Coombs

This item is listed in Social Snapshots 1900-1968 inc in 1958 after its decline

Coombs on the horizon

Coombs clearly on the horizon

extract from the 1831 census.

Coombs shown on Map dated 1625Coombs is the cluster of dots towards the top of the map, tucked into the west end of Smallridge Wood. Copy from Hampshire Record Office.

The Forgotten Hamlet of Coombs by Rita Probert.

Coombs in the mist on the horizon behind The Sprat

Coombs or Coombes was a cluster of hree or four cottages housing over the years in its heyday an average of twenty men, women and children. The cottages now disappeared (2023) were on the ridge south of Loosley Hill road

This map of the 1700's clearly depicts Comb Farm.

Section of map of 1811 indicating Smallden Wood and Common and the old Wycombe Road (now Little Lane and Lower Road)

top left 1898 : top right 1900 bottom left 1922 : bottom right 1956

Many people use the footpath via Gomme's Forge's ornamental iron stile at the junction of Little Lane, Loosley Row, Foundry Lane and Lower Road in Loosley Row to cross the hillside know locally as The Grubbin. They exercise their dogs and stop to admire the beautiful views of Lodge Hill, Wain Hill and beyond to the Vale of Aylesbury.

After a heavy snowfall the area is particularly popular with children and adults alike for sledging down the hillside. The area once again resounding with voices that, in fact, echo the past.

1823 map showing Footway no 17 and also Carriage Road no XVII

New residents are perhaps unaware that at the top of the hill and to the left of the footpath, stile and beyond, now farmland, there once stood a small hamlet called Coombs. This consisted of a farm and three or four cottages housing over the years in its heyday an average of twenty men, women and children. By 1911, however, the number had drastically reduced to seven residents and signified the eventual decline of the hamlet.

This Coomb does not fit the dictionary description of a small valley with steep sides. It has been suggested however that the hamlet in Loosley Row derived its name from the home, presumably a farm, of one William ate Coumbe who in 1354 left a bequest of one sheep to the church at Bradenham. The Parish boundary of Bradenham still passes through the area formerly occupied by Coombe.

A section of the old carriage road described, from the right of the stile at the top of The Grubbin looking towards Bledlow Ridge.

The date that the farm and cottages were built remains unknown, although ongoing research may reveal the answer. It can only be estimated at the moment as during the 18th century or earlier. The area was certainly mentioned in a will made on 1st March 1704 by one Henry Hawes:

"To my son John ....all lands called Winters and Coombs in the occupation of William Stone with the aforementioned hedgerow at the bottom of the lower side of Coombs now in my occupation ...."

above left <<< This map of the 1700's clearly depicts Coomb Farm.

Location: The hill-side (The Grubbin) and beyond towards Lacey Green was once heavily wooded and variously called Smallden, Smalldean, or Smallridge Wood and Common. Trees covered the whole area right down to the current boundary hedge with Little Lane, which was once the main pre-turnpike Wycombe Road via Loosley Row.

Maps of 1811 and 1823 held at the Buckinghamshire Record Office clearly indicate the wooded area and the old Wycombe Road.

At some stage all the woodland was cleared, apart from a small section of mainly beech trees down the far side of the hill, which still remain. The tree roots were grubbed out and the area thus acquired the name of The Grubbin. The current public footpath across the hillside follows the line of an original Carriage Road, which is indicated on the 1823 map and described in the accompanying register (both held at the Buckinghamshire Record Office, Aylesbury) - "XVII: One other private Carriage Road and Public Bridleway of the breadth of 12 feet leading from the Wycombe Road at the south corner of an allotment to Thomas Randall in a southward direction through Smallridge Wood to certain cottages and gardens at Coombs and from thence as a Public Bridleway to a Bridge Gate in the Parish of Horsenden, which said private Carriage Road is set out for the owners and occupiers of the same cottages and gardens for the time being for ever"

A map of the late 1700's shows at least two buildings surrounded by areas of land recorded as Ginger's Coombs, Ginger's Little Coombs and Ginger's Great Coombs indicating an early landowner/occupier.

