High Rews Farm /High Ruse Farm Marlow

A small farm.

List of the historic farm occupiers and history timeline.

Gaps in dates represent gaps in our knowledge. Gaps we will endeavour to fill!

1794 - the freehold farm was advertised in the Reading Mercury 10th March 1794 as up "very pleasantly situated on an eminence". It included then a farm house, yard, barn and 55 acres of arable land. James Webb leased the farm then though his term was up that Michaelmas. Many Webbs farmed in Marlow in the 1700s and 1800s. Search the A-Z Person Index to see all mentions of Webbs on this blog. 

1838-51 Henry Webb the sub-tenant of here (actual tenant was James Deane of The Deanery Marlow and Tunbridge Wells Kent). Henry also leased Wymers Farm and perhaps was also the Henry Webb who was renting Triphooks Farm near Ragman's Castle just outside Marlow as a yearly tenant in 1840. Henry actually lived at Wymers most of the time though both other farms had farmhouses. Wymers and High Rews farms were put up for sale by auction in 1844. Henry left High Rews and eventually the town following his bankruptcy in 1851. There is more on him in my Wymers Farm post here. 

1853-unknown end date Henry Mickling. This name also occurs as Micklem and Micklem. There were a lot of them in the Henley/ Hurley area for centuries. Henry was himself of Henley, and a non residential farmer. He also held Copy Farm in Marlow at this time. During the 1860s and 1870s and quite possibly in the 1880s too there continued to be no residential farmer at High Rews though some of farm's carter's and agricultural labourers and their families lived in two dwellings there. It is hard to be certain whether one of these was the actual farm house. During this time the woods near the farm were sometimes the site of poaching and wood stealing activities.

1893 William Creswell. The farm once again has a residential farmer. William died at the farm in 1901 aged 60. There is already  biographical post about him on the blog here. His brother's widow Jane continued to live at High Rews after his death and was then the farmer in her own right. In 1903 Jane's son Alfred Cresswell aged 11 was severely injured when his brother in playing with a gun accidentally shot him in the arm. This family had astonishingly bad luck when it came to accidents as is detailed in this post, which also gives more family background for them.

1901- at least 1911 Jane Creswell. From late 1907 George Eaton, originally from the West Country was also farming at High Rews. Whether this was in partnership with Jane, or whether he had taken over part of the land is uncertain. By 1911 Jane's twenty year old son Cyril also calls himself a farmer there. He lived with his mother in the farmhouse. There was a small fire at the farm in 1906. 

1907-1918  George Eaton as above. His wife was Agnes nee Young also of West country origin. Their marriage record is available free on Familysearch- Link. George was at the time of his marriage a gardener though Agnes as the daughter of a farmer must have had plenty of useful knowledge as to all things agricultural. The Eatons arrived in Marlow with several of their children. One of those Private Ernest Eaton died of wounds received in war service and is buried in Marlow Cemetery. At the time of his death he was a married man aged 33. At the time of his enlistment he had been living in Tring. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record for him says that his parents lived in Queens Road Marlow at the time of their son's burial. This must have been a recent move as they were not present in that street in 1915. His father was still farming at High Rews after this date. It would have been a walkable journey to work for George from Queens Road to High Rews. Link to CWGC record for Ernest here. When George decided to leave in 1918 all his farming stock was auctioned off.

1920- Phillip Morris and George Tylor both farming at High Rews. In 1923 a Captain George Tylor was at High Rews raising turkeys.  In 1925 the farm was up for sale now only listed as 40 acres not 55 as it had been in the late 1700s. There seems to have been some division of the property either before or after this sale. Phillip Morris continued until at least 1939 to be listed as the farmer (dairy and arable) at High Rews Farm while George Tylor was now referred to as farming at "End Farm" next to it. Tylor's wife was Lorna, while Morris was married to Harriett.

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

Some Sources:

The Agricultural Gazette and Modern Farming. United Kingdom, n.p, 1923

Kelly's Directory 1883, 1903, 1907, 1911, 1915, 1920 and 1939. By Kelly's Directories.

Mussons and Craven's Commercial Directory Of Buckinghamshire and Windsor 1853.

South Bucks Standard April 17th 1903, British Library Archives. 

Reading Mercury 21st September 1918. British Library Archives. Bucks Herald 25th July 1925.  These editions accessed by me via the BNA.

Personal interview.

Barmoor Farm Marlow Occupiers And History Timeline

Barmoor Farm 

Description= 2 miles from Marlow. In 1895= 295 acres with  farmhouse and 6 cottages. 1937 = 328 acres with house and 8 cottages. Consisted mostly then of pasture but also had a small wood and for plantation attached. Earlier a mixed farm. Farm no longer exists (it is under Booker Airfield).

1250 - a Barmoor Manor existed in Marlow which may be the origin of Barmoor Farm. It was seemingly a minor manor. First known mention of the farm as Barmoor Farm was in 1672.

Occupiers - these are not usually the same as the owners. Gaps in dates are current gaps in our knowledge=

1758 - part of the farmland (only) occupied by Moses Medwin.

1798 - Mr Brangwin 

1833 - 51 George Brangwin who was born Hambledon circa 1791, as was his wife Mary. The owner of the farm was then Sir William Robert Clayton. George also rented Red Barn Farm next door from the same owner.

1859 - 61 Isaac Wane son in law of George and Mary Brangwin. Wife Eliza. Isaac was born circa 1821 in Fairford Gloucestershire. He had previously been running Red Barn Farm for George Brangwin. Both Isaac and Eliza were members of the Salem Chapel in Marlow, entering that church in 1845.

1863 - 68 George Brangwin back in charge though Isaac Wane seems still to have been involved. He continued to rent Red Barn Farm too. George died in 1868 aged 75.

1868-82 Following the death of George Brangwin Isaac was back as the lead farmer and had the lease in his own name. In 1872 his daughter Clara passed the Cambridge Exam. She and her siblings had had the benefit of a governess who taught them French and more. Isaac's widowed mother in law Mary Brangwin also lived within his household. In 1868 James Faulkner labourer was convicted of poaching at Barmoor Farm and was fined 30 shillings. In default 1 month in prison. [Bucks Herald 1869 Feb 13th, British Library Archives via the BNA]. Isaac gave up the lease in 1882. He stayed at Red Barn until 1892 when he retired from farming altogether. He died circa 1893. More on Isaac and Red Barn here.

1882-95 James Elliott who also rented Red Barn Farm towards the end of that period. He was elected as one of the parish overseers in 1889. James made a significant income from growing mushrooms in his fields but struggled with thefts of them. Mushrooms were extremely popular in late Victorian England for making into the condiment mushroom ketchup as well as using in soups etc. In 1895 both farms were put up for sale by auction. James made a bid for Barmoor but it wasn't high enough. Red Barn Farm did not reach its reserve price. James's wife Elizabeth had died earlier that year aged 67. 

1897- 98 W Lee. He gave up the farm in 1898 and sold off his stock. This does not seem to have been substantial. He raised sheep.

1899- 1936 Thomas Lacey Morris born circa 1871. He occupied the farm until his death age 65. His wife was Emily. Owners and occupiers in one. Both were from West Wycombe according to the census. Their baby daughter Kathleen died at the farm in 1899. Another daughter Margaret married William Pinches of Field House / Pinches Farm in Marlow. Thomas bred and sold shire horses at the farm.

1937 - the house, farm and "sporting estate" of Barmoor put up for auction by the executors of Thomas Morris at the Crown in Marlow. It is sold for £10,500. 358 acres, a fir plantation, a wood, pasture land and eight dwellings.

1938 - the farm is used to film the film I Met A Murderer (originally intended to be called Deadwater) directed by Roy Killino and starring James Mason as a murderous farmer and Pamela Kellino as the woman he meets. The farm shire horses Boxer and Ronnie feature as plough horses in the film. Filming is difficult because of muddy conditions on the farm and the sheep running away from the strangers when they are meant to be in shot. The film is a low budget film noir. The owner of the farm is unknown to me but he was an owner occupier and advised on the accuracy of scenes of thatching shot on the farm. 

1939 - W Thomas. Later that year Watton Aviation Limited have the farm and it is to become part of the future Booker Airfield.

