Edwardian Spittal Street and Spittal Square Part Two

EVEN NUMBERED PROPERTIES SPITTAL STREET.

Note: Our Marlow ancestors were terrible at giving precise or consistent street addresses for themselves or others, knowing exactly what number they lived at (!), and the authorities made some confusing even bizarre property numbering decisions (don't get us started on Berwick Road... ). Some properties in Market Square at the bottom of Spittal Street were officially numbered as if in Spittal Street and would be described as being in Market Square or Spittal Street depending on the whim of the describer. They are included here. Properties in Spittal Square were also numbered as if in Spittal Street. Most of those were given even numbers. Throughout history Spittal Street and Chapel Street which run into one another were repeatedly confused. Never believe any property is definitely in one street rather than the other without multiple pieces of evidence!

***Edwardian building numbers are not necessarily those of the modern day*** Several of the properties mentioned below no longer exist.

In this post I follow the popular perception of the "Edwardian age" as extending 1901-1914. Some incidents in the earlier lives of the named residents are also included. Spittal Square addresses are very sloppy and reconstructing this street was tough.  If anyone has been missed we hope to remedy that as soon as possible.

2 - 4 George Dorsett's grocery shop. Really in Market Square but numbered as Spittal Street at this time. Bacon curer too. 

6 - 8 William Fisher's butcher's shop. Managed in a day to day basis by Frank Fisher from 1905 but William still in charge of the business overall. William was involved in an accident in 1910 when his horse drawn trap was in collision in the High Street with another vehicle and he was thrown out of it. William was much injured but fortunately had no broken bones. In the Edwardian era William supplied meat and groceries to the Union workhouse school in Bledlow Bucks which took children from Marlow and elsewhere. The quality of the meat he provided was questioned more than once. It has be said that the premises of William were considered a continuous serious health hazard by his Spittal Street neighbours and he was multiple times in court over sanitary breaches. The details are somewhat stomach churning and as you may have recently eaten we'll just draw a veil over the details. Like many butchers he kept some animals for slaughter - mostly pigs- out the back of his premises. In the Victorian era he had kept a stall at Marlow market too but it isn't clear whether he was still doing that in this era. By the end of the Edwardian age William no longer lived on the premises of his shop, but in Glade Road. His wife Elizabeth was nee Webb of the Webb of Field House Marlow family. William himself came from Aylesbury originally.

Premises on the edge of Market Square.

10  Sometimes given as Market Square but numbered as Spittal Street. Shop of Thomas "Tom" Rippington (bn 1879) fishmonger in 1907 and 1908. He also dealt in game and poultry. Smoked haddock a speciality! He was an assistant fishmonger on the 1901 census so must have come into his own business after that. Thomas is not to be confused with his dad Thomas Rippington of nearby Chapel Street who was not a fishmonger but a shorthand writer and marine store dealer. Tom and his wife Ruth moved to Great Missenden in late 1910 or 11 and his former Marlow premises were taken over by Nelson and Sons butchers. 

12 Sydney Smith's greengrocers. Members of this family continued the shop there for some years.

14 - 16 Bernal Harman chemist until his death in 1906 when his son Henry "Harry" Harman took over. A full biography of both Bernal and his son is already on the blog here. Long term chemist premises. 

18 William Smith, draper's shop. Wife Martha Jane ("Jane") born circa 1853 Maidenhead but William was a Londoner of origin. He was one of Marlow's volunteer firemen. Martha died after what was said to be a long and painful illness in 1908 at their home The Garth, Beaumont Rise. William continued to live at The Garth as a widower with his children Herbert and Dora. (Currently a greengrocer & sweet shop) 

Advert, 1905. 

20 Ironmongery ran by George Meakes until his death in 1903. Assisted by John Eddowes who then took over. A biographical post on these two is already on the blog here. Currently M&S food. 

22 - 24 Arthur Barnard's stores which were built at the very end of the Edwardian era. He already has a biography on the blog here where you will also find information about his two other shops. Prior to that three very small cottages stood on the site. Those properties were previously occupied by Thomas Andrews the hairdresser (wife Elizabeth), H Carter and the Steele family headed by William and Rosanna "Rose" Steele. William was a french polisher on his own account. His and Rosanna's son Sydney died of wounds he received while fighting in the First World War at Salonika. The Steele family previously lived at Bovingdon Green but had to leave when their thatched cottage burned to the ground. It was thought a spark from their fire of furze ignited the thatch. No one in the family was hurt and the family's possessions were saved. A lack of available water for the fire brigade and the fact the road from Marlow was so bad that the fire engine got stuck had contributed to the fire's destruction of their home. Using furze for fire would have been common at Bovingdon Green and Marlow Common as it could be gathered easily in the vicinity. Currently Marlow Bookshop. 

