Flowers Bottom
From Lacey Green History
click Hamlets for more of these
FLOWERS BOTTOM
QUESTION PUT TO THE LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
There are many “Bottoms” in the Chiltern Hills. Said to have been left after the last ice age. Many are long valleys but “Flowers Bottom” seemed different. It was put to a meeting of The Local History Group in 2021 that it was more likely that it was ‘flowers’ not of the floral kind, but ‘flowers’ of the water kind. The hamlet of Flowers Bottom is not a long valley, but sits at the bottom with steep hills rising all around it.
LOCAL DIALECT
Talking to people in the course of doing research, many newcomers, particularly before the advent of commonplace television, have told us how difficult it was to understand the locals. The voices, especially those born before 1920, were very deep and ‘gutteral’, as we ourselves had witnessed. It is unlikely that “flowers” was pronounced by them with two clear syllables of the “Queen’s English”, but more like “Fluurs” Bottom.
SPEEN or LACEY GREEN, BOTH PART OF PRINCES RISBOROUGH
Flowers Bottom lies on the bottom a steep road from Speen. It continues meandering around to Lacey Green.
Speen Farm entrance was near The Plow public house at Flowers Bottom. A new entrance was put in possibly in 1961 when a Lodge Cottage was built on the Lacey Green side of the farm, (the date of driveway to be researched).
MAKING SENSE of the CENSUS
From 1841 to 1911 in the census people put where they were born. In Flowers Bottom people could put Speen, Lacey Green or Princes Risborough and any one would be correct.
NOW LACEY GREEN
In the past the people of Flowers Bottom said it was part of Speen. For many years now (2021) it has definitely been part of Lacey Green.
1610 SAMUEL PEPYS DIARY
It is understood that Samuel Pepys mentioned the Plough Inn in his diary. click The Plough for more about this old inn
MAP Published 1818
The Parish woods of Darvills Wood and Speen Wood rose on the hills to the northeast and east of Flowers Bottom. To the South Lay Caen Field Wood. All the names of the fields of and around Flowers Bottom in 1818 indicate that they were recently wooded, such as ‘Grubbed Grounds’, ‘Wood Field’, ’Coppice Field’, ‘Wood Ground’, ‘Ridings Grove’, ‘Lockets Grove’.
1823 ENCLOSURES of PRINCES RISBOROUGH
In the Enclosures of the parish of Princes Risborough all the parish strips of arable land went into private ownership. The massive Common of Princes Risborough which lay mostly in Lacey Green and some on the high ground of Loosley Row was divided and sold. The Parish woodlands remained in the ownership of John Grubb, the Lord of the Manor & was still used by the villagers to collect fallen wood.
Every property was recorded, either as freehold or copyhold to the Lord of the Manor.
1823 ENCLOSURE AWARDS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
No 797 William Williams. Copyhold an old allotment
No 798 Aaron Williams. Copyhold Cottage and garden, an old allotment
No 799 Thomas Stone (alias Gibbons). Copyhold Cottage and garden and Wood Close (field) (Old Plow PH)
No 800 Edward Anderson. Freehold House and ground
1841 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
Cottage. Simeon Montague 30. Hannah Montague (wife), Thomas Montague 5, Mary Montague 2, Ann Montague 1.
Cottage. William Parslow 55 stone cutter. Elizabeth Parslow (wife) 56. Mary Parslow 2. George Parslow 15 sawyer
Cottage. William Williams 45 stone cutter. Mary Ann Williams (wife) 40. Jabez Williams 20 sawyer. Cornelius Williams 15 agricultural lab. Benjamin Williams10,
Reuben Williams 5. Mary Williams 6. James Williams 1
1851 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
Cottage. Mary Williams, widow, 50 lacemaker. Benjamin Williams 20, agricultural lab. Mary Williams 17, lacemaker. Reuben Williams 14, agricultural lab. James Williams 21 agricultural lab
Cottage. Cornelius Williams 24 agricultural labourer. Mary Williams (wife) 25 lacemaker. James Williams 1
Cottage. Benjamin Bristow 23 agricultural labourer born Naphill Common. Jane Bristow (wife) 24 lacemaker born Naphill Common. George Bristow 1 born Flowers Bottom
Cottage. Simeon Baldwin 28 blacksmith born Lacey Green. Charlotte Baldwin (wife) 30 born Hughenden. Sarah Baldwin 6, born Flowers Bottom. James Baldwin 4 born Flowers Bottom. Edward Baldwin 2 born Flowers Bottom. Mary Baldwin 5 days old, born Flowers Bottom
Cottage. William Williams 62 agricultural lab. born Lacey Green. Mary Williams (wife) 66 lacemaker born Naphill Common. Caroline Williams (niece) 23 b. Speen
Deboror Williams (niece) 4 born Flowers Bottom
1861 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
The Old Plow Public House. Henry Janes 29 beerhouse keeper. born Lacey Green. Ruth Janes (wife) 24 beerhouse assistant, born Iron Beech Kiln. George Janes 3 born Flowers Bottom. Albert Edward Janes 1 born Flowers Bottom.
