The Plough - Scots Hill
The Plough was located on Scots Hill opposite the Rickmansworth School entrance. The hill was dominated by housing and shops prior to Croxley Green New Road being developed in the 1870's and was the 'early village'.
Although this area still offered a comprehensive choice for shoppers it was the hill that was to cause drastic changes in the 1970's.
Originally two-way traffic, the hill was difficult to negotiate particularly in severe weather conditions on both the up and the down sides. Accidents were a major problem. Onward buses to Rickmansworth and beyond would not attempt to risk the vehicle during icy weather, consequently passengers would have to make alternative travel arrangements as the bus would terminate in Croxley Green.
When a bus did descend the hill, on its return journey if conditions were treacherous, passengers were encouraged to alight and walk the hill whilst the bus went up empty.
They would return to their seats once they and the bus had reached the top.
A decision was made to change the hill to a dual carriage way and a new upside was created in the 1970's. For this to be achieved properties including shops and pubs were demolished. The Plough as well and The George & Dragon were included in these plans.
Although this area still offered a comprehensive choice for shoppers it was the hill that was to cause drastic changes in the 1970's.
Originally two-way traffic, the hill was difficult to negotiate particularly in severe weather conditions on both the up and the down sides. Accidents were a major problem. Onward buses to Rickmansworth and beyond would not attempt to risk the vehicle during icy weather, consequently passengers would have to make alternative travel arrangements as the bus would terminate in Croxley Green.
When a bus did descend the hill, on its return journey if conditions were treacherous, passengers were encouraged to alight and walk the hill whilst the bus went up empty.
They would return to their seats once they and the bus had reached the top.
A decision was made to change the hill to a dual carriage way and a new upside was created in the 1970's. For this to be achieved properties including shops and pubs were demolished. The Plough as well and The George & Dragon were included in these plans.
The Plough Inn
(© National Archives - #D827)
1871 census
Fergus Dorrell - Head - aged 22 b1849 in Oxfordshire England
Caroline Dorrell - Mother - aged 45 b1826 in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England
Henry Tabor - Lodger - aged 28 b1843 in Stonehead, Wiltshire, England
Fergus Dorrell - Head - aged 22 b1849 in Oxfordshire England
Caroline Dorrell - Mother - aged 45 b1826 in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, England
Henry Tabor - Lodger - aged 28 b1843 in Stonehead, Wiltshire, England
© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1891 census
William Chilton - 30 years born Rickmansworth Beer Retailer
Emma Chilton - 39 years born Hertfordshire wife
William Chilton - 5 years born Croxley Green son
Emma Chilton - 3 years born Croxley Green daughter
John Chilton - 2 years born Croxley Green son
William Chilton - 30 years born Rickmansworth Beer Retailer
Emma Chilton - 39 years born Hertfordshire wife
William Chilton - 5 years born Croxley Green son
Emma Chilton - 3 years born Croxley Green daughter
John Chilton - 2 years born Croxley Green son
© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1901 census
Abraham Morris - 43 years born Camden Town Middx Publican
Eliza Morris - 44 years born Dinton Bucks wife
Charles Morris - 17 years born Croxley Green Horse Driver son
Emily Morris - 14 years born Croxley Green daughter
Mary Morris - 12 years born Croxley Green daughter
Arthur Morris - 8 years born Croxley Green son
Gertrude Morris - 3 years born Croxley Green daughter
Albert E Morris - 3 months born Croxley Green son
Abraham Morris - 43 years born Camden Town Middx Publican
Eliza Morris - 44 years born Dinton Bucks wife
Charles Morris - 17 years born Croxley Green Horse Driver son
Emily Morris - 14 years born Croxley Green daughter
Mary Morris - 12 years born Croxley Green daughter
Arthur Morris - 8 years born Croxley Green son
Gertrude Morris - 3 years born Croxley Green daughter
Albert E Morris - 3 months born Croxley Green son
Emily Morris, the daughter of Abraham and Eliza Morris recorded in the 1901 census as the publican of The Plough was married to George Rogers on the 24th December 1910. The ceremony took place at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in New Road. George was born in Sevenoaks Kent and the 1911 census shows he worked at the John Dickinson paper mill as an assistant on one of the machines and lived on Scots Hill with his new wife.
Front row: bridesmaid May Coaker, unknown woman, small bridesmaid Gladys Rogers, George Rogers, Emily Morris, bridesmaid Alerina Rogers, unknown woman, unknown boy, Gertrude Morris, unknown boy.
Middle row: Harold Baldwin, Robert Rogers, Bobbie Rogers, William Rogers, Grace Rogers, Thomas Rogers, Eliza Morris, Abraham Morris, Olive (Morris) Baldwin, Kate ?, Florence Rogers.
Back row: Nellie ?, Heber Rogers, Esther Rogers, Miriam Rogers, Charles Rogers, unknown woman, unknown man, Edith (known as Floss) Rogers, Albert Rogers, William Rogers.
(Photograph Jennie Saunders)
© National Archives - L/15/00003139K
1911 census
Henry Pring - 44 years born West Buckland Somerset- Beer house keeper - Retired Army pensioner
Vina Pring - 30 years born Middlesex London - Wife
Henry Pring - 9 years son born Kildare Curragh
William Pring - 6 years son born Egypt Cairo
Frederick Pring - 2 years son born Croxley Green
Reginald Pring - 9 months son born Croxley Green
Jesse Lacey - 43 years born Northwood Middlesex - Border
Henry Pring - 44 years born West Buckland Somerset- Beer house keeper - Retired Army pensioner
Vina Pring - 30 years born Middlesex London - Wife
Henry Pring - 9 years son born Kildare Curragh
William Pring - 6 years son born Egypt Cairo
Frederick Pring - 2 years son born Croxley Green
Reginald Pring - 9 months son born Croxley Green
Jesse Lacey - 43 years born Northwood Middlesex - Border
It appears that in 1920, The Plough had possibly closed and was just a Cottage. There is no appearance on The Plough on the 1921 Census.
Aerial shot of the Scots Hill Area of Croxley Green This aerial photograph taken in the early 1970’s shows many changes about to take place in this area. The buildings on the left are Rickmansworth School. Scots Hill is still single carriageway and about to have the upside created. Property at the lower end is being demolished for this purpose including Highfield House a large Victorian house and part of a large estate. Several homes as well as commercial buildings made way for this improvement as the hill was causing huge vehicle problems. Accidents and breakdowns were a common occurrence, clogging up a main route.
