Marlow’s connections to the Vincentian community will be unearthed in new research by an arts and heritage organisation, thanks to a £74,600 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation (SV2G) won National Lottery support for the project, which will focus on the life of George Alexander Gratton, also known as the “beautiful spotted boy” due to his skin pigmentation condition piebaldism, by revisiting the 18th Century Vincentian presence in the UK.

SV2G said High Wycombe has the largest population of Vincentians in the UK and the project will explore Marlow’s connections with the community in the Wycombe district.

George Alexander Gratton became part of Marlovian John Richardson’s shows in which he was displayed to the public as a “live curiosity piece” throughout the UK.

George’s body is buried in the graveyard at the All Saints Church when he died at the age of 4 the SV2G says the grave is “barely recognisable” and is in need of repair to preserve the Vincentian heritage as it is believed to be one of, if not the earliest, evidence of Vincentian presence in Britain. 

The project will also deliver a programme of heritage activities to “breathe life” into the tragic story of the little boy’s short-lived life into the community.

A community advisory group will be formed for the project with local volunteers and professional experts that will include Marlow Museum and the Marlow Society.

Honorary SV2G member Sir Henry Aubrey Fletcher said: “We are delighted to have received support thanks to National Lottery players and are confident that this unique and much needed project will preserve local Vincentian heritage.

“It will also recognise Vincentian presence in 18th Century Georgian Britain, raise awareness amongst residents in Buckinghamshire and encourage young people to be active citizens.”