Edward Stone (The Aspirin Man)

.INTRODUCTION by Joan West

The earliest clue our local history group had was when Dennis Claydon discovered a marriage in 1616 of a couple living in Lacey Green.   It was their great grandson, Edward, who was to become known as The Aspirin Man.    Although born at what must have been a farmhouse, for the village of Lacey Green had not yet been developed, Thomas married well and left the area.   By 1863 the house had been enlarged enough to be called a ‘Mansion’

Edward Stone born 1702 was the son of Edward Stone and Elizabeth, nee Reynolds of Monks Risborough at a property at Lacey Green later known as 'Grymsdyke'. Edwards mother died in 1702/3. His father remarried.

Edward became a cleric and by 1730 was a Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford. He married Elizabeth Grubb in 1741 thus having as required to resign his fellowship of Wadham College. He was Rector of Horsenden. He later lived at Chipping Norton where there is a Blue Plaque on his house commemorating his work identifying acetylsaliclic acid in willow, which became the main ingredient of Aspirin. He wrote an account of his discovery in 1763 for the.

In Lacey Green he leased from the Manor of Princes Risborough a close (field) called 'Wades Grove' containing 8 acres. Also two closes of arable land - 'Lower Close' adjoining Smallridge Wood and 'Crooks' containing 5 acres. These he bequeathed to his son, Edward Stone born 1743.

His son Edward, born 1743 married Sarah Witts, Oxon, born 1745. Edward became the Reverend Edward Stone. He was a Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford for 35 years, Perpetual Curate of Princes Risborough for 42 years and Rector of Horsenden. The three closes inherited from his father he left to his daughter Sarah Lillie Stone born circa 1769. Sarah married at Bradenham in1787 with Charles Shard of Winkfield, Berks.