Willow Cottages

Willow Cottages
Construction Era	1824-1899
Type of Property	Cottage
Use of Property	Residential
Locations	Lacey Green

WILLOW COTTAGES

SITE HISTORY

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 the schedule for the Enclosures of Princes Risborough in 1823, a large part of the Common was purchased by John Grubb, the Lord of the Manor of Princes Risborough.

TWO BANKRUPTCIES

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

1848 Lord Buckingham and Chandos went bankrupt.

SALE 1^st June 1848, the estate of Lord Buckingham and Chandos

The following lot had previously belonged to John Grubb

Lot 10  A capital Smock Tower Windmill, millers House and 8 acres 0 roods 35 poles of adjoining land, occupied by Mr John Steel on lease for 11 years from Michaelmas 1838.

Lot 11  The Kiln Farm at Lacey Green, containing 56 acres 1rood,31poles, leased by Mr Charles Webster.   Also a cottage and garden at Loosley Row and 3 pieces of land leased to James Taylor and Thomas Stevens containing together 7 acres 2 roods 35 Poles.

The site of Willow Cottages was part of the 56 acres surrounding Windmill Farm

In 1823 a crossroads had been made where the Whip public house was later built.   This put the Willow Cottages on the west side of the new Mill Road (later Main Road) into Lacey Green.

1869,  27th October. A Piece of Land Sold ( the site of Willow Cottages)

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, 28^th December Free Gomm took out a mortgage with Edward Grubb, barrister, Middlesex

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 25^th March now next ensuing.   Also to pay back the money on or before 28^thJune next ensuing plus 5% interest per annum.

1870  Further Mortgage

A further mortgage was taken out  between Edward Grubb and Free Gomm for £30 @ 5% int .p.a.

On 29th October 1887 Sarah Floyd, widow, mortgaged the above properties for £200 with Mary Ann Buckmaster of Dunstable, mortgagee.

The Schedule :-

Land conveyed 27^th October 1869 with two cottages built thereon, now in the tenure of Benjamin Harvey and Leonard Biggs

1907.   Willow Cottages put in Trust

9^th August 1907.   Death of Sarah Floyd, nee Cheshire.    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.

1927.  Willow Cottages Sold

3^rd October 1927.   Conveyance.    Executors of Sarah Floyd to Harry George Floyd for £470.

The Schedule :-

All that land conveyed 27^th October 1869 with two cottages thereon, later named Willow Cottages, now in the occupation of Mrs. Gomm and H. G. Rutland.

C ???    occupied by Jack Gomme of Gommes Forge.