Queen's Head Little Marlow Historic Landlords.

Note that it has usually been stated that the Queen's Head began as the King's Head but changed name when Victoria ascended to the throne. However, there was a pub called the Queen's Head in Little Marlow some years before Victoria became queen and a pub called the King's Head continued to exist. I have heard that the two pubs agreed to swap names, but certain details don't quite match up, and it looks very much like the landlords around the time of the coronation were at odds with each other rather than co-operative. Below I simply give landlords and events listed at "The Queen's Head" on the understanding that these probably do not all refer to the same physical premises.

Gaps in dates are gaps in our knowledge.

1826 - pub "The Queen's Head" existed in Little Marlow.

1830 - 32 - Joshua Phillips landlord. He moved to the King's Head.

Until 1870 there is no further mention that we have found YET of the Queen's Head however James Twitchen who had the Queen's Head in 1872 had been a beer seller in the village from 1843 in premises that never seem to be given a name and it is probable for several reasons that he was in fact at the Queen's Head all the while. He opened his premises in 1842 after two cottages were knocked together to form a single property of sufficient rateable value to qualify as a licensed premises. He had been trying to get a licence for the property for a while but complained that his Liberal politics meant that he was deliberately rated under true value to thwart his business plans. Politics in Marlow were very corrupt and sometimes violent in this era so his claims of political persecution are very believable. Other cases are known. After he managed to start his beer shop, James said that a prosecution for him remaining open for longer hours than legally allowed was also politically motivated. The case was dismissed in court. The property he was using having been two domestic cottages up to that point, can't be the old Queen's Head pub unless having fallen out of use it had been converted into two cottages and James wanted to convert back. More likely it was simply a new site for a new pub. More research will hopefully bring some charity to this confusing situation. In particular we need certainty that James Twitchen's pub did indeed bear the name the Queen's Head before 1872. Joshua Phillips who was at the King's Head opposed Twitchen opening his pub as it would of course represent competition for him. The premises which James opened in 1843 stood next door to the shop of Henry Hussey. In 1863 James Twitchen of Little Marlow beer seller was also a job master. There was a younger James Twitchen, also a Liberal, and a publican in Great Marlow in this era. 

1872 - 78 James Twitchen as the Queens Head, but probably there years earlier, see above. In 1878 his son Henry took over.

1878 - 91 Henry Twitchen, son of James above. In 1878 he was accused of opening during forbidden hours. In 1885 he opened a little grocery shop next door as an additional to his business.

1891 - Moses Tranter took over.

1895 - beerhouse to let with immediate possession. Includes the little grocery shop too.

1896 - Henry Hester to  Thomas Hughes failed transfer. 2 . Henry Hester to Joseph Pope, briefly, then successful transfer this time to Thomas Hughes.

1897 - Thomas Hughes to George Taylor

1899 - up for sale.

1900- 07 George Taylor

1907 - George Taylor transferred licence to Henry Owen Alma Harris. 

1908 - Henry Owen Alma Harris transferred licence Fred Patterson (but note Pattenden given as his name later)

1910 - Fred Pattenden - (Patterson?) to William Foster, a proposed transfer of the licence to Arthur Turner having been refused. 

1920-  possibly William Foster 

1929 - T.R Whiting took over the licence.

1934- 1952 at least Frederick Hobbs and wife Bertha. They were previously at the  Crown skirmett. In the early 1950s the pub had a Thrift Club and Slate Clubs for both men and women. There were nearly 100 members to the Thrift Club alone in 1951.

1955 - Victor Woolmore.

Written by Charlotte Day. Researched by both Charlotte and Kathryn Day.

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

Sources Included:

1863 Dutton's Directory of Buckinghamshire etc

Bucks Free Press Nov 7th 1952, Bucks Free Press Archives.

England and Wales census 1851,61,71, 81, 91 transcribed from microfilm by Charlotte Day.

Bucks Gazette September 3rd 1842, British Library collection via the British Newspaper Archive.

Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News October 14th 1843, as above

South Bucks Standard 11th October 1895 and 25th August 1899. British Library collection, London.

Personal Interview.

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

*****

The Incredible Mr Harding of Great Marlow

 In 1864, an event happened in Great  Marlow that drew a crowd of an estimated 4-5000 thousand souls. The entire town came to a halt, with shops and schools closed. Triumphant arches were erected for this great occasion. Visitors came in from far afield and the bridge was so full traffic could not pass. The man responsible for this excitement, was a certain Mr Harding. 

Richard Harding was born in the High Street Marlow in approximately 1821*. He became a well liked and respectable tradesman, married to Amelia. He was also a man with a big dream and buckets of determination. For Richard decided he was going to build a luxurious 60ft long pleasure barge capable of carrying a couple of hundred people in a style rarely seen on the Thames.  There might be nothing extraordinary in that if Richard had had a boat yard or special equipment or perhaps some experience in building a vessel like this. He in fact had neither, nor did he have any staff to assist him. But he did have a large  garden, at the rear of his High Street home and it's there he set to work in 1862..

Richard's premises occupied the site of the White Company shop in the entre of the above image. The current building dates from after his time however. 

Richard was a cabinet maker and upholsterer by trade, as well as a bird preserver (taxidermist) according to some sources. He clearly therefore knew how to handle wood. He had tinkered with making skiffs before more of less as a hobby. He completed several which were regarded as well made. In a riverside town like Marlow, a shoddy boat builder would soon be found out! He went straight from constructing them to making the pleasure barge which was to his own design. Did he consult a professional like Marlow's James Haynes for advice perhaps? We will never know. Mr Harding's marvel would be known as The Star of The Thames. 

Richard's experience as an upholsterer would also be useful for the fitting out of the interior. We know the barge had a 22 window saloon capable of holding 100 diners with ease. Overall it could apparently carry at least 200 passengers (300 according to one source). The colour scheme was crimson and gold, and it was said to be finished to a very high standard. There was a upper deck surrounded by iron railings and room on both the front and back for seating. 