Currall was also a name which had long associations with the hamlet over the years.

This shows the line of trees and some of the land where part of Coombs would have been sited. On the other side of the trees and hedges is The Grubbin

In 1789 a marriage took place at St Mary's Church, Princes Risborough, between a William Currill and a Sarah Ginger of Coombs. suggesting perhaps that the land previously occupied by the Ginger family had eventually passed via marriage to the Currells.

In a survey of the Parish of Princes Risborough 1808-1810 names of owners/occupiers are not recorded, but the survey does describe properties at Coombs as two houses, gardens and closes and a garden in the woods.

The 1821 census although only recording the head of each household does at last give the first recorded names and number of occupants (a total in 1821 of 19) who lived in the hamlet in four properties. All he males being employed in agricultural work with the exception of one other trade in Thomas Randall's household. One unoccupied property was also recorded on the census.

William Currell -------one family ----5 males 4 females

Thomas Randall ----two families --3 males 1 female

Thomas Fox ---------one family ----1 male 2 females

Ann Stone -----------one family ----2 males 1 female

At the time of the 1823 Land Enclosure Act, three of the main influential landowners in the area were John Grubb, Lord of the Manor of Princes Risborough, who resided in Horsenden: Lord George Augustus Henry Cavendish and Sir William Lawrence Young, MP for High Wycombe. The 1823 Register records the following names, presumably the landowners:

Cottage & garden at Coombs ---John Grubb

Cottage & garden ------------------George West the younger

Cottage & garden at Coombs ---William Currell

Coomb Enclosure ------------------Sir William Lawrence Young

The allotment of land allocated to Thomas Randall referred to in the 1823 Carriage Road extract still remains, being the small triangular plot at the junction of Foundry Lane, Lower Road and Little Lane, a few yards from the stile leading to the Grubbin. The plot, numbered '605' can be seen on the map of 1823.

The Randalls were long-established as blacksmiths in Loosley Row: the Thomas Randall listed in the 1821 census at Coombs in one other trade. was possibly the son of the blacksmith that lived at the property still known as Randalls Cottage, plying his trade at the forge next door (Forge Cottage) It is additionally mentioned in the No 17 Footway description. "One other Public Footway leading from the Wcombe Road near the Blacksmith's Shop at Loosley Row in an eastwards direction over an allotment to John Jones, Smallridge Wood and an allotment to Sir William Lawrence Young, Baronet, to the Lacey Green Road.

Coombs in Small Dean Wood 1831. Extract from the census:

Stone Joseph -----1 house --1 family

Randall Thomas--1 house --1 family

Currell William ----1 house --1 family

Gomme James ---1 house --1 family

By 1841 a few additional details were recorded, but it is not until 1851 that more information can be gained from the census returns :-

1851 census. There were four separate families living at Coombs

Cottage 1.

William Currell 86 agricultural labourer, born Askett

Rhoda Dormer (daughter) 48 lacemaker born Bledlow

Henry Dormer (son-in-law) 50, sawyer, born Askett

Cottage 2.

Daniel Currell 45 ag. lab., born Bradenham

Catherine Currell (wife) 40 lacemaker, born Bradenham

John Currell (son) 19 ag. lab., born Cheltenham

William Currell (son) 17 ag. lab., born Chesham

Daniel Currell (son) 10 scholar, born Chipping Norton

Jabez Currell (son) 8 born Chipping Norton

Sarah Currell (daughter) 5 born Chipping Norton

Richard Currell (son) 2 born Coombs.

Cottage 3.

John Williams 30 ag. lab., born Coombs.

Elizabeth Williams (wife) 30 lacemaker born Coombs

Caroline Williams (daughter) 9 born Coombs

Joseph Williams (son) 6 born Coombs

Fanny Williams (daughter) 3 born Thorncombe, Devon

Ellen Williams (daughter) 10 months born Dorton, Bucks.

