William Creed, Builder, Funeral Director, and Landlord of the Pond House, Punt Hill , Maidenhead, and his first wife Mary Ann

 

Monument to Mary Ann Creed and William Creed, All Saint's Churchyard, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead.

"In Loving Memory of

Mary Ann

The Beloved Wife Of William Creed

Who Entered Into Rest April 22nd 1905

Aged 56 Years

- Deeply Lamented -

Also of

William Creed

Who Entered Into Rest September 14th 1925

Aged 75 Years

- To Live In The Hearts Of Those We Love, Is not To Die -"

Mary Ann Creed was born Mary Ann Dobson, in 1848 in Marlborough, Wiltshire. I have been unable to locate any records on Mary Ann before her marriage to William Creed in 1872.

William Creed was born in 1849 in Dunfield, Gloucestershire to Alexander Creed, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary Spreg.

William first appears on the 1851 Census, aged one, living with his parents and older siblings in Kempsford. Gloucestershire. William is still living with his parents in Kempsford in 1861.

In 1871 William was lodging in the home of Stephen Greenaway in Marlborough, Wiltshire. William's occupation is given as a carpenter. In 1872 William married Mary Ann, sometimes listed a Mariann, in Marlborough, Wiltshire. Their first child, a daughter, Edith Annie Creed was born in 1874, followed by a son, Arthur George Creed in 1878.

The 1881 Census finds the family living at 12 Kensington Place, Ealing, Middlesex. In 1882 William and Mary moved to Maidenhead Berkshire, where they took over the license of the Pond House in Boyn Hill.

On the 1891 Census William and Mary can be found running the Pond House Public House, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead. Living with them at the time is their 8 year old nephew, Harry Dobson.

On 16th April 1892 the Pound House was broken into and some property of William was stolen. On 27th April 1892 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"CHARGE OF BURGLARY. THE ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. 

At the Borough Police Court, on Monday, before the Mayor (J. F. Simpson, Esq.), C. W. Cox, H. R. Burrows, and J. Budgen, Esqrs., 

Charles Walter Colebrook, 21, a clean-shaven man, of 5ft. 71/2in., described on the charge-sheet as of Hanwell. Middlesex, an able seaman, was charged with having burglariously entered the Pond House, Boyn-hill, on the 16th inst., and stolen therefrom 12 cigars, 8 ounces of tobacco, and a meerschaum pipe in case, the property of Mr. Creed, the landlord. 

William Creed said: I am a builder and beerkouse-keeper, living at the Pond House, Boyn Hill. On Saturday night, April 16th, I saw my house secure at 12.30. I examined the door and windows of the bar as usual, and found them securely fastened. On the same morning (the 17th) I came downstairs and went into the bar at 6.30. and on entering the bar I found the glass in a small hanging sash on the top of the bay window broken about four inches square, large enough to insert a hand. It was possible for a hand to be placed through the aperture to undo the fastening. The latter is what is called a stay, and answers the purpose of a fastener and a stay for regulating the ventilation. The stay had been broken off and thrown on to the floor. I found that an entry had been effected. The bar doors were all locked. I missed about twelve cigars taken from a box in the bar, which was on a shelf at the back of the counter. I also missed about eight ounces of tobacco, in ounce packets. The tobacco was "Reading Mixture" and " Tony Lumpkin." I also missed a meerschaum cigar-holder and case, which I had had for about two years. Those produced are the same, and l am sure they are my property. The value of the whole of the property is about 13s. The thief must have left the house by the same way he entered.

By the Mayor: I am satisfied that no one was in the house when I locked up. Whoever stole the things got in from without. 

Mr. Budgen: Is breaking out as bad as breaking in —(Laughter.) 

The Clerk : Yes, if it is done feloniously. 

Examination continued: A chair was placed under the window apparently to assist the thief to get out.

Prisoner had no question to put to Mr. Creed. 

