Early 20th Century Shopkeepers In Queen's Road Marlow

Queen's Road was fields before residential development began, slowly at first, from the mid 1800s. In Victorian times it had at least a pub and a grocers. This post deals with the early 20th century.

Virtually all historic buildings have been destroyed in this road so that any street numbers given here bear no relationship to any modern property in the road with the same number. 

Henry and Margaret Brown(e). Margaret Brown(e) grocers. Not here 1907 but this husband and wife are censused together with Henry named as a grocer in 1911. Margaret seems to have started operating alone from late 1911, suggesting that Henry had died. She was still there running the shop in 1915 but not 1920.

John Bryant general shopkeeper at number 24 from at least 1911 to at least 1921 but not before 1901. This shop was on the Cambridge Road side of the street, not far from Eton Place. He had previously operated a greengrocery shop in Spittal Square (c1890-1901) and lived there with his family. He was also a market gardener. John was a retired soldier who came originally from Flackwell Heath, born circa 1846. Probably still running the shop in 1924. Wife Anne (Annie) assisted in the business. The couple had previously ran the Fighting Cocks pub in Dean Street for a few months before it was closed down. This doesn't mean that John gave up vegetable selling, many Dean Street landlords earned extra money by selling potatoes in particular, but other greens too from their premises. John and Annie had also lived possibly at Newtown Road Marlow before arriving in Queen's Road and opening the shop there. Their son Robert was killed in action in WW1, thankfully other sons George and Harry survived. During ww1 John was charged with profiteering by selling potatoes at inflated prices at High Wycombe. He grew the potatoes on his allotments in Marlow. He'd probably need more than an allotment to consider himself a market gardener so there was likely land elsewhere in his keeping. There were market gardens in Queen's Road itself at the time which he may have hired part of. His sons Harry and George who helped in his shop later became wholesale and hawking greengrocers on their own account with a smallholding off Little Marlow /Wycombe Road. It is possible this same piece of land has previously been in their father's cultivation. George as a married man lived at no 27 Queens Road while Harry moved to 88 Newtown Road. By 1939 John Dawkins ran John Bryant's former Queen's Road shop on a day to day basis, though John still lived there.  The shop, adjoining bakers and cottages were all built by the Plumridge family of the Duke of Cambridge. 

William Buckland a general shopkeeper cum grocer at number 41 from at least 1907 (but probably not before 1905) until at least 1939. This was on the corner of Prospect Road. It was later turned into a house. William was born circa 1865. 

Mary Grantham (Mrs) called herself a sweetshop keeper in 1901 but later was a grocer. Mary was originally from Wiltshire and the widow of Thomas Grantham. She died aged 55 in 1915. The business was taken over by her daughter Elsie Grantham who ran it as a general shop. Elsie was born circa 1894 and looks to have married Harry Armstrong in 1935. The shop was almost on the corner of Oxford Road, on the Cambridge Road side of the street. A popular stopping place for school children. 

William Henry Saunders at no.26. On Cambridge Road side of the road not far from Eton Place. Bakery by 1907 to at least 1920. Assisted by wife Jane (nee West, whose parents lived at Keynsham's Farm, Cadmore End when their daughter married in 1896). This couple were Wesleyans. They lived in nearby York Road before being based in Queen's Road. Number 28 was later converted into a house without the removal of the bread ovens and so was often still referred to as "The old bakery". 

Just as a bonus, another business in Queen's Road in this period though not a shop:

Frederick Dunn insurance agent at no 36 at least 1911-20. Wife Louisa. He was born Lane End 1870. They moved to Marlow from High Wycombe but had also previously lived briefly in Manchester. Frederick had previously worked as a chair caner. The couple's son Frederick jnr worked at the paper mills as a boilerman.

And also mention must be made of:

J East a general dealer in 1907 (Cambridge Road side of the road). Uncertain whether he had a shop or dealt more informally which was common in that occupation.

And the Grace family whose shop was on the corner of Dean Street and Queens Road in this period and earlier with the main entrance however on Dean Street. More on them and other Graces here.

Some Sources:

England and Wales Census, 1911," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VP-VH9 : 22 July 2019), Mary Grantham, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

"England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VP-J4M : 22 July 2019), Fred Dunn, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

Marlow Almanack and Directory 1907.

Marlow Guide 1905 

Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire etc 1911, 1915 and 1920 editions 

1891 census of England  and Wales Great Marlow transcribed from microfilm by Jane Pullinger and 1901 census transcribed by me. Census information is Crown Copyright

"England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV8Z-KYB5 : 8 October 2014), Elsie M Grantham and null, 1935; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1935, quarter 2, vol. 3A, p. 3266, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England. 

Personal Interviews - thanks to all!

South Bucks Standard 4th September 1896.

Reading Standard 7th September 1916. This edition from British Library Archives via the BNA. As was Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News April 17th 1917.

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1833 Parochial Assessment Great Marlow Spitalcrofts, Marlow Bottom etc

The next part of my gradual transcription of the original handwritten working notebooks used to compile this assessment. These faded notebooks are in the possession of my family, and also contain some pencilled in corrections from the later 1830s, though not in these parts, and related correspondence with some landowners etc.

This properties are all on the outer limits of the historic Great Marlow parish.

Transcription by Charlotte Day.

©Marlow Ancestors. Feel free to use this transcription with credit to this blog.

