Don't take that tea! Drinks in 1700s Marlow

 This is a companion piece to my Food in 1700s Marlow

The fact that a Marlow house had a well of its own was a fact worth advertising to potential buyers and tenants in the 1700s. The norm for Marlovian households was to have to share a well with multiple other families. This would continue to be the case even in the 1800s. The Thames was the only water access option for some. While their friends would sympathise with anyone in this situation this wasn't because they had to use river water as such- for some recipes it was thought superior- but because fetching it involved of course so much more of an effort. Rainwater was gathered but not thought suitable for most purposes. Spring dew was collected from grass of a morning and used for the washing of faces by ladies careful of their complexions.

A thirsty traveller might take a few gulps of cool water from a stream (such as those at nearby Bisham) to slake their thirst but plain water was otherwise far from bring a normal drink in the 1700s. What Marlovians wanted their water for, apart from the obvious washing and cooking usages, was for the making of either hot drinks or alcohol. 

Tea came exclusively from China at the time. It was drunk from a dish early in the century and from a cup later on. It could be bought either from the shops of specialist tea dealers, of which we have found none recorded in 1700s Marlow, or from grocers of which there were definitely plenty in Marlow.

Green tea including the worryingly named "gunpowder tea" was consumed as well as black tea.

Brass "kettles' were being manufactured at Temple by 1725. The term referred to multiple articles however not just the one we think of as for boiling water. Covered vessels for cooking certain foods such as fish were also "kettles" and most if not all of the Temple kettles are thought to be of that kind rather than tea kettles. Most middle income houses had multiple kettles for boiling water as well as several food cooking kettles in different sizes. All of these were expensive items so could be singles out as individual gifts in wills. John Plater of Marlow in his 1737 will left his best kettle to his wife amongst other items. His will is on the blog here. John Duck left his servant a tea kettle in the 1780s.

The increased use of tea improved the accuracy of recipes in cookbooks (which you could have sourced from John Howe in Marlow High Street in the 1780s to name one known bookseller of the time). Writers could direct the home cook to add a teaspoon of this or a tea cup of that knowing that most households had those items to hand. Recipe instructions could still be bewilderingly imprecise to modern eyes however with plenty of recipes still containing directions to add simply "not too much" of one ingredient or "a good amount" of another one.

Brian Cowan in his book the Social Life Of Coffee writes that at the start of the century coffee sales far outstripped those of tea but increasingly lower prices for the latter saw it soon overtake it's rival. He also says that by the end of the century many working class families not just wealthier households also found themselves able to afford some coffee as well as tea. No coffee house is known to have the existed in Marlow before the 1800s though it would not be a tremendous suprise to find that there was one here. We know that Marlow men often visited London in the course of their business and there they could not have escaped the pull of the coffee house. The famous Garraways coffee tavern in London hosted the auction of a farm and property in Medmenham owned by William Clayton of Harleyford in 1786.

Green tea including "gunpowder tree" was drunk as well as black tea.

Brass "kettles" were being manufactured at Temple by 1725. The term referred to multiple articles however not just an article for boiling water. Covered vessels for cooking certain foods such as fish were also "kettles" and it is thought that most of not all of the Temple kettles were actually these. Most middle income houses had multiple kettles for boiling water as well as an array of food cooking "kettles". All of these were expensive items so could be left as individual gifts in wills. John Plater of Marlow in his 1737 will left his best kettle to his wife amongst other items while John Duck left his servant a tea kettle when he wrote his will in the 1780s.

The increased use of tea improved the accuracy of recipes published in cookbooks (which you could have sourced from John Howe in Marlow High Street in the 1780s to name one known bookseller of the time). Writers could direct the home cook to add a teaspoon of this or a tea cup of that knowing that most households had those items to hand. Recipe instructions could still be bewilderingly imprecise to modern eyes however with plenty of recipes still containing directions to add simply "not too much" of one ingredient or "a good amount" of another one.

Coffee served in such premises is thought to have been made to a much lower strength than coffee today. The titles "coffee shop" or "coffee tavern" are a bit misleading. Other hot drinks and sometimes alcohol were also on the menu.

For those who found even weak coffee too much for their constitution a herbal equivalent marketed as "English Coffee" made from an unspecified mix of native plant leaves, bark and roots (probably including chicory and dandelion) could be procured for home use by the late 1700s. This was advertised in the 1780s in the Oxford Journal newspaper which was one of the only Marlow-covering newspapers available at the time and widely read in this town. Supporters of English Coffee had something of an evangelical zeal when promoting it. Mr J Lee of London published a treatise extolling it's virtues and trashing all rival beverages. Lee tells us that the regular drinking of foreign, as in true, coffee, rendered many Turks blind and paralyzed by the age of 40 and destroyed the stomachs of the French so that they became unable to gain nourishment from their food. One French nobleman was allegedly so enfeebled by drinking coffee he could no longer walk across a room before his wise physician banned him from coffee and thus reinvigorated him. Tea was singled out for even harsher criticism with Mr Lee quoting from the Commons speech of William Young in which it was  stated that "if the poorer sort of people made tea their constant food, there would be but few poor in the land in a very short time as nothing could so effectively shorten their days as that perniciously deadly herb tea". Young thought drinking tea as dangerous as drinking gin, which given the moral panic over gin drinking in the 1700s was saying quite something. Nervous disorders were quite unknown in England prior to the introduction of tea the pamphlet thundered. Now thanks to it people were becoming so enfeebled and nervous they could not work and were slowly dying from this slow acting poison. To buy English Coffee you had to visit a single supplier near St Paul's in London but the long term advertisement of the product in the Oxford local press suggests that this was a worthwhile expense for the manufacturer and that people were being drawn in by these ads and coming to London from the local area to buy it. The stagecoach from Marlow's Crown dropped you in Fleet Street within walking distance (providing you were not incapable of walking thanks to your coffee drinking that is) of St Paul's so if any of our townsfolk felt the urge to buy English Coffee, they could.

Hot chocolate was a luxury drink. It was rather different from our modern hot chocolates as it was usually made with the addition of beaten eggs. Often other thickeners such as ground almonds or pistachios were also included. These thickeners were added in such quantities that the hot chocolate seems more akin to a thick sludge than a drink. You wonder how many supposedly dainty 1700s ladies accidently greeted their visitors with a "chocolate moustache"! And it was ladies that were characterized as particularly fond of the beverage. It was always drank spiced. Pepper and cinnamon formed the most common spice combination but some recipes added cardamon or ginger instead of the pepper.

The rich might drink chocolate at any time of day, including at breakfast. It was drunk from special chocolate cups and prepared in a dedicated chocolate pot. Before pouring out the mixture was whipped up in a chocolate mill. 

Home cooks usually prepared the drinks from "cocoa nuts" but ground cocoa was also available.

Hannah Glasse in her 1748 best selling cookbook offered a recipe for fake hot chocolate which I suspect fooled nobody. It was made from sweetened milk thickened with beaten eggs and flavoured with cinnamon. Probably quite nice but I don't think she and I would have been friends for very long if she served that up to me when I was expecting chocolate.

The desire to fake a hot chocolate came from the high cost of the product. A pound in weight of ground cocoa cost more than an agricultural labourer's weekly wage. That was before you added the necessary expensive spices to it. 

Chocolate could be bought in the early 1790s from grocer come soap boiler Mr Rackshaw in Henley Market Place and no doubt from several retailers in Marlow itself too. Marlovians could also write to London cocoa suppliers and have the nuts sent directly to their homes.

Cow's milk as a stand alone beverage was seen as suitable for infants and invalids only. Almond milk was made in the 1700s as a beverage for the delicately stomached and was also used in cooking. The most common drink recommended for the sick was "beef tea" which was the strained water that beef had been boiled in. It's use as a home remedy for the weak would remain almost universal for generations longer.

Lemonade was a still drink rather than a fizzy one in the 1700s. Charlotte Mason in her The Ladies Companion of 1777 offers up two recipes for it. Both included oranges as well as lemons. I've tried one of the recipes and it is delicious! 

The lemonade recipes contain sugar but hot drinks by no means necessarily did in the 1700s. The poor could not have afforded to use it and guides to hot beverage preparation, especially hot chocolate, aimed at the wealthier do not always suggest sweetening them. All sugar in this period came from the West Indies and was produced by slave labour.

For those that wished for a stronger beverage, larger Marlow homes were sometimes advertised as having their own detached brew houses. Borlase school trustees decided to build a "new" brewhouse at the northern end of the West Street schoolhouse in 1735. This was to provide for the pupils! It was also still common for public houses and inns to brew ale and beer on their premises rather than to buy from a brewery. Mary Phillips later called Mary Dark through her second marriage, landlady at the Lower Crown in the High Street, was one such independent brewer. Her brewhouse was to the rear of her inn.

Traces of the pubs and inns that existed in early 1700s Marlow are thin on the ground and you have to be vary wary of making the mistake of presuming that any pub is an old just because it occupies an old building. The conversion of an older house into a pub occurred all the time historically. We know that a the Crown in Market Square, existed from the dawn of the 1700s as did the Lower Crown aka Crown and Broad Arrow in the High Street, the Black Boy in the former Church Passage and the Three Tuns also in the High Street. An early pub called the Bear in the High Street is not recorded after 1735. Much later a pub of this name was re-established elsewhere in the town.

By the later 1700s much more information is available and we can say that the Ship and the Coach and Horses by those names were then trading in West Street. The Two Brewers in St Peter Street was well established as was the still very small Compleat Angler across the river. The little remembered Bowl and Pin nestled by the river. In Spittal Street the Greyhound existed under it's earlier name of the White Horse by the end of the 1700s. There was earlier in the 1700s a pub of the same name in West Street. In Chapel Street sat the White Hart (landlords here). It is reasonably probable, though not certain, that the Jolly Maltsters in Dean Street, the Chequers in the High Street and a inn of an unknown name in Chapel Street were all already in existence by the end of the 1700s. 

Pubs in Marlow, especially the two Crowns were used for auctions of both residential and business properties as well as for the meetings of those organising the local road tolls. Tenants often met their landlords or their agents in pubs in order to pay over rent charges. The Upper Crown was also the place to pick up sale particulars for any property being sold at auction elsewhere in the area.

Marlow had a brandy merchant in 1781, Henry Crockford, who was also a tallow chandler. Charlotte Mason advised her readers how to flavour purchased brandy with cherries, or more exotically, pineapples. At around the same time as Henry Crockford traded in Marlow, so too did Benjamin Moore as a wine and spirits merchant.

Housewives routinely made their own wines from elderflowers, raspberries, currants, raisins, gooseberries, cherries, oranges, cowslips and, more unusually, birch sap. If supplies of all of the above failed one recipe book had a recipe for wine of .....turnips.

