In this blog we continue the story of the history of a farm which lies at the southern end of Long Street in Great Ellingham.
Long Street is identified by the purple arrows on the below map of 1802.
Extract from 1802 Map of Great Ellingham. All rights reserved Norfolk Record Office. Cat. Ref. C/Ca 1/84.
With kind permission of NRO
At the turn of the 19th century, the farm (which comprised a farmhouse, yard, garden, orchard, barn and outbuildings with some 59 acres of land) was owned by Francis Parke of Attleborough. During his ownership, the farm was let to various tenants.
The farmhouse is indicated by the red arrow on the above map.
The farm also had an additional barn which was a short distance from the farmhouse. This barn is indicated by the blue arrow on the above map. Parke’s farm was also adjacent to a private road, which became known as ‘Shruggs Lane’. Indeed, Parke owned land either side of the private road.
In 1840, Parke’s grandson, Henry Beevor, sold the farm to Jeremiah Grice. However, I do not know whether Grice purchased the exact same property and land which Beevor’s grandfather, Francis Parke, owned at the turn of the 19th century. Further, it was around this time that a dwelling was built on the other side of the private road, and opposite to the farmhouse formerly owned by Parke.
Additional Dwelling
Extract from 1802 Map of Great Ellingham. All rights reserved Norfolk Record Office. Cat. Ref. C/Ca 1/84.
With kind permission of NRO
The Great Ellingham Tithe Map (1836-1850) shows an additional dwelling opposite to Parke’s original farmhouse and barn (which is also identified on the Tithe Map). The green arrow on the above extract from the 1802 map shows the approximate position of the ‘new’ dwelling. Much later, this dwelling became known as Primrose Farm.
The Tithe Map also shows Parke’s additional barn. Some time after 1850 (and, perhaps, before 1871), another farmhouse was built near to the additional barn. It was this farmhouse which became known as Cherry Tree Farm.
The blue arrow on the extract from an O.S. Map of 1945 points to Cherry Tree Farmhouse which was built after c.1836-1850 but before c.1879-1886.
The purple arrow shows the position of the dwelling erected sometime before 1850, and which became known as Primrose Farm.
By 1945, the farmhouse which (at the beginning of the 19th century) belonged to Francis Parke, had long disappeared.
Grice’s Purchase
We pick up the story of the farm in Long Street in 1840, when Jeremiah Grice purchased the property from Henry Beevor.
As mentioned, without having sight of title deeds, I cannot be certain exactly what property and land Grice purchased from Beevor. However, I am confident that Grice’s purchase included the ‘original’ farmhouse as well as the additional barn (next to which Cherry Tree Farmhouse would be built).
However, I am uncertain whether Grice purchased the dwelling which later became Primrose Farm.
Copyhold
Nevertheless, Grice’s farmland was predominantly freehold with a small proportion copyhold.
Records prepared at the time of the Great Ellingham Inclosures c.1800, tell us that these pieces of copyhold land were copyhold of several Manors. These Manors include Buckenham Castle Outsoken and Buckenham Lathes Outsoken.
The copyhold records help to further plot the history of the farm.
1840 Indenture
On the 17th December, 1840, Jeremiah Grice, a farmer of Wolferton, attended the Manor Courts for Buckenham Castle Outsoken and Buckenham Lathes Outsoken. He was admitted as a copyhold tenant of the Manors in relation to the copyhold pieces of land formerly held by Henry Beevor.
At the Court, Grice referred to an Indenture of Release dated the 6th October, 1840.
This deed was made between (1) Henry Beevor of Newark-upon-Trent, gentleman (2) John Beevor also of Newark-upon-Trent, gentleman (3) Charles Whaley Spurgeon of Kings Lynn, gentleman (4) Jeremiah Grice of Wolverton , farmer and (5) John Bailey Stockdale of Kings Lynn, merchant.
It was by this Deed that Jeremiah Grice became the owner of the Long Street farm.
Tenants of Jeremiah Grice
Charles Musk
Jeremiah Grice was in his early fifties when he purchased the farm. However, he remained living in Wolferton, where in 1851, he farmed some 155 acres.
[Jeremiah Grice appears to consistently use the name ‘Grice’ and not ‘Le Grice’. However, several of his children refer to themselves as ‘Le Grice’.]
A manuscript annotation on a Survey of Great Ellingham c.1836-1840, shows that for a period during Grice’s ownership, the Long Street farm was occupied by Charles Musk.
