second hand furniture dealer not just selling wardrobes) who lived here.  SPITTAL SQUARE. Note the Rippington's wardrobe dealers was at no 2 Chapel Street next to the Cross Keys. Due to the bizarreness of the street numbering no 48 Spittal Square was actually on the opposite side of the street from the Cross Keys at no 46 which from bare numbering you would think would be next to it.

50 the home of widow Mary Ann Walker embroiderer at the start of the Edwardian era. She lived there with her niece Miss Mary Ann Stockbridge born 1857, who was a maker of embroidered baby bibs for her aunt's business, and then following her own death on her own account. Both women were beneficiaries of the will of Mary Ann Walker's husband Henry (who ran the baby linen and bib manufacturing business with his wife) following his death of bronchitis in 1894. The family had occupied this property since at least the 1870s. The Walkers employed many women in the town as embroiderers. Henry had spent his youth in the army, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant, not an easy thing for an ordinary man to do in those days. During his time serving in India he was part of the force which seized the famed Koh I Noor diamond and fought against the Indian Mutiny. After he left the armed services in 1864 he returned to Marlow, married and set up the embroidery business with his wife. SPITTAL SQUARE.

52-54 bakery of Walter Harris (also confectioner) and then Mr W Clark. SPITTAL SQUARE.

56 Mrs Mary Holland seamstress, self-employed. SPITTAL SQUARE.

58  John Birdseye. Baker there since at least the early 1890s. Spittal Square. He was in the same block of 4 properties as Frank Harvey the chimney sweep see above, so was an even number. John was born circa 1831 in Chesham. His wife Eliza was of Marlow origin. She died in 1904 and so late in the era as a retired widower John went to live with his daughter Sarah and son in law James Gray (a grocer and rent collector) at the impressive house Thamesfield near the river. Back in 1897 when Queen Victoria's jubilee was being celebrated in Marlow John put on an unusual public display when he exhibited some bread and cakes which he had made for the 1887 Jubilee, 10 years previously still in very good condition! John as a younger man served as a parish constable. The graves of Eliza and John are on the blog here. Both were members of the Baptist Church in Marlow and helped to raise money for its Glade Road building. Their daughter Sarah was a Congregational Chapel member.

When John Birdseye retired Edward Harvey baker and confectioner (wife Alice nee Barnes) took over. Early in the Edwardian era John sold bread and beer in nearby Chapel Street. They lived York Road.  Harvey's bakers was in operation for many years and was fondly remembered by many people. This property no longer exists. SPITTAL SQUARE.

60 the home of the West family headed by couple Emma and Owen West. Late in the Edwardian era Emma lived here as a widow supporting herself by working as a charwoman. SPITTAL SQUARE .This property no longer exists.

62  Francis "Frank" and Annie Harvey. Frank was a chimney sweep. In a block of 4 properties in SPITTAL SQUARE not far from the corner with Chapel Street. This property no longer exists.

Unplaced people of Edwardian Spittal Street, may be on either the odds or evens side of street unless otherwise stated. By unplaced I mean not certainly placed, there is often conflicting information:

Samuel and Rose Higgs. Samuel was a boot maker.

Mr Price who had a shop here in 1905 in which a fire broke out.

Mr Ransom butcher?

Mrs Elizabeth Sexton dressmaker and furrier. Born circa 1848 in Dorking Surrey. A widow who lived with her daughters Eleanor and Winifred, sister Eliza Plumridge and a lodger. Elizabeth had moved to Marlow from Maidenhead. Initially she lived with her daughters in Oxford Road. Eleanor married into the Gurney family of Glory Farm, Penn. Before marriage she worked as a stationary shop assistant.

Annie Trash milliner late in the era. Even numbered side of the street.

And in Spittal Square unplaced people =

Mrs Atkins or Adkins. Near the corner of Chapel Street. Sometimes because of the property's corner position described as being in Chapel Street itself. 

John and Jane Bryant early in the Edwardian era. John was a shopkeeper.

M Fisher the greengrocer.

Charles and Emma Hawkes. Charles was employed as a shoe maker. 

Joseph Hawkins carpenter.

Tillion family. In the same block of four properties as Frank Harvey the chimney sweep so an even numbered property. Charles Tillion was a packer for a fisherman. See also The Horns, Chapel Street landlord listing. 

Researched and compiled by Charlotte Day. ©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog. 

For selected sources see Spittal Street part one which deals with everyone who lived in odd numbered properties

The Switzerland Of England - Spring Celebrations

In May 1849 the Crown (Crown Hotel / Upper Crown) in Marlow hosted a special Easter Ball. It wasn't the first but was one of the last held for that occasion. The room was decorated with a profusion of flowers, and the ladies attending also wore seasonal blooms. An appreciation of the natural beauty of the spring season is a recurring theme. 

The Switzerland of England

The blooming of the wild primroses was enthusiastically welcomed. The Winchbottom Lane area was one abundant in these pretty flowers and some families made it an annual springtime tradition to picnic there to enjoy them. In town, Holy Trinity Church yard was famously carpeted with flowers. 

The most popular outing was however to the sumptuous cherry orchards of Cookham Dean, which the South Bucks Standard thought was "rightly described as the Switzerland of England in all it's spring tide glory". (1906) It's hard for us to visualise the number of trees, and how resplendent the blossom would have been. But people travelled from all around the region to visit the trees, even coming from London to do so. 

Easter finery

Easter saw the churches decorated, traditionally with predominantly white flowers such as arum lillies. The gardeners at the "big houses" prided themselves in producing a selection of forced flowers for the ladies of the congregation to work their wonders with. Wildflowers were also gathered. At All Saints the font, screen, alter and pulpit were smothered in greenery, and Holy Trinity and St Peters had their own floral displays. The latter was also the scene of Canon Bernard Smith's annual famous donkey ride into the church interior - you can read more about this, and Bernard in a dedicated post here

Easter was also the time of the vestry meeting to choose new churchwardens. And Saturday of Easter week was the deadline for hopeful candidates for entry into the Blue Coat School (Borlase) to have got a "ticket" of application signed by the treasurer and committee members - boys only at this time.

The Primitive Methodist Chapel (now Liston Hall) usually had a Good Friday public tea in the Sunday school room followed by an entertainment with singing and music. The chapel choir provided the former and the chapel's piano and famous harmonium the latter. In 1900 the celebrations included a parade lead by the chapel band. All the proceeds went to the chapel building fund, a very long standing debt the Primitive Methodists suffered under. 

The Salvation Army had outdoor services, and marches including a "monster" (contemporary description) Easter parade in 1895. Other sounds of Easter came courtesy of the Marlow Town band who are mentioned as performing across town at Easter 1884 and the "usual" Easter morning peal of bells from All Saints. 

