Church Cottage

Church Cottage as at time of sale in 1961. (after porch and garage had been added)

Church Cottage, Church Lane, Lacey Green, was built before there was a church, and Church Lane was just a track that led to Grymsdyke Lodge.    All house and road names were to come later.

ENCLOSURE. In the enclosures of Princes Risborough in 1823, plot 703 was allotted to John Hawes.   It was an old plot with a cottage and garden.   It was newly allotted freehold to John Hawes.

CENSUS 1841. John Hawes 61, gardener for Grymsdyke, Hannah 56 lacemaker, Ann 19, Eliza 13

CENSUS 1851. John Hawes 72 agricultural labourer, Hannah 67 lacemaker.

CENSUS 1861. Jesse Hawes 49 shoemaker, Elizabeth 50 lacemaker, Moses 21 shoemaker, Jesse 17 shoemaker, Mary Ann 12 lacemaker, Hannah 78 widow formerly lacemaker.

CENSUS 1871. Jesse Hawes 59 shoemaker, Elizabeth 50 lacemaker, Moses 36 shoemaker, Jesse 27 agricultural labourer.

OWNER BEFORE 1881

When Charles Brown of Stocken Farm, then Living at ‘Gracefield’ died, he left Church Cottage in his will.   It is not yet known when he purchased it.   The Hawes family lived there from at least 1823 to 1911, maybe 1923 when Jesse Hawes died.   They had owned it in 1823.

CENSUS 1881. Jesse Hawes 69 shoemaker, Elizabeth 70, Jesse 37 ag. lab.

1886 PURCHASED

Charles Brown’s executor Frederick Aldridge Clark, purchased all 14 of Charles Brown’s Cottages, including Church Cottage.

CENSUS 1891. Jesse Hawes 79 shoemaker, Elizabeth 80, Jesse 46 ag. lab

PUT IN TRUST 1894. Frederick Aldridge Clark put the 14 cottages, including Church Cottage in trust for his daughter, Margaret Emma Clark, one of Charles Brown’s Nieces

MARRIAGE 1895. In 1895 Margaret Emma Clark married the Marquis of Ely, so now the 14 cottages, including Church Cottage belonged to Lady Ely.

CENSUS 1901. Jesse Hawes 55 bootmaker and sexton.

1910 INLAND REVENUE VALUATION. Church Cottage.   Owner Lady Ely.   Occupier Jesse Hawes.

CENSUS 1911. Jesse Hawes 66 bootmaker and sexton

DEATH of JESSE HAWES. Jesse known as “Gaffer” Hawes died at Church Cottage in 1923, aged 79.

CENSUS 1939. Thomas Smith 71 widower labourer for Bucks County Council, James Smith 38 timber labourer, Mabel R Smith 39, 2 people absent.

NOTE

The following further information about Church Cottage was researched by Laurence Rostron for his “The Origins and History of Church Lane, Lacey Green, 2018.”   The following is his summary of the later years of Church Cottage  

SALE of CHURCH COTTAGE

It was purchased by Harold Carter in 1921 from Lady Ely and then sold in 1928 to Harry Goodchild who continued to rent it to tenants.  In 1953, in a complicated deal, Harry Goodchild sold Church Cottage to owner occupiers for the first time and it remained owner/occupied since then.

1945 REGISTER OF VOTERS. Church Cottage.   James & Mabel Smith

1960 REGISTER OF VOTERS. Church Cottage.   Herbert Albiston

October 1961. Vernon, son & Adams. Auction particulars. Church Cottage, Church Lane, Lacey Green. To be offered for sale by Public Auction at 2.30pm on Wednesday 25th October 1961 at The Guildhall, High Wycombe.

Hallmark August 1986. Planning Application. Two storey side extension to Church Cottage, Church Lane.

1987 REGISTER OF VOTERS

Church Cottage.   James & Cecilia Fletcher

Hallmark May 1992. Planning Application, Church Cottage, Church Lane - Single Storey Side Extension.

Hallmark February 1993. Planning Application. Erection of garage - Church Cottage, Church Lane

2016 Ordinance Survey Map Church Lane, Lacey Green, researched by Laurence Rostron. Church Cottage occupied by Mr N & Mrs W Joyce