Given that following his purchase of the farm, Jeremiah Grice and his wife Bridget remained living in Wolferton for upwards of thirty years, I think it unlikely that Jeremiah Grice ever lived at the farm.
However it is difficult to establish who lived at the farm after Charles Musk.
Jeremiah Le Grice, Jnr
Having said that, Jeremiah’s son, Jeremiah Le Grice, is living and farming in Great Ellingham at the time of the 1851 census. As Jeremiah and his family are living in the ‘Wylands’ area of the village, I think it more than possible that Jeremiah is at his father’s farm.
The 1851 census reveals 26 year old Jeremiah Le Grice with his 27 year old wife Elizabeth and their children Jeremiah 3, Frederick 1 and four-day-old Alfred. The household also includes two servants – 23 year old farm labourer George Sizeland and 16 year old house servant Lydia Orvice.
Le Grice is said to be farming some 74 acres and employing three labourers.
Death of Jeremiah Le Grice Jnr
St James’s Church, Great Ellingham
Sadly 30 year old Jeremiah Le Grice died in late December, 1853. He was buried in the churchyard of St James, Great Ellingham on the 29th December.
Elizabeth Le Grice Remarries
During the early part of 1855, Jeremiah’s widow, Elizabeth Le Grice, married dealer Isaac Riches of Wymondham. I think it more than likely that Elizabeth (with her three children by her late husband Jeremiah), left Great Ellingham and moved to Wymondham.
Death of Elizabeth Riches
Nevertheless by 1861, Elizabeth Riches (formerly Le Grice) was dead. The 1861 census captures Elizabeth’s three sons (then aged between 13 and 9) with their widowed step-father and two younger step-sisters at Norwich Common, Wymondham.
Following the death of Jeremiah Le Grice (the younger) and the departure from Great Ellingham of his widow Elizabeth, new occupiers moved into the farm in Long Street.
Frederick Le Grice
Once again, it would appear that the Long Street farm is occupied by a Le Grice. Jeremiah Le Grice (the Elder) still owned the farm, but he remained at his farm in Wolferton.
Following the death of Jeremiah’s eldest son, Jeremiah, in 1853 (and the departure from the farm of Jeremiah Jnr’s widow, Elizabeth), I believe the farm was then occupied by Jeremiah Grice’s youngest son Frederick Le Grice.
1871 census
The 1871 census captures 34 year old farmer Frederick Grice living in Long Street with his 31 year old wife Mary and their children Frederick 11, Thomas 10 and Arthur aged 8. Frederick Le Grice employs a domestic servant – 17 year old Harriet Moore.
Before coming to Great Ellingham, Frederick had farmed some 285 acres in Nottinghamshire. It seems rather a ‘step down’ for Frederick Le Grice to leave a 285 acre farm for his father’s modest farm in Great Ellingham!
Although the 1871 census does not specifically state where Frederick Le Grice was living, I have no doubt that Frederick and his family were living at the farm in Long Street.
Cherry Tree Farm. Photograph taken February 2023
Further I believe that Frederick Le Grice lived in the new farmhouse which had been built next to what was originally an ‘additional barn’ to the farm. This is the farmhouse which became Cherry Tree Farm.
Was the old farmhouse – which had its origins in at least the 18th century, still habitable and occupied? Nevertheless, the old farmhouse had disappeared before c.1879-1886.
Widower, Jeremiah Grice
In 1871, Frederick’s father, Jeremiah Grice, was also living in Great Ellingham.
Aged 89, widower Jeremiah Grice had retired from his farm in Wolferton. He had moved to Great Ellingham to live with his eldest daughter, Charlotte, and her husband James Matthews at Tanyard Farm.
Death of Jeremiah Grice
Jeremiah Le Grice died on the 4th January, 1873 in Great Ellingham. He was buried in the churchyard of St James on the 9th January.
Probate of his will was granted to Great Ellingham farmer George Samuel Wright and Jeremiah’s eldest daughter Charlotte Matthews.
What happened to the Long Street farm occupied by Jeremiah’s son, Frederick Le Grice?
The answer lies within Jeremiah Grice’s will of the 12th June, 1871.
Jeremiah Grice bequeathed to his daughter, Charlotte Matthews ….