You could buy hot cross buns from the towns bakers such as West Streets Death and Sons who thought they had the very best in town. Deaths sounds a tasty place to visit in any season with mince pies another speciality. 

Football fun

The Easter Bank Holiday Monday was a traditional time for a football match, with Marlow playing at Crown Meadow, and the more minor teams  fitting in where they could (such as a meadow by the station and Gossmore). In 1896, Marlow saw the final of the Berks and Bucks Cup between Maidenhead and Wolverton on Easter Monday. The roads into town were said to be bustling with supporters making their way into town by horse, bicycle and on foot. Just under 3,500 fans were in attendance, and the club were delighted to collect more than £100 in gate money. 

A match of a different kind was played at Crown Meadow at Easter 1897 before a crowd of 500. A High Street v Rest of Marlow football match with all players playing in fancy dress. At least 3 of the men were dressed as ladies!* Not quite the image we sometimes have of staid Victorians! F W Burton captained the High Street and Geoffrey Hide the rest of Marlow.  The High Street lost 5-3. Costumes included cowboys, butchers, crusaders, and a Turkish soldier.  Funds raised were for the cottage hospital. 

Outside of football supporters, Easter saw a huge influx of visitors, especially by train. In good weather the numbers were reported to be sometimes large enough to cause lengthy delays on the railway because of the extra time taken to get everyone on and off the trains. Great Western Railway offered special cheap third class excursion tickets to Marlow from Paddington over Easter, with services running on Easter Sunday as well. In May 1890, all the hotels, inns and lodging houses in Marlow were said to be full, leading to many people heading back to Bourne End to try and find a room there. The main hotels and inns decorated themselves with flags and bunting to add to the holiday atmosphere - the Fishermen's Retreat, Compleat Angler, Crown Hotel, Greyhound, Two Brewers and the George and Dragon were all mentioned as joining in in 1884. 

May Day Celebrations

We immediately think of May poles when we think of May Day. But the "old tradition" of carrying flower garlands about town seems more long lasting in Marlow. This was the spring equivalent of "penny for the guy" of Guy Fawkes day. By the Victorian era, these garlands were made by children and then paraded around the streets in the hope the charmed adults would recognise the children's efforts with a treat or coin or two. In 1886, the May Garland tradition was mentioned as a lingering tradition in Marlow that had faded more rapidly elsewhere. But the traditional pagan figure of Jack In The Green had not put in an appearance for several years. Canny children knew that visiting Highfields, off Henley Rd, home to Mr Borgnis was essential. He was an enthusiastic supporters of the tradition and it was said no child ever went away empty handed from his property. He certainly had an open purse because several hundred children were said to make a stop at his home. Mr Borgnis chose May Day as the date of his annual "levee" or entertainment for friends, and no doubt the arrival of the flower carrying children provided a pleasant addition to the day. 

The most startling mention of a May Pole is from 1842, when 3 May poles were erected, but not for use by dancers. Instead a figure representing an unnamed person was hung from each then set alight.  (It was believed to represent a politician and/or those responsible for encouraging a prosecution against brewer and ropemaker Richard Gibbons for wilfully giving false evidence to a parlimentary committee investigating electoral fraud in the 1842 election. He was arrested by the Sergeant at Arms and sent to Newgate prison. He was later sent home with a severe reprimand from the Speaker for his "disgraceful conduct". Richard said he had become confused about being asked about both the Povey and Pusey votes and had not deliberately mislead anyone. The town as a whole seems to have believed him. A petition for his release was made by numerous inhabitants stressing his integrity and industry. His nephew Charles Gibbons vote was also contested on suspicion of bribery, but was held to be good in the end. He had voted for Clayton. The result of the Electoral Committee was Clayton's victory was over turned and his seat was given to previous runner up Renn Hampden)

The old May Fair, a partner to the longer lasting October Marlow Fair, had ceased by the Victorian era and the "rustic sports" at Bovingdon Green had lapsed by the end of the 19th century. Another lost tradition was a greasy pole climbling competition in the High Street. 

Spring tonic

If the sight of blossom and flowers was not enough, High Street chemist William Baxter could offer flagging spirits his "health giving saline"  spring tonic. It was aimed at children too, and cost 1/6 a bottle in 1897. 

The changing of the seasons also prompted certain shops to promote their new stock or to suggest you could refresh your wardrobe with the latest Paris or London fashions, if you were lucky enough to be able to afford to do so. James Morgan advertised that Spring 1897 would see every department of his drapers  stocked "replete with the latest novelties". Sounds delightful! 

* The "ladies" were F Langley, F Langley junior (in a bathing costume!) and P Chapman (the last dressed as a lady of fashion with a yellow dress and hat trimmed with an abundance of flowers)

Written by Kathryn Day. 

Related posts:

More about the Povey vote scandal here

Victorian Christmas in Marlow part 1 here and part 2 here

New Year traditions here

Bonfire night in Victorian Marlow here

A listing of other posts about every day life in old Marlow  here

SOURCES

Carlisle, Nicholas, Concise Description of the Endowed Grammar Schools in England and Wales, Volume 1 (Baldwin, Craddock and Joy 1818) Reading Mercury, 10 May 1849, 31 May 1890 From the British Library, access via the BNA. South Bucks Standard 19 April 1895, 16 April 1897, 20 April 1900, 20 April 1902, 20 April 1906, as above Windsor and Eton Express 7 May 1842, as above Bucks Herald 11 April 1896, 08 May 1886,19 Apr 1884.

©Marlow Ancestors

 

The Marlow British Schools *Updated September 2025*

 If you try and find what schools your ancestors went to in any town, you will quickly come across references to both "British" and National schools, and later "Board" schools as well. The National schools, run under principles of the Church of England, are well known in Marlow, as they survived a long time. Marlow's British Schools didn't last long enough to leave much record behind, and so it was once thought that Marlow never had any. These were schools established by the "British and Foreign School Society for the Education of the Labouring Classes of Every Religious Persuasion"  - in reality they appealed to non conformist families. Given that Marlow had a number of non conformist places of worship and they had a tradition of promoting education, it did not seem likely that no British school was established in our town. So I began a search and can now confirm we had both a Boys and Girls British school in Marlow in the 1850s. They may not have lasted decades but there would have been a small group of children who had most of their education in one of the schools. 