The back garden build took two years. In the spring of 1864, Richard must have begun to think of the launch. How he planned originally to get the boat from his garden to the river is not absolutely clear. He could not obviously take it through the front door. The garden was entirely walled in with no significant back entrance so there was no hope of release there either. I only know that Richard's garden wall was demolished and the vessel dragged towards Portland Alley, which ran behind his garden. They could not knock down the alley wall as Richard did not own it, so they decided to lift it over the brickwork. How I have no idea. I am puzzled as to what they planned to do then, as the 13ft wide vessel could not surely fit easily in the alley. That was a mute point as the Star proved harder to move than previously thought and became stuck on top of the wall. This naturally attracted a number of bystanders with suggestions, helpful and otherwise, about how to advance things. Some declared it would likely stay where it was forever, or until the walls gave way. A number of schemes were tried, but in the end everyone went home to sleep on it. I can only imagine what a drinker coming out of the nearby Red Lion must have thought about their level of sobriety when they saw a 60ft barge floating above their heads! Six days after the start of the operation, and several improvised winches later, the barge had moved only 100 yards. But Marlow wasn't going to let Harding fail. Dozens of volunteers came to offer their brute strength if nothing else. Mr Borgnis allowed three of his workers to assist gratis for the week. 

Over the other side of the Alley lay the kitchen garden of Remnantz. And it was here that rescue was found. The Wethered's of Remnantz allowed the Star to be bought down into the garden, and dragged through the property. Whether the gardeners were very pleased about this is unrecorded, but it was noted that the grass was significantly torn up so we can imagine not! The route the team took is puzzling as you would imagine they would leave Remnantz by the Pound Lane entrance, that coming out closest to the Thames. Instead they bought it out of the large West Street gates nearest Borlase, which had to be taken down, along with part of the wall. Reports are unanimous in that. The various eventful points in the boats journey were captured by Richard Blake, whose wife Rebecca is the more well known photographer. The Blake's lived in West Street not far from where the barge emerged from Remnantz so were ideally placed to record that moment. I do not believe any copies of their photographs survive unfortunately. 

All in all the much advertised launch was delayed by a few days, but that allowed word to spread far and wide. The new launch date saw a huge volume of traffic coming into town. It was said some neighbouring towns and villages also declared a holiday for the occasion.  Triumphant arches were made out of wood for the boat to pass through. As there is no record of it getting wedged beneath any, it seems the builders of the arches had taken some careful measurements. Credit here to Thames Bank gardener Robert Hobbs who erected the largest arch assisted by a team of workman. 

It was launched at last from the slipway at the end of St Peter's Street at 3pm. A special peal of bells for the occasion from the adjacent All Saints church was timed perfectly. We are told a platform had been erected a little further away to accommodate more guests, and the boat was taken there. I believe this was at the wharf.  Invited guests naturally got a free tour, and afterwards the curious could pay a shilling to step a board themselves. I do not know if the barge actually took anyone on a trip that day, but it may have had some difficulty moving along the river even if it wanted to, given the water was said to be absolutely crowded with the boats of spectators. The lawn of the Compleat Angler hotel on the Bisham side of the water was full too, including a band bought along for the occasion. Whether anyone could hear them play over the cheers is another thing, not to mention the fact the band of the Bucks Volunteers and at least one more brass band were present! (The Marlow band paraded from outside the Rookery to the riverside.)

The traditional naming ceremony was performed by Mrs  Vansittart of Bisham Abbey, assisted by M.P Mr Brownlow Knox. Knox promised to give Harding a handsome silk flag for the Star in honour of the launch. 

The first proper trip was made by Mrs Wethered, who was perhaps offered first refusal given the assistance she had made to get the barge actually on the water. She took 70 friends and family members on an excursion as far as Culham Court near Henley. This journey also attracted riverside crowds and the waving of flags from the top of Bisham Abbey.  The party dined aboard near Medmenham Abbey.  Mr Harding was congratulated on the excellence of his arrangements, including the fact the boat could be managed easily by a crew of two waterman and the fact the conditions for the accompanying servants were also pleasant and convenient. There were 8 servants on that trip, who we are assured were "liberally" treated to refreshments. 

The boat may have had a luxurious appearance but it was far from only the gentry of the neighborhood who would get to use it. It's highly likely that if your ancestor was a child who lived in Marlow in the 1860s and 70's that they enjoyed a ride in the same.  The cost of hiring the Star of The Thames was obviously lowered sufficiently for the schools and churches of the neighborhood to consider it as a means of transport to their many Sunday treats and outings. The children of the Roman Catholic schools in Marlow took a river trip to Medmenham Abbey in 1865, for example and the National school children and those of the Salem chapel Sunday school  went separately to the same place on the Star in 1867 and 1868. A trip by the Marlow choir with their Hurley and Hambledon equivalents to Windsor in 1866 sounds an especially happy occasion.  Someone bought along the harmonium and choirmaster Mr Ringrose played it most of the way, to the pleasure of other Thames users.  

And the adults of Marlow were not left out. They could pay to use the Star to access a rural fete at Danesfield for example (1864) or the Temperance fete at Harleyford the following year. (Fare 1s 6d return to Bourne End)  Other groups from the Henley Abstinence society to the local lodge of the Oddfellows hired the barge throughout the 1860's and 70s. I have also seen the Star offering short trips from Henley on occasional summer weekends. 

At some point the barge was purchased by Charles Miller Footitt of The Compleat Angler hotel from whom it could be hired in a similar way. It was in already a familiar sight there - in 1872 it was stationed outside the Angler during the regatta, when it was used to house a band. It was still in use at the Angler in the early 1880s when it was being painted and provided with a new canopy. A reporter noting it's presence, commented that the Star had carried thousands of passengers up and down the Thames and he could think of no class of person that did not love her, with the possible exception of lock keepers. It was eventually sold by Footitt. I have last traced the Star to Shiplake in the late 1890s when it was still giving trips. She was a horse drawn barge, no steam for her at least at the time of the launch. Had she been converted at this point? 

