John & Ann Cheshire

1823. The Enclosures of Princes Risborough

John Grubb Esq, the Lord of the Manor of Princes Risborough, purchased from the enclosure commissioners numbers 636, 637, 638 and 639.   This land had all been part of the Common of Princes Risborough, the whole area being known as “Hillocks”

Land for the Church. John Grubb gave part of no. 636 to the new Lacey Green Chapel, later St.John’s Church, as Glebe land, the rent going to the chapel.

The Remaining Land stretched from “Windmill Road”, later called "Pink Road" on the northwest to Kiln Farm on the southeast.   The only properties on it were the Windmill on Windmill Farm, and the Kiln and Kiln Farm on the southeast.

Bankruptcies. John Grubb went bankrupt in 1841, then his successor in 1848. The huge area of land was then put up for auction as one lot, which included Windmill Farm and windmill

John Cheshire, tenant of Windmill Farm, miller, wishing to own his rented property, purchased this lot.

John Cheshire's mortgages.

John Cheshire struggled to cope with the size of his mortgages. By 1861, after several mortgages with various people the sole mortgagee was Frances Josephine Irving of West Worthing, Sussex

1877. Frances Josephine Irving sold part of John Cheshire's mortgage to Mary Ann Buckmaster, (John Cheshire's married daughter.)

Mary Ann Buckmaster gave her father a £600 mortgage with interest. She took him to court when he did not pay.

1889 As £1,300 plus accruing interest was now owing by John Cheshire to F.J. Irving she was enabled to sell several plots of the land to Thomas Edward Stone, George Hawes, See Woodbyne Farm, John Saunders and William Saunders

THE FAMILY

John Cheshire born 1808, miller at Lacey Green, married to Ann.   They had 3 daughters and 2 sons

Mary Ann, born 1835.  Married 1872 John Buckmaster born 1801.  He died in 1874. (He was 39 years older than her)    Later Mary Ann gave her father a mortgage, and took him to court to get payment.

George 1836-1923.   Married Sarah Steele, the former miller’s daughter in 1865 George worked with his father as miller.   Also after his marriage he is listed at the baptisms of his children as a publican in 1866 to 1882.   This public house was called “The Whip” The family may have lived there rather than in Windmill Farmhouse.    In 1901 George is living in the farmhouse.

Hannah born 1838 married Henry Cowell, a journeyman miller from Odeham, Hants in 1860.

Sarah born 1840 married John Floyd, widower in 1865.

1871 census, John and Sarah at the Whip, John is farming the land of 48 acres, with 2 men and 1 boy.   In 1881 John is farming with 1 boy.   In 1891 John and Sarah are living at the Whip with Sarah’s mother Ann, widow.  George is the next house, presumably the farmhouse.   In 1901 Sarah, widow is listed as a publican and farmer.

Thomas born 1847.   Married Sarah Ann Tilley in 1885. 1 child died when baby.   Thomas was a farmer and corn dealer.  He died in 1888 aged 41 leaving £99 – 4s.