Recreated 1920's Marlow High Street Trade Directory with notes

Part One - odd numbers

With notes

Recreated from adverts, letters, trade directories, property transactions, newspaper stories, court cases etc.

The property numbers quoted here are not necessarily going to match up with modern numbers because of demolitions and amalgamations or other reasons and remember that the High Street had already been renumbered in the 1910s so that any 1920s property numbers will not usually be referring to the same property as their Victorian counterparts. 

Some properties on this side of the High Street were residential at this time and are not included in this post. The post office was also in the High Street, and the entrance to the brewery.

Many people mentioned here already have multiple mentions on this blog. To see all posts featuring any person looking for that person on the A-Z Person Index on the top drop down menu. More High Street history posts are indexed here, including

1-3 Lawrence and Son estate agents for domestic and commercial sales and lettings, auctioneers, valuers, insurance agents. The surveyor at the company was John Robert Laird who lived on the premises with his family. The business was later "Lawrence Son and Laird". One of the Mr Lawrences was a director of the Marlow Water Company.

5 Harold John Welch hairdresser in 1920 (bn 1879). (Sometimes given as being at 3 but was not) / The Cafe (that was the official name!) ran by Rose Owles.

7 National Provisional and Union Bank  - previous occupants of this building are listed here. The bank manager Cuthbert Raymond lived on the premises with his family. This was normal for banks at the time. More history of this premises here

9 Mrs Bonner Wellicome antique and furniture dealer 1920,21 (in business by 1911) New Branch of London County Westminster And Parr Bank mentioned as opening at no 9 1922. Head clerk on opening was Mr G. W Cousins.

11 Welbourne and Simpsons printers. Simpson was Herbert Edward Simpson born c1872. Earlier Smith & Co stationers, printers and circulating library. By 1942 was just ran by Herbert as H.E Simpson's newsagent, tobacconist and lending library. At some point in the 1920s the printers also apparently used number 15 High Street.

13 Lawrence J Smith office insurance agent, correspondence address for Great Marlow Water Company. Also in 1920 custom and excise office of James Gauld and the premises of confectioner Bert Jaynes. Lawrence at least was still there in the early 1930s. Presumably the offices  were above or behind the shop.

17  Harrell Limited grocers. Below is an ad from 1929. Possibly had moved from the other side of the High Street.

Harrell's were still at no. 17 in 1939. In the early 1930s there was an off licence at no.45 High Street called Harrell's which must have been a related business. Number 17 was later taken over by Barksfield Brothers for a second Marlow premises. 

19-21 Charles Drye "coach builder" of long standing but was already moving into the field of motor cars. Business known initially as the Marlow Motor works, then  came to be known as the "Marlow Carriage and Motor Car Company". A lot more on the early days of motoring in Marlow in this post. Now W H Smith. 

23 British and Argentine Meat Company. There by 1915. Some staff seem to have lived in. Formerly the base of royal furniture makers the Mealings

25 Phillip Brothers fishmongers from at least 1911. Some staff lived on the premises. By 1931 was Mac Fisheries. 

27 George Frederick Hill offices? Later amalgamated with number 29 into one premises.

29 Arthur George Hill upholsterer and cabinet maker. Arthur was in business with James Henry Tugwood until 1900 when they dissolved their partnership as furniture dealers, upholsters and decorators under the name Tugwood and Hill. Thereafter Arthur continued under his own name only. He witnessed his neighbour Gutteridge (below) being burgled in 1912. In the 1930s this was Hill and Son Upholsterers and in 1942 "A.G Hill and Son".

31 William Guttridge  hairdresser, perfumer, fancy goods /Harriet Guttridge toy seller on the same premises. Husband and wife. William had been in premises some years. In 1912 he was was described as a hairdresser and tobacconist when he was burgled. [Building demolished]

33 Ellen Arnold confectioner. The toy shop today. Formerly the Way family premises see here, also Kempster's. 

35 Lovell's building company offices. Edward Turner the manager lived in the premises. Their builder's yard was behind some of the neighbouring buildings along here. They also had a bit of yard in Dedmere Road. Offices still here 1942. Lovells as a whole became a national business. In Marlow they also functioned as undertakers and house decorators. History of other former builders who occupied this property here and about Young James Lovell himself here.

37 Daisy Ilsley's Prep School 1921. Her sister Emma Ilsley taught music and shorthand here too /Leo Redver Ryan electrical supplies and radio seller/electrician in 1929, probably earlier too. Moved premises to number 44 by 1938. Killed when a bomb fell near Bovingdon Green in WW2. His son was also injured. They were delivering a radio. A WW1 Navy veteran. The Imperial War Museum has a photo of Leo as a young man see here (leaves this site). The man for whom Ryan's Mount in Marlow is named. 

41 [Cromwell House] Gerald Berkeley Wills offices several businesses. Surveyor and architect by 1920. He was still in the High Street several years later but I am not certain if his premises were still at Cromwell House. Gerald designed the Marlow Cottage Hospital in 1914. He built Wolmer Cottage Bovingdon Green and lived in it with his family. Prior to his marriage to his wife Kathleen, Gerald lived at Stratton House, West Street Marlow. By 1921 also offices of Cripps and Shone solicitors. 