Hardings "magnificent pleasure barge"  was in the words of the Reading Mercury, a marvel of perseverance and industry and one that had taken two years of incessant toil. Later, some recalling the launch said the boat was regarded as the eighth wonder of the world in Marlow and wondered a little sneeringly at all the excitement. But what is lovely to read is the pride everyone in Marlow, rich and poor, had in the success of one of their own. Well everyone except the gardeners at Remnantz left to put their garden back together perhaps!

* The building that Richard grew up in (and whose garden was used for the build) no longer exists. It was the former Turks Head/Saracens Head inn, once run by the Harding family but out of licensed use by the 1860s.  It was replaced by a premises that housed Rowe's the jewellers for many years and F Hinds more recently. He moved out of the house as a young married man, to return later. Richard's father William combined beer selling with shoemaking, a very common pairing in Marlow. He arranged for his son to be apprenticed to royal cabinet maker the Mealings, also of the High Street Marlow. After his apprenticeship ended he went into business himself and spent some time in London before returning to Marlow. He died in 1895 at Beaumont Villa, Beaumont Rise, Marlow after a two year long period of ill health. 

Written and researched by Kathryn Day with additional research by Charlotte Day. 

RELATED POSTS:

Royal furniture makers the Mealings, under whom Richard served his apprenticeship  - here

Charles Miller Foottit, later owner of The Star here

Everyday life in the Marlow during Richard's lifetime including posts related to the Thames and specific trades here

To read more about Potlands or other streets/places mentioned here, see the places index - here

Two professional Marlow boat builders - Haynes here and Shaw here

Photographer Rebecca Blake here

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

Sources:

Census 1861, 1871, 1881, - Jane Pullinger and Charlotte Day's transcript from the microfilm. 

Reading Mercury April 9 & 30, March 19 & June 25 1864

South Bucks Free Press, July 1 1865, May 3 1895

South Bucks Standard April 6 1864, May 3 1895

Oxford Journal 10 August 1872

Maidenhead Advertiser 6 August 1883 & 1 August 1899

Beaumont Rise and High Street property holding research by Charlotte. 

Our Thames by "Sylvania" 1873. 

Slater's Royal and Commercial Directory 1852

Dutton's Directory 1863.  (Dutton &Co 1863) 

Pigots Directory of Bucks 1839. 

© MarlowAncestors

1700s West Street Residents

Updated March 2023.

 I glean every possible will and property record to gather the names of those who lived in West Street in the 1700s. The date next to each name is the date I find reference to them there but they may have been present earlier and later. This post is for the OCCUPIERS not owners of property. In most cases in the 1700s the two are not the same thing. The precise buildings cannot usually be identified but I am working on it!

Multiple people in the same family can bear the same name so don't automatically presume that a "John Smith" here is your particular "Joe Smith"!

Alice and Robert Beckford. He was a hoop shaver and owned their West Street home, though they only occupied part of it. This was described in his will written 1730 and proved 1731.

David Beckford 1751. Occupied part of the house formerly occupied by Alice and Robert Beckford above, which had been inherited by the Beckford's daughter.

John Biggs. Tenant of a cottage 1733. This was probably on the North side, close to Potlands.

Abel Bird. "The youngest Abel Bird" Shoemaker resident 1754. There were multiple Abel Birds about, the Bird family owned several West Street properties as well as some elsewhere in Marlow such as in Chapel Street.

William Bradshaw, market gardener, tenant of lands. 1709-26. Now part of Borlase playing fields.

Samuel Bradshaw, market gardener, tenant of lands off West Street South side 1735. 

Thomas Cook. Tenant of house and land 1784-91. This appears to be on the way out of town. Owned by William Bishop who farmed at Winter Hill.

John Cox in 1751 occupied part of the same house (divided into two) that David Beckford also occupied.

J Dalmes Esquire. Tenant of Remnantz 1787.

Elizabeth Davis. Albion House. Running a school 1785. Same property as used by Sophia Tylecote, below.

Ann Gray - occupier 1792. North side. Likely widow of Benjamin Gray, bricklayer, who died 1791.

Thomas Gray - Bricklayer (and possibly carpenter) 1754.

Parmenus Grey. Labourer. Tenant of a North side cottage 1722.

William Glanville. Tenant 1729.

John Goldsmith. Tenant of a cottage West End (so on way out of town) 1767.

Anne and Thomas Handley. 1758. He owned the house that they lived in. He died in 1760 and left this and some land in Oxford Road to Anne for her lifetime.

James Harding. Tenant of a cottage West End (West Street from about Borlase onwards going out of town) 1767.

Mathew Hawes. Surgeon resident 1798.

Ann Hobbs, Mrs. 1774 to death 1787. More on her with a photo of the premises here 

Thomas Hussey, of the Ship Inn. Tenant 1792. All landlords for this pub here

William Johnson. Tenant 1733.

John Lane. 1787+ (probably 1785+) Running an ironmonger's shop. Took over from Ann Hobbs above. More, including a photo of the premises as they are today here

Ann Lockwood, widow. Occupier and owner of a cottage North Side 1726. She had bought the cottage in 1707 from her relatives Richard and Ann Lockwood who lived nearby in West Street but did not immediately occupy it herself.

Richard and Ann Lockwood. Owner occupiers of a North side cottage 1709. Relatives of the Ann Lockwood above, whose home they had also once owned.

Robert Moore. A baker. Owned and lived in a house 1795. Left it to his sister Susan.

Edward Neighbour. Landlord of the Coach and Horses 1783 till death 1787. Wife Lydia who inherited all his liquors and other possessions. Landlord listing for this pub here

Thomas Ollis. Ran the Three Tuns. 1798 to after 1800. Will 1808 summarized here.

William Phillips. Owner and occupier. Will 1749.

Thomas Pither. Occupier cottage North side 1709.

James and Sarah Puddifant. Late 1700s. He was a pawnbroker, biographical post about them here.

George Rackshaw. Tenant of a cottage, South side 1726. Neighbour of John Smith.

Thomas Redding. Tenant of cottage and land 1791. Seems Henley Road end.