26 - 30 The Greyhound. For the Edwardian and other landlords of this historic  inn / hotel see here. (Demolished) 

32 Jacob's family home & store. Ralph Jacobs was a "marine store" dealer - that is a seller of secondhand items that would largely be of interest to those in trade or craft occupations (e.g carpentry tools or lead piping). They also traded in secondhand items a householder might use for gardening or home maintenance tasks. Examples of such items would be cloths  that could be used for cleaning, slop pails and garden tools. He later also operated as a rag and bone man and offered shoe repairs. His shop was at 32 but he also kept a storeroom for larger items in Duke's Place. His sons John and Ernest both helped in the business. Sadly Ernest was killed in action while fighting in the First World War. The mum in the family was Emily Margaret. This property no longer exists. In the first world war the Jacobs collected many items for the war effort. Demolished. 

34 Over the Edwardian period George Dean boot and shoe maker and Ellen White needlewoman both occupied this cottage at different times. This property no longer exists. The cottage was a very old one that had in Georgian and Victorian times been a grocer's shop. To read about the grocers who operated from no 34 in the 1800s see here (Eagle Family) or here (East and Harriman). The latter post contains some upsetting content. Demolished. 

36 - 38 a largish property divided up in several ways. Wiggington family premises for many years. Robert Wiggington the coal dealer with a sideline in timber dealing operated from here as apparently did George Aughton a timber dealer who had a sideline in coal. George was also later recorded as a greengrocer and haulage contractor. Robert Wiggington died unexpectedly while out on his coal van in 1915. The property incorporated a shop (officially 38) which was ran as a general shop in the Edwardian era by Miss Emma Glynn Jones the Wiggington's granddaughter and later by George Aughton's wife Charlotte. This property no longer exists in any way.

40 - by the 1920s incorporated into number 38. This property no longer exists. In 1915 just after our era R Hawkes.

42 -cottage considered unfit for human habitation in 1907, owned by a Mr Collins. Probably lived in then by Mr J Edwards. This property no longer exists. 

44 cottage considered unfit for human habitation in 1907, owned by a Mr Collins. Probably lived in then by Mrs Young. Must have been refurbished as in 1915 just after our era no 44 was lived in by Walter Tew. This property no longer exists.

46 The Cross Keys SPITTAL SQUARE properly. Historic landlords listing here

48 at the end of this era the home of John Baxter. In earlier Edwardian times it was George Baxter, "wardrobe dealer" (that was a second hand furniture dealer not just selling wardrobes) who lived here.  SPITTAL SQUARE. Note the Rippington's wardrobe dealers was at no 2 Chapel Street next to the Cross Keys. Due to the bizarreness of the street numbering no 48 Spittal Square was actually on the opposite side of the street from the Cross Keys at no 46 which from bare numbering you would think would be next to it.

50 the home of widow Mary Ann Walker embroiderer at the start of the Edwardian era. She lived there with her niece Miss Mary Ann Stockbridge born 1857, who was a maker of embroidered baby bibs for her aunt's business, and then following her own death on her own account. Both women were beneficiaries of the will of Mary Ann Walker's husband Henry (who ran the baby linen and bib manufacturing business with his wife) following his death of bronchitis in 1894. The family had occupied this property since at least the 1870s. The Walkers employed many women in the town as embroiderers. Henry had spent his youth in the army, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant, not an easy thing for an ordinary man to do in those days. During his time serving in India he was part of the force which seized the famed Koh I Noor diamond and fought against the Indian Mutiny. After he left the armed services in 1864 he returned to Marlow, married and set up the embroidery business with his wife. SPITTAL SQUARE.

52-54 bakery of Walter Harris (also confectioner) and then Mr W Clark. SPITTAL SQUARE.