Compiled by Charlotte Day from research by both Charlotte and Kathryn Day.

Selected Sources=

William Page (ed). 1925. A History of Buckinghamshire (Victoria County History) Volume III. Volume 3. p74.

Census of England and Wales 1841-1901 transcribed from microfilm by Charlotte Day and Jane Pullinger.

The Aeroplane. (1939). United Kingdom: Temple Press.

Canadian Moving Picture Digest. Volume 30 (1938). Canada.

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0031464/ 

Shire Horse Stud Book. United Kingdom, n.p, 1932. English Cart Horse Society.

International Directory of Pedigree Stock Breeders. (1928). United Kingdom: Tillotsons Publishing Company.

Marlow Directory 1891 

Kelly's Directory of Buckinghamshire etc 1899 and 1939 editions published by Kelly's Directories Limited.

Duttons Directory of Buckinghamshire etc 1868.

May 28th 1937 edition of the Bucks Advertiser (sale of Barmoor).

Barmoor sale catalogue=

https://testslbuckinghamshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/ENQ/WPAC/BIBENQ?SETLVL=&BRN=558967

Country Life, 26th June 1937. 

Maidenhead Advertiser 27th October 1886 (mushroom theft problem).

Parish surveyors notebooks for 1833 and 1834 in my possession.

GRO death and marriage registrations online

Private letters.

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

1833 Parochial Assessment Great Marlow High Street East Side Part One

I am gradually transcribing onto this blog the original handwritten assessment working notebooks used to compile the official assessment. These are held by my family. They were to be used to readjust the local taxes for 1834. Our notebooks contain some information updates written in during the later 1830s and related correspondence. I will add these updates if present for any properties below. I have also included my own research notes into the people mentioned and links to posts dedicated to some of them. Parts of the assessment are uploaded by me as and when they chime with research I am doing for myself or others. Lots are already available in the blog

To see the others available already look here

Transcription by Charlotte Day.

© Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my transcription for family and local history purposes if you credit this blog.

Format for transcription:

Name

Property occupied

Annual value of property

Additional research notes by me in square brackets.

High Street [East Side]

Rolls and Son [auctioneers]

House, storehouse, cellars, yard, offices and garden

£24 10 shillings

Furniture warehouse

£5

Garden belonging to Baines

10 shillings

*****

Benjamin Baines [a confectioner and foreign fruit dealer. I have a picture of his grave and a dedicated post about him on the blog here]

House, bakehouse, yard, stable and garden

£20

*****

Frederick Wyatt [stagecoach proprietor. Post about him and his family here].

House, stable, barn, yard, garden and orchard

£20

*****

Thomas Evans Brinsden [a surgeon]

House part of barn and 2 gardens

£15

****

William Chamberlain [a hairdresser]

House and garden

£14

*****

Miss Sneath [the Miss added in pencil. This was Katherine Sneath, a much loved Marlovian. Daughter of surgeon William Sneath and Elizabeth née Webb. Her mother's will is here and more about her family property here. Please see the Person Index for all other mentions of Katherine].

House, lawns, yards, storehouses, stables and large gardens

£30

Orchard occupied by Mr Aveling

£4 

*****

Richard Aveling [a grocer. Biography here]

House, yard, shed, barn, garden, stable and orchard

£20

*****

Thomas Corby jnr [builder. Thomas lost his right to vote because he did not have a separate entrance to his part of the property. Detailed post about him and his father here]

Part of house and garden [Dad below in other half]

£11

*****

Thomas Corby [builder, see above for link to a post about him]

House, storeroom, lofts, yard and garden

£14

*****

Widow Stevens [this property no longer exists]

House, yard and sheds

£12

*****

Hone [no first name] [Building now demolished. It was empty in 1831 but owned by Hone family].

House, lawn, stables, greenhouse, pleasure garden, large kitchen garden, coach houses, orchard, large store house and other conveniences

£50

*****

Edmund Mealing [he was an upholsterer and cabinet maker. Post about him and his family here ]

House, shop and yard

£9

*****

W. H Mathew [William Henry. Son of the below]

House and yard

£10

*****

Widow Mathews [Ann Mathews. She was running a grocery shop].

House and yard

£14

*****

Edward Griffiths [A tailor. In same premises 1832]

House and yard

£10

*****

Steadman Camden [a shoemaker and clothes seller. Biographical post on him here]

House, shop and lofts

£12

*****

John Way [he was a poulterer]

House, yard, sheds etc

£10

*****

William Bond [he was a builder, carpenter. Full biography here]

House, yard, workshops, counting house and shed

£18

Chaise house etc by Mrs Ralphs [Charlotte Ralfs on other side of High Street]

£1

Part of wharf and workshops at Bankside

£3

*****

Late Palmer [no first name]

House and garden coach houses, shrubbery etc

Hard to read property value.

*****

Sir John Mortlock [This was Alfred House later known as Cromwell House. More on him and this property here]

House, lawn, greenhouse, 2 large gardens, yards, stables, barn, coach houses

£70

*****

Revd Thomas Coxwell [this the old vicarage. Thomas Tracey Coxwell]

House and garden

£26

*****

Ralph Rose [a brewer]

House and garden 

£12

*****

Morris and Son [John Morris and son, drapers. Post about this family here].

House, yard, store houses and garden

£20

*****

George Davis [Landlord of this pub since at least 1826]

Chequers house [pub], yard and garden

£14

*****

John Wade

House and garden

£14

*****

Thomas Burrell [ironmonger and blacksmith. He was still in these premises 1851. More about him and his family here].

House, shop, garden and iron house

£10

*****

John Heppard

House and garden

£8

*****

Transcription and research by Charlotte Day.

To be continued...

Handy Cross Farm History And Occupiers

Handy Cross Farm. Historically a mixed farm.

Existed 1741.

1781= for sale freehold (except a few copyhold acres). 366 acres, all but 11 acres within a ring fence. Meadow and arable land (Oxford Journal 03 February 1781).  Includes dwelling house, two tenements (cottages for farm workers etc)  and outbuildings. Let to Thomas Allen for £150 per annum. Also 67 acres woodland available with it. "Handicross". May be the same Thomas Allen at Pigeon House Farm 1784. 

1817= Bought by William James Atkinson (of whom lots more here).  Later owned by Lord Carrington.

1818 - tenant Richard Badcock is leaving the farm so there is a livestock etc sale on the premises. It includes 24 cows and heifers, 6 cart horses, 8 sheep and 20 pigs plus the usual selection of ploughs, dung carts etc. 

1843?= outgoing tenant Mr Stacey Rayment. 

1843-50= Daniel Carr. Had chickens and geese stolen from him in 1843. Subject to a serious rick fire one afternoon in 1844. Believed to be arson. (The Sun, 22 Jan 1844). Thankfully Lord Carrington the landowner had his own fire engine to help put it out. The wheat rick in which it started, containing 10 loads, could not be saved, but several standing nearby were undamaged. 

1851= 20 year old Ambrose Reddall Turney living with his sister Sarah and others in High Wycombe, then called Chepping Wycombe, described himself as a farmer of 320 acres employing 8 workers. There is a good chance that he, probably with his brothers, was working Handy Cross farm. See below.

1864= Mr Turney. Had no buildings on it then but by 1870 did at least have a barn and apparently also had a worker's cottage by 1875.

1866 - the Messrs Turney. 

1868= Ambrose Reddall Turney, John Turney and George Turney in partnership which was dissolved that year. These were brothers, the sons of John Turney. Ambrose was properly Alexander Ambrose Reddall Turney and also operated as the Parish Surveyor and Rate Collector for High Wycombe. He emigrated to the USA the next year. He and his brothers were mentioned in the will of their step grandmother Elizabeth Turney of Winslow which is transcribed on the Winslow history website. This also gives more background to the family. Link to this website here. The will of her husband can be downloaded from the National Archives.

1870= John Turney. Prosecuted his shepherd Mathew Clarke for refusing to work for him while injured. Mathew had hurt his arm trying to catch a sheep. John argued that the injury did not mean that Mathew was incapable of all work and that there were light duties he could perform on the farm. The court allowed Mathew to be released from his contract with John and ordered his employer to pay him £1 owed Michaelmas money out of which the court costs would be deducted.