Stephen Remnant. Owner and sometimes occupier Remnantz. 1753 -1787. After that owner only. Also later 1700s had some land on the other side of the street. Biography post here

Cornelius Richardson, hatter. Occupier 1754. Unknown if owner.

John Smith. Occupier 1726. South Side. Neighbour of George Rackshaw.

William Smith, cordwainer in West Street 1779-98. North side. The Smiths were still boot making in West Street, albeit on the other side of the road well into the 1800s.

Richard Truss. Tenant 1762. North Side.

Sophia Tylecote. Running school from and living Albion House 1795 to post 1700s. Apparently tenant at first but the house was owned by 1809 by her husband Jeffrey, a banker. Read more here

William White. Occupied part of a house in West Street 1730, owned by Robert Beckford above.

Elizabeth Wright. Landlady Duke's Head pub. 1761.

Related Posts:

To find every mention of an individual here, use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. As of April 2022 there are more than 4,000 individuals listed there. 

For an index of posts related to West Street in general see the listing here

Everyday life in old Great Marlow:

here

Post listing for West Street pubs, ale houses etc here

Recreated 1700s trade directory here

Residents of 1700s Spittal Street here

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

Hobbs Grave, Great Marlow, Parish Church

 Samuel Hobbs d ?? Age 55 years

And

Relict of the above Elizabeth d. 22 Dec 18?? Age 77

Relict was an old word for widow.

Samuel was the publican at the Two Brewers and Elizabeth took over after his death. To see a list of landlords for this premises see the post here

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to reuse this image for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog and a link here. Thanks.

Where Your Gardener Ancestor Worked

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

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

Beechwood, Henley Road 

1859 -  House then known as Beech Lodge - Thomas Gibson

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

1883 - Alfred Lambourne

1898 - E Keene

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

1907 - E Keen qv and T Brown. 

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

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

Bohemia

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

Borlase School (for head E W Clark)

1898/99- William Soley

Bisham Abbey

1846 - Mr Sutton

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

1901,03 - G Martin. 

1927 - W McCaul (head) 

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

Blounts, Bovingdon Green

1894 - Alan Axten 

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

Bridge House

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

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

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

1884 - Ernest Levy.

1898 &99 - E Harvey? 

Court Garden House

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

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

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

1873&4 - D S Gillett.

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

1881 - Charles Swadling. 

1901 - 1911 at least Robert Gibson.

1915 - Charles Croxon. 

Cromwell House

1893 - Mr Jordan (later at Bohemia).

1895 -1900 Mr Weaving.

Danesfield.

1846 : Henry King.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1905- Mr O Smith.

1906-07 Mr G.W Smith.

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

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

1910 - Assistant gardeners: Arthur Cook, George Plumridge. 

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

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

Field House, near Newtown Road.

1921 - William Grimsdale.

Gossmore House

1921 - Joseph Grove (lived Mill Road).

Gyldernscroft, Henley Road

1862 - Mr Adams. Assisted by Thomas Harris. 

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

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

1888 -1903 - Walter Lawrence - head. 

1901 - George Langley.

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

Harleyford House

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

1846,7 - John Cheetham. 

1861 - William Hunt, gardeners boy age 15. 

1861 -66 William Blackman.

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

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

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

1875- Mr Harding.

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

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

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

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

1888 - Alfred Myson, head. Possibly left 1890. 

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

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

1926 - G Edworthy (head) 

Highfields

1881-1883 James Munday.

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

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

1911 - John Weaving.

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

The Lawn, Mill Road.

NB not the same house as Thames Lawn.

1921 - Henry Smewing.

Little Marlow Manor.

1861 - Edwin Anstead? Might be at Westhorpe now. 

1863 - Edwin Anstead.

1897-98 - George Cooper.

1920 - George Latchford.

Little Dean / Littledean/ Littledene (New Town)

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

1921 - Albert Brooks.

Marlow Place, Station Road

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

1907, 1915  - J B Trendall.

1921 - Benjamin Trendall (Head).

1930- Mr Trendall (Head).

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

Medmenham Abbey 

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

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

New Court, off High Street.

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

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

1915 - A Brown .

1926 - C Absolom 

The Orchard(s), Bovingdon Green

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

Remnantz, West Street

John Neighbour - 1850s. Read more here

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

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

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

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

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

Rookery, off Chapel Street.

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

1865- J Goldswain.

1872 - G Frith.

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

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

1927 &8 - Mr Lewis. 

 

Seymour Court

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

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

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

1891 - Richard Heath.

1899- 1902 Walter Parsons.

1901 - George Giddings?

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

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

1841- Thomas Piggott? 

1847- H. King.

1853- Mr MacKeith.

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

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

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

1879 - Mr German.

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

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

1881 - John Heath - garden labourer.

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

1883- Abraham Hubbard.

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

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

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

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

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

1840 - George Davidson.

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

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

1871 - Bartholomew Dingle.

1874-1875 F Russell.

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

1882 - Mr Edwin, and a "boy". 

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

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

The Sycamores, Mill Lane 

NB not the same as Sycamore House West Street. 

 1911 - 1921 - Sydney Charles Rye. 

Temple House, Temple.

A history of the house can be found here

1835-1852 - George Davison./Davidson. 

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

1861,1862- Henry Payne.

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

1888 - R Cooper (journeyman age 21)

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

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

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

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

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

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

1893-Thomas Watson. Under.

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

Thames Bank, Riverside.

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

1871 - John Rose

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

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

1895- Mr Hobbs.

1901 - C Anderson. 

As LYMBROOK - 

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

Thames Cottage

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

1921 - George Thorne. 

Western House, West Street

1862- Mr Tait.

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

1888 - H Everist. (Everest?)

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

Westhorpe House, Little Marlow

1869 - G. Davis. 

1890- George Davis.

1911 - William? Davis

1915 - George Davis (to Major Herbert Spencer Gordon) 

Additional research by Charlotte Day.

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

People of Potlands post lists many gardeners: here.

©Marlow Ancestors.

Sources:

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

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

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

1911,1913 & 1915 Kelly's Directory as above

Reading Mercury 25th April 1868.

