Church Farmhouse. Photograph 2022
According to Historic England’s website (historicengland.co.uk), Church Farmhouse, is a Grade II Listed Building and was built in the early 17th century. However, the present owners believe it was built much earlier, as there are parts of the building which may date from the 14th or 15th century.
Earlier Property Ownership
In the past, property ownership was proven through a bundle of title deeds. These were handwritten paper documents which are then passed down from owner to owner. Today one still has to prove ownership to a property but, with the modern land registration system, it is usually much simpler to do.
Historical deeds record details of the land and/or property as well as identifying the seller, buyer, lender etc. Many deeds will also recite the names of the occupiers, as (before relatively modern times), very few properties were owner occupied.
Other Sources
So far, I have not found any historical title deeds to Church Farm. Accordingly, I have had to look at other sources to piece together some of the history of the owners and occupiers of this property. For example, the Great Ellingham Inclosures documentation c.1800, surveys of the village c.1817-1830s, Great Ellingham Tithe map and schedules dated December, 1843, auction particulars, census returns.
Turner’s Property at the turn of the 19th Century
At the turn of the 19th century, the farm in Church Street (which later became known as Church Farm), is owned and occupied by Benjamin Turner.
Church Farm then comprises a house, outbuilding, barn, stable, yard and garden. Turner also farmed some 24 acres of land. The names of some of these parcels of land include New Found, Chancel Pightle, Cross Lane Piece, Thorofare Piece and Home Close. Some of these field names appear in the later auction particulars dated 1855.
Turner also owned three other messuages (dwellinghouses with outbuildings and land) as well as a cottage, a blacksmith’s shop and various parcels of land. The cottage adjoined the farm. However, it has long since disappeared.
We take a look at the owners and occupiers of Church Farm as well as the nearby cottage from around 1800.
Extract from 1906 Ordnance Survey Map. Second Edition. Surveyed in 1881. Revised 1904.
| Approx. Dates | Owner or Occupier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bef. 1797-1813 | Church Farm Benjamin Turner | Benjamin Turner and Mary Gosling married in St James’s Church Great Ellingham on the 9th April, 1782. Just two months’ later their son Edward was baptised in the same church on the 2nd June. Sadly the couple buried Edward in the churchyard on 5th March, 1784. A daughter, Hannah, was baptised in 1786, followed by Sarah in 1792. Tragically, the couple buried Sarah just four days after her baptism. This left Hannah as their only surviving known child. In 1793, Mary Turner became a member of the Baptist Church. It is possible that Benjamin Turner lived at Church Farm before he purchased it. In 1797, the farm is advertised for sale by auction at the White Hart in Wymondham. The small farm, said to be occupied by Benjamin Turner is described as “a good dwelling house, barn, stable, & other buildings, a large orchard planted with choice fruit trees and in which are several large walnut trees..” together with several enclosures of “excellent” land. |
| 1797 | Cottage Ann Frost | At the time of the auction, the cottage is occupied by Ann Frost. I believe Ann to be the widow of peruke maker [wig maker] William Frost, who was buried in the churchyard of St James on the 20th May, 1794. |
| 1813-1845 | Church Farm Theophilus & Hannah Smith | Benjamin Turner died in Great Ellingham on the 18th December, 1813. By then, his only surviving child, Hannah, had married Baptist Minister Theophilus Smith. Turner made his will in 1804 some years before his death. He left all his property in Great Ellingham to Hannah. This included Church Farm, save for a parlour and parlour chamber at the dwelling which Benjamin allows his widow Mary to use along with the furniture in the rooms, so long as she remained his widow. Mary and Hannah also received an annuity from Benjamin’s estate. |