56 Mrs Mary Holland seamstress, self-employed. SPITTAL SQUARE.

58  John Birdseye. Baker there since at least the early 1890s. Spittal Square. He was in the same block of 4 properties as Frank Harvey the chimney sweep see above, so was an even number. John was born circa 1831 in Chesham. His wife Eliza was of Marlow origin. She died in 1904 and so late in the era as a retired widower John went to live with his daughter Sarah and son in law James Gray (a grocer and rent collector) at the impressive house Thamesfield near the river. Back in 1897 when Queen Victoria's jubilee was being celebrated in Marlow John put on an unusual public display when he exhibited some bread and cakes which he had made for the 1887 Jubilee, 10 years previously still in very good condition! John as a younger man served as a parish constable. The graves of Eliza and John are on the blog here. Both were members of the Baptist Church in Marlow and helped to raise money for its Glade Road building. Their daughter Sarah was a Congregational Chapel member.

When John Birdseye retired Edward Harvey baker and confectioner (wife Alice nee Barnes) took over. Early in the Edwardian era John sold bread and beer in nearby Chapel Street. They lived York Road.  Harvey's bakers was in operation for many years and was fondly remembered by many people. This property no longer exists. SPITTAL SQUARE.

60 the home of the West family headed by couple Emma and Owen West. Late in the Edwardian era Emma lived here as a widow supporting herself by working as a charwoman. SPITTAL SQUARE .This property no longer exists.

62  Francis "Frank" and Annie Harvey. Frank was a chimney sweep. In a block of 4 properties in SPITTAL SQUARE not far from the corner with Chapel Street. This property no longer exists.

Unplaced people of Edwardian Spittal Street, may be on either the odds or evens side of street unless otherwise stated. By unplaced I mean not certainly placed, there is often conflicting information:

Samuel and Rose Higgs. Samuel was a boot maker.

Mr Price who had a shop here in 1905 in which a fire broke out.

Mr Ransom butcher?

Mrs Elizabeth Sexton dressmaker and furrier. Born circa 1848 in Dorking Surrey. A widow who lived with her daughters Eleanor and Winifred, sister Eliza Plumridge and a lodger. Elizabeth had moved to Marlow from Maidenhead. Initially she lived with her daughters in Oxford Road. Eleanor married into the Gurney family of Glory Farm, Penn. Before marriage she worked as a stationary shop assistant.

Annie Trash milliner late in the era. Even numbered side of the street.

And in Spittal Square unplaced people =

Mrs Atkins or Adkins. Near the corner of Chapel Street. Sometimes because of the property's corner position described as being in Chapel Street itself. 

John and Jane Bryant early in the Edwardian era. John was a shopkeeper.

M Fisher the greengrocer.

Charles and Emma Hawkes. Charles was employed as a shoe maker. 

Joseph Hawkins carpenter.

Tillion family. In the same block of four properties as Frank Harvey the chimney sweep so an even numbered property. Charles Tillion was a packer for a fisherman. See also The Horns, Chapel Street landlord listing. 

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

For selected sources see Spittal Street part one which deals with everyone who lived in odd numbered properties

The Winfords of Thames Bank

Sarah and Harriet Winford are the subjects of today's post. Sarah was born into a comfortable position in life and died leaving an estate worth a fortune. She lived in one of the biggest houses in 18th century Marlow with an extensive number of servants at her command. But her life in Marlow was not free of its struggles as you will see.

 Sarah was already widowed when she arrived in Marlow, some time before 1769. Her husband was Hereford MP Thomas Geers Winford, who had changed his name from Thomas Geers on inheriting from his wife's childless uncle in 1744. The house Sarah moved to was known then as Goodyers, as Sarah herself clarifies in her will. She is likely the person responsible for re naming it Thames Bank House. (Later names include Lymbrook and Thames Lawn although Lymbrook/Limebroke was also used earlier to refer to the area around here and the Waterman's Arms). Situated on the banks of the River Thames, with then extensive views of the Quarry Woods, its location must have seemed idyllic - until Sarah began her tussles with the barge-men working on the river at least. More of that below. 

Thomas and Sarah had two daughters, Sarah junior and Harriet. Sarah married Sambrooke Freeman of Fawley Court in 1757. She was a regular at court and acted as a host to the likes of King George III on a number of occasions. The younger girl, Harriet lived a much quieter life. It seems she suffered from ill health over a considerable period and she never married, but remained with her devoted mother at Thames Bank. Harriet was fond of Quarry Woods and a particular bluff was adopted by her as a favourite seat and viewpoint. In fact it became known as "Miss Winfords seat". Sarah owned a boat and the family often took friends on river trips, attending for example a "waterparty" near Harleyford. They also took a trip to see Owen Williams newly constructed Temple House. A friend of the family accompanying them on this expedition thought Temple was grand enough on the outside but it was let down by the interior design!  This same friend also mentions a "temple" belonging to the Winfords, which was used for picnics. I have not seen this temple, a fashionable upper class accessory, represented in any illustrations of the house and it is not listed as a garden feature when the house is up for sale later. It may have been of a more temporary rustic design, or possibly was not located within the grounds of Thames Bank itself. (Having one on a eyot was also fashionable.)

