Homers Farm Marlow *updated Feb 2026*

Updated April 2025

Although historically within Great Marlow Parish Homers Farm /Holmers Farm  was about 3 miles from it, closest in fact to Booker. It was about half a mile from the turnpike road between Marlow and High Wycombe.

Description 1834= 123 acres 1910= arable and pasture farm.

Historic occupiers (these are not normally the same as the owners) and history timeline:

1742 Samuel Wellesley. 

1781-1784 at least - Barabbee Fastnedge (a man with a name destined to be spelled a 100 different ways!) Mr Fastnedge was at Triphooks farm 1786 (possibly in addition to this) Also farmed at Finnemoor. Possibly Homers was owned by James Batting of High Wycombe at this time. 

1823= up for sale. It's proximity to the turnpike road between Marlow and Hug Wycombe is considered a distinct advantage. 122 acres of enclosed arable and meadow land and orchard, plus farm house, barns, etc. It's in "the highest state of cultivation, lying extremely compact, divided by quick hedges, in well proportioned fields in a ring fence completely surrounding the homestead." Has been occupied by the same (unnamed) family for 40 years who also have the freehold. (Windsor & Eton Express, 10 May 1823)

1833= Edmund Collins. Owned by Mrs Rose.

1840- George Hunt occupier leaving and selling off his farm stock including a crop of oats, 28 "meaty ewes", 8 horses or colts, some pigs, a barren cow, 70 fowl and bits of household furniture [Auction notice Bucks Advertiser 24th July 1840] .

1841- 1862 Thomas Greenslade. One of the parish Guardians of Great Marlow. In 1851 he has 120 acres employing 5 labourers. In 1861 92 acres being farmed (so some of farm may be let to others or sub let) and Thomas is employing 3 men 2 boys. Two geese stolen from him 1859. The actual owner of the farm in 1862 was still Mrs Rose.

1867 Mrs Greenslade, presumably a widow of Thomas above, left the farm selling up all her stock and household furniture. She mainly seems to have been operating as an arable and sheep farm though she also had a few pigs.

1869- Richard Child. 

1870 - Freehold up for sale, tenant Richard Smith to quit at Michaelmas. The owner William Rose had recently died and his executors are to sell up. Includes residence, barns etc plus a "well sheltered farm yard" and a pair of workers cottages. 123 acres. Shooting in the estate was let separately to Lord Carrington whose land also adjoined the farm. 

1876-83 John Campbell. Wife Elizabeth. Both originally from Scotland. He was farming 123 acres 1881 and employing 2 men and 2 boys. 

1888- duck and drake stolen from the farm.

1891-1901 John Campbell. Son of John and Elizabeth above. Sister Marion lived with him. Raised pigs and crops. Worker James Goodall who lives at the farmed fined 1893 for not sending 3 children to school. They may have been helping on the farm.

1903-1916 Miss Marian Campbell, leasee. Daughter of John and Elizabeth above. Born 1851. Her premises were very close to the Booker isolation hospital and Marian herself took in some residential patients for "open air treatment" as well as supplying produce to the hospital. In 1904 Marian gave evidence in the trial of a nurse at the hospital accused of burning it down out of anger for not being promoted to matron there. Marian had been told by the accused that she felt like setting fire to the bushes outside it but replied that it was a foolish idea and would set the whole place on fire. As it was two blocks went up in flames simultaneously which immediately made police suspect arson rather than accident. However nurse Isabel Livingston who was so hysterical in the dock the trial proceeded only with great difficulty was found not guilty of arson. See the South Bucks Standard 10th June 1904 for much more on this case.

In 1910 the farm was bought by Lord Carrington from an unknown previous owner but Marian continued as tenant.

Marian died at the farm 1916. Buried High Wycombe. Worshipper at Handy Cross church which no longer exists.

1920 Mr A Stacey.

1939 William Wiltshire, dairy farmer assisted by his son also called William.

For more farm occupier posts Great Marlow see the Specific Shops, Streets Etc option on the menu here. For Little Marlow use the Nearby Places option here. You will also see a Person Index option on the menu to help you find every mention of a person on this blog. The General Marlow History option here contains other posts which may be of interest to you such as information on local harvest home celebrations or historic agricultural wages in Marlow. 

Farm occupancies identified from wills, adverts, trade journals, censuses, property records, court cases etc. I hope to fill in the gaps in dates as I wade through my Everest sized mountain of research notes.

Written and researched by Charlotte Day.

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

The 1890's Flu Pandemic in Marlow

In early 1890, doctors in Marlow were becoming aware that the flu epidemic in London was rapidly spreading through the home counties and it could only be a matter of time before Marlow fell victim. They had seen a great number of smaller scale epidemics, notably measles and scarlet fever, and were probably relatively sanguine about another. Flu was not infrequently found in our neighbourhood, and a few seasonal cases were inevitable. In February, Henley was reported to be in the grip of the latest outbreak, and by May the Chesham Examiner said the town was undergoing an "invasion of influenza". Although this initial outbreak is supposed to have lasted only a couple of months, it would return in at least two further waves. Marlow's illness peaks do not always neatly fit with the national pattern. Based on local reports of those suffering and not just dying, it seems that the principle danger period in Marlow began in December 1891 and continued into the following spring. 

The first cases of what would become known as Russian flu or Asian flu, are believed to have reached the UK from Europe in 1899. It eventually spread throughout the world, and is believed to be responsible for around 1 million deaths in the early 1890's. Local newspapers here reported a belief that the first British cases had been seen in Devon and Cornwall although modern sources believe London is a more likely place. 

