Fun In Gossmore With The Rifle Volunteers

  If you had been strolling around Gossmore between Marlow and Little Marlow in the summer of 1861 you may have seen what looked like some kind of fete going on. Donkey racing, a brass band, refreshment tent, crowds of visitors, and novelty boat races were all in evidence. The day ended with a tremendous bonfire and a fireworks display. What you were actually witnessing was the open day of the Bucks Volunteer Rifles encampment at Marlow. The Volunteer camps were a big social event in town so they featured a lot in the life of those who both did and did not actually serve in the Marlow branch of the Volunteers. So in today's post we will describe what it was like to be go to camp, as either a Volunteer or a visitor, in the first couple of decades of their existence. 

A meeting was held in the boys schoolroom in the Causeway in June 1859 to "consider the propriety of forming a Volunteer Rifle Corps in the town and neighborhood". The response was positive and so the Volunteers began shortly afterwards. This provided military training to those not joining the regular army, so they would be ready to come to the countries aid if needed. So the Volunteers had a serious purpose, and being a member involved regular committment to drill and shooting practice. A large number of Marlow families had a member in the volunteers at some point - some of whom would go onto serve in the South African wars and First World War. The annual camps were supposed to create an immersive intense training period to create "good and efficient soldiers, ready for any emergency." But they also involved a certain amount of fun and frolics as we shall see! 

The first camp at Marlow

The Marlow company were joined by various other groups within the Bucks Volunteer Rifles at different times. The camp was first held at Marlow itself in 1861. It would use what would become a favourite site - the riverside Gossmore meadows. This had long been in use as a recreation ground and it was formalised as such when Marlow received her Enclosure Act in the early 1850s.  Permission for the Volunteers to use this space was granted by the inhabitants at a parish vestry meeting. The weather was terrible - something that does seem to be a regular feature of the encampments. For all the merriment, the actual living conditions in canvas tents can not have been especially pleasant after "very heavy" rain. It was felt that the gravel beneath the surface at Gossmore and sandy soil would help to ensure the ground quickly dried out relatively speaking although it was also noted that should there be a summer flood, the spot was subject to going underwater! The point was to replicate a "real" military encampment so a bit of mud probably added to the experience. To the same end there was only one lavatory provided. 

For this first camp, the men were housed in tents which had been borrowed from the army stores "at the Tower" (of London). There were 9 rows of 8 big sleeping tents which were put up on the Saturday before the camp officially began. By 1865, the camp at Marlow boasted 79 tents in all, including one dedicated to storing ammunition. Generally though the Volunteers were not required to attend until the Monday.  The privates naturally shared their tents. (Each tent was issued with a lantern, leather bucket, camp kettle and two basins.) I'm not sure what bedding was provided in this first year but later each man would receive a straw mattress and two blankets. 

On the east side of the camp stood more spacious tents for the officers to sleep in as well as the officers mess, officers stores and a hospital tent. Although there was no enemy facing the Volunteers, there were still occasional accidents related to the shooting practice and competitions. Surrounding the site were sentry boxes which were constructed from "hurdles inlaid with straw". A nice rustic touch! The sentry duty was taken seriously as if an enemy was really nigh. There was also the point of guarding the camp equipment and guns against opportunistic thieves. A detachment of police from Aylesbury also attended during the open days at the end of the week. 

Catering arrangements

Catering arrangements varied a little year on year. In 1861, on the north side of the camp was a canteen managed on the Volunteers behalf by Jesse Ward of the King's Head in Aylesbury. (A Mr Dunkin of High Wycombe actually provided the rations) This was equipped with stoves. There was some debate as to whether it was the right thing to do to involve outside caterers. It was a less authentic experience it was argued. In later times, the camp kitchen was managed by the Volunteers themselves. They were actually charged for their rations at first, at a set rate of 2s a day, regardless of what was on the menu. This was generally it seems considered a good deal as Mr Ward's catering was highly praised. The fee covered  breakfast, dinner and supper as well as 1 pint of beer a day.  The meals were served in a large tent used as a dining room, next to the canteen. Each man was supposed to bring along his own tin plate, and pint mug plus a knife, fork and spoon. Water came from a specially dug well on the north side, which aroused some interest on the camp open days. 

Jesse was still doing the cooking at the 1864 camp also held at Gossmore, but now we are told there are no cooking facilities in the camp itself. Instead ready roast beef and mutton was supplied on alternate days "smoking hot" for the dinners. Jesse presumably borrowed a kitchen somewhere close by. However he managed it, he did a good job as the men spoke of the meals "in the highest terms" according to a reporter from the Reading Mercury who attended. 

Visitors could also enjoy an exhibition tent in which there were displays of  the trophies and other prizes already won by the Volunteers in shooting competitions. Marlow's Sergeant Alfred Stradling (otherwise a clock and watch maker of the High Street) had earned many of these in 1861. There you could also see equipment for cleaning and repairing the rifles. 

On Sunday, day 2, the camp was not quite finished but that didn't stop scores of visitors from Marlow, Little Marlow and Bourne End heading along the tow path to gaze at the scene. They were allowed in during the day more or less officially as the main group of men had not yet set up home. Whether their presence really helped putting the finishing touches in place must be debatable! A group of  local gentry usually chose the Sunday evening for their inspection of the camp too. 

Daily life in camp in the 1860's

The camp routine didn't change much each year in the 1860's so the below outline of the 1861 camp is a typical routine for the whole decade. 

On Monday, the Volunteers arrived en masse and things were put on a more military footing. Marlow were of course the nearest company to the camp and so they marched in first under Lieutenant Owen Peel Wethered. They did not as yet have use of The Armoury building in Institute Road*. The Marlow men also formed the first guard of the site. The other local companies joining in travelled by train to what was then known as the Marlow Road Station (soon to become Bourne End) and walked the rest of the way. They were joined by members of the Royal Bucks Yeomanry as some of the shooting prizes were open to them. All of the men were entitled to send one small bag of luggage in advance if they wished. They were strongly encouraged to do so to avoid carting a bag on their march into camp. Too much pack carrying was thought created a less splendid appearance to the company so it was said. Those coming via Bourne End had been told to send on their coats for the same reason. The result was the poor fellows got thoroughly drenched on their incoming march and not all had a full change of clothes with them. (The men were recommended to bring a coat, flannel shirt, waistcoat, trousers, a pair of socks - and only one - and their brush and comb.) The same thing happened on at least two other occasions in the 1860s. The weather likes to rain on our Volunteers! 