A less desirable part of riverside living for Sarah was the fact the Thames was very much a working river and her home was located between Marlow Bridge and various wharves and the Lock. After Marlow received a new pound lock, she complained that the barges were now navigating the river closer to her home and worse still, they were spending longer tied up outside her garden wall.  This was a problem because the bargeman were apparently committing indecent actions outside the elderly ladies windows, causing her to keep her shutters facing the river firmly closed. You can read the full story of the bargeman and Sarah here. The other annoyances faced by Mrs Winford during her last years at the house were an attempted break in and a successfully managed theft of 15 bantams in 1789. 

Sarah seems to have been a keen reader, as she is listed as a subscriber to a number of volumes. In the past many books were only produced if enough people subscribed to cover the upfront production and printing costs. Donate enough and your name would be added in dedication within the first editions at least. Among Sarah's choices were a book of sermons from a Worcestershire vicar Charles Butt, while Harriet supported local author Thomas Langley's History of the Hundred of Desborough which included Marlow. 

Sarah died in early September 1793 aged 83. She had a considerable estate to leave, apart from the lease of Thames Bank. Shortly before her death she had inherited money along with her two sisters, from her brother Charles who died childless. Charles himself had been the beneficiary of another brothers will, William, who also left no issue. Three years later, both of these sisters died within a month of each other, one unmarried, the other a widow. So Sarah had to some degree benefitted from outliving most of her near relatives. She had over £9000 invested to leave to her two daughters. Harriet would receive the lease of Thames Bank, with Sarah receiving an additional £300 as well as her share of the investments. 

Sarah left a number of gifts to her servants. This was not altogether uncommon in itself, but she seems to have been a pleasant person to work for. Many of her staff members remained with the family for decades and what's more she paid for the gravestones of several of them - 3 of which can be seen in the churchyard of All Saints to this day. The churchyard is just along the river bank from Thames Bank.

 The will legacies were:

 To housekeeper Elizabeth Swan 10 guineas. 

To gardener Robert Stockbridge, 3 guineas. 

William Powell, coachman, 3 guineas if he was still in her service at her death. 

Former butler Robert Floyd £20. 

Above, grave of Robert Floyd. 

- D. January 26th 1801 age 74. "Useful servant and honest man" Erected at Harriet's expense. Read his will here

Cook Sarah Clarke 5 guineas. 

Housemaid Mary Whitty £15. [Harriet will pay for Mary's gravestone. On her death she had given the family 63 years service! See it  here]

 Other maids  Ann ?Tolner £4, Rose Bartholomew £4, Mary Walker £2.

Servants of Harriet if living with Harriet when Sarah dies: Ann James 5 Guineas. Harriet's groom (not named) 2 Guineas. Samuel Charles 5 Guineas. Samuel's children George and Sarah got £20 each. This was increased in a codicil to the will and Harriet was asked to act as the children's guardian.

All other servants in the house when Sarah dies: for "at least two years to receive half a year's wages" each.

Mr Harris, her steward in Worcestershire 10 Guineas for mourning. At Harriet's discretion 6 maidservants and and 4 male servants to get money for mourning too.

Poor of Astley, Worcestershire £20. (where Sarah had family connections)

Rev. Stephen Chase rector of Bisham 10 Guineas.

All the household goods, furniture and linen as well as Sarah's jewels and "trinkets" were left for Harriet's use, bar a purse of gold coins and some silver spoons for Sarah junior. 

Harriet died of a long and painful final illness in 1801. She was just 58 years old. She was buried, like her mother, at the Winford family vault at St Peters Church, Astley, Worcestershire. The following year the household contents of Thames bank was offered for sale, with "elegant household furniture" including a prized matching drawing room suite of chairs, sofa and curtains. 

Notes: Sarah was nee Lutwyche, of Lutwyche Hall, Salop. 

Written by Kathryn Day. 

© Marlow Ancestors.

Related posts:

Grave of Winford servant Samuel Clarke here

More Biographies of Marlow Families on this index

More posts about the people of specific Marlow houses (big and small) listed here

Sources include:

Will of Sarah Winford, transcribed by Charlotte from a copy held at National Archives, Kew. 