| c.1817 | Owner Theophilus & Hannah Smith Occupiers William Hall & William Whenn | A survey 1817-1819 shows that Church Farm and the nearby cottage are owned by Theophilus Smith. However, they are occupied by William Hall & William Whenn. |
| 1830s | Owner Theophilus & Hannah Smith Occupiers Robert Bartrum, William Hall & William Whenn | By the 1830s, Church Farm is occupied by Robert Bartrum. William Hall and William Whenn still occupy the nearby cottage. |
| 1841 | Owner Theophilus & Hannah Smith Occupiers Robert Bartrum & William Whenn | The 1841 census lists dealer Robert Bartram and his wife Mary along with (presumably their daughter) 5 year old Mary Anne. Robert & Mary are in their late forties. I believe they are at Church Farm. By 1851, the Bartrum family is in Rocklands. Not far from the Bartrums are William & Julia Whenn. They are also in their forties and have five children with ages ranging from 15 down to 1. They are likely to be occupying one side of the nearby cottage. William Hall has moved out. |
| 1845 | Owner Theophilus & Hannah Smith Occupier of Church Farm Robert Bartrum Occupiers of the Cottage James Wade & James Smith | In 1845, Theophilus & Hannah Smith sold some of their Great Ellingham properties (including Church Farm and the cottage). Notice of the auction to take place on 28th July 1845, appeared in the Norwich Mercury on 19th July. Church Farm is described as “A messuage in Great Ellingham …with the barn, stable, outbuildings, yards, garden, orchard & 8 acres and a half (more or less) of very fine land thereto belonging”. In addition “a double cottage near the above mentioned messuage with outbuildings, yards and gardens..” |
| 1845-1853 | Owner Benjamin Barnard | Church Farm and the cottage were purchased by Benjamin Barnard, a farmer of Rockland All Saints. Barnard owned other property in the village. A son of Richard & Elizabeth Barnard, Benjamin was baptised in Wymondham in 1787. He also had brothers Barnabas (baptised Besthorpe in 1782) and John (who died in Essex in 1802). Benjamin Barnard died in 1853. He was survived by his brother, Barnabas Ezekiel Barnard. |
| 1853 | Occupier of Church Farm James Chaplin Occupiers of the Cottages Bale & Hannant | Following Benjamin Barnard’s death, Church Farm and the double cottage were offered for sale at auction. Details of the auction appearing in the Norfolk Chronicle on the 9th July 1853 tell us that James Chaplin occupied Church Farm – dwellinghouse, barn, stable, bullock shed, outbuildings & orchard and 4 inclosures of land. ‘Bale’ and ‘Hannant’ occupied the cottage. James Chaplin also ‘occupied’ another of the late Benjamin Barnard’s farms in the village. This is also being sold. |
| 1853-1855 | Owner & Occupier of Church Farm James Chaplin Occupier of the Cottages James Long & Charles Hannant | The 1851 census captures 31 year old James Chaplin with his wife 24 year old Maria Charlotte living in Church Street. They have a house servant, 18 year old Susan Doe. Born in Great Ellingham, James is a farmer and dealer. I believe James Chaplin purchased Church Farm and the double cottage from Benjamin Barnard’s executor. Whilst Church Farm and part of the cottage is freehold, part of the cottage is copyhold. The relevant Manor Court Books for the copyhold part confirms that Chaplin purchased from Barnard. Nevertheless, Church Farm and the cottage were offered for sale again in 1855. |
| 1855 | An auction of the ‘Small Farm’ and Double Cottage in Great Ellingham is arranged for the 9th August 1855 at the Crown Inn, Attleborough. I do not know whether James Chaplin decided to sell or whether he was forced to sell by a lender. The auction particulars just mention that the sale is ‘By order of the Trustees for sale..” Further, both properties may well be unoccupied at this time. | |