White Hill

Late Richard East, George Carr [not clear whether the late Richard and George had been joint occupiers or if George had recently replaced Richard]

Property Occupied:

Cottage

Annual worth of property:

£3

*****

Hill Green

William Ryder

Cottage and garden

£4

*****

Dirty Bottom [!] [Nr Marlow Bottom]

John Wing

Thomas Holmes

[Illegible property]

*****

Red Barn [Farm]

William Collins

New cottage and garden

£4

*****

William Hobbs

New cottage and garden

£4

*****

Booker Common

William Li... (Illegible)

Cottage and garden

£3 10 shillings

*****

Alfred Hawley

Cottage and garden

£3 10 shillings

*****

Charles Johnson

Cottage and garden

£3

*****

Widow Barlow

Cottage and garden

£3

*****

Spittle Croft [Aka Spittalcroft, Spitalcrofts etc]

John Stanmore

Cottage and garden

£3

*****

James Hawkes

Cottage and garden

£4

*****

George Brooker of Juniper Hill

Cottage and garden

£4

*****

Holland Road Marlow Early History

 Holland Road was laid down late in 1901 by the workers of Mr Fossett of Slough. Earlier that year much of  the land that the early properties in the road would be built on had been bought bit by bit by speculator James Andrews Holland and in his honour it was decided by the Urban Council to name the new road Holland Road. (Often referred to as Holland's Rd early on.) The land was previously part of the "Quarrydale Estate", perhaps the grounds of the house Quarrydale which was by it though that does not look to long predate the Holland Road. 

James had no previous experience in property speculation. He would later state in court that his main former career was that of an employee of the Midland Railway. On the 1901 census he was the manager of a timber merchant in Ashford near Staines Middlesex and in 1881 he appears as a carpenter and joiner which seems at odds with his statement of being a Midland Railway employee for much of his career. Unless he was employed as a carpenter in some way by them ??? He did have some experience working as an assistant manager of a brickyard too. 

Regardless of his experience, thanks to loans from Mr Cripps of Marlow and Garner and Sons of Uxbridge he was able to begin building up Holland Road. You can understand why this area seemed a golden prospect to such a speculator. Holland Road was within walking distance of the station and the river yet would have still felt removed from the main body of Marlow. A peaceful but well connected semi rural idyll. James admitted he had only a small working capital and "few qualifications" but he was obviously able to win the confidence of his backers nevertheless. 

First in the new road came a bungalow with an attached artist's studio, then 2 cottages. These cost £729, 18 shillings and 6 pennies to erect on top of a purchase price for all the land of £567. These were followed by five more houses in a block for himself and two for his wife Sarah (or so he would later state) on more of the land. The couple lived in home called "The Maisonette" New Town/Quarrydale, possibly also in Holland Road.  (N.b there were two cottages known as no 1&2 The Maisonette, in New Town Rd proper around this time, which may be one of those meant.)  Unfortunately James had overreached himself financially and could not afford to continue to build on the rest of his land. He had no money left to continue his grand development scheme.

Though he had tenants for some of the built property this was not enough to keep him afloat and he was forced to try to sell the bungalow with studio, and 2 houses. These did not sell in two attempts and James filed for bankruptcy. There was some scepticism voiced in court that two of the properties allegedly built for his wife were genuinely not part of the bankrupt's possessions. He owed £510 to creditors at the time.

The mortgagees tried again to sell some of the property in 1906 and were seemingly successful at last. James and his wife moved away from the town. In 1911 he was a Building Works Manager boarding at Shottesdon, Shropshire. 

An early family to set up home in Holland Road was the Haddon family. In 1907 Richard Johnson Haddon (who may be the father of the family or his identically named son) appeared as a witness at the Old Bailey in London when Arthur Malyon of Leytonstone, Henry East of Dean Street (fruit and horse dealer), Frank Price of Dean Street and James Newell (of Marlow or Stokenchurch reports vary) were accused of a string of thefts in London and it's environs involving horses, wheeled vehicles and harnesses.

Some of the stolen property was sold in Marlow, some at Henley Fair and some elsewhere. Richard Johnson Haddon reported taking 4 horses to Henley Fair for East, including one of the allegedly stolen animals. He also believed he had seen another of the stolen animals in a field off Dean Street by the Bank of England pub. This field was one of two rented by East. 

The charges against Frank Price were dismissed by the courts at an early stage. Henry East was found not guilty and was welcomed home to Marlow by a crowd of 200 people who repaired to the Plough pub for a raucous celebration (on which more here) The rest of the accused were found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in jail. The court case contains various interesting points not relating to Holland Road but to Marlow in general and how the horse dealing trade operated here in the early 1900s.

It is also noticeable for the statement that using the "F word" as Henry East was quoted as doing was common in the town in 1907 (at least in Dean Street!). There is a link to a transcript of the Old Bailey trial in the Sources section below. The earlier hearings at lower court's were reported at great length in the South Bucks Standard.

Those giving evidence for the good character of East, included Francis Crawford Caffin who was a fruit customer of his and William Fisher the butcher of Market Square 

Two years earlier Richard Johnson Haddon Senior and Richard Johnson Haddon Junior had been in court at Marlow following an altercation with their Holland Road neighbour William Henry Lavell. It was alleged that a sickle had been thrown by Lavell at a dog owned by Haddon Junior and threats made against Haddon Junior himself. The judge accepted that he had not intended to harm the dog, only frighten it off and had been provoked by the dog taking one of his valuable chicks. He was thus asked to pay only half the costs of the case and Haddon Junior the rest. Lavell was bound over to keep the peace towards the Haddons.

 In 1914 William Lavell, still of Holland Road was sentenced to 4 months hard labour for arson at Wright's paper mills where he worked as a packer. Drunk thanks to a long drinking session at the Carrier's Arms in Wycombe Road (that and the Plough would be his nearest pubs from home), William had wanted to get revenge on the mill owners for exploiting and under paying certain female staff as he saw it. Women in his eyes could not stand up for themselves in such matters! He set fire to a door and put up barricades to hinder attempts at extinguishing the fire. Nobody was inside at the time. William was married to Ellen (nee Smith. M 1896) who on the previous census was described as a paper mill hand. This would have been at Wright's. It is not mentioned in the court case that Ellen was one of the women William thought was being mistreated but it may have been so. The couple's address in 1901 was "New Town" the district around Holland Road so they were already close to Holland Road. It is possible their home existed in the street prior to it being named or properly laid down as a road both of which occurred - officially speaking - several months after the census was taken. Development in Marlow was sometimes very haphazard, piecemeal and disorganized!