'All my real estate consisting of a Farm House, Buildings and Lands with Cottage thereon situate in Great Ellingham and which by admeasurement contain Fifty Two Acres more or less the said Property being now occupied by my son Frederick Le Grice as yearly tenant, the said House, Buildings and lands shall after my decease be to all intents and purposes the bonified property of the said Charlotte Matthews with all rights and privileges connected thereto subject nevertheless to the following stipulations and directions .....'
What we learn from Jeremiah Grice’s will is that in 1871, there was a Cottage on the land in addition to a Farm House. However, what we do not know is whether the ‘Cottage’ or the ‘Farm House’ later became Cherry Tree Farm. Further, did the description include the dwelling built between c.1836-1850, which became known as Primrose Farm?
Jeremiah’s will continued ….
That the said Charlotte Matthews being fully entitled to claim demand and receive all the amount due and owing to me as Rent for the same and after receiving such Rent or Rents shall pay annually unto my daughter Lydia Twaits the wife of Samuel Twaits the sum of Twenty Five Pounds of lawful money in two half yearly payments during her natural life and a receipt under her hand shall be a sufficient discharge for the same And I further direct that the said Charlotte Matthews shall also pay annually out of the Rent or Rents of the aforesaid Property to my daughter Mary Ann Le Grice the sum of Thirty Pounds in two half yearly payments during the life of the said Mary Ann Le Grice without any deductions therefrom and that all legal charges upon the said Property shall be paid by the said Charlotte Matthews or her Executor Executors or administrators. My wish and desire is that the said Property shall not be sold or transferred during the life of either of my said daughters so that they may and shall receive the full amount arising from the Rent or Rents of the Property as hereinbefore named and described and after the decease of my said daughter Lydia Twaits then I direct the a further sum of Ten Pounds shall annually be paid to my daughter Mary Ann Le Grice out of the Rent or Rents of the Property during her life My wish is that my son Frederick Le Grice shall continue to hold the said Farm House Buildings and Land so long as he duly pay a yearly Rental of Eighty Pounds to my said Executrix and daughter Charlotte Matthews or her Executor or Executors or Administrators and should the said Frederick Le Grice at any time fail to pay the said Rental of Eighty Pounds then the said Charlotte Matthews or her Executor Executors or Administrators shall realise annually from the said Farm a sufficient amount of money so that the said Lydia Twaits and Mary Ann Le Grice shall receive the yearly payments as wherein named And that my son Frederick Le Grice shall be the tenant while he reside thereon shall not underlet the said Farm House Buildings or Land nor any part thereof and shall farm and cultivate the said Land in a husband like manner and in the four course shifts and if he wish to leave the same then he shall in the last year of the tenancy sow or cause to be sown and prepare on the said Lands all the usual summertilth root crops to be grown thereon being paid for the same by the incoming tenant And to leave the House Premises and Lands in tenantable repair and condition or shall be charged for any injury or wilful neglect on his part to the amount at which such injury shall be awarded
It is clear that it was Jeremiah’s wish that his youngest son, Frederick, should remain in occupation of his farm in Long Street. However, Frederick’s occupation was conditional upon him paying rent to his sister, Charlotte Matthews.
Frederick Le Grice did continue to live at the farm, and occupied it for the next 25 years.
Death of Frederick Le Grice
Frederick died in August 1898. He was buried in the churchyard of St James, Great Ellingham on the 16th August, 1898. He was 62.
By the time of his death, Frederick was widowed. The 1891 census finds Frederick Grice with his 13 year old son, George Chester Grice, living in Long Street. Frederick has a house servant. Just seven years later, Frederick was dead.
Two months after Frederick’s death, the following notice appeared in the Norfolk Chronicle dated 10th September, 1898:
CHERRY TREE FARM GREAT ELLINGHAM
2 Miles from Attleborough
Agricultural Sale of
4 HORSES
Comprising Chestnut Gelding, Brown Mare, Brown Pony, and Bay Cob, quiet to ride and drive;
16 HEAD OF NEAT STOCK,
Including red home-bred Cow, red Shorthorn Cow, down calving, 2 home-bred Heifers, Shorthorn Bull, fat Ox, 2 Shorthorn Heifers, 2 grazing Steers, 4 Weanlings, and 2 running Calves;
40 PIGS; FOWLS;
And an Assortment of Agricultural Carriages, Implements, Machines, Harness, &c.; which
SALTER, SIMPSON and SONS are favoured with instructions
from the Exors. of the late Mr FREDERICK GRICE,
to Sell by Auction, On Monday, September 19th, 1898,
Together with the Household Furniture, which includes Mahogany Centre Table, Mahogany Bureau, Mahogany Cupboard with carved top, Mahogany Sofa, Rosewood Cottage Piano, Mahogany Half-Tester and 4-Post Bedsteads, Feather Beds, Dressing-tables, Washstand and other Bedroom Appurtenances, Earthenware, Kitchen Requisites, Dairy Utensils, &c, &c.