1869= J and G Turney, presumably brothers John and George.

1871= John Turney. Poachers set traps for rabbits in his field that year.

1873= J Turney.

1877= J Turney. Seven of his heifers died in agony after workers from landlord Lord Carrington left open cans of lead paint where the animals could get at them and lick the poisonous paint. 

1878= J Turney sold off his stock of clover and hay etc as he was leaving the farm.

1881= whoever was at the farm sold off all stock and left.

1887-1894= William Morris, who also occupied nearby Hill Farm as well as farms in West Wycombe. The farmhouse was in 1894 put up to let and was then a 5 bedroom house with 2 sitting rooms and 2 kitchens (South Bucks Standard 22nd June 1894). It seems Edward Nuttall also occupied some of the land 1894-96 but the Morris family continued to farm most of the land even if they did not live in the farm house for a while.

1895= rooms and apartments in the farm house up to let. Bracing air is promised. By which was meant biting winds presumably as Handy Cross was renowned for suffering heavy snow, deep frosts, and harsh winds being in a slightly elevated position.

1901= W and T Morris.

1913= Morris family still farming there.

1920 - George Parker.

Ongoing research. This post will always be updated if new information arises. Gaps in the dates above represent gaps in my knowledge.

Related Content:

History and landlords of the Blue Flag pub Handy Cross here

And of the Blacksmith's Arms there in this post

More Handy Cross content indexed here

Other sources:

1833 parochial assessment Great Marlow, working notebooks of the assessors in my possession and transcribed by me.

"England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGBT-VMM : 11 September 2019), Ambrose Turney in household of Hannah Howlett, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England; citing High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, p. 1, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

1871 census, my transcription. Crown Copyright.

Researched and written by Charlotte Day.

©Marlow Ancestors

Early History Of St. Peter's Church, Marlow

Before the Reformation, most of Marlow's residents would of course have been Catholic. Later, Marlow saw its fair share of Catholic "popish recusants" who were hauled before the quarter sessions for repeated failures to attend Protestant church services which had become compulsory. The same names pop up repeatedly and were probably the tip of the iceberg. Some put in a token appearance at the parish church often enough to avoid punishment, if not suspicion about their sincerity. We will feature some of these early  Catholic recusants in other posts. 

This post is about the experience of Catholic members of Marlow's population during the regency and Victorian period. They were very much in the minority amongst the population and until the 1840's, had no church to worship at. How many Catholics were resident here is hard to judge, but we are gathering a list of names. 

 In 1827, there was an anti Catholic meeting in the town hall, which resulted in a number of Marlow citizens giving their support to a petition against further concessions being given to the Catholics nationally. This was presented to Parliament by the Earl of Winchelsea (Winchilsea), one of the leaders of opposition to the idea that Catholics could sit as M.Ps. The Earl actually fought a duel with prime minister Wellington over their different approaches to this issue in 1829! It seems that the success of Irish catholic Daniel O'Connell who won the 1827 by-election in County Clare despite technically not being allowed to take up a seat, had worried the local anti Catholics. What if other Catholics ignored the rules and started putting themselves forward for roles the law forbade them to accept? A vote was held after a number of  (virulently prejudiced) speeches and unsurprisingly, the motion was passed to send the petition forward. The meeting had been framed as a stand against popery and for patriotism so who would be brave enough to turn up and vote against the petition under such circumstances?  Sir George Nugent of Westhorpe House did speak against the motion but he was in the minority. He had previously voted in favour of Catholic emancipation. Those Marlow petitioners were out of luck however, as the Roman Catholic Relief Act was passed in 1829. 

A further flurry of anti Catholic petitions flew towards parliament from Great Marlow in the 1830s. Borlase head William Francis strongly criticized those who had gathered signatures for one such in 1835. He accused them of peddling hysteria, using "deception" such as inducing children to affix their names and of trawling the county looking for the "ignorant and superstitious" to sign. Francis was not a Catholic himself. 

On a more everyday basis, people who were not Protestant (or who were not regular parish church goers) could find themselves excluded from employment. I have found a number of local job adverts which specify that only Protestants or established church members need apply. Mostly this was positions of domestic service, but sometimes it's also shop work. 

Things began to improve for local Catholics when the wealthy Charles Scott Murray of Danesfield converted to Catholicism in 1841. He was an MP at the time so was forced to loose his vote until he'd taken oaths specially required for Catholic members. He immediately supported a mission in Marlow but his dearest aim was to build a Roman Catholic church. But given the anti Catholic feeling around, would he find someone to sell him the necessary land? Many of the significant landowners had a history of speaking out against Catholic rights. It was said later that Scott Murray secured a second rate spot for a an inflated price because the sellers agent thought beggars can't be choosers. But an alternative rumour was that the agent acting for Murray disguised both his purpose and client, out of desperation at ever finding a spot at any price. However I believe neither story is absolutely true, because the land was sold at auction by the Rolls auctioneers rather than through a private sale arranged through agents. Within a week it was reported in the local press who'd bought it and for what purpose, or at least it was stated that Murray wanted to use it for "furthering the Catholic faith" and for building a schoolhouse. In the end a field and farm yard  formerly belonging to George Cannon that had been part of the Platts Farm Estate was secured for £350. It was then in the occupation of farmer Hewitt later of Blounts Farm. A few ramshackle farm buildings had to go and a pond was filled in. George Stevens, recalling the site in 1895 said it was a "miserable swampy place". George was one of the early worshippers and it's organist. On the positive side, the church was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and attracted praise (sometimes begrudging!) for its charm and attractiveness. 

 Scott Murray paid the entire cost of both the land (about an acre) and the building. He also built a small convent and school adjacent, and a chapel at Danesfield itself. 

St Peters Street as a name long predates the arrival of the Church. We are tracking its usage through property transaction and wills. It was in use for the church portion of the modern street as well as a portion of what is now Station Road ahead of Marlow Place. It was used at the same time as other former names for St Peters Street such as Duck Lane and Old Bridge Street. 

Above the church site (no 34 on plan) when it was part of the Platt's Farm estate, 1839. See "St Peter Street" shown to lead off the High Street (now Station Rd) while the current St Peter's Street is called Duck Lane. 

While the search for land was ongoing, Scott Murray supported the provision of services out of a hired room, possibly in St Peters Street although I have conflicting information about its location. He certainly had a "mission" in Oxford Cottage, Oxford Rd in the few years immediately before the church opened. The first mass was attended by a grand total of 3 people - Scott Murray, a relative of the Priest and an Irish woman from Cookham. Priest Peter Coop pressed on with two services on a Sunday, and one in the week.  He would also be the priest at the church once completed. At least he could rely on the arrival of Scott Murray and some of his servants! 

The first stone was laid in 1845 before a curious audience. I have not come across any reports of open hostility on this occasion, but it may not have been publicised much in advance outside of the Catholic community. This would limit the opportunity for trouble makers to make elaborate plans to disrupt proceedings. Members of the congregation looking back on this time in general recalled that their priests had suffered name calling and hissing in their direction as they went about their business. George Stevens mentioned above remembered experiencing much prejudice and bigotry in this period. Father Peter Coop recalled that he was stared at and pointed at wherever he went. 

About 1,500 people attended the stone laying. A procession went from the Deanery along the very short distance to the site of the new church in St. Peters Street. A platform was erected, with a beautifully decorated alter on top. Scott Murray entered fully into the proceedings, donning a cassock and surplice and carrying a large cross at the head of the procession. He also performed the stone laying.  Afterwards the event was marked by a dinner for 100 invited guests at the Town Hall and a gift of bread and a shilling to 80 poor families. 

A year later the church was opened. The stained glass windows were not all completed on the opening date however and poor Peter Coop had to endure the first winter with just canvas coverings over some of the openings. It was thought necessary to add wooden shutters as a temporary security measure when the windows delivery was again delayed. Perhaps it is no surprise that the chilly Peter Coop himself paid for one of the windows, which depicts him at prayer. In 1847 the last of the original windows were finally put in place although the requested image of St. Thomas of Hereford had mistakenly been replaced with that of St. Thomas of Canterbury. It was decided to keep the latter however. 

Above, Peter Coop at prayer. 