Written and researched by Charlotte Day.

NB Early residents often gave their address as "xx Holland Road, New Town, Marlow"  or just "New Town". Most of the houses were named, and these names often changed with each new resident..

For other posts about specific Marlow Roads, shops or farms see this index. All references to any individual on this blog can be found on the A-Z Person Indexes. Thousands of people are mentioned.

Sources:

https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?name=19070528

South Bucks Standard September 6th 1901 and 21st July 1905. Bucks Herald 27th June 1903 and June 6th 1914. Bucks Advertiser July 11th 1902. All British Library Archives via the BNA.

England and Wales Census 1911. National Archives, Kew. Census information remains Crown Copyright. 

"England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X96C-M5W : 20 May 2019), James A Hollands, Ashford, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Sunbury subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

"England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q27J-WWZG : 12 December 2017), James A Holland, Leicester St Margaret, Leicestershire, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 17, Piece/Folio 3158/106, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,883.

"England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VP-XTT : 22 July 2019), William Henry Lavell, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

GRO marriage index.

1915 Marlow Directory and Almanack, Welbourne & Simpson, Marlow. 

1907 Marlow Guide, Marlow Printing Co. 

1833 Parochial Assessment Marefield Passage

 My family has the original working notebooks used to compile this assessment by the surveyors and I am gradually transcribing them. The point of the assessment was to set tax rates for the year 1834. The occupiers rather than the owners for each property were recorded. The notebooks contain pencilled in additions and correction up to circa 1839. Where these occur on this assessment I have added the relevant notes in square brackets. Any research notes about the people mentioned are also in square brackets.

Marefield Passage [This address no longer exists. It was behind Dean Street, running between what is now Queen's Road and Cambridge Road. This was a poor neighborhood on the edge of town in those days]

Each occupying a cottage and garden with an annual value of £5:

Richard Moores

Edward Smith

Thomas Garner

William Mead

William Frith

Thomas Frith

William Clark

Robert Roberts [in pencil added later name George next to Robert but Robert not crossed out]

James Lomax

*****

Each in house and garden with annual value of £6:

Edward Aveling

John Harris

Thomas Brookes

Charles Ford [he died 1837 aged 55. His widow Elizabeth Ford may be the woman of that name who ran a baby linen business in West Street in 1839]

Richard East [he also down as having a gravel pit with an annual value of £2 10 shillings]

*****

In a cottage and large garden with annual value of:

George Clark

*****

Each occupying a cottage and garden with annual value of £3:

Joseph Clark [19 year old labourer Joseph and his new wife Maria nee Harding]

Joseph Smith

Ann Carr

Richard Price

Charles Brown

William Blake [a labourer, wife Mary]

Thomas Johnson

John Goldswain

*******

Occupying cottage and large garden worth £8:

George Clark (second one of same name Marefield)

Annual value of property: £8

*****

Each occupying a cottage and garden with an annual value of £4 10 shillings:

William Heffard

Elizabeth Harding

Thomas Mitchell

*****

Each occupying a house worth £5 and an additional garden each with an annual value of 10 shillings:

William Heather

John Holloway

*****

Each in a cottage with an annual value of £3:

Ann Archer

Joseph Keep [who married his wife Mary nee Godfrey in 1827]

Thomas Easley

Robert Almond

*****

Occupying a house worth £8:

School of Industry [trained poor children].

*****

To find more posts about historic residents of Marefield Passage or other Marlow streets please see our streets index here.

Thousands of people are mentioned on this blog. Look on the A-Z index for every mention of any individual.

©Marlow Ancestors.

Hurley Celebrates Victoria's Jubilees

 Though Queen Victoria celebrated many jubilees in her long reign it was the 1887 and 1897 ones that inspired the greatest public celebrations. Small village though it was Hurley threw itself into the celebrations.

For both jubilees Sir Gilbert Clayton East of Hall Place, Lord Of The Manor of Hurley headed the village committees charged with organising events and his wife Eleanor was also heavily involved in preparations. They provided a barn at Hall Place Farm in 1887 in which 400 adult villagers rich and poor sat down to a dinner together. The children of Hurley later that day had a celebratory tea in the barn. For the babies a bun to chew! Catering was provided by Robert Rodwell of the Bell of whom a little more here.

 Elderly or unwell residents had presents delivered to their door. Later in the day a band played while the adult men in the village enjoyed races on bicycles, tricycles, ponies, donkeys, and on their own two feet plus a sack race. For the women there was a spoon and ball race, potato race and a tub race (rolling a tub??). Competitive children got barely a look in in this programme. We think of Victorians as straight backed and po-faced, all careful dignity but they loved an opportunity to play silly games and laugh with each other. If you are scratching your head as to how grown ups managed a tricycle race- over a mile no less- remember that tricycles were then only for grown ups and not that much less common than early bicycles. Prizes for winning the races were either Jubilee commemorative medals or money.

The men of the village had the chance to represent Hurley in a tug-of-war completion against the hamlet of Knowl Hill. Neighbourly rivalry must have been acute as the rope snapped under the strain and a replacement had to be found.  Knowl Hill the victor! 

There was of course also a church service of thanksgiving at St Marys.  The next year Sir Gilbert and Lady East had a new clock installed in the church to celebrate the completion of the 50th year of Victoria's reign.

The day ended with a firing of cannon and a fireworks display. 

Ten years later the village met once more in the schoolroom to decide how to celebrate the next jubilee. This time a barn near the church was used for a public dinner for the grown ups while the schoolroom served refreshments to the children. Once again a band played while the people of Hurley engaged in sports. Foot races, cricket and quoits this time round.

The village ladies used flowers to spell out "God Save The Queen" and to form a crown, both for display in the church during a special jubilee celebration service.

Researched and written by Charlotte Day.

For more Hurley content see this index.

To see how nearby Great Marlow celebrated the 1887 Jubilee see here and other royal celebrations here.