The building became by 1926 the offices of the Marlow Urban District Council. It housed the Post Office from December 1897.  The council clerk Llewellyn Shone had an office in the building. 

Full history of Cromwell House here

47 Alfred Davis junior journalist. Prominent in the organisation of local sports - and the Olympics! 

49 Walter Davis tailor, hosier, hatter etc. A Long standing business. 

The Chequers Hotel / pub [53] Billiards room. RAC approved. Pub also mentioned as a "masonic hall" 1927. In 1920 and 21 run by Lillian Long (bn 1888) who took over the premises in 1917, having moved from London. Her husband William was a motor engineer. Could be something to do with the below motor company. There is some reason to believe William and Lillian also rented no 55 in the early 1920s. They had moved to Aylesbury by 1932 where William worked as the manager of the Aylesbury Motor Company.

55 Marlow Motor Company. Newly formed with £500 capital in 1920, most likely involving William Long above. Also the premises of an unknown electrical engineer in the same year. / The Corner Restaurant in 1927 which also offered boarding. In 1927 proprietor was Charles J Paul. Restaurant still there late 1930s. Charles was also an insurance agent. On corner of High Street/Institute Rd. 

57 Grays' Stores. Henry Gray born c1867. Took over the Clifton grocer's and wine merchant's in 1901. Initially ran the shop with his brother James who was also a rent collector / letting agent but James had left the shop by about 1906 to concentrate on the latter business. Henry's shop was one of the fancier places in town to buy your provisions. He lived in Glade Road in this period. James lived in the Old Vicarage then later the house Thamesfield.

59 Residential address of Harry Redgrave jobbing gardener as well as the office (and possibly rooms of) T.N.W Watts who was secretary to Hambledon Council. Long term surveyor and inspector of nuisances for Marlow Urban District Council. Today is Fego.

61 William and Thomas Sellman builders, plumbers and painters. Here by 1911. William lived in. The Sellmans left these particular premises before 1939. In 1942 no.61 was Tillion's florists. 

"Palmers" Dr George Downes. Physician. His home and medical premises in one. His wife Aileen Downs was instrumental during WW1 in setting up an Infant Welfare Centre in Marlow, which suffered from high infant mortality due to poor housing and poverty at that time.

67 James Eyre Jackson artist.

73 "Quarry House" Francis Culhane doctor, surgeon, councillor. Biographical post on him here

75 William Jackson dentist 1920. This building does not exist anymore. Not in same spot as modern 75. Formerly a doctor's premises.

77 George Morton antiques. By 1939 was Kendall and Morton antiques dealers. Not in same place as modern 77 due to renumbering.

79 William Robinson pianoforte tuner and music warehouse in 1920.  Had been there for some years. He probably also gave piano lessons. In 1921 his widow Lily Robinson operated as a piano and music dealer here. Not in position of modern 79 due to renumbering. 

81 Thomas Wheeler refreshment rooms. Also tobacco seller. These premises were on the corner with Station Road. Not the same as modern 81 due to renumbering. Thomas  was not there 1915. He had previously ran a restaurant in Slough. Born c1863. 

Also Honourable mention to 

Charles Carter baker and confectioner on the Causeway which is a continuation of the High Street. (In recent times was Burgers. A  long standing bakers premises)

- Unnumbered - Currall's Garage (sales and service) plus radio agents. (Building demolished) 

Part two will contain the even numbers plus selected references.

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

. 

Marlow's Chair Makers - Buckinghamshire Chair Co. *UPDATED Nov 2024*

 High Wycombe near Marlow is justly famous for it's chair making. But Marlow also had a chair making factory for 40 years and the employment it offered provided the reason for many families move to Marlow so it deserves a post of its own. 

Marlow's business was called the Buckinghamshire Chair Co Ltd, and many Marlow people were involved in it in one way or another - as workers, managers, shareholders and directors. Initially based in the riverside building usually referred to as the Tithe Barn by the bridge, then in St. Peters Street, it finished up off Victoria Rd with an entrance in Dedmere Rd (after 1907).

But back to the beginning. The year 1872 was a difficult year in the chair industry in nearby Wycombe. There was a bitter dispute about wages and employment conditions ongoing with strikes and lockouts featuring. A trade union was formed and it negotiated the pay settlement. In this environment, a group of investors in Marlow decided to set up a chair making concern here. This was not an uncontentious decision to all. Many thought the Marlow company was exploiting the labour dispute to gain contracts and skilled workers "idle" in Wycombe. Others thought a rival employer would encourage competitive wages, although considering the number of furniture factories already existing in Wycombe, this seems optimistic. The Marlow manufactory was opened in 1872 and it specialised in Windsor backed and rush seated chairs, although it did make many others as well as other furniture. The advertisements for workers follows convention and asks at first for men to complete particular tasks such as turning the legs or finishing the seats. In the early years some of these men may have been outworkers, completing their work at home from materials supplied to them, but later it is clear the chairs were both made and assembled in the workshops of the Chair Co. The works were steam powered by then, which needed more room. The Victoria Rd site was also advertised as a steam saw mill, a role it would still fulfill under different owners after the demise of the Chair Co.