And so camp life began, with reveille at 5am, breakfast at 7.30am, morning parade at 9.30am and another at 7.30 in the evening, plus drill sessions throughout the day. Roll call was at 9pm. If you did not know the Volunteer camp was taking place (unlikely given the excitement felt in Marlow in the weeks before!), you would probably have heard them before too long. A bugler announced the parades 30 minutes before they were due to take place, as well as the time to get up, lights out (10pm) and roll call etc. (Marlow Volunteers were presented with a silver bugle by "the ladies of Marlow" in 1860) What took up most of the time was shooting practice and competitions of which more below. This also attracted criticism as it was considered not enough time was spent on general drill compared to the more glamorous rifle work. 

As time went on camps got lengthier but in 1861 the minimum stay was just 2 days out of 5. It was expected you would stay longer and indeed the whole time if you could. You could not just go home if you had had enough. Permission to leave the camp, whether for good or just a few hours, had to be obtained from an officer. Failure to turn up on parade or role call could result in your dismissal from the Volunteers. As the men all had day jobs, co operation was sought from their employers to release the men long enough. 

Another feature of the day was a short religious service each morning at 8.30am. This was one of the few aspects of camp life that wasn't compulsory. The services were conducted by the vicar of Marlow - the Rev Robert Millman in this period. He was the Brigades Honorary Chaplain. The service was always choral and so the choir in their surplices tramped along the river every morning to attend camp. 

One of the reasons that Marlow scored the camp was because they possessed "one of the most magnificent firing ranges ever seen" at the base of Bisham Woods - later moved further away when Quarry Wood Road was laid down. This had been originally provided by Mr Vansittart of Bisham Abbey. (George Henry Vansittart was promoted to Captain of the 1st Bucks Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1863, with Owen Peel Wethered promoted to Lieutenant in his place) A ferry was set up to allow easy communication between the Berks and Bucks shores. To the usual Marlow range was added 4 additional targets on a temporary basis.  Each member of the Volunteers was required to fire so many rounds at the butts. The competition shooting was held on "ranges at 200, 300, 500, 600 yards, 5 rounds at each range" Those that did best won a prize. Doing this took up most of Monday and Tuesday, with the finals held on the Thursday. Those who had attended camp for less than two days couldn't compete and those who hadn't attended a minimum number of drill sessions were barred from some events. Consistently the camps come with rules and guidelines to deal with not showing up at parade or drill, which suggests the early threats of dismissal if you missed any were not enough! 

The shooting prizes were for either cash or a cup or a medal. Marlow's men tended to do well and in 1864 Sergeant Stradling mentioned above scored the 2nd prize overall. Another cup for him to display. In the same year Corporal Newman came 4th winning £4 in cash, and Private Lunnon 6th overall. (£2 prize)

Wednesday is party day

Tuesday evening saw the party spirit begin. A brass band attended the camp to lead the men to drill. On Wednesday a large bonfire was constructed. Considering the awful weather which seems to accompany 90% of the 1860s camps, someone must have had the foresight to keep a large quantity of wood in the dry.  That would be lit in the evening, where it could be seen for miles around. The public was now formally allowed to enter the camp in the afternoon, rather than gather outside. Someone made a "large copper of punch" which was apparently available along with other alcohol indiscriminately to all. The officers also had some champagne which they raised in toast to the camps success. The brass band may have gone but someone bought along a harmonium in 1861. The Volunteers were fortunate to have Private Ringrose amongst their number. He was then the organist and choir master at All Saints. So he took charge of the harmonium and the singing and dancing began. In 1864 it was "Lord Orkneys band" that provided the Wednesday music. The Volunteers were still subject to lights out so eventually the camp was cleared and the men went back to their tents and a well deserved rest.  

Thursday was reserved for sports although some had also taken place on the Wednesday. It was said that these events were encouraging stamina and fitness, two qualities needed by their ideal soldier. The public were invited and a good number came along to watch. There were straightforward running races as well as donkey races and swimming ones at the first Marlow camp. Succeeding camps saw the sports programme get longer and more novelty races creep in such as "jumping in sacks" and pushing Volunteers in barrows. After all this the only thing left to do was more parade and a Thursday evening prize giving before the camp officially broke up on the Friday. The prize giving ended with a communal singing of the National Anthem that could be heard 2 miles away. 

At Danesfield 

Danesfield was another venue used by the Volunteers for their camp. For example in 1873 they set up on the banks of the river, with the officers mess tent in front of the entrance to the old Medmenham Abbey. This time the camp ran from Saturday to Wednesday. Dinner was provided at 1s a day, charged separately from the other meals. It was noted that many had chosen to bring their own food. Presumably the excellent chef Jesse Ward was no longer providing the catering.

The entertainment element was still there - as was Ringrose and his harmonium and the Marlow Choir. The choir were not thankfully walking all the way to Danesfield each day but did join in an outdoor service on one occasion. Entertainment day was Monday this time around. A band played for two hours in the officers mess for the officers and their invited guests. The following day all the men were invited in turn into the mess after the sports for a "punch party". The camp ended with the officers ball hosted by Robert Scott Murray of Danesfield, with the band of the First Life Guards in attendance. By this time the other men were well on their way home..and for once it didn't rain on them!

NB. 

The 1st Marlow corps were joined by those from High Wycombe (the 2nd), Buckingham and Winslow (the 3rd), Aylesbury (the 4th) and Slough (the 5th). 

Some of those attending the 1861 camp as members of the 1st Marlow include:

Private R Blackwell 

Private H Smith

Private W Lunnon

Private William Ringrose

Private J Curtis 

Private J Cox 

Private Wyatt

Private Hobbs

Private McMillan 

Private Fletcher.

Private Endall

Quartermaster Sergeant T? Lunnon qv

Corporal Brown

Corporal Newman

Corporal Hackshaw

Bugler Batting

Sergeant Alfred Stradling 

Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

Related Posts

*The joy and tragedy of the Armoury's first year - here

South African Wars memorial includes many Volunteer names - here

General index of posts related to Marlow and  military history: here

Other posts related to Danesfield: here

Sources include:

Berkshire Chronicle 18 June 1859 - British Library Archive. 

Reading Mercury 11 July 1860, as above. 

Reading Mercury  1865, thanks to Jane Pullinger for her copy. 

Beckett, Ian. Call To Arms - Buckinghamshire's Citizen Soldiers. (Barracuda Books 1985)

The London Gazette, 1 September 1863 - digitised by Google. 

Orders for Volunteer Encampments - 1865, Wilson & Son. 

© MarlowAncestors 

    

  

Wages in Marlow History *Updated April 2026**

This post has been expanded to include some material up to the 1960s.

Agricultural

Straw binder, per load on a Marlow farm 1844 = 1 shilling.

Male stone picker on a Marlow farm, per day 1844 = 1 shilling.

Carter at Town Farm Marlow 1844, per week = 12 shillings. Same wage as 1856!

Night watchman (usually guarding sheep but fear of incendiary attacks was also high locally at this time) on Marlow farm, per night 1844= 6d.

A female agricultural labourer's weekly wage on a Marlow farm in summer 1856 = 6 shillings.