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

See Berkshire Chronicle 26th June 1897.

Reading Mercury 7th January 1888 and 25th June 1887.

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_county_families_of_the_United_Kingdo.html?id=TuHIDwAAQBAJ

Research of Aidan O'Brien.

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Webb's Gang Of Marauders

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

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

Webb's Gang

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

Stolen To Order

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

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

Where it all began

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

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

Christmas Keeps Them Busy

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

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

A Noose Awaits Richard

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

Net Closing On All

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

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

The Trial Of Ayres

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

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

Bold and Unblushing

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

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

Other Members:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

William Clark. Possibly of Marlow. 

 Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

© MarlowAncestors. 

 Related Posts:

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

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

Clay Lane farm mentioned above ; history timeline here

Sources include:

Handy Cross research by Charlotte and Kathryn. 

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

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

Oxford University and City Herald 

31 March 1827

Hampshire Chronicle 2 April 1827

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

The Globe 25 August 1827, via the BNA. 

Berkshire Chronicle 29 September 1827 British Library. 

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

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

Https://www.freesettlerorfelon.com

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Great Marlow Aliases and Nicknames

Updated by Charlotte March 2026

Here's a selection of the most distinctive aliases and nicknames used by some of our Marlow forebears. A number of these were revealed in reports of a crime. However anecdotal evidence suggests it was very common for men, including perfectly law abiding ones, in the working class Dean Street area of town in particular to bear a nickname that more or less replaced their real name in everyday life. A number of older residents remember this to be the case well within living memory. We have also gathered their recollections, although many nicknames can no longer be definitely attached to a remembered real first name. This lists gives only the older examples..

Blooming Billy - William Aldridge 1838. Broke his leg while working on the railway at Maidenhead that year.

Bon Ton - John Plumridge 1871. "Bon Ton" was usually the way the posh, urban elite mostly of London, were referred too. Often used mockingly for those whose manners and dress were very pretentious but could also be used for those who were the very much the opposite!

Born Drunk - Frederick Heath 1874. He was fined for being drunk and disorderly that year and described as an old offender in this respect.

Bosher East - William East 1868

Brassy - Alfred Edward Allum 1886 Probably the same man involved in the 1880 Election riots - see here

Bucks Poet, The - Nathaniel Gordon, vet, one time publican, and amateur poet. Used late 1860s-71.

Butcher Lloyd - George Lloyd name in use at least 1876-1884.  Frequent visitor to the magistrate courts on charges ranging from poaching and drunkenness to assault and wife beating (Wife Eliza.) 

Charlie Wonder = Charles Burns  (d 1873) stagecoach and later omnibus driver,one of whose vehicles was called "The Wonder". A biography of him will be published on the blog late in 2026.

Chickey - Thomas Meads of Bovingdon Green 1873.

Chinnum/Chin'em - Perry poaching associate Thomas Anderson, 1840's/50s. Dean Street. A "colourful" (and very violent) character - read more here and about the Perry poaching business here. Chin'em was later arrested for a savage attack on his mother Elizabeth while he was drunk. He nearly cut the nose off her face and left her with a lasting disfigurement. She begged the court on her knees to be merciful to her son, and in fact declined to give evidence against him. She said she could not now remember how the "accident" happened but she might have bumped her face on a door, a scenario the surgeon who saw her shortly after the incident said could in no way account for such an injury. This lead to the very reluctant dismissal of the case by the magistrates.  

Chit Edmunds - Charles Edmunds, childhood nickname which stuck for life due to his small stature. Died age 57 in 1903 in London. 

Cocky Billingshurst - George Billingshurst, 1898. 

Cuddle Bowles - John Bowles 1894.

Dolley Fad - James Ilsley, 1841.

Duke Sparkes - James Sparkes, who died 1898 age c 72. 

Dummy White - Alfred White. An unkind nickname, as Alfred was deaf and partially unable to speak or "dumb" as it would have been called. Died early 1900s.

Dutchman - Josiah Dean of Marlow and Wycombe. Transported for life 1824 - see here

Donkey Dean - 1824, unknown Dean wanted in connection with Webb's gang of marauders. Not the same as Dutchman above. 

The Marlow Cyclone - George Bryant, boxer 1910

Daisy Smith - Richard Smith of Bisham 1840. See the post here for more on this very wanted man!

Fatty Anderson - George Anderson 1841 "a notorious character".

Feckey - Henry Neighbour, 1868. Known for going around pubs cadging beer.

Gaib - Thomas Rose, 1840 born c 1821. A sawyer. Sentenced to 10 years transportation for stealing meat from the shop of Jason Povey. 

Ginger - William Anderson 1873.

Guinea Bean - Charles Bowles, Skewer maker 1839 Dean Street. 

Haphazard - John Edwards. Known for recklessly getting into carts that were already moving. Died in the attempt 1874.

Happy Grace - James James (yes, that was his name. There was also a William Williams in Marlow at one point!) used for him 1886-1909 (when he sent to workhouse) at least. He may also have been known as James Grace as in 1864 a "Happy Grace" alias James Grace  was charged with burglary in Marlow.

Jack Shepherd -(after the notorious 18thc thief and absconder from prison) - Joseph Muspratt who at the age of approximately 12 was sentenced to 3 months in Aylesbury gaol for stealing a loaf of bread from the cart of Patrick Fullicks in 1848.

Jigger- James Wingrove of Burroughs Grove 1907.

King of the City - John Langley senior, biography here.

Lady Stone - Henry Stone 1880.

Little Wonder - Edward Shaw, Marlow FC footballer and captain. 1890. From his youthful proficiency at football. 

Long Tom - Thomas Walker, Marlow F C player 1880s. 

Lord Paget /Mi'lord - Richard Perry. (Died age 63 in 1842 by "visitation of God" while walking in his garden. Druggist Robert Foottit pays for a "decent" burial as Richard had sometimes worked for him. Richard was very poor but had "integrity" and good humour and was "much respected". Many thought poverty precluded such qualities so Richard did very well to turn those prejudices on their head!)

