Highleadon Enclosures

5ln Investigation of the :J{omesteaas

.9L(an Sk((ey

Highleadon History Series Volume 5 Preface

'At Highleadon'

A vale not deep among the hills, Here the Leadon its current stills, Loitering the banks between, As if enamoured of the scene, He has not forgotten his onward way, As in memory of a long past day, In its history much remains, Constant flow that wax and wanes, Should here relax his angry frown, And, soothed to slumber near the towne, Amid the fields and rural plain, The waters find their placid home.

A.S.

This is the fifth volume in a series of information about the history of Highleadon and its surrounds. It forms a part of a progressive research. This information was gathered during May and June 2004

© Alan Shelley BA DLA FSTD FRSA, Wycken End, Cheltenham, June 2004. Contents

Chapter Page 1. Introduction 1. 2. Field Systems 2. 3. Decline in Openfield 'Common' Agriculture 6. 4. 'Inclosure' at Highleadon 7. 5. A Conjectural View in the Seventeenth Century 9. 6. Changes in the Pattern of Land Ownership 10. 7. White House Farm 11. 8. Highleadon Court Estate 14. 9. Drews Farm and 'Hemmings' Estate 23. 10. Sixteenth Century Highleadon 25. 11. Green End - Property of Squire Foley 26. 12. Vine Cottage/ Villa 30. 13. Drews Farm 31. 14. Snippets from Highleadon' s Past 34. 15. The Parish of Rudford & Highleadon 35.

APPENDICES Appendix Page A Highleadon Land Taxes 38. B Tithe Apportionment 1837 41. C Census Returns: 1851, 61, 71, 81, 91 & 1901 48. D Twentieth Century Directories 68. E 'Notes and Queries' 70. F Burials in the Methodist Cemetery 72. G 'More Notes and Queries' 74. H Medieval Gloucestershire 75. I The Muster Role of 1608 77. J The Period Leading to the Civil War 79. K Land Law: Enclosure, Legislation & Common Land 81.

MAPS 1. Saxon 'Ledene' 89. 2. Eighteenth Century Highleadon 90. 3. Nineteenth Century Highleadon 91. 4. Twentieth Century Highleadon 92. Introduction

The purpose of this volume has been to expand on the information given in volume four about Highleadon's homesteads. This will consider the agricultural background and how the community has changed over the years since its manorial days.

At Highleadon much of the general layout remains as it had been several centuries ago. The county road structure and the village green have prevented the kind of developments to be seen elsewhere.

Properties dotted around the Green and along the Hartpury lane have very early foundations dating back to the Middle Ages. From its manorial days this hamlet has remained a farming community. Highleadon has retained its historical identity despite being absorbed within the parish of Rudford.

The formation of the surrounding landscape has largely been the result of many centuries of farming. Early field systems have created the most permanent features to be seen in the countryside today.

Very few, if any, relics remain to indicate the farming methods employed in pre­ Roman times. Crop marks indicate an early defensive 'fort-like' enclosure in the neighbourhood but more information is merely speculative. The Leadon Vale was disafforested in Norman times and even while it was greatly influenced by the Forest, the Vale was largely 'open'. Historic 'champion' landscapes of the English Midlands, apart from the forested areas, had something in common with the French 'champagne' country.

Much of the Gloucestershire countryside was enclosed early with the former 'common-fields' giving way to small fields or closes, individually owned or rented. The 'ancient' or wooded countryside, including the Forest has a parallel with the 'bocage', the bosky landscape of lower Normandy. This is in contrast to the 'champagne' open landscape of northern France.

Highleadon in its location within the Vale presented an example of 'open' farming under monastic control, before its gradual enclosure into very small holdings then amalgamating to form the two major farms remaining today.

1 Field Systems

The study of field systems is essential to understanding rural communities. They evolved from prehistory to modern times. Fields, and their organisation into patterns we term 'field systems' are among the most evident and more permanent of the man-made features of the countryside. The term 'field' may be employed to include close, croft, meadow, mead, lay (ley) piece or enclosure. Field systems, not only reflect farming practices but also ownership and the social structure of communities and their evolutionary changes.

Historic buildings are given a measure of protection, unfortunately such protection does not extend to many of our countryside features. Agricultural efficiency and demands for domestic developments have destroyed some of the historic fabric of the landscape. But fortunately, at Highleadon much still remains. This includes the existing network of lanes and trackways, several overgrown and of course, the Green.

Most of the locality had been open countryside, with commons, waste and woodlands, until the enclosure acts by parliament in the 18th and 19th centuries, when a new pattern of fields, roads and access tracks were imposed upon the old order.

The earliest field systems (in prehistoric times) like those on southern Dartmoor were planned as a communal enterprise to achieve large scale clearance. Field boundaries, depending upon locality, were created by hedgerows, stone walls, banks or ditches.

Initially the patterns evolved around the movement of herds and flocks along droveways to seasonal pastures, highland in Winter and the lowland in Summer. The intervening fields and their patterns were dominated by the highways. Such landscapes are sometimes referred to as 'co-axial'.

The farms, their steadings and stockyards were sub-divided into small fields which enabled rotation of grazing. This allowed land to lie fallow and regain healthy condition. Cereal crops were only a minor factor of the early farm economy and only grown for local consumption.

2 Arable cultivation took on greater importance as the technology of ploughing was improved. Mixed farming systems developed to support a rapidly growing population. An account of the countryside during the reign of Julius Caesar in 54 BC describes southern Britain as "well populated and studded with homesteads in a bosky landscape of trackways and woods, excellent for concealing charioteers".

Roman villa estates grew up on fertile soils, not necessarily close to any of the newly formed Roman road networks. The earlier Bronze Age roads and trackways continued to service the countryside in general.

In the post-Roman period much of the landscape became rough pasture and woodland. A near catastrophic decline in population occurred during the Saxon period, probably from plague. Large estates emerged in the middle Saxon period (c600-850 AD) but by the later Saxon period these estates were broken down into smaller units forming the basis of the manors recorded in the Domesday survey.

Even when the population was again on the increase, thirty percent of more of the land was rough pasture or waste. Another third was woodland and chase.

During the Norman period of the Middle Ages, the economy and the population was growing. More of the hitherto waste and woodland was cultivated for crops. This began a demand for land which culminated in competition even between the peasants with their lords. The essential minimum of land required for pasture came to be defined and preserved as a second generation of greens, bordered around by tofts the smallholdings of peasant families, who would also cultivate strips in the adjoining arable.

This scattered pattern of settlement developed as hamlets - usually around or beside a green. Often these compact areas of grassland were 'linear' comprising wide verges alongside the road. The hamlets were generally named 'X' End, Green or Tye and their name most often emanated from post-Conquest origins.

In the Cotswolds and the wooded areas of Gloucestershire there were extensive commons. Many of these had a tradition of 'inter-commoning' by the tenants of neighbouring manors. Rights of inter-common survived into the late 19th century and several commons associations retain a form of such agreement even today. Greens and commons can be seen in large numbers throughout the county on the Isaac Taylor Map of Gloucestershire dated 1777 and in greater detail on the earliest Ordnance Survey Map of 1811.

3 The strip system of the common fields dominated the landscape as pressure on the waste intensified. Woodlands were protected with banks and hedges and were governed by the manor's woodward. Some woodland might be retained in a form of parkland, managed by a 'parker' who would oversee any gaming or deer-park, where they may exist. Many such parks became farms in the 16th and 17th centuries. Several estates retained a game spinney. Perhaps the 'Ruffet' opposite Highleadon Court access drive was one such game spinney?

By the 14th century a physical chill had overtaken the climate of southern Britain. A series of failed harvests brought famine to much of the countryside. In 1319-21 the great sheep murrain swept through the flocks causing great distress. The bubonic plague [Black Death] returned after an absence of 700 years. By the 15th century the population had again greatly diminished. Land was readily available, even while much was owned by the monastery. Many of the manorial lords were glad to find tenants for land that would otherwise be waste.

Villeinage rapidly gave way to copyhold tenancies whose holders sought to consolidate their strips by agreement into discrete closes. Lords then preferred to lease out their demesnes rather than farm them and their large arable fields were subdivided for farming by rotation with stock.

In the 17th century, massive changes of ownership took place following the Dissolution of the religious houses, much of it in royal grants to favourites or on the market at knock-down prices. Batches of strips amalgamated to form closes and lines of trees or remnant small orchards were retained where crofts or small fields have been combined. The trees, other than those for fruit, helped meet the demand for faggots and charcoal as well as the needs of the tenant. Timber trees were generally being grown in woodlands at that time.

As a rural seat became the prestigious requisite of the new magnate, parkland came back into fashion. This only applied to the larger estates, as more land was turned into tenant farms, thereby reducing maintenance costs to the landowners. Puritans of the period disliked parks and were influential in the politics leading to the Civil War.

4 From the middle of the 18th century, farming entered a new 'improved' phase which peaked during the Napoleonic wars. A demand from the cities for wheat, barley for the breweries and oats for drought horses. This was a period of development and experimentation in agriculture. Inventions were brought out to improve ploughing, drilling and threshing. Livestock breeds were improved and root crops, clover and trefoils were introduced for fodder.

Larger scale farming was encouraged by the increased return from agriculture. This led to a decline in the smaller farm holdings. These conditions coincided with the decline in home spinning and weaving for the cloth industry in the early 18th century creating more poverty within village communities.

Common-fields had been gradually enclosed by agreements since the 15th century. The remaining parishes where they survived on a considerable scale or agreement had not been reached, were enclosed by Act of Parliament between 1778 and 1871.

The French and Napoleonic wars brought prosperity to farming and land ownership, as always, provided great prestige. The price of corn between 1810 and 1814 rocketed to record levels. Tenants were urged to grub-up woods, enlarge fields and plough pasture in this short term bonanza.

A feature of this time are 'purprestures' on highway land. Where the highway was wide, a tenant might secure a lease to enclose a long strip of ground for his house and smallholding. As was the case at Green and Daws farms. In addition to his rent, the tenant would have been required to maintain the adjacent road.

The 18th century saw the development of the 'English Landscape Park'. Dominant of the style was that of informal wood-pasture, not dissimilar of the deer parks in earlier times. Relics of the early field systems survive in hedgerow trees that mark the line of a former field boundary.

Depression in 1815 revived the profitability of farming for a short while before the repeal of the Corn Laws which allowed cheap imports of grain from North America. this contributed to the 'Depression' which lasted from the mid 1870s to 1939. Game spinneys were among the few additions to the farming landscape over these years. War-time had its affect on farming where land was co-opted for various uses including airfields and the like. Massive urban development immediately before and after the 2nd W. War greatly affected the countryside. New roads brought changes.

5 The Decline in Openfield 'Common' Agriculture

The old English gentry were powerfully reinforced in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries by an influx from professional and mercantile classes. Lawyers, government officials, and successful merchants bought land not only to improve their social standing but also to increase their incomes. Writing in 1600, Thomas Wilson1 observed:

"Gentlemen ... are now for the most part grown to be good husbands and know well how to improve their lands and to the uttermost as the farmer or and either till themselves or else let them to those that will give most; whereby the yeomanry of England is decayed and become servants to gentlemen which were want to be glory of the country of good neighbourhood and hospitality".

This broadening of the squirearchy was a notable feature of English society in the years before the first civil war - even if its exact causes and repercussions are matters of dispute. It came about because land and properties formerly belonging to the Church or Crown were sold in large quantities after the Reformation. Many of Cromwell's officers were able to buy land at low prices during the civil wars.

Since the early sixteenth century, enclosure for one purpose or another had gone steadily forward, sometimes to accommodate sheep (valued for meat and wool) and to improve standards of agriculture. There was considerable pressure, even from King James I himself, to plough the 'wastes'. Even so, heavy fines were levied on landowners for carrying out enclosures (a form of taxation for government shortages).

NB. There was little restriction on enclosure under Cromwell. Under Charles II more enclosures were permitted.

During the late Tudor and the Stuart period there was a huge increase in 'honours' and an inflation of the higher ranks by baronetcies. These and knighthoods provided additional funds to the monarch. Gentlemen 'were cheap'. Social ranks became clearly defined as upper and lower gentry and with the professional classes referred to as 'middle classes'. The yeoman and the master tradesmen were entitled Mister (Mr). These were, in general, the merchant classes.

NB. When Lord Berkeley (then Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire [James I] visited London, he would be accompanied by as many as 150 servants.2

1 Thomas Wilson, writing on the 'State of England' in 1600. 2 Maurice Ashley (1962) 'England in the Seventeenth Century' (1603-1714) Pelican, Middx.

6 'Inclosure' at Highleadon

Mention has already been made of the considerable enclosure of 'waste' both legally · and otherwise. This was carried out by 'assarting' for arable use or by 'purprestration' for domestic purposes.

The influence over the field patterns as shown on current OS Maps, was the result of the early open-field agricultural system followed by gradual enclosure. Changes of ownership, the reduction of tenurial possession and family heritage have all affected the distribution of land parcels.

We can see an interesting distribution pattern in the apportionment of the land as it was surveyed in 1837 for the Tithe Map. Here it is obvious that transitions have taken place affecting many of the old 'tenurial strips' while many are still to be found in their disparate positions.

Enclosure practises have included an amount of swapping and compromise in order to regulate the land into the more manageable fields we may see today.

A very large number of 'commons' disappeared from English villages in the eighteenth century. Previously the village community were shareholders who had a hand in the cultivation of the land. The open-field system treated the other requisites of rural life as appendant to it. That was the manorial order that marked old English society.

The land was 'common' in three forms. There were the arable fields, the common meadowland and the common or waste. Land was apportioned according to status.

As we are aware, the cultivation of strips in the arable fields carried with it 'rights of. common' over the waste and also over the common fields when they were thrown open. Such rights are associated to owners or occupiers of arable land who can put commonable beasts upon the waste and other lands within the manor.

Enclosure legitimately, began with a petition from a local person or persons, setting forth the inconveniences of the present system and the advantages of such a measure. This petition was put to Parliament for a Bill to be introduced. The Bill was read twice then heard by a Committee. If and when the Bill was passed it would receive Royal Assent.

7 The petition would often be the act of a landowner whose signature was enough to set the motion in process. Before 1774 the applicant was not required to inform his neighbours of his action. Many knew nothing of the transactions that would change their lifelong practices. Indeed the great majority were, as a result, hostile to the scheme. Locally, enclosures were carried out under the following Acts: 1845, Tibberton enclosed 222 acres - Enrolled 1851 CR Map 1855, Dymock enclosed 208 acres - Enrolled 1862 CR Map 1864, Rudford enclosed 35 acres - Enrolled 1866 CR Map.

An Enclosure Map of 1866 for Rudford and Highleadon is held at the Gloucestershire Records Office. This clearly indicates the actions taken by Sir William Vernon Guise Bt and William P.Price of Tibberton Court who were the arrangers of most local enclosures.

The 1866 enclosures are signified by the following references to the Tithe Map: - Sir William Vernon Guise: In Radway Common Meadow, 143, 146, 147, 148, 150. William P. Price: In Radway Common Meadow, 144, 145 and 149. In Goose Marsh, 163, 164, 166, 167 and 168. In Key Meadow, 179, 181, 182, 182a, 183, 184, 185, 185a, 186 and 187. Edward Knight, Farmer: In Goose Marsh, 165. In Key Meadow, 180 and 188.

The Advent of Freeholding

The administration of the manor of Rudford and the lands at Highleadon were pressed to change after the Dissolution in 1542. While some land was retained by the Dean & Chapter of Gloucester other great swathes were eventually distributed. The common fields were divided and several small holding farms were created.

From the evidence coming to light it would appear that the farms, by the names that we know them today White House, Drews, Green Farm and Green End, were formed at the beginning of the seventeenth century.

This is borne out by the foundations of the buildings (including Mill Cottage) and the earliest occupiers of those properties. The predecessors of the Court farm and Half Timber Farm are likely to preceed the smaller holdings which resulted from the more gradual closure of the open field system.

Subsequent selling off of land has inevitably made some changes, but surprisingly few.

8 A Conjectural View of Highleadon in the Seventeenth Century

A traveller from Gloucester passing along the country lane through Rudford could expect a very poor road surface (Atkyns 1712). Crossing through the shallow ford the road narrowed within wide grassy verges. Large open fields extended on each side. Immediately past the ford and on the right was a small orchard and a few farm buildings, the remains of an earlier settlement. Further along, the road widened at a junction to a grassy open common with an inn on the right, adjoining a muddy parish road leading out onto the common fields. The inn, of 1665, with its stables and out-buildings would later become 'Inn Farm' and then become known as 'Green End'. In subsequent times it was occupied and continuously farmed by generations of the Matthews family.

As the traveller entered Highleadon he would encounter the central view of a cottage (Camp House) within an enclosure at a fork between two roads. This was probably constructed to house the village beadle who reported to the manor's 'court leet'. His responsibilities would have included the control of unruly drovers who were regularly passing through on their way from Wales to the market at Gloucester. He may also have had the duties of a ranger looking after the proper uses of the commons and to prevent usurpers of commoning rights.

The pastoral green was broad and surrounded an area of waste with tree stands and copses. To the left of the common green, the major road, later becoming a turnpike, would take the traveller from Gloucester to Newent. Following the right fork in the road to Upleadon, which was little more than a cart track, this would bring them alongside the hamlet with its cattle, sheep and poultry, freely grazing across the green and upon the grassy verges. The small closes around the cottages were dominated by apple and pear trees. Every home had its orchard to provide a domestic supply of perry and cider.

In those days the resident tenant at the Court, as steward of the estate, could still expect certain assistance's and privileges from the tenant villagers, to be expected of a lord of the manor. Much of the land was farmed for the benefit (through rent) of the Church. Senior people of the village were beginning to take up opportunities to buy or amalgamate their leased lands to become more efficient small holdings. Here were the beginnings of free enterprise. There were very few specific craftsmen in the hamlet and pretty well all people were employed in the hard work of agricultural labouring. A very small exception were producing cider for a wider distribution.

9 Changes in the Pattern of Land Ownership

Much of the field patterns and their names remain today, a relic of the Middle Ages. The old strips and scattered lands that were part of the open field community farm were acquired (or bought up) to become nine principal farms (or estates). Farming methods and the way of life were slow to change at Highleadon. The waste including the fields between the two highways were open to the roads and unfenced until 1835.

In 1828 the principal farm estates were as follows: 1) Highleadon Court Estate of 186 acres with three let cottages and gardens. 2) Drews Farm (Church Estate) of 85 acres with its own buildings and cottage. 3) 'Hemmings' a small freehold estate associated with above, of 3.5 acres & Cider Mill. 4) White House Farm (house let and land separate) of 93 acres. 5) Halftimber House farm estate of 139 acres. 6) New Hall farm estate of 24 acres. 7) Green Farm of approx. 51 acres 8) Green End farm estate of 21 acres 9) Lartds let for the Eldersfield Poor (scattered) amounting to 14 acres. 10) Cottagers with freehold garden enclosures (say 8) amounting to 1 acre in total.