A meeting was held at the Salem Chapel (aka the Independent Chapel/Congregational Church, now the Christchurch URC, Oxford Rd) in 1852 to discuss the desirability of setting up a British School. The response was positive, and fund raising began immediately. The supporters were naturally from mostly non conformist families, and those who were identified as supporters of the liberal political  fraction (the two tend to go hand to hand in Marlow). The latter is probably why the use of the town hall, which was under the control of the conservative MP, was refused for the meeting. The fact a prominent guest was the unsuccessful Liberal candidate in the recent election, Jacob Bell, probably didn't help either. Later the school idea was identified as proceeding from the supporters of Bell. Although he was not a Marlow man, to his credit he maintained an interest in the school for this place he was not in the end elected to represent. No doubt he had half an eye on future election opportunities here. But he had campaigned on the extension of the vote (including to women) and he said such voting rights would be meaningless if not backed by good quality non sectarian education for the voters. 

In February 1853, a second meeting was held, to proudly announce that support had been sufficient to allow for the establishment of the boys school which would open on the 1st March. The meeting was said to have far outstripped any similar public one "as regards numbers or respectability". After the meeting proper, there was a fundraising tea and exhibition of penmanship and drawings from the pupils of the British School High Wycombe. The ladies organising the tea provided the food to the school for free, so every penny of the sale of tickets could be regarded as profit. 

It was always intended to begin one for the education of girls too, but they decided to start with boys because it was there they could, at the time, be most confident of generating enough demand to support the school. They also intended to build a permanent dedicated school building but until then they would use a temporary home. I am not certain which building(s) they adopted at first. I can see references to places they held various events and meetings such as public examinations and special teas but I can't pin point the location of the boys hired school rooms beyond the fact that they were located somewhere in the High Street in 1856.  I don't believe the British school were able to realise their dream of a permanent specially built school building but this is still being researched. I can say for certain that they had not erected or purchased one by August 1856 as it was noted that £10 raised towards this was sitting untouched in a bank account. A plea was put out to raise the remaining amounts needed in order to save the schools the ongoing cost of room hire. 

A few months after opening, the Boys British School had 71 pupils, a number that had exceeded initial expectations. This encouraged the supporters to move quickly ahead with the girls branch. They were confident it would meet with equal success. In April the list of potential female pupils was fast filling up. Then in August 1853, a fundraising "aquatic excursion" to Medmenham Abbey was organised in aid of the girls, with 500 supporters gathered in the grounds. I believe the girls branch opened shortly after. Jacob Bell addressed this meeting too. Miss Garrett is the first schoolmistress I have found record of as having charge of the young ladies. By 1857 she had been succeeded by Mrs Fincham, the wife of the master of the boys British school. At that point the girls school was located at Albion House of which see below. Mrs Fincham promised a well rounded education including vocal music, water colour painting, drawing, plain and fancy needlework plus all the usual academic subjects. In addition the Finchams offered short courses of lessons in a wide variety of subjects in the form of evening classes at Albion House. For example evening scholars could learn double entry book keeping in 16 lessons or do a short course in higher maths or chemistry. "Terms exceedingly moderate."

Sir William R Clayton gave some medals to the first scholars for good attendance in the first few months of the school's life as well as medals for making good progress in their studies. I wonder if any have survived? 

The mentions of the activities of the schools while they lasted, create an impression of a happy bunch of scholars kindly treated and taught with an enthusiasm that extended beyond teaching them the bare basics of the 3Rs and scripture. For example, the school started a choral society which provided free vocal and instrumental training to the children. This was quite extraordinary for a school catering for working class children and suggests that initial financial support was good. The children's Choral Society met every Thursday to pour forth "beautiful strains that are calculated to gladden and enliven the heart." The children gave a number of performances to the public. Other subjects the children were examined in include history and geography. Rev Thomas Styles of the Independent Chapel took care to test the youngsters religious knowledge. (The first examination took place in the Wesleyan Chapel and endearingly the musical pupils began with a song, and performed another between the tests for each subject. No doubt this provided a happier atmosphere for their equivalent of exam day! The readiness and accuracy with which the youngsters have their answers was regarded as "truly astonishing". The day ended with the choir singing the National Anthem followed by a public tea. The conductor was Mr Teale, organist at the Roman Catholic church who provided his services each week entirely free of charge.)

In September 1857, the boys enjoyed two treat days. On the first they gathered at the "large rooms" in Albion House (known as the Albion Rooms, used by the breakaway congregation of the Salem Chapel, a Catholic School and Borlase at different times, among others. As mentioned above it was in use by the girls British school at this time). Here they gathered for a "bountifully provided" tea accompanied by much laughter and singing. The boys are said to have enjoyed a large helping of cake in particular. They then gave cheers of appreciation for those providing the goodies. Later the boys gathered in Mr Middleton's meadow to play a cricket match. They marched there carrying a flag and a school banner. This seems to be the favoured method for the children arriving anywhere, ideally accompanied by song. It is nice to see how happy many of the occasions enjoyed by the little pupils were. They seem to have played a number of cricket matches, and also went, as a school, to watch others -  yes, marching all the way. 

The last mention I can find of the schools, as yet, dates from 1858. The children were giving their traditional summer recitation to an approving audience, with a prize giving afterwards. Then things go quiet. Thorough listings of existing schools in the 1860's do not mention either of the British Schools. I think a possible explanation is the fairly recent opening of the Oxford Lane infants school, which expanded general schooling provision in the town, although this was a National school and ran along side the British for several years.  There was also a possible indication of falling numbers amid a disagreement among families supporting the British Schools. In 1855, at a celebration tea at the Salem Chapel following the public examination of the pupils of both schools, one of the speakers told the audience to pay no heed to those who would find fault as they seldom contributed anything in their own right and so would not be missed if they left. The school had prided itself in considering applications from teachers of any denomination, including the Church of England. In January 1857, this lead to the appointment of Mr Fincham of London University as master of the boys school. There had been 15 applicants, and Fincham was regarded as the best. But he was a member of the Church of England. This may have upset some parents. Perhaps they thought their children may as well attend the National schools, although Fincham was bound to respect the broad base required for the religious teaching at the school. Nine months later, a different master is recorded, a Mr Baxter*. Another indication of turmoil? Perhaps there were not enough families to support the schools long term in any case. In 1857, when Mr Milne of the Borough Road Institution came to examine the boys, he spoke of the credit that should reflect on the master "for the care taken in providing under great disadvantages a liberal and unsectarian (qv) education" to the youth of the town. The disadvantages spoke of might be lack of sufficient support or perhaps no permanent classroom. The schools clearly had their struggles. 

