I wonder if you may please be able to help with a query on Great Marlow.

I am researching a Huguenot family who for a period in the 1730s lived in Great Marlow.

Estienne and Marie Galhié (or Stephen and Mary) were of French origins.

Estienne was born in Languedoc and arrived in England in 1728 where he joined the French Church in Threadneedle Street, London.

He married Marie Berthon in Soho, London, in 1731.

He was a surgeon and apothecary and after his marriage moved to Great Marlow where he resided from at least 1731 to 1736 and had children baptised there.

After living in Great Marlow, he moved back to the London area by 1739. Between this date and 1752 he had a further seven children baptised in the French Church in Threadneedle Street.

Estienne was a surgeon as was his son Robert and I am trying to find out more about the family. he took on an apprentice in 1735 while living in Great Marlow.

My question really is why would a French speaking surgeon be in Great Marlow? I am not familiar with the history of the area so wonder if there was a large French speaking proportion of the population there?

Any help anyone may be able to give me would be greatly appreciated.

With thanks and kind regards,
Jon Wicken