Albert Freeman 1870-1950
His life and his diaries
His life and his diaries
Albert Freeman was born on 23rd May 1870 in Chesham to parents George and Sarah Freeman. Albert's father is described in the 1871 census as an auctioneer and house furnisher, living in Germain Street.
By the age of twenty one Albert had moved to Great Marlow, (now Marlow) and as a surveyor's assistant he was boarding with Elizabeth Lees, a widow, and her family in West Street (1891 census).
Whilst there, Albert most probably met Jessie Davis his future wife as Jessie’s parents Alfred and Isabella Davis had a linen and draper's business 21, High Street in Great Marlow. Jessie was employed as a cashier in the shop.
Albert and Jessie married on Wednesday 2nd November 1898. The Watford Observer reported the marriage took place at the Wesleyan Chapel, Great Marlow, for Mr. Albert Freeman youngest son of Mr. George Freeman and Miss Jessie Davis, eldest daughter of Mr. Alfred Davis, High Street, Great Marlow, Bucks.
The bridegroom, a well-known figure hereabouts, is a courteous and indefatigable official, and is as popular as he is esteemed. He is musical, and has delighted many by his contributions at concerts. Mr Freeman was formerly in the office of the late Mr. Charles Carter, surveyor of Great Marlow and later in that of the Bucks County surveyor (Mr. R J Thomas). His family is much respected in Chesham, and is held in high esteem.
The bride who takes great interest in musical and other pursuits is much beloved in Marlow, where she has a host of friends, and her family is one of the foremost tradesmen in the riverside town.
The ceremony took place at noon where the church was beautifully decorated with flowers and foliage. The bridesmaids were Miss Clara Davis, Miss Isabel Davis her sisters, Miss Harman a cousin, and Miss Emma Freeman, sister of the bridegroom.
The bride wore a dress of ivory silk with chiffon and a white felt hat trimmed with ostrich feathers and ribbons. Her bouquet, a gift from the bridegroom was a shower of white roses and lilies. The bridesmaids wore cream coats and skirts, black felt hats with cream silk rosettes and black ostrich feathers. The bridegroom gave them a gift of a gold broach set with opals. They carried bouquets of yellow and pink chrysanthemums.
After the wedding breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Albert Freeman drove to Taplow railway station en route
for their honeymoon in Hastings. Jessie wore an outfit of black and white Shepherds plaid and a black hat trimmed with black and white ostrich feathers.
(As Jessie’s mother was a milliner, and the family business selling cloth and fabric, the wedding outfits, especially the hats, were most likely made by family members)
By the age of twenty one Albert had moved to Great Marlow, (now Marlow) and as a surveyor's assistant he was boarding with Elizabeth Lees, a widow, and her family in West Street (1891 census).
Whilst there, Albert most probably met Jessie Davis his future wife as Jessie’s parents Alfred and Isabella Davis had a linen and draper's business 21, High Street in Great Marlow. Jessie was employed as a cashier in the shop.
Albert and Jessie married on Wednesday 2nd November 1898. The Watford Observer reported the marriage took place at the Wesleyan Chapel, Great Marlow, for Mr. Albert Freeman youngest son of Mr. George Freeman and Miss Jessie Davis, eldest daughter of Mr. Alfred Davis, High Street, Great Marlow, Bucks.
The bridegroom, a well-known figure hereabouts, is a courteous and indefatigable official, and is as popular as he is esteemed. He is musical, and has delighted many by his contributions at concerts. Mr Freeman was formerly in the office of the late Mr. Charles Carter, surveyor of Great Marlow and later in that of the Bucks County surveyor (Mr. R J Thomas). His family is much respected in Chesham, and is held in high esteem.
The bride who takes great interest in musical and other pursuits is much beloved in Marlow, where she has a host of friends, and her family is one of the foremost tradesmen in the riverside town.
The ceremony took place at noon where the church was beautifully decorated with flowers and foliage. The bridesmaids were Miss Clara Davis, Miss Isabel Davis her sisters, Miss Harman a cousin, and Miss Emma Freeman, sister of the bridegroom.