At well-to-do dinners the ladies remained for 15 minutes with the gentleman before withdrawing to take tea, coffee or chocolate. The men remained together consuming alcohol for a period before rejoining the ladies. If any 1780s Marlovians were stuck for a toast High Street bookseller John Howe sold a guide to them plus "bacchanalian" songs for rowdier gatherings. You can read more about what John Howe sold in Kathryn's post.

Wethered's Brewery started in the later 1700s (using water from the Thames!). At Little Marlow / Well End there were numerous Roses involved in brewing. When Ralph Rose junior retired from that business in 1773 all of his equipment was sold off. It included a horse powered wheel which would have been used either for grinding malt or pumping liquids. Usually this would be housed in a separate building within the brewing premises.

As well as drinking their beer 1700s people sometimes used a mixture of it and water to stew or boil meat, especially beef. Presumably this was for flavour's sake but it is hard to tell as cookery writers of that era rarely explained their recipes.

Researched and written by Charlotte Day. 

Related posts: Food in Victorian Marlow. More general Marlow history posts can be found listed in this Index. Posts specifically about 1700s people and places in Marlow are indexed here.

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

Some Sources:

London Metropolitan Archives, Record= CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/296/452209LevelItemDate1781 Nov 29 From collection ROYAL AND SUN ALLIANCE INSURANCE GROUP.

Oxford Journal March 1778. British Library Archives via the BNA. Reading Mer ury 26th November 1786 as previous.

Cowan, Brian. The Social Life of Coffee: The Emergence of the British Coffeehouse. Germany: Yale University Press, 2008.

Glasse, Hannah. The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy: Which Far Exceeds Any Thing of the Kind Yet Published, Containing ... to which are Added, One Hundred and Fifty New and Useful Receipts, and Also Fifty Receipts for Different Articles of Perfumery, with a Copious Index. United Kingdom: W. Strahan [and 25 others], First published 1748. I used the 1784 edition.

Roe, J. Lee. A Treatise on the English Coffee: With Catalogue of Cures Annexed. By J. Lee Roe. United Kingdom: Printed and published for the proprietor, no. 9, Silver-Street, Fleet-Street., 1778.

Will of John Plater, PCC, proved 1738. Transcribed by me from a copy held at the National Archives, Kew. Will of John Duck 1785, ditto.

The Lady's Companion: Or, an Infallible Guide to the Fair Sex. Containing, Observations for Their Conduct Thro'all Ages and Circumstances of Life: in which are Comprised All Parts of Good Housewifry, Particularly Rules, and Above Two Thousand Different Receipts in Every Kind of Cookery .. The Fourth Edition, with Large Additions. United Kingdom: T. Read, 1743.

WILL OF ANN FULLER

Ann Fuller of Great Marlow, singlewoman. Will written 1851 and proved 1852.

Margaret Hickman has kindly offered to be her executor so she is appointed as such.

Just debts, funeral and costs for proving the will are to be paid first.

1 guinea each to:

Sarah Truss, widow.

Elizabeth Piggott, widow.

The wife of Edward Edwards.

The wife of Benjamin Marcham.

Elizabeth ?Mayor? 

The wife of Thomas Robinson of Harleyford.

To the wife of Joseph Austin her fire irons, fender, and sheets.

To Hannah Austin her best ....ing.

Tea caddy to ....Hickman.

Chest of drawers to Margaret Hickman.

From the rest of the furniture and clothing Martha Atkins, Susan Cleobury, Ann B.... and Caroline ?Dark? can choose something to remember her by.

Rest of her possessions: half to the said Mrs Austin and half to be divided between the children of Mrs Austin.

Witnessed by Ann Fry and William Fry both of Marlow.

The will was proved by Margaret Hickman wife of George Hickman.

Notes:

Ann lived with an elderly William Hickman, a surgeon, in West Street Marlow at the time of the 1841 census. I am unsure if she was related to him as the 1841 census did not record household relationships. William died aged 94 in 1850. George Hickman was his son and also a surgeon. Margaret Hickman was nee Aitchinson.

Benjamin Marcham and his wife lived in Oxford Road.

The wife of Thomas Robinson of Harleyford was named Mary. He was a Chelsea Pensioner.

Elizabeth Piggott was a laundress in Chapel Street Marlow.

Sarah Truss was an elderly laundress of Spittal Street.

William Fry was a servant (live out) who lived in West Street. It is uncertain whom he worked for. He had a daughter called Ann but she would have been only in her mid teens in 1851 which seems young for a will witness, though not unprecedented. The grave of William and his wife Phebe / Phoebe can be seen on the blog here, and their home here

More Marlow will summaries indexed here.

All mentions of any individual on this blog can be found by looking at the A-Z Person Index.

©Marlow Ancestors.

Will is held at the National Archives Kew. Transcribed by me and then summarised here.

Landlords The Upper Crown, The Crown and Broad Arrow, The Lower Crown Inns, Great Marlow.

 *Updated by Charlotte November 2025*

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Marlow has had two Crown inns. When modern residents refer to The Crown, they mean the one in the Market Square, which was historically known as The Upper Crown then the Crown Hotel, to distinguish it from the Lower Crown in the High Street. The Lower Crown's original name was the Crown and Broad Arrow but this is largely forgotten now. Both were very old. 

You may see references to the Upper Crown as the inn exclusively known as the Crown and Broad Arrow but this is seemingly incorrect. Contemporary sources spelling out the full name of the Lower Crown just as often refer to it as the "Lower Crown and Broad Arrow." (For example see Reading Mercury 19 June 1786.) The Crown and Broad Arrow can be found separately listed to the Upper Crown in lists of inns at the same time, (E.g The Reading Mercury 08 July 1771) and information about the contents sale of Alfred House/Cromwell House in 1756 describe this property as being nearly opposite the Crown and Broad Arrow which makes it opposite the Lower Crown. It's usually described as in the High Street rather than the Market place which is the location of the Upper Crown. Lastly proprietors later listed as in charge of the Lower Crown can be found earlier listed at the Crown and Broad Arrow. We have done our best to attach the right early innkeeper to the correct premises. 

The original Upper Crown building was replaced but it was trading from the 1590's at least. It was later known as the Crown Hotel and used some of the neighbouring town hall building, before taking it over entirely. It's former core location is however where Boots the chemist is now. For more on the history of the two see the post on the Crown Inns Here

Remember also Marlow has had pubs or beer houses called the Crown and Anchor, Rose and Crown (also at Little Marlow, very frequently shortened to The Crown) and the Crown and Cushion. 

This post will be updated as new information emerges. All listings are as noted in original sources, including alternative spellings. Where multiple sources list an individuals name, only the first and last mention are listed here unless there is any alteration in how they are recorded, for example an additional occupation is noted. Note that some listings may in fact refer to father's and sons sharing the same given name so be sure to double check this. See notes below for more help finding your ancestors in these listings. 

UPPER CROWN / THE CROWN

The former Town Hall with clock above, had assembly rooms on upper floor which were used by the Crown until they eventually took over the whole building. 

This building, above,  is where the Upper Crown was for much of it's life. It expanded into the Town Hall next door and eventually abandoned it's original site. 

Post about  the balls/assembly here

(Market Square)

1595 - Premises owned by Richard Mathews / Mathewe.

1596 - Roger Smith, who was also a shoemaker. He bought the premises , which he already occupied. In 1610 he put the business into the hands of trustees for the benefit of his sons John and Valiant.

1617 - Edward Wooden (Wooten) bought it and ran premises. In 1620 premises sold to John Little of Little Marlow.

1636 - Owned by Thomas Drewe, a draper. Leased by Edward Wooden's widow Elizabeth. 

1650 - Elizabeth Wooden (Wooten) occupier. Thomas Drewe the owner sells it to brewer Moore. Previous tenants listed then are Mathew Cane and Bonaventure Ward. (A Mathew Cane was at the Angel by 1643) Also in this year the occupiers of the Crown benefit from a 1,000 year grant of right of access through Thomas Drewe's gateway, between two properties, into their "backside" and malthouse. The access is specified as applying to horses and carts carrying hay, straw and wood and their accompanying leaders and drivers. The origin of Crown Lane perhaps? 

1712= Samuel Sandys

1717 - Mr Richard Hall. He went bankrupt 1724. "A large inn with close behind" [Area of enclosed land]

1754 - Sylvester Law

1757 - Sylvester Law (moved to the Cross Keys) See his will summary here

1766 - Mr Webb

1767 - John Webb [Likely the John Webb who was Law's brother in law]. Then John Parsons.

1768 - John Parsons. Possibly the same John who acts as a parish constable.  During his tenure pub often hosts auctions.

1771 - Trustees of the new Reading to Hatfield Turnpike toll road recommended this Crown and the Lower Crown and Broad Arrow as a place to get a good horses or post chaises en route. 

1775 - John Parsons. Leaves to take on The Black Bull coaching inn at Holborn this year. William Faithorn takes over at the end of the year. 

1778 - Mr Faithorn. Chaise, horses etc available at short notice. 

1780 - Mr Faithorn

1785 - Samuel Chapman

1792- Samuel Chapman, landlord has died. "Landlord of the Upper Crown for many years". See grave below.

1794- Mrs Mary Chapman. Widow of the above. See grave below.

1798 - Mrs Chapman. A new coach to Fleet Street, London via Maidenhead starts from her inn this year. Monday to Saturday service.

1803 - there is a good chance that the innholder John Gosling who died this year was the occupier of the Crown as his will was witnessed by men occupying premises immediately by there.

1811 - Mr Davis (Wavis in a second incorrect record!)

1820 - Richard Furnell, died aged 39 of a sudden fit of apoplexy. Wife Dinah. Had been innkeeper since at least 1815, though not necessarily at the Crown. Dinah married secondly Richard Westbrook who took over the Crown. She is mentioned in the 1822 will of Richard Furnell's brother William Furnell which you can read here. William's grave looks like his occupation is "omnibus..." so maybe he also worked out of the Crown. 

1823 - Richard Westbrook, as above. He was originally from Cookham. Richard and Dinah moved to the Red Lion Hotel, High Street, High Wycombe. Richard's sister Eliza was a baker in the High Street. See her biography on the blog here. Their brother William Westbrook was a butcher in Market Square near the Crown.

1826 - Mr Westbrook.

1830 - George Westbrook. George is an enthusiastic cricketer. In this year he plays a one wicket match against a gentleman of Beaconsfield. (These sort of matches were all the rage locally around this time and the natives of Beaconsfield were our frequent foe.) George won, scoring 14 runs to Mr Williamson's zero. He also represents Marlow in some early team matches. 

1831 - George Westbrook "Family and commercial hotel" (also described as excise office and posting house) 2. Geoffrey Westbrook

1832 - G. Westbrook

1833 - George Westbrook also leasing rooms at Town Hall for a "card room" and associated parlour. 