Initially, the doctors reporting here to local authorities were pleased to say that despite the flu, the death rate had not risen. The reason that the flu was causing such alarm, was the severity of the symptoms, which were clearly different from the ordinary strain. Doctors had quickly identified that the illness appeared to attack the central nervous system and could initiate extreme depression, lethargy, and an inability to sleep. It was also characterised by severe muscle pain, and sharp pains in the eyes. 

Contemporary reports said two common early symptoms were a sudden sharp frontal headache, the pain in the eyes, and a "nervous depression". Others reported vertigo and nausea coming on suddenly. A high fever followed, lasting 2-4 days, with aching limbs, and often insomnia. A gastric variation, causing frequent vomiting was also reported, mainly affecting children.

Doctors at St Thomas hospital, London quoted in our local newspapers, felt the eye pain was especially characteristic, with even the slightest movement causing discomfort. They noticed that a reddening of the conjunctiva seemed to prelude the otherwise sudden onset of symptoms and so suspected the disease would enter the body through the eyes. 

These unpleasant symptoms caused the disease to be "much dreaded" by those who had not yet experienced it first hand. As a result local authorities elsewhere in the country were reportedly threatening to impose hefty £5 fines on those with influenza who "exposed" themselves outside. (E.G in Walmer and Ashford in Kent)  No quarantine requirements were however made of others who had come in close contact with the infected person.

Among the first prominent Marlow fatalities, in April 1891, was the "genial and kindly" John Hoddinott of The Fishermens Retreat hotel in St. Peters Street.  After a "sharp attack" he succumbed to congestion of the lungs. The Maidenhead Advertiser, in noting his death, remarked that John had been held in "great regard and esteem by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance".

The press contained many reports of how quickly the illness could develop. In Marlow, 2 year old Horace William Campbell, was described as being as "lively as a cricket" on a Tuesday before falling ill the following afternoon, and dying on the Friday. He was the only child of Richard and Annie Lucy of Avonmore.

 It also factored in the death of those already suffering poor health, such as High street chemist Rosa Calcutt of Little Marlow (nee Cannon). A late attack of influenza was thought to bring Rosa to such a state of exhaustion that she could not survive an operation. The latter was performed as a desperate attempt  to help with a long term and medically puzzling internal complaint.

Dr Telvey, quoted by the Reading Mercury, reminded readers that for most people the disease was mild in it's long term affects and recovery quick. He expected those who retired for immediate bed rest to be able to carry on their usual business in 10-14 days after the symptoms first appeared. It was not something in his opinion that deserved the "excessive apprehension upon which in some quarters it is regarded". He did acknowledge that for the infirm and the aged, the Russian flu did constitute a "real danger".  

It seemed to affect all classes although the advice to stay in bed was obviously easier to follow for those who could afford to have servants managing their household. At the other end of the social scale, the master of Maidenhead Workhouse in December 1891 reported a "terrible fortnight" after almost all the female residents, as well as the matron, laundress and nurse were stricken down. Two adult residents  died as a result of the outbreak. 

It showed no sign of abating locally throughout January 1892, despite hopes expressed that the cold would suppress the virus. In fact, the Reading Mercury said it appeared to be spreading at an alarming rate in the Marlow district, and indeed throughout the world, the doctors having "great difficulty" in attending all the patients. An elderly lady in Marlow had died of flu just before the paper was published. However, just a couple of weeks later, the same paper reported the virus appeared to be coming less virulent. Not a moment too soon for local businesses who reported having scarcely enough hands available to do their work. It was this month that the Queen's 28 year old grandson, the Duke of Clarence, died two weeks after falling ill with the virus.

Sadly, the flu was back in Marlow at the end of 1893, with Mrs Somers Cocks of Lymbrook (previously Thames Bank) counting among the fatalities. This outbreak was thankfully more short-lived. 

While the doctors could not always agree on the causes of the flu, the advice on how to treat it was a little more universal. Bed rest, a liquid food diet, and an avoidance of draughts usually figured. The South Bucks Standard advised a tincture of Quinine as a useful remedy if not a complete cure. 

Interestingly, reported relapses or reinfections seem to have been quite common. A Dr Parsons, quoted in The Daily News, said a resurgence of symptoms was frequent 10-14 days after the  first attack, which he put down to an exposure to cold before a total recovery had been made. It seems initial infection did not give much immunity. 

The grave of flu victim John Hoddinott, (d.1st May 1891 aged 63) along with wife Elizabeth who died June 23 1916 age 84

Grave of Horace William Campbell tiny victim of the flu pandemic.

Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

SOURCES/FURTHER READING 

Henley Advertiser - February 1st 1890, held in British Library archive, and accessed via the BNA November 2020. 

Chesham Examiner, May 14 1890, as above. 

Maidenhead Advertiser - May 6, June 24, December 30, 1891. January 4 1892, December 13 1893 - as above

South Bucks Standard - June 26, December 11 1891, as above. 

Reading Mercury - January 9, 16 1892 - as above

Bucks Herald  - January 16 1892 - as above

For an overview of the outbreak in Europe see International medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research

This 

See Here for Guardian article about the possibility of the virus having crossed from cattle to humans as a form of coronavirus.

To find people of interest on the blog choose the Person Index on the drop down menu. To read more posts about everyday life in old Marlow and other medical related posts, see the post listing here

©MarlowAncestors. You are welcome to quote from this research for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog and link back here so my sources also remain credited.

Another view of Horace Campbell's grave.