Hay binder pay per load, 1856 = 2 shillings.

Shepherds wage on Town Farm Marlow 1856, per week = 13 shillings.

Plough boy on a Marlow farm 1856, per week = 4 shillings. 

Carter on Town Farm Marlow 1856, per week = 12 shillings.  This hadn't increased since before 1844!

Working farm foreman who can do thatching and hedging, per week, 1860 = 12s including cottage and £2 Michaelmas payment. 

Farm boy at Hill Farm Marlow 1865, per week= 4 shillings 6d.

Under Gamekeeper, at Hall Place nr Hurley, 1872 = 15s a week including cottage and garden, and harvest month bonus. 

Under Gamekeeper at Little Marlow 1876 = 16 shillings a week plus cottage and garden.

Wages paid to three agricultural labourers to mow a meadow Great Marlow, per acre, 1873 = 6 shillings 6d plus beer. The inclusion of beer in wages was common.

15 year old boy to milk cows and work in farm yard at Hawkins Farm, 1874, per week = 6 shillings  (plus £4 at Michaelmas). 

Carter on Abbey Farm, Little Marlow 1875, per week = 13 shillings, with a cottage and Michaelmas money.

Weekly wage of barley thrasher on a Marlow farm 1880 = 13 shillings.

Ploughboy per week on a Marlow Farm, 1880 = 5 shillings.

Agricultural labourer Marlow able to mend fences and plough 1892, per week = 12 shillings with cottage and garden.

Ploughboy, 1899, per week including board and lodging = 6 shillings.

Haymakers, 1900, per day = 5s plus 3 pints beer. (A higher than average wage put down to the relative absence of labourers locally due to their serving instead in the South African wars)

Cowman on a Marlow farm, if single [married men were paid more in those days and might also get use of a cottage] a week 1903 = 17 shillings. For comparison 17 shillings was also the wage for a carter at Danesfield and at a Little Marlow farm in 1899 but use of a cottage was also included with those. That position was for a married man only. He would receive extra fees at harvest time. At the hiring day that started the Wycombe Fair in 1898 the average negotiated wage for a cowman was 13 shillings a week plus a cottage, a ton of coal and "a present of £3 at Michaelmas". In 1914 a cowman at Blounts farm had a weekly wage of £1 (20s) 

Carter on Wood Barn Farm Little Marlow 1914 = 16 shillings a week plus a cottage. (In 1899 it was 13 shillings.) A carter at Barmoor in the same year could expect 20s (£1) a week without a cottage - total abstainers preferred. 

General farm worker at Wood Barn Farm Little Marlow with cottage and £2 10s extra Michaelmas money, per week 1914 = 16 shillings. Must be able to rick build and help in milking. 

Shepherd at Barmoor Farm 1915, per week = £1 2 shillings with cottage and garden.

Farm worker not part of a threshing team and not in a supervisory role mandatory pay in Buckinghamshire 1944, per hour = 1 shilling 7d for men, 1 shilling 3d for women. Overtime paid at same rate.

Tractor driver come cowman at Old House Farm 1951, per week = £6 plus cottage to live in.

Domestic Service (for commercial cooks /maids  in hotels etc see under "other" below)

Needlewoman for domestic service, to make plain dresses and frocks, and care for the wardrobes of several young gentleman when home from school, and mind the boys themselves ditto, 1859 = £16 per year plus beer and washing allowance. Members of Church of England only need apply. 

Housemaid in a gent's family, to be aged 20-30, per annum 1860 = 14 guineas with "everything found" That meant employers will provide things like her laundry, candles for personal use, food and drink. Applicants to send letter care of Mr Pierce (Pearce) stationer, High Street Marlow. He took in replies to many similar requests.

Married couple- the man to serve as the gardener, cow man and groom, and the woman to be the cook, in tradesman's family, 1860, per annum = £30 for the pair. 

Parlourmaid to Charles Foottit the chemist 1878, per annum = £16, "all found" (so she getting her food, candles, laundry and (if worn) uniform provided.

Stable lad at Hillside (off where Seymour Park Road is today) 1881, per week = 10 shillings.

Plain cook in Marlow 1884, per annum = £17 all in (so her own food food and any uniform supplied) but not including any beer.

General servant in a family home in the High Street, per annum = £8.

General servant to assist at Marlow Cottage Hospital, Cambridge Road. Duties will include cooking 1890, per annum = £12.

Assistant gardener at Seymour Court 1890, per week = 20s.

Good plain cook, age 30-35, with a kitchen maid to assist her in her work. At Westhorpe, 1890 = £25-29 per annum depending on experience. For comparison a cook - general (cook who would do housework too) working for much smaller household in Beaumont Rise in the same year could expect £20-23 per year. She had no kitchen maid to assist her but a "house boy" instead, who would also wait at table. And she would not be required to do any laundry. 

General cook Marlow 1896, per annum = £16.

General servant at house Marlow High Street 1898, per annum  = £10.

Nursemaid to look after one child, Marlow Place 1900, per annum = £20.

Garden labourer, experienced, at Temple House 1900, per week = 17 shillings plus a lodge to live in. (Previous year only 16s was offered).

Under Gardener, "strong lad" preferred, Cromwell House, 1900 = 9-10 shillings a week. 

Kitchen Maid, Beechwood House, Red Pitts 1904, per annum = £12. In 1917 a kitchen maid at Court Garden could expect £14 a year. 

General servant Little Marlow, 1907, per annum = £10 [possibly a small household. In London you could earn double that, and £10 seems low even for local standards].

Parlourmaids in Marlow wages per annum as advertised across various sources, 1907 = £18-26. In 1917 a parlourmaid at Court Garden could expect £30. 

Ladies maid to cover a Marlow household with two ladies. Dressmaking required. 1907, per annum = £30.

Head housemaid, per annum 1907 = £26.

Nursemaids in Marlow across various ads, per annum 1908 = £25-28.

Live in groom in large Marlow house, per week 1909 = 10 shillings a week [that was pretty stingy even for a live in!].

Footman in large Marlow house, per annum 1909 = £22.

General servant for small Marlow family, per annum 1910 = £11 (very low though ad says no laundry duties involved).

A Cook at The Glade, Glade Road Marlow who was moving on, expected in her next job to earn in 1912, per annum = £24 to £25.

Garden labourer at Temple House with wife to attend to entrance gates, per week plus lodge rent free, 1914 = 17s.

Kitchen maid, age 16-20, at Court Garden 1915 = £16-18 per annum. An under housemaid at same house received the same wage. 

Cook at Woodside Little Marlow Road 1916, per annum = £24 .The cook at court garden in 1917 could for comparison expect £35 per annum, but this was a much larger household. 

Housekeeper to do plain cooking as well, small household in Marlow,  1916 = £20 per annum.