1834 - George Westbrook

1835 - George Westbrook leaves the Crown. James Franklin takes over, selling up his farm Low Grounds to do so. Post Boy : Joseph Davis, cook Sarah Brown, waiter Edward Cook. 

1836 - James Franklin. Wife Sarah.

1838 - Mr and Mrs Franklin. The latter is the granddaughter of "Mrs House" who died that year.

1839 -  J Franklin "Crown Inn." Ostler - James Lowman. Post boy (actually an adult- ) John Spratley. (James is subsequently coachman to the Atkinsons at the Rookery)

1840 -  James Franklin

1847 -  James Franklin. James describes himself as innkeeper, hotel keeper, coach proprietor, and livery stable keeper.. He suffers financial difficulty around this time and is declared bankrupt in 1852. 

1849 -  Samuel Wise

1850 - Richard Westbrook comes back. Also keeps the Lion Inn in High Wycombe still. 

1851 -  Thomas Furnell. He was the grandson of Richard and Dinah Furnell above. Marries Jane Veary of High Wycombe 1852. 

1853 -  Thomas Furnell

1854 -  Thomas Furnell "Crown  Hotel"

1859 - Mr Paine. In 1865 William Paine appears as a sort of expert witness in a court case about buying sub standard wheat. In this he says he was formerly a mealman. 

1860 - Mr Payne

1861 - William Paine (age 47)

1862 - William Paine who was threatened with being run down and assaulted by two men when he told them he would not have them ill-treating a horse as they were on his premises. The horse had been exhausted by dangerous driving in the streets outside and was whipped in the yard of the Crown. He withdrew charges against them after they expressed deep apologies and said they had been very drunk at the time. The magistrates still fined them for being drunk and disorderly.

1863 -  William Paine. "Crown Hotel"

1865 - William Paine. He was elected as one of the Guardians of the poor that year. Was in the role to at least 1871. 

1871 -  William Paine.

1872. William Paine died.

1873 - Mrs Paine (widow of above).[Emma Margaret. She died in 1890 aged 70]. She transfers license to Samuel Hill [died 1875 age 42, at Oundle, Northants]

1875 -  Mrs West [Susan] 

1875 - Fire in chimney at Crown causes substantial damage. 

1876 - Advertised facilities include the coffee room, billiards, an omnibus to meet every train, close and open carriages for hire, and private "apartments" available for family hire. 3 minutes walk from the river (fairly quick walkers only!!)

1883 - Susan West/Langley. 2. John Langley. Sadly Susan committed suicide in this year, travelling to Bridport Harbour to do so. (She was born in Somerset) She told the landlady of the boarding house she stayed in that she had suffered head pain since a blow to the head occasioned by a fall from a dog cart. She said she wished to have a few days holiday because of this period of ill health and bought with her just a small bag. She had recently remarried to John Langley  but according to local newspaper reports she gave her name as West (that of her first husband) at her lodgings. A full post on Susan is available here

1885 - John Langley died in the garden at the back of the Crown, after falling from a ladder while pruning a wall trained fruit tree. A biography of John and his son are available here

1886 -  Lease went up for sale and it includes the town hall, but no immediate takers. At this point the Crown has 18 bedrooms and 3 private sitting rooms on offer.  

1887 - Henry Calf. Former station master, bank manager and soldier! Henry owned the hotel himself.

1889 - "a comfortable old fashioned house with a first rate billiard room"

1891 - (Manageress Margaret Hughes)

1892 -  Henry Calf - he had converted  rooms in the upper story of the adjacent Town Hall into a Billiard Room (former assembly room). The lower part of the town hall still houses the fire engine and stalls on market day. These stalls are now mostly or entirely butchers. Henry dies in November aged over 70 of bronchitis, after long illness.  

1893 - On Henry Calf death, Miss Hughes continued to manage premises, now for new owner William E Cole. "Every luxury of recreation" offered with lawns and gardens. Mr Cole had come from the Crown Hotel in Devizes and was a former Quartermaster in the Royal Wilts Yeomanry. He began a reorganisation of the hotel from top to bottom until it's known as a "favourite resort for well to do visitors and commercial travellers". Amongst the projects is the creation of a small room adjoining the bar, created by "setting back the partition in the bar passage by several feet". A large conservatory was added to the rear in 1894, and in the same year the old entrance through the market house beneath the town hall portion was opened up again. In 1895 he also engaged 60 rooms in private homes to accommodate an avalanche of Whitsun visitors! It was described as "World famed as one of the oldest established commercial and  visitor's season hotels (both winter and summer), in this part of England." Cole also had a booth offering refreshments during the bigger matches of Marlow F C (from 1893). They played in the Crown Meadow ground behind his premises and rented from him at £15 a year. The team change in "dressing rooms" in the outbuildings there which they also rented from Cole, at £11 7s 6d per year. 

1897 - the extent of the tourist trade done at the Crown can be seen by the fact that within 1 week in the summer of this year, a full 1,000 persons on staff outings from big London employers had been catered for there. A similar number were catered for the following week.  This does not include other types of visitors and guests. 

1899 - William Eades Cole dies in his sleep at the hotel aged 47 leaving a wife and 4 young children. It is said he died of consumption following bronchitis. His widow vows to carry on. 

1902 - Mrs Cole ("Julia" Elizabeth nee Feltham). Mrs Cole is declared bankrupt early this year, the proceeding have started in 1901. She lays the blame partially on Marlow carriage builder Charles Drye who she says sold a carriage sent to him for repair, without her permission. Mr Drye denies this and say he had advised Mrs Cole the carriage would be expensive to repair and so had offered to buy it off her for £7, an offer she had accepted. He had then sold it on. However Mrs Cole also admitted during her insolvency hearings that she had been practically insolvent at the time of her husband's death, and that she had not kept proper books (because her husband had never done so)  and so had never tried to balance them.  2. Miss Feltham (sister of Mrs Cole)  3. Margaret Douglas Ditchburn

1903 -  Miss M.J Feltham - manager I believe earlier.  2. Charles McGlynn/ Glynn

1905 1. Charles McGlynn 2. T Hull

1906 - Mr Hull

1907 - Thomas Halse Hull. He and his wife took on an hotel in Sonning  in 1907. They were allowed the licence there on condition that they  gave up the Marlow concern. Business transferred to Mrs Ellen Dax/ Mrs Stanley Dax . She came from the Catherine Wheel in Henley. Mrs Dax advertised the luncheon and teas served in the garden, the hotel"s tennis lawn and the possibility of using Crown Meadow for a ride or other exercise, as star attractions of her premises. 

1908 - Mrs Dax

1909 - A W Shearsmith

1910 - Mr A. W Shearsmith transfers to H E Scott [Horace Edwin, his wife Bertha assisted in the business].

1911 - H E Scott [Horace Edwin]

1914 - tragedy occurs when 16 year old Crown servant Louisa Maud Allen dies after a kitchen accident. Her apron catches fire and she is soon engulfed in flames. The fire is put out promptly by the cook and landlady present but the poor girl has suffered severe burns. She dies at the Marlow Cottage hospital. 1915 -Now also offers a garage with inspection pit, tennis lawn and billiard room. Landlord Oliver P Taylor. 

1920 - Mrs Oliver P Taylor takes over officially as her husband has died. This was Louisa Taylor.

1924 - Mrs Oliver P Taylor. A room with meals for those staying 5 nights or more costs 10 sh 6d a night in 1924.

1925- the Crown bought by a Mr Sidney Vereker. He gives Louisa Taylor notice to quit and she sells up most of the furniture fixtures and fittings and moves out but then Vereker says he doesn't in fact mean to apply for a holdover of her license straight away. The details are very confusing. A dispute between the two led to at least two court cases. Meanwhile the Crown stood empty. Louisa eventually did leave.

1927 - Mr and Mrs A Henderson Rutledge. "Ye Olde Crowne Hotel". They have refurbished and fully electrified the premises. They also allow an Ancient Order of Froth Blowers group to start up on their premises in this year. This joke social club was a nationwide concern open to membership by men, women and children. Members at their get -togethers have to pay fines for reported infractions of various comic rules which each club branch makes up themselves. The money collected goes towards children's hospitals. Otherwise the main activity for the male members is sitting drinking and smoking in a pub.

1931 - Mrs & Mrs S Lindsay Galloway. "Ye Olde Crown Hotel"  Has been redecorated and refurnished yet again and provides every modern convenience. Star attractions include the Palm Saloon", "separate tables" for meals , their noted stock of wines and a large car park. 

1932 George Godsall.

1932 - 33 at least Captain Edward James Keeling M.C (resident owner). Previously at  George_&_Dragon

Above, two pages from an advertising brochure for the Crown Hotel under E J Keeling. 

1934 - Keelings leave and are replaced by Mr and Mrs W L Hill who were previously at The Chequers, Fingest. Pub was refurbished internally.

1939 John O Mason 

1957 Mr and Mrs R.H Snow.  Large ballroom available.

1958 R.H Snow.

LOWER CROWN / CROWN AND BROAD ARROW (High Street)

Site of Lower Crown. 

In existence from at least 1619. 

1679- Thomas Lloyd? 

1691 - "The Broad Arrow" late in the tenure of William Hopkins. A William Hopkins had been prosecuted the year before for keeping an unlicensed ale house in Marlow, location uncertain. Now premises owned or leased by Samuel Lynn. Samuel owns several properties in Marlow. He takes out licence this year for the Arrow to be used as a common meeting house, possibly meaning one of several outbuildings to rear although this type of accomodation is usually specified in the meeting house licence. 

1751 - John Phillips (and carpenter) Died this year. Wife Mary did the brewing (on the premises, usual practice back then) and selling of the liquor. She then married the below.

1751+ William Dark (e) Will summary here William hosts "cock matches" during the Marlow Races. 

1764 - Mary Dark (widow of John Phillips and William Dark both above)

1765 - Widow Dark "Crown and Broad Arrow"

1771 -  Crown & Broad Arrow - recommended along with the Upper Crown as a place to get a post chaise and a good horse on the new Reading to Hatfield Turnpike toll road. 

1776/7 - Mr Thomas

1788 - starts new post coach service to London, run by Saunders, Smith and Co. 

1781 - Nicholas Thomas

1782 - Nicholas Thomas (died this year)

1786 - Robert Dixon "Lower Crown and Broad Arrow" Also runs coaching business - see more about that here

1789 - Robert Dixon

1794 - Robert Dixon sells up. He is apparently "going into business". "Lower Crown" . His stock of wines and spirits, 2 post chaises, 4 post beds for guests and a herd of cows were part of the contents of the pub which was put up to auction when he left. We are told the premises has "numerous bed chambers and fitting rooms for the accommodation of company" as well as a "good" kitchen, bar, larder, pantry, and cellars. Outside there is a large yard, stabling for 30 horses, standing for carriages and various other outbuildings. The Lower Crown also has a "good garden" and a close of land adjoining.  

