Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press Saturday 03 November 1883

Sale.—Mr. George Bennett, of Buckingham, submitted for sale by public auction on Friday, the 26th October, at the Cock Hotel, Stony Stratford, direction of the executors of the late Mr. Joseph Foster, several valuable freehold properties situate at Cosgrove, Hanslope, and Old Stratford. —Lot 1, three houses at Old Stratford, were knocked down to Mr. J. Boughton for £315, and Mr. Thos. Foxley became the purchaser of Lot 2, a close of pasture land near Old Stratford, for £500.—Lot 3, house, bakehouse and cottages at Cosgrove, were purchased by Mr. Jonah Brown at £430, and Mr. Varney bought Lot 4, field of arable land at Hanslope for £700.—Lot 5, field of pasture land near Hanslope, was knocked down to Mr. Stephen Branson for £330. A large company was present, and for some of the lots there was spirited competition. The vendor’s solicitors were Messrs. J. and W. R. Parrott, Stony Stratford. See properties below Jonah Braown purchased at the auction in 1883.

Marked in red is the site where the cottages that were burnt down once stood	View of what was left after the fire 1st November 1902
Buckingham Advertiser  November 8th 1902 A fire occurred at Cosgrove on Saturday morning involving the total destruction of two cottages occupied by two widows, Mrs Allen and Mrs. Toombs. The outbreak was first observed on the thatched roof, and spread with alarming rapidity, making its way downstairs. The inhabitants of the village were soon helping in the removal of the furniture, the bedsteads alone being left. Meanwhile the position got serious, and in response to telegrams the Stony Stratford Brigade and the Wolverton Works Brigade were summoned and arrived at 12 and 12.30. With a splendid supply of water available from the canal the fire at once began to get under control. Fortunately it was located to the two cottages concerned, though steps had previously been taken to prevent it spreading. At one o’clock all danger was over, the cottages being completely burnt out. The cottages were owned by Mr. Jonah Brown. The loss is estimated at £150. It is supposed the fire arose through children throwing a match on the roof.
Bakehouse and Post Office in the early 1900s

15 March 1898. Mr E Phipps reported that in accordance with instructions he had purchased on Co’s behalf from Jonah Brown the Barge Inn and five cottages at Cosgrove for £850. Deposit of £85 paid on 11 March. Solicitor instructed to convey.

Northampton Mercury - Friday 13 June 1924

PATHETIC LETTER TO WIFE

Mr W. Whitton, Coroner for South Northants, held an inquiry at the Barge Inn Cosgrove on Tuesday afternoon into the death of Mr Thomas Timothy Sharpe, aged 57, of 22 Cambridge-street, Wolverton whose body was recovered from the Grand Junction Canal, at Cosgrove on the previous afternoon. Evidence of identification was given by Thomas Freeman Sharpe, a son of deceased, who stated that his father suffered from chronic asthma, and was under the care of a doctor. He had had the complaint for about 20 years. He had been rather quiet during the previous few days.

Reginald Eales, labourer, Manor Cottages, Old Wolverton said that whilst he was walking with friends along the canal from Old Stratford to Cosgrove, he noticed a man’s coat and walking stick lying on the  bank. He then saw the body in the water.

Frederick Joseph Clarke, farmer, Cosgrove Locks, who was called by the previous witness gave evidence of recovering the body and finding a letter in the deceased's coat pocket. The letter, addressed to his wife and children, stated; “Forgive me for the sorrow l am causing you. I know you have all been good to me, but I can’t stand any more of this suffering, week after week. I shall be better out than in this world. Goodbye and forgive.”

The Coroner returned a verdict of “suicide by drowning during temporary insanity”, and expressed sympathy with the widow and family.

By direction of the Education Committee
of the Northamptonshire County Council.

COSGROVE

2 miles from Stony Stratford, 4 miles
from Wolverton. 8 miles from Towcester,
and 12 miles from Northampton.

A DETACHED FREEHOLD DWELLING-HOUSE

known as
THE SCHOOL HOUSE, COSGROVE.

The Property is Brick Built, partly Slated and Tiled, and contains; Three Bedrooms, two fitted grates and one having an electric heating plug and cupboard; Entrance Hall; Two Sitting Rooms (one with bay) each fitted grate; Breakfast Room, fitted grate, electric heating plug and cupboard; Pantry; Larder; Kitchen, fitted inter-oven grate, table and cupboard; Scullery, fitted sink and copper; Bathroom, fitted bath and basin.

Brick paved Yard with access through double doors to street; Closet, brick-built and slated Garage and Coal Store adjoining; Small Lean-to Greenhouse, and a Garden, well stocked with productive fruit trees.