The bride wore a dress of ivory silk with chiffon and a white felt hat trimmed with ostrich feathers and ribbons. Her bouquet, a gift from the bridegroom was a shower of white roses and lilies. The bridesmaids wore cream coats and skirts, black felt hats with cream silk rosettes and black ostrich feathers. The bridegroom gave them a gift of a gold broach set with opals. They carried bouquets of yellow and pink chrysanthemums.
After the wedding breakfast Mr. and Mrs. Albert Freeman drove to Taplow railway station en route
for their honeymoon in Hastings. Jessie wore an outfit of black and white Shepherds plaid and a black hat trimmed with black and white ostrich feathers.
(As Jessie’s mother was a milliner, and the family business selling cloth and fabric, the wedding outfits, especially the hats, were most likely made by family members)
The 1901 census confirms Albert and Jessie were living in Nightingale Road, Rickmansworth, where their daughter Alice Hybert was born that year on 5th June. Albert’s occupation is shown on the census as a surveyor and sanitary inspector employed by the Rickmansworth Parish Council.
Records show that Albert had been appointed surveyor to the Rickmansworth Highways Board by 1895. His career progressed after Rickmansworth became responsible for the neighbouring areas to form Rickmansworth Urban District Council (R.U.D.C.) in 1898. The installation of gas in the town became Albert’s responsibility. He also became the Town Planning Advisor. Albert would make recommendations to the council as well as carrying out any decisions passed at the Council meetings.
Travelling around the district as part of his employment, having to cover several miles each day, Albert was often seen on a bicycle! He also owned a motorcycle with side car, and eventually a motorcar.
Travelling around the district as part of his employment, having to cover several miles each day, Albert was often seen on a bicycle! He also owned a motorcycle with side car, and eventually a motorcar.
The 1911 census completed by Albert gives more information about the family home as Glenholme, 23 Nightingale Road, Rickmansworth.
Travelling around the district as part of his employment, having to cover several miles each day, Albert was often seen on a bicycle! He also owned a motorcycle with side car, and eventually a motorcar.
Albert kept a meticulous daily diary until his retirement in 1936. He would note where he was going, the reason for the visit, and whom he was seeing. The time of day, mode of transport and if travelling by train, the cost of his ticket etc were also added. According to his diary entries, Albert would make visits several days in succession, to discuss or oversee a situation. Eventually, as the housing development increased across the district, particularly the provision of homes for rent from the council, Albert’s responsibilities increased further. The council employed several staff to assist him and he would meet with them to discuss their relevant responsibilities around the district. Richard Annear, Engineer & Surveyor, Thomas Panther, Engineer for sewerage installation, and Charles Tyler, who began with basic duties and progressed to collecting the rents from council owned property, were his early colleagues. Albert would also meet with contractors employed by the council, included Charles Peddle, builder and undertaker and William Barlow a builder.
Throughout the diaries many entries show that Albert was very fond of his daughter Alice and proud of her successful education, recording many of her achievements. His visits to the Royal Holloway Girls College, Egham, Surrey, where she was studying were documented. Family incidents and holidays were also described in the diaries.
Among Albert's many achievements improving the quality of life in the district was the Colne Valley Sewerage Works scheme at Maple Cross. This was created under the Act of 1937 and a great deal of the initial input was attributed to Albert. It was later renamed West Herts Main Drainage Authority and, due to the strict and modern technical construction at the time, its operation was considered in 1950s to be the most advanced in Europe.
Albert secured the purchase of many open spaces throughout the district as well as for Croxley Green and these included the recreation grounds in Barton Way and Baldwins Lane as well as the purchase of Croxley Hall Woods.
Albert was also in charge of the council housing for Gonville Avenue in 1921 and Springfield Close in 1926 as well as setting up the allotment schemes for Croxley Green. The negotiations for the acquisition of several acres of the Moor Park Estate to provide golf courses and tennis courts included Albert in the discussions, especially where these facilities could be enjoyed across the district. As a keen golfer he managed to find time to enjoy this, and following a plan to preserve the Basing Gardens for a bowling green- a game of bowls.