Chair seat caning is associated with a role that women workers often filled elsewhere, at least earlier on. However the frequent adverts for workers to complete this task in Marlow always say it is suitable for "steady" men.  Perhaps because the ads often also say that they wanted the workers to ideally perform other roles at the works. These "extra" duties may have been regarded as more suitable for male staff at the time. I do have reports of some women working in the workshop however. And in 1912 the chair co was fined under the Factory Act for employing youths under 18 for longer than permitted hours. They plead a misunderstanding of the rules. 

Troubled Beginnings

The start of the company was a little shaky. Many local people bought shares and many expressed hope the company would bring prosperity from a new direction into Marlow. But some also expressed doubts the company would thrive in such competitive conditions, and some also said Marlow did not "want" chair makers. Their reasons are not usually elaborated on but chair making men were sometimes blamed for all kinds of bad behaviour or disorder - perhaps because they were often politically active - for example the Marlow election riots of 1880 were said to be largely the work of Wycombe chair makers at the time. 

Rumours about the financial health of the company dogged it's first few months. After less than a year 4 of the directors resigned without warning or explanation - James Morgan, Reuben Nereus Smith, Lawrence Smith and James Roberts. Some sections of the press seem to take this personally and heap insults on the four for committing an act of cowardice, and endangering the companies future without good reason. ("Cave in at the slightest approach of danger...feint of heart...deserted their post...ill-considered in the extreme" etc etc.) They said such men were not wanted in business. However at the meeting objections to the resignations were only voiced by one shareholder who said that the directors had, by attaching their respectable names to the business, induced people to buy shares in a company they had no real confidence in. It was suggested the other shareholders were philosophical as they had had a chance to examine the books and were satisfied enough with the balance sheet. Later the directors would be elected and retire by rotation. It should also be said that the resigning directors did not sell their shares either and the Smiths continued to be closely involved, acting as managing directors again later.   

The first manager, Mr Hughes came from North's chair manufactory in West Wycombe where he had been 20 years. 

At the Tithe Barn

The very first workshop for the chair co was adapted in September 1872 from what was almost always referred to at the time as the Tithe Barn, on the bank of the Thames, immediately next to the suspension bridge. An ancient building, it was nevertheless considered ideal for conversion into a workshop, polishing shop and stove room. To admit light, the old bricked up windows were opened up. Fifteen men were reported to be working on fitting the equipment and benches there in that September. It was intended as a temporary solution, until more spacious facilities were adapted and fitted out in St Peters Street. (The former Gibbons Brewery site, purchased 1873, possibly also including the barn behind the Two Brewers.) However it looks as though the company continued to use the barn in some capacity until close to it's sad demolition in 1877.  

Chairs for the railways

But despite their inauspicious beginning, the company thrived. In 1874, they were described as making solid progress. In the previous 12 months they had sold £4000 worth of goods and were receiving orders exceeding their capacity to supply them. By 1875 they employed 60 men. In that year these workers, accompanied by their "wives and sweethearts" had a days summer holiday.* A number of horse drawn vehicles pulled up outside the St Peters Street workshops and conveyed the crowd to number of attractions including the ever popular Burnham Beeches and the town of Windsor. The shareholders received comfortable dividends. In 1879 the fact they could get a dividend despite a general commercial depression was credited to careful management and a desire not to over reach themselves ambition wise. The Chair Co was "helping to sustain in some way the prosperity of the town" said the Bucks Herald. 

The chairs were available to buy all over the South East for example at Perrin's in Hastings. The Bucks Chair Co employed travelling salesman to drum up trade orders, from furniture retailers and commercial organizations. Some of these salesman started out as chair makers themselves and were promoted during their employment at the company, for example William Tanner. One of their biggest contracts was to supply chairs for all stations and offices over the First Great Western network, from 1892. They were already supplying chairs to the London and North Western and London and South Western railways. The timber was local, and a number of Marlow landowners sold wood to the factory. 

The Chair Co maintained a cricket team that mostly played against other chair makers such as Glenister's of Wycombe and Cottons of Lane End, or other large works teams such as one from the Brewery in Marlow. But the first match of the season was always the married v single match involving employees all from the Buckinghamshire Chair Co. 

In the 1890s and early 1900s things still looked rosy at least from the outside. The South Bucks Standard tourist guide to Marlow of 1891 even recommended the factory as a worthy local sight if you had half hour to spare - although how welcoming the poor workers would have been had too many visitors taking up this suggestion remains to be seen! The company invested in new steam powered machinery for the Victoria Road site although not all of it was especially popular with the neighbours. In the summer of 1910 the residents of the Glade Road area complained about the loudness and frequency of the steam whistle. The company promised to try and use it a little less.