As a footnote, newspaper reports from 1865 reported a rumour that a British School would again be brought to Marlow.  It was said that land suitable for the erection of a school house and masters residence had already been purchased. Unfortunately there does not seem to have been any truth in this. However a night school was established by the Congregational church in the same year, with 40 pupils enrolling on the first day. Another newspaper in 1868 mentions the want of a British school in Marlow and says it's long been talked of.  There's also a passing reference or two to a day school at the Wesleyan Methodists chapel, separate to the Sunday schools, started about 1858 and still running in 1870. This then might have started around the time the British School was fading, but mentions of it are slim and again it appears in no local guides or directories I've yet encountered. The Primitive Methodists also started a night school for boys and men in 1867, running 3 days of the week in winter only. 

Notes - 

A meeting to set up a Bucks Association of Teachers in British Schools in 1839 listed a teacher from Marlow amongst the attendees, a Mr Greenwood. He was presumably working outside of Marlow, unless there was another short lived British School at this earlier decade? Food for thought. 

The Commitee appointed to organise the foundation and erection of the school were as follows: 

W P Gaskell, J Wright, F Wright, J Meakes, W H Mane, Richard Gibbons, Thomas Fullicks, W Wigginton, Thomas Butler, W Almond,Thomas Wellicome, H C Curtis, Ralph Spicer, George Brangwin, Henry Stallwood, T Ware, W Humphreys jun, G Kidd, J Morgan

* I have traced three further teachers, Mr George Verney, Mr J N Nash and Mr Ringsell. Mr Verney may well be the same man who opens a boys day school in 1856. The Mr Verney of the British school resigned at the same time.  For more see here

To find other education related posts, see our listing here

Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

 Sources include:

The Education Magazine - Vol 2, 1839, digitised by Google. 

Report of The British Schools Society 1856. 

Berkshire Chronicle 26 February 1853. From the British Library Archive, accessed via the BNA. 

Reading Mercury, 26 February 1853, 6 August 1853, 18 August 1855, 10 January, 25 July & 12 September 1857, 26 June 1858, as above. 

South Bucks Free Press - 30th January & 30th March 1857, November  1865, 20th March 1868 

Mussons & Craven's commercial directory 1863. 

©Marlow Ancestors

This Way For Healthy Masculine Exercise

 In the 1890's gymnastics was undergoing a period of being strongly in fashion locally. Apparently a town of "any size could boast of a gymnasium" hereabouts, with one glaring exception - Marlow. Reflecting on letters it had recieved on this subject, the South Bucks Standard thought it inconceivable that a town that prided itself so much on sporting success should be so behind the times. The practice of gymnastics was very invigorating they thought. Soon after this a meeting was held, presided over by Mr F O Wethered, in which it was resolved to start a gymnastics club for young men, with Wethered as president.

So in March 1896, membership enrolment began with 100 names submitted. Sergeant Palmer, drill instructor at Borlase and Mr Baxter who was involved with other gym clubs, agreed to offer training. There was no young man for whom a course of properly directed gymnastic training would not be of benefit they thought. It would develop strength and discipline. The Music Room, aka the Lecture Hall (now the Masonic centre, St. Peters Street) was chosen as their meeting place. They met only during the winter season, twice weekly with the two instructors alternating attendance. All of their exercises were performed to piano music. 

They had a practice place, an instructor and eager pupils, but what they lacked at first was any equipment. Neighbouring gymnastics clubs kindly put on fundraising displays solely intended to benefit the new club, with Boyne Hill and Maidenhead at the fore. The latter had a gymnasium in Queen Street, Maidenhead and maintained a long bond with Marlow, the two often putting on joint shows. Maidenhead also had the habit of lending one or two of their experienced performers to assist Marlow in a display. When Instructor Palmer left to take on a position at the Merchant Taylor School, Maidenhead man G W Phelby took over. By November 1898, they had enough apparatus to declare themselves possessors of a gymnasium although this was just the Music Room in another guise, the equipment stashed away between gym sessions. 

Dozens of keen young gymnasts offered a good opportunity for the likes of WB Langston, boot and shoe seller. He had opened a second shop facing his first in Marlow High Street and this would specialise in sporting and leisure shoes including those designed for gymnastic use. 

Each year, the Marlow gymnasts would compete against each other in pursuit of medals, before an audience of ladies and gentlemen. The  overall champion was crowned for getting the highest score across the different disciplines. In 1897 this honour went to J Meakes. As well as this there were regular exhibitions of "strength and agility" presented in the form of a competition. The young men showed off their skills using barbells, Swedish dumbbells, horizontal bars, and a vaulting horse as well as performing jumps and tumbles, all to accompaniment of suitable piano music. To be honest some of these exhibitions sound like a endurance test for the audience, lasting several hours and encompassing comic and musical interludes. The end of season performance in 1900 came to well over 3 hours of "bright tripping music" and gymnastic stunts. No longer just showing off the likes of their barbell and horse skills, the boys included a performance of clowning, sword exercises, military style drill, "comic boxing" , and the formation of human pyramids. The audience showed no signs of fatigue according to reports, which may not be true of the young performers at the end! Relief for the latter came when a more serious boxing match took centre stage - Rippington V Broadbent - two well known local pugilists. After this, the evening came at last to a close.

The club acknowledged that the use of the music room was not an ideal space performance wise, but they were too short of funds to consider hiring bigger facilities. They did manage on one occasion to secure the use of a large temporary gazebo erected for a fundraising ball at the rear of the Institute when the latter had finished with it. But by 1899, the club was already facing a deficit in funds. They were nevertheless determined to continue as the club had been started to give the youth of Marlow an aid to "healthy development" and they still felt the cause was a worthy one. However membership began to decline, with fewer youths willing to commit to the twice weekly practice. This and the chronic lack of funds caused the club to be wound up in 1903. The equipment was sold off at a knock down price to the Boys Life Brigade, who would also use the Music room. Marlow's entertainment scene would never be the same!

Known members:

Alfred Davis Junior

L Smith Junior (treasurer)

J Carter Junior (hon.  secretary)

J Meakes

W B Taylor

A H Harman

Q Bird

A Young

A J Tugwood

L Holland

P Charter (Carter?)

S Arber

G David

Above, a part of the Borlase school gymnasium as it stood in c1905. There had been some argument about the relative access day and boarding boys got to this facility. 

To read a post on the Victorian cyclists of Marlow see here

To find all mentions of your ancestor however small, use the a-z Person Index on the drop down menu. For a shorter list of more detailed posts, select the Biographies Of Individuals or Biographies of Families menu options.

Other Marlow History posts can be found under the General Marlow History option on the menu. There is a sports subsection to that for more posts like this. Posts are currently uploaded daily so if what you need isn't here yet, check back soon! 