After his retirement, Albert became a County Councillor in 1940 and served on the council throughout World War Two. As a young man he had been a member of the Chesham Baptist Church and regularly returned to play the organ and keep in touch with visits for special events or family occasions.
Albert's wife Jessie, passed away in 1947, aged 77 years and Albert in 1950, aged 80 years. Their daughter Alice continued living at Glenholme until her death in 1984. Albert was a benefactor to Rickmansworth Library and the diaries were at some point given to the library for safe keeping, possibly by Alice.
During the early 1990s, the Rickmansworth Historical Society (R.H.S.) became aware of their existence and how much valuable social history and information they held that was possibly not recorded or available elsewhere. An opportunity arose to examine and transcribe any information relevant to Croxley Green. From Albert’s notes and entries there were many interesting social details about the neighbouring district as well as critical essential knowledge about the development of the area. Unfortunately, at the time when they were available, several were missing.
Albert's entries were his own ‘aide- memoire’ and many of these have not been possible to transcribe. Several of the names Albert mentions were probably his work colleagues and/or members of the council that he might abbreviate because of familiarity.
Where Albert has made entries with initials for his own use, these have been transcribed where possible in full for clarification. Albert often shortened Rickmansworth to Ricky. In other instances where it might be unclear to the reader, extra information has been added, also for clarification in brackets and italics. Some information has been excluded because of its current sensitivity.
The diaries show Albert was committed to the council and its progress. He worked for long hours travelling around the district as well as long distances to obtain the best outcome that was available at the time.
Croxley Green was just one of the areas in the Rickmansworth District Council for which he was responsible. His work managing the whole district, as documented in the diaries, must have been exhausting!
The following names are mentioned in the diaries and are Albert’s colleagues or people he called upon on for advice.
Richard Annear - Engineer & Surveyor
William Barlow – Builder.
Samuel Arthur Bateman (SAB)- Clerk to Rickmansworth Urban District Council
Cole (not identified)
Lieutenant Colonel Charles George Du Cane – Civil Engineer (1921 census employed with A J Barry & Partners Consulting Engineers)
Sydney Dawe - Architect & Quantity Surveyor
Sydney Holland – Parish Councillor, Rickmansworth Parish Council
Henry Lomas – Clerk, Council
William Ling - Gas Fitter, Bell Hanger employed by Messrs Beeson & Sons Ironmongers
James Milton - Gas Works, Rickmansworth Town Council
James Owen Raymond - Architect and Quantity Surveyor, employed by Sydney Dawe
Thomas Panther - Engineer for sewerage installation
Charles Peddle - Builder &Undertaker Walter Sydney Sills - Gas Department R.U.D.C.
Colin Taylor- District Councillor, President Rickmansworth Traders Association Charles Tyler - General employment, collecting the rents from council owned property.
Throughout the diaries many entries show that Albert was very fond of his daughter Alice and proud of her successful education, recording many of her achievements. His visits to the Royal Holloway Girls College, Egham, Surrey, where she was studying were documented. Family incidents and holidays were also described in the diaries.
Among Albert's many achievements improving the quality of life in the district was the Colne Valley Sewerage Works scheme at Maple Cross. This was created under the Act of 1937 and a great deal of the initial input was attributed to Albert. It was later renamed West Herts Main Drainage Authority and, due to the strict and modern technical construction at the time, its operation was considered in 1950s to be the most advanced in Europe.
Albert secured the purchase of many open spaces throughout the district as well as for Croxley Green and these included the recreation grounds in Barton Way and Baldwins Lane as well as the purchase of Croxley Hall Woods.
Albert was also in charge of the council housing for Gonville Avenue in 1921 and Springfield Close in 1926 as well as setting up the allotment schemes for Croxley Green. The negotiations for the acquisition of several acres of the Moor Park Estate to provide golf courses and tennis courts included Albert in the discussions, especially where these facilities could be enjoyed across the district. As a keen golfer he managed to find time to enjoy this, and following a plan to preserve the Basing Gardens for a bowling green- a game of bowls.