Cottage 4.

James Gomme 60 widower, ag. labborn Halton, Jesse Gomme (son) 25 ag lab, born Hampden

In 1901, although four families still lived at Coombs, the total had diminished to 13.   Occupations were changing and by that time included a road paver and a millwright.  The latter was James Flint, aged 63, from Kent.

1911 only seven people remained in two of the cottages, the census recording that each property had four rooms.   The occupants were all members of the Weller family.   Benjamin Weller, aged 59, working as a general labourer, 55 year old wife Lucy and their three children – Ruth, 15, Benjamin 13, employed as a farm boy and 11 year old William – all born in Saunderton.   Next door were James Weller aged 67, a farm labourer and his 65 year old wife, Ruth – a lace maker.

By 1911 the cottages housing over the years in its heyday an average of twenty men, women and children was reduced to seven, all members of the Weller family in two cottages, and signified the eventual decline of the hamlet.

In 1958 the site of Coombs became part of Prospect/ Promised Land Farm, now owned by the Turner Family.

They cleared the site.   Only the remains of one cottage garden was there and they found two tie bars, the sort that would hold two walls together.    The rainwater tank had already been filled in.

Connie Baker, born in 1908, said that it had once been owned or rented by the Tyler family at Collins Farm, Lower Road, Loosley Row.   There was Frank, who had taken over from his uncle, Thomas, and Frank’s sister Flo.   They let Coombs go to ruin though.    Connie remembered playing up there with other children among the ruined cottages, old gardens and orchard.    They used to pick plums from there, but were told to stay away from the underground rainwater tank as it was dangerous.   During the spring snowdrops and daffodils planted by the former occupants still flowered alongside wild primroses and violets.   For many years a particularly large clump of white violets flourished under a holly tree.

The hamlet of Coombs. research by Joan West The following research confirms and adds to that of Rita Probert.

The hamlet of Coombes lay tucked on the west end of Smallridge Wood, between Lacey Green and Loosley Row in the parish of Princes Risborough.   It was part of the Manor of Princes Risborough and all the properties were leased out..

PLAN c 1665. This plan clearly shows a cluster of cottages at coombs (held at Hants Record Office. record no. 15M50/1519/1).

In 1823 At the Enclosures of Princes Risborough all parish commons, arable open fields and woodlands went into private ownership, although the public could still collect fallen wood from parish woodlands.

On 20^th March 1777, at the Court of the Manor, John Hawes of Chepping Wycombe, gentleman, a copyhold tenant of the Manor did surrendered to the Manor  the copyhold farmhouse with arable and pasture land called 'Winters' and Coombs Farm at Lacey Green

Winters and Coombs Farm at Lacey Green, held by the Manor, containing 36 acres to Buckle Hawesof Great Marlow, draper, son of John Hawes.   Buckle Hawes is admitted to the Manor as the new copyhold tenant

21st May 1777 Buckle Hawes of Great Marlow, draper, son of John Hawes is admitted to the Manor as new copyhold tenant of Winters and Coombs Farm at Lacey Green, containing 36 acres

Both John and Buckle Hawes were absentee landlords. They would have taken under-tenants for these premises.

Maps of 1817 and 1823 Field Names

On a map published in 1817 and again on the Map of the Enclosures of Princes Risborough in 1823 the field names are given as follows :-

Enclosure map number 675.   4 fields lying south-west of Coombs cottages, all adjoining, called

Gingers Coombs, 2 acres 3 roods 33 perches

Gingers Coombs, 3 acres 9 roods 23 perches

Gingers Great Coombs, 10 acres 1 rood 30 perches

Gingers Little Coombs, 4 acres 7 roods 43 perches

In 1823 Enclosures the above fields were allotted to Sir William Lawrence Young, copyhold. Sir William Lawrence Young was an absentee landord and his properties would have had under-tenants.