In 1849, the Christmas celebrations were regarded as a particular success. Attendance at the services were good and Rev Ludwig had, despite the "threats and intimidation resorted to by the Protestant clergyman of the neighborhood" secured a large choir that contained members of the parish church. (It may seem surprising that Protestant singers were willing to sing there given the feelings high at the time, but in fact it was a long standing tradition in Marlow for good singers from All Saints to appear at services in the non conformist  chapels in the town on special occasions. There were many who remembered singers from the Salem chapel appearing at the Wesleyan one and vice versa too. Unfortunately as time went on the parish church came down more heavily on their own choir members singing elsewhere until doing so was said to earn an expulsion from their choir.) Father Ludwig's day did not go entirely well however. When he arrived home he discovered that while he had been occupied in the church thieves had entered his property. They made off with several items of silver and £5 in gold and silver coins. 

The congregation might have been small at first but it grew steadily. In 1850, it was reported that 75 people had converted to Catholicism in Marlow in the previous 18 months. It is certainly true that many long standing Marlow families have Catholic converts amongst their number. 

Canon John Morris arrived in Marlow in 1851. He wrote many letters to Scott Murray, updating the latter about his work. His first week at Marlow was marked by the unfortunate locking in of worshipper Charlotte Beckett within the church overnight. It was door keeper Mr Harper who was directly responsible, but poor Charlotte was discovered praying at the altar by Morris on his arrival the following morning. She had apparently put her time to good use in contemplating various religious matters. Morris in his letters comes across as good humoured. However many who met Father John said they found him rather severe and forbidding on the outside. Others recalled his "great heart" - and how he was sometimes moved to tears even by his own sermons. All agreed that he was very hard working and energetic, with a brilliant capacity to recall facts and figures. He also acted as the chaplain at Danesfield. *

In 1850 Rev Tracy Coxwell, 40 years in charge at All Saints, Marlow (Anglican) was nominated to another parish. His parishioners petitioned for the curate Rev Frederick Bussell to take over. There were many reasons for this but among them was the fact the Rev was "thoroughly opposed to Romanism"  in any form. A local newspaper added that they were pleased to report that Bussell's influence had "tended very much to check the spread of its contaminating influence here". 

Shortly afterwards, the Rev Bernard Smith took up the post of priest. Bernard deservedly has a post of his own by Charlotte here, but I will just say in this post that he was responsible for mellowing many people's attitude to the Catholic church in Marlow. His kindness to all, whether a flock member or not, was legendary. The fact that his death in 1903 occasioned expressions of sorrow from all sects and parts of Marlow showed how far things had come. 

*Father Morris would eventually die in the pulpit of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Wimbledon while preaching a sermon there in 1894.

Post written and researched by Kathryn Day 

Related Posts

For more posts like this see Church Related on the menu here

Biography of Canon Bernard Smith here

Index of grave images at St Peter's and other Marlow area locations - here

History of the Catholic Schools in Marlow here

Edwardian St Peter Street residents here

Find all mentions of an individual here by using the A-Z person index, on the top drop down menu. There are currently over 10,000 people listed there with new content added weekly.

More about George Cannon, previous owner of the church site here

General Marlow history posts about everyday life here in the past: here

Posts related to St Peter Street here

Sources include:

Kelly's Directory 1847, 1883, 1911. 

Barrow, John Henry (1828) The Mirror of Parliament 

Corcoran, James Andrew, Patrick, John et al. (1892) The American Catholic Review Hardy and Mahoney

Gibbs, Roger. (1891) The Buckinghamshire Miscellany, R Gibbs Publisher. 

Kelly, Bernard W. (1907) Historical Notes on English Catholic Missions, W Trench. 

Morris,John. (1892) Catholic England in Modern Times, Burns & Oates

Pollen, John Hungerford (1896) The Life and Times of Father John Morris 1826-1893, Burns & Oates

Shepherd, Stanley A. (2009) The Stained glass of A W N Pugin Spire Books

The Catholic Directory and Register (Burns & Lambert 1858)

The Catholic Magazine & Register Volume 11, 1850. 

Sadliers Catholic Directory, Almanac and Clergy List 1885 & 1895

The Rambler, a Catholic Journal. Vol 8, 1851. 

Memories of George Stevens, as recorded 1892.  

Copies of the Berkshire Chronicle 1827, Windsor & Eton Express 1827 & 1845, Reading Mercury 1845, South Bucks Standard 1892, Bucks Herald 1845, Bucks Advertiser and Aylesbury News 1848 from the British Library Archive, and accessed via the BNA. 

Petitions presented to Parliament 1827, Great Britain House of Commons, digitised by Google. 

The Tablet 1st August 1846. 

Hill, Rosemary, (2007) God's Architect - Pugin and the building of romantic Britain, Penguin 

 

Part 2 1820s Marlow Trade Directory

After exhaustive trawling of wills, property records, court cases, adverts etc I have put together a trade directory for Marlow in the 1820s. It will never be complete, especially for women who make less of a mark in surviving records, but it may be interesting to you anyway. For some of those listed the exact premises are known, and some of the traders have dedicated posts about them already on the blog. See the A-Z Person Index for any mention however small of any particular person or Biographies of Individuals for full length dedicated posts only.

This is ongoing work. I have lots more names to add.

Part one contained occupations Auctioneers to Insurance Agents alphabetically and is available here

Can't find your ancestor? Look at my 1820s Street Directory of Marlow. This lists for every street not just those with a known trade but anyone we have found as a tenant of land or property there but for whom no known trade has been identified.

Ironmongers

John Henry Badger. 1822+ High Street.

Lydia Lane, West Street. To death 1844. More on Lydia here.

Lace Makers

Samuel Washbourn (business owner). Probably Chapel Street, was later.

Lace Merchants

John Glover. Dean Street. 1822

Henry Lovegrove. West Street. From pre 1820s. In 1822 Henry was injured when his gig was run into by the Greenwich stage coach. He received £10 compensation for his injuries and the damage to his vehicle.  

Lawyers / Solicitors

Henry Allnutt. Died 1821. Keen amateur gardener whose detailed notebooks of his success and failures in his Marlow kitchen garden were used by grandson Henry to produce "A system for Cropping a Kitchen Garden" published 1867. 

Henry Goldsmith. Chapel Street. 1823. Started as clerk to Robert Goldsmith, in Marlow.

Ralph Spicer 1826 to after 1820s. Biographical post on him here.

Mr Wright. Pre 1820s. High Street 1822-29. Probably John.

Liquor Merchants

Charles Wethered. 1820+. High Street. Earlier described as a malster.

Malsters

Samuel Barnes. St Peter's Street.

James House. Medmenham.

Thomas Webb.

Millwrights

Charles Moss. 1828.

Papermakers

John Dell. Will proved 1821.

John Jacques.

Francis Pepper. From pre 1820s.

Joseph Wright. From pre 1820s.

Pawnbrokers

James Clark from at least 1806 to at least 1823.

Daniel Humphries 1821. Will written 1826. Also a substantial landlord. Market Place. Someone tried to sell him a stolen velveteen waistcoat in 1822.

Plumbers

Mr Cox. Market Square. 1826.

George Goldsmith. Dean Street. 1823.  In business to at least 1836 but not necessarily in Dean Street. 2. George Wilmer Goldsmith, plumber and glazier, died July 1834.  

John Rance Lovegrove. West Street. Also glazier. Pre 1820+. Died 1827. Will proved 1828. First wife was Susanna. Second was Henrietta. Third wife Harriet (all as per will). Business left to his son James Thomas Lovegrove who worked with him by 1823. John witnessed the will of fellow West Street resident William Sawyer. See  here. Will summary of John's daughter Mary is available here

Joshua Phillips. Little Marlow. Also Publican etc. See here

Postmaster 

James Field, also insurance agent. Also teacher, see schools below. Will here

"Publicans", Innkeepers, beer sellers etc - for more on all these pubs and publicans see our Pub Related Index of posts here NB publican as job description was not in common use at this time, it is included to aid modern readers. 

Thomas Archer. White Hart number 2 (Spittal Square) see Mary Fletcher below. 1823 to post 1820s. 

James Biddle. Unknown premises. 1826.