Land Dealings through the Ages

In 1779 Mr Thomas Boulton, as fortenent and a steward of the Church was clearly a principal land owner at Highleadon, letting 'Drews Farm' for the Dean & Chapter, a property named 'Longmore' and of a farm associated with a property named 'Hemmings'. On 2nd February 1790, Mr John Boulton of Forthampton arranged a lease of the 40 acre farm for three years to Mrs Esther Baylis, widow [Rent £60 p.a. Chief Rent £20 p.a.] This was followed by a further eight years lease from 25th March 1802 in partnership with her son Thomas (Yeoman of Highleadon).

(Ref. D2957 /134/1&2) "Leasehold Messuage or tenement, together with houses, outhouses, edifices, buildings and barns, stables, courts, yards and gardens, orchards, arable lands, meadows and pastures, common of pastures and privileges. advantages and appurtenances belonging to same". This property includes Upper and Lower Newlands to be sown as pasture ground and that they be fallow one part in four of the lands.

10 In 1794 Thomas Boulton was recorded as owning 'Longmore' and the farm associated with 'Hemmings' occupied by Hester Baylis. In 1795, Thomas Boulton was recorded as owner of 'Longmore' but John Boulton was recorded as owning the farm occupied by Hester Baylis. In 1796-1801 'Longmore' was the property of Thomas Boulton (dee) and John Boulton owned/ occupied the farm®.

An Agreement was made 4 August 1810 between Thomas Baylis and William Boulton of Forthampton: Thomas Baylis agrees to sell to William Boulton 'all his going-off crop of wheat, thirty-eight acres, three-quarters and thirty-six perches, more or less, and all the going-off crop of beans, being sixteen acres three-quarters and seventeen perches, more or less, growing upon an estate at Highleadon now in the occupation of William Boulton, being given up to him 5 April last by Thomas 3 Baylis at the sum of £664' •

White House Farm

At the close of the eighteenth century, the freehold estate of the White House farm was recorded as belonging to Lord Southwell and Robert Canning Esq. The proprietors were recorded as the Berkeley family. This may mean that the land to the west was Lord Southwell's and some (on the Hartpury border) was still in the Canning estate. The house was almost certainly the property of the Berkeleys. They probably had the lands as long-term lease-holders. Occupants of the property were normally tenant farmers. In 1779 it was Edward Farmer until around 1800 when it was managed by Mr John Palmer with a farmer/bailiff (probably Edward Farmer) in residence.

In 1810 the Estate was put up for sale, freehold by auction, administered by Henry Clark on Friday, 7 September, at the Crown Inn, Woolridge. The sale appears to have been described as follows:

Lot 1. Four Inclosures, within a ring fence, called Whitehouse Meadows, Whitehouse Field, and West Field, containing together 27 A, OR, SP, including the Canal passing through the same. This lot adjoining the Turnpike-Road, Gloucester to Newent. This lot was purchased by Mr Need of Highleadon Court.

0 John Boulton 'of Highleadon' married Nancy Butt spinster, at Norton, 20 October 1812. 3 William Boulton 'of Forthampton' is recorded as having died 12 April 1825.

11 Lot 2. An Inclosure of pasture land called Bushy Leasow and a parcel of meadowland in Key Meadow, together being 4A, 2R, 38P. This lot was purchased by Mr Boulton.

Lot 3. A parcel of arable land in Redditch Field and a parcel of meadowland adjoining thereto, together 2R, 26P. The lot was sold to Mr Boulton.

Lot 4. Three parcels of arable land in Ash Furlong, SA, lR, 10P, sold to Mr Boulton

Lot 5. Four parcels of arable land in Short Length, 3A, OR, 21P, sold to Mr Matthews.

Lot 6. A parcel of arable land butting against Redditch, 1A, lR, 10P, sold to Boulton.

Lot 7. Three parcels of arable land in Haysworth, 4A, OR, 1P, sold to Mr Hooper.

Lot 8. Two parcels of arable land in Dunshill, together OA, 3R, 32P, sold to Boulton.

Lot 9. A parcel of arable land in Haysworth, OA, lR, 3P, sold to Mr Hooper.

Lot 10 The Farm-house, Barn, Stable, Sheds, together with the Fold-yard, Garden, Orchard and Whitehouse Croft, containing together 3A, 3R, 36P, sold to Mr Boulton. Lot 11 Four Inclosures, called Smallway (arable, the Rhone (pasture), Rhone Croft (pasture) and Rhone Hill (arable), together 13A, 3R, 10P, sold to Mr Boulton.

NB. Mr William Boulton, of Forthampton, died 12 April 1825.

(Ref. D2957 /134/14) Sale by Auction at the King's Head Inn, Gloucester on Saturday 14 June 1828: A leasehold Estate in the occupation of Mr John Boulton.

LOT 1 Farm house, part newly built in brick, Barn, Fold Yard, Cow Sheds, Cart House, Wood Yard, Garden etc and fifteen pieces of inclosed Arable, Pasture and Meadow Lands. (DREWS FARM) A R p 1. House & buildings, garden etc. 1 0 27 2. Great Newlands Cultiv. A 8 0 11 3. Young Orchard or Upper Newlands A 3 2 16 4. The Ten Acres A 7 3 25 5. The Old Hill A 8 1 7

12 6. The Eight Acres A 7 3 10 7. Little Hill A 2 3 10 8. Lower Newlands A 3 3 35 9. Long Ground p 3 2 37 10. Upper Westland A 5 3 20 11. Lower Westland A 3 2 7 12. Part of Long Ground below Canal M 3 0 27 13. Upper Meadow M 5 3 30 14. Lower Meadow M 7 3 37 15. Part of Rough Ground & Little Meadow M 6 0 8 16. Rough Ground p 5 2 30 Part of Rough Ground and Long Ground, taken by the Hereford & Gloucester Canal Co. for which the pay £1-3s per annum. This Estate is held by Lease under the Dean & Chapter of Gloucester. Com. Lady Day 1824 for the term of 21 years, renewable even; 7 yrs. Small Freehold Estate 'Hemmings' compr. Dwelling House, Mill-house, Barn, Stable, Garden and Home Orchard. 3 1 17 And a small freehold Rick-yard near the above farm-house 0 2 21 90. 1 29 The above is complete with Cider-Mill and apparatus belonging to the tenant.

LOT 2 Freehold Estate known as the "White House' Compr. Dwelling house (occupied by two Cottagers) Barn, Stable, Cow-house, Cart-house, Garden, Rick-yard and several pieces of Arable, Pasture and Meadow Land. A R p 21. House, buildings, garden and Fleck 0 3 12 20. White House Orchard Cultiv. P 0 2 14 22. White House Croft A 2 2 35 23. Roan' s Ground p 6 2 32 24. Hatchet Piece in Hay Meadow M 0 2 3 25. In Hay Meadow M 1 2 38 26. Roan' s Croft p 1 1 4 27. Sainfoin Piece and Roan' s Hill p 4 3 30 28. Small Ways A 3 3 11 29. In Dunshill Field A 3 1 19 30. In ditto A 0 3 32

13 31. In ditto A 0 3 33 32. In ditto (two pieces adjacent River Leadon) A 6 0 1 42. Bushy Leasow and Hunger Hill p 10 2 15 43. In Key Meadow M 0 1 9 41. Lower Hunger Hill p 3 1 38 44. WithyPleck M 2 0 14 45. Shoe Nose and Poplar Bed w 0 3 24 46. Netherland Pasture and Seed Piece p 6 3 35 47. Ploughed Netherlands A 5 1 14 48. Long Meadow M 4 2 3 33. In Ash Furlong Common Field A 1 0 10 34. In ditto A 0 3 22 35. In ditto A 1 1 21 36. In ditto (adjoining the Road) A 0 3 19 37. In ditto A 1 2 13 38. In ditto A 13 1 0 39. In Redditch Common Field A 1 1 1 40. In ditto A 4 1 32 93 1 14

Highleadon Court Estate in the Eighteenth Century

Clearly 'Lordship' of a Manor allowed the Guise family to gift land at will, even that which may have been protected by the 'commoners rights'. Ref. D326/76-T10: Sir John Guise, 15 May 1790 provided John Hooper with a 'Lease for Life' of a "Parcel of land at Highleadon Green measuring 96 yards by 12 yards in breadth for John Hooper (labourer) then aged 33 years and his wife Mary aged about 21 and for John their son aged about one and a quarter years for their natural lives in return for two fat chickens per year to be provided on 25 December". [The deed was signed by the mark (X) of Thomas Hooper]. NB The Hooper family became quite influential in the farming of the old 'common' lands. [Mainly as 'Green Farm'].

Of the Hooper family it is interesting to find that a muster for men and armour, of Gloucestershire in 1608, at Upleadon a John Hooper of around 20 years of age, considered of lesser stature for musket or pike was "fitt to serve with calyver" (a form of light musket).

14 Highleadon Court estate was regularly leased by the Guise family. An inscription in Rudford church indicates that Mr Thomas Hulls was at 'Leden's Court' in the late 17th century before his demise, aged 87 years, in May 1722. His widow Mary Hulls took (Deed326/E72) a lease on the Manor on 2 February 1725 for three years with Sir John Guise. This period may have been further extended.

In 1774, a valuation was carried out of Sir William Guise's Estate at HIGHLEADON COURT Surveyed 2nd September 1774 by Thomas Brown 326/E79 Cultivation A R p The House and Outhousing 3 0 5 Farm Close p 9 0 15 Dry Field p 33 0 29 TumpyClose p 10 2 20 Pillars Field p 5 3 10 Old Orchard p 24 1 25 Grove Close p 2 2 36 Lane leading to the House ~alled the 'Throat' p 1 3 10 The Grove p 3 0 5 Lower Mead or Mile Mead M 10 1 2 Ox Leys M 12 1 30 Lady Mead M 8 0 39 Pigmoor Mead M 8 3 35 Rush Plock M 3 0 2 Litchford' s Meadow M 13 0 26 Bean Field A 8 0 21 Great Thistley Piece A 12 0 15 Little Thistley Piece A 11 2 15 Barley Field A 17 3 25 Great Reddings A 12 0 15 Little Reddings A 7 0 5 218 2 5 The quality is valued to a total of £200-2s-11!4d and is now let on Lease at £190 per year.

Leasing the Manor carried with it the ancient customary privileges. This can be seen by the claims made when Mr Robert Jakeman was leasing the Manor during the late eighteenth century. Medieval customary practices entitled the Lord of the Manor to assistance from the tenants of the Hamlet. Ref. D2957 /134/9 is a valuation carried out for Lessee Mr Jakeman at Highleadon of the Whitehouse Farm. Shown as follows:

The Admeasurement of the Fre.e Land in Highleadon for Mowing, Reaping and belonging to Mr Jakeman in Ashfurlong Common Field. ARABLE A R p Doll Acre 0 3 31 Gooseberry Acre 0 3 6 Piece by Red Ditch Gate late Palmer 1 1 10 Five Lands late Palmer 0 3 0 Pickel Piece late Palmer 1 2 10 Twelve Lands as 2 2 0

15 Three Acre Piece 3 0 0 Ten Lands Piece 2 0 0 Pitt Acre 1 3 0 Wet Acre 1 0 27 Piece by Hunger Hill in Red Ditch Common Field 2 1 0 Bush Acre in above 1 1 0 continued A R p Three Acre Piece 4 3 5 Ploughed Newlands 4 3 5 Dunshill Common Field Bank Piece 4 0 0 Piece called Two Acres 1 3 8 Wet Acre late Palmers 0 3 0 Smallways 3 2 0 White House Croft 2 0 0 44 3 0 PASTURE LAND Hemmings Orchard 2 1 24 Garden Rick Yard 0 1 23 White House Orchard 0 2 0 Roan' s Ground 6 2 0 Roan' s Croft 1 1 0 Roan's Hill 2 2 0 Sanfoin Piece 1 2 4 Two Acre Piece in Hay Meadow 1 2 38 Hatchet Piece in Hay Meadow 0 2 3 Long Meadow by Leadon 4 1 0 Shoe Nose and Poplar Bed 0 3 20 Whithy Pleck Meadow 2 0 6 In Hay Meadow 0 1 8 Great Hunger Hill 6 1 4 Bushy Leasow 4 1 0 Little Hunger Hill 3 0 0 Netherland Pasture 4 1 0 Seeds Piece 2 2 20 48 1 0 The Admeasurement of the College Land for mowing, reaping and belonging to Mr Jakeman

ARABLE A R p Great Newlands 7 2 6 Upper Newlands 3 0 0 The Ten Acres 7 2 0 The Old Hill 8 1 7 The Eight Acres 7 0 0 The Little Hill 2 1 0 The Lower Newlands 3 2 0 The Upper Westlands 4 0 17 The Lower Westlands 3 0 10 46 1 0 PASTURE Long Ground above the Canal 3 0 5 Rough Ground above the Canal 5 0 7 Rough Ground below the Canal 5 1 26 Long Ground below the Canal 3 0 32 Long Meadow by Tibberton 5 2 20 Lower Meadow by Tibberton 7 0 30 29 2 0

16 Highleadon Court Estate in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

From 1780 until 1802 Highleadon court was occupied by Robert Jakeman and in 1808 it was in the possession of Mr Joseph Need. The Guise family had virtually severed their controls over Highleadon by the end of the eighteenth century. In 1837, when the manor was assessed for tithes, the court was in the ownership of Mrs Ann Wicks of Down Hatherley. It would appear that the farmland was in the occupation of Ellis Taylor Farren, [perhaps this is third party letting?]. The 1851 Census advises that Mr Thomas Lane was tenant of the court, farming 200 acres.

Freehold Sale of Highleadon Court 1858

As Lot 1 it was sold for £11,450 at a sale by Auction held at the King's Head Hotel, Gloucester [by Bruton, Knowles & Co] Saturday 26 June 1858.

The property is advertised as in the parishes of Rudford and Newent and is of 222 acres let to Mr Thomas Lane [who has been in occupation for 14 years] at £400 p.a. Quit Rents arising out of Cottages on Highleadon Green. Land Tax of £24 - 10s p.a. to be paid by the Landlord.

Described, 'The Manor or Lordship of Highleadon, Capital Estate' as follows: Ancient brick-built and tiled Farm Residence with five bedrooms, man-servant's room, parlour, kitchen, wash-house, mill-house, cyder-house cheese-room, store rooms, Dairy and coal house.

Outbuildings: - Cattle-shed and Cow-house, End Yard, Stock Yard, Waggon Shed, Cart-horse Stable, Calf Shed with granery over, Piggery, Two-bay Barn, Open Cattle Shed, Large Bullock Shed, Enclosed Yard. Rick Yard, Nag Stable, Range of Piggeries, . Cistern for food, Colt House and several ponds of good water. Garden with Orchard.

Also - Double Cottage and Gardens on Highleadon Green. Fields in Newent A R P 1. Part of Dry Field - Pasture 8 - 3 - 32 2. Part of Leechfield - Meadow 0 - 0 - 3 3. Red Hill Plantation - Wood 2 - 3 - 37 4. Reddings Arable 11 - 0 - 11 5. Leynes Field - Arable 12 - 1 - 20

17 Quit or Chief Rents

A Cottage and Garden let to Mrs Pridy [Preedy] for a term of 99 years £0 - Ss -Od

B Land, enclosed from the Waste, in the occupation of Mr William Phelps £1.

C Cottage and Garden, nearr the Camp House, in the occupation of Mr Smith Rent paid (a couple of fowls per year) D Cottage and Land in the occupation of Mr Edward Colrich [Colwell?] 2s - 6d E Two Cottages and good gardens in the occupation of Mr Capper (in his 89th year of his own Life) To revert after his death to the Rack Rental - worth about£ 8 p.a. Total Quit Rents £1 - 10 - Od

We can assume that the estate was purchased on behalf of the Ellis family. William Viner Ellis of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire had by then become Highleadon's principal landowner. By his will of 29 October 1887, William Viner Ellis determined that his brothers George Viner Ellis and Edmund Viner Ellis would be his executors and Trustees - "to handle all his lands and hereditaments at Highleadon Court and any other lands and hereditaments at Highleadon to the uses of George Viner Ellis and his assigns during his life with the remainder to the use of his nephew Godfrey William Viner Ellis and his assigns for his life with the remainder to the use of the first and other sons according to seniority".

On 28th April 1888, the said William Viner Ellis died and his will proved 8th November 1888. On 25th April 1900, the said George Viner Ellis died and on 9th August 1901 by his will the said Edmund Viner Ellis appointed his son Godfrey William Viner Ellis (plus two others) as executors. On 31st August 1903 the said Edmund Viner Ellis died.

On 10th November 1911, by Royal License, Godfrey William Ellis adopted Vyner in addition to Ellis. On 27th November 1911 the said Godfrey Vyner-Ellis died leaving wife, Margaret Hannah and two children Margaret and William Godfrey Vyner-Ellis. His will was proved 28th September 1912 and Margaret Hannah Vyner-Ellis remained at Minsterworth Court, Lord of the Manor of Highleadon until 1923. In 1923 the Court Estate was initially let to John Hardwick ( ex Flint Flour Mills manager who, with his wife Emily who remained on the estate, living there until his death in 1924 and when it was later disposed of by his widow Emily.

18 The estate at that time comprised Highleadon Court, in the parishes of Rudford and Newent. A farm-house, farm buildings two cottages and gardens (near the Chapel) and the site of an old cottage near the Drews, Highleadon Green and various closes of meadow, pasture and arable land amounting to 187 acres 1 rood and 10 perches in Rudford and with 35 acres 1 rood and 23 perches in Newent: the whole being let to the representatives of the late Mr John Hardwick on a yearly tenancy. (10 October 1923) Agreed by Margaret Hannah Vyner-Ellis beneficial owner of the said rent charge NB. The farm was valued in 1928 at £6,230 (Ref. D2299 /3404) An agreement was made in 1930 with Ella Tainton Isaacs (wife of Darrell Wallace Isaacs of Boscobel Lanishen. Glamorgan) to pay the vendors representing the Hardwick estate, a sum of £5,500

Memorandum endorsed from the Deed of 27th October 1930, abstracted the site of the old cottage near Drews, Highleadon Green, containing 0.217 acres being No 16 on the O /S Map - acknowledged the right of Emily Hardwick, John Raymond Hardwick, Wellington Hardwick and Maurice William Hardwick as executors and Trustees of the estate of the late John Hubert Hardwick who died 2 September 1924. The will was proved 16 May 1934, examined and certified 9 April 1935.