Under Gardener at Court Garden 1918 = 25 shillings a week plus vegetables from the garden, a coal allowance and either 3 rooms over stable or small lodge. Raised to 30 shillings with the veg and accomodation etc when no takers for this job. The head gardener could expect 35s a week in the same year with the same benefits, raised to 40s for the same reason as above. 

Paid companion to a lady, 1918, not for those under 40 years = £20 per year. 

Cook-general (cook who will also do other housework) in household where parlour maid is kept, at Thames Field, per annum, 1920 = £42. 

Parlour maid in Marlow 1926, per annum = £36.

Parlour maid in Marlow 1934, per annum = £45.

Gardener, gardener at croft Cottage Pound Lane 1944, per week = 15 shillings (required to work one day a week only but garden is in a bad state!)

Clerical, Managerial And Similar

Librarian at the Literary and Scientific Institute, per annum 1860 = £6.

Great Marlow parish surveyor 1860, per annum = £20.

Great Marlow parish sanitary inspector 1859, per annum = £45

Sanitary Inspector for Marlow 1866, per annum = £12 (note the difference from 1859!)

Clerk to the parish council, per annum 1896 = £25 (a part time role).

Secretary of Marlow Water Company, per annum 1897 = £25.

Managing Director of Marlow Water Company, per annum 1897= £50 plus 5 per cent commission on dues collected -getting people to pay up, especially those in big houses was hard work!

Ledger Clerk at Lloyds Bank Marlow 1928, per annum = £150.

Rent collector for Marlow Urban District council 1966, per day = £3.

Education / school roles:

Master of the Boys' School, per annum 1878 = £104. 

Mistress of Bovingdon Green village school, per annum 1878 = £44 6 shillings.

Mistress of the Infant's School in St Peter's Street, per annum 1878 = £70.

Cook for Borlase school, (who had a scullery maid to assist her), 1899 , per annum= £25-30 - but it is specified she shall have no beer allowance.. In 1938 the same role paid, per annum = £52.

Drill instructor for Borlase school, who had to be a military man either discharged or unfit to serve, 1918, per week =  £1 7s 6d .

Clerical assistant, Borlase School per hour, 1955 = 3s 9d .

Caretaker at soon-to-open Danesfield School, 1962, per week £20 15sh 9d.

School cleaner at Danesfield School (male) per hour, 1965 = 2 sh 2 and a half pence. Extra if worked early or late.

Craft Occupations

Journeyman blacksmith in Marlow 1830, per week = 17 shillings.

Female bib maker (paid per piece), could earn per day, 1870 = 6d to 8d.

Girls, ideally aged about 15, to paint tiles at the Medmenham Pottery, Marlow Common 1898, per week = 5 shillings.

Building And Similar Trades

Casual labourer, per day in Marlow 1857 = 2 shillings.

Foreman road labourer for the parish road works, per week, 1868 = 13 shillings.

Painter (house). As earned by Thomas Clements of Hambledon 1872, per week = 18 shillings.

Carpenter working for Ambrose Corby the builder 1878, per hour = 6 and a half pence.

First year apprentice carpenter and joiner working for Ambrose Corby the builder 1881, per week = 9 shillings (this was seen as a good wage, and would rise in the second year).

Mason to work at the building of a new house at Danesfield 1899, per hour = 9d, travelling time allowed.

Brick makers at Marlow Common kiln, 1899 = 7 shillings per 1,000 bricks made. 

Plasterer to work on houses being built by Mr Harris the builder at Marlow 1899, per hour = 10d.

Bricklayer's labourer working in building Great Marlow School 1960, per hour = 5s 6d.

Other Manual Occupations

A quarter's pay for the organ blower in the parish church (worked bellows while organist played the instrument), 1857 = 10s 6d.

Paper mill worker, male, adult 1874, per week = 17 shillings 6 pence.

Chimney sweep employed by master sweep as assistant in Marlow, 1884, per week = 15 shillings.

Carter working for Mr Butler coal merchant of Marlow 1893, per week = 17 shillings

Girl about 15 to learn laundry work at the Standard Laundry, Station Road, 1916 = 5s a week starting wage. 

Stoker at Marlow Gas Works, per 12 hour shift, 1919 = 8s 9d plus war bonus of 3s a week still applies. 

Shop Work

Journeyman baker (qualified baker who had served his apprenticeship but worked for others not himself) Marlow 1862, per week = 12 shillings.

First year apprentice at International Stores grocers in the High Street 1941, per week = 15 shillings with linen provided.

Lady working in Burger's bakery on the Causeway, per hour 1950 = 1sh 6d.

Lady shop assistant age 18 at Aldridge's grocers Marlow, per week 1966 = £8 8 shillings. Overalls provided and staff discount offered.

Part time, afternoons only, lady cashier at Prestige Betting shop, West Street 1966, per week = £6 10 shillings.

Warehouseman, International Stores, High Street (grocers), 1966 = £11 a week.

Hospitality 

Hotel cook, per annum 1909 = £25 At The Chequers in 1900 the cook could expect £30 per annum for comparison. 

Housemaid/ Waitress (one person to perform both roles)  at hotel in area, live in, 1917 = £31 per annum. A good wage compared to those in domestic service as a housemaid in a private home. 

Other:

Yearly wage for the priest serving the nuns of Little Marlow Priory 1525 = £5 8s 6d.

Maximum salary the churchwardens and overseers of poor would be willing to pay for a sober couple of good character to manage Great Marlow poorhouse, 1775 = £20 per annum. 

Keeper of the Marlow Lock Up House 1856, per week = 16 shillings plus a uniform coat and hat renewed every year.

Gravedigger come caretaker of the churchyard 1898, per week = 16s (and would get tips).

Caretaker and librarian for the Marlow Institute 1903, per week = 15 shillings. (It was £35 per annum in 1897).

State unemployment benefit, per week, 1920 = 15s a week for men, 12s for women. 

Electricity meter reader Marlow 1956, per hour = 3sh 9d.

Pay per fire attended, for Marlow's retained part time firefighters, 1966 = 35 shillings. If the fire lasted over an hour they were given an extra 8 shillings per additional hour. These were additional fees on top of the yearly retainer they received as a matter of course (up to £55).

******

Compiled by Charlotte Day and Kathryn Day.

Compiled from adverts, letters, court cases, interviews.

And Maidenhead Advertiser July 24th 1872 (Bayliss Media Archive), South Bucks Standard 30 September 1899 and 5 February 1897, Bucks Free Press 7th January 1938 (Bucks Free Press Archives via Newspapers. Com).

To put these wages into context see our Marlow Cost of Living posts Part 1 and Part 2. These tell you what Marlow people paid for rents, food, entertainment, medical care, furnishings, education, travel etc.