Filthy Conditions

 A large outlay on machinery did not leave the company perhaps with much funds  for routine maintenance. Even so, the factory was increasingly poorly looked after as time went on. In 1898 reports came to the attention of the local sanitary and building inspectors that the works buildings were in an extremely poor condition. The Inspector of Factories had visited and was shocked by the dilapidated state of some of them. A visit by the council team including the Medical Officer Dr Dickson confirmed this. They concluded that the men working in framing shop no 2 were working in a building that was in a very dangerous condition. Furthermore some of the other buildings were cobbled together and "rudely constructed" with windows that could not be opened for ventilation - although the large number of broken panes probably helped things! The privvy (toilet) was in a "ruinous" and filthy state. The premises as a whole were crowded with rubbish and all the workshops needed whitewashing inside to bring them up to a basically clean and sanitary condition. The factory had no water supply at all which has a serious effect on the ability to keep it clean. Orders were made for repairs, cleaning and whitewashing to be carried out. Perhaps most happily for the men, the toilets were to be rebuilt. 

Ominous signs

In February 1912 the company issued a circular informing their "friends in the trade" that the they were suffering from an increase in costs in every direction, and a higher price for materials in particular. So they would be compelled to increase all prices by 5% from March 1st. Some people praised this action, and hoped some consent would be reached with Wycombe chair makers to raise their prices by a similar amount. It was thought that undercutting each other was endangering commercial viability and preventing any rise in wages for the workers. 

But it was not to be. By September 1912 the company was in liquidation. The freehold of the site including the "modern machinery", all fittings and stock in trade was offered up for sale. There were no takers for the whole concern so in October the freehold was offered separately and in late November the stock including half finished chairs, tables and music stands were auctioned off on the premises. 

Fire! 

 The cleared out site suffered a significant fire a fortnight later. The fact the buildings suffered huge damage at a time they were still insured by the company aroused gossip but no cause for the blaze could be established. The fire started in the deserted site in the early hours of the morning. It began in a series of workshops, mostly made of wood, that ran in a block from the Victoria Road entrance to the engine and boiler house. It took hold quickly and the fire could be seen from a considerable distance. A crowd gathered despite the early hour. The Fire Brigade under Capt H J Smith arrived to find flames already leaping the gap between the the burning block and the next outbuilding. More worrying still, cottages in Duchess Place and Victoria Road were considered to be in danger and the householders began removing furniture from their homes. But the location of hydrants both in Victoria and Dedmere Roads meant a plentiful supply of water and thankfully the high wind of the night before dropped. So the significant damage was limited to the buildings in which the fire had started. Speculation that a spark from an engine at the nearby rail station was the source of ignition was  immediately ruled out because of the distance the spark had to travel. Fireman Sidney Chalk was the only man injured, by a fall of burning timber. It seems his injuries were thankfully not serious.  This was not the first fire at the factory - in 1883 a spark believed to be from a nearby pub chimney caused a fire in the St Peters Street site that endangered nearby homes as well but thanks to dedication of staff and fire crew the damage was mitigated and the factory was able to continue.

Notes. 

Some of the known shareholders in 1872 include Charles Carter, J H Bridges, Charles Miller Footitt, "Mr Sellman" and Alfred Ilsley. And in 1895 - George Meakes, A Davis and A Lawrence. It had two trustees when it formed - Col. Thomas Peers Williams and Thomas Owen Wethered MP. 

* Working at the factory was not always a happy time, even when sanitary repairs had been made. A fight broke out between two men in the  storehouse in 1875, and it seems cordial workplace relations could not always be counted upon in general! In above case Isaac Avery was given a reduced fine for what was considered an "aggravated" assault on fellow chair maker Charles Bird who had called him names during a petty row. 

Written and researched by Kathryn Day. 

Related posts:

Lane End chair makers here

Royal furniture makers the Mealings here

Biography of director Reuben Nereus Smith here

And of Marlow Bucks Chair Co foreman Joseph Benning - here

To find every mention of an individual on the blog use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu, and for other posts about Marlow crafts and trades see both the General History option here and the Specific Shops Streets etc menu. 

©Marlow Ancestors. 2022

NB Mike Dewey uses information from this article in the Bucks Free Press with permission. 

Sources include: 

Furniture Gazette 1892

Timber & Plywood Vol 6 1888 (Middlesex Publishing Co)

Kelly's Berks, Bucks and Oxon directory 1883, 1911 (Kellys Directories Ltd) 

Kelly's Directory of Merchants, Manufacturers, and Suppliers 1907 (Kellys Directories Ltd) 

The Directory of Marlow, and Tourist Guide to Marlow & the Thames 1891, South Bucks Standard.  

Berkshire Chronicle 07 Feb 1888

Newspapers from the British Library Archive and accessed via the BNA: South Bucks Standard 4 November 1891,  Bucks Advertiser 30 November 1912, Bexhill on Sea Observer 18 May 1901, Maidenhead Advertiser September 4th 1872, Bucks Herald 1st Feb 1873 4 December 1912

Report by the Inspector of Factories 1898 (HMSO)

Article by Cyril Chalk,  unknown original publication, 1977. 

South Bucks Free Press 2nd February 1912, Wycombe Library. 

Copy Farm Marlow Historic Occupiers

Copy Farm at Copy Green. Not to be confused with Charity Copy Farm which was much smaller (though I suppose they were originally one) which was left to charity by Benjamin and William Loftin in 1759. (Or rather money was left for the purchase of land to provide an income for the charity). The latter also called Loftin's Charity Farm at times.