Matilda Blake - Alice Willis, 1881.

Nobby Clark - James Clark. An amateur boxer locally early 1910s. Also a convicted poacher. 

Nutty Price - Frederick Price. 1919. 

Old Jockey - George Eaton. Farm labourer of Cross Roads Farm, Bisham. Died in his sleep 1888 aged "about 50"  - he routinely slept in the cart shed of the farm and so died there. He was found by farmer's son John Anderson. 

Polly Longstockings - Mary Wicks, 1860.

Poodle James - 1.) William James who froze to death on the road in 1882. 2.) Henry James presumably a relative of William, of Dean Street reprimanded for trespassing at Gyldernscroft as a youth in 1882 and involved in attempts to con someone into buying a useless dog for the purpose of rabbiting in 1913. Fined for using indecent language in the Horns pub 1917.

Potter Crewe / Primrose Crewe - William Crewe, 1884. The "Primose" bit added to his nickname after he ,when found poaching, said that he was actually in the woods innocently  gathering primroses .

Pretty Moon - William East 1862. 

Ramping Bob - Robert Taylor, 1837.

Ranji Baker - Herbert Baker who died of consumption age 24 in 1903. 

Royal Belmont - James Cooper, a gipsy 1873.

Sandy - William Anson (age 18), 1882.

Scotty - John Maxwell Banks, tailor who lodged at the Bear 1874

Shallop - George Perry 1837.

Shiner  / Shiner White - George Henry White, fisherman, 1874, 1878, 1882.

Shock East - Charles East, butcher 1839 (Transported for 14 years - see here)

Sackey East - 1867. 

Snuffy Martin  - William Hatton of Little Marlow. Sentenced to 7 years transportation in 1848 for the crime of sheep stealing as he had previous convictions. Age 41. 

Spouter Clark - Richard Clark 1839. Sentenced to 15 years transportation then for robbing a house in Dean Street. 

Stump Harris - Frederick Harris 1868. 

Tallyho - Master Croxon, 1834. A young man frequently in trouble!

Tear-Em-Up Slade - Charles Slade of Gun Lane, 1893. From his occupation as a rag and bone man. Read more here.

Tipney White - George Shaw White, fisherman 1884. 

Topper Frewin- George Frewin(g) killed in a fight at The Bear 1874. 

Tourno - Thomas Frith 1839.

Tricky Davis - William Davis 1860.

Trickey Trackey - William Davis 1835.

Truckman - Henry Creswell 1865.

William White - George Todd dealer 1903.

A few early-mid 20th century examples (all men) Halfpenny, Tonty, Hooker, Sniffer/Snifter, Polly (yes male), Tipper, Topper, Bracey. 

*To find all mentions of an individual here use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu*

 List of posts about everyday life in old Great Marlow here 

Compiled by Kathryn Day, and Charlotte Day. Last updated by Charlotte Feb 2026.

© Marlow Ancestors

Burrell Research and Graves Great Marlow

See "Research" at the bottom of this page to read more about these people and how they connect to each other.

Above - Harriet, wife of Thomas Burrell d. Feb 20 18(..4?) age 40, name Thomas is inscribed below but the other details too worn to read.

Above, another grave. Thomas Burrell. Smith of this town, d. Sept 9th 1776 age 48

ALSO OF

Elizabeth his wife d. Feb 16 1799 age 67 years. 

Above, John Burrell, d. Sept 30th 1819 age 52

"Under this stone here lies a stone living with GOD above/ built on the rock was such a one/ whom force nor ...   could move/Near this place lay the remains of ..

Thomas Burrell d. Oct 8th 1818 age 57 years. 

John Burrell as above. Another view of same.

HB 1850, TB 1860, ?B 186?

AB 1829, WJB 1865

 Above, Sarah Burrell died Mar 1st 1825 age 65 years.

Research:

Harriet Burrell née Badger married blacksmith and ironmonger Thomas Burrell at Bisham in 1833. They lived, and Thomas worked, in premises on the East side of the High Street, Marlow by what is now Institute Road corner. That year his premises consisted of his house ,"shop" as in workshop, garden and an "iron house" and was worth an estimated £10 a year. Thomas was baptised at Little Marlow in 1801 to Thomas and Alice Burrell. His family was however of Great Marlow origin. Harriet died between the 1841 and 51 censuses leaving behind several young children. Thomas's married sister Elizabeth East (married Charles East 1822) moved in with him to help look after the family. In 1841 Thomas inadvertently bought for 3 shillings some copper wire stolen from the cellars of James Bavin in Marlow by William Heather and George Perry. The thieves initially used the wire to poach game but having been seen by a gamekeeper and fleeing, they decided to sell the guilty wire to various Marlow business people instead. They were jailed but no summonses were sent to those who had innocently bought the wire. The family had had a much more shocking brush with the law in 1839 when that Charles East, husband of Elizabeth was found guilty of sheep stealing and transported. More on this case here.

 On a more positive note Thomas Burrell came to the rescue of one of the Marlow church bells which had developed a crack in 1849. An iron band was made for it in his High Street forge, and a man, perhaps Thomas himself, ran with the red hot ring to the church. There it was heated a little more in a temporary fire made in the bell fry before being successfully fitted and quenched with water. 

Thomas was the victim of a robbery himself in 1862 (Windsor and Eton Express 20th December 1862) during a town crime spree. Old coins and 45 shillings in current money were stolen from his premises, as discovered by his daughter upon her returning from church.

It is possible Thomas eventually took over the smithing and ironmongery business of his uncle John. 