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

Where Your Gardener Ancestor Worked

Those listed may be head or assistant gardeners. Domestic gardeners only in this post, more on the nursery gardeners of Marlow in future. There were a great many of those. Dates next to a name show when I have concrete evidence of a person being in the job. They may have been there earlier or later too. Many more names to add as time permits. Spelling as per original source which can lead to some interesting variations! *Updated by Charlotte May 2026*. To find out more about the houses themselves check the index here

Head Gardener Alan Day working on the New Kitchen Garden at Remnantz, 1991 (formerly part of the lawn tennis courts) . The old brewery chimney can be seen poking over the yew hedge - a hedge which was over a century old already at that point. Sorry the pic is not the best! © Marlow Ancestors

Beechwood, Henley Road 

1859 -  House then known as Beech Lodge - Thomas Gibson

1881- George Smith. Not the same as the George Smith at Suffolk Lodge.

1883 - Alfred Lambourne

1898 - E Keene

1901- E Keene (head), Thomas Brown and George Mealing 

1907 - E Keen qv and T Brown. 

1911-16 - George Henry Moores. Lived in a 4 room cottage on the estate. This was said to be part of the original older Beechwood house. With a stucco front, "rustic porch" and veranda it certainly sounds more impressive than the usual staff quarters. In 1916 his employer tried to get George totally exempted from military service but the local tribunal refused to grant this. From at least 1911-13 the assistant gardener was George Harris who lived in the Lodge at Beechwood. Though the rates for the lodge were paid for by his employer Thomas did not have the use of the cottage as part of his job and paid rent out of his wages to live there. 

1928 - G Austin. Arrives from the Manor House Stoke Poges. 

Bohemia

1899- 1917 Mr Thomas William Jordan. Was a domestic gardener living in Marlow High Street by 1891 probably working at Cromwell House.  Wife Louisa. Grave of their daughter and her husband here.

Borlase School (for head E W Clark)

1898/99- William Soley

Bisham Abbey

1846 - Mr Sutton

1866 - Mr Henderson. Wife Ann dies this year age 60 after falling down stairs while making a visit to a friend. 

1901,03 - G Martin. 

1927 - W McCaul (head) 

Unknown dates- Joseph Curtis who was later at Bridge House Marlow and who died in 1905.

Blounts, Bovingdon Green

1894 - Alan Axten 

1903-39 at least - J Platt (Head) - (to Walter Wethered then A R A Heath Esq) Blounts Cottage. Frequent winner of classes at the local Chrysanthemum show and a judge of classes at the Bovingdon Green Show.

Bridge House

To early 1905 from unknown date Joseph Curtis who had previously worked at Bisham Abbey. Ill health forced his retirement. Lived at time of his death 1905 at Platts Row Marlow. 

The Cottage, Oxford Road (a large size house not a little cottage and not the same as Oxford Cottage)

1861-1874 Dennis Wargent. Moved to Hurley by 1881 (probably 1878 ish) where he was also a gardener (mostly for Rev F T Wethered). He was a churchwarden there too. A detailed biography is available here.

1884 - Ernest Levy.

1898 &99 - E Harvey? 

Court Garden House

1827- John Stewart. Died that year. His will was subject to a fraud which caused a nationwide sensation. More on that here.

1861- 1864 William Neighbour and see Harleyford below. Lived in the lodge, Pound Lane. Wife Emma. For more see here and biography here.

1866-1872- Thomas Lockie. Probably moved on to Oakley Court, Windsor. Placed an ad in the Gardeners Chronicle and Agricultural Gazette May 1872 seeking a new position after 5 years at Court Garden. It said that he had been brought up to a garden from childhood. "First class testimonials" available. A champion cucumber grower! Friends with Mr Hancock gardener at Suffolk Lodge.

1873&4 - D S Gillett.

1871-1881 John Waitman. Not necessarily head gardener. Lived in the lodge with wife Eliza 1871. Later lived in rooms above the stables Court Garden (set of three rooms). Retired gardener living at Glade Road and widowed 1901.

1881 - Charles Swadling. 

1901 - 1911 at least Robert Gibson.

1915 - Charles Croxon. 

Cromwell House

1893 - Mr Jordan (later at Bohemia).

1895 -1900 Mr Weaving.

Danesfield.

1846 : Henry King.

1850-1859 Henry Wood. His family were Catholic converts. His sister Lucy Anne who lived with him briefly at Danesfield was a troubled young woman who struggled to hold down a job and was widely rumoured to, having become a nun, eloped from her nunnery with a baron. While the marriage to the Baron de Camin (or perhaps "baron") looks to have been true Henry insisted his sister had never been a nun. De Camin was generally regarded as an imposter himself. Henry was a grower of "extraordinarily fine fruit". In 1858 he won two silver medals at the Royal Botanic Society Show held in Regents Park, London. 

1860-1901 Head - Edward Croker who was also a Catholic. In 1867 Danesfield hosted the Marlow Horticultural show and rural fete, and Mr Croker carried off a number of prizes. Wife Arabella and he married in Marlow's Catholic church in 1861. Biography here

1861 - Garden apprentice is 14 year old Robert Columbine, whose family lived at Albion House, West Street. Dad Colour Sergeant James Columbine. More on this family here

1889 - Henry Bennett (assistant gardener). Joseph White (assistant gardener, see below)

1898 - William Murray Geddes (head), William Dalton (foreman), Joseph White (assistant gardener- early in the year but sacked on suspicion on stealing expensive flower seeds and sent to trial for the offence).

1899-1904 James Gibson. At first the Under Gardener, then Head Gardener from at least 1901. James was regarded as an authority on "vegetable culture" and lectured on this subject to regional horticultural institutions. He sent collections of vegetables for exhibition as far away as shows in Birmingham. Also won many prizes for carnations. When advertising his desire to seek a new position in 1904, James tells us that he has the "highest testimonials for "ability, sobriety and civility" as well as experience in estate re modelling - Danesfield was extensively altered during his time there. 

1905- Mr O Smith.

1906-07 Mr G.W Smith.

1910-1920 Webster Hillier. Wife Mabel. Moved eventually to Reigate, Surrey. Gardener to A H Lewis. Assistant gardener :Arthur Weller (1912) . Webster acts as a judge at local flower shows for categories he's not eligible for,  and wins many prizes himself. 

1910-William Buck assistant gardener (foreman of glasshouses). Died 1 week into post. Committed suicide on estate by jumping into the water tower. Had suffered a nervous breakdown a little before. 

1910 - Assistant gardeners: Arthur Cook, George Plumridge. 

1915 - Assistant gardener Anthony Martin Weller. Volunteered to fight in WW1 and died after contracting smallpox while serving in Mesopotamia in 1917. He was 21 years of age at the time of his death.

1926 -32 at least -Arthur E Friend. Received £500 from the will of Danesfield owner Mrs Helen Hornby Lewis, allegedly the richest woman in Britain. She left many generous bequests, to her staff and others. 