Electric Light. Water Supply.

VACANT POSSESSION.

TO BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY AUCTION,

BY J. C. J. Legge FAI.,

AT THE BARGE INN, COSGROVE,

On WEDNESDAY, JULY 26th, 1939,

At Seven o’clock in the Evening,

Subject to Conditions of Sale to be then produced.

For full Particulars and Key, apply to the Auctioneer. House, Shop, Land, Estate and Valuation Offices, 14, Castilian-street, Northampton. Telephone 50 (two lines).

Solicitor; J. ALAN TURNER, Esq., Clerk of the Northamptonshire County Council, County Hall, Northampton. Telephone Nos. 791/2.

Hospital effort – Mrs. George Brown, an enthusiastic Cosgrove Hospital worker, organized two domino drives on Thursday and Tuesday and these took place on the lawn at the Barge Inn and were well attended.  The sum of £3 was realized on behalf of the village effort for Lord Hesketh’s special appeal for Northampton Hospital.

Gifts Sent to Cosgrove Serving Men

Thirty two men of the village of Cosgrove have been sent a gift of 10 shillings each through the kindly thought and work of Mr. and Mrs. Brown of the Barge, Cosgrove, who, with the help of customers of this house, raised the excellent sum of £16 for that purpose.

Mr. Brown is a native of the village and has lived at the Barge all his life.  He and his wife have always taken an active interest in the welfare of the village.

A whist drive held in the grounds of the Barge Inn, Cosgrove, in aid of the Comforts fund, by permission of Mrs. G Brown, produced a sum of £2 12s 0d.  Mrs. Brown also gave the refreshments and a ladies “nightie” for a draw, Miss Joan Whittaker being the lucky winner.  The whist drive winners were: Ladies: 1 Mrs. H Castle 2 Miss Brooks; high half, Mrs. Williams.  Gentlemen: 1 Mr. Crowder 2 Mr. Hill; high half Mr. G Hill.  Scorecard Miss J. Whittaker.  Mrs. Gallop was MC.  Mrs. Hill gave a cake for competition and this was won by Mrs. J Brown.

A whist drive in aid of the Cosgrove Nursing Association was held in the grounds of the Barge.  The prize winners were: ladies, 1 Mrs. F. Williams, 2 Mrs. J Brown; high half, Mrs. Brown.  Men, 1 Mr R. Williams, 2 Mr. R Gallop; high half, Mr. W Castle.  Score card, Mrs. Hebson.  A cake given by Mrs. G Brown was won by Mrs. Hill, and a bunch of flowers by Mrs. Whittaker went to Mrs. Gallop.

A whist drive held in the grounds of the Barge, Cosgrove, by kind permission of Mrs. G Brown, produced £3 for the Comforts Fund for men serving in H M Forces.  The prizewinners were: women 1 Mrs. J Brown, 2 Mrs. Gallop, highest half Mrs. Waine; men, 1 Mrs. Loughrey, 2 Mrs. Brockway, highest half Miss. Tomkins, scorecard Mrs. Waine; special Mrs. F Castle.

Mrs. Brown, of the Barge Inn Cosgrove, has sent 10s each as a Christmas gift to 54 customers and friends serving in the Forces.  The money was raised by competitions and donations.

Cosgrove Barge Inn Forces Fund

Generous support has been given during the past year to the efforts organised at the Barge Inn, Cosgrove, on behalf of the Forces Fund run in connection with that licensed house under the supervision of Mrs. G Brown (licensee).  The Fund stands at £55, and no fewer than 55 serving men from the village will receive a Christmas gift of £1 each.

Nearly 50 years at the Barge, Cosgrove - Death of Mrs. Brown

Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, one of Cosgrove is best known residents, passed away on Tuesday last, 2nd October, at the Barge Inn, Cosgrove.  She was 74 years of age.  The Barge Inn licence has been held by the Brown family for over 100 years, and Mrs. Brown’s death has severed this long association.  Deceased husband, Mr. George brown, passed away three years ago, and his wife was granted the licence.  She has resided at the Barge for 47 years and during that time has been one of the village’s hardest workers for Northampton General Hospital.  The funeral takes place tomorrow (Saturday).

Funeral of Cosgrove Resident – Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, Barge Inn

Mrs. Elizabeth brown, widow of Mr. George Brown, a former licensee of the Barge Inn Cosgrove, was buried on Saturday last.  Deceased lady died at that well-known inn situate by the side of the Grand Union Canal on the previous Tuesday, at the age of 74, after 47 years residence in that licensed house.  Mrs. Brown had held the licence since her husband’s death three years ago.