After his retirement, Albert became a County Councillor in 1940 and served on the council throughout World War Two. As a young man he had been a member of the Chesham Baptist Church and regularly returned to play the organ and keep in touch with visits for special events or family occasions.
Albert's wife Jessie, passed away in 1947, aged 77 years and Albert in 1950, aged 80 years. Their daughter Alice continued living at Glenholme until her death in 1984. Albert was a benefactor to Rickmansworth Library and the diaries were at some point given to the library for safe keeping, possibly by Alice.
During the early 1990s, the Rickmansworth Historical Society (R.H.S.) became aware of their existence and how much valuable social history and information they held that was possibly not recorded or available elsewhere. An opportunity arose to examine and transcribe any information relevant to Croxley Green. From Albert’s notes and entries there were many interesting social details about the neighbouring district as well as critical essential knowledge about the development of the area. Unfortunately, at the time when they were available, several were missing.
Albert's entries were his own ‘aide- memoire’ and many of these have not been possible to transcribe. Several of the names Albert mentions were probably his work colleagues and/or members of the council that he might abbreviate because of familiarity.
Where Albert has made entries with initials for his own use, these have been transcribed where possible in full for clarification. Albert often shortened Rickmansworth to Ricky. In other instances where it might be unclear to the reader, extra information has been added, also for clarification in brackets and italics. Some information has been excluded because of its current sensitivity.
The diaries show Albert was committed to the council and its progress. He worked for long hours travelling around the district as well as long distances to obtain the best outcome that was available at the time.
Croxley Green was just one of the areas in the Rickmansworth District Council for which he was responsible. His work managing the whole district, as documented in the diaries, must have been exhausting!
The following names are mentioned in the diaries and are Albert’s colleagues or people he called upon on for advice.
Richard Annear - Engineer & Surveyor
William Barlow – Builder.
Samuel Arthur Bateman (SAB)- Clerk to Rickmansworth Urban District Council
Cole (not identified)
Lieutenant Colonel Charles George Du Cane – Civil Engineer (1921 census employed with A J Barry & Partners Consulting Engineers)
Sydney Dawe - Architect & Quantity Surveyor
Sydney Holland – Parish Councillor, Rickmansworth Parish Council
Henry Lomas – Clerk, Council
William Ling - Gas Fitter, Bell Hanger employed by Messrs Beeson & Sons Ironmongers
James Milton - Gas Works, Rickmansworth Town Council
James Owen Raymond - Architect and Quantity Surveyor, employed by Sydney Dawe
Thomas Panther - Engineer for sewerage installation
Charles Peddle - Builder &Undertaker Walter Sydney Sills - Gas Department R.U.D.C.
Colin Taylor- District Councillor, President Rickmansworth Traders Association Charles Tyler - General employment, collecting the rents from council owned property.
The Diaries
The date in which Albert first completed his diaries is unclear but in those that were available Croxley Green is mentioned from 1915. The growth of the village was still developing and shortly after the outbreak of the First World War it would appear Albert had already made plans to accommodate troop movements in the area.
1916 Diary (Missing)
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CLICK HERE for Albert Freeman Diaries 1915
The Diaries for 1932-36 were missing at the time of transcribing them.
This completes the information that was available at the time of transcribing them in the early1990's
Sources:
Albert Freeman Diaries.
The Rickmansworth Historian No 14 Autumn 1967, Rickmansworth Personalities: Albert Freeman (1870- 1950) Miss Alice Freeman.
Three Rivers Museum Trust, https://trmt.org.uk/
Ancestry www.ancestry.co.uk
Findmypast www.findmypast.co.uk
The Marlow Society marlowsociety.org.uk
Margaret J Pomfret January 2025
Sources:
Albert Freeman Diaries.
The Rickmansworth Historian No 14 Autumn 1967, Rickmansworth Personalities: Albert Freeman (1870- 1950) Miss Alice Freeman.
Three Rivers Museum Trust, https://trmt.org.uk/
Ancestry www.ancestry.co.uk
Findmypast www.findmypast.co.uk
The Marlow Society marlowsociety.org.uk
Margaret J Pomfret January 2025