Field House, near Newtown Road.

1921 - William Grimsdale.

Gossmore House

1921 - Joseph Grove (lived Mill Road).

Gyldernscroft, Henley Road

1862 - Mr Adams. Assisted by Thomas Harris. 

1861 - Robert Thomas (probably assistant gardener) Lived Croft Lodge. 

1881-1883 Alfred Maxim. Lived Croft Cottage / Lodge nearby. Wife Amelia. Left Marlow by 1891.

1888 -1903 - Walter Lawrence - head. 

1901 - George Langley.

1910-1926 William Brigden, originally from Tooting. His employer in 1916 tried unsuccessfully to get him temporarily exempted from war service. William helps to judge the first Marlow Horticultural Society post war show in 1920 and many thereafter. 

Harleyford House

1822-43 Mr Kirby.  Not sure if head gardener (but likely).

1846,7 - John Cheetham. 

1861 - William Hunt, gardeners boy age 15. 

1861 -66 William Blackman.

1869 - Sir William Clayton has a telegraph system installed with 3 miles of underground cabling to allow him to communicate with the gardeners, lodge keepers and other staff. 

1866-1872- William Neighbour. See also Court Garden above. Biography here

1869 - 1879 - Stephen Goldswain, under gardener. Stephen's employment comes to an abrupt end when he is convicted of stealing potatoes from the gardens, along with 2 garden labourers. He received 1 month in prison for this with hard labour.

1875- Mr Harding.

1879- 1888 Charles Knowles. Lived in the Gardener's Lodge. Wife Elizabeth. In 1879 one of the assistant gardeners Stephen Goldswain who had worked on the estate for ten years was found guilty of stealing potatoes from the garden after Charles gave evidence against him.  Two casual labourers in the estate had also stolen some. Stephen was jailed for a month with hard labour. By the time he left Harleyford, Charles was the head gardener. 

1879 - Thomas Brewer and William Thatcher. Garden labourers. Unfortunately they are convicted along with Stephen Goldswain above for stealing potatoes from the gardens. William had a previous conviction so received a 6 week sentence with hard labour, while Thomas was sentenced to 4 weeks, also with hard labour. 

1881 - Walter Garner (under gardener) and Frederick Stratfield ditto. Frederick Cheetham / Cheethman is gardener's labourer. 

1886 - J Fletcher age 22, under gardener. Seeks position elsewhere this year as second gardener or "first journeyman in the houses". In other words he is looking to further his career by moving to another garden in a more senior role. The houses referred to are the glasshouses or greenhouses. Some large estates had gardeners whose main role was to tend to the vast amount of plants grown under glass. Experience in caring for these was valued and Fletcher says he has experience in this field. 

1888 - Alfred Myson, head. Possibly left 1890. 

1895- 1909 James Sharpe, head. Wife Millicent. Manages to grow bananas on the estate, harvesting 60lb of them in 1903. 

1915 - Walter Barklam. Assistant gardener then Edward Farmer. Edward died aged 29 in 1918. This was as a result of an accident during his WW1 military service. He was thrown from his horse and died of his injuries.

1926 - G Edworthy (head) 

Highfields

1881-1883 James Munday.

1903 - John Weaving. Lived in a four room cottage Highfield's Lodge.

1907 - T Weavin. Possibly a mistake for J Weaving.

1911 - John Weaving.

1924 -29 at least.  J E Jones. Came in 1924 from Major Argles in Westmorland. 

The Lawn, Mill Road.

NB not the same house as Thames Lawn.

1921 - Henry Smewing.

Little Marlow Manor.

1861 - Edwin Anstead? Might be at Westhorpe now. 

1863 - Edwin Anstead.

1897-98 - George Cooper.

1920 - George Latchford.

Little Dean / Littledean/ Littledene (New Town)

Probably the house formerly known as Rivermead(s)- if not they were very close together. 

1921 - Albert Brooks.

Marlow Place, Station Road

1739 - Robert Rudkin (to "Madam Wallop") [Alice/Alicia]

1907, 1915  - J B Trendall.

1921 - Benjamin Trendall (Head).

1930- Mr Trendall (Head).

*For 17 years prior to the first world war Henry William Reeves was under gardener. Unfortunately a leg wound sustained in 1917 at Ypres meant Henry could no longer work as a gardener as he could no longer bend his knee. Instead he eventually opened the longstanding Reeves tobacconists and confectioners in the High Street. 

Medmenham Abbey 

1911 - James Aird, head gardener for Col Douglas Frederick Dawson. 

1915 - Ernest Henry Wye Clark, under gardener. Ernest was killed in action at Passchendaele in 1917 aged 26. His parents, who lived in Queens Road Marlow, knew that he was missing but did not learn that he had definitely died for almost a year. A photo of Ernest's grave is on the blog here.

New Court, off High Street.

Uriah Piggott who died in 1906 was said to have worked there for over 30 years. Wife Ann. In 1881 he is listed as a coachman of Platts Row and in 1871 as a groom. 

1907/8- Mr Turnedge. Under gardeners- Mr Brinsden and Mr Silver.

1915 - A Brown .

1926 - C Absolom 

The Orchard(s), Bovingdon Green

Richard Evans by 1907 to Mr H Slattery. By 1913 to at least 1915 Richard was the gardener to Mrs Slattery, widow. Looks to have moved to Lady Findlay at Warfield by 1927. 

Remnantz, West Street

John Neighbour - 1850s. Read more here

1871-1889 Alfred Hitchcock. Lived 83 West Street next to Remnantz. He lodged with Charlotte Rose, a laundress employed by the family at Remnantz. Alfred died 1889. Wife Catherine (m 1878, née Orme). William was one of those who gave evidence as to the damage done during the election riots of 1880, of which more here 

1891 - assistant gardener, Walter Trim. Killed this year in an accident while climbing a tree (not at Remnantz) in pursuit of a magpies nest. 

1903 - Samuel Fisher. Lived at Remnantz Lodge/Cottage. 

1911- William Farthing. Lived at Remnantz Cottage (81-83 West Street, old numbering, 81 currently.)

1918- A Brown. Due to wartime labour shortages the 45 year old was managing all 12 or so acres alone AND acting as groom for Miss Wood, the tenant of the house.  He lived at Remnantz Cottage, which is now 81 West Street but was differently numbered in the past.

Rookery, off Chapel Street.

1863 - Richard Ward. He won first prize for his peaches at the Marlow Horticultural Show in this year.

1865- J Goldswain.

1872 - G Frith.

1888-1899 at least  - George Frith. Brings the fruit garden into a state of perfection, with renowned pear trees. 

1914 - T Allaway, arrives after  spending 7 years as second gardener at Englefield Lodge, Englefield Green.

1927 &8 - Mr Lewis. 