Thomas Bowen. Red Lion. 1823 to post 1820s.

William Bowles. Greyhound Inn. 1825. Greyhound landlord listing - here

William Bowles. Six Bells. 1823-24. Probably same as above.

Richard Clark. Jolly Maltsters. Dean Street. More here The name Clark has a very long pub / innkeeping heritage in Marlow. Later at Rose and Crown Dean Street.

William Clark. The Ship. West Street. 1823-24. Wife Ann.

Robert Collins. Victualler. Will 1826. Premises unknown.

William Cresswell. 1823 to post 1820s. Complete Angler/ The Angler(s), Angler Inn. Read more on him here

George Davis. The Chequers.High Street.

George Phelps Dell. Barge Pole, to into the 1830s. See the grave of him and some others of his family here

Mary Fletcher. White Hart number one (Chapel Street). To post 1820s. There were two White Hart pubs at the same time.

Richard Furnell. Upper Crown. Died on premises of a fit of apoplexy 1820.

John Green - at the Three Horseshoes, Burroughs Grove. 1826. More on him.and his family 

William Harding. Throughout period. Turks Head. High Street.  Also shoemaker.

George Hawkins. Two Brewers 1823. Wife Mary. This may be a mistake for John.

John Hawkins. Two Brewers. Died 1826. Wife Mary then ran.

Mary Hawkins (nee Hewett). Widow of John above. Two Brewers. 1826+. 

William Hoare. Three Horseshoes Gun Lane. 1823+

William Lloyd. The Roebuck, Causeway. 1823+ A man of the same name was a butcher. Probably not the same man though many beer sellers had other occupations at the same time.

Robert Mossenton. Greyhound Inn. Started 1819. Left 1825. Also a horse dealer. Went Uxbridge. Coach from his premises to and from London Piccadilly via Maidenhead. Only a five hour trip each way! For more than on this and other stagecoach services, see here

Joshua Phillips. Kings Arms, Little Marlow. See here.

John Pierce / Pearse. Coach and Horses. West Street. 1823+ There was another man who was a butcher with this name in town at the same time.

Richard Ruddle.1829. Was a few years later at the Hare and Hounds and was most likely already there in 1829 too. Earlier in the 1820s was described as a tallow Chandler.

William Sparkes. Black Boy.

Richard Westbrook. Upper Crown. 1823-24. Mr Westbrook 1826.

Robert White. The Swan. 1823.

Thomas Wyatt. Horns Inn. 1823 to post 1820s. Much more about him and his family here 

Rope Makers

Richard Gibbons. From at least 1822. Also Hemp and Flax Merchant. In the 1840s Gibbons of Marlow provided ropes for ringing the church bells at Hambledon on several occasions. Lived St Peter's Street. Also brewer etc 

John Muspratt. 1819+. Labourer rope spinner.

Saddlers 

Hackshaw and Son. (And harness makers) Thomas and John. Partnership dissolved 1821 (insolvent) West Street. Thomas provided ropes for ringing the bells of Hambledon church 13 times between 1803 - 1839. He may be the parish constable mentioned here. John was again insolvent 1823. See under harness makers for more on him.

Sawyers

Robert Rose. 1828+

Shoemakers - see Bootmakers and Cordwainers. 

School Teacher's see the Education section on the General Marlow History menu here for more on these schools and teachers.

Misses Bond. West Street. Perhaps Mary Ann and Elizabeth who were apprentice teachers early in the 1800s to Sophia Tylecote at Albion House set up their own school later.

George Cole. Day School for boys Chapel Street. 1812 to post 1820s.

William Faulkner. Great Marlow School at Prospect House. 1826 to post 1820s.

William Francis. Borlase.

James Field. High Street. Also post master. To post 1820s.

Misses Field. West Street. To post 1820s. Probably Matilda and her sister.

Mary Garland Lovegrove. 1829+. West Street. Day and boarding g school for girls. Her will on the blog and more on her here.

Misses Rolls. Brampton House. High Street. 1823 to post 1820s.

Henry Terry. Prospect House. 1823-26.

Servants (selected)

William Hackshaw. 1822.

Skewer Makers -more on this trade in Marlow here

Mr Robinson. 1829. (Business owner)

Mr Todd. 1829.

Stone Masons

Theophilus Clifford, High Street 1823 to post 1820s. Post on him here

Surgeons

Robert Colbourne. Started in town in 1823. Also apothecary. To post 1820s.

John Creighton. 1828. 

Henry Riggs Goodman.  1825-27 at least. By 1831 he was living in Portland Place Islington and was the Surgeon for an orphanage. Looks to have emigrated to Canada with his second wife shortly afterwards.

John Goodman, High Street 1823,24.

William Hickman. Pre 1820s to post 1820s. See here for more on him.

John Shaw. From pre 1820s. Will proved 1823. Also apothecary. High Street. See his grave and will summary here. Robert Colbourne takes over his practice. 

Robert Colbourne : see Shaw above. 

Tailors

James Allum. 1821.

William Allum. Through period to at least 1840s. High Street. A Mr Allum senior tailor died 1830. Perhaps a father to William?

Henry Clark, West Street 1823

Samuel Clark. West Street. To post 1820s.

Joseph Grey. 1824+. In High Street 1830s, may already have been.

William Massey. 1820.

Tallow Chandlers

John Gibbons. See Grocers above, same man. 

Mary Horniman. West Street. 1825.

Richard Ruddle. 1823. By 1829 was a publican at unknown premises and by 1833 ran the Hare and Hounds pub. 

Thatchers

William Higgins. Died 1829. Well End near Little Marlow. 

Tinplate Workers

William Harper. West Street. 1823.

Turners

George Ball. 1828.

James Ball. 1826.

George Bavin. 1825. Brother of William below.

William Bavin. Chair maker and publican later. See here

Henry Hawes. 1823+

James Pusey. To 1822.

Watchmakers

Mr Costar. Chapel Street. 1829. May be same as below.

John Coster. Chapel Street. 1821

Edward Jackson. West Street. Pre 1820s to 1823.

Wheelwrights

George Butler. 1820.

James Cox. 1826+ Probably working for Thomas below.

Thomas Cox. Oxford Road / Quoiting Square. To post 1820s.

Stephen East. 1823 to post 1820s. Was later in Spittal Street running the Wheelwrights Arms pub too.

John Green. Chapel Street.

Wine Merchants

Charles Wethered. High Street.  Earlier described as malster.

Wire Manufacturers

John Washbourn. Bankrupt 1822.

Wood Cutters

Francis Friar. 1827.

Related Posts:

Recreated 1600s trade directory Part One

Recreated 1700s trade directory here

Index of posts related to specific shops and businesses here

Call the Apothecary! here

 

To find every mention of a family or individual here, use the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

By Charlotte Day. Additional research Kathryn Day. 

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

Martha Cleobury

Martha Cleobury

Martha lived in Chapel Street Marlow by 1831 until her death at the age of 91 in 1848.

She was the widow of Stephen Cleobury who died in 1818. Presumably he was a relative of the Revd John Cleobury (d 1801) of Great Marlow and his wife Elizabeth who herself lived as a widow in Chapel Street in 1833.

Martha's 1848 death notice in the Oxford Chronicle calls her "highly respected and deeply lamented" while the Reading Mercury said that her death was "a cause of deep and universal regret" as her long life had been spent in piety, benevolence and other Christian values. Sounds like quite a lady!

Martha left a will in which the main beneficiaries were a host nieces and friends in Marlow. There is no mention of any children for Martha. Her death notice and census entries suggest a birth date for her for the 1760s. She married Stephen in 1802 at St Sepulchre's Newgate London. She was then Martha Beckett.

One of the nieces left a legacy was Susanna A'Bear who lived with Martha in 1841. She received a half share of Martha's table linen and sheets. Susannah was the daughter of Martha's sister Mary who had married Thomas A'Bear of Wargrave.

Two Marlow shopkeepers John Morris Senior the draper of the High Street [all about him and his family here]and James Bird Brooks of the Causeway were appointed executors of the will. John's son John Junior received a legacy of £19 19 shillings while James's daughter Amelia got £5.

The biggest legacy went to niece Ann Aveling wife of Edward who got £50 invested in stocks.

