Gravestones in Holy Trinity Church Great Marlow

William Shorter d 1900 and Rebecca Shorter

William Higgins d May 1896 aged 77. Above. Formerly ran barges up to London but had become incompacitated 7 years before his death. He lived at death in Chapel Street with his wife and daughter. 

Mary Jane Langdon, d Sept 6 1906 aged 55,  wife of John Richard Langdon. Also their son Albert, died 23 Feb 1919 age 32, after serving with the Royal Engineers in Gallipoli and France. 

 

Sarah Everest d Aug 12th 1907, age 70. Above. 

James Gibson, d July 3, 1892 at Chapel Str aged ? years,  also Thomas Gibson his brother d Feb 14th 192? Above

Hannah Blizard d June 2nd 1896, age 70. And Mary Ann Blizard, wife of William, d Sept 14th 1910, age 82.  

Both ladies were from Hampshire originally. Hannah was not married, though as a businessman was sometimes referred to with the respectful title "Mrs". She ran a "fancy goods repository" selling largely toys and sweets in West Street. She suffered a horrific death after her clothes caught fire at her West Street home*. After this tragedy her niece Ruth (nee Blizzard but by marriage North) and Ruth's husband James North took over the business. They brought Mary Ann Blizzard, Ruth's widowed mother with them to Marlow. The William referred to on the grave had been dead a long time by then and is buried Hampshire. 

A post focusing on Ruth North née Blizzard is here and see also this post

 

Anthony Hood, d November 26th 1899 age 63 Above

William Mathews Oct 6, 1916 age 84. Also his wife Maria, d. Jan 7th 1911 age 85. Also his only daughter Annie died age 11, Sept 16th 1875. Above

William Maslin July 19 1896 age 38, Above

? Barksfield. D ? May 1909 age 37 Above

Eliza House d 20 April 1900 age 70, Above

Rebecca Salmon July 1st 1897, Above

Eliza Ann Birdseye, d November 20 1904 aged 79?

And husband John Birdseye d Dec 26 1917 age 87, Above

 As above

Above two photos, Aubrey Montague, not dated.  

Edward, dearly beloved husband of Mary Jane Swadling died 15 Oct 19?? Age 38. Above. 

A selection of gravestones, many from this graveyard have been lost in recent years, with some other graves in poor condition as happens with the passage of time. Photographs from September 2020.

* South Bucks Standard 5th June 1896. Copy held at the British Library and accessed online by me October 2020 via the BNA.

©Marlow Ancestors. Reproduction of images permitted with credit and link here.

Wills of James Field and Sarah Field of Great Marlow

James Field, will proved 1849. (Age 74) 

Postmaster.

After all debts and funeral expenses paid everything to his dear wife Sarah. She sole executor.

Witnessed by Robert Footitt, druggist of Great Marlow and Henry Salmon, ironworker [he also was of Marlow. Ironmongers shop in High Street].

Sarah Field, will proved 1855.

Says she of sound mind.

£100 each to nephew William James Caffall, niece Sarah Ann Caffall and niece Ellen Crake. [I believe Sarah Ann Caffall was née Crake].

£5 each for the purchase of mourning to Robert, Ellen, Henry and Anne Caffall. The relationship Sarah had to them is not given.

Rest of property to nephew William Crake who is the executor of the will.

Witnessed by Robert Colbourne, surgeon and James Low [two Marlow men].

For some reason Robert Colbourne was asked when it came to the probate court to give an affidavit that the signature on the will was Sarah's. He said he witnessed the signature. 

Notes:

James was 74 years old when he died. The Reading Mercury reported 12th May 1849 [accessed November 2020 from the British Newspaper Archive. Original copy held by the British Library] how the shops in Marlow closed for the day as a mark of respect on the day of his funeral. The postmaster general was an important person in town. James who had been postmaster since at least 1829 was replaced by William Tyler. James was also a tailor and ran a school on his premised so he was a busy man!

The post office premises were in the High Street in Field's day. James and Sarah lived on site. Robert Footitt's chemist shop was then on the other side of the road. 

Read more about Marlow post services in the Fields day - here and their school here

I transcribed these wills which I obtained from the National Archives and then summarized them here. 

All mentions of an individual on this blog can be found on the Person Index.

More wills can be found under the Will Transcriptions option on the menu.

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