Constable Mines said: On Saturday night, the 16th, I was on duty in the Bath-road, and when in a dark spot I saw the prisoner, at 12.30, near Castle Hill bridge. I suspected and watched the prisoner, and saw him turn round when opposite Mr. Silver's house. I stopped the prisoner, and found on him a sailor's discharge and other things, but no housebreaking implements. He had on him a wooden pipe with a black mouthpiece. I asked him where he was going, and he said "To Cardiff," and I let him go. Prisoner went in the direction of Reading. I kept observation on the prisoner for half an hour, and left him at Punt-hill, some 200 yards from the Pond House, and out of the borough. I saw no more of the prisoner. 

Colebrook asked no question of Mines. 

Detective-Constable Ilott said: On Sunday morning, the 17th inst., I received instructions from Supt. Taylor to go to the Pond House, where I examined the windows and found the sash of the taproom partly wrenched off. I next examined the bar window, and found the sash there partly wrenched off at the left-hand corner. and the fastening inside was off. The glass was broken sufficiently to admit a hand. Mr. Creed handed me the piece of wood produced, and I have no doubt from the marks on the sash that the sash was prised open with that piece of wood. I have compared the marks on the sash with the wood. I made enquiries in company with Mr. Creed and traced the prisoner as far as Reading. On Thursday last I again went to Reading to make further enquiry and saw the prisoner in custody at the County Police-station. I told him that he would be charged with breaking into the Pond House at Maidenhead and stealing a cigar-holder, some cigars, and some tobacco. I left him there for a short time, and afterwards returned to the cell, when prisoner made a voluntary statement, in the presence of Supt. Pocock. Prisoner said "I came into Maidenhead on Saturday evening. I was stopped and searched by a policeman. I afterwards met another policeman, and he saw me along the road a little way. I then went on a little farther and broke into the public-house. I wrenched the window open with a piece of wood, which I picked up near the fence. I got inside and took a cigar-holder, about eight cigars, and some tobacco. I got out and went along the road a little way towards Reading, and went into a shed and went to sleep. I then came on into Reading, and sold the cigar-holder for 2s. at a little shop in West-street; I think it was just before 12 o'clock, and I smoked the cigars and tobacco. So now I have told you the truth." 

Mr. Cox : Did you previously caution this man? 

Ilott I had previously cautioned him, your worship—in the morning. 

Asked if he had any questions to put to the detective the prisoner said, " No ; it's quite correct, your worship." 

Harry James, detective-constable for the Borough of Reading, said: On Sunday morning, the 17th inst., I was on duty at the G.W.R. downstation, where I saw Constable Mines and Det.-sergeant Gamble, who informed me that a burglary had been committed at Maidenhead. I made enquiry, and on Thursday I went to 7, West-street, and obtained the cigar-holder and case produced from Mr. William Boseley, tobacconist. I took the cigar-holder and case to the County Police-station and showed them to Supt. Pocock. 

William Boseley, tobacconist, 7, West-street, Reading, was the next witness. He said he remembered having seen the prisoner on one day early in last week, but could not say on what day. Witness was several times asked to endeavour to remember the day, but he could not do so, and said he thought it must have been on the Monday or Tuesday. He did not think it was on the Sunday. He said: The prisoner came to me and said " I have a cigar-holder for sale. Will you buy it ? " The cigar-holder and case produced were the same as those offered to me and which I bought. I am sure the prisoner is the man of whom I bought them. I gave him two shillings for them. I handed them over to Detective-Constable James about Thursday. The prisoner said the property belonged to him, and that he had come from Portsmouth and was hard up. The prisoner said what the witness had said was quite right. 

William Smith, sergeant in the Berks Constabulary, stationed at Reading, said: I brought the prisoner from Reading this morning, and he was charged by Supt. Taylor. He replied "That is quite correct." In reply to Mr. Cox, Sergeant Smith said the prisoner was under remand at Reading on another charge, and a further one was to be preferred against him. He had brought the prisoner up in custody. 