On 6 October 1930 a reference is made to Camp Cottage as two bedrooms, let on a quarterly tenancy at £7-12-0d per year with the tenant to pay rates. The Property Valued for E.T. Isaacs As Highleadon Court of 72 acres Or 4p. In The Parish of Highleadon A R p 1. Pasture 9 2 22 3. Pasture Orchard 2 1 15 4. Buildings etc. 1 3 7 5. Yards etc. 1 0 39 6. Buildings & Yards 0 0 36 7. Pond 0 0 30 8. House & Garden 0 1 23 9. Pasture & Drive 5 2 25 21 1 37 20. Pasture 12 3 5 21. Meadow 8 1 11 113. Pasture 16 0 20 116. Meadow 11 0 25 116a. Meadow 2 0 23 In The Parish of Newent 1281 Meadow 0 0 3 72 0 4

19 "The farm-house is considered large for a holding of 70 acres and farm buildings in good condition are sufficient for a farm of this size, allowing for the removal of buildings in poor condition. 25 Years purchase = £2,875

Continued- Land Forming Part of Highleadon Court A R p 19.. Pasture 23 2 27 19a. Pasture with fruit trees 0 2 37 22. Meadow 12 1 4 23. Meadow 10 1 0 25. Pasture 6 0 1 52 3 29

22 Years purchase = £1,430

The Conveyance between Emily Hardwick and her sons, with EllaTainton Isaacs was dated 27 October 1930 and was in consideration of the sum of £5,500. [NB. The farm had been valued in 1928 at £6,230] (Ref. D2299 /3404)

There subsequently appears to have been a sale of land portions by Ella Tainton Isaacs by Conveyance dated 8 March 1934 (Ref. 1311 part) This may have referred to an area near the Chapel of 701.25 sq yds. A memorandum of 1st September 1934 also appears to be a surrender of lands as follows: 2. Part of Dryfield 14.408 15. Barley Field, Bran Field, Thistly Field and Grt Thistly Fields 46.736 12. Two Cottages and Gardens (adjoining the Chapel) 0.900 In the Parish of Newent 1283 Part of Dryfield 8.164 1311B Reddings or Leynes Field 9.294 Total Acres 79 .502

A letter dated 5 December 1930 Re Highleadon Court Estate indicates the purchase of 110 acres at £4,500 by D.W. Isaacs. (Ref. D2299/3404)

20 In 1939 Bruton, Knowles & Co Published Particulars for the Sale of 318 acres of land. Properties namely 'Drews Farm' and Highleadon Court' being the majority of the farm lands at Highleadon (Ref. D2299 /7055)

SALE BY BRUTON, KNOWLES & CO.

By Auction, of 'Drews Farm' and 'Highleadon Court' of 318 acres Or 19p. At the 'New Inn' Gloucester on Saturday 23 September 1939

LOT 1. 'DREWS FARM' 87 acres 2 r 30 p House with five bedrooms and lands marked on 1923 0/S Map: Acres 15. Part newly laid 21.206 19. & 19a. Pasture & Pond 24.400 17. House, Garden, Yard & Buildings 1.046 18. Pasture Orchard 3.966 22. Meadow 12.278 23. Meadow 10.253 25. Pasture & Pond 6.008 26. Pasture 2.838 42. Pond 0.190 43. Rick-Yard 0.412 55. Pasture 1.585 63./24. Meadow & River est. 2.500 62. Pasture Orchard 1.007 87.689

63. Undefined - belonging to Eldersfield Poor, approx. 0-2r-29p Subject to access rights.

LOT 2. ENCLOSURES - Situated South of Drews Farm - 73 acres lr 34p. Acres 90. Meadow 4.813 86. Arable 22.875 87. Arable 11.553 109. Pasture 14.641 110. Arable 10.644 111. Pasture 8.940 73.466

86. Undefined - belonging to Eldersfield Poor, approx. 1 acre Or 22p. Subject to access rights. Ord, Nos 90, 109, & 111 are subject to tenancy by Mr A.W.G. Heath of Highleadon.

LOT 3. VALUABLE BUILDING SITE A R p 12. & 13. Suitable for the erection of one detached house 1 0 39

21 LOT 4. BUILDING SITE On southern side of the above 12. & 13. pt. With 155 ft frontage 1 1 21

LOT 5. BUILDING SITE 13. part 9 3 24

LOT 6. BUILDING SITE 13. part With 700 ft to Highleadon Green 5 3 22

LOT 7. BUILDING SITE Adjacent Plot to above 6 2 37 LOT 8. ENCLOSURE Enclosure of Accommodation Pasture at junction of Gloucester to Newent and Gloucester to Upleadon roads. Having frontage of about 2,500 ft to Highleadon Green. Part Ord.No.33 of 1924 0 /S Map 15 3 30

LOT 9. HIGHLEADON COURT Including Lordship of the Manor and comprising Manor House, farm buildings and Tithe Barn, the whole being approximately 90 acres lr 26p. Acres 1. Meadow "Pigmore" 9.646 2./1283. Pasture "Dryfield" 17.550 3. Pasture Orchard 2.341 4. Yard & Buildings 1.791 5. Pasture 1.246 6. Yard & Buildings 0.223 7. Pond 0.190 8. House & Garden 0.393 9. Pasture and Drive 5.655 20. Pasture "Home Ground" 12.782 21 Meadow "Phyllis Field" 8.322 113. pt. Pasture 15.969 116. & 116a. Meadow 13.297 1281. Pasture 0.019 24. pt. River 0.994 90.412

LOT 10. ARABLE FIELD A R p 15. pt. (13 acres are laid to grass) 24 2 5 LOT 11. BUILDING PLOT 41. Close to the entrance to Drews Farm, with frontages to the Green and to Hartpury road. Currently Pasture Orchard O 2 36

22 LOT 12. BUILDING SITE 16. Close to plot above (Lot 11) 0 0 35 SALE on 3 January 1940

D.W. Isaacs agreed to sell Drews Farm with approximately 80 acres to Mr E.R. Baker for £3,250

RIGHTS OF DEPASTURAGE on 15 April 1939 were rested in the personal Representatives of Christopher Venning Cloke. Land - part of Highleadon Green Farm, more commonly known as Drews Farm. 0/No Acres 29. Pasture 9.080 30. Pasture 6.746 31. Pasture 3.652 66. Meadow 13.783 67. Meadow 8.463 72 Pasture 5.014

Drews Farm

The availability of 'lots' and dissection of Drews Farm, at Auction in 1839 indicate a freehold status. In June 1828, the farm then in the occupation of Mr John Boulton, was put up for auction. At that time it clearly stated that the estate was held by lease under the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The lease "commencing Lady-Day 1824, for a term of twenty-one years renewable every seven years, and subject to a Rent Charge of £20 p.a. and subject to the payment of £5 - 17s - 8d p.a. in lieu of Land Tax.

Following the demise of Mr Christopher Venning Cloke, the property was briefly in the hands of the Wallace family before its resale to the Bakers. The property formerly known as Drews Farm became divided when Drs Henson purchased the farm buildings with home close, and Mr John Corbett the majority of the lands.

Hemmings

The small estate of this name described in 1828 as a small freehold estate consisting of a house, mill-house, barn, stable and garden, with an orchard and small rick-yard

23 near the house amounting to 3 acres 3 roods 38 perches. These details and the fact that the property had been associated with Drews and with Whitehouse farms suggest it is most likely to be that property subsequently known as 'Rogers' having reference to its new owner Sarah Rogers. Nothing remains of the house today but it is possible that 'Mill Cottage' and 'Tudor Cottage' were at one time associated with that estate. With reference to 'mill' in 'Mill Cottage it is likely to have been attributed when it was associated to the orchard and the local production of cider and perry.

Summary of Highleadon Hamlet 1837

Landowner Occupier a r p £ s d

Dean & Chapter of Gl. & Edward Knight their Lessee Edward Knight 24 - 1 - 25 25 - 15 - 3 Edward Knight Edward Knight 95 - 1 - 13 28 - 0 - 1 John Mathews John Harvey 85 - 2 - 16 29 - 0 - 0 William Mathews Himself 21 - 1 - 35 7- 7-10 Ann Wicks Ellis Taylor Farren 186- 3 - 7 46- 4- 7 Saml Collier & another - 2 - 3 William Hayward 3 James Coldrick - - 33 Thos Shipton for the Eldersfield Poor William Hooper 14 - 2 - 14 4- 0 - 3 Thomas Hooper Thomas Hooper 1- 23 William Hooper William Hooper 51 - 1 - 31 16 - 7 - 6 Betty Clark Nathaniel Simms 24 - 1 - 38 9 - 7 - 0 Sir J Wright Guise, Bt William Phelps 0- 1-25 2 - 0 William Smith William Smith 0 - 2 - 7 Benjamin Bonner Benjamin Bonner 0 - 21- 0 Sarah Rogers Edward Knight 17 - 2 - 24 6 - 0 - 7 Robert Canning Esq Cornelius Phillips 2 - 0 - 17 - 10 - 6 Christopher Preedy Christopher Preedy - 33 Jn Pauncefoot Hawkins Esq Joseph Barrett 17 - 1 - 13 3 - 9 - 6 Thomas Jenkins Thomas Jenkins 1- 8 Edward Colwell Edward Colwell 1-11 William Capper William Capper 2 - 35 Thomas Davis Thomas Davis 2 - 24 Jonathon Hooper Emanuel Fluck 4 Evan Thomas James Coldrick 11

605 - 2 - 34 176 - 5 - 1 Occupation Roads 1 - 2 - 28 Parish Roads and Waste 18 - 0 - 21 Turnpike Road 5 - 14 Total of Highleadon 630 - 2 - 17 176 - 5 - 1 ·Total of Rudford 573 - 3 - 39 155 -14 -11 Total of Parish 1204-2 - 16 332

Tithe Apportionment surveyed by Arthur Causton in 1837 Signed 1839 - Recorded at Gloucester Record Office by AS 3 March 2004

24 16th Century Highleadon

As we are aware, the manor had been held by the monastery at Gloucester from the mid eleventh century until the dissolution in 1542. Part of the manor remained in the possession of the newly formed Dean and Chapter of Gloucester and the greater portion along with much of the local ex-church land estates came into the property of the Arnold family at Highnam. This covered a period from 1542 until 1605 when it transferred to the Cooke family until 1750. At that time it was aquired by Sir John, son of Henry Guise, who came into the Cooke estate by inheritence and by the purchase of a moiety (part of the land). In the early years Highleadon was linked with Lassington and grouped with Highnam, Over and Lylton?

Deeds indicate that John Arnold of Highnam, Esq was Lord farmer of the manor of Rudford with Highleadon in 1524, 24 April 16 Henry VIII: (I) John Arnold of Highnam Esq (ii) Robert Griffiths of Monmouth, Gent, with wife Katherine (dau & heir of William Harteland). Moiety of manor of Ledon co Gloucester, with rent received as lease of same to William Hooper, Robert Curtoyse and Richard Daw for 60 years. Covenant to levy a fine.

In 1529 a Grant was produced, on 15 December, 21 Henry VIII, for a sum of money. (I) Richard Morgan to (ii) John Arnold Esq 'all this part of the manor of Leden co Gloucester' and referring to tenants: William Bond of Hyneleden, Roger Daw of same, Henry Wele of same, William Aleyn, Keyse Wever, Thomas Stradlyng and William Shottisted. The Trustees were· Richard Hawkyns and Nicholas Arnold.

In 1530, 31 January 22 Henry VIII a moiety was agreed of the manor of Leden including five messuages and lands. A moiety was arranged from Walter Hughes to John Scudamore, the second being Philip Morgan.

It would appear that Sir Christopher Guise had gained possession of 'Leadons Court' in 1652 when the City of Gloucester made an award under statute between William Garnett and Christopher Gise Esq "afortenant of the manor of Leadon otherwise Leadons Court, with appurtenantes. And, five messuages, three gardens with thirty acres of land, eighty acres of meadow, one hundred acres of pasture and five acres of wood with appurtenantes in Leadon otherwise Leadons court Upleadon with Leadon, Newent & Rudford, whereupon a plea of tonenant was summoned between them in the said Court". Quit-claim for £160. Presumably William was then the over tenant of the Guise estate of Upleadon, Highleadon and Rudford?

25 Green End - Property of Sqr Foley

A record, as follows, taken from documents held at the Gloucester Records Office.

Indenture: 10 November (17th yr of Charles) 1665 Between Miles Beale of Newent re his father's property, lately inhabited by John Neale or Weale, - To Paul Foley of Inner Temple, London, Gent - in the sum of £230.

Land (property) had been sold and conveyed by Edward Jones and William Rondenhill to John Beale of Oxenhall, Gent, and Elinor his wife (father and mother of the said Miles Beale) 'to them and their heirs' 13 October 1636.

The premises to be sold (1665) 'now in the occupation of William Norrish or his undertenants'. Conveyance: 10 November 1665, to Paul Foley Esq (brother-in-law of the said Miles and brother of his wife).

Indenture: 28 July 1730 Between Thomas Foley of Stoke Court, Co Hereford, Gent, to Thomas Taylor of Highleadon - a yearly covenant for 'the tenement commonly known as the Green Inn'.

Trust: 19 June 1777 By the will of Thomas, Lord Foley, Baron of Kidderminster (who died 14 Nov 1777) the property passed to Rev Robert Foley (and Abraham Turner, who died in the lifetime of the testator).

Indenture: 30 September 1783 Mrs Sarah Tomlinson, of Marleborne, Middx, widow, the sister and heir of Rev Robert Foley, - To Mr William Deykes of Oxenhall and John Bower of Newent, Tanner, trustee of the above, and Jacob Turner of Park Hall, Kidderminster, Gent. By the will of Lord Foley, deceased, to Robert Foley 'in Trust - to sell and dispose of the property'.

Conveyance: 25 March 1784 Mr William Deykes (and his trustee Mr John Bower of Newent) to Mr William Matthews for the sum of £300. All that messuage and farm called Green End. (At that time containing 16 acres 3 roods and 8 perches). Mortgage: 12 June 1809 Arranged for Mr Thomas Matthews (eldest son and heir of William Matthews). To Mr William Butt for the sum of £300 plus interest.

26 Surcharge: 23 June 1809 Arranged between Mr Thomas Matthews and Mr William Butt (of Over) for the sum of £100 plus interest.

Probate: 6 November 1814 Will of Thomas Matthews, giving 'all that messuage, lands, tenements called Green­ End and Land lately purchased of Anthony Viscount Southwell and Robert Canning Esq, to the use of my brother, James Matthews and George Child for the term of ninety years of my demise - subject to the use of my eldest son Thomas Matthews and his assigns, during his natural life, and after to William Lewis, Edward Halton and Thomas Lewis and their heirs'.

Morgage Assignment: 1 April 1814 Messrs William and Thomas Butt, by the direction of Mr Thomas Matthews, To Mr James Bisco for the sum of £500 plus interest.

Mortgage: 14 April 1818 Mr James Bisco (by the direction of Mr Thomas Matthews) To Mr Samuel Pearte of Berkeley, for the sum of £500 plus interest.

Lease for a year: 20 March 1823 Messrs Matthews and Lewis, to Mr Thomas Griffiths. Thomas Matthews, Farmer, John Matthews, Yeoman and John Lewis of the City of Gloucester, Gent. - To Thomas Griffiths of Cheltenham, Gent. Messuage, tenement and Farm called Green End. Also, those two pieces of land or parcels of arable land with one hedge, now containing 1 rood and 20 perches, having the public road on the west-side thereof. Also, two other pieces or parcels of arable land 1 rood and 7 perches etc.

Transfer of Mortgage: 27 March 1823 Mrs Samuel Pearce (by the direction of Mr Thomas Matthews) To Margaret Powell of Cheltenham, for the sum of £500 plus interest. Bond to accompany the above.

Grant of Annuity: 29 March 1823 Indenture of Seven Parts: Thomas and John Matthews to Miss Powell and George Child.

27 Miss Margaret Powell of Cheltenham, spinster, Thomas Griffiths and John Harvey Ollney of Cheltenham, Esq, Lt Col. These acting to support the occupation of Thomas and John Matthews, who each mark the documents with a cross.

Deed: 1 June 1850 Mr william Matthews to Mr Richard Phelps re Thomas Matthews late of Highleadon, deceased. All of Green end and lands purchased of Anthony Viscount Southwell and Robert Canning Esq to the use of brother James Matthews and George Child (executors). Tithe Nos. Cultivation 286 House, garden and encroachment 285 Home Orchard p 273 In Dunshill common Field A 270 Ditto A 291 In Aylesmore Common Field A 243 In Redditch Common Field A 253 Ditto A 255 The Orchard A 261 Netherlands A 258 Little Meadow M 233 In the Common Field A 236 Ditto A 238 Ditto A 263a Ditto A 330 p 328 p Total Acreage= 21 acres 1 rood 38 perches

Mortgage: 28 December 1850 Mr William Matthews to Mr William Long for the sum of £800 with interest. Transfer: 28 December 1850 William Read King Esq to Mr Edward Washbourn. Security for £500 and interest.

Further Charge: 7 February 1852 Mr William Matthews to Mr William Long Esq of Hucclecote.

Mortgage: 3 June 1854 Mr William Matthews and his Mortgagee to Mr William Warner.

Conveyance: 29 september 1857 Mr William Warner and Mr William W. Kearsey of Stroud to Mr William Matthews (John Matthews of Newent) House and estate of 3 acres O roods and 7 perches. Mortgage: 31 August 1861 Mr William Matthews to Messrs G C Jenner and CW Gaisford for the sum of £250 plus interest.

28 Conveyance: 23 October 1863 Mr William Matthews and his Mortgagees, To Mr Edmund Edmonds - Conveyance in fee of Messuage, Garden, Land and premises at Highleadon.

Abstract: 27 August 1869 Trustees of the will of Mr James Young. John Scudamore and Thomas Brain acting on behalf of Mary Young, widow. Reference is made to the Conveyance of 25 July 1867 between Edmund Edmonds to Mr James Young (both ofNewent). The property, l;ate in the occupation of William Matthews and now of Mr John Hardwick and his undertenant. Reference is made to Tithe Nos 286,285 and 291

Bruton, Knowles & Co Sale by Auction at the George Hotel, Newent, Tuesday 27 September 1898. Parish of Highleadon - Lot 2. - Small Holding known as Green End situated on Highleadon Green comprising: Dwelling-house containing Sitting-room, two kitchens, two cellars, four bedrooms approached by two stairs, with brick and timber barn (with Cider-mill) stable, poultry-house and piggeries.