The Thomas Burrell in the second grave photo (d 1776) was the grandfather of Thomas, husband of Harriett. His wife was Elizabeth (d 1799) who appears in a grave photo further down this page. The couple married at Great Marlow in 1757. Elizabeth was née Saunders. In her will written in 1794 she mentions her sisters Jane Saunders to whom she left £5 and Ann Cork, wife of John Cork whom she left £150 invested in stocks. A share she had in 3 cottages in Wooburn went to her son Thomas while son John got 2 sheets and 2 pillows. Her two daughters (unnamed but one was Sarah) got to share all her wearing apparel. All the rest of her money and property was to be equally divided between all her surviving children. Sons Thomas and John were made joint executors.

The John Burrell on the grave (d 1819) was also a blacksmith, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth. He left his stock in trade and business to his unmarried sister Sarah who also features in the graves above and in her mother's will.

John's will was witnessed by his close neighbour George Davis landlord of the Chequers, William Hatch the baker from across the road and attorney Robert Goldsmith. Executors of the will were John Mossenton the cordwainer (of Chapel Street) and Sarah the primary legatee.

The Thomas Burrell who died 1818 was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth, brother of John, and father of the Thomas who married Alice.

Alice is presumably the AB 1829 on the grave above as she definitely died that year.

The HB 1850 may be Harriet, daughter of Thomas and Harriet who was born circa 1838, and the T.B may be her brother Thomas born circa 1836.

Photos and grave transcriptions by Kathryn Day, research and will transcriptions by Charlotte Day.

More information:

To find all mentions of an individual here, use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu. New posts / people added daily. Over 4,000 people get a mention!

More grave photo posts for Marlow, Little Marlow and Hurley here

Will transcription posts listed here

Posts about everyday life in Marlow for the Burrells and others here including links to posts about specific trades, recreated trade and address directories etc. 

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

Part 2 1820s Marlow Trade Directory

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

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

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

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

Ironmongers

John Henry Badger. 1822+ High Street.

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

Lace Makers

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

Lace Merchants

John Glover. Dean Street. 1822

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

Lawyers / Solicitors

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

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

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

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

Liquor Merchants

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

Malsters

Samuel Barnes. St Peter's Street.

James House. Medmenham.

Thomas Webb.

Millwrights

Charles Moss. 1828.

Papermakers

John Dell. Will proved 1821.

John Jacques.

Francis Pepper. From pre 1820s.

Joseph Wright. From pre 1820s.

Pawnbrokers

James Clark from at least 1806 to at least 1823.

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

Plumbers

Mr Cox. Market Square. 1826.

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

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

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

Postmaster 

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

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

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

James Biddle. Unknown premises. 1826.

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

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

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

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

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

Robert Collins. Victualler. Will 1826. Premises unknown.

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

George Davis. The Chequers.High Street.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

William Hoare. Three Horseshoes Gun Lane. 1823+

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

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

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

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

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

William Sparkes. Black Boy.

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

Robert White. The Swan. 1823.

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

Rope Makers

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

John Muspratt. 1819+. Labourer rope spinner.

Saddlers 

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

Sawyers

Robert Rose. 1828+

Shoemakers - see Bootmakers and Cordwainers. 

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

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

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

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

William Francis. Borlase.

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

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

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

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

Henry Terry. Prospect House. 1823-26.

Servants (selected)

William Hackshaw. 1822.

Skewer Makers -more on this trade in Marlow here

Mr Robinson. 1829. (Business owner)

Mr Todd. 1829.

Stone Masons

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

Surgeons

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

John Creighton. 1828. 

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

John Goodman, High Street 1823,24.

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

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

Robert Colbourne : see Shaw above. 

Tailors

James Allum. 1821.

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

Henry Clark, West Street 1823

Samuel Clark. West Street. To post 1820s.

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

William Massey. 1820.

Tallow Chandlers

John Gibbons. See Grocers above, same man. 

Mary Horniman. West Street. 1825.

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

Thatchers

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

Tinplate Workers

William Harper. West Street. 1823.

Turners

George Ball. 1828.

James Ball. 1826.

George Bavin. 1825. Brother of William below.

William Bavin. Chair maker and publican later. See here

Henry Hawes. 1823+

James Pusey. To 1822.

Watchmakers

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

John Coster. Chapel Street. 1821

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

Wheelwrights

George Butler. 1820.

James Cox. 1826+ Probably working for Thomas below.

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

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

John Green. Chapel Street.

Wine Merchants

Charles Wethered. High Street.  Earlier described as malster.

Wire Manufacturers

John Washbourn. Bankrupt 1822.

Wood Cutters

Francis Friar. 1827.

Related Posts:

Recreated 1600s trade directory Part One

Recreated 1700s trade directory here

Index of posts related to specific shops and businesses here

Call the Apothecary! here

 

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

By Charlotte Day. Additional research Kathryn Day. 

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

Will Summary William Cabburn 1793

William Cabburn of Great Marlow, gentleman. Will written and proved 1793. 

Says he sick and weak but of sound mind and perfect memory.

Son William £1000 of stock investments when he turns 21. Until then gets £20 a year to clothe, educate and "put him out" [set him up in the world is meant, not send him away!].

Daughter Ann Catherine £200 in stock investments at age 21.

To each of his other children [not named] living at time of his decease £20 at age 21.

If Ann Catherine or William die before 21 their legacies to be equally divided between the other children then living.

To brother George and sister Catherine £10 each.

To servant Jane East 3 guineas to buy mourning clothes.

To Thomas Oxlade of Widmere in Great Marlow, yeoman and John Broome of Westhorpe in Little Marlow [unreadable occupation] £10 each and they to be the executors.

Wife Ann Catherine gets all household goods, furniture, plate, china, bills, bonds, mortgages, securities for money and any other remaining items oh his personal estate.

Witnessed by William Medwin surgeon and Robert Goldsmith attorney at law both of Great Marlow.

See the Will Transcriptions option here for similar posts. For every mention of a person on this blog use the Person Index.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse my transcription summary for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog.

You can obtain a copy of the will from the National Archives.

East Arms Inn, Hurley *updated*

Near the toll house. Often used by anglers to stay in and to house coroner's inquests. Also used for auctions.

History timeline and historic landlord listing.

