The Free Family of Marlborough

TALK: The Free family had  major businesses in the town from over one hundred years ago, the family having moved to the area in the 19th century to “harvest” the sarsens scattered over the Marlborough Downs. Later generations branched into other fields and the Free family also took an active part in the affairs of the Borough. Their name is remembered in Free’s Avenue on Marlborough Common.

SPEAKER:  David Chandler was born in Marlborough and started his working life in the family saddlery business which used to supply the many racing stables in the area. We are remembered with a “Yard”  to the side of the White Horse bookshop where my great great grandfather Thomas Chandler opened the first shop in the mid 1800’s.