Misc Information/Documents

Extract from Fulham Old and New (Volume III)
By Charles James Feret

re Rowberry Mead, Crabtree Lane, Fulham
and 100 years involvement of the Bowers (pages 89-90)

Picture of Rowberry Mead at the top of Page 90

Map of Fulham by the Thames with Rowberry Mead in the south of the Thamesand Crabtree Lane in the north.

Text of Pages 89-90

"In 1896 the property (Rosebank) again changed hands, when the house was pulled down and the site converted into a building estate.

The ornamental grounds of Rosebank...commanded a river frontage...Near their centre was a quaint circular building, partially sunk in the ground, known as the Dairy and Larder. At the end nearest Crabtree Lane was the Rosery. At the southern end of the grounds......and other noteworthy trees also adorned the grounds.

A little further down the path leading to the Bishop’s, on the same side as Rosebank, is Rowberry, Rowborough, or Rubery Mead, on which is an old homestead, attached to which was once a cherry orchard, reputed to be the finest in England. Its history dates from 1638…...In 1661 we find the Bishop of London granting to Thomas Frewen a lease “of all that meade called Rowberry meade with appurtenances, containing by estimacon six acres”.....

For many years the cherry orchard was held by a family of the name of Thompson. In 1757 is an entry in the Highway Rate books, relating to “Mr Bowers for the cherry orchard late Thompson.”

This was Mr George Bower, who is rated for it down to 1764. The “messuage, barn and mead called Rowberry Mead” were, in 1761, leased to Mr William Cobb, on whose surrender it was, in 1795, leased to Mr William Bower, the son of Mr George Bower. On the death of Mr William Bower, the lease of Rowberry Mead was, in 1816, renewed to his widow, Mrs Elizabeth Bower. In 1823 it became the property of Mr George Bower, who resided here down to 1859. His widow lived here for some years. (see Note 1) It was subsequently taken by Mr S J Walden, in connection with his basket-making business. The boundaries of Rowberry Mead are the river on the west, Pale Mead on the south, and Fulham Fields on east and north.

On the east side of the road, nearly facing Rowberry Mead, is Millshot Farm.....

A little further along the road, on the same side as Rowberry Mead, we reach the site of Craven Cottage, a charming villa which was the home of some noteworthy characters (see Note 2).

The house was built about 1780……."

Colin Bower
1 October 2009

Notes

1. Rowberry Mead - Chronological Summary

1757 - Cherry Orchard rated to Mr Bowers late Thompson
1764 - George Bower rated for it
1795 - leased to William Bower, son of George Bower
1816 - after William Bower died – lease renewed to his widow Elizabeth Bower
1823-1859 - became property of George Bower
- His widow lived there for some years

2. The ground where Fulham FC play their matches is known as Craven Cottage, and is situatedalomgside the River Thames.