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. 

The 1890's Flu Pandemic in Marlow

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

SOURCES/FURTHER READING 

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

Chesham Examiner, May 14 1890, as above. 

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

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

Reading Mercury - January 9, 16 1892 - as above

Bucks Herald  - January 16 1892 - as above

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

This 

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

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

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

Another view of Horace Campbell's grave.