1799 - Mr Patrick. 

1808 - William Williams stops his coaching service from here and moves it to the Corporation Arms in High Wycombe. 

1831- possibly Thomas Oxlade. He was landlord of  "the Crown Great Marlow Parish"when he had to summon the tithingmen men to deal with the unruly behavior of two of his customers who had blown out his candles and then refused to leave when asked to. The  term "Great Marlow Parish" of course also encompassed at that time Lane End, Bovingdon Green and other outlying places for certain matters including criminal cases such as this. He was definitely not at the Upper Crown in Market Square. 

The Lower Crown inn closed in the 1830s (by 1833).

NOTES FOR FINDING ANCESTORS ON THIS BLOG

Use the A-Z person index on the top drop down menu to find every mention of your ancestor here.  Many Marlow landlords changed premises and there can be other family members running other establishments. Some places changed how they described themselves - or how they were viewed- and so licensed premises listings here take in not just beer houses, pubs and inns but common lodging houses and hotels too. We mainly focus on pre WW1 listings but sometimes list later names if it ties in with research we are helping with. 

For other pub/hotel related content see the Pub related option on the top drop down menu. 

SOURCES - 

Multiple property deeds, wills and similar documents cross referenced. (The two Crown's location research is by Charlotte Day)

Dickens Dictionary of the Thames, (Dickens, 1889 edition)

Reading Mercury 8 July 1771*, 17 September 1787, 17 April 1788, 23 October 1833, 17 September 1873, held in British Library Archive and accessed via the BNA 

Oxford Journal, 14th August 1756*, 17th December 1765*, 7th March 1767, 9 August 1794, 25th November 1820, 4 August 1849 as above. 

South Bucks Standard, 21 Jan 1860, 12 May, 29 December 1893, 13 January & Jul 21 1899, as above. 

Berkshire Chronicle 4 February 1826, as above. 

Bucks Herald, 21 February 1835, 6 July 1839 and 3 April 1886 as above

Maidenhead Advertiser 21 June 1876. As above. 

Nottingham Journal 15 Oct 1883. As above. 

Bridport, Beaminister, and Lyme Regis Telegram 19 October 1883, as above

1833 Parish Assessment owned by my family and transcribed by Charlotte.

Census 1851,1861,1871,1881,1891

1853 Mussons and Cravens Commercial Directory

Kellys Post Office Directory, 1869,1877,1883,1899,1903, 1907,1911,1915, 1920

Pigots Directory 1823, 1831,1844

Robson's Directory 1839

Will of John Phillips, proved 1751, transcribed by Charlotte Day from National Archives. 

1650 Grant of Right of Way, Drewe to Moore. National Archives index. 

AGM report, Marlow F C 1893. 

Marlow Guide, 1904 & 1907 

The Hotels of Europe - (Henry Herbert & Co, 1876)

Marlow Almanack and Directory 1907 &  1915. 

©Marlow Ancestors. 

Will Summary John Webb of Great Marlow 1722

 I transcribed this PCC will which is held at the National Archives, Kew and then summarized it here.

©Marlow Ancestors. Use this summary if you like with credit to this blog.

JOHN WEBB, MALTSTER WILL PROVED 1722.

Says he in good health praise to God. Asks to be decently buried.

Commends soul to God.

Dear and loving wife gets messuage, farm lands, premises with all appurtenances at Wheeler End in the occupation of Joshua Johnson for her life and after her death to his three nephews= Richard and John Webb sons of testator's brother Richard, and John Webb son of testator's brother Giles.

Wife also all household goods, plate, linen and furniture in their dwelling house for life then to testator's brothers Richard and Giles equally.

Wife £10 annuity.

£50 each to nephews and nieces: Richard, John, Sarah and Mary children of testator's brother Richard's. Also £50 each to Mary, Hester and Elizabeth children of testator's brother Giles.

£20 each to nephews and niece: Andrew, Elizabeth and Richard Quarterman children of testator's sister Elizabeth Quarterman.

Rest of goods and chattels after all debts and legacies paid to brothers Richard and Giles who are the executors.

Witnessed by Elizabeth Dark, B. Young, Robert Dark.

To find all memtions of your ancestor, use the A-z person index in the top drop down menu where you will also find options to find other categories of posts. 

©Marlow Ancestors.

Recreated 1700s Trade Directory Great Marlow *updated September 2025*

Updated September 2025

Whenever I transcribe a will, look at property transactions, court cases, news stories or any of the like I note down everyone mentioned as having a trade. From these notes this trade directory is compiled. Date next to persons name is when they were mentioned as plying the listed trade. They could have been trading earlier or later too.

Something to bear in mind is that it can be difficult to ascertain the social status of someone from the way they are described in some records- a "brickmaker" for instance could be labouring and making the bricks but could just as easily be the owner of a brick making company employing many people and never getting their own hands dirty. Further research would be needed to be sure of such things.

Also be aware family members can have the same name and trade so all mentions of "Joe Bloggs, blacksmith", do not necessarily refer to the same person.

Little Marlow and Lane End people are included here if I find relevant information.

Yeoman, labourers, servants and husbandmen are not included as there were simply too many of those for one post.

I have compiled street address listings for both private and commercial occupiers of most streets in 1700s Marlow, some of which are already available on the blog.

This list is an ongoing project and not yet complete online.

Researched and compiled by Charlotte Day with some additional research by Kathryn Day.

Apothecaries

George Bruere (AKA Brewer) - apothecary of Covent Garden before settling in Marlow. Also MP. 

Bell and Ear(d)ley, in partnership from 1771, High Street. See under surgeons below for more about them. 

Thomas Dawson, died 1781. Also surgeon and "man midwife". His former apprentice William Hickman took over the business.

Thomas Norton. 1791-92. Also surgeon.

William Sneath. 1758+. See under surgeons. 

George Trash. Traded from own house 1781.  In partnership with William Sneath until Sneath's death.  George died 1796. Also surgeon and "man midwife".  

Attorneys

Henry Allnutt. 1771- post 1800. His clerk Robert Goldsmith eventually went into business himself in the town.

William Deeley. 1758 -1766 when he died. A Mr Norton junior from High Wycombe took over his practice.

Mr Norton jnr. 1766. See above. Could be the same as Wesley Norton or  Cornelius Norton below, or a third Norton.

Cornelius Norton. 1780. 

Wesley Norton. 1783.

John Phipps. 1785 - 1798 at least. 

Note: for some reason Beaconsfield attorneys were sometimes used by 1700s Marlovians.

Auctioneers (auctions typically took place in pubs and inns or on the premises if a house contents sale, rather than in a designated auction room)

Thomas Rolls and James House "cabinet maker of Oxford" went into partnership as auctioneers in 1791 after being "prevailed upon" by their friends to do so. Rolls also draper, lace merchant  and mercer. See below.

Joseph Rose. 1789.

Luke Medwin. 1780s. See also drapers below for more on him.

Bakers

William Cook. 1780+ Will 1793.

Robert Field. 1798.

Francis Gunnell. 1798.

William Hatch. 1794 to post 1700s. Alleged to have been a highwayman on the side! Later in High Street and most likely was in the same premises in the 1700s too.

William Langley 1705. William Langley junior 1710. Same man or father and son?

Hugh Lydall. 1712.

Robert Moore (1) 1730.

Robert Moore (2) 1792-95. West Street.

William Moore. 1798.

Charles Morray. 1719.

George Murray. 1789.

Richard Nicholls. 1798.

William Phillips. 1721 to death 1749.

Richard Webb. Little Marlow. 1731.

Barbers, for Barber Surgeons see under Surgeons

Charles Blewitt junior 1701. High Street. 

John Oxlade. 1715-19.

Henry Tomlins(?) Possibly Tomkins. 1723 -1726 minimum.

Timothy Tregoe. 1753-73. This Timothy is the same man as the peruke maker below but not the watchmaker who is his son. Timothy was originally of Amersham and also owned property in Chalfont St Peter.

Bargemen / Barge Masters

James Blackman 1701 -1712 minimum

Thomas Campling. Will 1729.

Thomas Davis 1720 

Thomas Duglase. 1712.

Francis East. 1719.

William East 1701 (Bargemaster)

Robert Goldswain. Partnership with Robert Lawrence dissolved 1789. Bargemaster. 

Michael Grace 1788 teenage son of George. Wife Sarah nee Usher. Employee.

Thomas Harman. Will proved 1721.

James Heather. 1719. Little Marlow

Jeremiah Hollis 1701. Bargeman. 

Robert Howard 1789. See under Corbin Langley below.

David James. 1726. Will 1727. Wife Sarah.

Robert James 1702

Corbin? (perhaps correctly Corby) Langley 1789. Bargemaster. See a court case he and his employee Robert Howard were involved in on the London Lives website under the Old Bailey Sessions Records Justices Working Records August 1789 here (goes to London Lives website).

John Lansdale. Little Marlow. 1718.

Edward Laurence 1701 Bargeman. 

Henry Laurence. 1793.

John Laurence. 1717.

Robert Laurence (1). Late deceased 1767.

Robert Laurence AKA Robert Lawrence (2). Partnership with Robert Goldswain dissolved 1789.

Henry Lawe 1707.

William Mann. Little Marlow. 1717.

Richard Milld, master 1784

Thomas Plomridge 1705 and Thomas Plumridge 1773. 

William Pudsey. 1717-1725 at least.

Richard and Robert Rivers. Partnership dissolved in 1771. Richard then have up the barging business in 1784, although a few months later he was declared bankrupt anyway. At that point he is also described as a dealer and chapman. His barge was The Buck. (leased by him). 

William Rivers. Barge-master. Died 1788. 

George Rose, Little Marlow 1723 Wife Mary. 

John Rose. Well End near Little Marlow. Bankrupt 1798. Bargemaster. 

Joseph Rose. Little Marlow. Will 1778.

Ralph Rose, Little Marlow. Lived Well End. Owned the Mealcock barge which sank near Boulters flash lock in 1728 carrying a load of malt and paper. Died 1751. Also wharfinger (at Spade Oak too I believe). Ralph Rose Junior brewer and wharfinger left off from both those businesses in 1778. The latter had a wharf at Great Marlow certainly. 

William Rose (and maltster) Well End, Little Marlow 1785.

Robert Taylor. 1775.

John Walker. 1707.

John West. 1775.

James White. 1705.

Robert Wiggin(g)ton senior, 1725 to death 1729. Lived Chapel Street.

Basket Makers

James Brown. 1798.

John Hammerton. Will proved 1716. Lived High Street. Wife Jane.