Description: 1844= 106 arable. 1854= 112 acres with 2 workers cottages, stable and 3 barns 1861= 112 acres. 1910= 110 acres. 1919= arable and pasture 112 acres. 1927= Under 100 acres.

1798- Mr Johnson.

1833- John Gibbons occupier, owned by Mr Hammond. 107 acres. At that time Copy Charity Farm amounting to 60 acres was occupied by William Goldswain.

Owned by Robert Hammond certainly between 1845-55. Likely remains in that family ownership long after.  Unknown occupier - believe to be John Gibbons still in 1847 but uncertain.  Robert in his will proved 1855 asked for it to be sold after his death. 

1861- William Greenwood. Wife Alice. 1861 census says employs 3 men and 2 boys. Sold up his stock and left town 1865.

1871-91 Thomas King. He also occupied Widmere Farm. He was a churchwarden of Marlow. Wife Mary. See previous post here on Widmere Farm for much more on his farming life.

1891-95 Emmanuel William Plumridge. Leased from Mrs Hammond whose agent Mr Lawrence allegedy  would not let him leave lease early after Emmanuel suffered the expensive death of all 9 of his farm horses during an agricultural depression when things were already tough. Emmanuel was ruined as a result of being unable to get out of his loss making farm. He seems to have been illiterate and thus unable to understand what rental agreement he was signing (with just an X). (He does seem to have been very confused about the circumstances in general, and at first said he'd signed no rental agreement, then he stated that he hadn't recognised the document for what it was.) According to Emmanuel he'd transferred his stock from Field Farm in Marlow to Copy Farm to make way for the expansion of Captain Marshalls Menagerie. He thought he'd taken Copy Farm on for three years but at the end of this period he was told he must give two years notice to quit! You can read more about Emmanuel and especially his wife here

1900- J Wheeler. May be mistake for Leonard J Wheeler.

1901- Leonard John Wheeler. Had been publican at Royal Oak Bovingdon Green, 1893-95. Prior to coming to Marlow had been a farmer at Wargrave Berkshire like his dad. Left Marlow by 1911.

1910. For sale.

1910-16. Arthur Hawes. In 1901 he lived with his parents Thomas and Mary at nearby Charity Copy Farm [not same as Copy Farm] though he seems to have been the farmer there rather than them. He and his dad worked at Charity Copy as labourers and the whole family lived there long before that.

1927-28. Fred Lee.

Occupation compiled from property records, adverts, wills, court cases, agricultural journals etc.

Ongoing research, more will be added if possible.

To find all mention of your ancestors here, use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu. For other farm related posts, see the Specific Streets, farms, schools etc option on the same menu. Happy hunting! 

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

Little Marlow and Well End Victorian Shopkeepers

Shops in Victorian Little Marlow and Well End.

I have found these whilst researching other things rather than dedicatedly researching them so there is likely more info to be unearthed on some of them. There was a grocers next to the Queen's Head pub in 1899. Whose premises that was I am uncertain.

Note that the Well End I am concerned with here is the hamlet of Well End near Little Marlow not the street now called Dean Street Marlow formerly known as Well End, Great Marlow.

Dates given next to the names are when I have personally found evidence of the below traders keeping a shop in Little Marlow. They may have been in business earlier or later too.

*UPDATED JULY 2024*

Richard Barber

Greengrocer Little Marlow 1898. Also sold lemonade and ginger beer and was a nurseryman.

William Clifford

William Clifford, born circa 1846. Baker who went bankrupt in 1881. But he was still in business in 1891 and to at least 1911 on The Moor, Little Marlow. Trained in Great Marlow under his maternal uncle William Brooks of the High Street. Whilst working there he was a witness to an accident involving the delivery cart of Little Marlow baker William Goldhawk who appears on the list below. 

Wife Mary was from Chertsey, Surrey. Their 17 year old son Harry also baker at home 1891. 

Charles Frederick Creswell

Baker 1866 to his death in 1888. Summoned 1866 for using unjust scales. Born 1833-35. Though there are many local Creswells / Cresswells his census entries suggest a birth for him in Middlesex or Norfolk. Wife Eliza, née Smith (married 1854).

Samuel Doney

Baker and grocer from at least 1851 to his death in 1863. Wife Ann. Will trustee was William Goldhawk below who was engaged to marry his daughter Ann - see below.

John Franklin

Grocer at Well End 1876.

William Goldhawk

William Goldhawk baker and Post Master at the Little Marlow sub post office from at least 1861 to at least 1869. In 1863 also dealt meal. In 1869 sued Great Marlow baker John Millward for damages when his horse was killed and cart damaged by a delivery cart belonging to Millward running into it at speed in what we now call Station Road, Marlow. Goldhawks' cart was in the care of his young apprentice George Kirby at the time. Millward's cart, driven by his empoyee Mr Fasey, had rounded the corner at speed and without looking. By coincidence the accident happened outside the premises that of Brooks, another baker. And who was one of the witnesses in the case? William Clifford who worked for Brooks, and would later move to Little Marlow and run his own bakery there. See above. The case is interesting as it shows that Little Marlow bakers delivered to not only their own village but Great Marlow town too. 