Sale to commence at 1.30 with the Furniture
In addition to being able to see what farming stock Frederick Le Grice owned, and some specific pieces of his household furniture, the notice tells us that Frederick Le Grice had indeed been living at Cherry Tree Farm.
As mentioned, Jeremiah Grice bequeathed the Long Street farm to his daughter, Charlotte Matthews of Tanyard Farm. It was also Jeremiah’s wish that the farm should not be sold during the lifetime of his daughters, Lydia Twaits and Mary Ann Le Grice. His intention being that the rents collected would provide an income for his daughters.
I assume that (in accordance with her late father’s wishes), Charlotte Matthews did not dispose or transfer the ownership of Cherry Tree Farm following her brother Frederick Le Grice’s death in 1898. After all her sisters, Mary Ann Le Grice and Lydia Twaits, were still alive.
Accordingly, it is more than likely that Cherry Tree Farm continued to be tenanted after Frederick Le Grice’s death.
Deaths of Mary Ann Le Grice & Lydia Twaits
Mary Ann Le Grice died at the age of 64 years on the 20th February, 1902. She is buried in the churchyard at St James’s Church, Great Ellingham. I believe Lydia Twaits died in 1904.
Charlotte Matthews’ Successor in Ownership
Unfortunately, I do not know when Charlotte Matthews died.
I do know that she was alive in June 1900, when a court held for the Manor of Bury Hall admitted her as a copyhold tenant of the Manor. This related to Charlotte’s late husband’s copyhold land. However, Charlotte Matthews is elusive after this date!
Accordingly, and assuming that there was no change in the ownership of Cherry Tree Farm until at least 1904, I do not know who owned Cherry Tree Farm (and perhaps Primrose Farm) after Charlotte Matthews.
However in a further blog, we look at some of the occupiers – and possible owners, of the two close-by farms in the 20th century.
[Footnote February 2024: Charlotte Matthews died on the 7th March 1907]
Sources:
1802 Russell James Colman Plans. Great Ellingham. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref. C/Ca 1/84.
1799-1842 F W Horner, Records of the Surveyors to Commissioners for Inclosure in Parishes in Norfolk and Suffolk. Great Ellingham (Act 1799). Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: NRO, BR 90/2
1800 Inclosure Commissioner’s Particulars and Valuation, Great Ellingham. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: NRO, MC 2213/119
1799 Statement of Claims. Great Ellingham Inclosure. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: MC 2213/118
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office. PD609. Also available at https://www.familysearch.org and https://www.ancestry.co.uk
1753-1847 Manor of Buckenham Castle, Lathes, Close and Priory. Court Book. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: MC 1833/8 -MC 1833/16. 1595-1847 also available at https://www.familysearch.org/
Attleborough Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office. PD438. Also available via www.ancestry.co.uk
Nottinghamshire, England, Church of England Marriages & Banns, 1754-1937. Nottinghamshire Archives; Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England; PR27275; Reference: PR27275. Ancestry.com. Nottinghamshire, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1937 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022.
1871 Census of Canada. Year: 1871; Census Place: St Georges Ward, Hamilton, Ontario; Roll: C-9926; Page: 43; Family No: 144, Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1871 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.
28 February 1873. Probate of the will Jeremiah Le Grice of Great Ellingham, farmer, dated 12 June 1871. Copy obtained https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk
1855 Marriage GRICE Elizabeth Le. RICHES, Issac.March Qtr. Norwich District. GRO Index. Viewed via FreeBMD website. https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=i2S2DK5f5sLwV64Q3tFyQg&scan=1
1841 census HO107/769/15
1851 census HO107/1828/424, HO107/1823/126
1861 census RG9/1223/71, RG9/1254/63
1871 census RG10/1841/93, RG10/1841/83
1881 census RG11/1974/91
1891 census RG12/1549/79A