Willow Cottages
From Lacey Green History
Research by Joan West
In 1823 Willow Cottages did not exist. The land on which they were later built was part of the vast Common of Princes Risborough which covered much of Lacey Green and some land on the hilltop of Loosley Row. Click Princes Risborough Common to see two maps.
The first map shows the full area of Princes Risborough Common
The map below that shows the changes made in 1823 when the Enclosures of Princes Risborough took place.
Before 1823 there were no roads in Lacey Green village. The route from the Hughenden Valley to Princes Risborough ran through Speen, along Highwood Bottom, cut straight across the Common to the pond behind Windmill Farm. It proceeded down towards Princes Risborough joining Woodway, which was already an established route and on to the town.
In 1823 the proposed Main Road, Lacey Green was confirmed in the 1823 Enclosures of the parish of Princes Risborough.
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click Main Road section 1 for other properties in this area
The site of the future Willow Cottages had been part of the Common of Princes Risborough, to which Risborough people brought their animals to graze. It did not belong to Loosely Row or Lacey Green.
In 1823 At the time of the Enclosures of Princes Risborough, the Common was divided up and sold. A large part was purchased by John Grubb, the Lord of the Manor. This part stretched from Windmill Farm to Kiln Farm and included the upper part of Loosley Row. This is shown on the second map mentioned above. Willow Cottages was built on eastern edge of this 56 acres surrounding Windmill Farm
Also in 1823 a crossroads was made where the Whip public house was later built. This put the Willow Cottages on the west side of the new Main Road into Lacey Green. ( This road change now placed the Windmill in Lacey Green instead of Loosley Row)
1st June 1841 John Grubb being bankrupt, put his vast estate up for sale
It was purchased the day before the auction by Lord Buckingham and Chandos.
1n 1848 Lord Buckingham and Chandos also went bankrupt so the estate was once more put up for auction.
This whole area was put up for auction as one lot, and was purchased by John Cheshire, the miller. (Click John & Ann Cheshire). From 1856 to 1877 he was beset with mortgage debt.
1869, 27th October. A Piece of Land Sold ( the site of Willow Cottages) (Conveyance document archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)
Richard Gibbs of Brill, harness maker, sold to Free Gomm for £35 – 10 – 0d :-
All that piece of land, containing 2 roods, bounded on 1 side by land of Thomas Stone, another side by Free Stone, another side by Lacey Green Road and the other side by land of Richard Gomm. (which the father of Free Gomm purchased from Richard Gibbs. All part of a larger piece of land belonging to the said Richard Gibbs called “Road Piece”.
1869, 28th December Free Gomm took out a mortgage with Edward Grubb, barrister, Middlesex. (Mortgage document archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)
With Conditions as follows :-
The said Free Gomm has built two cottages on the said land which he has not finished and is unable for want of means to finish. And whereas for the purpose of enabling him to finish the said two cottages and for other purposes, the said Free Gomm has requested of the said Edward Grubb (mortgagee)to advance to him the sum of £110. The said Edward Grubb has agreed to do so on condition he finish the said two cottages in a workmanlike and substantial manner on or before 25th March now next ensuing. Also to pay back the money on or before 28thJune next ensuing plus 5% interest per annum. In 1870 a further mortgage was added between Edward Grubb and Free Gomm for £30 @ 5% int .p.a.
1878, 23rd May Free Gomme, chairmaker and Edward Grubb, barrister. his mortgagee, Conveyed to John Cheshire for £140, (the amount due to Edward Grubb by Free Gomm) the land with three cottages at Darvills Hill and also all that piece of land situate at Lacey Green in the Parish of Princes Risborough, containing 2 roods, bounded on one side by land belonging to Thomas Stone, on another side by land belonging to Free Gomme and one another side by the Lacey Green Road and on the remaining side by land belonging to Richard Gomme, the father of the said Free Gomme, together with the two cottages erected and built thereon and now in the respective tenure of Benjamin Harvey and Leonard Biggs. To hold the same unto Charles Hodsden in fee simple, provided always that the same £200 with interest thereon shall be paid in accordance with the foregoing covenant. (The two cottages were later called 'Willow Cottages') (The document of mortgage of 12th September and reconveyance of 12th September 1887 are archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)
12th September 1884 Mortgage between John Cheshire, miller and Charles Hodsden of West Wycombe, chairmaker.
12 September 1887 Reconveyance The mortgage of 12th September 1884 John Cheshire and Charles Hodsden was repaid with Interest and cleared.
28th October 1887. Indenture of Gift. This Indenture witnesseth that John Cheshire, miller, of Lacey Green, in consideration of the natural love and affection he has and bears towards his daughter, Sarah Floyd, wife of John Floyd, and for divers other good causes and considerations, he as beneficial owner hereby conveys to Sarah Floyd, free of all encumbrances :-
The Land and 2 cottages described in the Document dated 12th September 1884. See John & Sarah Floyd
On 29th October 1887 Sarah Floyd, widow, nee Cheshire, mortgaged the above properties with Mary Ann Buckmaster of Dunstable, mortgagee.
The Schedule. Land with two cottages built thereon, now in the tenure of Benjamin Harvey and Leonard Biggs
9th August 1907. Death of Sarah Floyd. Sarah Floyd bequeathed Willow Cottages, long since free of all encumbrances, to her executors, Joseph George Floyd and W. Bliss, solicitor, to pay the income of her estate to Alison Elsie Rogers for life, then to her heirs and descendants.
18th January 1908. Indenture between Arthur Henry Cowell of Northampton, tailor, Joseph Bliss of High Wycombe, solicitor and George Floyd of Loosley Row, grocer. Whereas the principle and interest monies secured by the properties mortgaged on 29th October 1887 were paid by Sarah Floyd to Mary Ann Buckmaster, but no reconveyance was executed by Mary Ann Buckmaster, and as Mary Ann Buckmaster died on the 21st December 1890. having made her will dated 1890 whereby she appointed her sister Susan Barcock (since deceased) and Arthur Henry Cowell Executors thereof, who duly proved the will on the 14th January 1891. And whereas Sarah Floyd died 9th August 1907, having made her will dated 18th May 1906, where she appointed Joseph Bliss and George Floyd her trustees and executors , who proved the same (with 1 codicil not affecting these presents). And Susan Barcock died 16th January 1900. And in consideration of all the principal money and interest secured by the above indenture having been paid, Arthur Henry Cowell as the surviving representative of Mary Ann Buckmaster, conveys to Joseph Bliss and George Floyd, all the land and messuages comprised in this indenture, to hold the same to the use of Joseph Bliss and George Floyd upon the trusts of the will of Sarah Floyd, dec'd, freed and discharged from all claims and demands.
1927. Willow Cottages Sold
3rd October 1927. Conveyance. Executors of Sarah Floyd to Harry George Floyd for £470
The Schedule All that land with two cottages thereon, known as Willow Cottages, ordinance survey no.197, now in the occupation of Mrs. Gomm and H. G. Rutland. These cottages were next on the north side of Woodfield Cottage, Main Road, Lacey Green.
C ??? occupied by Jack Gomme of Gommes Forge.
| Willow Cottages | |
|---|---|
| Construction Era | 1824-1899 |
| Type of Property | Cottage |
| Use of Property | Residential |
| Locations | Lacey Green |