William was described as a bankrupt baker 1871. Born 1814-21 Staines Middlesex. In Little Marlow as a resident by 1857 but no earlier than 1851. He and his wife Elizabeth moved from Egham where William had had a shop. She died and William remarried 1864 Ann Doney of Little Marlow in London. When Samuel Doney above died in 1863 the beneficiary of his will listed in probate records was William Goldhawk, his future son in law. He was in fact acting as trustee for Samuel's young son (and William's brother in law) Samuel Doney junior.  This was an unfortunate choice as Goldhawk seemingly took advantage of Samuel juniors youth and lack of business experience (he'd just turned of age) and persuaded him to sell him the family property at much below it's actual value. He then took a mortgage out on it, but didn't stop there. Instead he persuaded Samuel Junior to sign multiple deeds and conveyances for the property, using each one to get a different mortgage without revealing there was any existing one on the property. He told Samuel Junior he'd had to destroy the previous paperwork for various reasons. He then went and bought a number of cottages and building plots and flashed the cash so to speak, of which poor Samuel had none and so continued to go to work. This caused some gossip locally. Eventually events caught up with Goldhawk who became insolvent and at a meeting of creditors, some of those with mortgages came forward as well as a man who'd recently been "sold" the Doney property. With his lies revealed, Goldhawk absconded and Samuel Junior found himself in court facing serious charges of fraud. However he could produce many character witnesses, and as it could be proved he'd never personally benefitted in any way from Goldhawk's schemes, he was set free. It doesn't look as though he even recieved the money for selling the house to Goldhawk in the first place. 

 William was a relative of chemist Joseph Goldhawk of Staines. He played cricket for Little Marlow.

Arthur Hester

Shopkeeper 1911. Though on censuses as domestic gardener also. 

John Holmes

Baker 1866. Fined for unjust scales. Just "shopkeeper" 1869.

Henry James Hussey

Son of James Hussey below. Grocer at Little Marlow 1843 until he died in 1880 aged 69. Possibly moved from premises in West Street Great Marlow. At Little Marlow also sold petroleum and gunpowder. His wife Sarah took over his business assisted by their son Henry Valentine Hussey. Note he apparently had 2 sons called Henry, one of whom was also  Henry James but known usually by his middle name James. The other was Henry Valentine Hussey, occasionally known just as Valentine. This shop was next to the Queen's Head pub.

Henry Valentine Hussey

Grocer. Born 1852. Assisting his grocer mother Sarah 1881 and 1891. He was then a baker and a grocer. Also the village Post Master. The sub post office premises were on The Moor, Little Marlow. Note that he apparently had an older half brother also called Henry Hussey, though more often known by his middle name James. Henry Valentine was the village sextant, parish clerk and constable. He gave up the shop and Post Office and sold up all his furniture and household goods in 1910 and emigrated to Canada.

James Hussey

Retired grocer 1851. Born circa 1785. Father of Henry Hussey above who was running his shop for him by 1847. Grandfather of Henry Valentine Hussey.

Sarah Hussey

Grocer 1881 and 1891 with her son Henry Valentine Hussey. Widow of Henry James Hussey above. She also worked in the sub post office her son ran on the premises. They were located on The Moor, Little Marlow. She died in 1897. Born circa 1823, Holyport Berkshire.

John Jarvis

Baker 1837-52. Born circa 1802, Penn. Wife Martha.

Hugh Jones

Grocer, baker and general shopkeeper who became insolvent in 1864. Had also operated a shop in Newbury at one point.

Henry Lane

Baker and butcher of Well End. Insolvent 1828.

James Lawrence 

Shopkeeper 1863.

Joseph Parslow

Grocer. Insolvent 1856.

Thomas Rackshaw

Born circa 1820. General shopkeeper 1873. His shop was adjacent to the Ferns. Had notepaper and biscuits stolen from his shop that year. His main income was as a boot maker while his wife Mary was a dressmaker. They married 1870, she being née Mary Clark.

Emma Rose

Grocer 1847. Mrs.

Joseph Sworder

Grocer and hirer of horses and carts. 1870.

John Wells

Grocer of Well End, Little Marlow. Found to have all his weights light in 1871. In other words if you thought that you had bought a pound of sugar from him you took home a little less in fact. Had the weights confiscated and received a fine. 

More information:

For more Little Marlow content see the option Nearby Places on the menu  here  or the Graves option in the top drop down menu  for those specifically.

For all mentions of an individual here use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

For Well End Great Marlow see Dean Street post listing in the Specific Places index. 

Some Sources:

Census, transcriptions from microfilm by me. Census information remains Crown Copyright. 

Parish Registers, St Martin's In The Fields.

Bucks Herald 17th April 1864 and 10th February 1866. British Library Archives. Via the BNA. South Bucks Standard May 21st 1897. As above.

"England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2D3J-N3H : 13 December 2014), Charles Creswell, 1854; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1854, quarter 4, vol. 3A, p. 609, Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England. 

The Goldhawk Fraud - pamphlet, anon, 1871. With thanks to Jane Pullinger. 

Kelly's Directory 1884 & 1889

Robson's Directory 1839

Musson & Craven's Commercial Directory 1853. 

