See also - THE FORGE

The first Census was in 1801 and provided only totals of houses and occupants.

1841 was the first modern census including details of occupants.

Research: Rita Probert

The Early Years

John Gomme was born c.1813 at Loosley Row which, at that time, came within the Parish of Princes Risborough and he may have been Baptised at St Mary's Church. No details of his parentage have been found to date, but it is possible that they and earlier members of the Gomme family had lived/worked on the same premises in Loosley Row for many years earlier.

The 1823 Enciosure Act of the area mentions land, a blacksmith's shop and cottage on the current site. Names of occupants are not mentioned, but by at least 1834 the premises described were occupied by John Gomme and family.

On 27th October 1834 there was a Baptism at St John's Church, Lacey Green of Moses, son of John and Mary Ann Gomme, Blacksmith of Loosley Row. Whether Moses died soon afterwards is not known as there is no burial recorded, but as he does not appear in the 1841 census, it can oniy be assumed that he did not survive.

One year old John Gomme in the 1841 census was born on 18th November 1839 and Baptised at St. John?s Church, Lacey Green on 7th January 1840. The entry in the church register includes:

"..son of John & Mary Anne Gomme of Loosley Row, Blacksmith."

When William Tomkins, Wheelwright of Horseshoe Cottage, Loosley Row made his Last Will and Testament, John F Gomme, the Blacksmith was one of the two Executors named, which suggests that the men were friends/colleagues. The Will was proved in April 1851.

In 1859 John Gomme (junior) married Sarah Thompson, whose birthplace was Towcester, Northamptonshire.

After the wedding, they resided with John's parents.

John & Mary Ann's son, daughter-in-law and children were iiving in a separate property nearby - perhaps at the house now known as ?Grannies? opposite the Foundry?

in 1875, Mary Ann Gomme died at the age of 65. She was not buried in St J0hn?s Churchyard, Lacey Green, but was possibly interred in the Baptist Cemetery, Loosley Row.

Widower John Gomme passed away five years later in 1880 aged 68.

Their son John and family were residing at the Foundry by 1881. He also made and repaired farm machinery, as well as shoeing the horses which drew the ploughs. At one time he employed 16 men ?Smiths, Farriers, iron Founders, Pattern Makers etc.