Of the happy disposition, she was held in affection by all with whom she came in contact, and was well known for her generosity by hundreds of anglers are used to spend weekends fishing the waters in the village.  A staunch hospital worker, her efforts for the Northampton General Hospital have taken place for many years.  Mrs. Brown was a regular worshipper at the Cosgrove mission hall, and on Sunday last at the mission, Mr. H Greenwood, Deanshanger, paid a fitting tribute to her life and character.  The hymn “Peace, perfect peace” was sung.

Many mourners

The Cosgrove Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul held many mourners and sympathisers on Saturday.  The Rev. A Woodhouse Rector of Passenham conducted the service.  The hymns “Rock of Ages” and “Jesu lover of my soul” were feelingly sung, Mrs. Feil being the organist.

Mourners present were: Mrs. Galvinoni of London, Mrs. Cova of Bristol, and Mr. and Mrs. Cawthorne of Stoke Goldington (sisters and brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. W. Garratt of Bradwell, Mr J. Garrett of Bedford, Mr. G Garratt of Beachampton, and Mr T. Garratt of Stoke Goldington (Brothers and sisters in law), Mr. S Eglesfield, Mr. and Mrs. C Eglesfield of Stony Stratford, Mr. Ted Eglesfield of Stony Stratford, Mr. and Mrs. A Eglesfield of Wolverton, Mr. F Brown of Aldershot, Mr. and Mrs. F Brown of Northampton, Mr. and Mrs. C Hill, Mr. L Hill, Mr. F Hill of Cosgrove, Mr A. Cadd, of Coventry, Mr. and Mrs. J Hebson, Mrs. J. Johnson and Mrs. T Kightley, Mrs. D. Giddings, Miss M Eglesfield of Northampton.

Over Sixty Wreaths

Over 60 floral tributes were received and they were from: Sid; Doris and Charlie; Barge customers; Miss Balfour and Miss Wells; Rodney, Patrick, and Ivor Hickford; Mr. and Mrs. Goodridge, and children; Flo; Alice, Michael, John and Mr. and Mrs. Elderton; Sid Amer; Oliver and Jack; Mr. and Mrs. And Miss Brassington; Edie and Marjorie; Mrs. F. Hillyer and Mrs. G. Williams; Mrs. Cadd and Marion (Wolverton); Doll, Jack, Rosemarie and twins; Captain G H Feil MC; Mim; Annie, Maria, Liza and Rosetta; June and Audrey; Ted, Vera and Lizzie;

Mary, Grace, Gune and Philip Atkinson; Cosgrove Women’s Institute; friends at Chislehurst Kent; Mr. and Mrs. Monk; Mr. and Mrs. Winterbottom; Arthur, Dot and Sheila (Coventry); Mrs. Rivers; Chirp, Win and family; Jack, Joan, Tom and Wag; Nellie and Arthur (Wolverton); Alf Meakins Beachampton; Nellie Jim and Brian (Stony Stratford); Nora, Don and family (Northampton); Fred, Fin and family (Northampton); Jack and family; Rose and family; Ruby and Net; Mrs. Knight; Agnes and Mrs. Dilky; Rose and family (Aldershot); Brother George; Mr. and Mrs. Bushell, and family, and Ted; Pat and Pauline Bushell; F Barby; Mrs. F. Williams; past and present members of Football Club; George, Millie, and family (Potterspury); Hospital Committee; Mrs Baines, Ada, Betty and Mildred (New Bradwell); Little Mary; Anna, Will, Edith and family (New Bradwell); Jack and Lottie (Castlethorpe); Dorrie, Joe, Lou, and Mary (London); Tom and Lottie; Clara, Jack, Ruby and family; Herbert and Minnie; J Brown and family (Cosgrove); Louie and Francis; Miss Wake; friends at Northampton.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. J S. Cowley and Sons 71 High St, Stony Stratford.

LICENCE IN FAMILY 100 YEARS

A family connection extending over a century has been broken by the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown, the landlady of the Barge Inn, Cosgrove. The licence has been held by members the Brown family for over 100 years. The late Mrs. Brown’s husband pre-deceased her three years ago, following which she was granted the licence. She had lived at the Barge, a resort for fishermen using the Broadwaters and the Grand Union Canal, for 47 years, and during that time had been an energetic worker for Northampton General Hospital. She was 74.

Sue Eglesfield with Arthur Cadd in the Barge field c 1954

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Ada, Janet, Sue and Sid Eglesfield at the Barge	Sue, Sid, and Janet Eglesfield and the "Twinnies" Jo and Jill
The Barge Inn Darts Team with the Fermor Cup - Sue Eglesfield, Frank Hillier, Jack Johnson, Sid Amos, Sid Eglesfield, Adgie Ratcliffe, Mr Lewis