The Winter Family of Dial House

When Stephen Winter / Winters was given the job of curate of Marlow's parish church he and his widowed mother Selina immediately took Dial House in St Peter's Street, a stone's throw from the church. This was in 1897. With them were Stephen's younger sister Lucy Agnes.

Selina, Lucy and Stephen had been living at the historic Long Crendon Manor prior to the Marlow move. There was another son in the family, Lawrence, who worked as a doctor in Kent.

Selina Winter /s was a lady of independent means thanks to wealth inherited from her dead husband Lewis and her dead father John Amos. She had grown up in Hackney and Shoreditch London where her father was a merchant and agent for those with business and property interests in Jamaica. He has been identified as a significant slave owner based on the fact that he was paid out multiple times after putting in claims for compensation following the abolition of slavery in Jamaica. Researchers into these compensation claims routinely presume (understandably) that those who filed claims were themselves the owners of the relevant slaves but further research frequently shows that this is incorrect and that the person filing the claims was acting as an agent, executor or administrator for the true owner or owners. To date I can find John Amos only as an agent and executor for slave owners. There is therefore no question that he profited from the misery of enslaved people but it remains an open question as to whether he was specifically, personally a slave owner. In his 1855 will which can be obtained from the National Archives, Kew he mentions no foreign property or assets. 

His wife Selina survived him. Their daughter Selina, the future Selina Winters, born in 1834 was their only child and thus came into much wealth and property, especially in London upon her father's death from chronic bronchitis in 1855.

In 1868 Selina aged 34 married Lewis Winter /s , an accountant, at St John's church Hackney. Within a few months of the marriage her mother passed away but the birth the next year of the couple's first child, Lawrence, meant a new beginning for the family. Selina and her household seem to have lived a quiet and comfortable life with a couple of servants in Wanstead Essex until the death of Lewis in 1887. He was just short of his 50th birthday at the time.

Selina made her home in the house "Clements" at Snaresbrook but the news that Stephen had won the Marlow curacy position uprooted the family. Selina set up the new Marlow household with a live in parlour maid and cook plus a live out coachman and gardener. Retaining staff was never easy even before the first world war and Selina appears many times in local newspapers advertising for new servants with a promise of good pay for the successful candidates.

All members of the Winters household were religious people and deeply interested in the provision of both Sunday Schools and other education for children in Marlow. 

Stephen's wife Florence (nee Scott, m 1899 St George's Bloomsbury*) was the superintendent of the Girls National School. This was a voluntary position and did not involve teaching. Stephen, Selina and Lucy all acted as fundraisers, and promotors for the parish Sunday schools. Lucy acted as honorary secretary for the local Sunday Schools association and for the Managers of the various church schools. Praise was heaped upon her for her diligence and ability to persuade others to help the cause. She is a good example of the young women who came of age in the early 1900s and began to carve out  their own place in public affairs. She served in committees where she 

might have been the only female presence at every meeting. Even serving as an secretary for a charitable cause, and giving speeches to committees or writing reports and letters in that capacity for the local newspapers was still an unusual thing for a woman to do at that time, especially one who was not an aristocrat. It is interesting to see that Lucy often styled herself in official letters as the simple and authoritative (because masculine style) "L.A Winters", not the more expected Miss Lucy Winters" or "Miss L.A Winters".

If you attended Holy Trinity School in Wethered Road, or your children do so now, then one of the reasons that is possible was the fundraising efforts of Lucy Winters to get the school built.

For an example of an active woman Lucy had her own mother who was president of the Provident Nursing Club in Marlow. A post about this club which mentions Selina's involvement is already on the blog here.

Late in 1906 it was announced that Stephen Winters was to take over as vicar of the nearby village of Medmenham early the next year. He and his wife left Marlow after receiving a testimonial from parishioners. Mrs Winters received two silver candlesticks as a farewell gift from the senior girls of the National School.

Selina continued to live at Dial House until her death on February 15th 1913. In her will she left over £27,000 to good causes and her children who acted as her executors. In lieu of flowers for the funeral they asked friends and family to contribute to the funds being raised for the Marlow church schools.

Lucy appears to have remained at Dial House for at least a period of time before moving in with her brother Stephen. In 1918 their older brother Lawrence died of pneumonia that had developed out of flu contracted while he was serving as a doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps in France.

Stephen became vicar of Wargrave Berkshire in 1914. He held this position for many years.

*The couple had a reception at the Langham Hotel London and a honeymoon in Paris and Switzerland. Stephen's sister Lucy was bridesmaid at the wedding.

Written and researched by Charlotte Day.

All mentions of any individual can be found on the A-Z Person Index.