Timothy Stevens. 1798.

Blacksmiths

John Barnes 1723

Thomas Burrell died 1776.  Grave and family info here

Charles Clarke "the youngest" 1773.

John Clark. Little Marlow. 1755.

Robert Deane. Little Marlow. 1716.

Francis Fryer. 1727.

Richard Helford. 1798.

James How / Howe. 1726- 1741.

Henry Lack. 1721. Well End Little Marlow.

Richard Lane. 1714.

Joseph Meakes. 1798.

Mr Montague. 1759. Little Marlow. Also "edge tool maker". Lost his apprentice Thomas Davis this year when the latter eloped. (Oxford Journal 25 Aug 1759)

Ambrose Thompson. 1724 -1741. High Street. Earlier resident Dean Street and used a barn Quoiting Square. 

Henry Williams. 1753.

Booksellers

John How or Howe. From at least 1782. Died 1786. See also Insurance Agents, Patent Medicine Suppliers, Printers and Stationers (same man). High Street. See here for more on him and his shop.

Brandy merchant 

Henry Crockford 1781. Also tallow chandler. Possibly also a patent medicine seller see below.

Braziers

Robert Morse. 1741. High Street.

Brewers

Mary Dark/ Phillips see under Publicans etc below.

James Fish. Will 1704. Wife Elizabeth. His will will feature on the blog in the future. Brewing by 1673. 

Cornelius Lattemore. 1715. Wife Elizabeth.

John Lattemore / John Lattimer. Late deceased 1744. Widow Mary see below, grandson Ralph Rose see below.

Mary Lattemore / Lattimer. Widow of John above. 1744 till death. Will 1762. In partnership with her grandson Ralph Rose (junior) 1755+

Joseph Plumridge. "Plumeridge" 1785 -1798 at least. And malster

Ralph Rose Jnr. 1755-62. Died early 1800s but may have retired from business before that. In partnership with his grandmother Mary Lattemore / Mary Lattimer from 1755 until her death.

George Wethered, High Street. Will 1783. And his son also George. They were in business as brewers and maltsters by 1779.

Thomas Wethered, younger son of George Senior above. Founder of Thomas Wethered and Sons brewery.

Bricklayers (often those we'd call builders)

Edward Allum. 1798.

William Dormer. 1753.

Benjamin Gray / Grey. Died 1791. Assisted by his sons Benjamin and William who in his will he wanted to carry on the business after his death. 

Robert Gray. 1798.

Thomas Gray. West Street, 1754. And uncertain location 1717. Not obviously the same man as the carpenter below but may well be, the two trades often went together.

William Gray. 1798. Probably the son of Benjamin.

Benjamin Norton. 1741.

Peter Norton. 1724.

George Oxlade. 1788.

Robert Plumridge. 1798.

William Plumridge. 1798.

Samuel Smith. Will proved 1721. Had property Marlow and Cookham. Wife Susannah. See the will here

John Wright died 1786. He had owned 3 cottages converted out of one house which he rented out in Chapel Street.

Richard Wright. 1728.

Brickmakers

William Webb and son Thomas after him. Operated brick kiln at Marlow Common before Thomas Corby took it on. 

Butchers

Richard Barnes. High Street .1735.

Stephen Burgess 1782. Gives up his shop to his son in December 1785 after he says he himself has become too infirm to carry on. 

William Burgess. 1796, see above. 

Burpess and Mayor partners. 1764. William Mayor. 1755. Should it be Burgess and Mayor?

James Carter. 1798.

Thomas Chalfont. 1716. Wife Dorothy was nee Elliot and so from a long-standing Marlow family of butchers. 

John East. High Street. 1728.

Thomas East. 1776.

William East. 1798.

Zachariah East. 1798.

William Elliot (1). Late deceased 1704.

William Elliot (2). Will written 1713. Proved 1718. Also had land in the Common Field near "a place called Deadmere" [Dedmere]. 

John Harris. 1730.

Mr Fowler. 1794-96.

Mr Nicholas. Lately occupying a property High Street near Market Square. 1783. Looks to be a mistake for Nicholas Williams see below.

John Norris. 1798.

Henry Rose. Little Marlow. 1798.

William Rose. Little Marlow. 1790.

Richard Slaughter - Land End 1770. 

Richard Stone, Lane End. 1757.

Joseph Webb. Market Square [corner building next to the Coach and Horses in West Street with the High Street on the other side]. Bought premises 1743 and occupied till death 1756. Post about the various historic occupiers of this building here.

Nicholas Williams - had in recent times vacated his premises near the Market House in 1785. Had used two adjoining premises as one. 

Carpenters

Henry Barney. 1798.

William Biddle circa 1796.

William Bond. 1794 to post 1800. Also a builder. A detailed post on him has been published on the blog here.

James Carter. 1767-1779.

John Clark(e) 1781-98. Also ironmonger. 

James Cooper. 1777.

John Cooper. 1766+. In 1773 purchased the business and stock in trade of  Mr Edwards of Maidenhead and so took over the yard there but he still continued his Marlow business. 

Ambrose Corby. 1798.

Abraham Creswell. 1798. Little Marlow.

Joseph Dell. Little Marlow. 1737.

Miles Edwards 1763

William Frewin. 1798.

John Goodchild. 1797.

Stephen Gray junior 1720.

Thomas Gray 1754 West Street

Robert Gregg 1797.

John Hester (at least two generations) 1720 also sawyer. 

John Phillips 1.)1728

 2.) 1747 & 1751. 

Robert Pratt 1726.

Abraham Simmonds. 1797-98.

Timothy Stevens. 1795 to death 1808. See also above. Read a will summary for Thomas here

Daniel Walker. 1755-98. Could be more than one generation here. In 1785 a Daniel Walker is also listed as a "shopkeeper" in insurance records. 

William Walker. 1798. Maybe the same man described as a broker later, in West Street.

William White. 1798.

Carriers

Francis Bristow. 1798. (Probably the Francis Bristow of Great Marlow digitally indexed by the London Metropolitan Archive as "currier" in 1781, Royal & Sun Alliance documents collection). 

Charles Carter. 1710.

Sylvester Carter. 1714. (We also note a Sylvester Carter as a carrier in 1680)

Chapmen

James Blakeley 1702

Richard Greydon. 1702. Lived house on corner of West Street and High Street, next to the Coach and Horses. Same property as Joseph Webb, butcher above later used.

William Irvin(g) / Irvine 1701 - 1706 min. 

William Moores. Little Marlow. Also "salesman". Bankrupt 1781.

Cheesemongers

John Ells. 1792. See Grocers below too.

Robert Holtham, late deceased 1702.

Samuel Phillips senior 1720

Chimney Sweeps

John Coleshill. 1757.

Clergy

Robert Allen. Independent Chapel. 1785-94.

John Benson. Independent Chapel. 1715-24.

Salisbury Chase. Doctor of Divinity. Little Marlow. Will 1772.

John Cleobury, at Parish Church 1753 to 1801. Brother of Dr Cleobury the surgeon, below.

Richard Frome or Froome. Independent Chapel 1794 to post 1700s.

Thomas Gage, Little Marlow Church. Will 1763.

John Gidley. Presbyterian Minister. 1703 to death 1711. Full biographical post on him here. 

Revd. H H Gower. Resident 1798. Seems to be a teacher.

Thomas Pitkin. Independent Chapel. 1725.

Salisbury Price. Little Marlow. Late deceased 1776.

Samuel Stevens. Independent Chapel. 1770-76.

John Wheeler. Independent Chapel. 1777-85.

Clockmakers

Alexander Jones. 1723-1726.

Coach Painters

John Lovegrove. 1770. According to his adverts " regularly bread up to the profession in London". (Reading Mercury March 1770)

Coach Proprietors

William Wyatt 1795 to after 1800. Post about him and his family here.

Coal Merchants

John Rolls. 1793-98. Lived by Marlow Bridge. One of the Bridge Wardens.

William Rose. Little Marlow. Will 1787.

Sarah Rose. Widow. Well End near Little Marlow. 1789.

Thomas Gibbons 1781 (and rope maker).

Collar Makers

John Fastnage/ Fasteridge / Fastenidge. 1713-24 minimum

John Gibbons 1721

Thomas Hackshaw. 1789.

Coopers

William Parsons. 1713.

William Rose. 1798.

William Stevens. 1723.

Duffin White. Will 1793. High Street. Left his home to his servant Sarah Dennis who was also one of the will's executors. Sarah sadly died in 1794 herself. 

Richard Williams. 1781.

Cordwainers And Shoemakers.  

Samuel Barney. 1723.

Abel Bird. 1712-1756. Note there were at least 3 such men grandfather, father and grandson. One "aged" Abel's will was proved 1736. One "junior" was based West Street 1754.

William Bovington. 1713-19. This family name can also be rendered Bovington, Boffingdon and Boffington because the letter v was pronounced "ff" and a letter d other than at the beginning of a word could be pronounced "d" or "t" however you chose. Boveinton also. 

William Boulter. 1798. Note: there were two adult men in Marlow with this name at the same time. Probably father and son. Which was a shoemaker is not certain, both may have been of course. In 1787 a William Boulter Junior was tenant of George Faux the schoolmaster. This was most likely in Chapel Street.

Stephen Camden. 1798 to post 1700s.

William Carter. 1711.

William Croxford. Specifically Heel Maker. Little Marlow 1761.

Richard Curteis. 1754.

Benjamin Fletcher. Lane End. 1716.

Samuel Harmon. 1787.

Thomas Harris. 1749.

George Haycroft. 1724.

Thomas Higgins. 1713.

John Lake. 1713-32.

Law, uncertain first name. 1795.

Robert Lawes 1786

Thomas Lockwood. 1782 Little Marlow. Late deceased 1791 and of High Street Marlow then. Wife Ann. 

George Oxlade 1.) 1719-25. 

2.) 1798.

John Payne. Little Marlow. From pre 1700. Note his will says he is a "Citizen and cordwainer of London and inhabitant of Little Marlow". Wife Mary.

Harmon Phillips. 1736.

Thomas Plumridge. 1755.

Peter Rivers 1717 A Peter Rivers of Great Marlow would in the 1720's spend time as a poor debtor in gaol. Richard the cordwainer was executed in 1730.

John Ryder. 1726.

John Smith. 1798.

William Smith 1.) West Street. 1779-98. There were Smith cordwainers / shoemakers well into the 1800s in West Street. I know the premises of the later ones but these Smiths were not using the same premises in the 1700s. 2.) Late deceased in 1791. Wife Catherine. Shoemaker.

Carter Webb. Chapel Street. 1748.

Corn chandler 

Elizabeth Murrell 1785

Curriers

Jonas Bird. 1724.

Francis Bristow. 1798.

Thomas Bristow. 1776.