1851-67 James Cowley. Wife Lucy. They came from the Marlborough Arms in Hurley some time between 1847-51. In 1864 James so badly injured his hand when a gun he was cleaning in the bar of the East Arms discharged that he had to have it amputated [Reading Mercury 13th August 1864, British Library Archives, via the BNA]. During his time as landlord the premises were, sadly,  often used for celebratory dinners after hare coursing meets.

1876-77 Lucy Cowley widow of James. She gave up that year. Lucy retired to Shinfield where she died in 1882.

1877-78 Thomas Clout. He died in 1878. Widow Caroline took over. Thomas and Caroline look to have come from running a pub in Iver. In 1877 their 14 year old employee Alfred drowned while fishing in the river at Hurley.

1878-79 Caroline Clout as above.

1879-81 William Claydon.

1883 - Francis Davis

1884= recommended as a place to stay by readers of the magazine Illustrated Sports.

1891-94= William Deacon and wife Elizabeth. William seems to have been a rare thing - a Hurley born Hurley landlord. He was only  59 when he died September 10th 1894 after a short illness. The Deacons changed the name to the East Arms Hotel. William and Elizabeth were previously at the Ray Mead Hotel in Maidenhead for 25 years. At his death William was described as a "amiable and generous man". He also served as president of the local Licensed Victuallers Protection Association. 

Above, 1891 advert. "Every accomodation for the fishing, picnics and excursion parties " . You will note William offers stabling for 40 horses, a high and dry camping ground and boat sale, hire and repair from his "works at Bourne End Station" including a boat yard there. Spot the printing error. 

1894-1907 Elizabeth Deacon, widow of William above. In 1904 severe flooding hit Hurley and numerous washed out families were given shelter by Elizabeth. She suffered the theft of its Slate Club funds in 1905, by club secretary Thomas Reed of Bisham. He served 2 months in Reading gaol with hard labour. See more here. In 1904 the Arms saw the inquest of Hurley's 7 year old resident, Thomas Edwin Overall, who had been killed in a hit and run while on a path. The inquest ruled the boy had been killed by dangerous driving and therefore the driver of the car was arrested for manslaughter. Mrs Deacon says her telephone never stopped ringing with offers of help to the bereaved family. Young Thomas was the son of Charles Edwin who had already lost his wife and who had 6 other children.  (Stanley Monroe Noble, coming from London, was the driver. He was controversially acquitted.)

Post by Charlotte Day. Gaps in dates are gaps in my research or relate to information yet to be uploaded. 

Compiled from censuses, licensing information, court cases, adverts, directories newspapers as quoted above, etc. Kelly's Post Office Directory by Kellys Directories Limited 1854 and 1863. Edward Cassey and Co's Directory 1865, Dutton, Allen and Co Directory 1867. Royal County Directory 1876 by J.G Harrod and co. London Metropolitan Archives.

More Hurley pub history and landlord listings in the future. We have a large number of similar posts for pubs in Marlow, Little Marlow, Medmenham and Lane End (all Buckinghamshire) plus a few for the Hurley pubs we have already featured. These are all listed here.

Our main focus is Marlow on this blog but we do cover places like Hurley because of frequent connection between them and Marlow. For a list of Hurley, Harleyford and Temple related posts see here

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

Light Fingered Marlow - A List

 Updated Jan 2024

Just for fun here's a list of all the more unusual items (to us) that residents of the Marlows (Great and Little) were accused of helping themselves to during the reign of Victoria. Those names marked with an asterisk were found guilty. The other cases I do not know the outcome of - yet. 

Acorns (2 bushels)- Frederick Brooks and Charles Smith 1848. These would have had good resale value as pig feed.

Aprons- Ann Stockbridge* 1857. Six weeks in jail. A juvenile offender.

A clothes line (part of) from the garden of Henry Aldridge - John Thatcher* 1849. 6 weeks hard labour. 

Bell- Henry Smith* 1850. Three months hard labour.

Herrings (200!)- William Bowles and William Thatcher. 1855.

Lead Trough- Henry Knight* 1840.

Several sacks full of moss, (used for flower arranging etc) - James Perry of Dean Street* 1901. Fined 27s 6d including costs and damages. 

Pair of trousers - removed from their owner's person in a highway robbery 1845. Josiah Brookes* knocked down victim William Blackwell and made off with his trousers as well as a purse of money. A second telling of this event says the "trowsers" of William were in fact carried by him in a parcel as they were newly purchased. Whichever is true, you will be pleased to know that William's trousers were eventually recovered. Josiah was a familiar face to the justices. 

Part of a fence- John Finch* 1856. One month in jail.

Dahlia roots from Spinfield gardens - (and some chickens) James Lomax* and Henry James*, 1837. Henry was transported for life. James was sentenced to a month in jail then transportation for 7 years. He had stolen the birds from his own nephew James Pusey!

Shoe leather- John Wickes 1850. Offence occurred at High Wycombe but John was of Marlow. I am pretty sure he was convicted. In 1852 he was transported for 7 years for stealing a saw in Marlow, the property of Joseph East. He was then 23 years old.

Smelling bottle - John Martin* 1845. Stolen from house of William Curtis. 

Umbrellas, X 2 stolen from the vestibule of All Saints Church. Ellen Gibbons* and Maria Edwards* 1860. They each got 1 days imprisonment. Both plead guilty. The girls however said that they had taken the umbrellas only because it was raining and they had always intended to return them the following week, and indeed had attempted to do so but on seeing the parish Beadle just outside the church, had been too afraid to continue. Their lack of previous convictions helped their case. 

Watering pot (watering can)- Andrew Stuart* and Richard Kibble* 1848 from Alfred Batting. 14 day sentence each.

Whip- William Tilby 1844.

Wooden spokes-  Abraham James* and Thomas Rose*, 1838. Stolen from High Rews Wood. The spokes were the property of John and Thomas Rolls. It seems the spokes may have been being made in the wood. They convinced an 11 year old boy to help them in the theft, telling him the spokes belonged to them. The boy was allowed to escape prosecution if he gave evidence against the two men. Three months in jail and a whipping for both of the accused. In 1839 and 1842 Abraham was fined for poaching.