NOTE

On the 1817 map three other adjoining fields are called Gingers,  these run from Smallridge Wood southwards to Lane Farm in Lacey Green, as follows : ---

Gingers Winters Field 8 acres 1 rood

Gingers Winters 8 acres 2 roods 35 perches

Gingers Walders Field

NOTE.    36 acres adds up to the land of Lane Farm plus that near Coombs Cottages.    No reference has been found of a farmhouse at Coombs.  There was definitely one at Lane Farm, in 1817 not yet named.   (Possibly belonging to ‘Ginger’!)   All fields bearing the prefix ‘Gingers’ went to Sir William Lawrence Young, copyhold, in the 1823 Enclosures.

ENCLOSURES of PRINCES RISBOROUGH (numbers are plot numbers on the Enclosures map) research by Joan West.

671   Smallridge Wood.   Previously parish woodland.   Purchased by John Grubb Esq.  freehold, previous owner as Lord of the Manor..

672   Cottage and gardens at Coombs tucked at the far north-west of Smallridge Wood.   John Grubb Esq. freehold.   Previous owner when Lord of the Manor.

673   Cottage and garden, to the south side of 672, across bridleway XV11.   George West the younger,

674   Cottage and garden, to the south side of 673. With larger garden than 672 and 673.  William Currall. Copyhold, already the tenant

TWO BANKRUPTCIES

1841 John Grubb of Horsenden, bankrupt.   His estate sold to Lord Buckingham and Chandos

1848 Lord Buckingham and Chandos, bankrupt.

1^st June 1848. Sale of the estate of Lord Buckingham and Chandos. The following lots had previously belonged to John Grubb;-

One Cottage at Coombs. Purchased by Charles Brown of Stocken Farm

Lot 12.  Coomb Cottage and a wood called Smallridge Wood at Loosley Row.  55 acres, 3 roods, 35 perches” purchased by Charles Brown of Stocken Farm, Lacey Green

COOMBS THE HAMLET    research by Rita Probert

PROMISED LAND FARM

In 1958 the site of Coombs became part of Prospect/ Promised Land Farm, now owned by the Turner Family.

They cleared the site.   Only the remains of one cottage garden was there and they found two tie bars, the sort that would hold two walls together.    The rainwater tank had already been filled in.

COOMBS REMEMBERED

Connie Baker, born in 1908, said that it had once been owned or rented by the Tyler family at Collins Farm, Lower Road, Loosley Row.   There was Frank, who had taken over from his uncle, Thomas, and Frank’s sister Flo.   They let Coombs go to ruin though.    Connie remembered playing up there with other children among the ruined cottages, old gardens and orchard.    They used to pick plums from there, but were told to stay away from the underground rainwater tank as it was dangerous.   During the spring snowdrops and daffodils planted by the former occupants still flowered alongside wild primroses and violets.   For many years a particularly large clump of white violets flourished under a holly tree.

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In 1958 the site of Coombs became part of Prospect/ Promised Land Farm, now owned by the Turner Family.

They cleared the site.  Only the remains of one cottage garden was there and they found two tie bars, the sort that would hold two walls together.    The rainwater tank had already been filled in.

Connie Baker, born in 1908, said that it had once been owned or rented by the Tyler family at Collins Farm, Lower Road, Loosley Row.   There was Frank, who had taken over from his uncle, Thomas, and Frank’s sister Flo.    They let Coombes go to ruin though.     Connie remembered playng up there with other children among the ruined cottages, old gardens and orchard.     They used to pick plums from there, but were told to stay away from the underground rainwater tank as it was dangerous.   During the spring snowdrops and daffodils planted by the former occupants still flowered alongside wild primroses and violets.   For many years a particularly large clump of white violets flourished under a holly tree.

Read more about Coombs:

1899 Coombs Hamlet

1901 The Decline of Coombs