 

Seymour Court

1883-1890 William Andrews, lived Eton Place rather than on site. Left 1890. Is still censused as a gardener later in Marlow but I don't know where he worked.

1890- 1891 William R Williams (yes his name was William Williams). Head gardener. Lived Dean Street 1891 which would be about a mile walk to work for him each day, and home again. Born in Wales. You'd think William Williams would not be a common name but there was also another man of the same name in Dean Street 1891 in a different household! Moved to Seymour Court from position as garden foreman at The Cedars, Wells, Somerset, and prior to that was at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. 

1891 - Sidney Chalk. Also worked at Court Garden, date uncertain. See post here for more on Sidney's later career as ironmonger etc. 

1891 - Richard Heath.

1899- 1902 Walter Parsons.

1901 - George Giddings?

Spinfield Lodge / House (original largely demolished, but a 1930s house replaced it) 

History of the house and the occupants of it is available here

1841- Thomas Piggott? 

1847- H. King.

1853- Mr MacKeith.

1860- Mr Clews. Oversaw expansion and significant improvement of the gardens and grounds.

1863- William Neville. Or in second source G Neville. 

1873- H Heath. Seems to be under gardener or garden labourer rather than the head gardener.

1879 - Mr German.

1879 - Mr Excell (Second gardener. That is under gardener) 

1881 - William Thurman. Head  Leaves this year to take up position at Fairthorne Park, Botley. 

1881 - John Heath - garden labourer.

1882- W. J Clarke. Moved from Kilkerran, Ayrshire to take the job.

1883- Abraham Hubbard.

1887- John Kent. Lived in the lodge. Unsure of position within garden staff. 

1891-1899 William Shorter. Was in his 70s and shortly after this became the lodge keeper at Spinfield instead of gardener because of his ailing physical condition. He died at the lodge aged 81 in 1900. Wife was Rebecca who after his death became a ladies maid at Spinfield. She was some years younger than him. William had at his death worked for the wider Murray family 60 years plus and they thought the world of him. Assistant gardener Mr Finch (1898)

1892-93 Mr Cole. Moved 1893 to Swallowfield Park Berkshire. Effectively the head gardener on a day to day basis but the elderly William Shorter was officially still the head. 

1898- 1916 Thomas Blackmore. Rose specialist and florist who provided floral decorations for many public events in Marlow. Judge regularly at local horticultural shows. A native of Devon. He gave some talks to the local boy scouts on horticulture in 1914. He  provided the plants for some formal planting displays at Marlow Cemetery in the years after it opened. He lived in a 4 room cottage on the estate. The under gardener lived in the Lodge house in 1911. Thomas used a portion of Spinfield Gardens as an independent commercial enterprise (selling bedding plants etc)  from some point after 1916 until shortly before he set up as a nurseryman, seedsman and florist, at West Street 1921. 

Suffolk Lodge, off what is now Station Road. Later called Marlow Lodge (There was also a Marlow Lodge at Little Marlow) More on the house here

1840 - George Davidson.

1868- Edward Hancock. Died suddenly this year of a fit of apoplexy just outside the gates of Suffolk Lodge. Had suffered fits of apoplexy and occasional difficulty breathing for some months. Age 63.

1869 - Mr J Meakes. Won prizes at the "floral fete" held at Harleyford in this year. 

1871 - Bartholomew Dingle.

1874-1875 F Russell.

1881- George Smith. Wife Margaret a servant in the house. Both live in. Not same George Smith as at Beech Lodge above.

1882 - Mr Edwin, and a "boy". 

1907-1918 at least Herbert Elkington. Lived in the gardener's cottage with wife Florence.

1917 - A Frith also worked there, presumably under gardener.

The Sycamores, Mill Lane 

NB not the same as Sycamore House West Street. 

 1911 - 1921 - Sydney Charles Rye. 

Temple House, Temple.

A history of the house can be found here

1835-1852 - George Davison./Davidson. 

1853 - Charles Adams. Features in the press as the American Aloe plant at Temple is 30ft tall including its flower stem. 

1861,1862- Henry Payne.

1880, 1886- George Keates. Wife Charlotte. Plays a big role in assisting the other staff to remove valuables from the house during the devastating fire of 1886. An entire wing containing dozens of rooms is gutted. 

1888 - R Cooper (journeyman age 21)

1890-1920 at least George Grove(s) (head) moved there from the Rangemore Gardens in Burton on Trent where he was foreman. Meticulously monitored a weather station at Temple and so provided many meteorological reports to local newspapers as well as trade journals. In 1900 George's "magnificent melons" were used to illustrate the Sutton's autumn catalogue. He'd managed to produce 4 melons from one plant weighing in total just over 31lbs. Acts as a judge at local horticultural shows when not carrying off prizes himself. 

1891 - Arthur Williams (under) . Moves to be head gardener for Mr H. Willan at Albion Lodge, Maulleys Castle, Worcs. NB one source had him as Arthur Wilson.

C1892 - for one year, F J Toms. Came from 2 year stint in fruit department of Lord Sudeley, Toddington, Glos and left for Brakspear, Uxbridge where he would be one of the foreman gardeners. 

1890-1892 Albert Pearce (Foreman) Moved to Summer Hill House, Kidderminster.

1893-c1896 - Charles Horn (General Foreman). Previously at Spye Park, Wilts. Left Temple to seek position as head gardener. 

1892 - 6 gardeners kept. Has bothy and gardeners perks including pick of vegetables. 

1893-Thomas Watson. Under.

1908 - James Davis. We think he was an under gardener. From the garden saw the lock keeper's teenage daughter fall into the lock. By the time he reached the spot it was too late, she had drowned.

Thames Bank, Riverside.

1846-1870 Mr Robert Hobbs. Pear grower extaordinaire. (In 1862 one of his trees produced 320 pears, with some extraordinary specimens measuring 13" round. The tree was photographed by Marlow photographer Rebecca Blake.) When fellow gardener (not at Thames Bank) Ford of the nearby South Place committed suicide by hanging himself in 1867, Robert was the first one on the scene responding to the cries of the dead man's sister. He cut the deceased down and gave evidence at the inquest. More on the case in this post. Assistant Mr Hollis. 

1871 - John Rose

1872-c1892 -1894 Albert George Bridg(e)man of Wiltshire. His toddler son William drowned in a water cistern while "helping" dad water the garden with a toy watering can at Thames Bank in 1875. Albert won many prizes for his produce. Later became a seedsman. Wife Elizabeth died 1888, second marriage was to Susannah.  Biography here. In 1888 one of the garden labourers was George White. George had the unpleasant task of retrieving the dead body of a Marlow man from the river by the house.

1894 - Douglas Brown (head). Came from Boscombe Manor, Bournemouth.

1895- Mr Hobbs.

1901 - C Anderson. 