Blacksmiths Shop, adjoining. Simeon Baldwin blacksmith born Hampden. Charlotte Baldwin wife born Speen. Sarah Baldwin 15 lacemaker born Speen. James Baldwin 14 blacksmith born Flowers Bottom. Edward Baldwin 12 labourer born Flowers Bottom. Mary Baldwin 10 scholar born Flowers Bottom. Rose Baldwin 7 scholar born Flowers Bottom Louisa Baldwin 4 scholar born Flowers Bottom. Catherine Baldwin 2 born Flowers Bottom
Cottage. Henry Parslow 22 labourer born Princes Risborough. Ellen Parslow (wife) 23 lacemaker born Hughenden
Cottage. Cornelius Williams 34 stone cutter born Flowers Bottom. Mary Williams (wife) 35 born Piggots Common. Joshua Williams 9 scholar born Flowers Bottom
Jesse Williams 7 scholar born Flowers Bottom. Julia Williams 5 scholar born Flowers Bottom. Joseph Williams 3. Flowers Bottom. Catherine Williams 2months
Cottage. Mary Williams widow 70 lacemaker born Speen
Cottage. Grace Jones widow 55 lacemaker born Speen. Jane Jones 26 lacemaker. Caroline Jones 22 lacemaker. Sarah Jones 10 lacemaker. Roxanna Jones 3
1871 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
Cottage. Gains Saunders 30 Farmer 20 acres (emp.1 man 1 boy) born Bradenham. Mary Saunders (wife) 29 born Darvills Hill
Cottage. Sarah Balch widow 63 dressmaker born Hulcott
Cottage. James Baldwin 24 blacksmith. Ann Baldwin (wife) 24 born Speen. Allan Baldwin 5. Arthur G Baldwin 2. Harold P Baldwin 1. Caroline Charge (visitor) 29 dressmaker born Green Hailey
The Old Plow Public House. Henry Janes 39 agricultural labourer born Lacey Green. Ruth Janes (wife) lacemaker born Iron Beech Kiln. George Janes 13 scholar Albert Edward Janes 11 scholar, born Flowers Bottom. Christopher Janes 9 scholar, born Flowers Bottom. Annie Janes 5 scholar, born Flowers Bottom. Ellen Janes 3 born Flowers Bottom. Rosa Janes 1 month born Flowers Bottom
Cottage. Cornelius Williams 44 stone cutter. Mary Williams 46. James Williams 21 turner (bodger). Joshua Williams 19 blacksmith. Jesse Williams 17 stone cutter
Julia Williams 15 lacemaker. Joseph Williams 13 agricultural labourer. Kate Williams 9 scholar. Mercy Williams 7 scholar. Annie Williams 3 scholar
Cottage. Benjamin Stone 35 sawyer. Sarah Stone 32 lacemaker. Mary Ann Stone 1
1881 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
Cottage. Mary Williams widow 58 born Hughenden. Joseph Williams 24 turner (bodger). Mercy Williams 17 lacemaker. James Williams 22 turner (bodger). Miriam Williams (wife) 29 lacemaker. Minnie Williams 8 scholar. Elizabeth Williams 6 scholar. Cornelius Williams 4 scholar
Cottage. Alfred Smith 27 turner (bodger) born Hughenden. Elizabeth Smith (wife) 26 lacemaker. Owen Smith 5 scholar born Hughenden
Cottage. Simeon Baldwin 59 blacksmith born Great Hampden. Charlotte Baldwin (wife) 60
The Old Plow Public House. George Janes 23 agricultural labourer. Emily Janes (wife) 21 lacemaker born Swindon. Ethel Janes 1. Ruth (mother widow) 44 Christopher Janes 19 agricultural labourer. Ellen Janes 12 scholar. Rose Janes 10 scholar
Cottage. Sarah Batch widow 72 lacemaker, Oxon.