| 1861 | Occupier of Church Farm James Lane Occupier of the Cottage George Fox | I am unaware who purchased the properties at the auction in 1855 (assuming that they did indeed sell). However looking at the 1861 census, it is James Lane who appears to be living at Church Farm. He is a farmer of 8 acres which concurs with the acreage of the farm at the time of the auction of 1855 and a later auction in 1876. 47 year old James Lane was born in Thorpe. His 43 year old wife Elizabeth was born in Southampton. 28 year old unmarried William Warren is lodging at Church Farm. Warren is a ‘traveller with tea’. In one part of the double cottage is Great Ellingham born 38 year old George Fox and his wife Elizabeth aged 37. They have 7 children from 13 down to 1. |
| 1871 | Occupier of Church Farm James Lane Occupiers of the Cottage Ann Carter & Mary Ann Clover | The census of 1871 shows 56 year old James Lane still in Church Street. Again I assume at Church Farm. Living in one side of the cottage is probably 67 year old Great Ellingham born spinster Ann Carter. The other cottage is occupied by 36 year old widow Mary Ann Clover. Mary Ann has 7 children, the eldest being 13 and the youngest 2. Tragically Mary Ann’s 43 year old shepherd husband, Robert Clover, died in October 1869. |
| 1876 | Occupier of Church Farm James Lane | The ‘Small Farm’ and double cottage are again offered for sale at auction in 1876. The auction is arranged to take place at the Rampant Horse Inn, Norwich on the 16th September 1876. The farm and the cottage are said to be in the occupation of James Lane and his under tenants. This suggests that James Lane is letting the cottage and benefiting from any rent. Again, I do not know whether the farm and cottage sold at auction. |
| 1881 | Occupier of Church Farm James Lane Occupier of the Cottage Perry Yeomans | However, the 1881 census shows James Lane still living in Church Street. He is now farming 15 acres. I assume that he and his wife Elizabeth are still at Church Farm. The couple have their 3 year old nephew James Starke with them. 82 year old Perry Yeomans and his 72 year old wife Rebecca may be living in at least part of the cottage. Perry has no occupation. |
| 1891 | Occupier of Church Farm James Lane Occupier of the Cottage | Now widowed and aged 75, James Lane is probably still living at Church Farm. With him is his housekeeper 59 year old single woman Sarah Ann Wright. Sarah is also a dressmaker. Likely living next door in at least part of the cottage (and occupying 3 rooms) is 27 year old Philip Lister and his 37 year old wife Elizabeth Jane. They have a 5 year old son, Fred Henry. James Lane died on the 10th July, 1896. |
| 1901 | Occupier of Church Farm William Lane The Cottage may be uninhabited | The census of 1901 shows 32 year old Wreningham born William Lane as a farmer in Church Street. He is with his Hilgay born wife 28 year old Ethel and six children – Hetty 7, Olive 6, William 4, Sidney 3, Violet 1 and two month old Robert. The nearby cottage is probably uninhabited. |
| 1903 | Occupier of Church Farm William Lane Occupier of the Cottage Robert Oldfield | A newspaper report in the Eastern Daily Press of 14th January 1903, refers to the visit of a Medical Officer of Health to a cottage in Great Ellingham. The cottage is said to be owned by William Lain but tenanted to Robert Oldfield. However, William Lane is not listed as an owner of property in the Electoral Register for 1903, but he is listed as an occupier of land & tenement ‘near the Church’. Nevertheless, on the 10th March, 1903, the Eastern Daily Press reported on a fire which “completely destroyed two uninhabited thatched cottages in Great Ellingham”. The cottages were reported to be opposite Mr Neave’s shop and the adjoining property occupied by Mr Lain. I have no doubt that the cottages engulfed by the fire were the cottages next to Church Farm. |
| 1911 | George Jude | By 1911, Church Farm is occupied by farmer George Jude. The census of 1911 captures 68 year old Garvestone born George Jude with his 65 year old wife Mary and unmarried son 41 year old George William Jude. George Jnr is also a farmer. 10 years earlier, the Jude family had been at Rookery Farm. Before that, at Brick Kiln Farm. George & Mary Jude had been married some 44 years during which time they had had 3 children, all of whom are still living at the time of the 1911 census. |