Excellent Garden, Pasture and Orchard, numbered 80, 81 and 82 on the Ordnance Map. The whole containing about 2 acres 1 rood and 32 perches. Also a piece of un-enclosed Arable land being an allotment in Aylesworth Field No 291 containing two roods and one perch (close to Green End) this lot is in the occupation if Mr James Popnell ar £18 p.a. This property has a long frontage to the Gloucester/ Newent Road. The property has right of pasturage on the common [Green].

Post Script: It appears from early references that Greeen End had also been known as Weale's End. An Indenture at the Record Office (2176/1/1/8) of October 47th year George III (1807) re Thomas Matthews (of Tainton) yeoman and William Lewis of Tibberton at the Court Baron of Edward Elton, Lord of the Manor of Tibberton for Lands belonging to a messuage or tenement - copyhold or customary lands called Weles End - Property previously of William Lewis and before that of John Cowley.

Interestingly, a Richard Weale, weaver, (locally) is recorded in the muster of 1608.

29 Vine Cottage / Villa

This property is an early enclosure on Highleadon Green. The original building probably dates back to the seventeenth century if not before. An enclosure and cottage can be seen on the 1811 0/S Map but is not clear on the Isaac Taylor Map of 1777. That is not to say that the property would be shown, being of relatively lowly status.

This was the dwelling of a small tenant farmer and for many years in the occupation of the Hooper family who probably became its first freholders. The property was in the possession of Thomas Hooper at the 1837 survey for tithes. At the 1901 Census it was occupied by Joseph Hooper aged 72, retired farmer and his wife Mary, 64 years. In later years the cottage was 'modernised' by enlargement with a new facade. This was probably done during the lateVictorian period when the name was changed to become 'Vine Villa'. The property subsequently passed into the Staite Staite family and Mr Staite is shown in the photographs below, feeding his livestock.

Here we can see the property as it was functioning as a small holding much dependent uopon its 'rights' to extend pasturage with grazing over the adjacent Green. Reproduction of the photographs was given by kind permission of Miss Lucy Staite who is currently in possession of the property.

30 Drews Farm

Following the Norman Conquest most if not all of the estate, manor and parish of Hyneledene passed to the monastery at Gloucester. After the Dissolution, the manor came eventually into the hands of the Guise family who purchased the moity and possessed the lands for many generations. An exception was the case with the lands we today refer to as 'Drews Farm' which remained in the possession of the Dean & Chapter of Gloucester who were the successors of the old monastery.

As the name suggests the Drew family were in possession of the farm as tenants of the Dean & Chapter, they, in turn sub-let cottages to tenants of the manor. In 1680 an indenture indicates that Sibble Drew, widow, shares property with Elianor Hill, or Gill.

A later indenture of 1686 refers to the former occupation of Sibble Drew, widow and property formally in the possession of Elianor Hill (or Gill). Drews Farm was then in the occupation of William Merrick who remained in possession for many years.

In 1708 an indenture indicates the Church let the farm to Thomas Clarke and that it is farmed by William Merrick. By 18 May 1724, an indenture indicates the property has passed to the Thomas Bolton (Boulton) whose family hung on to the property util well into the twentyeth century.

Leases, of twenty-one days from Lady Day each for £20 per year, are made in 1732 To Sarah Bolton of Highleadon, the farm occupied by William Merrick. In 1739 the property, under the direction of William Jones is transferred to Wlliam Bolton.

In 1746 it passes to Thomas Bolton who signs leases in 1753, 1760, 1767 and 1774. On 20th November 1781, a 21yr lease is signed by John Bolton for rent at £20 per per year.* The farm being in the occupation of William Merrick. In November 1796 the lease is being signed by William Boulton.

While The Boulton Family continued to be the agents of the Dean & Chapter, Drews Farm and much other land, remnant of the commons, was sub let and occupied by Edward Knight.

*Extract from a counterpart deed of an estate in Highleadon 1781, of The Dean & Chapter of Gloucester to John Bolton of Ledbury, Baker. 'In tenure of William

31 Merrick and late of Thomas Bolton: Houses, buildings, courts, yards and gardens. Newlands estimated to be 15 acres, Hill Field of 27 acres, Little Meadow of 2 acres, great meadow called the Over Meadow of 6 acres. Pasture called Oxlease of 2 acres, Houses, buildings and common ways. Signed by John Boulton. The property was previously in the possession of Thomas Bolton of Chasely co Worcs, Yeoman, rented at £20 per annum.

White-House Farm

This property (Grade II listed) is probably of the fifteenth century and for most purposes was a farm-house. It has been altered in the seventeenth and again in the twentieth centuries. A timber-framed building, with white painted brick-nagging on a random-rubble stone plinth. It had a thatched roof until the 1960's when it was replaced with concrete tiles.

Land tax records indicate that the property had been in the ownership of the Berkeley family. In 1779 the property was owned by a Ms Jane Berkeley. The proprietor during the 1790's was Robert Berkeley Esq and throughout that time the house and land was occupied by Mr Edward Farmer. It would appear that an Edward Farmer, possibly the son of above occupied the farm for some time in the 1800' s. Interestingly there is a small stone on the south wall of Upleadon Church in memory of Anne, the wife of Edward Farmer of Highleadon, who died 1785, aged 90.

In 1810 the property was put up for auction as a freehold estate in the parish of Rudford. It was then in the ownership of Lord Southwell and Robert Canning Esq. At that time it was in the occupation of Mr John Palmer. The sale took place at the Crown Inn, Woolridge and it was sold together in several lots.

Lot 1 of four inclosures, within a ring fence, are called Whitehouse Meadows, Whitehouse Field and West Field together amounting to 27 acres, 0 roods and 5 perches, including the canal passing through the same. Sold to Need. Lot 2 was an inclosure of pasture land called Bushy Leasow and a parcel of meadow land in Key Meadow, amounting together 4 acres, 2 roods and 38 perches. Lot 3 was a parcel of arable land in Redditch Field and a parcel of meadow land adjoining amounting to 2 roods and 26 perches. Lots 2&3 sold to Boulton. Lot 4 was three parcels of arable land in Ash Furlong, together 5 acres, 1 rood and 10 perches. Sold to Boulton.

32 Lot 5 comprised four parcels of arable land in 'Short Length' containing together 3 acres O roods and 21 perches. This was sold to Matthews. Lot 6 was a parcel of arable land, abutting Redditch, of 1 acre, 1 rood and 10 perches. This was sold to Boulton.

Lot 7 contained three parcels of arable land in Haysworth amounting to 4 acres, 0 roods and 1 perch. This land was sold to Hooper. Lot 8 was two parcels of arable land in Dunshill together amounting to O acres, 3 roods and 32 perches Lot 9, a parcel of arable land in Haysworth is referred to as Hooper's Field, was 0 acres, 1 rood and 3 perches.

Lot 10 comprised the Farm-house, Barn, Stable and Sheds, together with the Fold Yard, Garden, Orchard and White-house Croft, together amounting to 3 acres, 3 roods and 36 perches. This was sold to Boulton. Lot 11 was four inclosures called Smallway (arable), the Rhone (pasture), Rhone Croft (pasture) and Rhone Hill (arable) comprising together 13 acres, 3 roods and 10 perches.

It seems that it was probably Mr William Boulton who purchased most of the estate. In June 1828 the property was again put up for auction, at the King's Head, Gloucester. William Boulton (of Forthampton) had died in April 1825. In 1928, the estate may have been in the hands of Mr John Boulton. It was sold 'freehold' along with 'Hemmings', a small freehold estate and with 'Drews Farm' which was a leasehold estate owned by the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester.

At the time of the 1828 sale of White House Farm, the house was occupied as two cottages. By 1837, when the manor was surveyed for tithes, most of Drews and White House farms were in the occupation of Edward Knight. It would appear that White House had lost its status and became a part of the farm, run from Drews, by Edward Knight until 1871 when he retired. In 1881 Sarah, Edward Knight's widow was farming the 230 acre farm with the assistance of her nephew, Edward Jakeman (un-married) as 'Farm Bailiff'.

Later census returns or trade directories make no mention of the 'White House' by name and it may have merely remained as a dwelling house or as two cottages until the mid twentieth century and its restoration to a former standard of accommodation.

33 Snippets fromHighleadon's Past

Dugdale's Monasticon (Vol.1 p.548) advises us that in the year 1239, Richard de Wigmore gave to the Abbey of St Peter Gloucester, his "lands in Hyneledene [Highleadon] and one hide, with groves, pastures, meadows and all appurtenances which Geoffrey de le Dene did enjoy".

An 'agreement' in 1285 by the Abbot and the Convent of Gloucester was made in return for the grant of a tenement in Hyneledene, to retain in their service William de la Forde, and provide him with a maintenance suitable to his office and give him when unable to work one white loaf and a gallon of the second beer and one dish with 'trimmings' from the kitchen daily, and half a mark yearly for dress, also a quarter of corn yearly to his sister Matilda, daughter of Petronilla. William's maintenance is subject to his good behaviour, but Petronilla's (which she is to have at the times the servants at Hyneledene receive their corn) is to be independent of this. Seale of William de la Forde. Thursday before Feaste of St Gregory, 13 Edward 1 (1285) (Bristol & Gloucester Archives)

Tenants of the manor included in deeds dated 1524, were Richard Daw, William Hooper and Richard Curtoyse. In 1529 there are references also to William Bond, Roger Daw, Henry Wele, Thomas Stradlyng, William Aleyne, Keyse* wever and William Shottisted.

*An interesting connection may exist with the burial of a John Keyse at Upleadon. Av1 engraving in the church refers to the departure of John Kayse [or Keyse] Gent, 7 August 1622 and Anne, his wife, departed 3 November 1639. Another engraving refers to Mrs Anne Hooke, daughter of Mr John Keyse, who departed 24 January 1663. Perhaps, Mr John Keyse, gent, was a grandson of Keyse the Weaver?

On 31 December 1652 Christopher Guise signed an agreement to Richard Poulton for the lease of 'Longmore' (possibly land now associated to the lower end of New House Farm)?

An indenture of 1686 tells us that Sibble Drew widow, formerly occupied 'Drews' with Eleanor Hill or Gill and that the land was then farmed by William Merrick.

34 At Gloucester in 1789 John Davis of Highleadon aged 58, was hanged for 'sheep stealing'.

The 1881 Census of Newent Workhouse records a nine-month infant inmate, Walter J Davis, from Highleadon. No reference is given of the child's parents!

A bill submitted by Joseph Fluck, mason was paid 9 November 1813 for the 'making of a New Cross on the Green at Highleadon' at a cost of £0 -18s - Od. No indication is given to its precise location and no other record of its existence has yet been obtained.

Edward Knight, Yeoman of Highleadon is listed as a shareholder, in 1860, of the 'Gloucestershire Steam Plough Co Ltd'. W. Philip Price Esq of Tibberton Court is a listed Director. (Bristol & Gloucester Archives, 94 p116)

The National Gazetteer of 1868 records "Highleadon, a hamlet in the parish of Rudford, lower division of Dudstone, county Gloucester, 5 miles N.W. of Gloucester Cross. Highleadon Green is a meet for the Ledbury hounds."

A survey of grave inscriptions at the burial ground attached to the Wesleyan Chapel, in 1989 recorded 39 inscriptions. John Wells the Parish Clerk, has subsequently in 2004, recorded 53 inscriptions. Many of these family names provoke much interest, Bassett, Bunt, Brown, Clarke, Cloke, Edwards, Hardwick, Hart, Garrett, Matthews, Newman, Salisbury, Searle, Shepperd, Smith, Venning and Warren.

The Parish of Rudford & Highleadon

A parish council for Rudford was formed in the early 1890s under an act of parliament passed in 1888.

At a meeting of the Rudford Council in October 1932, a proposal from the County Council was agreed that "the Parish of Rudford and the Manor of Highleadon be a united parish together and be named and known as Rudford Parish".

The Wesleyan Chapel built on the Green at Highleadon in 1864 had served the locality until, by Gloucester Review Order in 1935, the parish was transferred to Rudford.

35 A Mr Dodderidge held the position of Chairman to the Rudford Council for more than twenty years before resigning in 1936. He was replaced by Mr S Williamson who in 1937 was in-turn replaced by Mr C Venning Cloke of Highleadon.

In May 1942, Mr Williamson was back in the chair as it appears that Mr V Cloke had passed away. Mr Williamson resigned the chair in 1944 and was replaced by Mr Geoffrey Wallace. In 1946 it passed to Mr Ernest Bayliss. Mr Jim Salisbury took over as Chairman in 1947 and held that position until 1973.

Following the new requirements of the Local Government Act, 1972, (for an elected representatives) Mr Robert Poole of Rudford was elected Chairman 28 November 1973. The council then comprised elected councillors R Poole, A Drew, A Peppard, P Dando and B Smith. Mrs M Mason was elected clerk to the parish council.

Regarding Highleadon, in January 1974, Mr Jenkinson of Newent rural District while addressing the meeting on Sewage Schemes, advised that common land had been inadvertently omitted from registration.

In June 1974, at a meeting in Newent, a proposal was discussed to include areas around Layne's Farm, Redhill and Leachford into the boundaries of Highleadon.

At a meeting in May 1976, Miss EM Wallace and Mrs M Baker joined the council in place of Mr P Dando and Mr B Smith. In October 1976 it was resolved that the parish should be officially known as Rudford and Highleadon.

In May 1978, Mr Dews was elected Chairman and Mr Peppard as Vice Chairman. Mr Dews attended hearing in October at Shire Hall concerning the unregistered common land at Highleadon (CL 35).

Notice was received in November 1983, that the Methodist chapel at Highleadon would cease to function as a place of worship after 18 December as it was planned to be changed for residential use.

In December 1985, the chairman attended a meeting with Commons Commissioners concerning the unregistered land on Highleadon Green.

During October 1986, a caravan parked on the common at Highleadon was causing concern and a court order was sought to remove the offenders. In May 1987 Mr K Robertson was co-opted to the council.

36 The June of 1990, records the sudden death of Mr Dews, past chairman for thirteen years and member of council since 1973. Mr Gordon Wallace was then elected to the council. In October the proposed changes, agreed in 1975, to the parish boundary were adopted.

Mr James Pugh was elected Chairman and Mr Brian Smith, Vice Chairman in July 1991. In 1993, Mr Smith declined nomination as Vice chairman and was replaced by Mr Stenneth Salisbury. Messrs Pugh and Salisbury remain in their respective roles at this time of recording.

Registration of Highleadon Green

The Commons Registration Act 1965, required that all commons and 'right holders' in England and Wales was to be registered by a given date. Highleadon Green was duly registered over a period between 1968 and completed in 1971. However, it was later discovered that not all the 'common' had been registered. At a meeting of Rudford Parish Council held on Thursday 4 January 1974, Mr Jenkinson the surveyor of the former Newent District Council owned up to an oversight. He had been asked by the Newent R.D.C. to register the common and had "inadvertently missed out two parcels of land". Unfortunately, it was by that time, considered 'too late' to correct the registration.

Alan Shelley May 2004.

37 APPENDIX A

Highleadon Land Taxes

Property Proprietor Tax Proprietor Occupier

1779 £-s-d 1794 The Court Sir William Guise 23-0-0 Sir John Guise Robert Jakeman Halftmbr Hse Sir William Guise 6-5-4 Sir John Guise Thomas Fryer White House Ms Jane Berkeley 7-12-0 Robt Berkeley Esq Edward Farmer Rector Mr Bishop 4-9-4 Rev Willm Gyllet Himself Longmore Thomas Boulton 4-9-4 Thos Boulton Nathaniel Syms Hemmings Thomas Boulton 4-9-4 William King Farm Thomas Boulton 6-0-0 John Boulton Oak William Mathews 3-0-0 Conway Whitehorn Drews Nathaniel Reeve 1-16-0 Nathaniel Reeve Green End Sqr Foley 1-0-4 William Mathews Daws William Hooper 1-1-0 William Hooper Himself

Proprietor Occupier Tax 1795 £-s-d The Court Hr of Sir Jn Guise Robert Jakeman 24-10-0 Halftmbr Hse Hr of Sir Jn Guise Thomas Fryer 8-15-0 White House Robt Berkeley Esq Edward Farmer 4-0-0 Rector Rev William Gyllet Himself 5-14-8 Longmore Thomas Boulton Nathaniel Syms 2- 8-6 Hemmings William King Hester Baylis 3-3-0 Farm John Boulton Hester Baylis 7-0-0 Oak Conway Whitehorne William Hooper 2-6-8 Drews Hr of Nat. Reeve Edward Farmer 2-2-0 Green End William Matthews George Hill 2-2-0 Daws William Hooper Himself 1-3-4

1796 £-s-d The Court Sir Wm Bkley Guise Robert Jakeman 24-10-0 Halftmbr Hse Sir Wiilliam Guise Thomas Fryer 8150 White House Robt Berkeley Esq Edward Farmer 4-8-0 Rector Rev William Gyllet Himself 5-14-8

38 HIGHLEADON LAND TAXES Continued:

Property Proprietor Occupier Tax 1796 £-s-d Longmore Thomas Boulton (dee) 2-6-8 Hemmings William King Thomas Baylis 3-3-0 Farm John Boulton Thomas Baylis 7-0-0 Oak Conway Whitehorne William Hooper 2-6-0 Drews Hr of Nathaniel Reeve 2-2-0 GreenEnd William Mathews Himself? 2-2-0 Daws William Hooper Himself 1-3-4 Paunsfot Meadow 1801 £-s-d The Court Sr William Guise Robert Jakeman 24-10-0 Half Timber House Sr William Guise Thomas Fryer 8-15-0 White House Catr & Jne Berkeley Edward Farmer 2- 6-0 Rector Rev Mr Smith Himself 5-14-8 Longmore William Boulton Nathaniel Syms? 2- 8-6 Hemmings William King Thomas Baylis 3- 3-0 Farm Dean & Chapter of Gl. Thomas Baylis 5-17-0 Oak Cny Whitehorne(dee) William Hooper 2- 6-8 Drews Hr of Nathaniel Reeve 2- 6-0 Green End William Mathews Himself? 2-2-0 Daws William Hooper Himself 1- 3-4 Paunsfot Meadow Jeremiah Hawkins Esq Himself 1809 £-s-d The Court Mr Joseph Need Himself 24-10-0 Half Timber House Mr Joseph Need Himself 8-5-0 White House Catr & Jne Berkeley Late Willm Hooper 2- 6-0 Rector Rev Mr Jones Himself 5-14-8 Longmore William Boulton Nathaniel Syms 2- 8- 6 Hemmings William King Thomas Baylis 3-3-0 Farm Dean & Chapter of Gl Thomas Baylis 5-17-0 Oak Cwy Whitehorne (dee) William Hooper 2-6-8 Drews Hr of Nathanl Reeve 2-6-0 Green End Thomas Matthews Himself 2-2-0 Daws William Hooper (late) Himself? 1-3-4 Paunsfot Meadow Jeremiah Hawkins Esq Himself

39 HIGHLEADON LAND TAXES Continued:

Property Proprietor Occupier Tax 1812 £- s - d The Court Mrs ------Herself 24-10-0 Half Timber House Mrs ------Herself 8-15-0 White House Catr & Jne Berkeley William Hooper 4-8-0 Rector Rev Mr Jones Himself 5 -14-8 Longmore (N.Hall?) Thomas Boulton (dee) 2-6-8 Hemmings Willam Boulton Himself 3-3-0 Farm Dean & Chapter of Gl William Boulton 5 -17-0 Oak Cny Whitehome (dee) William Hooper 2- 6-0 Drews Hr of Nathaniel Reeve Thos Mutloe/Frances Reeve 2-2-0 Green End Thomas Matthews Himself 2-2-0 Daws William Hooper Himself 1-3-4 Paunsfot Meadow Jeremiah Hawkins Esq Himself

Information recorded by AS from micro-fiche's at the Gloucester Records Office.