Cottage. John Saunders 41 farmer 26 acres (employing 1 labourer). Miriam Saunders (wife) 40. William Saunders 19 on farm. Emma Saunders 15 lacemaker
Jane Saunders 10 scholar. Thomas Saunders 7 scholar. Lucy Saunders 4 scholar
Cottage. George Pearce 26 blacksmith. Kate Pearce (wife) 23 dressmaker. Archibald Pearce 1
1891 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
The Old Plow Public House. George Janes 33 licensed victualler and general labourer. Emma Janes (wife) 32 born Swindon
Ethel Janes 11 scholar born Swindon,Edward L Janes 5 scholar. Nelly L Janes 7 months. Ruth Janes (widow mother) 54 lacemaker
Cottage. Oliver Barefoot 31 sawyer,Mary Ann (wife) 30. Rose Barefoot 5 scholar. Owen Barefoot 3 scholar. Jane Anderson (widow mother in law) 71 lacemaker
Cottage. William Rixon 70 turner (bodger) born Bledlow. Hannah Rixon (wife) 76
Cottage. William Saunders 30 agricultural labourer born Hughenden. Ada Saunders (wife) 23 born Hughenden
Cottage. Simeon Baldwin 69 blacksmith born Great Hampden. Charlotte Baldwin (wife) 71
Cottage. James Williams 40 turner (bodger). Miriam Williams (wife) 37. Elizabeth Williams 15 lace beader. Cornelius Williams 13 general labourer. Mary Williams (widow mother) 66. Mercy Williams (sister) 26 lace beader
Cottage. Daniel Lovett 40 turner (bodger). Ellen Lovett (wife) 40. Alfred Lovett 10 scholar. Sarah Lovett 7 scholar. John Lovett 3
Cottage. Henry Bowler 70 general labourer. Martha Bowler (wife) born Great Hampden
Cottage. Benjamin Saunders 62 sawyer and labourer. Mary Saunders (wife) 59. Frederick Saunders 25 shepherd
1901 CENSUS AT FLOWERS BOTTOM
Cottage. Owen Randell 42 agricultural labourer. Mary Randell (wife) 36 born Flowers Bottom. Harry Randell 7 born Flowers Bottom. Frank Randell 3. Mary Williams (widow mother in law) 77 born Hughenden
Cottage. Miriam Williams widow charwoman born Speen. Elizabeth Hickman (daughter widow) 25 fancy lace beader. Hilda Hickman (granddaughter) 2
Cottage. Owen Phillips 28 bricklayer’s labourer born Prestwood. Sarah Phillips (wife) 28 born Speen. Daisy M Phillips 6. Ernest H Phillips 1 born Flowers Bottom
Cottage. Joseph Holloway 38 carpenter born Stoke Mandeville. Thurza Holloway (wife) 36 fancy lace beader born Cadsdean
The Plough Public House. George Janes 47 publican and stone cutter. Emma Janes (wife) 42 born Swindon. Ethel Janes 21
Edward Janes 15 apprentice chairmaker. Nelly Janes 10. Elsie Janes 6. Millicent Janes 2. Ruth Janes (widow mother) charwoman born Monks Risborough
Gladys Janes (granddaughter) 1
Cottage. John Lane 27 sandstone miner born Darvills Hill. Bertha Lane (wife) 24 born North Dean
Cottage. Charles Rixon 27 sandstone miner born Speen. Elizabeth Rixon (wife) born Naphill. Alice Atkinson (boarder) 2. Ethel Britton (boarder) 4
Cottage. William Saunders 42 farm carter born Walter Ash. Ada Saunders (wife) 33 born North Dean. Henry Holman (boarder) 15. Charles Barth (boarder) 13
Cottage. James Williams 40 turner (bodger). Miriam Williams (wife) 37. Elizabeth Williams 15 fancy lace beader. Cornelius Williams 13 general labourer. Mary Williams (widow mother) 66. Mercy Williams (sister) 26 fancy lace beader
Cottage. Daniel Lovett 40 turner (bodger). Ellen Lovett (wife) 40. Alfred Lovett 10 scholar. Sarah Lovett 7 scholar. John Lovett 3
Cottage. Henry Bowler 70 general labourer. Martha Bowler 70 born Great Hampden
Cottage. Benjamin Saunders 62 sawyer and labourer. Mary Saunders (wife) 59. Frederick Saunders 25 shepherd
1911 CENSUS at FLOWERS BOTTOM
Cottage with 4 rooms. William Saunders 52 farmer born Walters Ash. Ada Saunders (wife) 41 born Hughenden. Charles Barth (adopted) 21 farm lab. born North Dean.