SOURCES

South Bucks Standard 20 September 1895, 9 April 1897, November 29 1898, 6 October 1899, 23 March 1900, 24 April 1903 - copies from the British Library Archive and accessed via the BNA.

Maidenhead Advertiser 21 December 1900, as above

Watson, James Madison -Handbook of Callisthenics and Gymnastics - a complete drill guide for schools, families and gymnasiums. (E Steiger, 1889)

©MarlowAncestors

 

Last Orders! Spittal and Chapel Street Landlord listings

UPDATED APRIL 2026 BY CHARLOTTE

Premises with an address in one of these two street are frequently referred to being in one or the other street alternately. They run into each other and the boundary was obviously more fluid than today. Occasional mentions are to Spittal Street by the name of St Thomas Street, referring to the medieval hospital that gave it's name to the area. Buildings in Chapel Street furthest from the town may be referred to as being in Chapel End, or less often Town End. Those at the junction of the two roads were technically in Spittal Square, previously known as the Common Slough. Confused yet? If the premises you are interested in isn't here, it will most likely have its own post eg The Greyhound, and two White Hart pubs . For a full list of old licensed premises, take a look at this long list on the blog here

Other pub content can be found under the Pub Related menu option in the top drop down menu. 

BLACK HORSE, Chapel Street

Given as Spittal Street nearly half the time. Also a common lodging house in both incarnations. Note: there was also a Black Horse in the parish of Little Marlow. 

1833 - William Higgins

In second incarnation:

1881 --1. Henry Rowe  (See also Bricklayer's Arms and The Bear, below) 2.George White. Age 31, wife Annie.

1882- George White 2. ( James?) David Cox

1883 - James Plumridge?

1884 - 93 James David Cox and his wife. In 1892 James refused to take some chickens in payment of beer after rightly suspecting that they were stolen.

1893 - James David Cox to William George Yates

1897 - W G Yates to A H Wright (holdover, Albert H Wright) 

1898 -A H Wright to Mr Gurney (holdover again). 2.  Alfred Sarney (see also the Carrier's Arms)

1899 - 1. Alfred Sarney 2. James Burton Shaw. In this year the Marlow Urban District Council, based upon the recommendation of the medical officer, decided that part of the premises should be registered as a common lodging house for men only. Certain alterations would be necessary to bring it to the required standards, and the owner of the premises signalled a willingness to follow through with this plan. It was indeed so registered. 

1900 -1. James Burton Shaw. 2. George Lewis. In this year the Horse got mains water for the first time. It had previously relied on a well which was considered to leave something to be desired. 

Above, the Black Horse occupied the premises that house Chic Hair in this image. 

1902 - The councils sanitary inspector reported that the condition of the premises was "much improved"

1903 2. George Lewis. 2. Thomas Lewis? proposed transfer to Joseph Ball. 

1905 -28 Thomas Blewitt took on the licence in 1905. He would be the last landlord. In 1915 Mrs Thomas Blewitt  (Emma) was mentioned as the landlady, perhaps because her husband was involved in the war though he would have been in his 50s. Thomas still kept a lodging house going in these premises after they ceased to be a pub. It was a small place at this time with no bar in its last days as a pub. Nevertheless at that time it sold 3 barrels of beer a week, which was comparable to many of the larger premises. Closed as a pub (but not lodging house) December 31st 1928 as it's  licence renewal was refused under powers to limit the number of licensed premises in an area. 

RISING SUN (Be aware of the Sun / Old Sun in Lane End too, some of the same surnames for publicans appear at both because they are common local names). Had stabling. 

1833 - Thomas Stroud "Rising Sun Public house" Common Slough (Spittal Square). Later references to the Rising Sun invariably refer to it's location as Chapel Street. The pub maybe didn't  therefore remained continuously in the same spot. 

1842 - Henry Stroud. Fined this year for selling beer before 1pm on Sunday - pubs were supposed to be closed to encourage people to go to divine service instead. Fined 40s plus 10s costs, a large amount. Henry's brother Thomas thought that the Rising Sun was a "disorderly house" causing a local nuisance and came to the trial to make a complaint about his brother's conduct. But the magistrates refused to hear a complaint made in this spontaneous way. Thomas would have to make a complaint using the proper process they said. We have found no record that he did so. Henry was "dobbed in" about the sale of alcohol during prohibited Sunday hours by William Crouch Snr. William lived in Spittal Street and had been a publican himself in the past. The buyer of the offending quarter pint - a little girl! It was not her age that made the act illegal, she was one of many children sent out to fetch alcohol for their parents every day.

1843 - Henry Stroud "The Sun beer shop" Henry Stroud, beer seller is listed Dean Street 1844 so he looks to have soon moved.

1852 - Charles Haines? [Charles Haines is at the nearby The Bear in 1851]

1859- George Haines "The Sun" ? See Lane End listings.  

1871 - Elizabeth Haines ?

1872 - "the Old Sun" Elizabeth Haines

1881 - John Soley. Wife Mary. See also Travellers Rest below. 

1889 - John Soley. 2. William Lunnon

1890 - 1. William Lunnon. 2. Thomas Plumridge (one source says George Plumridge) 

1891 - Thomas Plumridge (also bricklayer)

1892 - Thomas Plumridge left.

Alfred Higgins got a holdover for the premises then Thomas (?, possibly William) Willis in 1893.

1895 - Willis left. David (Davis?) Collins applied for a hold -over licence, which he was granted but he was refused a permanent licence. Then Edward Gould / Gold was granted a temporary holdover but it was an Arthur Bright who eventually landed the proper licence. Edward Gould said that the premises didn't meet his requirements anyway and he wanted to leave to "better himself". 

1896 - Arthur Bright transferred premises to Joseph Mallett.

1897 - Joseph Mallett gave way temporarily to William Lyons Furlong but a proposal that this hold over would be made permanent was refused. In the end John Baxter was granted the licence instead.

1898 - John Baxter. John was told in December that he needed to register the premises as a common lodging house as it was being used as such.

1899 - John Baxter transferred premises to William A Grant. Premises up for sale, after 2 years of wrangling in chancery to settle who should inherit the property, as its former owner Miss Rebecca Pim of Amersham had died. It was purchased for £625 by Mr George Weller.  Alterations were to be done to meet the minimum standards necessary for any premises to be used as a common lodging house. The new owners gave up the alcohol licence for the premises in 1900.

It looks like the former Rising operated as a lodging house in Edwardian times though not under that name.

THE CARPENTERS ARMS

Usual address was given as Spittal Street, and recently renamed The Butcher's Tap after a spell as O'Donoghues. 

Pub existed on this site 1830. Formerly bore a sign suggesting it had been established 1758 - which may well be correct. 