As LYMBROOK - 

1921 - . Albert G Earis (possibly the head), Thomas Blewitt & George Hester 

Thames Cottage

1916 -1921 - Robert Thomas Davis. Also caretaker. In 1916 Robert's employer Percy Hoar twice applies for Robert's enlistment to be delayed Robert himself may then have asked for a exemption on personal grounds as in April 1917 the exemption is still in place but it is made conditional on his also doing farm work. Previously it was given on the condition that he joined the local rifle volunteers. He is placed on a farm by the Substitution Officer (to free up someone else to serve).  NB at time of 1916 Local Tribunal hearings his address is 86 Dedmere Rd. 

1921 - George Thorne. 

Western House, West Street

1862- Mr Tait.

1874-1879 James Rimmell. Also spelt Rymel and Rimmel. Organised a horticultural show in the grounds of Western House in 1874.

1888 - H Everist. (Everest?)

Early 1900s- Mr Absalom who had a sideline in taking photographic portraits of children.

Westhorpe House, Little Marlow

1869 - G. Davis. 

1890- George Davis.

1911 - William? Davis

1915 - George Davis (to Major Herbert Spencer Gordon) 

Additional research by Charlotte Day.

To find other posts about general Marlow history, see the index here

People of Potlands post lists many gardeners: here.

©Marlow Ancestors.

Sources:

Journal of Horticulture,  Cottage Gardener, and Home Farmer, collected, 1882 and 1890.

Journal of Horticulture and Cottage Gardener Article by George W Johnson FRHS and Robert Hogg LLD. Digitized by Google.

1883 Kellys Post Office Directory of Buckinghamshire, published by Kellys Directories Limited.

1911,1913 & 1915 Kelly's Directory as above

Reading Mercury 25th April 1868.

The Gardener: A Magazine of Horticulture and Floriculture, collected  - 1871.

South Bucks Standard September 9 1902, February 21st 1908, 11th August 1905, 14th March 1912.

Journal of Horticulture And Practical Gardening, Volume 26 1893. Digitized by Google.

History and Topography of Buckinghamshire by James Joseph Sheahan. Published by Longman, Green, Longman and Roberts 1861.

Bucks Herald 1862 22nd November, via the BNA / British Library Archives.

Reading Mercury 7 June 1867.

Bucks Free Press 21st October 1932, and Oct 11th 1918,  Bucks Free Press Archives.

Census, Jane Pullinger's transcription from microfilm.

Royal County Directory of Beds, Bucks, Berks etc 1876 by J.G Harrod and co.

Gardener's Chronicle, 1882, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1894, 1927, 1928 

Private letters.

Marriage cert Alfred Hitchcock.

A Letter To The Editor Of The Hampshire Chronicle Regarding The Winchester Nunnery by Ignatius Collingbrooke, published in book form by the Catholic Publishers and Booksellers Company 1858. Digitized by Google.

Clipping "Morning Leader" March 1905, provided by Percy Colter with thanks. 

Marlow Almanack and Directory 1891.

 

here

Men Who Built Marlow Part Two

Thomas Corby Senior and Junior of Great Marlow.

The elder Thomas was born circa 1785 in Medmenham according to the census.

Thomas Senior in partnership with Theophilus Clifford the stonemason in 1829 won the contract for brickwork and masonry for the new suspension bridge at Marlow. More on the extremely fraught building process here.

That bridge is the bridge you see today in Marlow.

In 1833 Thomas and his son lived parts of the same building in the High Street, shown below as it is today. Their builders yard, workshops and offices were a little further along the High Street in buildings demolished in 1969. 

Thomas Senior's part in that year had an annual value of £14 and consisted of his part of the house, a storeroom, lofts, yard and garden. His son's property consisted of his part of the house, and a garden with a total value of £11. There was only one entrance doorway for the premises. This fact when revealed to investigators in the 1840s would lose Thomas Junior his vote in elections as a separate householder even though his part of the property was valuable enough to qualify him otherwise. Thomas did not marry and always lived in the family home.

Thomas the elder in 1833 also owned and occupied 67 acres of farm land at Munday Dean just outside Marlow worth just over £55 a year. The Corby family had occupied land there for some years. He also had a kiln, shed and other buildings up at Marlow Common where he made bricks. (The fraught history of the brick kiln there will follow separately). 

In 1846 he and his son built the Catholic Church in St Peter's Street. They also built a Catholic chapel at Danesfield.

In 1851 he appeared on the census as a builder employing 30 men.

Thomas Senior died in 1853. (See his grave here ) In his will he left two houses in Staines Middlesex in trust for the benefit of his grandchildren. These were the children of his daughters Mary Ann (by marriage Rogers) and Emily (by marriage Croxford). His then unmarried daughter Charlotte received the furniture he had already given her to use when she kept a school, his bed and bedroom furniture, 3 cottages at ...(Swelley?) Place Great Marlow, 3 cottages at Bovingdon Green and £1000 which was invested. There was also money invested for his grandchildren, the children of his dead daughter Catherine Reeves and his son Henry Corby. 

Thomas Junior was left 5 cottages in Hambledon and a cottage in West Street Marlow. After his father's death he took over the business full time. On the 1861 census he was a builder and brick maker employing 47 men and 3 boys. His brickmakers went on strike in 1860 to demand a pay increase of a shilling per one thousand bricks made. Other local workers struck or asked for wage increases at that time due to price inflation of everyday goods.

Thomas Junior built Holy Trinity Church, the vicarage, the Roman Catholic School, the brick arch and stabling at New Court (1874) shown below (which involved first demolishing the two houses right next to his own home), the Little Marlow village school (1862), the novel wooden church at Handy Cross (1864) and the Primitive Methodist Chapel (now Liston Hall).

Thomas Junior was forced to retire in 1877 due to his health. The man he employed as overseer of his building operations, Young Lovell bought the business. More on him in future.

Shortly after his retirement Thomas died and was buried with his sister Charlotte Gibbs in All Saints churchyard in Marlow. I have a post showing his grave here

The Bucks Herald paid tribute to Thomas after his death saying he had shown "indomitable industry" and "unswerving honour and integrity".

Above: the arch leading into New Court built by Thomas Junior.

By Charlotte Day. Photos by Kathryn Day.

Further Information:

The Men Who Built Marlow Part One: The Bonds has already been posted here

Part three - The Lovells - here

Part 4: Frederick Plumridge here

To find all mentions of a family of individual here use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu.

©Marlow Ancestors. 

Sources:

Bucks Herald 7th April 1877 [Obituary]. Copy held in the British Library archive. Via the BNA.

Bridge wardens accounts and papers at the Centre for Buckinghamshire Studies.

Will Thomas Corby, held at the National Archives, Kew. Transcribed by me.

Original property records held by my family.

Census 1841-71 transcribed by me from microfilm.