Sometimes referred to as the "Yew Tree Inn" other times just as the "Yew Tree". The name came from an old yew tree in the garden. Still in business at the time of writing. Came under Marlow for licensing purposes hence our interest.
Building said to date from the 1600s or 1500s depending on source. Age of building isn't necessarily the same as the age of the pub housed in it. Landlords we have for it are:
From at least 1851- 85. John and Elizabeth Turner. In the 1850s it was a grocers and bakery with a license to sell beer on the premises and had its own orchard. John was also a farmer on a very small scale. In 1885- customer Richard Butler of Frieth was prosecuted for refusing to leave the pub when John Turner the landlord asked him to, assaulting John and breaking windows at the pub.
1891- Elizabeth Turner transferred pub to Frederick Turner her son. Presumably her husband had died some point 1885-91.
1892- Fred Turner to Owen Sears.
1894- Transferred from Owen Sears to James Leaver.
1894- at least 1920 James Leaver as above. In 1896 following a draught James asked his brewery, the Wethereds of Marlow to hire a Welsh water diviner to try to find water a water supply for the pub following a long draught that caused great difficulties for all of the people of Frieth. Two spots in a meadow were indicated by the diviner's rod but water was not found in either. There had been hopes a well could be dug. I am not sure if any further attempts were made. In 1897 James started a slate club at the pub, an essential institution for working class families - to find out more about them see the post here. The Yew Tree was slightly unusual in having their annual Slate Club supper just after Christmas rather than before. With around 80 members on average, it was one of the larger affairs in the area. In 1903 James and his wife suffered the death of their little daughter to whose funeral a large number of people attended. On a happier note, James helped organise a village fete to celebrate the Coronation in 1902. In 1910 he used the pub as a site of auction when he wished to sell a cottage and two pieces of land.
1930s and 1940s- The Yew Tree is a very popular stopping off place for cycling club tours.
1939 to at least 1949-. Emma Keep landlady. Also seems to be a shop. Mrs Keep uses the Yew Tree weekday evenings 6pm till 8.30 pm to sign up volunteers to the local Civil Defence Corps in 1949.
Written and researched by Charlotte Day. This post will be updated as new information emerges.
Sources:
Kelly's Directory for Buckinghamshire etc 1911, 1915, 1920 and also 1939 by Kelly's Directories Limited.
South Bucks Standard, 30th September 1892, October 9th 1896 and 22nd July 1910. British Library Archives via the BNA.
Reading Mercury 21st April 1855. Cutting.