Answering the Mayor, Mr. Creed said there was no money in the till. The latter, however, had been taken out and put on the counter, and the papers, &e., inside had been turned over. 

The prisoner was charged and cautioned in the usual way, and said "I'm guilty of it." He was then formally committed for trial at the Berkshire Assizes. In reply to Mr. Cox, Sergeant Smith said the prisoner was charged with having broken into Thesis railway-station and also into the Sun public-house, Castle-street, Reading. The accused, who is manifestly a very bungling, inexperienced burglar, was caught when breaking into Theale railway-station, and also the Sun public-house, Castle-street, Reading.

The accused, who is manifestly a very bungling, inexperienced burglar, his capture being effected by a Reading officer of the Berks County Constabulary." 

Charles Colebrook was later sentenced to five years penal servitude at the Berkshire Assizes for the crime.

Pond House Public House

In July 1893 William was called as a witness to an assault. On 23rd July 1893 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A WIFE. 

Charles Digby was charged with having assaulted his wife. Emily Digby, on the 11th inst —He pleaded Not Guilty.—

The parties live at Boyn Hill, near the Crooked Billet, and have been married 12 years, and have 5 children. Mrs. Digby declared that on the 11th inst., she saw her husband with some loose women, and she went home and got to bed at about 11 o'clock. Soon after her husband returned and started ill-using her and called her all sorts of names. He punched her with his two fists, and she was afraid to live with him as he had ill-used her before.— 

Defendant called Mr. William Creed, landlord of the Pond House, who said that he saw the defendant on the llth inst. at his house between 8 and 9. He had been in there about ten minutes when Flint, the coachman from Chalk Pit Farm, and others drove up in a trap Digby went out and "spoke to them, and defendant's wife then came up and said to her husband, "l am very glad I have caught you myself," and began to abuse him and struck him with an umbrella and broke it. Defendant did not strike his wife that he saw. Complainant was either intoxicated or excited. --

In answer to Mr. Cox. Mr. Creed said that so far as he knew of the defendant, he was a very good man and always behaved himself well when in his house. —

Defendant said that his wife was a very violent woman,and she had beaten him; in fact, he was afraid of her instead of her being afraid of him.—The magistrates dismissed the case. The complainant had to pay the costs (6d.), but her husband paid the money."

In the late 1890's William Creed also went into the funeral business.

On 14th February 1898 the license for the Pond House was transferred from William to Mr. E. A. Parish.

In 1899 William and Mary's only daughter, Edith, married Frank Horley. The following announcement appeared in the Maidenhead Advertiser on 13th September 1899:

"Marriages-

HORLEY--CEED.—On September 6th, at All Saints', Boyn Hill, by the Vicar, the Rev. A. H. Drummond, Frank, son of Alfred Horley, of 4, Park Villas, to Edith Annie, only daughter of William Creed, of Boynhurst, Maidenhead."

 

The 1901 Census finds William and Mary living at Boynhurst, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead Just a few years later on 22nd April 1905 Mary Ann was to pass away. The following announcement appeared in the Maidenhead Advertiser on 26th April 1905:

"Deaths-

Creed —On April 22nd, at Boynhurst, Maidenhead, pissed peacefully away Mary Ann, the dearly beloved wife of William Creed. Deeply lamented."

Boynhurst, Boyn Hill Road, Maidenhead

In 1906 in Southhampton, Hampshire William married Florence Jane Hubbard, widow of John Brill farmer at Norden Farm.

1911 finds William and Florence living at Boyn Works, 5 Boyn Hill, Maidenhead along with three of Florence's children from her first marriage.

On 18th January 1915 William was involved in an accident where he was knocked from his bicycle by a motor car. On 2nd February 1915 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"A Sergeant's Joy Ride.

Maidenhead Builder's Narrow Escape.