More Chapel Street related posts can be found listed on this menu

Post researched and written by Charlotte Day.

Sources:

Will of Martha Cleobury. PCC. Held at the National Archives and transcribed by me.

England Deaths and Burials, 1538-1991", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J8XF-G3T : 17 March 2020), Stephen Cleoburey, 1818.

1841 census England and Wales, transcribed from microfilm.

Pigotts Directory 1831 and 1844.

Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette 29th April 1848 and Reading Mercury 22nd April 1848. Copies held in the British Library Archives. Accessed via the BNA March 2021.

Parish registers, London Metropolitan Archives.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse this research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog and a link here so that the sources I list above remain credited for their input. Thanks.

Spade Oak Farm Occupiers and History

Updated September 2023

Spade Oak Farm near Bourne End. Address usually given as Little Marlow in historic sources. Part of the Westhorpe estate.

Sources for my farm occupation listings: adverts, property documents, census, court cases, wills etc.

Description:

Near the site of an old and once important riverside wharf. Farm house built 1600s. It has been speculated that the farm house was originally part of the buildings of the wharf. Mixed farm.

1860= 265 acres. 1881=324 acres. 1917= 157 acres -then described as dairy or animal farm but most earlier descriptions show it to be a mixed farm. With 2 worker cottages and farm house 1917.

Known occupiers (who did not necessarily own it) and history timeline:

Dates next to a name are for when I can find reference to a person being there- that person may have occupied the farm earlier or later too.

1818 Edward Sawyer. Leaving that year and selling up- hay, clover, cows, cart houses, sheep all for sale as a result.

1829-32 Mr Horwood. In 1832 it is stated that Mr Norwood had lost 3 employees through accident in the last few years, the most recent Joseph Boddy who was run over and killed by the cart and team he was driving near Cores End. 

1835 John Bunce. Leaving that year

1841- probably Robert Morris brother of William Morris Junior below.

1851-71 Willam Morris [Junior born circa 1799, his father William Morris Senior who died in 1856 was also a farmer at Little Marlow in 1851 though apparently in his 90s!]. Wife Ann. In 1848 William Boddy and Edward Munro transported for stealing a ram from a William Morris but is that him or William Senior? The date is earlier than William Junior's known presence at the farm. 

William Junior's sons Stephen, Charles and William all worked for their parents at least at times but son Charles below seems main partner in the farm and by 1863 is the listed main occupier. In William 1851 employed 16 people on the farm. In 1860, two employees of Morris were due to be married after which it seems they had intended to leave his service. Unfortunately they helped themselves to a leaving gift of a great number of articles from the house and farm which were subsequently found on them. Edward Hodges and Elizabeth Stone plead guilty and were sentenced to 3 months each in solitary confinement at Aylesbury Gaol. 

1860-71 Charles Morris son of the above, working alongside his father at first but from at least 1863 it is his name that appears as the main occupier of the farm. Offered Summer pasture and rest for hunt or hacking horses. Possibly went bankrupt 1873. 

1876- 1881 Joseph Elliott. He was a churchwarden so his fields were used several times for picnics and fun events for Sunday School children. In 1881 sold off farm stock as his lease had expired. Wife Catherine. Note their son Edward Elliott also farmer at  Spade Oak Farm by 1878. 

1881- farm to let. Had been used for corn and sheep.

1882-95 Arthur Dyson. In 1886 his employee John Smith was convicted of stealing 6 eggs from him. Arthur was one of the Little Marlow parish councillors. Sadly he also organised hare coursing meetings.

1895 Mrs Dyson. Sold off her stock that year.

1896- William White worker there taken suddenly ill in field and died. Worked for Mr Roberts.

1899- 1907 Thomas Roberts. He died 1907 age 70. His meadow used for a ladies versus gents cricket match in 1900- with the men having to wear skirts too when they had to run. Sons John and G. Percy already involved in running the farm before his death.

1906-1921 at least John Roberts and G. Percy Roberts (tenants) operating as Roberts Brothers. Dairy farmers. Also let rooms to holiday makers in the Summer. Farm bought by Robert Burroughs 1917. A Richard Burrough qv is listed at the farm 1920. 

1939- Ralph Burroughs.

Post about Spade Oak ferryman William Round here.

To search for all mentions of any person on the blog use the Person Index option on the menu. Thousands of people are mentioned. Go to the Nearby Places option to see what else we have on the Spade Oak or Little Marlow area.

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

Morris The Drapers

John Morris started his business as a linen and woolen draper on these premises (bow windowed part) in 1809. He took his son, also called John into business as a partner in 1833. That year the premises consisted of a house, yard, storehouse and garden and were assessed as having an annual value of 

£20. The shop would of course in those days have just been part of the house.

The next year a William Harrison got two months in jail for picking the pocket of John Morris and making off with a handkerchief. Whether the victim was John Junior or Senior the records do not say.

In 1839 the duo took out an ad in the Reading Mercury telling us they are in full not only linen and woolen drapers, but silk mercers, haberdashers, hatters, hosiers and makers of thread lace. They sold sundry items like blankets, sheets and cloths as well as fancier items, not to mention a large selection of mourning items.

John Senior died in 1843. His will which was written two years earlier left £19 19 shillings to his servant Elizabeth Middleton who had been with him since at least the time of the 1841 census. His live - in shopman Thomas Watson received £40. The will also tells us that his recently widowed niece Frances was the widow of George Davis late publican of the Chequers Inn right next door to the Morris's premises. Other legacies went to his widowed sisters and to his son John Junior.

Interestingly, the shopman Thomas Watson was also a beerseller in West Street when he wasn't in the shop. He should not under the law have lived off premises, and is censused at the pub. Earlier Thomas is given as first a grocer (1833-35) and then draper's assistant so it may mean that his employer meant to say "former live in assistant" in the will or that Thomas was spending some time living in at the drapers because John Senior was ailing despite the risk to Thomas's beer license in so doing.

John Junior decided not to continue with the drapery business in Marlow and he out it up for sale in 1844. He eventually moved to Clayton Cottage at Bourne End/ Wooburn where he died. By then he had married. His own will tells us that prior to their marriage he and his wife Margaret [née Washbourn] had had two illegitimate daughters Claudia and Alice, the latter of whom had not been baptised at the age of 5. There was also a son John Walker Morris.

John Junior received a legacy of £19 19 shillings from the 1848 proved will of 91 year old Martha Cleobury of Chapel Street. His father had been appointed one of the will's executors but died before the testator.

Margaret Morris returned as a widow to live in the Marlow High Street property. She earned a living from rental properties in the town and from taking in lodgers. Claudia never married and became a governess. She appears on the 1861 census away at school as a pupil herself in Lambeth. Alice worked as as a music teacher. In following a course in the sphere of education these women were part of a long tradition in their mother's Washbourn family. For information on the school ran by their aunts in Marlow see our Schools post. 

Photo and research by Charlotte Day

Photo taken January 2021.

I determine historic occupancy of buildings by cross referencing multiple sources including wills, censuses, property records, photographs historic advertisements etc. For some buildings in Marlow I can determine occupancy back into the 1700s. I will post photos and information here as and when I can.

Related Posts:

To find every mention of an individual or family here see the A-Z person index in the top drop down menu. 

To find out about other historic shops and businesses see: here

For recreated trade directories for the 1600-1800s Great Marlow, and posts about everyday life in old Marlow see the index here

Additional sources:

1833 Parochial Assessment notebooks. Original record held by my family and transcribed by me.

Will of John Morris 1843 and John Morris 1849. Both PCC wills held at the National Archives and transcribed by me.

Will of Martha Cleobury. Transcribed by me, as above.

1841 census transcribed from microfilm by Jane Pullinger.

1861 census from Familysearch website ran by the LDS (Intellectual Reserve Inc) accessed March 2021.

Reading Mercury 1st April 1833 and 12th October 1839. Copies held at the British Library Archives library. Accessed via the BNA March 2021.

South Bucks Standard December 3rd 1897 [Margaret's obituary], as above.

Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette  24th November 1849, as above.

Kelly's Post Office Directory of Buckinghamshire 1854 published by Kelly's Directories Limited. From Leicester University Archives.

GRO Death Registration Index, online.

© Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this image or research for family history purposes if you credit this blog and link here so that my sources do not lose credit for the information they provided. Thanks.

 
 

Widmere Farm Occupiers- Child Labour And Tragic Carters

 Widmere Farm, Marlow is on the site of the former Widmere Manor and contains remains of an ancient chapel. My concern here however is the use of Widmere as a farm. Aka Widmer, Widmore

WIDMERE

1747- Daniel Moore bought the manor of Widmere including the farm but he did not himself farm. He was a merchant and M.P who was not that often actually in Marlow.

1793- 1822. Thomas Oxlade. Also had Munday Dean Farm. Some of the land in 1811 seems to have been used by Joseph Webb.

1829- John Webb late of Widmere Farm died.

1833-37 John Lovegrove. Described in 1847 as a man "proverbial for his laconic and good humoured face" and in 1835 as that "most respected agriculturist". On his way home of an evening from Wycombe Market in 1835 was set upon by four men, dragged off his horse, bludgeoned about the head and robbed of £32 plus a few personal items. 3 men arrested at St Albans. [Bucks Gazette 13th June 1835. British Library]. In 1833 the farm was 361 acres and owned by William Clayton though occupied by John. He subsequently moved to Beckings Farm, Marlow. In 1842, Mrs Lovegrove has her arm broken in two places when she is thrown from her pony chaise on the way back from Windsor. Her friend also in the chaise has slight injuries. The pony had shied at an unknown sight. John went on to run the Kings Head, Wycombe but was declared an insolvent debtor in 1847. At this point he was living in Stoke Row but his wife and family were said to still reside in Wycombe where they had continued at the Kings Head for a while. 

1843 James and Richard Lovegrove selling up the farm stock.  In 1833 Richard was at Beckings Farm instead.

1843-49 Richard King. He died 1849. Moved from Chisbridge Cross Farm. Also had Burford Farm Marlow Bottom 1843-1849 but resided Widmere. In 1843 hosted a ploughing match on the farm. Turnips stolen from his field 1844. In 1848 his employee Levi Silvery / Silvey won a prize for being an industrious worker. Such prizes were given out at regular intervals by agricultural associations[Bucks Herald 11th November 1848, Via the BNA].

1849-51 Mrs Sarah King. Her employee in husbandry Frederick Tilbury was convicted of misconduct in his job and fined 18s including costs in 1850. She retired by 1860 and her son Thomas (see below) took over. She continued to live with him. She also had Burford Farm after his death until 1851. The 1857 wedding of Miss Sarah King of Widmere to Mr J Blakemore of Birmingham at All Saints was described by the Windsor & Eton Express as a "grand and inspiring" bridal ceremony that was "never excelled, if equalled, in this town." The entrance to the church was decorated with ivy. So many people turned up to observe the arrival of the 7 carriage bridal party at the church that not only the church was filled to bursting, but the churchyard too. 

1858- 91 Thomas King. He also had Copy Farm, Copy Green. Marlow churchwarden. Married Frances Hewett of Swallowfield Berkshire. In 1858 a seven year old child George Harris employed by Thomas was admonished but not further punished by the magistrates for setting a fire to keep himself warm and in the process accidentally setting fire to some hay. George was still working for Thomas King as a teen. In 1871 employee Charles Bradfield was killed instantly after being crushed by a runaway cart on the farm. He was only 27 years old and a father of 3 small children. His widow Fanny married Charles Lee two years later.

Thomas was farming a total of 400 acres 1861 with 20 staff. In 1881 had a total of 565 acres. Marlow churchwarden. 

Early in 1891 Thomas died so the farm stock was sold off and the farm put up to let. Farm then 360 acres arable with 2 worker cottages and a farm house. Wheat, oats, barley, beans and peas grown on the farm. It seems that not long before his death he had moved to a farm in White Waltham and was winding down his Marlow farm.

1900-1920+ David White and sons. Raised pigs and dairy stock. One son John White. Another son Thomas married Florence Morris whose family had Cressex Farm near High Wycombe.  A David White was also  at Seymour Court Farm in the early 1900s I am uncertain if this is the same man. Occupying multiple farms at once was not uncommon in this period. David White & Sons were certainly at Seymour Court Farm in 1920. 

1939 - William Arthur White. 

End of period blog deals with. 

***

Ongoing research. I will update as I sift my old notes.

Dates next to a name are when I have found evidence of a person occupying the farm. They may have been there earlier or later too.

Farm occupants are determined by me from property records, court cases, wills, letters, censuses, adverts and more.

To find other farm posts use the "Specific Shops, Streets Etc" menu  here and to seek any individual use the Person Index option on the top drop down menu. This blog contains mention of thousands of people!

©Marlow Ancestors. You can use my research for family or local history purposes with credit to this blog and a link here. Thanks.

Will Summary Elizabeth Ollis 1830

 Elizabeth Ollis. Will proved 1830. 

Note: Elizabeth was landlady of the Three Tuns Inn in West Street, having taken over from her deceased husband who died in 1808. She was nee Spicer. James Crease of Marlow left her £50 in his will proved 1804. Their relationship is unknown.

Elizabeth says she on good health and has a sound mind.

Confirms will of her husband Thomas, asking her executors to follow the instructions therein as to what should happen after her decease to property left to her for the term of her life.

After that has happened and her debts and funeral expenses have been paid all her property is to be sold off. The money raised to go to her 3 sisters: Ann Beaver the wife of Thomas, Susan Muspratt who is a widow and Dinah Spicer who is single. If any sister dies before they get their legacy their children to get their share. If sister Dinah marries only children born to her, not stepchildren already belonging to the man she marries are to be included in this.

Executors Mr John Morris of Great Marlow, draper [High Street premises, more on him and his family here] and Mr John Muspratt of Great Marlow.

Elizabeth made a mark rather than sign the will.

Witnessed by John Allnutt and Joseph Tyler of Great Marlow [Joseph was a fellow West Street resident].

Will of Thomas Ollis here

Historic list of Three Tuns landlords here

To find other wills see under Will Transcriptions on the menu. Use the Person Index for all mentions of someone on this blog and Pub Related for more posts related to that industry in Marlow history.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to reuse my will transcription  summary and notes if you credit this blog.

The will is at the National Archives Kew if you want to read it .

Canon Bernard Smith *Updated July 2026*

 Above: A tablet set into St Peter's church reads-

"Outside of this church was restored 1904 in memory of Bernard Canon Smith."

Bernard died in 1903 aged 88. He was believed at the time of his death to be the oldest serving Catholic priest in England. He had been at Marlow for 50 years.

He was born to an Anglican family in Great Ponton, Lincolnshire where his father was the rector. He was given the Anglican living at Leadenham near Lincoln in 1839 but resigned and joined the Catholic church in 1842/3. For an ordained minister to "go over to Rome" was horrifying to some and a malicious (or hopeful) letter was sent anonymously to the Morning Advertiser newspaper saying reports that Bernard had resigned and converted was a lie put about by "dishonest Catholics". Bernard quickly wrote to the paper to refute this. 

In 1845 he was ordained as a priest after studying under Dr Wiseman at  Oscott college at which place he was subsequently granted a professorship. In 1853 Bernard  came to Marlow to take over from John Morris who was also a Catholic convert. He later said that his first impulse on arriving here was to not get out of the carriage and go straight away again. Quite why his first impression was so so daunting I'm not too sure! 

Bernard's friend R. W Sibthorpe visited him at Marlow in 1865 and wrote to a mutual friend of the visit "I found Smith grown considerably stout but as usual very cheerful, very kind and giving me a hearty welcome." Bernard's church he said was "perfection of its kind..beautifully kept" with a congregation of about 180. The letter also mentions that attending one of the two schools* attached to the church was two younger brothers of the Marquess of Queensbury, whose mother had converted to Catholicism. Mr Morris said that this was not popular with the Marquess or the boys' guardian and so Bernard had always to be on the alert for a potential abduction of the boys!

Another friend of Bernard was the dramatist Charles Reade. Bernard also helped Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin with translations when Pugin was working on his Glossary of Ecclesiastical Ornaments and Costume, a work Bernard later revised and enlarged. Pugin was friends with Bernard prior to the latter joining the Catholic Church to which Pugin already belonged. When he learnt that Bernard had converted he wrote of his joy and of that fact that he had long suspected things were "going that way" with him.