1841- 1843 - James Cooper, also a carpenter. Age 50 on 1841 census. 

1843- William Bavin - came from The Two Brewers (see), taking over from James Cooper. Previously a chair maker. Temporary name change that year to The Traveler's Rest when outgoing landlord James Cooper took the Carpenters sign with him and William Bavin thought that Cooper meant to use it as the name for the pub he was moving to (next door!). As it happened James stuck with the existing name, the Prince Albert, for his new premises leaving James free to use the Carpenter's Arms name after all.  

1869 - John Larkin. Also a carpenter. Wife Eliza. Carpenters tended to take on this beer house as it was equipped with a large workshop and saw pit to the rear thanks to its long association with this occupation. It also had the usual stabling there- for six horses.

1870- six sevenths of the pub sold! At the time John Larkin was paying £40 a year rent. The Wethered brewing family of Marlow who already owned one seventh of the pub bought the rest to become full owners.

1871 - 1. John Larkin (went to Fox and Pheasant, Dean Street). 2. Thomas Billingshurst.

1872 - Thomas Billing(s)hurst fined for keeping premises open on a Sunday. Had his licence endorsed. Tried to claim that the served beer found by a constable was him and his wife's lunchtime tipples and not beer to be drunk by their lodger Joe Martin or the other man found in the bar. Later that year license transferred to Joseph Rose.

1877 - 83 Joseph Rose. Born circa 1827. Wife Charlotte born circa 1827.

1883 - License transfer Joseph Rose deceased, to his widow Charlotte.

1886 - started their Slate Club. 

1891 - 1903 Mrs Charlotte Rose, as above. Son William is a barman there in 1891. Note it looks like this pub perhaps very briefly changed its name to the Prince Albert in the 1880s, the name of a (by then closed) former next door licensed premises. See below.

1906 - 1. Mrs Rose 2. Thomas Probert (grandson of Charlotte Rose He was also a carpenter and son of the former landlord of the White Lion in West Street, Mary Probert). Thomas was already assisting in the pub and living with his grandma before this.

1908 - Authorities trying to thin the total number of pubs in Marlow try to close the pub but the brewery and tenant manage to save it. There wass then, it was reported, no sleeping accommodation for travellers at the pub but they could be served bread and cheese if they wanted it.

1915 - 18 Thomas Arthur Probert. Often referred to as T.A Probert. Thomas was killed in action as a sapper in the Royal Engineers in 1918. 

1918 -1939 at least Mrs Kate Ethel Probert widow of Thomas above. In 1928 the pub was considered again for closure under plans to limit the number of licensed premises in a given area. It then sold 3 barrels of beer a week. The pub escaped the cull as credit was given to Kate for her very clean and orderly pub. She said the Arms had been in her family for around 70 years. 

1956 - A T Probert.

THE BEAR

The earliest pub to carry the name of The Bear was in the High Street on the West side but that pub was not recorded after the 1700s. By 1830 Chapel Street was the location for a new Bear. The second Bear was also a common lodging house. Landlords for this second Bear are given below.

1833 - Thomas Livings (also lodging house).

1839 - Thomas Livings (also boot and shoe maker).

1845- Joseph Pepper. He had lived in Chapel Street since at least 1833. His wife Sarah AKA Sally fined for assaulting another woman this year. See the grave of Joseph and Sally here.

1846 - Mr Pepper - described as a "Tom and Jerry Shop" e.g small beer shop. Paid some money and a pot of beer for a stolen bundle of wooden laths that year. There was suspicion he knew them to be stolen.

1847 - Joseph Pepper. Fined £2 including costs for allowing cards to be played on the premises. Though Joseph and Sally Pepper left the Bear they still lived in Chapple Street later.  

1849 - Charles Haines

1851 - Charles Haines. Fined 10s plus costs for allowing card playing in The Bear in June that year. However it was noted that Charles and the two others convicted of the same offence were all supporters of the opposite political party to the arresting constables and the stings may have been unfairly focused on them. 

1853 - George Finch. Fined £1 for having his beer house open after proper hours. 

1855- Mr Neighbour

1861 - Henry Neighbour (also a cordwainer) Was a publican in "St Peter's Street" 1851. This was the Waterman's Arms on the river front. See a detailed post on Henry and wife Catherine nee Sparkes here 

1864 - had a "dancing room"

1867 - up for sale.  

1871 - Charles Hoare (also lodging house, probably it's principle role by then).  See also The Three Horseshoes and Travellers Friend. 

1872 - Charlotte Hoar. (Hoare) Charlotte's grave can be viewed here

1874 - Charlotte Hoare. 2 Henry Rowe. That year (during Charlotte's tenancy) saw the death in a fight in the bar of one of her lodgers George Frewing. A post about this is here.

1881 - Henry Rowe. Wife Sarah died there in February age 68. Continues as The Black Horse thereafter. 

THE BRICKLAYERS ARMS, Chapel Street

1844 - James Smith [also a bricklayer]. In the same premises 1841 but not obviously a beer seller then. The name of this pub may come from his trade. In 1843 fined for selling short measures at a premises not named but this also indicates that he was already operating a pub on this site then.

1851 - Diana Smith was a beer seller in Chapel Street, premises not stated. Property records however show that she was in the same premises as James above. She was his widow. Sometimes rendered Dina / Dinah. 

1861 - Diana Smith.

1864 - Dina Smith.

1869 - Henry Rowe (see also The Black Horse). Wife Sarah.

1871 - Henry Rowe.

1872 - Henry Rowe.

1874 - Henry Rowe moved to The Bear.

1874 - To be Let, a Fuller and co brewery pub. Henry C Bartlett took over from Henry Rowe.

1875 - Mr Bartlett transferred to John Fenner. Bartlett went to The Green Man, Flackwell Heath. 

1876 - John Fenner transferred to William Lloyd.

1877 - Henry Rowe again (Moved to The Black Horse Marlow by 1881).

1881 - William Lloyd 2. Francis Enever (holdover).

1882 - Frederick James Walker.

1883 - 1. Frederick J Walker transferred licence to  John Windsor. Frederick then went to the Three Tuns, West Street.

1886 - In this year, the Bricklayers nearly lost it's right to be a licensed premises because it fell below the minimum rateable value for a property used as a public house. It was decided to make a neighbouring cottage part of the premises to raise the value of the premises, a common strategy for pubs in this situation. But this cottage was in use as a shop by Mr Savage the baker who wasn't leaving and the authorities naturally felt sceptical that it could truly be considered a proper part of the pub, partial alterations notwithstanding.

However, the owner of the property said that the cottage had been illegally sub let to Savage and they would make Savage leave. So the licence was renewed at last. 

