The Old Brick Kiln

There was a brick kiln on the edge of the vast Common of Princes Risborough, part of Kiln Farm, Lacey Green, the farmhouse ,later as a private house, was known as ‘Lavender Cottage‘, then ‘Malmesmead’.

OWNED BY THE MANOR

The Kiln was part of The Manor of Princes Risborough, until 1823, the Lord of the Manor being John Grubb.   In the 1823 enclosures, the Common was divided up, then sold.    About half of it was purchased by John Grubb, so it came into his personal ownership.   This was a large area stretching right across from the windmill to include what was to become Kiln Lane.   The Brick Kiln and Kiln Farm were on the east edge of this.

FOUR GENERATIONS

It had been occupied by the Floyd family through four generations.  John Floyd, brickmaker, died in 1703, his son Joseph, grandson William, great-grandson William and his widow all ran the brick kiln, g.g.grandson Joseph started out working at the kiln, but moved on.

NO FURTHER RECORD

No record has been found of this brick kiln after 1821,

SOLD TO HAMPDEN ESTATES

1764.    Entry from Hampden Estate accounts.    William Floyd for supplying bricks for Green Hailey Farm, 14 shillings, nine pence (74p)

1772.   William Floyd for supplying 750 bricks and 20 bushels lime to the farm in Hampden Row.   Value £1-1 shilling, 10 pence (£1-10p).    This was not paid until 8 months later, as was their habit!

Editor’s Comment.

LIME.  Noting that in 1772, William Floyd was selling lime, which was also used in brickmaking it is possible that the adjacent pond, that came known as ‘Deep Pit’, was the site from which the lime was dug.

HALF BAKED BRICKS

This kiln would have been very simple.    The bricks Just baked in a covered pile.   Those bricks furthest from the fire, would not be a thoroughly baked.   An example of this came to light when an old cottage ‘Ye Olde Collage’ was pulled down and replaced.   It was the intention to reuse the old bricks.   Left outside over winter, some of them had just crumbled away by the spring.

The Old Brick Kiln
Construction Era	1600-1699, 1823 Enclosures Record
Type of Property	Pond
Use of Property	Business
Locations	Lacey Green