Reading Mercury 39 March 1789

Oxford Journal 1 June 1802

Sermons, George Butt 1791. 

Brown, William. Reports of Cases argued and determined in the High Court of Chancery, 1786. 

Climenson, Emily J (ed) Passages from the diaries of Mrs Phillip Lybbe Powys of Hardwick House, Oxon. 1899

Munby, Arthur Joseph. Faithful Servants,1891. Digitised by Google.  

Willis, Browne. History and  Antiquities, of the town, hundred and deanery of Buckingham 1755 

Century Magazine Vol 90 1801, digitised by Google. 

Monthly Magazine Volume 12, 1801. 

 

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Light Fingered Marlow - A List

 Updated Jan 2024

Just for fun here's a list of all the more unusual items (to us) that residents of the Marlows (Great and Little) were accused of helping themselves to during the reign of Victoria. Those names marked with an asterisk were found guilty. The other cases I do not know the outcome of - yet. 

Acorns (2 bushels)- Frederick Brooks and Charles Smith 1848. These would have had good resale value as pig feed.

Aprons- Ann Stockbridge* 1857. Six weeks in jail. A juvenile offender.

A clothes line (part of) from the garden of Henry Aldridge - John Thatcher* 1849. 6 weeks hard labour. 

Bell- Henry Smith* 1850. Three months hard labour.

Herrings (200!)- William Bowles and William Thatcher. 1855.

Lead Trough- Henry Knight* 1840.

Several sacks full of moss, (used for flower arranging etc) - James Perry of Dean Street* 1901. Fined 27s 6d including costs and damages. 

Pair of trousers - removed from their owner's person in a highway robbery 1845. Josiah Brookes* knocked down victim William Blackwell and made off with his trousers as well as a purse of money. A second telling of this event says the "trowsers" of William were in fact carried by him in a parcel as they were newly purchased. Whichever is true, you will be pleased to know that William's trousers were eventually recovered. Josiah was a familiar face to the justices. 

Part of a fence- John Finch* 1856. One month in jail.

Dahlia roots from Spinfield gardens - (and some chickens) James Lomax* and Henry James*, 1837. Henry was transported for life. James was sentenced to a month in jail then transportation for 7 years. He had stolen the birds from his own nephew James Pusey!

Shoe leather- John Wickes 1850. Offence occurred at High Wycombe but John was of Marlow. I am pretty sure he was convicted. In 1852 he was transported for 7 years for stealing a saw in Marlow, the property of Joseph East. He was then 23 years old.

Smelling bottle - John Martin* 1845. Stolen from house of William Curtis. 

Umbrellas, X 2 stolen from the vestibule of All Saints Church. Ellen Gibbons* and Maria Edwards* 1860. They each got 1 days imprisonment. Both plead guilty. The girls however said that they had taken the umbrellas only because it was raining and they had always intended to return them the following week, and indeed had attempted to do so but on seeing the parish Beadle just outside the church, had been too afraid to continue. Their lack of previous convictions helped their case. 

Watering pot (watering can)- Andrew Stuart* and Richard Kibble* 1848 from Alfred Batting. 14 day sentence each.

Whip- William Tilby 1844.

Wooden spokes-  Abraham James* and Thomas Rose*, 1838. Stolen from High Rews Wood. The spokes were the property of John and Thomas Rolls. It seems the spokes may have been being made in the wood. They convinced an 11 year old boy to help them in the theft, telling him the spokes belonged to them. The boy was allowed to escape prosecution if he gave evidence against the two men. Three months in jail and a whipping for both of the accused. In 1839 and 1842 Abraham was fined for poaching.

And for stealing the same horse twice, honorary mention must go to John Edmunds whose full and somewhat odd story you can read here

Related posts: 

 Crime and disorder in old Marlow here

The old police station and police court here

To find other crime/policing related posts see the General Marlow history index here and to find every mention of your ancestor here, use the A-Z Person Index in the top drop down menu. New content added daily. 

Sources:

Criminal research of Jane Pullinger supplemented by Bucks Herald 21st February 1857, 22nd November 1856 and 20th October 1855. Bucks Gazette 6th January 1838. South Bucks Free Press July 14 1860. Copies held at the British Library.

Bucks Advertiser 19 July 1845. 

All Saints Parish records  - my old transcription from the originals.

Censuses, my transcriptions from microfilm.

©Marlow Ancestors.