©Marlow Ancestors. You are very welcome to use my research with credit to this blog.

Sources included:

P.C.C Will of John Amos 1855, National Archives, Kew.

"England and Wales Census, 1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL1R-Q3Z : 22 February 2021), Selina Winter, Wanstead, Essex, England, United Kingdom; from "1891 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 12, Essex county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

 "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M2-V1K5 : 3 March 2021), Selina Amos in household of Selina Amos, Hackney, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

Henley Standard 23rd Nov 1906, Berkshire Chronicle 16th Aug 1902, Oxfordshire Weekly News 25th September 1901. British Library Archives via the BNA.

Oxford and Cambridge Yearbook 1904.

England and Wales Census, 1911," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7VP-6LR : 22 July 2019), Mrs Selina Winter, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England, United Kingdom; from "1911 England and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

London Gazette 25th April 1913.

Universities at War - http://www.universitiesatwar.org.uk/explore/winter-laurence-amos

"England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPLW-QHTR : Wed Dec 13 21:23:23 UTC 2023), Entry for Lewis Miller Wilmot Winter and Selina Winter, 16 Feb 1888.

Will Summary and Research Notes Sarah Winter of Great Marlow 1755

 I ordered a digital copy of this will from the National Archives, Kew. This wasn't of great contrast. Nevertheless here's a summary of what I was able to read and transcribe. 

SARAH WINTER WIDOW OF GREAT MARLOW. PROVED 1755.

Says she of sound mind.

To be decently buried at executor's discretion.

Cousin David Beckford the house ["?that is his"?? Presumably that which he occupies is meant] with the part John Cox now occupies with all its appurtenances. He must pay his sister Ann S*ing? £10 and his sister Hester Beckford £10.

Cousin John Lointer? of Berkhampstead in Berkshire a house in Great Marlow. He must pay to testator's cousins Ann Webb and Elizabeth Webb £10 each.

The cousins John Lointer? and David Beckford above mentioned are the executors and get all testator's household goods.

Legible witness= Buckle Hawes. Two other witness William .... And John C...

Notes: Sarah was the widow of Richard Winter. She inherited these properties believed to all be in West Street from her dad Richard Beckford. Her birth family look to have been non conformist Christians. Read her dad's will here

©Marlow Ancestors. Reproduction permitted with credit.

Will Summary Joan Robinson of Great Marlow 1753

 I obtained a copy of this PCC will from the National Archives, Kew and transcribed it. This is a summary.

JOAN ROBINSON WIDOW LATE OF BRAY BERKSHIRE BUT NOW OF GREAT MARLOW. WILL PROVED 1753.

Commends soul to God. Burial at executor's discretion.

Puts £50 in to custody of Charles Jones of Cookham yeoman and Charles Robinson her "son in law"* of .... Bucks bargeowner. This £50 is in trust for the benefit of testator's kinsman Thomas and William Hunt sons of William of Upton. These boys will receive the interest of the money until they 21 then they will receive half of the £50 each. If either dies before the other then the survivor gets their share.

Son in law Charles Robinson £100 for himself

Sister in law Mary Hunt of Maidenhead £20 and half share of all testator's wearing apparel and household linens and woolens. Other half to the wife of testator's son in law John Robinson of Great Marlow, waggoner. 

Grandson Edward White £5. If he dies the money to testator's sister Mary Hunt. Similarly if she dies before receiving her financial legacy as above then Edward is to receive it.

That John Robinson gets all residual money, household goods, plate etc and is made executor.

Witnesses William Willis and William Allen.

©Marlow Ancestors. Reproduction freely  permitted for family or local history purposes with credit.

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Grave Winter /Webb

 

Grave of William Winter and his mother Hannah Webb. To the best of my ability to see it I believe it says that William died Jan 7th 1852 aged 39 and Hannah died Feb 19th 1853 aged 70.

Photographed by Charlotte Day April 2021.

For similar posts see Graves on the menu. You might also want to look at the Will Transcriptions menu option and the Person Index.

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

Executions And Turnip Rustling- Marlow Bottom Farm

Hold on to your hats- this is complicated!!!

C1767 - Webb family occupy "Marlow Bottom Farm", tenants of the Claytons. 

1813 - "Marlow Bottom Farm" given as 170 acres.