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

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

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

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

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

Reading Mercury 7 June 1867.

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

Census, Jane Pullinger's transcription from microfilm.

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

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

Private letters.

Marriage cert Alfred Hitchcock.

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

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

Marlow Almanack and Directory 1891.

 

here

Historic Ironmongers Great Marlow

.

 Updated June 2022

This West Street building is the one from which Mrs Ann Hobbs was for "many years" trading as an ironmonger before her death in 1787. Things weren't always easy in the business evidently as Ann was in Aylesbury gaol as a debtor in 1774. She was however still trading as an ironmonger at the time of her death.

After her burial at Marlow her stock in trade was auctioned off. The buyer was John Lane who took over the premises too. He was already working as an ironmonger before that. In 1800 the Lane family had as lodger a Mr George Siegmund, professor of drawing, who offered ladies private drawing lessons. He had previously been an enamel painter and was family to the Lanes as he mentions various Lane relatives in his will proved 1819. (See his grave below)

John Lane's daughter Lydia Lane (who was left £5 in George Siegmund's will), born in 1761 took over after his death running the shop until her own demise at an advanced age in the mid 1840s. Richard Way, a carpenter and his wife lived on the premises with Lydia for some years towards the end of her life.

William Almond, who had moved from Beaconsfield, then traded here as an ironmonger (and at times leather seller and furniture broker too) for many years. He was present to at least 1881. Ten years earlier he was charged with having his display of stock extending into the public highway! [Reading Mercury 9th December 1871]. As West Street is the main road in to town from Henley and Reading that was definitely an inconvenience to passing traffic! William and his wife Ann (nee Plumridge of Lane End) moved to Leeds where they both died in 1888.

After William Almond came George Lunnon who managed to be both ironmonger, sewing machine agent and boot maker. 

Above, grave of George Siegmund who died November 10th 1818 age 64 years, "He lived and died an honest man".. And also of Henry Lane who died January 1821 age 51 years. 

To see more posts on historic occupiers of West Street businesses see here.

To see another historic Marlow ironmongers see here.

Historic occupation of properties identified by me from property record, census records, wills, advertisements, court cases and photographs cross referencing.

Researched and written by Charlotte Day.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to reuse this photo, research and identification of the premises with credit to this blog. 

List Of Landlords Of The Two Brewers, and Fishermen's Retreat Hotel, St Peters Street. *Updated*

Updated August 2025

THE TWO BREWERS

This building is still in existence and still trading as a pub.

1755 claimed start date for the pub 

1770 - John Ireland landlord

1772 - used for an auction

1776 - Passing mention in the Oxford Journal, it is hosting an auction. 

 1795 - William Carter or Widow  Carter. Building has arched cellar, walled garden, and spacious stabling. Premises up for sale in this year. It's "extremely commanding and advantageous situation" at the foot of Marlow Bridge is emphasized. Owner was the late deceased maltster Henry Smith who had had a malt house in the High Street.

 1823 - G. Hawkins. Other source say John.

 1824 - John and Mary Hawkins. 

 1826 - John Hawkins who died of  Smallpox that year.

1831 - Mary Hawkins, John's widow (nee Hewett).

1833 - Richard Bye. Marries Mary Hawkins who is widowed. Widow of John Hawkins. More on this couple in a post here.

1837 - William Bavin. Previously a chairmaker. Went to first incarnation of Carpenters Arms c1843. See also The Clayton Arms.

1839 - Samuel Hobbs  See his grave here In the 1833 Parish Assessment a Samuel Hobbs is listed as an occupier of a cottage elsewhere in St Peters Street. Samuel seems to have come from High Wycombe originally.

 1844 - Samuel Hobbs "Duck Lane"

 1851- Elizabeth Hobbs. Widow of Samuel above.  See her grave here

 1853 - Elizabeth Hobbs.

 1854 - William Truss (also a sexton).

 1862 - bottle of gin and 10s stolen from till while Mrs Truss away from it. 

 1869 - William Truss.

 1871 - John C Truss.

 1883 - John Clark Truss.

 1894 - John Clark Truss.

 1896 - J C Truss 2. William Truss.

 1899 - E. S. Truss.

 1902-1910 - final stop for many  motoring clubs on their regular  "runs". 

 1903 - Emily Sophia Truss. At this point John Clarke Truss (below) was letting apartments at neighbouring Weir House.

 1907 -  John Clark Truss - bellringer too.

 1911 - John Clark Truss (Junior)

1914 - John Clark Truss is also a boat proprietor.

 1915 - John Clark Truss. In this year severe floods mean the pub can for a while only be accessed via a raised plank walkway. 

 1918 - "late J C Truss"

1925 ? - John C Truss. Died 1939 at Weir Cottage after retiring from the Two Brewers just over a decade before. After retirement he became a traveller for the Wethered's Brewery.  

c1926 Thomas Alfred Neate takes over. 

1939 - Thomas Alfred Neate

1952 - Thomas Alfred Neate retires, but stays in Marlow. He died 1959. 

1958 - H.H Gummer

The Two Brewers, above, on right.

To see a small sample of the historic graffiti carved into a wall at the Two Brewers, see here

THE FISHERMAN'S RETREAT HOTEL /FISHERMENS RETREAT (the latter rendering of the name was on the front but the other was often used too).

This was opened by William Spark(e)s in 1873 after his former premises The Barge Pole in Church Passage became due for demolition. Originally described as a "first class boarding house". It was converted from a house. William also spent time in charge of the Black Boy in Church Passage. (You can read a post about the Spark(e)s family here ) Referred to as Fisherman's Arms in the 1877 Post Office Directory. Housing is now on the site. It was very close to the Two Brewers. Some evidence points to the fact that it was commonly if not officially known as The Barge Pole for the first couple of years. It was also frequently recorded as The FishermEns Retreat, a name which appeared above the door but FishermAns Retreat is the form which almost invariably appears in advertising and at licensing hearings. The owners probably gave up correcting this! Despite becoming increasingly up market, it was still used as a "local" drinking hole by working class residents in the first 15 years or so. This is pointed to by the names and occupations of people drinking there who are mentioned in passing during court hearings, news reports, inquests etc. They include labourers and others who also lived in St Peters Street for example. (E.g "jobbing man" of St Peters Street John Lloyd in 1880) 

1873 - William Sparkes (Read a detailed post on him here)

1875 - William Sparkes dies, widow Maria takes over. See his grave here

1877 - Maria Sparkes, widow. In this year the retreat hosts the inquest relating to death of young labourer Timothy Young at Marlow Place. He was killed when the 10ft high brick and flint garden wall he was employed to help demolish collapses upon him. He was trapped from running away by some shrubs planted nearby. Other workers were also injured. This is during improvement works at Marlow Place when it is converted back to a house after spending much time as a school. 