William Newberrie/Newbury. 1724-34

Distillers

Daniel Bradshaw. 1752.

Samuel Bradshaw. 1766. Died 1781. 

Mr Bowles 1794. Also Robert Bowles 1783 distiller & wine merchant. 

Benjamin Moore 1781 (probably wine merchant too)

"Doctors Of Physick" (see also surgeons which were more common and took on much of the doctor's role)

Stephen Chase. Little Marlow. 1733+. Will proved 1741.

Drapers

Joseph Burrough. 1796-1803. See also Wilkinson below. 

John Coulson. 1798.

Mr and Ely Doley - A Mr Doley tailor, haberdasher and draper dies in 1781 & his widow Ely (qv) takes over the shop but not the tailoring side of the business. 

Thomas Emes. 1782.

Timothy Evans English. 1798. Took over from Greenaway and Lovegrove 1800. Went bankrupt 1811.

Anthony Field - in partnership with his brother James until 1787 when James gave all up. The split sounds acrimonious or at least the division their business affairs became so. Anthony continued in the old shop. 

James Field. In 1787 he withdrew from a partnership with his brother Anthony in a drapers business and lace dealership at Chapel Street. But a James Field was a draper 1798 to post 1700s so he presumably have started again on his own account. This James is also most likely the same man who was a lace dealer around 1800. 

Greenaway and Lovegrove. 1767 -1799. Partners were Mary Greenaway and her son in law John Lovegrove. John died 1799 and Mary and her daughter Elizabeth Lovegrove sold the linen drapery business to Timothy English in 1800. Also lace merchants, possibly also involved with the actual manufacturing of lace at one time.  John was the son of Henry Lovegrove. 

Buckle Hawes- yes that really was his name. 1755-82. Probably High Street. He certainly lived there. Apprenticed to the below William Hawes 1740. One of the executors and legatees of fellow draper Joseph White.

William Hawes 1737-52. Probably High Street.

Christopher Irving, late deceased 1778. Linen draper. High Street.

Luke Medwin. 1753-1781. Luke Medwin draper in 1753 was "middle aged" despite being only 32. The term "middle aged" was loosely applied however- it was often given to someone in their 30s in the 1700s! Luke Medwin draper is mentioned in the will of his uncle Moses Medwin written in 1760, proved 1762 which is transcribed on the blog here. Luke went bankrupt in 1781. As well as being a draper he worked as an auctioneer and estate agent both before and after the bankruptcy. Luke Medwin lived next to the Roebuck Inn on the Causeway Marlow earlier in his life but when he went bankrupt in 1781 he was living further up the High Street in what was later known as Globe House on the site of some of the modern Liston Court shops. His shop was in the converted front parlour of the house. At the time of his bankruptcy Luke still had Causeway property. He married a Jane Dolben of Great Marlow at Stoke Poges, Bucks in 1748. The will of Jane's mother Ann mentions both Jane and Luke. See here.  Luke's brother was Aaron Medwin yeoman of Little Marlow, see below. Thomas Medwin, farmer of Little Marlow was likely also the Thomas Medwin  brother to Aaron and Luke. Unlike Thomas and Aaron Luke is not mentioned in their father's will which is available on the blog here.

Thomas Rolls (also mercer and auctioneer) 1788-97 known dates as draper. See also under Auctioneers.

James White. 1780. Dead by 1783.

Wilkinson & Burrough - 1783, linen and woollen drapers. Aka (Samuel) Wilkinson & (Joseph) Burrough. By 1802 were also acting as bankers, dealers and chapmen. Bankrupt 1802/3. In 1789 they say they have a branch in High Wycombe too. 

Joseph White. 1780. Will 1781.

William Williams  - linen draper, see lace merchant. 

Estate Agents 

Luke Medwin. 1769-1783. Also a draper. He started property auctions and managing lettings in 1769 as a serious business though he had done a few auctions before then and had acted as the parish surveyor. See under drapers for more.

Farmers

Thomas Allen. 1784-88. At Pigeon House Farm Little Marlow.

Henry Barney d. 1782. Spinfield Farm (later turned into Spinfield House and Park) and Poynetts were his main holdings, 40 acres in all. 

Mr Brangwin. Barmoor Farm. 1798. 

William Brookes. Blounts Farm. (Blunts)  1783 +.

Robert Cane, wife Rebecca (previously Rebecca Cowper) 1756

Richard Corby. Munday Dean Farm. 1720,21. Died 1722. More here

William Curtis. At Hard To Find Farm, Little Marlow 1785 and Monkton Farm Little Marlow 1784. He came from Oxfordshire in 1784.

Joseph Dutton. Little Marlow. Late deceased 1794. Probably at Sheepridge.

Barabbee Fastnedge - various holdings around Finnemore/Wood End, plus Homers farm and Triphooks. 

Jeremiah Harding. 1754 farming land called Spinfield.

Jeremiah Harman. Limmers Farm. From at least 1754 to his death in the late 1700s. His grave is on the blog here.

Richard Harmon. Clay Lane Farm 1775.

James Hollworthy. Munday Dean. 1788. More on the history of this place here.

Mr John Johnson. Copy Farm. 1798.

John Keely junior Lane End 1725

Robert Kitson of Hard to Find Farm Little Marlow died 1752.

Aaron Medwin. Little Marlow. 1764. Also maltster. The name Aaron seems common in local Medwins. The Aaron of Little Marlow was the nephew and executor of Moses Medwin of Great Marlow whose will is on the blog here, and brother of Luke Medwin, draper who also features in this trade directory. There was another older half brother too. This was Thomas, a yeoman of Little Marlow who is likely the farmer mentioned below. Aaron, Thomas and their sisters featured in their father Andrew's will but Luke was missed.

Thomas Medwin. Little Marlow. Late deceased 1783. See under Aaron Medwin above.

Mr Micklem. Blounts Farm. 1798.

John Morton / Moreton. Little Marlow. 1778. Also overseer of poor. Late deceased 1782. Wife Ann.

Jonathan Plummer. Little Marlow. Died 1799.

Aaron Richards. Little Marlow. Will 1790.

John Simons 1781. Monkton Farm Little Marlow. Came from Great Missenden. 

William Smith. Oaken Grove (not the farmstead). 1793 to long after 1800. Wife Mary.

Mr Townsend. Left Wood End Farm 1773 according a contemporary report but the Townsends remain at Wood End long after. 

Alexander Webb. Tenant farmer Marlow Bottom from circa early 1760s onwards. There were Webbs farming in Marlow from the 1500s.

Joseph Webb, leaving "Seymours Farm" 1796. Farm owned or leased by John Johnson.

William Webb 1773+. Munday Dean Farm. Occupied not all of farm it seems. Will proved 1797. Husbandman which is a small scale farmer in some records but given farmer title in others. More here

Samuel Wellesley, Homers Farm Handy Cross 1742.

William Wethered. Little Marlow. 1787. Wife Mary.

Farriers

Stephen Hawes. 1799. Little Marlow.

Robert Moone. 1714.

Fishmongers

Thomas Davis. 1798.

Fruiterers

Thomas Beck. 1790.

John Bowles Junior. 1798.

Corby Langley. 1798. (In 1785 he is also listed as the person to whom the Hartley barge, built 1782, is let)

Gardeners (Market)

William Bradshaw. 1726. West Street.

John Dormer. Will proved 1763.

William Frith. 1798.

William Harman. 1716 to death 1721.

William Gunnett / Gurnett 1722

Thomas Howard 1721-27.

John Newberry 1760 (wife Mary nee Wigley)

James Stockbridge. 1798.

William Stockbridge. 1798.

Richard Williams. 1715.

Thomas Weedon 1720 -1723 min. 

Thomas Wright 1723

Gentry (select)

Thomas Beesley. 1712. Rev. 

Frediswide [female, a once common name] and George Bruere, husband and wife. George was an apothecary and M.P. 

John Bruwer. 1714.

William Burgiss 1737 Wife nee Cooper, only daughter of John Cooper of Berkshire. "A very agreeable young lady with plentiful fortune" according to The Daily Gazetteer (Feb 1737) on their marriage at Windsor. 

William Cabburn. Will 1793. I have transcribed this will and it can be read here

Francis Carter, Marlow Place. 

James Chase, Esquire. Westhorpe Little Marlow. 1721.

Samuel Clark. 1789.

Richard Coombs / Coombes. 1769+ Will proved 1782.

J Dalmes Esquire. West Street. 1784.

George Davenport. (A surgeon but not I think practicing as such in Marlow) Court Garden. 1795.

Mrs Fanny Maria Davenport nee Sanxay. Wife of above. Collapsed and died while on holiday in Brighton in 1796 age 49. 

John Duck. 1784. More on him in future.

Charles Etheridge. 1720. James Etheredge 1728.

Henry Fletcher. High Street. 1730.

Admiral Forbes, late of Marlow Place 1770s.

Elizabeth and Francis Bennett Goldney. Newly married 1792.

John Grace. 1788.

John Guise of Harleyford and Marlow manors which he bought 1718.

John Hammond alias Cooper. Will 1719.

Jonathan Hammond, late deceased 1766.

Thomas Handley, Esq. 1755. He lived West Street 1758 and died 1760. Widow Anne.

William Hoare. Little Marlow. 1762.

John Hone Esq. 1793. Probably High Street.

Alexander Jones. 1729. See also clockmakers. 

Thomas Langley. 1793. 

Daniel Loftin / Lofting. Died 1758.

Daniel Moore. 1754. MP for Marlow at one point.

Cornelius Norton 1775-85. Father of Thomas the apothecary above. Son of Cornelius of High Wycombe, Wallingford and later Bath. Had property Chalfont St Peter High Street and in Hambledon. Maybe the attorney listed below? 

John Orts. 1777.

Gilbert and Isabella Parke. 1786+. Isabella died 1797, and Gilbert died 1807 age 80. Retired mahogany dealer. Originally from London. 

Samuel Parker 1720

Stephen Remnant, West Street (Remnantz). 1753-circa 1787. After that absentee landowner. A biography of him is available here

Thomas Rickell. 1793.

Richard Spier. 1725.

John Stevens. Daughter Mary. Bovingdon Green. 1788.

Edward Valentine Stead Esq, Marlow Place 1780.

Thomas Taylor. 1788.

Joseph Townsend. 1761 property earlier and later known as Gyldernscroft.

John Wakelin 1782-84. Will Proved 1784. Name also occurs as Wakeling.

Alicia Wallop, Marlow Place 1741

James Warren. Little Marlow. Died 1774.

John Borlase Warren. Little Marlow. 1775-95 (at least).

Richard Wilder 1718

Owen Williams. Marlow Place. 1795.