1829- 1832 Richard Webb occupied a farm with this name. Still owned by the Claytons. Wife Mary. Leased the farm and also Burford Farm in Marlow Bottom which had previously been occupied by James Webb, presumed father of Richard, and Thomas Rolls. Also had land elsewhere in Marlow as well as other property, especially in the Dean Street area. Burford was his by lease from 1813. Appointed executor of will of Elizabeth Winter written 1813, proved 1814. He himself died 1832. Photo of his grave here. In 1825 his former employee Edmonds was executed for twice stealing his horse (the same horse, stolen, recovered and stolen again). Richard said Edmund's had been a good employee once and asked he be treated with mercy to no avail. To read the full peculiar story, see Kathryn's post here! In 1830 he was one the local farmers threatened by letter for using mechanization on the farm. He does not seem to have given in to demands to remove his machines or been attacked by the Swing Rioters. For more on the Swing Riots in Marlow see Kathryn's post here. 

1833- The 1833 parish assessment lists "Marlow Bottom Farm" twice, once as owned and occupied by William James Atkinson, and once again as owned by the Clayton's and occupied by David and James Webb. So there are two farms now using the name! See below, and note that the short form "Bottom Farm" can refer to either of them or even to nearby Burford Farm. 

1833- David and James Webb have "Marlow Bottom Farm", the one owned by Clayton that is. It had grown to 256 acres.

1833- William James Atkinson owned and farmed a property designated as "Marlow Bottom Farm" of 305 acres. He continued to live elsewhere in Marlow however. For more on William and his family see here. William eventually, as described below, gave up the majority of his farm Marlow Bottom and let it out to others instead. The farm thereafter is usually given as much smaller as he kept some land back for himself. He may also have let portions of land to tenants other than the main farm occupier. 

1838- 1843 James and David Webb who were brothers, the sons of Richard and Mary Webb above. (Clayton property) In 1841 John Perry and Henry Green were fined for poaching on their land. The Perry family were notorious poachers. For more on them see my post here. In 1842 the two Webbs went bankrupt. Amongst money owed was to the parish for unpaid poor rate taxes. They had to sell off their horses, implements and crops of hay, wheat and turnips but obviously managed to continue at the farm for some while as both were still farming there 1843 and David at least was still at the farm when he died in 1846. Warrants were out for their arrest in 1842 because of the tax issue. At the same time there was a warrant out for David's arrest over an alleged assault of Eliza Frith. I don't know what happened about the latter charge. James and David also occupied Burford Farm Marlow Bottom until ejected by their landlords in 1843. In addition they farm 90 acres at Hill Farm. 

1844-46 David and James Webb (Clayton portion) David died in 1846 while away visiting his brother Alexander. James continued the farm until Michaelmas 1847. 

1848- Crops sold off, barley, wheat, oats from the farm of William James Atkinson "Marlow Bottom Farm". He continued to farm a small amount of land here until his death in 1850 when his property descended to his nephew Benjamin Atkinson who owned the farm until at least 1862. In that year he also owned and let let out Town End farm in Marlow. Benjamin is covered in detail in this post. 

1851- John Miller. Wife Mary. Mary raised the fowls on the farm, two chickens were stolen from her in 1853. I am unsure of whether he was at the Clayton or Atkinson owned "Marlow Bottom Farm".  John gave evidence at a hearing on local political corruption -see here.

1854 - 1860 Mary Miller, by then a widow, left and sold up her crops of barley, clover, peas and chaff as well as her stock of poultry. Ducks were stolen from her that year, as was a sack. For the latter offence Charles Frith was sentenced to a month in jail.;Yep, for stealing a sack. Mary died in Kilburn London in 1865. 

1860-1863 George Wells. He fell out significantly with a Mr Hall who had bought some of Mary Miller's crops which were still on the farm when Wells tried to come in as a tenant. Plus Mary Miller was still in the house and wasn't giving him the keys to his barns. His issues with Hall led to a suit in court, a counter suit for slander and then more suits. George Cannon the bookseller and chemist of Marlow High Street, unfortunate mutual friend of both parties, tried very hard to mediate but was ultimately unsuccessful. No wonder Mr Wells didn't stick around for long. He must have been sick of the sight of that stressful farm! Presumably George was at the Clayton owned farm.

1862- Benjamin Atkinson as owner farmed his "Marlow Bottom Farm" himself for a while but decided to give it up and put it up to let again in 1862. He was a doctor and did not reside at the farm at any point. It took until 1863 to get a new tenant. Benjamin said that he was giving up farming altogether so sold off the stock of both his Marlow Bottom Farm and Town End Farm in 1862. He held the farm until his death however with tenant's running it. Following his death in 1867 his widow Eliza held it. By 1880 she had a bailiff Mr Daniel Goodwin running things for her rather than renting it out to a tenant. He lived on site.