40 APPENDIXB

1837 Tithe Apportionment for Rudford & Highleadon

Owner: Sir John Wright Guise, Bt Occupier William Phelps: - 2, 3, 4a, 4, 5, 10, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 168, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178, 169, 170, 179, 198, 171, 325. Occupier George Phelps: - 130, 152, 129, 153, 125, 131, 125a, Occupier Henry Phelps: - 88, 85, 83, 81, 80, 77, 62, 67, 68, 70, 69, 95, 94, 33, 37, 38, 34, 35, 36, 21, 18, 16, 14, 8, 167, 182a, 182, 185, 185a, 187, 189, 191, 191a, 193, 195, 147. Occupier Thomas Phelps: - 86, 82, 78, 56, 25, 24, 23, 22, 17, 26, 27, 28, 166, 184, 197. Occupier James Oakey: - 87, 84, 76, 75, 59, 58, 93, 52, 51, 57, 53, 54, 19, 20, 29, 30, 49, 31, 32, 15, 164, 190, 199, 168, 55, 65. Occupier Samuel Murrell 143, 146, 148, 150. Occupier Sir John Wright Guise, Bt: - 79, 61, 63, 71, 64.

Owner: James & William Holder Occupier Samuel Murrell: - 89, 73, 42, 41, 90, 100, 101, 107, 111, 96, 172, 181, 183, 200, 99. Occupier James & William Holder: - 74 (Coppice).

Owner: Anne Richardson Occuoier Anne Richardson: - 60. 66 (Pinchfield Wood).

Owner: Olivia Mathews Occupier Olivia Mathews: - 112, 110, 12, 9, 7, 7a, 6, 128, 126, 145, 149, 186, 192, 127, 113.

41 Owner: William Hooper for Poor of Highleadon Occupier Wiliam Hooper: 180 (K'M) Owner: Edward Knight: Occupier Edward Knight: 188 (Key Meadow) Owner: William Trigg: Occupier William Trigg: 111a, 109 (garden Incroachment) Owner: John Harvey: Occupier John Harvey: 104, 102, 43, 48, 48a, 51. Owner: William Harvey: Occupier William Samuel Hart: 156, 155, 160a (Mill) Occupier William Harvey: 114, 120, 121, 123. Owner: James Butler: Occupier James Butler: 46, 44, 47 (Cottage and encroachments) Owner: William Holder: Occupier Daniel Butler: 97 (Cottage and garden) Occupier William Trigg: 97a (Cottage and garden) Owner: James Oakey: Occupier James Oakey: 45 (Garden) Owner: Henry Stock: Occupier Thomas Wheadon: 40 (Cottage and garden) Owner: Edward Phelps: Occupier Edward Phelps: 92, 39 (Cottage, garden & Incr'mt) Owner: William Holder: Occupier William Holder: 98 (House and garden) Owner: Henry Phelps for Poor of Rudford: Occupier James Oakey: 72, 196, 162. Owner: William Holder Jr: Occupier William Holder Jr: 91 (garden Incroachment) Owner: John Parsons: Occupier John Parsons: 50 (garden Incroachment) Owner: Samuel Murrell: Occupier James Poole: 138 (Cottage and garden) Occupier William Trigg: 138 (Cottage and garden) Occupier Edward White: 140 (Cottage and garden)

Owner: Sarah Rogers: Occupier Edward Knight: - 1 (Little Meadow) 297, 298, 299, 300, 334, 307, 311, 279, 278, 284, 282, 275, 268, 317, 320, 387, 377a, 229, 231, 234, 235, 237.

Owner: Gloucester & Ledbury Canal Co: Occupier Gloucester & Ledbury Canal Co 159 (Garden)

Owner: William Wilton Mutloe, Rector (Glebe): Occupier Himself: 157a (House and garden) 158 (Orchard) 157 (Church Yard) 157b, 124, 122, 154 (The Nait) 160, 161, 165.

Owner: John Spiers: Occupier Samuel Murrell: - 151, 132, 136, 137, 142, 141, 135, 105, 106, 103, 108, 133, 134, 11, 13, 144, 163, 177, 194.

42 Owner: Dean & Chapter of Gloucester (Edward Knight their Lessee): Occupier Edward Knight: - 323, 364, 365, 366, 369, 370, 371, 372, 377, 378, 383, 384, 386, 385, 388, 331.

Owner: Edward Knight: Occupier Edward Knight: - 225, 246, 247, 256, 257, 248, 250, 260, 259, 226, 228, 230, 232, 240, 242, 264a, 244, 274, 272, 269, 267, 309, 310, 312, 314, 319, 322, 326, 329, 306, 305, 304, 332.

Owner: John Matthews: Occupier John Harvey: - 381, 379, 382, 214, 215, 218, 216, 217, 212, 213, 210, 207, 208, 209.

Owner: William Mathews: Occupier William Mathews: - 286, 285, 273, 270, 291, 243, 253, 255, 261, 258, 233, 236, 238, 263a, 330, 328.

Owner: Ann Wicks: Occupier Ellis Taylor Farren: - 339, 338, 340, 327, 341, 341a, 343, 342, 343, 342, 356, 360, 355, 364, 353, 352, 351, 344, 350, 349, 346. Tithe free: 336, 337, 357, 358.

Occupier Samuel Coller: 367 (Cottage and garden) Occupier William Raikes: 367a (Cottage and garden) Occupier William Hayward: 359 (part of garden) Occupier James Coldrick: 375 (Cottage and garden)

Owner: Stephen Thomas, Trustee for the Eldersfield Poor: Occupier William Hooper: - 223, 224, 254, 316, 321, 324, 227, 266, 262, 303, 276,

Owner: Thomas Hooper: Occupier Thomas Hooper: 287 (Cottage, garden & orchard) 264, 263, 266.

Owner: William Teague: Occupier George Halford: 202, 201.

43 Owner: William P Price: Occupier Daniel Ford: - 221, 222, 294, 295, 296, 293, 302, 301, 277, 249, 251, 252, 245.

Owner: Jonathon Hart: Occupier Jonathon Hart: 283, 281, 292, 271, 318, 241, 265.

Owner: Betty Clarke: Occupier Nathaniel Simms: 220 (House) 219, 203, 204, 205, 206.

Owner: William Smith: Occupier William Smith: 380.

Owner: Benjamin Bonner: Occupier Benjamin Bonner: 347.

Owner: Robert Canning: Occupier Cornelius Phillips: 315,323.

Owner: Christopher Pready: Occupier Christopher Pready 335 (Cottage and garden)

Owner: John Pauncefoot Hawkins Esg: Occupier Joseph Barrett: 345

Owner: Thomas Jenkins: Occupier Thomas Jenkins: 333 (Cottage and garden)

Owner: Edward Colwell: Occupier Edward Colwell: 362 (Cottage and garden)

Owner: William Capper: Occupier William Capper: 361 (Cottage and garden)

Owner: Thomas Davis: Occupier Thomas Davis: 376 (Orchard)

Owner: Jonathon Hooper: Occupier Emanuel Fluck: 373 (part of garden)

Owner: Evan Thomas: Occupier James Coldrick: 374 (Cottage and garden)

Final areas of the Parish: 308, 243a, 280, 290, 313 (occupation Roads) Parish Roads and Waste. Turnpike Road.

44 Summary of the Parish of Rudford & Highleadon

Landowner Occupier a r p £ s d

Sir John Wright Guise, Bt William Phelps 96-2- 16 25- 5- 3 George Phelps 21-2 - 8 7- 6- 6 Henry Phelps 103-1- 29 27-10- 4 Thomas Phelps 51- 0- 21 14 - 0 - 6 James Oakey 78 -3 -14 21 - 7 - 6 Himself 19 -1 -38 6-7-0 Samuel Murrell 4 - 1- 36 1-2-6 James & Willam Holder Samuel Murrel 46 -3 -35 14 - 5 - 6 Themselves 0-2-11 0-2-6 Ann Richardson Ann Richardson 2 - 3 -13 0 -12 - 0 Olivia Mathews Olivia Mathews 33-1-3 9 -12 - 0 Wm Hooper for Poor of H.l William Hooper 0 - 1 -32 0-2-10 Edward Knight Edward Knight 0 - 1 - 5 0 -1 - 6 William Trigg William Trigg 0- 0-25 0 - 0 - 0 William Harvey William Samuel Hart 2 - 1 - 17 1- 0 - 0 James Butler James Butler 0 - 3 - 16 William Holder Dan'l Butler & another O - 0 - 22 James Oakey James Oakey 0 - 0 - 36 - 3 0 Henry Stock Thomas Weedon 0 - 1 - 38 Edward Phelps Edward Phelps 0 - 1 - 35 William Holder William Holder 0 - 2 - 30 8 0 Poor of Rudford James Oakey 2 - 1 - 26 8 - 9 William Wilton Mutlow (Glebe) Rectory 8 - 2 - 2 2-0- 0. John Spiers Samuel Murrell 58 - 1 - 23 18 - 8 - 0 JihnHarvey John Harvey 11-3- 8 3 - 6 - 6 William Harvey William Harvey 5 - 3 - 21 2 -1- 6 William Holder Jr William Holder Jr 0 - 2 - 30 John Parsons John Parsons 0 - 0 - 25 Samuel Murrell James Poole & others 0 - 3 - 0 Sarah Rogers Edward Knight 0 - 3 - 16 - 3 - 3 Gloucester & Ledbury canal Co Themselves 6 - 2 - 28 Public Roads 12 - 2 - 20

45 Summary of Highleadon Hamlet

Landowner Occupier a r p £ s d

Dean & Chapter of Gl. & Edward Knight their Lessee Edward Knight 24 - 1 - 25 25 - 15 - 3 Edward Knight Edward Knight 95 - 1 - 13 28 - 0 - 1 John Mathews John Harvey 85 - 2 - 16 29 - 0 - 0 William Mathews Himself 21 - 1 - 35 7 - 7 - 10 Ann Wicks Ellis Taylor Farren 186- 3 - 7 46 - 4 - 7 Saml Collier & another - 2 - 3 William Hayward 3 James Coldrick - - 33 Thos Shipton for the Eldersfield Poor William Hooper 14 - 2 - 14 4 - 0 - 3 Thomas Hooper Thomas Hooper 1- 23 William Hooper William Hooper 51 - 1 - 31 16 - 7 - 6 Betty Clark Nathaniel Simms 24 - 1 - 38 9 - 7 - 0 Sir JWright Guise, Bt William Phelps 0- 1-25 2 - 0 William Smith William Smith 0 - 2 - 7 Benjamin Bonner Benjamin Bonner 0 - 21- 0 Sarah Rogers Edward Knight 17 - 2 - 24 6 - 0 - 7 Robert Canning Esq Cornelius Phillips 2 - 0 - 17 - 10 - 6 Christopher Preedy Christopher Preedy - 33 Jn Pauncefoot Hawkins Esq Joseph Barrett 17 - 1 - 13 3 - 9 - 6 Thomas Jenkins Thomas Jenkins 1- 8 Edward Colwell Edward Colwell 1-11 William Capper William Capper 2 - 35 Thomas Davis Thomas Davis 2 - 24 Jonathon Hooper Emanuel Fluck 4 Evan Thomas James Coldrick 11

605 - 2 - 34 176 - 5 - 1 Occupation Roads 1 - 2 - 28 Parish Roads and Waste 18 - 0 - 21 Turnpike Road 5 - 14 Total of Highleadon 630 - 2 - 17 176 - 5 - 1

46 Total of Rudford 573 - 3 - 39 155 -14 -11 Total of Parish 1204-2 - 16 ---332

Signed 1839

First Schedule - Alteration of Rent Charge

a r p 363 etc 84 - 1 - 25 Payable to the Rector £25 - 15 - 3d 8 October 1829

Second Schedule

A r p Cult Christopher Venning Coke 377 Altered Upper & Lower Westland 8 3 19 A 378 Appor'ment Long Ground 3 2 18 p 383 Rough Ground 5 3 29 p 384 Pt Rough & Little Mdw 5 2 27 p 386 Pt Lng Gr below Canal 3 - 14 p 385 Lower Meadow 7 3 8 p 388 Upper Meadow 5 3 25 p 331 House and garden 3 25 363a The Old Hill etc 24 2 20 366a Grt Newlands etc 16 0 30

Mabel Cecilia Hooper Cundill 370a Pt of Little Hill etc 2 0 0

Final Document recorded at Record Office by AS 3rd March 2004

47 APPENDIXC

1851 Census Return for Highleadon Hamlet

1. Highleadon Court Thomas Lane Hd Married 49 Farmer of 200 acres Born: Taynton Maria Lane Wife Marr. 50 Domestic business Warwick MariaTurner Dau unmar 23 Farm business Warwick Mary Jones Serv. unmar House servant Upleadon Henry Hayser Serv unmar Agric labourer Gloucester John Roberts Serv unmar Agric labourer Gloucester

2. Highleadon William Capper Hd Married 82 Farm labourer Gloucester Hannah Capper Wife Marr 78 Domestic business WSM

3. Highleadon James Eagles Hd Married 54 Agric labourer Longney Mary Eagles Wife Marr 48 Domestic business Hartpury Joseph Eagles Son unmar 24 Agricultural labourer Newent

4. Highleadon Edward Colwell Hd Married 55 Farm labourer Newent Mary Colwell Wife Marr 55 Domestic business Newent Harriet Colwell Dau unmar 27 Domestic business Highleadon

5. Highleadon AnnPreedy Hd Widow 67 Domestic business Highleadon Phillip Preedy Son unmar 39 Labourer on road Highleadon Richard Preedy Son unmar 24 Labourer on road Highleadon William Preedy Gr Son unmar 11 Highleadon

6. Drews Farm Edward Knight Hd Married 40 Farmer of 195 acres (not local) Sarah Knight Wife Marr 35 Domestic business Highleadon Sarah Ann Jakeman Niece unmar 20 'farmers dau' Lassington Mary Ann Newman Serv unmar 25 House servant Hartpury James Ballinger Serv unmar 20 Agric labourer Bulley Henry Smith Serv unmar 14 Agric labourer Handey Worcs.

7. Highleadon John Baylis Hd Married 45 Agric labourer Corse Martha Baylis Wife Marr 51 Domestic business Hereford James Baylis Son unmar 6 Jeremiah Peart Pensioner 60 Agric labourer Oxenton George Frampton unmar 51 Agric labourer Horton Dorset William Grimming unmar 16 Agric labourer Brockworth

8. Highleadon John Player Hd Married 56 Agric labourer Highleadon? Judith Player Wife Marr 59 Domestic business Castle Moreton

48 9. Highleadon Timothy Daw Hd Married 29 Agric labourer Hartpury Mary Daw Wife Marr 24 Domestic business Tibberton Ann Daw Dau unmar 7 daughter Highleadon

10. Highleadon John Halford Hd Married 29 Agric labourer Bulley Eliza Halford Wife Marr 29 Agric labourer Highleadon

11. Highleadon Thomas Carter Hd Married 46 Agric labourer Swindon Sarah Carter Wife Marr 46 Domestic business Newent John Carter Son unmar 16 Agric labourer Newent Sarah Carter Dau unmar 15 Domestic business Newent Lewis Carter Son unmar 10 Domestic business Newent

12. Highleadon James Colwell Hd Married 57 Agric labourer Newent Sarah Colwell Wife Marr 58 Farm labourer Newent Comfort Colwell Dau unmar 20 Farm labourer Newent Edward Colwell Son unmar 19 Agric labourer Newent

13. Highleadon William Dakey Hd Unmarr 47 School Master Rudford Susan Tyrrell Serv unmar 25 House-keeper Taynton

14. Highleadon William Hooper Hd Widwer 66 Farmer of 60 acres Highleadon Mary Hooper Dau unmar 30 Domestic business Highleadon Sarah Elizabeth Hooper Dau unmar 25 Domestic business Highleadon Anna Maria Mills Visitor unmar 21 Dursley William Taylor Serv unmar 17 Farm labourer Twyning

15. Highleadon William Drinkwater Hd Married 34 Agric labourer Staunton Rebecca Drinkwater Wife Marr 33 Farm labourer Randwick Jane Drinkwater Dau unmar 11 At school Corse Lawn Thomas Drinkwater Son unmar 9 At school Hartpury Ann Drinkwater Dau unmar 7 At school Hartpury George Drinkwater Son unmar 3 Hartpury

16. Highleadon William Smith Hd Married 60 Farm labourer Long Hope Mary Smith Wife Marr 53 Domestic business Highleadon Thomas Smith Son unmar 25 Agric labourer Highleadon Edward Smith Son unmar 19 Agric labourer Highleadon James Smith Son unmar 17 Agric labourer Highleadon

17. Highleadon Mary Hooper Hd 64 Grocer Highleadon AE Hooper Niece 29 Highleadon Fanny Jones Niece 8 Scholar Gloucester

49 18. Highleadon William Matthews Hd Married 36 Farmer Gloucester Sarah Matthews Wife Marr 36 Domestic business Westbury William Matthews Son unmar 9 Newent John Matthews Son unmar 7 Newent Thomas Matthews Son unmar 6 Newent Henry Matthews Son unmar 4 Highleadon Eliza Matthews Dau unmar 2 Highleadon William Beard Serv unmar 50 Agric labourer Standish

19. Highleadon John Harvey Hd Married 58 Farmer of 100 acres Avening Susanna Harvey Wife Marr 57 Domestic business Rudford Sarah Harvey Dau unmar 24 Rudford George Harvey Son unmar 19 Highleadon Edward Harvey Son unmar 17 Highleadon Walter Harvey Son unmar 15 Highleadon Alfred Harvey Son unmar 12 Highleadon Davinia Harvey Dau unmar 11 Highleadon Mary Harvey Dau unmar 9 Highleadon Elizabeth Harvey Dau unmar 7 Highleadon Morris Harvey Son unmar 5 Highleadon

20. Highleadon Harriet Davis Hd unmar 33 Dressmaker Hereford

21. Highleadon John Powell Hd Married 41 Agric labourer Cam Mary Powell Wife Marr 31 Painswick Emily Powell Dau unmar 4 Painswick Henry Powell Son unmar 1 Rudford

22. Highleadon James Coldrick Hd Married 83 Agri lab'rer (Pauper) Dymock Sarah Coldrick Wife Marr 75 Hartpury

23. Highleadon Nathaniel Syms Hd 66 Farmer of 24 acres Gloucester James Bolton Serv unmar 37 Agric labourer ? Mary Cooper Serv unmar 16 House-servant Eldersfield

End of Hamlet (Ref: MF 314 1851 Census. Recorded by AS 3 March 2004.