Pugin had worked on Bernard's church in Leadenham, something which was not very popular with some who thought the finished style too decorative and suspiciously Catholic in tone. Bernard had already made changes to the church interior that were reminiscent of more opulent Catholic church interiors - as considered at the time. For example he had a Sanctuary painted blue with gold stars and introducing a processional crucifix, church candles, and an altar cross. The local gentry were quick to air their distain for this and Bernard felt unsupported by his church superiors in dealing with their anger. (He had aligned himself to the Tractarian or Oxford movement.)

After he left his position those changes in Leadenham that could be easily reversed were so. Bernard had been reciting some prayers in Latin too, so objections of his congregation were more than  about cosmetics. 

The living at Leadenham was in the presentation of his mother Justina who must have had some difficult conversations with parishioners when Bernard converted.

Leadenham's loss however would become Marlow's gain.

Working in any church doesn't give someone too many leisure hours but when he did get some free time Bernard could indulge his hobby of being a butterfly fancier, logging any unusual specimens that fluttered through Marlow and breeding his own butterflies at home. Some mulberry trees in the garden, covered with light muslin protected some of the grubs he raised. He was ever ready to swap knowledge or pupae with others interested in the creatures or to invite people to see his collection. And that's the thing about Canon Smith- he was generous and friendly to all. Every single mention of him I have read says this. His collection of butterflies and moths was regarded by many as the finest in private hands in the country - and indeed better than many held by natural history institutions. A visitor to his home mentioned that every inch was stuffed with display cases, specimen boxes and the like - making it at times somewhat difficult to navigate! 

His death triggered an outpouring of letters and other tributes to him in the press and journals and his funeral was conspicuously attended by those from all denominations. He was known to give charitable and friendly support to anyone in Marlow he heard needed it without asking or caring what denomination they were.

He was also a keen gardener and liked to visit his parishioners gardens to swap tips and plants. Bernard was knowledgeable about very many subjects in fact. When he first arrived in Marlow he'd spent time correcting classical texts for the publishers Longman, and others. He also tutored young men seeking to enter universities such as Oxford. He was regarded as an authority on Latin translations and liked to fill the time between Sunday Mass and lunch by reading some Virgil in the garden. 

  

Father Bernard had early in his days in Marlow suffered vocal abuse from a minority who could not abide the renewed presence of a Catholic church in the town. The fact that he was a well publicised convert probably did not help matters. It is a credit to him that it was said that some of those same abusers would later be sincere mourners at Bernard's funeral due to his kindness to them when they were in need. Bernard himself recalled the anti Catholic prejudice that he himself had entertained as a younger man. As an Oxford undergraduate he said he had made his mind up not to befriend any Catholics in the future and to end friendships with any who introduced a Catholic to him! As a child he had in his own words, been  "thoroughly imbued with the deepest prejudice" and "very slowly and unwillingly did I give up my cherished prejudices".  Perhaps this experience helped him to "turn the other cheek" more effectively when the tables were turned. (He would not have expected to find a Catholic at the university itself, they were barred by means of a religious examination from entering Oxford at this time.)  When the 50th anniversary came around of his ordination in to the Catholic priesthood a presentation of a bag of gold coins was made to him. The subscribers that paid for this included members of the other churches in the town - how times had changed! 

Bernard's habit in his younger days of riding a donkey up to and into the church at Easter was also said to have endeared him to some, as an amusing eccentric. This was actually something occasionally done in other churches in England but presumably not locally as the sight was sufficiently novel for parties of High Wycombe chair makers to make a special journey to Marlow to watch it every year. Some of these came initially to mock (mounting the donkey wasn't too easy for Bernard as he was a rather hefty man) but he took it in good spirit and that won them over. (You can read about other Easter, and May Day traditions in Marlow here)

Father Bernard died in 1903 at the Presbytery. Ill health in the last few years had finally meant he consented to the employment of a helper at Marlow in the form of curate the Rev James Purcell. He was too physically  weak to take an active part in services in the final year of his life but his home and counsel remained available to his parishioners to the end. It was said that the Father had become almost beggared by the extent of his generosity in his later years. He was certainly sorely missed by the poor in particular - of all denominations. Among the final compliments paid to this long standing priest by the local press was to his "genial and unassuming kindness to all" and  to his "quiet life of unassuming piety". 

*There was a private upper school for fee paying pupils (girls and kindergarten) and a mixed ordinary school.

Bernard's grave at St Peter's Church, Marlow.

Researched and written by Charlotte Day. Photos and additional research  by Kathryn, who updated it July 2026

Related Posts

Early history of St Peters Church including anti Catholic prejudice here

Menu of posts related to the churches and chapels of Marlow here

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©Marlow Ancestors. You are welcome to use this content for family or local history with credit to this blog and a link here so the sources I list below remain credited too. Thanks.

Sources:

Maidenhead Advertiser 28th October 1903 and Essex Standard 14th June 1839. Copies held British Library and accessed by me via their partnership with the BNA 

The Entomologists Journal and Record of Variation. Vol 15. Ed by James William Tutt. Digitized by Google.

Recollections of A.N Welby Pugin And His Father Augustus Pugin by Benjamin Ferrey and Edmund Sheridan Purcell. 1861. Published by E Stanford.

A Register Of The Presidents, Fellows, Demies, Instructors In Grammar And Music, Chaplains, Clerks, Choristers And Other Members Of St Mary Magdalene College In The University Of Oxford From The Foundation Of The College To The Present Time. By John Rouse Bloxam. Published by W Graham 1881, Oxford. This contains the letter about the 1865 visit to Smith.

Census as transcribed by me from microfilm.

The Bengal Catholic Herald 1843, Volume 4. Digitized by Google.

The Life of Cardinal Wiseman - Wilfred Ward (1902 edition)

Letter dated June 25th 1878 from Canon Bernard Smith to his flock on the occasion of his silver jubilee in charge at Marlow.

The Tablet. (1878). United Kingdom: Tablet Publishing Company.

Bencombe Farm, Marlow Bottom

 

Description: 1944 = mixed farm with farmhouse and two staff cottages. Modern: used as a brewery.

Historic Occupiers=

1883= Edward Batt Curteis. He had moved to Shottesbrook Berkshire by 1886.

1887-1908= James Chilton. Kept pigs and poultry as well as cows and grew walnuts, peas, swedes and turnips as crops. In 1888 a cart his young employee was driving in Marlow High Street ran out of control and damaged some shop fronts. James and his wife hosted the children of the Marlow Baptist Sunday School for tea and fun at the farm in 1889. Wife Elizabeth, as was traditional on farms, was the one who raised the poultry. Two of her birds were stolen from her in 1898 by William Clark who was jailed for 14 days with hard labour as a result [Reading Mercury, 8th Jan 1898, British Library]. Thefts of crops from the fields of Bencombe Farm and other Marlow Bottom premises happened regularly as it was then a quiet spot. Farm suffered a reasonable fire in 1905, and another rick fire the next year which was put down to arson. In 1907 James was convicted of employing underage Charles Cooper on the farm. Sold up his farm stock and house stuff across the years 1907-1908 as he was retiring.

1909-1927= Abel Dell. Wife Alice (née Warner, married St George's Hanover Square London 1889). Abel was a many times prize winning raiser of beef herds. Also dairy. In 1912 he bought at an auction at Henley Town Hall a cow forcibly sold off to pay the withheld taxes of Suffragette campaigner Miss Lalacheur. The event was disrupted by Suffragette protesters outside and inside the Town Hall [Henley and South Oxford Standard 3rd May 1912, British Library]. Abel was also at Hill Farm Marlow 1899-1908, at least. He went bankrupt in 1927 and died in 1935. Alice died in 1936.

1938-39 at least= Morris, Dell and Co. Richard Dell born circa 1890  lived in. The farmhouse also acted as a boarding house at this point. Only one cottage seems to have then been in use for staff. It was occupied by Alfred Gomme and his wife Ethel plus more lodgers.

1958 in use as a poultry and turkey farm.

Researched by Charlotte Day.

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©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use this research for family or local history purposes if you credit this blog and link here.

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