| 1921-c.1933 | George W Jude | The 1921 census lists 51 year old single man George William Jude as the head of the household in Church Street. I have no doubt that the Judes are still at Church Farm. George’s parents are living with their son. However George Jude Snr has now retired. George and Mary Jude both died in 1927 and were buried in the churchyard at St James. Their son, George William, continued to live at Church Farm until at least 1933. |
| 1939-aft.1942 | Herbert James Everett | I believe the next occupants of Church Farm are James (Herbert James) and Ellen Everett. Born in Rocklands on the 26th December, 1901, Ellen is the daughter of Ellen Elizabeth Wilkins. Sadly, Ellen was only 5 years old when her mother died in 1907. Her only brother, Harold John, emigrated to Australia with their uncle Bertie Wilkins and his family in 1913. Ellen was brought up at the Post Office in the village by her grandfather, William Wilkins, and her aunt Annie Wilkins. She married James Everett in 1926. The 1939 England & Wales Register lists James & Ellen Everett in Church Street. 74 year old retired paper cutter Walter C Spencer is with the couple along with another person. However the details of that person are redacted from the online Register. This is because that person may be alive at the time the Register was released to the public. The 1942 Great Ellingham Invasion Committee Records list ‘Mr & Mrs Everett’ with 3 children and ‘Mr Spencer’ in Church Street. Again I believe they are still residing at Church Farm/ |
| Later, Church Farm was the home of the Maynard family. |
Sources:
Great Ellingham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 609. Also available at www.familysearch.org
1802 Russell James Colman Plans. Great Ellingham. 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
Manor court rolls, 1641-1930. Manor of Attleborough Mortimers. Court (Norfolk). Norfolk Record Office MEA 2/2-8, Webb 24/5/63. Viewed via www.familysearch.org
Norfolk Chronicle 10th June 1797
Norfolk Chronicle 18th December 1813
Norwich Mercury 19th July 1845
Norfolk News 21st July 1855
Norfolk Chronicle 9th July 1853
Eastern Daily Press 14th January 1903
Eastern Daily Press 10th March 1903
Newspapers viewed via The British Newspaper Archive
Marriage Licence Bond 9th May 1809. Theophilus Smith and Hannah Turner. Norfolk Record Office ANF 12/47/26. Transcription Norfolk Family History Society. www.norfolkfhs.org.uk
1861 census RG9/1256/138, RG9/1222/48
1841 census HOI107/781/8
1851 census HO107/1823/131
1861 census RG9/1237/80
1871 census RG10/1841/88
1881 census RG11/1974/92
1891 census RG12/1549/80
1901 census RG13/1867/80
1911 census RG14/11473/134
1921 census RG15/9790 ED5 Sch 30
1853 5th November. Statutory Declaration of Stephen Childerhouse in Proprietorship of Barnabus Ezekiel Barnard to Benjamin Barnard deceased. Emma Wilson. Bury Hall Deeds.
1814 Turner, Benjamin of Great Ellingham. Norfolk Record Office. Catalogue Ref: ANF will register 1814-1815 fo. 169 (1814 no. 25)
Wymondham Parish Registers. Norfolk Record Office PD 184. Also available at www.familysearch.org and www.ancestry.co.uk and other subscription genealogy websites
Particulars & Conditions of Sale ‘A Desirable Small Farm & Double Cottage’ in Great Ellingham. Auction 9th August 1855. Author’s collection
Particulars & Conditions of Sale ‘A Desirable Small Farm & Double Cottage’ in Great Ellingham. Auction 16th September 1876. Author’s Collection
England, Norfolk, Register of Electors, 1832-1915. www.familysearch.org
1939 England & Wales Register The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/6590HAncestry.com. 1939 England and Wales Register [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2018.
1942 Great Ellingham Invasion Committee Records. Sue Fay
GRO Index also viewed via FreeBMD website