50 1861 Census Return for Highleadon

Rogers 1. Samuel Colwell 66 Widower Newent Rosaline 50 Dau in law (Widow) Hartpury

2. Thomas White 85 Retired Farmer Maismore Elizabeth 78 Wife Middx Joseph 37 Son (Agent for Leather Co) Salop Sarah 32 Dau in law Sarah E 6 Gr Dau Surrey Thomas H 4 Gr Son Surrey Lucy Hooper 12 House Servant Newent

Whitehouse Lane 3. Thomas Carter 56 Ag. Lab Wilts Sarah 57 Wife Newent 4. Comfort Colwell 30 Dau (Ag Lab) H'ldn 5. John Halford 39 Ag Lab Bulley Jane 28 Wife Newent John 2 Son H'ldn Sarah A 1 Dau H'ldn 6. Phillip Pready 51 Un Mar Ag Lab H'ldn Richard 37 Un Mar (Highway Lab) H'ldn

White House 7. John Baylis 55 Ag Lab Eldersfield Martha 52 Wife (Charwoman) Herefd 8. William Daw 65 Widower Ag Lab Ashlewth 9. James Baker 70 Lodger Widower Ag Lab Ast'nlngm 10. Judith Bayers 67 Widow Ag Lab Castlemtn 11. Samuel Bayers 70 Lodger Ag Lab Standish 12. John Fitzmorris 39 Ag Lab Ireland James O'Connel 17 Visitor (Ag Lab) Ireland

Drews Farm 13. Edward Knight 51 Farmer of 300 acres emp 11 men, 2 boys, 3 women Forthmtn Sarah 63 Wife H'ldn Edward Jakeman 28 Nephew, Farmers Son Lassington Robert Jakeman 22 Nephew, Farmers Son Lassington Elizabeth Humphries 20 House Servant H'ldn Cornelius Lodge 16 Servant Tibbtn John Lodge 11 Carters boy Tibbtn

51 To:12 of the Green 14. Thomas Clarke 24 Ag Lab Herefd Ann 26 Wife Newent

Court Farm 15. Joseph Turner 39 Farm Bailif Whittingtn Elizabeth 42 Wife Do Isabella 12 Dau Do Elizabeth 8 Dau Do Sarah 3 Dau Brockhmtn David T. 1 Son Do

Near The Green 16. James Eagles 65 Ag Lab Longley Mary A. 61 Wife Hartpury Joseph 34 Son AgLab Newent Uninhabited House

Laynes Road 17. William Hambilton 48 Ag Lab H'ldn Sarah 34 Wife WonSevn Emma 12 Dau H'ldn 18. Thomas Coldrick 36 Employed at Flour Mill Sandhurst Elizabeth 20 Wife Ashlew'th Mary A. 10 Dau Scholar Newent Emily 5 Dau Scholar Do Ellen 2 Dau H'ldn 19. George Reames 25 Ag Lab Brockwth Harriett 27 Wife AgLab H'ldn Elizabeth 4 Dau Do Mary 2 Dau Do 20. Edward Colwell 65 Widower Ag Lab Tibbertn

Half Timber House 21. John Harvey 68 Widower Farmer of 110 acres Avenine William 32 Son H'ldn Edmund 28 Son Do Emma 20 Dau Do Mary 19 Dau Do Elizabeth 18 Dau Do Morris B. 16 Son Do Joseph Limbrick 17 Servant Cowman Maismore Thomas Herusher 17 Farm Servant Painswick George Sansum 15 Carters Boy Sherinton

Gloucester Road 22. William Smith 70 Ag Lab & Parish Clerk Longhope Mary 63 Wife H'ldn

52 Camp House 23. Thomas Goode 35 Ag Lab Oxenhall Sarah 38 Wife AgLab Worcs Ann Davis 13 Niece Glos John Davis 11 Nephew Bromsborw Daws Farm 24. William Phelps 33 Farmer of 69 acres, emp 2 men, 1 wmn Rudford Sarah E. 36 Wife H'ldn EdithMH 3 Dau Do GertrudeMH 2 Dau Do Annie EH 7mths Dau Do Mary Hooper ? Sister in law un mar (Landed Proprtr) H'ldn Harriet Prince 56 Visitor Berks Sarah A Higgins 16 House Servant Dursley

Temporary Wesleyan Chapel

Vine Cottage 25. Thomas Smith 69 Un Mar, Retired Farmer Tainton Mary Hooper 37 Un Mar Servant House Keeper Newent

Green End 26. William Matthews 45 Dealer in Stock & Farmer of 3 acres Gloucs Sarah 46 Wife WonSev Eliza 12 Dau H'ldn Julia 9 Dau Do Alfred 6 Son Do Susan 4 Dau Do James 2 Son Do

Tooby's Thomas Tooby 47 Farmer of 24 acres, emp 1 man Hartpury Caroline 41 Wife Churcham Walter J 1 Son H'ldn Jane Ker 14 Servant Nurse Maid Sussex William Collett 50 Widower Farm Servant Devon

NB At Barber's Bridge Farm John NA Phelps 32 Farmer of 104 acres Rudford + Wife, son, house servant and 2 labourers.

53 1871 Census return for Highleadon

Newent Road 1. Emanuel Phillips 47 Ag Lab Taynton Mary Ann 35 Wife Newent George 14 Son Taynton Dau Dau

Highleadon Green

2. Vine Cottage Thomas Smith 79 Annuitant Taynton Mary ann Hooper 46 Servant Housekeeper Newent

3. John Hardwick 37 Farmer of 114 acres, emp 4 men, 1 boy WonSev Sarah Ann 32 Wife Do John 6 Son H'ldn James 4 Son Do William Hubert 2 Son Do Rebecca Greenway 17 General domestic Servant Huntley John Carter 12 Farm and indoor boy H'ldn

4. George Holford 38 Bricklayer Bulley Ann' 39 Wife Westbury Philip John 13 Son Glos Henry 10 Son Do Edith Mary 2 Dau H'ldn

Uninhabited Prem

5. William Hooper 54 Retired Farmer H'ldn Sarah 60 Wife Glos Sarah Ann Sterry 22 Visitor un mar Do

6. William Hatton 32 Ag Lab Tibbertn Harriett 22 Wife Ashlwth Annie 1 Dau H'ldn

7. Thomas Goldrick 47 Ag Lab ? Betsy 41 Wife Ashlwth Ellen 13 Dau H'ldn Elizabeth 9 Dau Do James 6 Son Do Catherine 3 Dau Do Thomas 1 Son Do

54 Highleadon Green

8. Benjamin Poode 65 Ag Lab Oxenhall Ann 67 Wife Newent Eave 34 Dau General Servant Domestic Oxenhall Daniel 32 Son Ag Lab Do Henry 10 Gr Son Scholar Do

9. James Eagles 73 Ag Lab Longney Mary Ann 71 Wife Hartpury Joseph 45 Sonunmar Ag Lab Newent

Court Farm

10. William Priday 26 Farmer Gloucs Jane 24 Wife Do Fredk William 1 Son Do Harriet Blewis 17 General Domestic Servant Do

Uninhabited Prem

Drews Farm 11. Edward Knight 60 Retired Farmer Forthmpton Sarah 73 Wife H'ldn Edward Jakeman 38 Nephew Lassington Sarah Mitchel 19 Domestic Servant Newent William Murrell 16 Farm and Indoor Servant Do

12. David Holder 48 Ag Lab Misserden Rachel 44 Tewkesbury George 15 Son Maismore William 6 Son Do Charles Thomas 2 Son Corse

13. Judith Rayer 79 Widow, General Serv on farm Castlmortn William Holder 16 Lodger, Ag Lab Herefd

14. William Peacock 58 Ag Lab ? Ann 70 Wife Hartpury

15. Edwin Merchant 23 Ag Lab Newent Eliza 24 Wife Tibbertn Laura 5 Dau Newent Eliza 3 Dau Rudford Catherine Colwell 61 Widow, Mother in Law Hartpury

16. Thomas Carter 67 Ag Lab H'ldn Sarah 66 Wife Upldn Eave 10 Gr Dau Newent

55 17. John Holford 45 Ag Lab Bulley Jane 36 Wife Newent Sarah 10 Dau H'ldn George 9 Son Do Thomas 8 Son Do Elizabeth 6 Dau Bulley William Arthur 3 Son H'ldn Alfred 1 Son Do

18. Daniel Ford 42 Ag Lab Churcham Elizabeth 45 Wife Beckford John 19 Son AgLab Eldersfld Oliver 14 Son AgLab Churcham Sarah Ann 5 Dau Do Sidney 2 Son Do

19. John Carter 36 Ag Lab H'ldn Annie 27 Wife Berkeley Sarah Elizabeth 6mths Dau Rudford

Green Farm 20. William Phelps 43 Farmer of 215 acres Rudford Emp 6 men, 3 boys and 4 women Sarah Eliza 45 Wife H'ldn Florence 6 Dau Scholar Do Mabel 1 Dau Do Mary Hooper 51 Sister in law (un mar) Do

21 Timothy Daw 50 Ag Lab Hartpury Mary 43 Wife Tibbertn Ann 21 Dau General Domestic Servant H'ldn Eliza 18 Dau Do James 16 Son Ag Lab Do William 12 Son Ag Lab Do Charles 11 Son Ag Lab Do Henry 6 Son Scholar Newent Frank 4 Son H'ldn Fanny 2 Dau Do Joseph llmths Son Do Cornelius James 30 Ag Lab Rudford

56 1881 Census return for Highleadon

Gloucester Road

1. Thomas Coldrick 58 Ag Lab, with wife and family.

2. Uninhabited Prems 3. Uninhabited Prems

4, Joseph Bevan 50 Ag Lab Tibbertn Ellen 47 Wife Alice 14 Dau Herbert 8 Son

5. GeoHolford 48 Bricklayer, with wife and family

6. Eliza Smith 59 Un mar, Independent WonSev 7. Jane Hipwood 63 Widow, Independent Herefd 8. Mary Ann Hooper 56 Un mar, Annuitant Newent

Upleadon Road

9. Daws Farm? William Phelps 56 Farmer " Out of Business" Rudford Sarah Eliza 53 Wife + family of 3 eh Mary Hooper 58 Edward Henry Long 7 Visitor

10. Green Farm? William Guildury? 30 Farmer of 52 acres Gloucs Louisa 31 Wife Elmore

11. James Boulton 70 Ag Lab H'ldn Ann 62 Wife H'ldn William 17 Son Ag Lab Do Elizabeth 16 Dau Scholar Do

12. Charles M Lauder 40 Carpenter Gloucs Frances 35 Wife Do Edith 10 Dau Rudford Charles 8 Son Do Annie 7 Dau Do Alice 2 Dau Tibbertn Florence 1 Dau Do

13. John Holford 59 Ag Lab Bulley Jane 47 Wife + family of 6

57 14. Sarah Carter 73 Widow Upleadon

Hart12uri Lane 15. James Millan Baker 46 Ag lab ? Ann Millan 46 Wife Scotland

16. James Stait 32 Ag Lab Hartpury Rebecca 29 Wife Do William 10 Son Scholar Newent Francis 8 Son Scholar H'leadon Mary Ann 5 Dau Scholar WonSev Sidney 4 Son Scholar Bulley Walter 1 Son H'ldn

17. William Moss 27 Carter Herefd Sarah 23 Wife Do Alice 4 Dau Do Bengeline? 1 Dau Do

18. George Wilks 23 Ag Lab Churcham Maryann 24 Wife Newent

U12leadon Road 19. Sarah Knight 84 Farming 230 acres H'ldn · Edward Jakeman 48 Nephew (un mar) Farm Bailiff Lassintn Mary Malsom 16 Domestic Servant UptStLn George Handman 14 Farm Servant, indoor Broms Hth

20. William Halton? 64 Ag Lab Malswick Alice 66 Wife Bulley

21. Joseph Eagles 50 UnmarAgLab Newent

Court Farm? 22. John Hardwick 47 Farmer of 221 acres, Westbury Sarah Ann 42 Wife emp 7 labourers Do William H 12 Son Scholar H'ldn William Hardwick 30 Brother (Gentleman) Westbury Henry Packer 14 Farm Servant, indoor Taynton Edith Greening 14 14 Domestic Servant Churcham

W esleian Cha12el

Gloucester Road 23 James Popnell 60 Ag Lab Newent Sarah 56 Wife Harescmb

58 24. Thomas Aussing 51 Gardener Devon Hannah 44 Wife Somerst Charles 15 Son Page? Devon Jessie 11 Dau Scholar Do Luvy 10 Dau Scholar Do Eva 8 Dau Scholar Do Bessie 6 Dau Scholar Do

25. John Smith 49 Farmer Berkley Hester 46 Wife WonSev Elizabeth A 23 Dau Mitchdn Flora Trotter 12 Niece Scholar Do John Warner 10 Nephew Scholar Gl Dennis G Glover 12 Farm Servant indoor Tibbertn

26. Sarah Ann Smith 47 Un Mar Farmer Berkley Jane Bick 54 Un Mar Lodger (Independent) Do Elizabeth A Pi££ 22 Niece (un mar) Lady's Help Arle?

27. Daniel Ford 52 Farmer & Machinist Churcham Elizabeth 55 Wife Beckford Sarah Ann 15 Dau Churcham Sidney 12 Son Scholar Do Elizabeth Barnes 14 Niece Eldersfield Walter Jones 22 Farm Servant indoor Upleadon John Exton 16 Farm Servant indoor RossHrfds

NOTES

The nineteenth century saw a mix of owner-occupiers and tenant-farmers at Highleadon. Several of the homesteads had seen changes in their proportions as some tenants expanded by buying up or renting some of their neighbours land. In the eighteenth century the tenencies still remained much as they had been during the Middle Ages. They appear to have been of almost equal proportions. Each tenant farmer seems to have had around three acres of 'home ground' and around twenty four acres in total scattered around the outer lands and 'common' fields. Four or five smaller cottagers had enclosures of land each amounting to around an half an acre of land. Examples being Vine Cottage, Four Winds, the patch by the Methodist Chapel and that up near Layne's Farm.

NB. Following the enforcement of 'Inclosure' it is generally understood that the losses of common rights over the old 'open-fields' was compensated. The copy-holders would have each been granted portions of land and this may account for the organisation [and apparent equity] to be seen at Highleadon at the turn of the 18th century.

59 NOTE: The population of Highleadon in 1831 was 106, in 1861 the population was 97. In 1891 the population had fallen to 91 and in 1901 the population had risen to 105.

At Rudford Church: An inscription in the church reads as follows:

In Memon; of Thomas HULLS of Leden 's Court in this Parish who departed this Life, May 5th, 1722 Aged 87 Years

In the Church Yard - is an Alter Tomb, erected in memory of Robert HOLDER of Welch Newton in the county of Hereford, Yeoman, Son of the late Mr Robert Holder of this Parish, who departed this Life August 12 1782 Aged 77. Underneath lyeth the Body of Elenor, daughter of Edward HOLDER of the City of Gloucester who died August 2 1773 Aged 2 yrs 6 months. The family coat of Arms is inscribed.

Head Stones in Rudford Church Yard

Ann wife of Edward Holford 27 Jan 1763 Aged 47 Edward Holford 22Mar 1757 41 Robert Holder, Yeoman 8Apr 1725 49 Thomas Holder, son of John and Mary 17 Apr 1731 17 John Holder 16Nov 1721 16 Mary wife of Thomas Taylor 20Mar 1756 76 Edward Holder 5 Jan 1764 40 Richard Drew 18 Feb 1740 50 Phillip Valander 10 Mar 1737 /8 20 William Hooper 28Nov1769 40 Edward Farmer 11 Apr 1773 77 Thomas Baylis 26Mar 1784 50 Mary dau of Edw Baylis and Esther Baylis 13 Mar 1766 6 Mary Holford 3Jan 1789 12 William Hooper 26Feb 1796 63

Snippet of interest: At Upleadon is a Blacksmiths Tomb which bears the epitaph: In memory of James Broadstock, Blacksmith, who died January 31st 1768 aged near 50 years. My sledge and hammer he's reclined My bellows too has lost his wind My fire extinct my forge decayed And in the dust my vice is laid My coal is burned my Iron's gone My nails is drove thy work is done.

An identical inscription can be found, dated 1796, on a grave stone in St Mary's Cheltenham.