South Bucks Free Press 10th March 1871

©Marlow Ancestors. Freely use this research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog.

Great Marlow in the First World War - 1915

JANUARY 

 - The Marlow War Relief Committee decide to form a Marlow unit for the Bucks Battalion of the Volunteer Defence force. This will give military training to men too old to join up, or who work in exempted occupations for example. They will be put to work in various tasks such as guarding depots and assisting the special police. 

 - The Institute (later the building used as Marlow Library) decide to allow any Marlow men on active service free use of their facilities while they are on leave. This means access to a library, billiards table and other games. 

FEBRUARY

- At Walter Davies shop in the High Street you can see a war trophy on display. A German officers helmet was bought to England by an invalided officer and can now be seen in the shop. 

MARCH

- The new commanding officer of the Volunteer Defence Force is Arthur L Lawrence and 80 members are enrolled already. 

Above, a patriotic image from the "Marlow Directory and Almanack" 1915. 

MAY 

- News circulates around town that the Grenadier guards will arrive at Bovingdon Green toward the end of the month. However their arrival is delayed because anti German riots in London necessitate their presence.

JUNE 

- 1,200 members of the 3rd Battalion of Grenadier Guards finally arrive at Marlow. They have come from the Wellington Barracks, on the 3rd/4th, with the usual fanfare and excited crowds stopping in the streets to cheer them in. A photographer captures the arrival of the main body of men on the 4th and it's made available as a postcard. The first train carrying troops arrives at 10.40, the second 11.45 Am. General Sir George Higginson is amongst those who turn out to witness the event, and he receives their salute. They march to Bovingdon Green where they will stay 7 weeks - or so it's thought at the time. Anyone who missed the troops arrival will have plenty of opportunities to see them march, as they proceed almost every morning to the long established firing range opposite Quarry woods for shooting practice. The 4th Battalion are initially expected to follow the 3rd to Marlow within a week or 2. They dig trenches but are they the training ones? See 1914. 

- A depot for the National Egg Collection is opened at 71 High Street to collect eggs to provide food for soldiers in hospital both at home and in France. Anyone keeping chickens can donate surplus eggs there. 

- The 3rd Battalion of Grenadier Guards march to Gyldernscroft in Henley Rd to honour of their former commander, General Sir George Higginson's, 89th birthday. The children of Bovingdon Green school have the honour of accompanying the Guards and the latters Drum and Fife band. 

JULY -

- Grenadier Guards in camp at Marlow host a boxing championship, the first of many sporting events to be held there. Later, the guards host "river sports" on the Thames. A large crowd, deprived of the chance to attend the usual Marlow Regattas, attend. Marlow Rowing Club puts their premises at the soldiers disposal and Mr Meakes loans some skiffs for their use. Popular with crowds are the swimming races, officers jousting on canoes and a hotly contested aquatic tug of war. A band from the Guards keeps everyone entertained throughout the afternoon from their position on the rowing club lawn. 

- 700 men from Marlow are now reported to be on active service. 

 - 3rd Battalion of Grenadier Guards leave Bovingdon Green, on the 20th after declaring the camp the best in England. Several wives and sweethearts walk by the side of the departing men as they make their way to the station. Other women are seen to give out cigarettes to the soldiers. Crowds throng the station, and the platform is closed. But enterprising ladies infiltrate the goods yard and manage to keep the men in sight a little longer. The men are replaced the following day by the 4th Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, who arrive by train and march through the town to Bovingdon Green. A special train also brings from London 200 members of the RAMC complete with ambulances. Officers take houses within the town. 

- On the 24th, another 400 members of the Grenadier Guards arrive at Marlow, while 100 leave for duty on the front. 

- Farmers at the Marlow Cattle Market hold sale in aid of Red Cross funds - with many animals selling well above usual rates and several put immediately back up for sale to be bid upon again. 

- A number of famous though unnamed London "artistes" travel down to Bovingdon Green to take part in a concert for the troops camped there. Hosted in the substantial YMCA tent. 

- the South Bucks Free Press prints a letter from two members of Marlow Town Band, now serving with the Bucks Battalion (T.F) in Flanders. Pte E J Smith and Pte F Latham want to thank other band members for a surprise parcel of goodies sent out to them. They say "it's fairly safe in the trenches as long as you keep your head down" but add where the trenches are close together you have to dodge grenades and "stand a good chance of getting mined". Overall though they say they have "nothing to complain of". 

AUGUST

-Many Grenadier Guards move out of Marlow.  A company of the 5th Grenadier Guards and the (3rd) 5th London Field Ambulance (RAMC) remain at Bovingdon Green in camp.

- HRH the Prince of Wales makes brief surprise visit to the camp in his capacity as officer in the Grenadier Guards. 

- Anyone passing Marlow Lock is buttonholed by the energetic Miss Gladys Meakes who is selling miniature flags to boating people in aid of the Red Cross. 