1891 - John Windsor transferred pub to John White.

1896 - John White. Benjamin Barnes was fined 5s for "pulling about" and swearing at John White's daughter Emma who was serving at the bar that year. John came from the back and threw beer in the face of Mr Barnes, then went for the police. 

1897 - John White. Fined this year for selling beer during prohibited hours, but his licence was not endorsed. He nearly didn't get licence renewed due to this but after "much discussion" White did get it. Building was at that time recently purchased by Messrs Weller of Amersham from Brakspears. They promised to stop up back access into Marlow Field to prevent illicit visits after hours.

1906 E F Harvey transferred to James Plumridge.

1907 - James Plumridge. Serial con woman Maisy Light who lived in a caravan here and there about Marlow stole £1 from him.

1909 Albert Ernest Holder. Albert was probably later at the Black Lion 2. Edward James Carter. 

1911-21  - Charles Lloyd  (and greengrocer and grocer in the property next door, possibly accessed through pub. He was still running the shop in 1927).

1928 -Charles Lloyd then RJT Mast seems  to have it for last few months , possibly a holdover. When the Arms are first shortlisted for potential closure (see below) it's revealed Charles sells only one barrel of beer a week, and so the shop he ran provided the majority of his income. He says he'd be willing to close the shop to concentrate on the pub if it would save the licence.  Closure proposed under powers to limit number of licensed premises in an area. Closed December 31st 1928.  Premises still stand. Charles Lloyd and his family returned to live on their former pub. 

PRINCE ALBERT (Spittal Street but also given as Chapel Street given the perpetual historic confusion between the two) There was also a Prince Albert at Moors End, Lane End. 

1838 Prince Albert Beerhouse, "Chapel Street" existed. The future Queen Victoria had not yet become engaged to Prince Albert so this is a curiosity if correct. 

1841 - Robert Rockall. Had a stable which was offered as very budget sleeping accomodation to travellers passing through the town.

1843 - James Cooper. He had come from the Carpenters Arms in its first incarnation. This was next door, part of the same larger building! Wife Sarah. Fined for using short measures this year. 

1846 James Cooper. Fined once again for having unjust measures on the premises.

1851 - James Cooper.

1852 - James Cooper

1858- William Reeves. Fined for keeping illegal hours. He was also a carpenter. Wife Sarah. He was the son of Richard and Jane Reeves masters of the workhouse and later landlords of the Ship, West Street.

1861 - William and Sarah Reeves. Seems then to have been a lodging house. Sarah moved as a widow to the Ship, West Street, taking over from William's widowed mother. See here.

The Prince Albert is not included in the 1872 pub list created by local authorities. So presumably below is a new incarnation. Research ongoing!

1887 - Mrs Rose (See Carpenters Arms above). Records scarce for this "beershop"... could it be a name change for the Carpenters Arms inspired by the Jubilee which didn't stick? The Carpenters Arms and The former Prince Albert were next door premises, part of the same larger building. Once the original Albert closed the name epukd have been up for grabs again. A Mrs Rose was after all the landlady of the the Carpenters Arms in the years running up to this so this scenario seems likely. Mrs Rose had a son William and a servant servant Ellen Line at this new "Albert".

TRAVELLER'S REST 

See also Traveller's Friend, Dean Street. The similarity of name and relatively close location between the two premises has sometimes caused an accidental switching of names. They however existed at the same time, with different land lords and different associated breweries. They were different businesses. This was more of a small beershop which also took in some lodgers. The Traveller's Friend on the other hand was more of common lodging house which also had alcohol licence.

To confuse matters further the Carpenters Arms in Spittal Street was briefly known as the Traveler's Rest too, see above. 

1845 - Charles Finch. Wife Ann. In this year Ann is assaulted by a drinker there, Thomas Windsor. He is fined 20s including costs. 

1846 - Joseph East - fined for allowing extensive card playing on premises, and keeping his beer house open after 11pm. Plead guilty, 40s fine. 

1851- William Chilton

1853 - William Chilton (and marine store dealer).

1861 - William Chilton. Census enumerator calls his pub the Travellers Friend, confusing it with the Dean Street one.

1869 - William Chilton (and marine store dealer)

1872 - William Chilton  

1874 - William transfers premises to John Soley. NB Newspaper report of this calls the premises Travellers Friend, which is incorrect. The Travellers Friend was the Dean Street premised ran by the Price family at this time [Bucks Herald 10 January 1874. The South Bucks Free Press reporting the same transfer did get the premises name correct. ].

A John Soley is at The Rising Sun in 1881. 

RESEARCHED BY CHARLOTTE DAY AND KATHRYN DAY.

 We mainly focus on pre WW1 listings but sometimes list later names if it ties in with research we are helping with.

For similar posts see Pub Related on the menu. For every mention of someone on this blog see the Person Index.

SOURCES INCLUDED:

1833 Parochial Assessment. Original working notebooks held by my family. Transcribed by Charlotte.

1853 Mussons and Cravens Commercial Directory.

Pigots Directory 1844.

Kelly's Post Office Directory  of Bucks etc-1869,1877,1883, 1903, 1915 by Kelly's Directories Limited.

Census - 1861,1871,1881,1891 . Transcription by Charlotte Day.

Robson's Directory 1839

* Windsor and Eton Express, Apr 10 1875, held at British Library Archive and accessed via the BNA. 

Bucks Herald 23 September 1869, 10 Jan, 15 August 1874, 26 December 1874, 18 June 1887, 23 May 1896, 13 June 1928 as above.  

South Bucks Standard July 2 1897

Also

Reading Mercury 25 July, 19 Sept 1874.

Berkshire Chronicle, 21 February 1846, 09 Jan 1847 as above.

Bicester Herald - 18 February 1881. 

1872 list of pubs and the breweries that owned them, held at Buckinghamshire County Council Archives. 

South Bucks Free Press 11th February 1858, July 2nd 1897. Both Bucks Free Press Archives.

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

John Gidley, Presbyterian Minister

John Gidley was a Presbyterian Minister in Marlow from 1703 until his death in 1711.

He was from a Devon family* and received his MA from Exeter College Oxford University in 1660. In the same year he was ordained in Exeter Cathedral as both deacon and priest "without any subscription or oath or promise of Canonical obedience". John appears on a 1664 list of ejected (because dissenting) ministers in Exeter. He was said then to live with a Mr Clare near Key Gate in that city. This may be the merchant George Clare who went bankrupt in the early 1700s. This George sued John over property in St Thomas in 1700 so relations seem to have taken a downward turn between them. John was sued again a few years later with a large number of others, including apparent relatives of his, in relation to the estate of the same George Clare. Documents relating to this are held in archives in Devon, far from me, so I can't find out exactly what the nub of the issue was. If I am able to find out more I will come back and update this post.