Mrs [Sarah] Winford. Thames Bank 1769 (at least) to death 1793 aged 85. Winfords still there later - unmarried daughter Harriet stays at Thames bank until her death 1801. Sarah is the widow of Thomas Geers Winford (formerly Thomas Geers, name change when he inherited from his maternal uncle.) Read about her struggles with Thames bargeman here

Glaziers

James Lovegrove. 1796-98 Also plumber and painter. Takes eldest son into partnership with him in 1796.

John Lovegrove. 1798.

George Trash. 1768. Not the same as the surgeon below. Died 1777. Succeeded by son Samuel. Also plumber, painter, ironmonger. 

Samuel Trash. 1777. Late deceased 1790. Also plumber, painter and ironmonger.

Richard Young. 1713.

Glovers

John Glanville. 1755.

Grocers

William Ashley. 1799.

Richard Aveling (senior). 1793 to after 1700s. High Street. Exact premises known.

William Baker, (?Baster?)Chapel Street. Selling up in 1797. Trading out of premises said to have been in grocery and chandlery business for upwards of 100 years. Also maltster. 

Robert Bancks / Bankes - 1770. See metal dealer below, his main trade. 

Christopher Clift / Clifft,  Little Marlow 1787-1792 at least

James Digweed. 1762.

George Ells. 1798.

John Ells. High Street.  1795, 1796. Probably same person as John Ells cheesemonger as many grocers were both. Bankrupt as grocer and tea dealer in 1795. So shop contents and household furniture sold off by auction in that year. Yet still appears to be trading in 1796.

George Hood. 1798. Probably High Street

Richard Mills. 1778.

James Muspratt 1798.

Robert Oxlade. 1798.

Glassmen

Richard Howard 1711 to death 1713/ 1714. His will was uploaded onto this blog here if you are interested. 

Gunsmiths

George Clark(e) senior. 1798. Possibly by 1780. Either he or the George William Clark below were still manufacturing flintlock pistols in 1800.

George William Clark(e). Contemporary to above but not same man. 

John Harris. 1713.

Haberdasher 

William Williams, selling up 1777.  See lace dealers below. 

Joseph Hurley, selling up and moving away 1786. And clothier. Also sold "a variety of goods in the hardware way"

Hairdressers

James Carter. 1798.

Harness Makers

John Gibbons. 1740.

Hatters

Cornelius Richardson. West Street. 1754.

Higgler

Charles Carter 1721

Hosier

William Williams - see lace merchant below. 

Hoop Makers 

Robert Beckford. 1713-18. 2. Hoop Shaver 1731. 

Insurance Agents

Messrs Wilkinson and Burrough, drapers as above. 1786.

Thomas Emes. 1786. The draper above.

Robert Goldsmith. Fire insurance for farms, homes and trade goods. 1786. The attorney above.

John How or Howe. Sun fire insurance. 1782. Also bookseller, stationer. High Street. Exact premises known. 

Ironmongers

John Clarke. Also carpenter. 1782

Mrs Anne Hobbs. West Street. At least 1774 till death 1787. John Lane took over 1788. See below. Exact premises known.

John Lane. Started business 1788. West Street. His daughter Lydia later took over. The exact premises are known and can be seen on the blog here.

George Trash - see glazier

Samuel Trash. Late deceased 1779. Also plumber and glazier.

Jeweller

Joseph Low, died 1780. After which some of his stock in trade is auctioned off including seals, bone and silver buttons, buckles, necklaces, ear-rings etc. 

Joiners

Sherley Tile. 1737. May be same man removed to Marlow from High Wycombe 1716 with his wife.

Kidders (goatskin or goat dealers)

Thomas Hollis. 1728.

Lace Buyers

Giles Hancock 1762-63.

William Hoare 1762.

Lace Manufacturers

James Field. In partnership with his  brother Anthony  but choosing to withdraw from it. The affairs seem to still be unsettled in 1792. They also linen drapers. See above. 

Thomas Sears. Chapel Street. 1748.

Lace Merchants

Greenaway and Lovegrove. See below. Dates of lace involvement 1783 to 1799.

William Williams "laceman". Previously also a linen draper, hosier and haberdasher but he sold up the contents of his shop by auction at the old Market Hall in Market Square 1777 to concentrate on his lace business. Possibly the same William Williams of the High Street whose household contents are up for sale in 1796 after his death. 

Thomas Rolls 1786 also the draper, auctioneer etc 

Linen Weavers

Thomas Deane. 1714-15.

Locksmiths

Richard Langley 1712. Will 1713. Lived Oxford Road. 

Maltsters

William Baster, (possibly Baker) malt house is in Chapel Street at the time of his giving up the business in 1797. Also grocer and chandler. 

John Wallace Brook 1782

Henry Carter 1737. And victualler 1720s/30s. Declared bankrupt 1736. [Daily Gazetteer 7th June 1836]

William Carter, 1718 Little Marlow

James Crease. 1789+. Will 1795. Wife Jane.

John Grace 1787

Aaron Medwin. Little Marlow. 1764. Also farmer.

Robert Johnathan Oxlade. High Street. Leaving ofc business and moving away from Marlow 1786. 

Thomas Oxlade. Also farmer. 1786

Joseph Plumridge 1785

William Rose. Will 1783. Little Marlow. A William Rose of Little Marlow is described as a maltster and bargemaster in 1785/6. 

Henry Smith, High Street. East side. Wife Sarah.  By 1783 these premises were leased by George Wethered.  

James Stevens. Will 1747. Had a barn at Oaken Grove /Oakengrove.

John Webb. 1720.

George Wethered. 1778 And son George ditto. See Henry Smith above. 

Man midwife

See apothecaries

Mantua Makers

Hannah Barrington. 1794 - post 1700s.

Mary Hennett. 1756.

Jane Pritchard. 1793-99.

Mealmen

John Bovington 1740? (Date hard to read)

William Coleshill 1720

William Langley. 1736.

Thomas Rickett(s) - owns and operates the corn meal, and owns the freehold of the papermills on his death 1797 when they are in occupation of the Wrights. Also owned the lock, fisheries, and eel bucks on his death plus some dwelling houses. At one point was paper making himself. 

Edward and Joseph Wright.1798.

Mercers (silk and satin dealers)

Thomas Rolls also draper and auctioneer see above. 

Edward Stone  Died 1709. 

Merchant

John Smith -1738

Metal Dealer/Worker

Robert Bancks/Bankes - 1770. Takes out an advertisement in 1770 Reading Mercury to counteract "malicious rumour" that he is leaving off his business. Buys used copper, brass, and pewter  and made, tinned and repaired goods in the same materials. In "the best manner" naturally  With a sideline as a grocer. 

Milliners

Mary Greenaway. 1759.

Miller

George Phelps 1735 See "publicans" below.

Millwrights

Robert Gray. 1715 - at least 1721.

Joseph Haynes. From at least 1798 to post 1800.

Miniature Painter:

Mr Lovegrove, 1770. 

Nailers (Nail manufacturer)

Wildsmith Badger. 1779.

Oatmeal Men see also mealmen

Thomas Stevens 1713.

John Tanner. Died 1718

Thomas Webb 1701

Oculists

Royal oculist Mr Taylor visited Marlow on a regular basis to treat those with eye problems in the late 1760s.

Ostler

Richard Suthery 1785 

Painters 

James Lovegrove. 1796. Also plumber and glazier.

George & Samuel Trash - see glaziers

Paper Makers

John Dell. 1798.

James Gould. 1798.

Thomas Ricketts. From at least 1783 to death 1797. At mills near the Lock. See mealman above. 

Wrights- see Rickett above.

Patent Medicine Suppliers

H Crockford / Crookfield 1763-79 (probably the same Crockford as the the brandy merchant above).

Miss A Hawes - 1789+, also stationer. 

John How or Howe. 1781-84. See also under booksellers, stationers and insurance (same man). High Street. Exact premises known. Shop tour here

John Hubbard. Sold tincture for scurvy and "worm cakes" for humans. 1768.

Christopher Irwin. 1725. 

Pawnbrokers

James Puddifant. (Pudiffant)  1785-98. West Street later and described then as a gentleman. Wife Sarah. Biographical post on them including image of their home as it looks today here. Also salesman (usually what might be called later a general dealer, otherwise these seem locally to have specialised in agricultural goods) 

Peruke Makers

Timothy Tregoe. 1757 -73. Same as the barber above. Father of Timothy Tregoe the watchmaker below. Originally of Amersham. Wife Mary. (A peruke is a wig)

Plumbers

Henry Lovegrove. Will proved 1774. Son James took over. Possibly other son John involved in the business too.

James Lovegrove. 1796. Also glazier and painter.

George Trash - see glazier above

Samuel Trash. Late deceased 1790. Also ironmonger and glazier (Q.V)

Printers

John Howe - see above

Potters

George Oxlade. 1735.

John Sears. 1798. This could be at Lane End.

Publicans, Victuallers, Innkeepers And Beersellers etc

Thomas Archer. 1798. (White Hart)

Richard Aycott./Eycott 1724-29. Three Tuns.

Widow Aycroft, /Aycott / Eycott. Three Tuns. Widow of Richard above. 1752

Charles Bossam. 1788. Will 1791. Name also occurs as Bassam. A widow Mrs Elizabeth Bossam, late of Great Marlow died in 1793. 

Robert Bowrey. 1798

Richard Carr. 1797,98.

Henry Carter 1725 Ale house see maltsters. 

Sylvester Carter, junior. 1719. See also carriers. 

Mrs Carter. Two Brewers. 1795.

Mr Samuel Chapman, Upper Crown. 1785.

Mrs Mary Chapman Upper Crown 1786-97. See 2020 posts for a history of the Crown.

Mr Crocket - 1755/6 White Horse

William Dark, Crown and Broad Arrow, High Street. Died 1763. Widow Mary Dark then ran the same. She had always been the one brewing the beer in buildings out the back. She had previously ran the premises with her 1st husband Phillips. William's will is transcribed elsewhere on this blog. See 2020 posts for a history of the Crown inns. Will of William Dark and more info here.

George Davis. 1798.

Robert Dixon, Crown and Broad Arrow. 1790s.

Mr Faithorn. Upper Crown. 1778-80.

Charles Fletcher. 1798.

Jeremiah Goldswain 1785 [Victualler] And farmer. 

Joseph Grey senior 1721

Nathaniel Gunnell. Little Marlow. 1798.

Richard Hall. Innkeeper. 1719. Bankrupt  1724.

Richard Holloway. 1690 -1710 minimum

Thomas Hussey. Ship, West Street. 1792.

John Ireland. Late of the Two Brewers, St Peter's Street. 1770.

Robert Irwin (occasionally Irvin) 1723. Ale house keeper. 

Thomas Johnson 1798.

Richard Keene. The Roebuck on the Causeway. 1754.

John Langley. 1713.