1878 - described by The Field as an economic and comfortable place to stay, especially for anglers. 

1879 - "As cosy a retreat from the cares of the world as a man may desire" - Bells Life in London and Sporting Chronicle. 

1880 - Albert D Symes.  Still described as a "public house" during court case this year. Transfer to John "Hodenot" - see below

1881 - John Hoddinott (Born Balcombe, Somerset) John is a keen angler himself. 

1882 - John is assaulted by John Neighbour and Walter Bowles who are reluctant to pay for the beer, mineral water and cigars that they have consumed. Neighbour is convicted of pushing John and spitting in his face while Bowles breaks a window at the Retreat. Both are fined with the threat of 14 days imprisonment if the fine is unpaid. After the window is broken, the police are called and Neighbour and Bowles decide to pay but the damage has been done. 

1885 - John and Elizabeth Hoddinott cater for 40 guests each day at breakfast during a busy August weekend. 

1887 - hosts Fire Brigade dinner, one of many such events. 

1880's - frequently used as retreat after racing for regatta crews as well as visiting societies and clubs on their annual river outings. 

1891 - John Hoddinott ( John died in the 1890's Flu pandemic. For more on the outbreak, see my post Here ) Described as one of the most comfortable hostelry on the river (Evening News, May 1891)

1895 - Has collection box on the premises for Marlow Cottage Hospital. Both the Hoddinotts were frequent in their own financial and practical donations to the hospital. "Fishermen's Retreat Hotel"

1903 - Mrs Elizabeth Hoddinott, John's widow. 

1907 - Mrs Elizabeth Hodinott qv

1911 - Elizabeth Hoddinott

1915 - Recommended for closure without compensation as fully licensed premises, by Renewal Authorities of County Licensing Committee, continues as hotel however.

1920 - the Misses Hoddinott

1927 - described as "residential hotel". Does also take short term guests however. 

1932 - up for sale. It then comprises 8 bedrooms, one good bathroom, a office-reception, lounge, dining room, sitting room, kitchen and 3 servants bedrooms. Outside there is a barn, garage and stabling. 

1933 - substantially altered, updated and extended, with new entrance door (the one currently for Duck Lane House). It was discovered the existing Retreat was in a bad state  of repair. New supplies of hot and cold water, new sanitary fittings and electric lighting were all put in.  Architect for this work was G Berkley Wills of Marlow, with local builder R H Harris & Co as the principal contractor. We are told the finished property was decorated throughout with a colour scheme centered on "dove grey", the 1930s equivalent of Magnolia. The other two entrances were added later, when the property was extended again. 

1939 - Mrs Dorothy Herbert. Private Hotel. 

Researched by Charlotte Day and Kathryn Day.

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

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. To find every mention of an individual here, use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu. There's 3,000 people listed there currently! 

SOURCES -

1853 Mussons and Cravens Commercial Directory, (compiled 1852).

Kelly's Post Office Directory- 1859,1864,1869,1877,1899,1903, 1907,1911,1915,1920. Published by Kelly's Directories Limited.

Dickens Dictionary of the Thames from Oxford to the Nore (1880 Edition, issue 2)

Census 1881,1891. Transcribed from microfilm by Jane Pullinger.

Historic newspapers, held at the British Library and accessed via the BNA March 2021:

Bucks Herald - 13 May 1837, 9 Jan 1915, as above. 

Reading Mercury - 6 & 20 July 1795, as above. 

Oxford Journal - 24th June 1826, as above

Maidenhead Advertiser 14 April 1877, 26 August 1885,  as above

Robson's Directory 1839, 1844. Via University of Leicester Archives.

South Bucks Standard 7 June 1895, as above

Sunday Mirror 26 June 1927. 

Morning Post 18 June 1909

Pigots Directory 1823

Weekly Dispatch London 26 June 1927. 

©Marlow Ancestors. 

John Gidley, Presbyterian Minister

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Note by Kathryn:

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

Researched and written by Charlotte Day.

For more church related content on this blog including minister biographies see the Church Related option on the menu. To find every mention of someone on this blog see the Person Index option - there's over 6,000 people there. 

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

Sources:

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

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

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

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

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

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

List Of Landlords Of The George And Dragon, The Roebuck and The Antelope Inns, Causeway, Great Marlow

The George & Dragon in 2024.

 Updated by Charlotte April 2026.

As The Roebuck / The Buck. AKA The Antelope.

1754 - Richard Keene "The Buck" Called ale house. 

1823 - William Lloyd

1824 - William Lloyd

1825 - Mr Lloyd. Sought to sue his landlord the Wethereds for knocking down a "ruinous" woodshed and stable at the premises while he was away from home. Received a token 1 farthing damages after evidence was given as to the state of the shed! The stable, in slightly better condition, had been sub divided and sub let to Mr Oxlade for use as a carpenters workshop. Mr Oxlade was naturally very aggrieved to find it pulled down! He also sued the Wethereds with more success, gaining 20s compensation. 

1830 - Elizabeth Higgs

1833 - Elizabeth Higgs

1835- Steadman Camden, owner. He bought and renamed the pub. He did not run it himself. Pub became known as....

GEORGE & DRAGON - known as The Roebuck prior to 1835, and The George for a brief time after the name change. An earlier George Inn existed in Great Marlow but not in the same location. 