And for stealing the same horse twice, honorary mention must go to John Edmunds whose full and somewhat odd story you can read here

Related posts: 

 Crime and disorder in old Marlow here

The old police station and police court here

To find other crime/policing related posts see the General Marlow history index here and to find every mention of your ancestor here, use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu. New content added daily. 

Sources:

Criminal research of Jane Pullinger supplemented by Bucks Herald 21st February 1857, 22nd November 1856 and 20th October 1855. Bucks Gazette 6th January 1838. South Bucks Free Press July 14 1860. Copies held at the British Library.

Bucks Advertiser 19 July 1845. 

All Saints Parish records  - my old transcription from the originals.

Censuses, my transcriptions from microfilm.

©Marlow Ancestors. 

East Graves, Great Marlow

Martha East d. Sept 12th 1838 age 59

AND:

William East butcher of this town. d Aug 19th 1852 age 70 years

AND

Henry East  d. Jul 19 1857 age 37 son of the above. 

Above- James and his wife Maria East

James died February 8th 1901 age 76

Maria died May 1903  age 76

These graves are in All Saints Parish Church. 

Above is in Marlow Cemetery- Albert Joseph East d.1923 age 75, 

AND 

Mary Ann East died December 18, 1944 age 97. 

 ©MarlowAncestors You may use this image for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog and link back here. 

The 'Insanity" Of Robert East

Distressing content.

Mental illness was of course not well understood in the past and the suffering of those considered -rightly or wrongly - to be suffering from it could be immense.

Several male members of the East family of Great Marlow suffered mental health crises in the 1830s and 1840s. This post focused on one of them, Robert East. 

Robert was born 1794-96 depending on the source you believe. Most likely he was the son of John and Elizabeth East of Great Marlow and baptised there in 1796. 

By 1841 he had been admitted as a pauper lunatic into the private asylum at Bethnal Green "Warbuton's Asylum". Thomas Warburton had bought and expanded an existing asylum on the site back in 1800. The running of the place was condemned in 1826 with inspectors reporting "scenes of the most cruel and disgusting nature" within its walls. Unclothed inmates were left chained in freezing rooms for hours at a time for instance. Overcrowding was significant with some inmates sharing a single bed with two others. Doubts about the validity of the certification of insanity for some inmates were also raised.

In 1832 the asylum was the centre of a major cholera outbreak.

Exactly when Robert was sent at the expense of the parish of Great Marlow to Bethnal Green isn't known but he was there by the time of the 1841 census. This wasn't supposed to be a case of just dumping someone ill and leaving them to their fate- the asylum was supposed to try to cure those it took in. Some it succeeded with but not all went home nonetheless. Parishes might prefer to keep cured inmates locked up rather than have to pay to support the pauper back at home or risk them relapsing and having to be expensively transported back to London for more treatment. Sadly many inmates it was reported were also abandoned by their families who otherwise could have pressed for their release if cured. Robert was not fortunate enough to find a cure at the asylum. He was still there and described as "occasionally troublesome" but not usually in need of restraint in 1846 when he died.

His death was horrible. Another inmate George Pearson attacked him apparently without warning early one morning when all were in bed. George pulled Robert to the floor and kicked him in the head until he died. The staff member supervising the inmates was himself hit when he tried to stop the attack. No previous violent behaviour had been noted in George who apparently thought kicking Robert in the head would help him.

An inquest was held on site at the asylum in which George was judged by the jury to have committed homicide while of unsound mind and without malice. 

Robert was buried in the churchyard of Bethnal Green.

Things were supposed to have improved dramatically at Mr Warburton's by this date with few of the 582 inmates routinely chained and outdoor exercise provision having been instituted. But the details of Robert's inquest call into question how much progress had really been made. He was sleeping in the "long crib room" with 37 other people (so no privacy) and apparently only one staff member on watch. While George Pearson had not previously harmed anyone else he had a history of hurting his own self. Other of the inmates probably needed intense supervision for the same reason not one man for 37 ill people.

A year earlier the campaigning group the Lunatic Friends Society had visited another inmate William White and exposed the flimsy nature of his supposed insanity- panic attacks brought on by the fact he had been prescribed certain medicines he knew to contain substances which would be deadly poisonous if incorrectly administered (prescribed to him for physical ailments.) He was a man who had been made ill by previous medications taken. That the asylum continued to insist he needed to remain incarcerated was ludicrous they reported. You have to wonder just how "insane" anyone else in Warburton's asylum actually was. The fact that two other East men from Marlow suffered mental health crises at a similar period- a different Robert East who threw himself down a well and died and that suicidal Robert's brother William who was sent to an asylum just afterwards - could be no more than a coincidence. The family relationship between Robert of the Bethnal Green asylum and the two brothers isn't certain, very possibly they were cousins. 

Certain trades did pose serious risk to sanity in the past. Hatters really did go mad, and often, because of substances they handled to give just one example. The occupation of Robert East of the Bethnal Green asylum is unknown. The other Robert was a grocer. The most common occupation of male Easts however historically in Marlow going right back in time was butcher. So no obvious link to dangerous substances there.

To read more about the tragedy of Robert East the grocer and his partner Harriman see this post here

Researched by Charlotte and Kathryn Day. Written by Charlotte.

For more posts related to medical history in Marlow see on the menu under General Marlow History. All mentions of someone on the blog can be found on the Person Index.

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

Sources included:

Report of Luke James Hansard, Lunatic Friends Society 1845.

Accounts and papers of the House of Commons 1826-27.

Reading Mercury June 1846. British Library Archives, digitized by the BNA.

1841 census Bethnal Green, reels, London Metropolitan Archives.

"England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N53T-LZV : 16 March 2020), Robert East, 1846.

Great Marlow Parish Registers.