60 1891 Census Return for Highleadon

Summary: 3 Uninhabited properties 24 Inhabited properties, 11 Tenements of less than 5 rooms 47 males and 44 females = Total Population = 91 Population of Rudford = 125 = Total population of Parish = 216

Gloucester Road

1. (3 r) Thomas Goldrick 66 AgLab Sandhurst Elizabeth Wife 61 EdwinMann GrSon 6

2. (4r) Timothy Daw 72 Ag Lab Hartpury Mary Wife 60 Tibberton Thomas Son 24? Highleadon

3. George Holford 57 Bricklayer Qourneyman) Bulley Ann Wife 59 Won Severn Fanny Dau 18 Highleadon

4. Jane Hipwood Widow 73 Living on own means Hereford Eliza Smith Single 68 Lodger Westbury

5. (4r) Joseph Bevan 60 Farm Lab Tibberton Ellen Wife 58 Highnam

6. (2r) Thomas Salisbury 31 Ag Lab Hartpury Kate Wife 30 Awre John Salisbury Lodger 36 Ag Lab Hartpury

7. (2r) Joseph Eagles Single 60 Farm Lab Newent

8. John Hardwick 57 Farmer (employer) Won Severn Sarah Ann Wife 52 Won Severn William H Son 22 Assistant Farmer Highleadon Frances Watts Serv 14 General Dom Servant Hartpury George Watts Serv 18 General Servant Hartpury

9. Richard Hy Bunt 20? Farmer Cornwall Ellen Wife 20 Menhuist Gladys Cloke Dau 2mths Highleadon Clara Carter Serv 13 General Domestic Upleadon Harry Twinning 13 Farm Servant Corse

61 10. William Goode 44 Farm Lab· Openhall Maria Wife 45 Churcham Blanch Dau 12 Rudford Sydney W Son 6 Bulley EllenM Gr Dau 1 Highleadon Lucy Dau 5 Highleadon

11. (2r) Albert Chas Pitman 26 Farm Lab Upleadon Elizabeth Wife 24 Brockworth William A Son 2 Highleadon Alfred C Son 6mths Highleadon

12. (2r) Leanus A Phillips 33 Road Lab Newent Annie Wife 32 Towyn Charlotte Jane Dau 2 Highleadon

13. (3r) James Millan 70 Farm Lab Scotland Ann Wife 54 Scotland

14. (2r)Ann Boulton Widow63 Farm Lab Twigworth William Son 26 Farm Lab Upleadon

15. (4r) James Goode 30 Platelayer (Rlway) Bulley Rosina Wife 29 Broadoak Bertha MR Dau 4 Tibberton Jilian Dau 1 Tibberton

16. Frederick Jeffcutt 35 Foreman Platelayer Gloucester Alice Wife 32 Upton St Lnds William Son 6 Gloucester Frederick Son 5 Newent Alice Dau 3 Newent Florence Dau 2 Newent Pearl Twin Dau 8mths Highleadon Tilly Twin Dau 8mths Highleadon

17. (3r) Arthur Snow 30 Farm Lab Brimsfield Ann Wife 29 ? Frederick Son 9 ?

18. Philip I Holford 33 Farmer (employer) Gloucester Clara Wife 30 Longhope Edith M Dau 4 Highleadon Philip G Son 3 Highleadon William R Son 7mths Highleadon William Tarraft 20 Servant Farm Lab I of Wt Samuel Davis 15 Farm Lab Hartpury Emily C Twinning 11 Domestic Servant Corse

62 19. Mary A Hooper 67 Living on own means Newent Mary Hooper Sister in lw 67 Living on own means Gloucester

20. James Pocknell 68 General lab Newent Sarah Wife 68 Hur'tcombe Mary Davis Grdau 12 Scholar Newent

21. John Powell 35 Farm Lab Dymock Fanny Wife 35 Herefordshire William Son 12 Herefordshire Thomas Son 9 Herefordshire George Son 7 Preston, Glos Mary Dau 5 Preston Alfred Son 2 Preston

22. Joseph Butler 53 Farm Lab Malswick Caroline Wife 51 Kent's Green William Son 16 Farm Lab Malswick George Son Malswick

23. W William Saunders 27 General Lab Wares Esther Wife 24 Ashleworth Louisa Dau 11 mths Highleadon William Father Wid 56 General Lab Wares Harry Raymond Lodger 16 Railway Porter Hereford

24. William T Rowley 42 Retired Baker Romford Essex Caroline M Wife 42 Clapham Surrey Percy WS Son 3 Gloucester

63 1901 Census return for Highleadon

Elm View 1. Harry S Miller Hd 30 Travelling Draper OwnAcc Dorset Florence E Do Wife 22 Dorset EdithM Do Dau 3 Gloucs.

2. Joseph Dixon Hd 33 Railway Layer Worker NK? AliceM Do Wife 29 Gloucs. AnnieD Do Dau 6 H'ldn EuniceN Do Dau 4 H'ldn Kathleen A Do Dau 2m H'ldn

3. Peter Preece Hd 34 Stm Roller Dr Worker Herefd Jane Do Wife 39 Herefd William Do Son 10 Herefd Florence Do Dau 9 Taynton Edith Do Dau 6 H'ldn Ethel Do Dau 4 H'ldn

4. John Lloyd Hd 66 Shoe Maker OwnAcc Montgom. Eleanor Berry Bdr 62 Widow Highnam

Tooby's 5. FrederickJones Hd 39 Cattleman on Farm Worker Newent SarahA Do Wife 40 Rudford Thomas Do Son 16 Agric lab Worker Newent May A Do Dau 12 Newent John Do Son 9 Newent Herbert Do Son 6 Newent Winifred Do Dau 3 Newent

Green End 6. Samuel T Hunter Hd 35 Farmer OwnAcc Monmouth EH Do Wife 34 Herefd

Vine Cottage 7. Joseph Hooper Hd 72 Retired Farmer Gloucs. Mary Do Wife 64 NK?

Green Farm 8. Philip J Holford Hd 43 Farmer Employer Gloucs. Fanny Do Wife 42 Hartpury EdithM Do Dau 14 H'ldn 8. Continued: Philip G Holford Son 13 H'ldn

64 Thomas Do Son 4 H'ldn Charles Do Son 1 H'ldn William Laurence Serv 17 Cattleman on Farm Worker Herefd

Roger's 9. Frederick Jeffcutt Hd 42 Railway Ganger Worker Gloucs. Alice Do Wife 41 U. St. L. Frederick Do Son 15 Carter, Horse Boy Worker Newent Florence Do Dau 12 Newent Lily Do Dau 10 H'ldn Pearl Do Dau 10 H'ldn Frances Do Dau 7 H'ldn Beatrice Do Dau 5 H'ldn

Roger's 2nd 10. An Uninhabited Property (3 Rooms)

Highleadon Green (2Rooms) 11. Reuben Taylor Hd 30 Farm Labourer Worker Worcs. Bertha Do Wife 26 Herefd Nellie AM Do Dau 6m Newent

Highleadon Green (3 Rooms) 12. Ann Boulton Hd 77 Widow Twigwth William Do Son 37 Farm Labourer Worker .Upleadon

Highleadon Green (2Rooms) 13. Ann Millan Hd 60 Widow Scotland Elijah Buck Bdr 60 Farm labourer Worker Worcs.

An Uninhabited Propert}': 14. (2Rooms)

Highleadon 15. George Pittman Hd 56 Carter on Farm Worker Upleadon Sarah Do Wife 51 Brookthpe George Do Son 31 Farm labourer Worker Staffs.

Highleadon 16. Edward A Richards Hd 40 Cattleman on Farm Worker Kent Mary Do Wife 41 Gloucs EdwardG Do Son 18 Farm Labourer Worker Gloucs EleanorE Do Dau 10 Gloucs PercyJ Do Son 7 Newent 16. Continued HubertW Do Son 4 Newent

65 Frederick E Richards Son 1 Newent

Drews Farm 17. Christopher V Cloke Hd 34 Farmer Employer Cornwall Annie Do Wife 33 Cornwall EmestP Do Son 5 H'ldn LeslieG Do Son 3 H'ldn Kathleen Do Dau 2 H'ldn Elsie M Saunders Help 24 General Domestic Assistant Cornwall

Highleadon Court 18. John Hardwick Hd 67 Farmer Employer WonSvn SarahA Do Wife 63 WonSvn Helen Gough Visitr 59 Living on own means WonSvn Emily Jones Serv 16 House Work Domestic Worker Newent George Parsons Serv 14 Farm Labourer Worker Herefd

Highleadon (2Rooms) 19. Joseph Eagles Hd 73 Farm Labourer Worker Newton

Highleadon Green (2Rooms) 20. Thomas Salisbury Hd 39 Farm Labourer Worker Hartpury Kate Do Wife 38 Over

Laines (2Rooms) 21. Thomas Coldrick Hd 74 Cowman on Farm Worker Sandhurst Elisabeth Do Wife 69 Ashlewth

Mai Tree Cottage (3 Rooms) 22. Walter Capper Hd 53 (Single) Farm Labourer Worker Lassington 23. Mary Dawe Hd 71 Widow NK Frank Do Son 34 Farm Labourer Worker H'ldn Joseph Do Son 31 General Labourer Worker H'ldn Ann Cotterill Dau 53 H'ldn SarahA Do G.Dau 13 Birm'hm

Cam,12 Cottage (4Rooms) 24. Joseph Bevan Hd 70 Carter on Farm Worker Tibberton Helen Do Wife 67 Highnam Mildred Joyce G.Dau 7 H'ldn

Clerk's Cottage 25. George Holford Hd 66 Bricklayer Worker Bulley

66 Ann Do Wife 70 W.onSvn HenryJ Do G.Son 7 H'ldn

Rose Villa 26. William Hardwick Hd 32 Farmer's Son Worker H'ldn Annie Do Wife 24 Upleadon

New House 27. William E Loder Hd 37 Schoolmaster (Own Ace) At Home Devon FannyL Do Wife 39 Bristol ElsieM Do Dau 10 Birm'hm Winifred M Do Dau 7 Chaceley LeslieN Do Son 6 Sussex Natalie V Do Dau 3 Bulley PhyllisM Do Dau Bm H'ldn George E Taylor Bdr 13 London Richard Dighton Bdr 10 Cardiff Percy Dighton Bdr 7 Cardiff Cuthbert Riches Bdr 8 India Cecil Sheepway Bdr 8 Newent Harry Fowler Bdr 9 London Edith Brewer Bdr 13 (Feeble minded from birth) Tibberton Lilian A Court Serv 16 Mother's Help Domestic Herefd Alice M Jeffcutt Serv 13 General Servant Domestic H'ldn

Some facts from the Census: Inhabited Properties at Highleadon were 25 (+ 2 Unoccup) Inhabited Properties at Rudford were 26 Page 27 of the Enumeration Book for Newent: Pages 1 - 5 = Rudford (St Mary) Pages 6 - 9 = Highleadon. At Highleadon there were ten tenements with less than five rooms. There were 51 Males and 54 Females totalling 105 people at Highleadon. The total population of Rudford and Highleadon was 218

The early twentieth century people of Highleadon can be traced from the 1901 Census return and the more prominent members taken from the Kelly's Directories.

67 APPENDIXD Twentieth Century Directories

Kelly's 1902 Joseph Hooper at 'Vine Cottage' Spencer Miller Christopher Venning Cloke, farm.er John Hardwick, farm.er at 'Highleadon Court Farm' George Holford, mason Philip Holford, farmer at 'Green Farm.'

Kelly's 1910 Joseph Hooper at 'Vine Cottage' Christopher venning Cloke, farm.er Philip Holford, farmer at 'Green Farm.'

Kelly's 1914 Ernest Hooper at 'Vine Cottage' James Need, haulier Christopher Venning Cloke, farm.er William Herbert Hardwick, farm.er at 'Highleadon Court Farm' Philip Holford, farmer at 'Green Farm.' Albert William. Heath, shopkeeper Sidney Ford, shopkeeper

Kelly's 1919 Arthur Samuel Brewer, farm.er Christopher Venning Cloke, farm.er Sidney Ford, shopkeeper William Herbert Hardwick, farm.er at 'Court Farm' Albert William. Heath, shopkeeper Philip Holford, farmer at 'Green farm'

Kelly's 1923 Arthur Samuel Brewer, farmer Christopher Venning Cloke, farm.er at 'Drews Farm' Sidney Ford, shopkeeper William Herbert Hardwick, farm.er at 'Highleadon Court Farm.' Albert William. Heath, builder Mrs Julia Heath, shopkeeper Peter Preece, haulier Reginald Smith, farmer at 'Green Farm.

Kelly's 1927 Arthur Samuel Brewer, farmer Christopher Venning Cloke, farm.er at 'Drews Farm' (over 150 acres) Mrs Catherine Ford, shopkeeper Harold W Hardwick, farmer at 'Court Farm' (over 150 acres) Albert William Heath, Haulier Mrs Julia Heath, shopkeeper (same home address as above) Samuel E Partridge, farmer at 'Green Farm.'

68 Kelly's 1931 Mrs Emily Hardwick of Kempton House, Rhyl is Lady of the Manor Mrs A Hardwick at 'Hill View' Miss Hart at 'Hill View' William M Hart at 'Hill View' Arthur Samuel Brewer, farmer [New House Farm] Christopher venning Cloke, farmer at 'Drews Farm' Samuel E Partridge, farmer at 'Green Farm' Mrs Catherine Ford, shopkeeper Raymond Hardwick, farmer at 'Highleadon Court Farm' Heath & Sons, motor engineers Service Station (G H W Heath, proprietor) Mrs Julia Heath, shopkeeper Harry Rickards, fishmonger [Van operating from Camp House] Eugene Sutton, boot repairer [hut close by 'Heathville'] Victor H Vick, dairyman [Green End selling milk from Arthur Brewer at New House Farm]

Kelly's 1935 Private Residents: Mrs A Hardwick at 'Hill View' [Mr Vernon Hart's father's sister] Miss Hart at 'Hill View' [Mr Vernon Hart's father's sister 'Daisy'] William M Hart at 'Hill View' [worked on Silas Hart's farm 'Haie Farm' now called Hay Farm] Commercial: Arthur Samuel Brewer, farmer at 'New House Farm' Christopher Venning Cloke, farmer at 'Drews Farm' Miss Ethel Ford, shopkeeper (home at Barber's Bridge) Heath & Sons, motor engineers (home at Barber's Bridge) Motor Spirit Service Station (Albert W G Heath, propr) [Albert Heath was also Coal Haulier] Darrell Isaacs, farmer at 'Highleadon Court Farm' Samuel E Partridge, farmer at 'Green Farm' Victor H Vick, dairyman [at 'Greyjacks']

Kelly's 1939 Private Residents: Mrs A Hardwick at 'Hill View' Miss Hart at 'Hill View' William M Hart at 'Hill View' Commercial: Arthur Samuel Brewer, farmer at 'New House Farm' Christopher Venning Cloke, farmer at 'Drews Farm' Miss Ethel Ford, shopkeeper (home at Barber's Bridge) Mrs Julia Heath, shopkeeper (home at 'Rose Villa') Heath & Sons, motor engineers (home at 'Rose Villa) [and at 'Heathville] Motor Spirit Service Station (Albert W G Heath, propr) Darrell Isaacs, farmer at 'Highleadon Court Farm' Samuel E Partridge, farmer at 'Green Farm' Victor H Vick, dairyman James Morgan Smith, farmer at 'Layne's Farm' [Chairman of Newent District Council for 25 yrs]

69 APPENDIX E: NOTES AND QUERIES

Further to the properties at Highleadon in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Our earliest detailed map indicates that their were six tenant-farmer's premises, three larger yeoman farmer's premises, four cottages with sizeable garden plots (possible freeholders) and a small scattering of bonded cottager's premises.

These small, often only two or three roamed cottages were initially 'tied' to the manor farm. They would have subsequently become 'tied' to the smaller farm holdings, most often to which they were closely adjacent. They also provided additional accommodation for the larger families of some small-holders.

According to Sir Robert Atkyns in his survey of Gloucestershire published in 1712, Highleadon at that time comprised "nine families, living about half a mile from the Church" [Rudford St Mary's]. Interestingly, payments for taxes on Highleadon had been much higher than for Rudford, for example: ForRudford For Highleadon 1692 To the Royal Aid £35 - 02 - 00 1692 To the Royal Aid £56 - 09 - 04 1694 To the Land-Tax £36 - 00 - 00 1694 To the Land-Tax £63 - 12 - 00 1694 To the Poll-Tax £03 - 08 - 00 1694 To the Poll-Tax £03 - 05 - 00

In the Parish of Rudford [and Highleadon] there were 22 houses and about 106 inhabitants. Four freeholders were recorded at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Six freeholders voted in 1776. The yearly births recorded by Atkyns (1710) were three and the yearly burials were also three.

Mr Edward Holder was lessee [Dean & Chapter] of the manor of Rudford before the estate passed to the Guise family, but 'the manor was reserved'. The estates in lease to Sir Berkeley William Guise comprehended about two-thirds of Rudford - the other proprietors were Mr William Holder, John Spiers and Thomas Matthews. Rudder considered that at Highleadon, more than half the property belonged to Sir William Guise.

Comments on the information given in the nineteenth century Census returns: Mr Robert Jakeman (from Forthampton) had been steward of the manor and lessee of the Court during the late eighteenth century. Edward Knight (from Forthampton) was related through his wife Sarah to the Jakeman family. William Boulton (from Forthampton) was the agent of the Dean & Chapter of Gloucester) and leased Drews Farm to Edward Knight.

The lands relating to Whitehouse Farm and of 'Hemmings' estate also came into the hands of Edward Knight. Edward aged 60 at the 1871 Census, is described as 'retired farmer'. His nephew Edward Jakeman was then managing Drews Farm. In the 1881 Census, Edward Knight is deceased and his wife Sarah aged 84 is described as 'farming 230 acres'. Edward Jakeman is described as being 48, unmarried and in the role of 'farm bailiff'.

The 1901 Census describes a property near the Green as 'Clerk's Cottage (at that time the home of George Holford, bricklayer). This name may have been attributed to it in earlier times when William Smith was living there (1861 Census refers to him as an agricultural labourer and Parish Clerk). A reference to 'the Clerk's cottage' may have remained.

70 The 1861 Census mentions the 'Temporary Wesleyan Chapel between 'Daws Farm' and 'Vine Cottage'. This is the only mention to 'Daws Farm' by name, in the census returns. In 1861 the farm (probably that now named 'Brambles Farm') was occupied by William Phelps, a farmer of 69 acres and employing 2 men and 1 woman. The property appears to accommodate a family of five plus a sister in law, a visitor and a house servant. As the 1861 Census makes no reference to 'Green Farm' it seems reasonable to assume that 'Daws Farm' at that time was an amalgamation of the properties and lands of both holdings.

In 1871, William Phelps is described as a farmer of 215 acres, at 'Green Farm' employing 6 men, 3 boys and 4 women (Drews estate). Next door is occupied by Timothy Daw, an agricultural labourer with a family of 11 and a lodger. Three of his sons and the lodger are described as farm labourers, suggesting that these are the 6 men working for William Phelps.

By the time of the 1881 Census, disaster must have struck (by fire?) as William Phelps is then described as a farmer 'out of business'. No 'Daws Farm' can be traced from the 1901 Census. A small property housing two people was existing at that time, named as 'Green Farm', with 52 acres. It seems likely that three homes existed at one time and that the two farms had been amalgamated. The Drews estate had reverted to Mrs Knight).

'Roger's is another farm which appears to have been an amalgam of properties (it included 'Tudor Cottage). This extended to the estate known as 'Hemmings' and land formerly under the lease or ownership of Sarah Rogers (from which it gained its name) and was farmed in 1837 (tithe survey) by Edward Knight.

It would appear from the movements of fortune that land formerly White House, Hemmings, Green Farm, Green End or Drews could wax or wane under the management of any capable tenant prepared to take on the acreage. The accounting agent would appear to be Mr Boulton from Forthampton. His account books make interesting reading.