1835 - Steadman Camden (Owner) I believe John Creswell is running it. To read more about Steadman Camden see the post here

1839 - James Cresswell (also carpenter) [See also The Fountain Head] 

1841 - Edward August. Census age 50 (rounded age). Wife Sarah. 

1842 - Mr August

1843 - Edward August

1844 - Edward August. Wife Sarah. Edward and Sarah moved to the High Street and kept a nursery garden near Potlands. Later he combined market gardening with inn keeping again in West Street. (Three Tuns see here) 2. John Hobbs

1847 - John Hobbs (born Medmenham, age 80 on 1851 census.)

1852 - John Hobbs

1853 - John Frampton "The George Inn"

1854 - John Frampton

1856 - Up for let but John Frampton has licence still at present. 

1857 - James Tilbury (2nd source says John Tilbury : it's not uncommon for trade directories to be out of date or mix initials/first names, 3rd source just says J Tilbury)

1859 - James Tilbury. In 1860 James is fined for keeping his premises open for the sale of beer etc before 1pm on a Sunday. At this time, the pubs were closed on Sunday mornings so as not to provide a too tempting alternative to attending divine service. Two men were found drinking at the top of the cellar steps. But as the George is close to All Saints, perhaps the drinkers had just popped in on their way there! Fine is large at 40s. 

1861 - James Tilbury (From Richmond, Surrey according to Census)

1864 - James Tilbury (James' wife Charlotte dies 1874 age 49/in 50th year)

1877 - James Tilbury  "Commercial Inn"

1879 - 1. James Tilbury (moves to Wheelwrights Arms) 2. Alfred Maskell (born Maidstone, Kent). Alfred advertised the fact he could cater for boating parties and had both stables and a lock up coach house. Alfred married Eliza George whose father ran the Coach and Horses Inn, High Wycombe.

1882 - Landlord Mr Maskell threatened with death by drunken customer William Humphrey Shaw who claimed when a policeman stopped him for being drunk and disorderly out on the Causeway that it must have been the case that Alfred had drugged his drink. There was no foundation to this. A full biography of the troublesome William is available here.

1883 - Alfred Maskell

1889 - Alfred Maskell described as a genteel and courteous man. A committee member of the Marlow Rowing Club. During his tenure the George was the usual venue for dinners and celebrations relating to the Marlow Rifle Volunteers.  2. Thomas Moon. 

1891 - Thomas Moon "The George and Dragon Hotel" Family and commercial. "Good accommodation for boating and fishing parties" Wife Annie died 1893. Her grave can be seen here

Above, top, advert from 1891. Private sitting and smoke room. Carriages let on hire. "Wines, Spirits and cigars of the best quality". 

1894  - Thomas Moon (born Etchingham, Sussex. Moon is a very Sussex last name!)

1895 - 1. Thomas Moon. 2. Alfred Turner 3. Sawyer Spence. Plans made to extensively renovate the hotel and to incorporate the adjoining house "now in the occupation of Mr Williams."

1896 - Sawyer Spence

1899 - Sawyer Spence

1902 - R. Steed. "Very good accomodation for motoring parties". 

1903 - Robert Steed

1909 - Robert Steed

1911 from Robert Steed to Charles Yates - intended as temporary transfer, I think as Robert was unwell. Later in year W T Shaw is given licence. 

1912 - William Thomas Shaw

1914 - William Thomas Shaw. Goes bankrupt this year. 

1915 - William Henry Mather 

1920 - Tom Smith "Marlow Bridge"

1925 - (Mr?) Keeling

1929 - Mr and Mrs Ernest Keeling. Described as a "residential hotel" with "modern sanitation" and good garage accomodation. Left 1931 when Harry Dallimore took over. They moved to The Crown Hotel some time between 1931-34. See here

1932 - from Harry Dallimore to Ernest William Edwards. 

1939 (possibly from 1937) - 1947 -  John Ansell, former conductor of the BBC Wireless Orchestra, music director of the Alhambra and other establishments and a composer of light music and comic operas. He died at his home in Dedmere Rise, Marlow in 1949 by which time he had left the George and Dragon.

1947 - A D Hadlow comes to take charge. He transfers from the Prince of Wales in Marlow. 

Compiled by Charlotte and Kathryn Day

Notes - Many Marlow landlords changed premises multiple times. They often had  family members running other establishments. We mainly focus on pre WW1 listings but sometimes list later names if it ties in with research we are helping with. 

The Antelope was an alternative name for the Roebuck in a time when premises are written name outside, only a pictorial  sign. The Roebuck was renamed The George and Dragon (sometimes referred to as just The George Inn in the first few years) in 1835 - There was also an earlier George Inn, in the High Street proper. 

An overview of the history of the George and Dragon can be found here

The other Causeway inn was The Swan. All of the above can also be found referred to as being in the High Street on occasion - this leads to the Causeway. 

A full list of Marlow pubs and beer houses of old can be found here 

To find other Pubs related posts see the Pub related option in the top drop down menu, and the A-Z People Index to find all mentions of your ancestor no matter how small! More detailed posts are listed in the biographies of individuals and families options in the same menu. Happy hunting! 

©Marlow Ancestors.

SELECTED SOURCES -

1853 Mussons and Cravens Commercial Directory, (Compiled 1852)

Kelly's Post Office Directory 1854, 1859, 1864, 1899,1903,1915

1833 Parish Assessment

Archived copies of local newspapers held at British Library and accessed via the BNA: Maidenhead Advertiser 12 June 1889, Windsor and Eton Express 12 March 1825. 

Fennell, John Greville - The Rail and the Road or Tourist Anglers guide to waters and quarters. (H.Cox 1867)

Robson's Commercial Directory 1839

Census - 1851,1861,1871,1881

Pigots Directory 1823, 1830,1844

Country Life, clippings, August 1902. 

Marlow Directory and Almanack  1907 &  1915, Welbourne & Simpson. 

Marlow Directory 1891. Marlow Printing Co. 

South Bucks Free Press 17th March 1911. 

