Inventory of James Withycombe of Marshwood, Carhampton

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INVENTORY OF JAMES WITHYCOMBE OF MARSHWOOD,

CARHAMPTON

The Withycombes had farmed in Carhampton parish for centuries and had been tenants of Marshwood since the late 17th century. They were gentleman farmers and many amassed considerable wealth. When James Withycombe died in 1800 his goods were valued at over £8,500 and his inventory took two days to compile. He kept £100 in cash in the house and had lent out capital totalling £3,200 on mortgages, £1,300 on bonds most of which had been repaid and £112 on promissory notes.

His livestock comprised an astonishing 26 oxen of which one was worth £36, over five times the value of his bull, and 20 steers. Other cattle included one bullock, 12 cows and 35 heifers worth up to £22 each, 15 yearlings and 14 calves. He had 448 sheep that varied in value from lambs at less than 3s each to ewes with lamb at over £2 12s but no ram. He also kept poultry and had 31 pigs. His grain comprised 360 bushels of wheat worth £270, 250 bushels of best barley at £68 15s and 60 bushels of other barley at £16 10s. In addition he had 96.5 acres of wheat worth £675 10s, 5 acres of barley worth £20 and 6 acres of peas at £24.

The farm equipment comprised 3 bad wagons, 4 putts, 2 carts, 3 pairs of drags, a pair of harrows, 2 furrow, 2 single and 1 double sulls, 12 yokes with bows and chains, 3 waggon lines, 2 cart lines, hurdles, a grindstone, a winnowing machine and a winnowing fan and sheet.

He had modest amounts of plate and linen worth 5 and 10 guineas respectively. The house itself was well furnished and the contents were listed by room.

In the Kitchen 2 tables and form £1 10s

Mary Siraut Page 1 Somerset Reference 3 side tables 7s 6d 5 chairs 10s An old settle 2s 6d A pair of bellows 1s 6d 3 guns £2 10s An eight day clock and case £3 10s A corner cupboard 5s A warming pan 4s 2 tea kettles 4s 2 coffee pots 2s Brass and iron candlesticks 2s 6d 2 spits 1s 6d Fire irons 2s 6d

In the Little Parlour A dining table 10s 6d Two side tables 7s 6d 7 chairs 15s A tray, cheese board and knife box 7s Knives and forks £1 Bath stove, fender and fire irons £1 10s A corner cupboard and china £2 12s 6 pictures 6s Glass and earthenware 10s 6d A pair of bellows 2s 6d Ornaments in the chimney piece 2s

In the Large Parlour A dining table £1 10s A tea table £1 1s A tea urn 10s 6d

Mary Siraut Page 2 Somerset Reference Looking glass £1 11s 6d 3 tea waiters 15s 10 chairs £3 3s Bread basket 6d Bath stove and fire irons £1 14s A large china bowl £1 Pictures, glass and tea things 10s 6d In the Dairy A cheese tub 10s 2 butter tubs, a cheese bowl etc 5s 16 brass pans £2 8s A milk kettle £1 A frying pan 3s Pewter plates etc 10s Salt pan and earthenware 2s 6d A garden pot 1s 2 salting trows and bacon £12 16s 1salting trow 4d 3 ranges 3s 2 lanterns 1s 6d 3 baskets and lumber 3s

In the cellar 3 salting trows £1 10s 7 empty casks £3 10s 4 jibs 4s

In the new cider cellar Cider and casks £30 A vat 5s Jibs etc 2s

Mary Siraut Page 3 Somerset Reference In the old cellar Cider and casks £35 Jibs etc 3s 6d

In the Brewhouse A copper furnace £5 A malt mill 15s Brewing utensils £3 3s 1 hogshead and 3 half hogsheads £1 10s 6d Corn chest 12s 2 seed boxes 4s 30 bags £4 10s

In the corn chamber 10 bushels of corn £2 10s A peck and some sieves 5s

In the apple chamber 29 empty casks £11 12s

In the scullery 2 large boilers £2 2s 3 saucepans and two kettles 3s 2 cheese presses £2 2s 3 old pewter dishes 6d

In the cheese chamber Cheese £5 Lumber £1

Mary Siraut Page 4 Somerset Reference In the parlour chamber A bed performed £10 10s A Bureau bedstead and bedding £6 Pressing table and glasses £2 2s Clothes press and boxes £1 10s Tea chest and chair 5s

In the Little room A bed performed £6 A looking glass 5s

In the Middle room A bed performed £6 A Bureau bedstead and bedding £2 2s A mahogany bureau £3 10s Glass and dressing table 7s Basin and stand 4s Night stool 10s 6d Chest of drawers 5s

In the Maids room 3 beds etc £6 6s Chest of drawers and boxes 10s 6d 2 side saddles £3 A glass 1s Sundries £2 2s

In the Men servants room

Mary Siraut Page 5 Somerset Reference 3 beds etc £3 3s Fire irons 5s Sundries £4

In addition James Withycombe had leasehold land worth £220, the lease of Withycombe mills worth £600 and debts of £400 due to him.

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Mary Siraut Page 6 Somerset Reference