In 1672 John was granted a general licence to preach but he lived on his family estate in Exeter, just occasionally preaching due to his shyness at public speaking. This was said to be so severe he could not say grace in front of others.

His confidence must have increased over time however as 1690-92 he was Independent Minister of Aldborough Hatch in Essex with a 200 strong congregation who must have expected to hear him speak on a regular basis!

I am unsure how he came to Marlow but he was here in 1698 when he witnessed the will of Richard Sawyer the basket maker. In 1703 John was granted licence for his house in Marlow to be used as a dissenting meeting house. He received £4 a year from the Presbyterian Fund 1703-09.

John's will was written in 1711 "considering my time of departure is at hand". In it he refers to himself as a "clerk" which was the term used for all ministers in those days. He mentions no Marlow property only that which he had in Devon, including New Hayes the family home. He however left £50 to any Presbyterian minister who settled in Marlow within 7 years of his death if money owed to him from the estate of a Samuel Clark was paid to his executors. The £50 was to be given to the minister at a rate of £5 a year for ten years. If no Presbyterian did settle in Marlow half the money was to go to Marlow's poor and the other half to the poor of the parish of St Thomas Devon where John's family home was located. This was just outside Exeter. Another £10 was left so that "the most religious persons" of St Thomas parish could be bought books. These were to be "faire bibles" (without any Apocrypha or Book of Common Prayer) Mr Birkett's Poor Man's Helper and Mr Baxter's Call to the Unconverted. The Mr Baxter was Richard Baxter who seems to have been personally known to John.

John asked to be buried in Marlow or some neighbouring parish. The funeral was to take place in the morning "as silently and privately" as possible. He desired a "faire noble marble" headstone be placed upon his grave with the words "Here lies the body of John Gidley Minister of the Gospel", his date of death, age and the line "less than the least of all saints" inscribed. The funeral was to be "managed" by Mr Bartholomew Pane. The placing of the vault was to be the care of John Higgs Senior, Thomas Hayson and James ...ewing. For accommodating his requests the minister of the church where he was buried was to receive 2 guineas and the churchwardens half a guinea each.

John asked that after his death his collection of books be sold with the help of Mr Samuel Cox of Ealing, Samuel Clark of Beaconsfield (perhaps a relative of the deceased Samuel Clark above) and John ?Pownell of Wycombe. John mentions few other personal items- a watch went to his cousin Gidley Burgess and a set of seals on a ring to another cousin Gidley Martin.

The main legatees of his will were various nieces, nephews and cousins of his. There is no mention of any wife of children for John.

The will and two codicils were witnessed between them by Robert Beckford, William Beckford, Robert Rance and Thomas Hobbs. These are all Marlow names. Robert Beckford was a hoop maker in West Street. He had a cousin William Beckford who was a carpenter in Little Marlow. This is likely the William Beckford of John's will. The Rance family at the time were heavily involved in rope making. Thomas Hobbs also witnessed the will of Richard Sawyer mentioned above. These men could just be friends or neighbours to John but this witness list may also offer a glimpse of the names of some of John's congregation, who are thought to be the predecessors of the congregation of the Salem Chapel / Congregational Church in Quoiting Square and thus today's Christ Church in Quoiting Square.

John's financial incentive for another Presbyterian settling in Marlow does not seem to have had immediate effect as the next such minister, John Benson, is not recorded until 1715, four years after John's death (though within the lucky seven years that would see him win that £5 a year allowance for ten years). That does not in any way mean that there were suddenly no dissenters in Marlow when John died. Visiting preachers could have kept his old congregation going until someone could be induced to move here. There was an Independent Chapel building in Marlow before 1724. 

Where John Gidley's house was in Marlow isn't known. As I said above he mentions no property in the town in his will. If therefore he rented rather than owned his Marlow home it is interesting. Whoever rented John a house would very likely have been in religious sympathy with him if they allowed him to use the building for dissenting worship. I have read every will written by any person from Marlow or Little Marlow written between 1698 and 1711 and available from the National Archives in the hope someone would mention property in such and such a street in Marlow occupied by their tenant John Gidley. Sadly no one does. Nor does anyone in describing their property describe it as being next to or opposite another occupied by John Gidley. No property transaction I can find involving any Marlow person mentions him either. I haven't given up hope of locating him within the town though. Because there were no house numbers in the 1700s any mention of a property tends to include a string of locating information telling you who lives in various other nearby properties. So there has to be a chance that John and his location are recorded somewhere. 

*John seems to have been the son of  George Gidley of St Thomas, Exeter and an unknown mother.

Note by Kathryn:

The "Presbyterian dissenter" Lord Wharton left in his will (proved 1692) a sum of 10 shillings a year to a preacher who would speak annually at Marlow on the "truth, usefulness, sufficiency and excellence of the Holy Scriptures". This was a significant sum.  The preacher should also stress the people's right to have these scriptures in their own language (as opposed to Latin). The prayers accompanying this sermon were not to mention Lord Wharton's name, an unusual request. Similar sermons were to be preached at Wycombe and other nearby towns. He also left substantial amounts to be used to purchase 1,500 bibles a year for poor children in various parts of the country ( 10 were sent to Marlow, plus 13 other religious books which were to go to those recieving the bible who'd made most improvement in their studies of it). The bibles were still distributed in the 1830s but I do not know how long the sermons continued. There was some controversy by the 1840s that money left by Wharton was not being used for the proper purposes. In particular the distribution of the bibles was mostly in the hands of the various parish churches. It was argued it would be more in keeping with the dissenting Wharton's wishes for the non conformist chapels to have charge of them. 

Researched and written by Charlotte Day.

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Sources:

Wills of John Gidley and Richard Sawyer. Transcribed by me from  PCC wills held at the National Archives, Kew.

A Short History Of The Ancient Diocese of Exeter From The Conquest To The Church Congress 1894. By Herbert Edward Reynolds. Published 1895 by H Besley and Son.

Book Owners Online, detail of John Gidley. Content CC BY-NC 4.0.

The Non- Conformist Memorial, An Account Of The Ministers Who Were Rejected. Written by Edmund Calamy and Samuel Palmer. Published by W Harris. 1775. New York Public Library copy digitized by Google.

An Abridgement of Mr Baxter's Life And Times Volume 2 by Richard Baxter and Edmund Calamy, 1713. Digitized by Google.

Select Remains Of Phillip, Lord Wharton - Rev J Whitridge, published by J Brydons 1849.