- Hooks Farm hosts a military sports day and gymkhana for the 5th Battalion of Grenadier Guards at Marlow, and the RAMC ditto. In common with most of these events at Marlow, civilians attend in droves, paying a small entry fee of 1 shilling which is collected to raise funds for the Red Cross. Men in armed forces uniform can attend free. Some races are more serious than others, with a three legged race causing much amusement. More than 200 injured soldiers in regional hospitals are invited to attend, including wounded servicemen recovering at Cliveden. Some arrive by river, others by road. Although pubs in Bovingdon Green are technically not supposed to serve them, many are seen to be worse for wear during the day. The landlord of the Jolly Cricketers - Francis Styles - will be fined £5 for serving these soldiers. 

- Ladies and men volunteer to carry out national registration, which means delivering 3,500 forms to households in Marlow area. 

- An open air meeting is held in the Market Square to encourage every man able to fight to register his interest in doing so. Speakers use a flag draped lorry - loaned from the Brewery - as a platform. Among them is General Sir George Higginson who says war will only end when England and her allies come out victorious. The event ends with cheers for serving men and the Allies as well as the singing of the National Anthem. 

- Members of Wycombe VAD  march to Bovingdon Green to see the training trenches which have been made on the "most modern scientific principles." The trenches therefore pre date the arrival of the Royal Engineers during war time but the Grenadiers were said to be digging trenches in June - see above. 

SEPTEMBER 

- Bovingdon Green sees yet more military sports, this time courtesy of the RAMC. Amongst competitive running races, and long and high jump events, can be found mounted wrestling competitions, egg and spoon dashes and a costume race won by a man dressed as a undertaker. 

- They also hold a river sports day, with swimming, punting, and a greasy pole climbing competition. The officers and their friends are invited to watch from the lawn of Marlow Rowing Club while others line the traditional regatta viewing spot - Marlow Bridge. After the last race, all competitors and officers are given a celebratory tea by the Rowing club following a prize giving. 

 - The RAMC  hold a fund raising concert in aid of their YMCA tent at the Bovingdon camp, one of many they will organise.

- The 2nd Welsh Guards are reported to also be at Bovingdon along with Grenadier Guards and RAMC. 

- The Bucks Examiner prints extracts from a moving letter from ex Marlow football player Sergeant H Hawkes to his wife, from his hospital bed at a military hospital at Netley. Hawkes had a miraculous escape, having been shot through the neck while fighting in the Dardanelles. "I must say I thought of you all when I lay there in the moonlight with hundreds of dead and wounded around me". The man from the Red Cross who had come to his aid, was sadly shot through the head and killed as he tended Sergeant Hawke. 

OCTOBER 

- Mr and Mrs Owens of 62 West Street receive special letter of sympathy from King and Queen after the death of the third of their sons in action. 

- The Welsh Guards leave Bovingdon  on the 2nd. 

- On the 23rd, the sounds of the Grenadier Guards Drum and Fife band marching through the town centre gives warning to any Marlow resident who hasn't heard the news - the Grenadier Guards are moving out. They leave from Marlow station as the band plays patriotic songs. The RAMC and 26th Fusiliers Bankers Battalion remain.

NOVEMBER

- 50 Marlow men are reported as killed or missing presumed killed so far. 

- The 26th Royal Fusiliers Bankers Battalion and (3rd) 5th RAMC are reported to still be in camp at Marlow. The former has formed a brass band and gives first performance at one of the many military football matches held at Marlow, on this occasion on Borlase playing fields. 

 - A fearsome gale at the end of the month sees numerous tents belonging to the camped soldiers upturned. They seek shelter in the YMCA tent before many get temporarily billeted within the town the following day. The RAMC billet themselves in The Old House and one adjoining while other troops occupy locations including the Institute (now Marlow Library), the Armoury (Institute Rd) and in the High Street  - "the old Lloyd bank" and the unused shop of Mr Martin plus the former boys school in The Causeway (now the church hall)

- The 26th Royal Fusiliers Bankers Battalion leave Marlow for Essex. They take with them a number of Marlow men who joined them during their Marlow stay. 

DECEMBER

- Three field companies of the Home Counties Royal Engineers Territorial force arrive in Marlow. They are quartered in empty houses and halls. About 450 men in total are housed.

- The RAMC leave Marlow after a long stay, giving a farewell concert that ends in an emotional singing of Auld Lang Syne. They had remained quartered at The Old House and an adjacent property after the gale last month partially destroyed their camp. 

- Busy scenes were reported at the Marlow recruiting office where 150 Marlow men are "attested for grouping under Lord Derby's scheme" 

- At the AGM of the Brewery, it is revealed that 44 of their employees are currently serving, and that 4 others had been found medically unfit for service. They are at this time executing a "considerable order" for shells having moved some of their production over to munitions. Company Engineer V B Butt supervised this work. 

The drinking fountain memorial to Charles Frohman who drowned in the sinking of the Lusitania. Sometimes called the Marlow Mermaid, but she has feet! 

For a post on Marlow in 1914 see here, 1916 here 1917 here 

1918 here

Brewery First World War Memorial tablet Here

To read other posts relating to Marlow's military history or everyday life here in the past, see the post listing here

Researched and written by Kathryn Day

©MarlowAncestors. You are very welcome to use this research for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog and provide a link back here. 

So far this blog contains mention of

3000

People from or associated with Marlow.