Richard Langley 1713 (ale house keeper)

Thomas Langley junior 1724 : Ale house. 

William Langley. C1798.

John Law / Lawe / Lawes. 1719-29. There was also a John Lawe yeoman, 1716. 

Sylvester Law 1750s and 60s ran at different times The Upper Crown and the Cross Keys. Sylvester's will has been transcribed elsewhere on this blog here. He witnessed several other wills himself. See here for a history of the Crown pubs. 

Henry Lawrence [victualler] 1719.

James Lomas (or Lomax) [victualler] 1786

Edward Neighbour [victualler] 1783, died 1787. Of the Coach & Horses, West Street

Robert Nunn. 1776. Also a carrier. A traditional pairing of occupations. 

Thomas Ollis. 1798 to post 1800. Three Tuns.

John Parsons, Upper Crown 1768-75. See post on history of Crown pubs here

Mr Patrick, Lower Crown 1799. 

John Perry 1724/5 ale house keeper. Probably in Dean Street. 

George Phelps, last landlord of the Bowl & Pin, demolished 1790 St. Peters Str. Subsequently licenced victualler at uncertain property it seems. See also miller's above. Also pound lock keeper. See here

John and Mary Phillips. 1750-51 Crown and Broad Arrow, High Street. Mary was the one doing the brewing for the inn and may well have ran the premises entirely herself in a day to day basis. John was also a carpenter. After John's death Mary married William Dark and he ran the inn, until his death when Mary went solo. See above.

Henry Pomfrett, innholder, wife Barbara. 1701. 

Joan Pomfrett. Died 1702. Probably at the Three Tuns then but formerly of the Kings Head, both in Marlow High Street. Will of hers here and see here for discussion about her premises.

John Pomfrett. Three Tuns. 1714. Son of Joan above.

John Pomfrett. Upper Crown. 1770.

Mr Robinson. 1710. And Charles Robinson 1744. 

Mrs Stevens, Complete Angler. 1766.

Nicholas Thomas, Crown and Broad Arrow, AKA Lower Crown. High Street. Died 1782. See dedicated post on the Crown pubs published here

John Webb, Upper Crown. 1766-67. See here for history of the Crown. See also maltsters above. 

Thomas Webb. 1797.

Elizabeth Wright, Dukes Head, West Street. 1761. A Robert Wright was selling beer at an unknown premises 1753. Could be her husband as she was a widow in 1761.

Rope Makers

Thomas During. 1727.

Thomas Gibbons - 1781 (and coal merchant)

James Higgs. 1798.

James Howard. 1735.

James Little. 1798.

Robert Rance. Late deceased 1770.

Ann Rolls. Gave business over to son in 1776. See below.

John Rolls - the young man was assigned the family business by his mother Ann Rolls in 1776. Already working in the trade prior to that.

Thomas Rolls. 1798.

Saddlers

Francis Bushnell. 1787.

John Glanville. 1798.

James Harris. 1798.

Sawyers

Richard Hackshaw. 1798.

John Hester 1721 Also carpenter. 

Thomas Langley. 1723.

School Proprietors - for more on these schools see my dedicated Schools post here.

Elizabeth Davis. 1787-90. Trainee teacher 1790 Judith Bosley. Albion House.

George Faux. Circa 1760s to 1787. Died  1797. Probably Chapel Street / Wycombe Road. Mrs Anne Faux assisting. "Fox"

Henry Gower. 1786. Oxford Road.

Thomas Heather. Head Borlase 1780. Took over from his deceased uncle William. Was assistant teacher there before then. He himself died 1793. Lived opposite the school more or less.

William Heather. Head Borlase School from at least 1770 till his death 1780. Also took in private boarding pupils. Succeeded by nephew Thomas to both roles. 

Revd Oakey Nash. 1798+

Mrs George Trash. 1791.

Mrs Sophia Tylecote. 1794 to post 1700s. Albion House.

Shoemaker  - see cordwainer

Shopkeepers (unknown specific trade) 

William Cutler. Lane End. 1788.

Mrs Hawkes. 1797.

Elizabeth Lattemore. 1735. Will proved 1736.

Ambrose Smith. 1715-18. Catholic recusant.

Soap Boilers

William Howard. 1741. High Street.

J Street (and tallow chandler). Opens shop High Street 1789. 

Stationer

John Bullock. Went bankrupt 1784 when he was described as stationer to the Board of Ordnance, in partnership with William Johnston of Hamilton, Middlesex so likely a resident here but trading elsewhere. [The London Magazine 1784]

Miss A Hawes. Also patent medicine stockist. 

Stay Makers

John Brinscomb 1754

Mr William Gritten also the man for cotton hose, hankies etc. 1782.

Henry Husssey. 1798.

Stonemasons

John Smith. Lane End. 1793. A John Smith stonemason was listed as of Great Marlow in 1799 (Marlow parish included Lane End but it would appear John had relocated to Marlow Town) when he advertised to inform the public that he had opened a mason's yard in Maidenhead "near the Chapel". Later also a china and glass factor. Went bankrupt 1814, but his wife continued the china business. 

Surgeons

Henry St John Bell, originally from Aylesbury but resident in Marlow as a surgeon 1747-78. AKA Harry. Went into partnership with William Eardley, and moved into joint premises in Marlow High Street in 1771. Also apothecary. Died 1778. The will of his widow is on the blog here. His own will is to appear on the blog in 2025.

Mr Cleobury. 1786-99. Lived on the Causeway. The house with the sundial on its gateway (put there 1786). This may be the same as William Cleobury, surgeon of Marlow in 1780.

William Dawson. Also apothecary. Died circa 1781. 

William Earley/Eardley. And apothecary. Went into partnership with Henry Bell 1771, High Street. His partner died 1778 but William was still a surgeon in 1791. 

Stephen Galhie 1735. Aka Etienne Galhie, a French Huguenot. 

Mathew Hawes. 1798. West Street. Went to the West Indies c 1799 and his household furniture was sold off.

William Hickman. 1781 to post 1700s. Former apprentice to Thomas Dawson. Took over his business in the same premises when Thomas died in 1781. Likely High Street or West Street.

William Medwin. 1793.

Edward Norman (barber surgeon). 1740. Son of John of Pyrton, Oxon. There was a John Norman landlord of the White Hart Pyrton in 1728 who may be a relative.

Mr Norris, moved to Marlow late in 1795 from the nearby vicinity. Had 30 years experience then. Specialized in treating those with "distorted, withered and contracted limbs". Took residential patients, including children. There were at least two generations of a "Mr Norris" surgeon in Princes Risborough in the later 1700s who may have been related to our Mr Norris. Dad Robert advertised in November 1796 that he had lately handed over his Princes Risborough business to his son. This was a few months before the son's marriage. The aforementioned son was John Lovegrove Norris (bn 1772, d in an accident 1838). It is just possible that the dad Robert was the surgeon who came to Marlow, leaving the Princes Risborough concern to his son. There is a possible Marlow marriage for that Robert Norris back in the 1760s. 

Thomas Norton. 1791-92. Also an apothecary.

William Sneath. Also an apothecary. High Street. 1758 (possibly by 1735). Deceased circa 1775. Son in law of butcher Joseph Webb above. George Trash below took over his business.

George Trash. Previously in partnership with William Sneath also at Marlow. Used own home instead of Sneath's from 1781. Died 1796. Also a midwife and apothecary.

Tailors

John Brinscombe 1724 will

John Burridge. 1724.

William Doley. 1714. A Mr Doley tailor and draper dies in 1781 & his widow Ely (qv) takes over the shop but not the tailoring side of the business. 

Anthony Field. 1798. See drapers above. Possibly the same man. 

Mr Hervey. 1784

James Johnson. 1705. 

William Massey. 1798.

George Newbury / Newberry. 1798. See also curriers. 

William Nibbs. 1778.

Samuel Phillips jnr 1722

John Wye 1706

Tallow Chandlers

There was one such premises in the High Street from at least the 1760s to at least the 1780s but I am still working on being certain as to the occupiers of that. Known chandlers:

William Baker, Chapel Street. Also grocer. Selling up 1797. 

Joseph Bird. 1765-99.

Henry Crockford. 1781, 1783. Also brandy merchant. See also patent medicine sellers. 

William Heeley. 1710.

George Harris. 1702. Wife Susanna. Her cousin left his own chandler's shop to her. See below.

Mr J Street. Opened his shop in 1789. Also soap boiler. 

Richard Widmore. 1702. Will proved 1705. Left his house come shop to his cousin Susanna Harris, wife of George Harris see above.

Timber Merchants

Ambrose Smith. Will proved 1726. Catholic. Unknown if same man as shopkeeper above but likely is.

Tinplate /Tinman

Bartholomew Branscombe. 1769-98.

Benjamin Fish. 1718. Same or different one died 1765.

Tobacconists

Benjamin Fisher. Not obviously the same as above Benjamin "Fish" but contemporary. 1726.

Turners

William Aylworth. 1715.

Watchmakers

Sylvester Law / Lawe. Pre 1700s to 1702.

James Cooper. 1798.

Richard Lee 1768

William Lee 1770

Timothy Tregoe. 1770- 1798. Apprentice to Abraham Fowler of Amersham 1763. Died 1815 describing himself as a gentleman by then. Son of Timothy Tregoe the barber / peruke maker above. Married Elizabeth Crockford of Bix, at Bix 1793. (Also Trego, Tragoe, Tagoe)

Weaver

John Beckford 1725

Wharfingers

Ralph Rose (senior). Little Marlow/Spade Oak. 1718. Died 1751. Also barge owner. 

Henry Turner. 1713.

Wheelwrights

Robert Blick. 1776.

George Butler. 1794. Apprentice then John Gunnell.

John Corby. 1797-98.

John Cox 1770

Richard Dormer. Lane End. 1752. Wife Rachel.

John Gunnell. 1798. Probably not the same as John Gunnell apprentice above.

Ralph Gunnell. 1713-41. Also rendered Gunhill. The central letter h was seldom pronounced in the past.

William Gunnell. 1700 to death 1701. Lived High Street. Wife Elizabeth.

John Haywood 1704 (also given as Howard)

John Moss. 1798.

Ralph Rolls. 1740-47. High Street.

Clark Webb. 1731.

Wine merchant 

Robert Bowles 1783 - see distillers above. 

1820s recreated trade directory part 1 here and part 2 here

1600's trade directory part 1 - here and part 2 here

1810s recreated trade directory part 1 here

For a list of occupiers of both residential and commercial properties for Quoiting Square / Place (Coiting Place) in the 1700's see here and for Dean Street here High Street here and Chapel Street here.

To find out more about everyday life in old Marlow see the post listing here

All mentions of an individual on the blog can be found in the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

Researched and written by Charlotte Day. Additional research Kathryn Day. 

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