Above is shown the site of Richard Aveling junior's grocery shop from at least 1824. His father Richard senior had been a grocer in Marlow by the 1790s. He may well have had this shop too
In 1833 the property consisted of a house, yard, shed, barn, garden and stables as well as an orchard and was worth an estimated £20 a year rateable value.
Richard junior died in 1844 and his widow Martha took over the business for a short while before handing it over to George Lovegrove. She died in 1853. The grave of Richard & Martha at All Saints can be seen here.
I have a copy of her will and will transcribe it on the blog in the future.
As you can see from the words on the front of the building it was rebuilt in the 1870s. It also says on the front that it was established in 1661. You have to be careful with such things as these dates often refer to a business per se not necessarily a particular family's involvement with that business let alone in any particular premises. What I mean is if a business was established in 1600 by one family another one taking it over would still say "established 1600" even if they subsequently moved premises. There are examples of this in Marlow. The sign would suggest however at the minimum that Richard Aveling senior had ran a grocery business that had existed in some hands or another in Marlow for a very long time. If you are lucky enough to have the Book Of Marlow by Jock Cairns (not in print) the back inside cover has a drawing of Marlow High Street which shows the premises in the time of George Lovegrove.
Richard with his three siblings were equal owners of the premises having inherited them from their father Richard senior.
These newly built premises were in the occupation of grocer Walter Lovegrove the son of the George Lovegrove above by 1879. It was apparently Walter whose idea it was to knock the old fashioned existing building down and erect a purpose built and spacious premises in its place. The design is believed to have been by his brother Henry who was a successful architect. It was later said that the Aveling's had sternly resisted any pretence of modern innovation when it came either to the shop or their way of doing business.
Walter was assisted by his wife Ellen whom he married in her native Staines in 1876. She was née Rogers. Both Walter and Ellen helped to raise money for the town's 1887 Queen's Jubilee celebrations (more on that here). They were both amongst the organisers of events too. The same year Walter was elected churchwarden for I think the third time at the recommendation of the vicar who praised his past diligence in the role.
In 1899 he switched to being an estate agent and auctioneer not to mention an insurance agent. His grocery business was bought by Walter Baker from Ashford Kent but his enterprise didn't last long it seems as Albert Howard had the premises in 1901.
Upon Walter Lovegrove's retirement from the grocery business the South Bucks Standard praised the way he had whilst busy with that business nevertheless devoted a considerable amount of time to public service" doing much excellent work and doing it well". The paper expressed a desire that he would enjoy a long rest and retirement with Mrs Lovegrove. They obviously didn't realise Walter was switching trades not retiring.
Sadly a restful retirement was never to come for Walter. In 1907 he committed suicide by shooting himself through the heart. His body was found by the side of a hay rick near Cookham. He was then very depressed and under a cloud of accusations as to his poor management of finances for the parish in relation to his role as parish poor rate collector. He was accused of failing to collect the poor rates from some people in due time. I think it unlikely that he was guilty of criminal intent as opposed to being simply overwhelmed and treated with impatience by colleagues. Letters about the matter were found on his person. Previous collectors had all had trouble getting poor rates from everyone. Some 30 years previously Walter been one of those criticizing the then parish surveyor who had the responsibility for the rates collection for doing the job in an inefficient and unfair manner. That collector, James Allen, had himself committed suicide following the criticism he publicly received. James shot himself near High Rews Farm in Marlow.
Walter was described in the South Bucks Standard after his death as "a man much respected."
After his death, the premises was auctioned off. It was then described as a double fronted shop. Behind this was a sitting room, kitchen and scullery, and there was a cellar below. On the upper floor there were 4 bedrooms, with a bathroom, lavatory, and linen cupboard. At the rear could be found various outbuildings, a two storey store house with cellars, a two stall stable with forage room above, a carriage house and well stocked garden. At this point it was leased to grocers Harridge & Dorrell.
A full biography of the life of Walter is Now_available_here
Researched and written by Charlotte Day. Photo by Kathryn Day.
Related posts:
To find all mentions of an individual here, use the A-Z person index on the top drop down menu - there is over 4,000 Marlow individuals listed there. New posts added daily.
To find information about other shops use the Specific Streets, Shops etc option on the same menu.
Sources:
*South Bucks Standard 2st September 1899 and 6th December 1907. Copies held at the British Library archives. Accessed by me via the BNA.
Will Richard Aveling senior. PCC. obtained from National Archives and transcribed by me.
Will of Martha Aveling as above.
Maidenhead Advertiser 2nd June 1886 [James Allen suicide], 18th March 1908 as above.
Property records held by my family and transcribed by me.
Censuses transcribed by me from microfilm.
Gravestones.
Great Marlow Parish registers, transcribed by me.
©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to reuse image and text for family or local history purposes if with credit to this blog and a link here.
Property occupation gathered by me analysing and cross referencing multiple sources.
Building photographed November 2020.