At Maidenhead Borough Police Court on Monday, before thee Mayor and other magistrates, Sergt. Geo Cox, of the R. H. A. Barracks, Woolwich, was summoned for driving a motor-car eat an excessive speed and without a licence.

Mr Owen Stuchbury appeared for the defendant. P.C. Smith was on duty in King-street at 3.40 p.m. on Jan. 18th, when a motor-car came out of the Station Approach at a speed of about 20 miles an hour. After passing witness the car skidded right across the road on to the pavement in front of the Fuller, Story, & Coy's office and knocked Mr. William Creed off his bicycle. He called upon the driver to stop, but he took no notice and went along King-street. Defendant returned in three or four minutes, when witness asked him why he did not stop after an accident and he replied "I couldn't change gears." He afterwards said "Do what you like; I shall be out in Egypt tomorrow."

Cross-examined: Defendant cut the corner and could have turned on King-street. The braked were not applied. He did not notice that driver was trying to avoid a cart.

William Creed, builder, Boyne Hill, said he was riding his bicycle along King-street, and when near the brewery the motor-car shot across the road at right angles and threw witness and his machine over. He should think the car was travelling at about ten miles an hour.

In reply to Mr. Stuchbery, witness said he was riding on the right side of the road trying to escape the motor-car. Defendant, who was in uniform at the time, paid him £2 7s. 6d. for damage to the bicycle.

Percy Watkins, cab-driver, stated that he saw the motor-car on the afternoon in question come down Station-approach at a very fast pace and skid on to the pavement, colliding with Mr. Creed."

After taking Sergeant Cox's excellent record as a soldier and the fact he was the son of a well known townsman, he was fined 20 shillings for driving at an excessive speed, and 20 shillings for not having a licence. Since both the offences carried a fine of £40 it really is who you know. Interestingly in 1924 William's bicycle, worth £4, was stolen by Frederick Gauch.

On September 14th 1925 at the Kenmore Nursing Home, Taplow, Buckinghamshire. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 16th September 1925:

"Death Of Mr. William Creed.

With deep regret we record the death of Mr. William Creed, of Boynhurst, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, one of our oldest and most highly-esteemed residents. He had been unwell for some time and entered the Kenmore Nursing Home, Taplow, for an operation. This had fatal consequences , and Mr. Creed passed away at 11:30 on Monday night last, at the age of 76 [sic]. He was until his retirement two years ago, in business as a builder and carried out many building contracts in Maidenhead and district with entire satisfaction. The last contract in which he was concerned was the erection of the new Midland Bank, in High-street. His death will be heard with great regret throughout the town, and sympathy will be extended to his widow and relatives."

The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on William's funeral at All Saint's Church in Boyne Hill on 23rd September 1925:

  "Funeral Of The Late Mr. W. Creed.

The funeral of the late Mr. William Creed, of Boynhurst, Boyn Hill, Maidenhead, whose death we recorded last week, took place at All Saints',  Boyn Hill, on Saturday afternoon at 3.15, the officiating clergymen being the Vicar, Rev. W. S. Mahony, assisted by the Rev. H. D. Bruce. The service was fully choral and an anthem was beautifully rendered. Mr. W. J. Elliott presided at the organ. The coffin was carried from deceased's residence to the Church by six of his oldest employees- Messrs. C. Johnson, H. Young, T. Cunnington, J. Box, W. Lloyd and G. North, and the undertaker for Messrs. Creed and Co., *William's own funeral director business* was Mr. R, Startford, who had been in Mr. Creed's employ for over 30 years. Over 80 of the employees subscribed for a wreath which was sent, and they attended the funeral. His tenants in Raymond-road also sent a beautiful wreath. 

Although the weather was so bad there was a large congregation in the church." 

Florence, William's second wife, remained in Maidenhead until her own passing on 25th June 1934, at Boynhurst. Boyn Hill, aged 73.