1863-1871 William Spiller. Not sure if he was at the Clayton or Atkinson owned farm but most likely Spiller was a tenant of Atkinson's as his arrival fits with Atkinson's relinquishing agricultural pursuits himself. Spiller's farm was mostly arable. He was fined 20 shillings for beating a boy who worked for him for disobeying him [Reading Mercury 14th July 1866, British Library].  The next year he was fined for employing a boy called Robert Twitchen aged just 10 years old as a carter! All but one of William's hens were stolen from the hen house in 1869. Left once his lease was up.

1870- A "Marlow Bottom Farm" is described as having a newly erected farmhouse and as being a corn and sheep farm. The farm is said to be in some sources 150 acres and in others 318 acres. It's never simple when it comes to tracing the history of the farms there! It would seem there were still two farms and sources were getting confused between them as to acreage.

1871-1880 Joseph Birch. Wife Emma. In 1874 John Todd of Marlow was fined for taking turnip greens from Joseph's field. Joseph went bankrupt in 1878 but seems to have managed to stay at the farm for a while afterwards. He was jailed in 1879 for several months after it was revealed he has attempted to move and conceal some of his property from his creditors. The main creditors were the executors of his late father to whom he owed £500 (perhaps a loan to start up farming?). They had one night forcibly removed much of his farm stock, horses and equipment so they could auction them off, effectively ruining him as a farmer and forcing the bankruptcy. He tried to keep back items such as his wife's piano. As he couldn't pay his rent his household furniture and crop of hay was seized by his unknown landlord. Joseph and Emma left Marlow for Chesham in 1880.

1878 - "Marlow Bottom Farm" for sale - but which one! Described as a "capital sheep and corn farm" with "dry and healthy land". Offered with modern farm house, 5 labourers' cottages and a little over 315 acres.  Same year another "Marlow Bottom Farm" containing 140 acres of land and woodland and a farmhouse is up to let. Told you things were complicated. The farm with 140 acres was put up for sale the next year but only a minor part of the land was sold.

1881 - A "Marlow Bottom Farm" now of only 86 acres was up for sale- arable, pasture and woodland with an orchard and farm house. Vacant possession. Perhaps this was the 140 acre farm which the owner attempted to sale in 1878 minus the little bit of land successfully sold at that time.

1881 in July Mr E.B Curtis entered into the "Marlow Bottom Farm" previously owned by Mrs Atkinson and was still there a year later. He knocked two workers cottagers into one for his farm bailiff to live in. Bailiffs were most often seen at farms where the owner or tenant reduced elsewhere but Mr Curtis did live in Marlow Bottom. He and his farm bailiff Daniel Goodwin couldn't get along and they parted company in under a year. It ended up in a court case in which Curtis was found to have given Goodwin insufficient notice when he fired him. This Goodwin was the same bailiff that had worked on the farm for Mrs Atkinson.

1888- a Mr Chilton at "Marlow Bottom Farm" but which one?

1884 - 1902 Henry White. Originally from Cornwall. Raised chickens, bees and field crops at "Marlow Bottom Farm" but which one?

1903- 1921 William Chappell. His wife offered rooms at the farm to rent to tourists. They seem to have taken over the premises of Henry White. Kept cattle, poultry, pigs. In 1906 their employee John Lovegrove had to have his thumb amputated after his bird scaring gun exploded in his hand. This farm was sold by unknown owner 1921.

1931-34 Mr F.C Mathews, a supporter of the Working Men's College of London. He invited some of the unemployed men training there to a summer holiday camp on the farm in 1933. Apparently gave up resting chickens on the farm in 1931 as he sold off all his stock and equipment. A Great Marlow Parish councillor.

1934 Mr William Ray Coryton of Marlow Bottom Farm had a serious fire in his farmhouse gutting a bedroom, dining room, the stairs and the hall. Two firefighters from Marlow Fire Brigade were injured in the attempt to control the fire. There was no water but a small well with which to fight the flames. Report Bucks Free Press 14th December 1934, Bucks Free Press Archives.

1938- poor boys from London brought here for a camping holiday. Alfred Arnold was the occupier, as he was in 1939 though he was described as a grocer rather a farmer. It is possible that the other former "Marlow Bottom Farm" had become Cranes Poultry Farm which appears at Marlow Bottom on the 1939 Register (Ancestry). Scout groups had held summer camps at the farm regularly for some years.

Farm occupier listings are compiled by me by cross referencing property records, ads, trade journals, censuses, wills, court cases and more.

To look for other people on the blog use the Person Index option on the top menu. There are over 10,000 people listed there. 

For other posts related to Marlow Bottom and nearby see here

Lots more farm occupier lists to come on the blog for both Great Marlow and Little Marlow areas.  Use the Specific Shops, Streets Etc option on the top drop down menu to find other farming related posts.

©Marlow Ancestors.