John Owers

Whilst at St Margaret’s, Stanford Rivers recently I came across a gravestone in the corner of the churchyard.

The inscription read:

In
loving memory
of
Margaret Elizabeth Owers
Who died April 17h 1928
In her 63’d year

Also of
Comyns Owers
Missing in Egypt Nov 25th 1917
Aged 21years

Also Comyns
Husband of the above
Who died Sep 28h 1939
Aged 78 years.

It was the part of the inscription about Comyns Owers, missing in Egypt in 1917, that caught my eye. Had he died on active service? His name does not appear on the war memorial in St Margaret’s, but a search on the Commonwealth War Graves site revealed that Comyns Owers was a Private (no. 49346) in the 1618 Company of the Machine Gun Corps and died on the 25 November 1917. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Basra War Memorial in Iraq.¹

His name appears however on the war memorial at St Mary’s church, High Ongar.

In the 1881 Census a John Owers (born 1832) was described as a Baker and Licensee living at the Green Man Public House Toot Hill. He was also listed as a Farmer with 10 acres and employing 3 men. He had a son, Comyns Owers (born 1862) who was described in the census as a ‘Bakers Son.’

In the 1891 Census, Comyns Owers is married to Margaret and is living in High Street, Chipping Ongar where he is the Licensee of the Bell Inn. He has 1 child and employs 3 servants.

In the 1901 Census Comyns and his wife are living at Stanford Rivers, and he is described as a Baker. They have three more children, including a son, Comyns, born in 1887 in Stanford Rivers and who was to die on active service in 1917. According to Scott in his history of Stanford Rivers, Comyns remained as the licensee of the Green Man until 1910 or thereabouts. By 1912 a Mrs Emma Comyns is shown as the Licensee.

Why Comyns Owers name is missing from the war memorial at St Margaret’s is not known.

The earliest reference to the Green Man appears in a book written in 1818, which describes the Green Man as ‘a comfortable little inn in the midst of picturesque scenery: it is very convenient quarters for sportsmen, who will find some good shooting in this quarter.’
In the 1841 Census, which shows that Thomas Nicholls was the licensee. However in an advertisement in the Chelmsford Chronicle dated 1842, the premises are advertised for sale due to the ill health of Nicholls. The advertisement suggests that the Inn was well established prior to this date, although no earlier reference can at this time be found.

TO BE DISPOSED OF,
With Immediate Possession,
All, that old-established, well known, and respectable INN and BREWERY, in full Trade, The GREEN MAN at Toot Hill, in the parish of Stanford Rivers, on the old high road, about midway from Chipping Ongar to Epping, and 20 miles from London. The present proprietor wishing to retire in consequence of indisposition, and having realised a competency. An eligible opportunity for an industrious person, with sufficient capital for entering into an immediate and lucrative business, capable of considerable improvement, situate in a respectable and populous neighbourhood, and at a considerable distance from any beer shop. For particulars apply to J. Lewis, Water End Farm, near Ongar.
Chelmsford Chronicle 17th June, 1842.

To Brewers, Publicans, and Others
TO LET, with Immediate Possession, that much frequented FREE PUBLIC-HOUSE, known as the Green Man at Toot Hill, in the parish of Stanford Rivers, Essex, with a compact 3-quarter plant. The premises are very convenient and in good repair, with large garden, &c. attached. A considerable wholesale trade is done, and might be much increased by an enterprising man. A Lease will be granted. For particulars apply by letter (post-paid) to Mr Champness, Auctioneer, Surveyor, and Estate Agent, Abridge, Essex.
Chelmsford Chronicle 16th September 1853

Toot-hill, Essex
MR WILLIAM JONES, Sen., will Sell by Auction, on Monday, June 4, at 12, by direction of the proprietor quitting the premises, the Green Man, Toot-hill, near Stanford Rivers, Chipping Ongar, Essex, a Brewer’s 1,180 gallon STORE and other CASKS, mash tub, cooler, underdeck, pulleys, stillion, useful bay mare, spring cart, harness, stable tools, bagatelle board, percussion gun, 8-day clock, and a few lots o Household Furniture of the usual description. Catalogues may be had in a few days on the premises; Green Man Inn, Toot-hill; at the Crown Inn, Ongar; White Hart, Abridge; and at the Auctioneers Office, near Stepney Station, Commercial-road, London.
Morning Advertiser, 23rd May 1855

GREEN MAN INN
TOOT HILL NEAR ONGAR, ESSEX
BREWING PLANT FURNITURE
AND EFFECTS
C. FOSTER

Will SELL BY AUCTION, at the above Inn, by order of the assignees, on Thursday, April 22nd, 1858, at 12 o’clock,
A Capital 20-bushel MASH TUB, beer cooler, 12 feet by 1 feet 6 in,; working tubs, copper brewing pump, 5 four-hogshead store casks, about 80 smaller casks, water cart, trade cart, and useful brown horse.
The FURNITURE, consists of 4-post and other bedsteads, bedding, chests of drawers, chairs, tables, glass, earthenware, and other effects, to be described in catalogues, to be had at the place of sale, the Inns of the neighbourhood, and of the Auctioneer, Chipping Ongar and Epping.
Chelmsford Chronicle 16th April, 1858

Sudden Death – Mr John Owers, baker and landlord of the Green Man Inn, Toot Hill, died very suddenly on Sunday. He was in Ongar on Saturday, and was apparently in his usual health when he went to bed. During the night he was seized with a fit, and was found lying I an unconscious state early the next morning. He never regained consciousness. Mr Owers who was 62 years of age, was well known throughout the district, where his death caused something like a sensation. When there was a class for donkeys at the Essex Agricultural Society’ show, he generally had an animal good enough to catch the judges’ eyes and take the red rosette.
[Essex Newsman 21January 1893]
A smaller licensed investment in Stanford Rivers, known as the Green Man, Toot Hill sold for £2,225.
[Morning Post 28th April 1900]
Before The Ongar Magistrates on the 5th October, Mr. Arnold Richardson applied on behalf of the London and Burton Brewery Company for the approval of plans for the re-building of the Green Man – Approved subject to the formal consent of the Rural Council.
[The Newsman, 12th October 1907]

Licensees
1841 Thomas Nicholls
1845 – 1851 Edward Rowan
1862 John Scott
1867 James Salmon
1870 – 1893 John Owers Baker/ Farmer
1894 – 1910 Charles Owers Baker
1911- 1917 Emma Owers
1917 Frank John Owers
1922 Charles Baker
1925 James Coles
1927 W.C. Kent (temporary licence)
1929 William Charles Kent
1933 Samuel Amis
1937 George William Weston
? John Roads