Cottage with 3 rooms. Charles Alfred Rixon 37 turner (bodger). Sarah Rixon 41 born Hughenden. Archie Rixon 8.
Cottage with 4 rooms. George Burrows 46 agricultural labourer born Loosley Row. Julia Burrows (wife) 55. Annie Burrows 21. Harry Burrows 18 turner (bodger)
Lester Burrows (grandson) 5 born Flowers Bottom
The Plough Public House with 6 rooms. George Janes 53 stone delver born Swindon. Emma Janes (wife) 52 born Flowers Bottom. Nellie Louise Janes 20 dressmaker born Flowers Bottom. Elsie May Janes 16 domestic servant born Flowers Bottom. Millicent Janes 12 born Flowers Bottom. Reginald George Janes 9 born Flowers Bottom. Vera Louise Janes (granddaughter) 7 weeks
Flat at The Plough. Francis William Dell (lodger single) 43 delver in flint quarry (stone for roads) born High Wycombe
Cottage with 4 rooms. Miriam Williams widow 58 charwoman born Speen. Elizabeth Hickman (daughter) widow 35 born Speen. Hilda Hickman, granddaughter 12 born High Wycombe.
Cottage with 4 rooms. Owen Phillips 39 agricultural Lab. born Bernwood. Sarah Phillips born Speen. Daisy Phillips 17. Rose Phillips 12. Ernest Phillips 10
Ethel Phillips 9 born Speen. Alice Phillips 8 born Speen, George Phillips 4 born Speen.
Cottage with 4 rooms. Owen Randall 54 agricultural labourer born Loosley Row. Mercy Randall (wife) 46 born Flowers Bottom. Harry Randall 17 born Flowers Bottom. Frank Randall 13 born Flowers Bottom. Eva Randall 8 born Flowers Bottom.
KELLY’S DIRECTORY lists more Plough Inn licensees as ---
1915 G Burrows, 1924 William Edward Pocock, 1928 Walt Hopkins, 1931 Fras.. Gabbell, 1935 Chas. Baylis Child.
BLACKSMITH SHOP GOES
In 1936 the Plough was enlarged and the smithy attached to the Plough public house was removed as no longer in use.
1939 CENSUS war register
Flowers Bottom Farm
Albert Parslow 45 farmer
May Parslow 43
David Parslow baby
3 people absent
Flowers Cottage
Doris Rowbottom MA 34
The Plough Public House Licensee Ishbel McDonald, living Speen Farm)
Audrey Ray (married Peterson) 35 cook general
Flat on Plough Garage
Lilian Sheldon (single) 50 waitress
William R Sheldon 61 retired master blacksmith
Thatched Cottage
Frank W Dell 72 private gardener
Sanctuary
Charles W Hervey 60 retired Gas Company salesman
Katherine Hervey 60
Constance R Hervey 34 English teacher
Kate Woodfield 57 retired civil servant
Esther Rand ME 61 retired civil servant
The Retreat
Alice Mason 65 incapacitated
John Mason 65 retired sadler
Wayside
Madge Turner 40 Warden of Youth Hostel
FLOWERS BOTTOM FARM
29th Nov 1955. Auction of Flowers Bottom Farm for the Summerleys Estate for £1,750
House & 46 acres of land. Tenant A. Parslow
2015 PUB CLOSED
After becoming predominately a restaurant for a number of years the Plough public house eventually closed in 2015, becoming a private residence called “The Old Plow”