Sober And Honest Please

Updated October 2023

The above premises served as a grocery shop for much of the Victorian era.

William Hobbs established his shop here in 1838. Prior to his occupancy the building seems to have been only a residence.

William was originally from Reading in Berkshire where he married Sophia Butler in 1826.

In 1842 William advertised for a general servant to work alongside his existing one. The successful applicant was to be able to provide a reference as to her "sobriety and honesty" as well as perform "plain cooking". Two weeks later the ad was still in the papers so maybe sober, honest servants were in short supply locally!

William and Sophia left Marlow in 1844 and moved back to Reading to run a grocery shop. For whatever reason this didn't last and William was reduced to being an assistant in someone else's shop.

Sophia died in 1851 and William in 1855. This inevitably left their six children in difficult circumstances. An unusual advert appeared in the Berkshire Chronicle after William's death appealing for any kind readers to donate money to help the second eldest daughter Sophia set up a "fancy stationery" shop to support her family. The ad stated that 2 of her younger brothers had already been apprenticed into the carpentry trade while the other had been sent to school. Her younger sister was also at school all thanks to public donations. Her elder sister Sarah the ad said had suffered a series of illnesses and could not work in any way. 

I'm pleased to say that the appeal must have been successful as Sophia appears on the 1861 census in Gun Street Reading as a 30 year old bookseller employing one live in assistant as well as her 17 year old brother Edward as a stationer. Sarah was living at home without occupation so presumably was still unwell.

***

George Kidd, a native of Sussex, took over the Marlow grocery business which Hobbs had left in 1844. Four years later John Brown was accused of stealing a large 29lb loaf of sugar from him. That man must have had a sweet tooth! The theft was witnessed by shop assistant Walter Andrews who gave the alarm before setting off in pursuit with his master. George caught Brown first and handed him over to a constable. George bravely plead non guilty but he was sentenced to 7 years transportation as it was not his first offence. Browns reply to the magistrates on sentencing? "I'm much obliged to you sir."

In 1862 George had two cheeses by his door on the first day of the sometimes quite rowdy Marlow Fair. Or he did for a short time before someone reached in and helped themselves. Earlier that year Eliza Howard, fresh out of jail for another offense was charged with obtaining goods from him by false pretences.

Despite the trouble of thefts from him George must have been doing well as he and his wife Euphan could afford to send their son George junior to Marlow Place Academy boarding school in Marlow which wasn't cheap. It might seem odd to board your child in a school in the same town that you live in but I see such things often in Marlow history. Prospect House Academy was only a boarding school with no day pupil option at the time so if they wanted George to attend that, the best local school, board he must.

George senior died of consumption aged just 57 in 1865. Mrs Kidd decided not to continue in the business alone and sold it to Alfred Ilsley who would run things to his death in 1907.

Euphan died in 1871. George junior became a hotel proprietor in Twickenham. Daughter Dorothea remained in Marlow as a music teacher.

***

Alfred Ilsley and his wife Emma (nee Boshier) were both originally of Hampshire and were Non-Conformist christians. Obituaries suggest two marriages for Alfred. I have not researched his second wife's name.

As well as a grocer and provision merchant Alfred was also a bacon curer and corn dealer. Marlow thieves were like moths to a flame when it came to bacon - it was their number one favourite pinch. In 1879 Joseph Black (possibly Blick) stole bacon and sugar from Alfred's premises. It's a wonder I found only one such theft from Alfred. I generally get the impression that if you left bacon on public display in Victorian Marlow it was likely gone before you had chance to blink!

Two years later Alfred advertised for a young man to act as a porter for him and to mind a horse and a cow, presumably out back. His premises included a substantial covered yard, large granary and stabling behind it, accessed from Institute Rd. 

In 1889 the thieves were at it again but perhaps there was no bacon about as George Grace was charged with stealing two cakes and 1lb tea from Alfred instead. There is more on the Grace family of Marlow here

Alfred successfully stood for election for the Marlow Urban Council in 1899, promising of course not to spend much taxpayer money. (He did not stay long as a councillor) His shop advertising often stressed his "moderate prices" too  Obviously he knew the Marlow market! Alfred was a prolific advertiser, especially of his special blend tea and coffee. 

1905 Advert. 

As well as running his shop, Alfred was one of the trustees of the Buckinghamshire Chair Company, which had a factory in Marlow. (More on them here )

Alfred died in 1907 following a series of worsening strokes. Emma had died aged just 43 in 1886. The premises were put up for sale described as having been used as a "high class" grocery shop. The couple's son John had assisted in the business and indeed the local papers say it was purchased on his behalf by neighbour Y J Lovell. It may be the business had to be sold to fulfill a condition of the will eg to provide a specific bequest from the proceeds or to settle a debt or there may have been a family disagreement on how to dispose of it. The granary and rear yard were disposed of separately. 

Both Alfred and Emma were buried at Cookham Dean Baptist Chapel.

A future post will deal with later Edwardian occupiers of this property.

Written and researched by Charlotte Day. Additional research by Kathryn Day. 

To find people of interest to you on this blog please use the Person Index option on the drop down menu.

For other posts about other High Street historic shopkeepers and residents see here.

Sources:

Marlow Almanack qv and Directory 1907. 

Reading Mercury 30th April 1842. [Hobbs wanting a servant].

Maidenhead Advertiser 30th July 1879 [bacon theft].

Bucks Herald 5th January 1889 [cake / tea theft] and 18th January 1848, Bucks Gazette 8th January 1848 [sugar loaf theft].

Berkshire Chronicle 3rd February 1855 [appeal for Sarah Hobbs].

Maidenhead Advertiser 21st August 1907 [sale].

South Bucks Standard September 5th 1907. 

Property records held by my family.

Great Marlow census 1841-91. Transcribed by me from microfilm.

England Marriages 1538-1973 Familysearch http://familysearch.org/ark/61903/1:1:Nx392s

GRO Death Registration Index.

Death certificate.

1861 census record Reading supplied by Jane Pullinger. Thanks Jane.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to reuse this content for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog and a link here so that any sources listed remain credited. Thanks.