Woodlane End Farm was situated along Leverstock Green Road, at the junction with Woodlane End. The farmhouse was half-timbered, and probably dated back to the late 15th or early 16th century.
William & his family must have moved into Woodlane End Farm sometime between April and October, as the 1871 Census gives a William Kentie or Kentiss and family as living at Woodlane End Farmhouse.
On 28th October 1871, Daniel How from Woodlane End Farm was elected a Boxmoor Trustee. He was well know within the wider Hemel Hempstead Community as he had lived and farmed at Corner Farm Cupid Green for many years. The circumstances were somewhat dubious when the Boxmoor Trust called their third election that year in an effort to pre-emt action by the Charity Commissioners. To quote from “Royalty to Commoners” “A show of hands gave 6 names but a poll was again demanded, from 10p to 8pm on that same day and from 9am to 7pm on the following Monday. At length the High Bailiff gave out the names of H Balderson, P. Evilthrift, Daniel How, G A Smith, S. Stallon and T. Woodman Junior.” Eventually a letter from Frederick Mason, (Chairman of the Municipal Vestry) to Frederick Cranstone officially naming Daniel How as Trustees settled the matter [S417, S420]
Just over a decade later in 1882 Daniel was appointed High Bailiff of Hemel Hempstead, and also of the Board of Guardians, the Committee of the Burial Society, the Cottage Garden Society, and the Oddfellowes. He was described as “ possessing a good strong sense, a straightforward nature and a kindly and genial sprit”. The photograph on page 1 was taken of Daniel as High Bailiff in 1882.
The How family had served, and continued to serve its local community. Daniel was eventually to die in December 1889 and is buried at Holy Trinity Church Leverstock Green.
As High Bailiff, Daniel How of Woodlane End Farm had to preside over the annual Bailiwick Dinner held on 20th November 1883 for which special stationary was printed:
Daniel was to die only a few years later on 22nd December 1889. aged 63. He was buried in Holy Trinity Church graveyard a week later on the 27th December. Two months earlier he had written his will, a copy of which (presumably done later in relation to the sale of Woodlane End Farm), is shown here. His new wife, Elizabeth was to keep on Woodlane End Farm for her convenience, and so long as she remained a widow. (His first wife Sarah having died in May 1887). Daniel was laid to rest in Holy Trinity Church Graveyard with his first wife. The farmhouse was eventually put up for sale in 1892.
However, it is interesting to note that Kelley’s directory for 1912 lists Mrs How as being resident at Cox Pond Farm, and William Henry How – Daniel’s eldest son, was listed as a farmer (no address but presumably Cox Pond. The family had moved back into the village. [S261, S76, S420, Kel. Dir.] See also entries for 1882/1883.
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EARLIER MEMBERS OF THE HOW OR HOWE FAMILY.
The How or Howe family or families have had long had associations with the Leverstock Green area, going back to the early and mid 17th centuries. I cannot be sure at this date whether or not they were all connected. See separate Document on The How Family.
SOURCES:
UK Census
Kelly’s Directories
Ordnance Survey Maps
Royalty to Commoners by Joan & Roger Hands
Leverstock Green Chronicle by Barbara Chapman
DBC Archive
Information provided by Angela How, one of Daniel’s descendants.
Monumental Inscriptions of St. Lawrence Abbots Langley, by the Herts. Family & Population Hist. Soc.
Monumental Inscriptions at Holy Trinity