The new Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1864 is not described in the 1871 Census return although a reference is made to an uninhabited property which may coincide with the recording method used at the time. The 1881 Census refers to the Chapel after the entry for Court Farm.

Tooby's Farm appears to be the name taken from the family living there at the time of the 1861 Census. It is described as of 24 acres. All of which coincide with the property otherwise named 'New Hall Farm' once leased by Betty Clarke and sub-let to Nathaniel Simms (1837 Tithe survey). It came onto the market in 1908 as 'New Hall Farm' but continues today known to many as 'Tooby's'!

71 APPENDIXF

Burials in Highleadon Methodist Cemetery

BASSETT Alice Charlotte 69 1945 Born 1876 William James 94 1959 1865

BROWN George William 71 1964 Malswick 1893 Hannah 93 1993 1900

BUNT Nellie 22 1893 Wife of Richard 1871

CLARKE Fanny Gertrude ? 1938 ? Josephine Julia 66 1931 Oakle Green 1865 Henry Bruce 78 1944 1866 Alfred 3 1887 1884

CLOKE Christopher 82 1828 Of Upleadon Court? 1846 Mary 88 1926 1838 Barbara Ellen 29 1898 Wife of Alfred, Stanbrook 1869 Christopher 38 1918 1880 Carrie ? ? Wife of Jack Pope ?

EDWARDS Norah 10 1873 1863

GARRETT George 73 1892 Redhill Villa 1819

HARDWICK John 73 1906 Highleadon Court 1833 Sarah 90 1959 1869 John 60 1959 Kempton Hse, Rhyl, N.Wales 1899 Emily 69 1933 1864 William Herbert 33 1922 1889 Annie 65 1943 1878

HART Silas 90 1929 1839 Mary 21? 1917 1896? William Mortimer 64 1938 1874 Gertrude Emily (Daisy) 78 1964 1886 George 46 1924 1878 Lucy Florence 81 1968 Da of Cuthbt & Mnie Newman 1887

MARTIN Ernest 70 1950 1880 Rose Ellen 69 1953 1884

72 MATTHEWS William ? 1906 ? Ellen ? ? ?

NEWMAN Cuthbert 73 1916 1843 Mary Ann (Minnie) 31 1888 Alderleys 1857 Cuthbert Reginald 5 1886 Eldest son of Cuthbt & Minnie 1881 Fanny Elizabeth 33 1917 Hamilton Onterio Canada 1884 Graham 70 1965 1895 Mary 42 1946 1904 Gertrude Maria Hooper 67 1926 1859 Lieut. Cuthbert Alan 28 1918 Killed in Action 1890 Marjorie Gertrude 85 1989 1904

SALISBURY Thomas 58 1920 1862 Caroline (Kate) 63 1923 1860

SEARLE Robert 83 1936 1853 Mary 89 1947 1858

SHEPPERD Herbert 80 1957 Of Redhill Villa 1877 Florence 70 1954 (now known as Redhill Farm) 1884

SMITH Joshua 65 1907 1842 Harriet (Allie) 55 1902 1847

VENNING Christopher 73 1936 Of Drews Farm ? 1863 Annie 93 1960 1867

WARREN John 55 1915 Calcott, Somerset 1860 Matilda 90 1956 1866

This information was collated from information kindly supplied by John Wells of Highleadon 21 May 2004. NB He made the point that this information was gathered from the grave stones which are not all in good condition. Some of the info may not be entirely accurate.

73 APPENDIXG MORE NOTES AND QUERIES

1. Where was Maytree Cottage? Now the new filling station [Maytree Cottage Orchard- on the common]

2. Clerk's Cottage suggests perhaps a connection with 'toll administration' of the turnpike? ['Parish Clerk's Cottage in 1861 Census]

Thomas Salisbury (farm labourer) aged 39 with wife Kate aged 38 (1901 Census) at a Cottage of 2 rooms 'on the Green'. Both buried at the Methodist Cemetery. Are they related to Stenneth? [Cottage on property now John Wells]

3. 'Daws' appears to be that property now Brmbles Farm [adjacent to 'Oaks'] Note, there were Dawes (farm workers) living there in 1851 and in 1901 (the property was owned by another). [Daws Farm is associated with Green Farm]

4. Brambles Farm is very probably the property previously referred to in the Land Tax Records and the land taxed was Oak Croft ( in early days one of the tenanted small holdings) In 1837 at the time of the Tithe survey Green Farm was combined with Oak's and at that time owned by W P Price of Tibberton. [Green, Daws & Oak Farms]

5. Where was the stone 'cross' on Highleadon Green? [Unable to locate]

6. Where were the signs, notices and milestones situated? [Opp J Wells prop, 2nd between Vine Villa & Green Fm, mile-stone half way betw Maytree & Rose Villa]

7. There are some remains of old parish roads and footpaths. There may also be more to be rediscovered-these could be restored? Lost roads and paths are given until 2020 to be reinstated or lost forever! [Would they be a desireable asset]

8. Tooby's? was the property formerly known as 'New Hall Farm'? [Opposite Wallace's Lower Leadon Farm]

9. Can the locations of the other cottages (not yet clarified) 'on the Green' be determined (perhaps by their occupants)?

In the Middle Ages, the copyhold tenants of the manor of Highleadon were subject to the rents, heriots4 and services required of the lord of the manor. Their rights and customs were preserved according to the traditions of the manor.

NB Mr Vernon Hart's father managed Highleadon Court Farm for a year or two following the death of W H Hardwick c 1917 - Mrs Hardwick, widow, (sister of Mr Hart Snr - moved into 'Hill View' with her sister [Miss Hart] and a lady help.

4 A payment (often the best beast) from an incoming tenant

74 APPENDIXH

Medieval Gloucestershire

From early medieval times sheep had been kept on quite a large scale. The wool from which was mostly exported. Wool was the principal basis of the British economy through the Middle Ages until the nineteenth century. The woollen industry in Gloucestershire went into rapid decline in the middle of the nineteenth century.

In the early years, weaving was a cottage industry. In time demands for fine broad cloth led to the building of mills. The late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries were a peak period before the rapid decline.

It was the introduction of Stearn in the nineteenth century that terminated the business in the South and East. Coal was expensive to transport making the cost of production un-cornpetitive. The Yorkshire mills had the benefit of local cheaper fuel.

"English sheep" for wool are first mentioned about the beginning of the eighth century. For ages the only method of spinning yarn was by the aid of the 'distaff' (a short stick) before the 'spinning wheel' was introduced in the sixteenth century.

And many yet adhere To tlte ancient distaff at tlte bosom fixed, Casting tlte whirling spindle as they walk; At !tome, or in tlte sheepfold, or tlte mart,. Alike tlte work proceeds.

"The Fleece" 1757 by Dyer

The early mills prepared yarn from local wool. Weavers collected yarn to weave on looms installed in their homes. At the end of the eighteenth century, looms were being installed in the mills. The old treadle looms gave way to power-loom weaving and 'fly shuttles' to force the home-weaver out of work. A crisis in England in 1825 led to woollens being sold at ruinous prices accelerating the decline in the industry

~U,&t0~ _ .. • MII- . fV\a~&'N~~ \.~01,v~~. -~~ F-e-~Ju'}-lo\ ~ ~q 1,1,·vd.L,l M d 12 WI.. r3 67 NU f~ I t.rll ~va-·, ia,~", e~ttc.~\ tvt1~ -4~~ cvt- R.e"{ l1-v~

be~~~ t-croc{ r-: ~~l-.Lt1:1bi--. ~~1/\_, 1:c} lLr l121dc0 v\.., '" fbS4 'J&tvk, ~1~dclaeiks "f 4,a/~~\ lt~~d JV\,~le_ ~ ~ ~~/~t t\0\{J t~~ ~ JJ~d..J ~ ne~ ~St. b,e!.Lk ;:;]')A. ~Y ~~t:r:;; ... a. ea tra e. •Tw6 lM-~J j.tc;(}-CI et~ t,)11:a-v­ 1 1 M"' ~ol ~u ~W\c,g3g -J~L ~l"e 1--e~tt\,CL~ ~! ~ ~~I~ Vil/A.,, (val0 f

The Court Baron was the principle administration arm of the manor. Farming practices were regulated, land conveyed and the peasantry supervised. Court Leets were held to determine misdemeanours. Often both jurisdictions were held at one court. At the end of the Middle Ages, servile tenure converted to copyhold.

The Sheriff's Court

The Sheriff was the leading officer in the county before much of his work (and responsibility) was taken over by Justices of the Peace.

Village Society

Many people stayed in the same class while others improved their position. This was influenced by a fluctuating level of the population. At the time of Domesday manorial lords only exploited one-third to two-fifths of the land, the rest being held by freemen, leaseholders and serfs.

The peasant aristocracy with sixty acres or more of land, acquired by a variety of tenures and through intermarriage, formed an elite. These people filled the more important posts in the community, especially where there was no resident lord.

The Parish

As an ecclesiastical unit the parish dates back to the Middle Ages. A first reference to them appearing in a canon of 1127. They basically supported an incumbent to maintain the fabric of the church. Parish registers were introduced in 1538 for baptisms, marriages and burials. In the sixteenth century the parish's importance increased with extra administrative duties imposed by government.

Tithes

Tithes originated before the Norman Conquest, to provide income for the minister, repair the church and relieve the poor. Exemptions were made for old monastic land and for glebe (church) property, Crown forests and barren lands. Improved wastes were exempt for seven years after being brought into cultivation.

In many parishes tithes were commuted at the time of an enclosure award. Tithes were often appropriated by laymen, especially by lessees of monastic property. Tithes were a form of property that could be sold and divorced from their intended function.

76 APPENDIX I

'Seventeenth Century'

Muster Roll of 1608

This was a collation of men and armour carried out for Gloucestershire in 1608. Lords of each manor, in those days were each considered as the 'Lord Farmer'. Even a town would be referred to as the lord's farm. The meaning of the word had more to do with governance. In this appendix I have extracted the personnel and places most pertinent to the examination of Highleadon's past.

Hyneham, W over, Lylton [Linton}, Lassington and High Leadon

This is the way the above places are spelled in the muster. The manors are grouped as one estate although three 'lords' are given to their ownership: Sir William Cooke, knight, Sir Thomas Lucy, knight and William Huntly, gent. We may possibly assume that the personnel run in the order of the manors as stated above.

YEOMEN Thomas Branch 2, Robert Little 2, Richard Green 2, James Halle 2, Addam Cleivly, Thomas Paynter 3, James Combe 2, Humphry Wilse 2, Also reference to Richard Wilse and John Wilse as yeomen.

GENTLEMEN Thomas Whittington 1, William Huntly ?

HUSBANDMEN Thomas Showle 2, John Smart 2, Anthony Byshoppe 2, Robert Yonge 2, John Hill snr 3, John Hill jr 1, John Boswood 2, John Pyrry 2, Arthur Eldridge 1, John Browne, servant to Sir William Cooke, John Little 1, John Bennet 2, William Smith 1, John Fflatcher 2, Thomas Baker 1, Thomas Bullock 1, John Allen 2,

TRADESMEN Thomas Reade - smith 1, Thomas Wingod - mason 2, Henry Heminge - smith 1, John Cooke - taylor 2, John Spillman - taylor 1, John Middlewright - apparitor Nycholas Hassard - mason 2, John Grassinge - fisher 1, Robert Yonge -weaver 1, Richard Brookbancke - butcher 1, Richard Smith - weaver, Richard Weale - weaver 2, John Drewe - smith 2.

The sovereign requires "The Townshipp of High Leadon findeth one Calyver furnished". Also the townships of Lassington and High Leadon stand 'chardged with the findinge of one musket fur'.

Rudford Has no reference to its Lord of the Manor 'though it can be assumed to be Sir William Cooke, knight. The Yeomen are as follows: Edward Jones 3, (2 sons Jeffry 1, and William 1. Robert Gryffith 2, William Sneade 2, William Moore 2, William Perry 2, William Croker 1, John Croker 1, Roger Branche 3, and son John Branche 1.

77 TRADESMEN Robert Hill - milner 2. The Parson Roberts and his son John Roberts 1.

Upleadon 'Wherof Sir Thomas Lucy, knight is lord'

YEOMEN John Keyse sen' yeoman 3, and 3 sons John 1, William 1, Gyles 1.

HUSBANDMEN Roger Jelfe 2, John Hayward 2, Thomas Balden 2, John Rocke 2, William Twyninge 3, Allexander Symons 2, John Poyner 3, Richard Croose 1,

OTHERS OF NOTE William Matthews 2, servant John Keyse (along with 3 others). John Hooper 1, Nicholas Clarke 1, Richard Clarke 3 - Constable.

The number codes indicate approximate ages as follows:

1 = Young (of around 20 years of age) 2 = Middle years 3 = Still able to fight (around 55 - 65 years)

A Caliver was a kind of light musket (furnished = with suitable shot) All able men were recorded along with any weaponry and armour in their keeping. 1'3,llcsr 4 5~~ ~ f,ke Midclb- " - /'vl Ud/(e,t U/...J4 '' - Ca/,ve,,f Conclusion lvfe~r ,, - ~ fwneer 1 l Corse/d';; t:;..u,,,k ;It-~ lowland English village. The historical changes to the pattern of land management are a good example. It is fortunate that many features remain to remind us of its manorial past. The common 'Green', once the integral centre of the manor has unfortunately, of late, been neglected.

Postscript: with regard to cultural changes relating 'Weles End' (later 'Green End'). Wele or Wheal, was possibly a weaver, and gave his name to the location in the 16th century. The woollen industry, all encompassing the early monastic years in Gloucestershire, concluded in Southern England during the seventeenth century.

My ancestor, Thomas Shelley at Sudbury Suffolk, was a weaver employing men and apprentices in the mid 1600's. The family enjoyed the freedom of the town and access to the 'commons'. His son Philip, with the rapid decline in demand for weaving turned to 'smithing' and the family business as blacksmiths continued into the twentieth century. Throughout the centuries and in continuance today, we remain 'free of the town' and of the 'commons' of Sudbury.

It is of great importance that people today recognise and value the historical connections between the landscape and society.

Alan Shelley 10 June 2004

78 APPENDIXJ

The Period leading to the Civil War

Local politics of the time included a hostile reaction in the area of the Forest of Dean to the sale for £106,000 and a yearly rent of £1,950 12s 8d by Charles I, of the Forest (including wood, coppices, waste, mines and quarries) to the Catholic and firm Royalist, Sir John Wyntour. This gentleman had been the Queen's secretary and was a cousin of Lord Herbert.

The Catholic Lord Herbert commanded a Royalist army which, in 1643, advanced on Gloucester to assist with the siege and attempted subduance of the City. Sir John Wyntour was at loggerheads with the Foresters who tore down enclosure fences at night and turned in their cattle as the had always done before the so called 'improvement'.

In 1645, Wyntour was said to be campaigning in the Forest with a force of over three thousand five hundred men. During the Siege of Gloucester in 1643 he appeared to have kept a low profile. After that period his home 'White Cross' at LydIJ.ey became the principle base of the Royalist operations in the area. His cousin, Colonel Charles Wyntour, was captured at Coleford in February 1643 fighting on the Parliamentary side.

' . ~. ,.~ The period running up to the Civil War was a time of Puritanism. , The church and congregation at Taynton was a good example of the movement. In 1618 a maypole at Gloucester's St Nicholas's parish had been 'officially' removed. This was an indication of the direction and attitude prevailing toward merriment and to festivals in general.

The great enemy of the puritans was Archbishop Laud, who had become the symbol of a trend towards 'High Church'. When he was Dean of Gloucester Cathedral 1616-21 he caused much local resentment by his action to rail-off the alter at the east end. This was seen as a separation of the congregation from the ritual of the clergy.

Puritan discipline generally had an emphasis on public services and aimed to bring better order for the poorer classes.

At the start of the siege of Gloucester in 1643, the citizens professed their loyalty to the King. This was, of course, while acting through Parliament. The mayor of Gloucester at that time was Dennis Webb and he became very concerned that he may be breaking that oath of allegiance when turning against the King's demand for the City. Never-the-less and despite this, he was one of the leaders determining the attack on the invading Welsh forces.

79 The Welsh army of 1,500 foot and 500 horse under Lord Herbert and commanded by Sir Jerome Brett, advanced through the Forest of Dean and encamped at Highnam. Here they were two miles from the city of Gloucester and they dug in to command the roads into the Forest and Newent. We are aware that a small contingent were encamped at Highleadon to guard the ford on the highway to and from Newent. This location was then known as 'Highleadon Passage' and now referred to as Barber's (or Barbarous) Bridge, where the ford has been replaced by a bridge of that name.

Col. Massey, in command at Gloucester, responded by planting forces at the fortified former Bishop's Palace at Over. Sir William Waller, under Massey, made a rapid overnight march to Huntley and from there completely surprised the Royalists. The Parliamentary forces are reputed to have killed 500 men and to have taken 1,442 'common soldiers' and 150 'gentlemen' as prisoners. These troops amounted to the Royalist fighting stock of Wales and Herefordshire, thereby this action had determined the removal of any further retaliation in the war.

Clearly the battle was lost as the Welsh troops retreated from Highnam and were cut down at Barber's Bridge (Highleadon Passage). Eighty-six bodies were later found buried in a hillock in the nineteenth century, lying close by the scene of battle. An unknown number of bodies were also found when cutting the nearby canal in the 1790s.

80 APPENDIXK

LAND LAW

Enclosure of the Open Fields and Commons

The background history of Highleadon, other than its various connections with the church, very much revolves around 'enclosure'. Agricultural improvement and the enclosure movement went hand in hand. There were three forms of enclosure, informally, by formal agreement (often confirmed by a local court of law) and by Private or General Act of Parliament.

Enclosure is a legal term, referring to the process whereby it becomes possible to farm land in severalty, independently of other farmers. This would involve payment to compensate any losses of common rights. Closely associated with the notion of enclosure is 'engrossing'. Where consolidation of two or more farms were included into one holding. The affects of enclosure and engrossing were inter-related and led to a decrease in the total households in a village or manor. Extreme examples include the extensive hunting parks created for landed gentry or simply to provide scenic 'English' landscapes in latter times.

Prior to the 15th century a form of enclosure was the conversion to pasture for sheep. a number of landlords forcibly depopulated villages by eviction. As the population steadily rose again after the Black Death, there were renewed pressures for productive land. New cottages were being built in the 16th century and there was an increase in farm animals and of farm produce.

Tudor governments were concerned about depopulation, engrossing and conversion to pasture. Acts of Parliament were passed to prevent too much land becoming sheep pasture. A Royal Commission led by Cardinal Wolsey in 1517 investigated depopulation and a number of landowners were brought before the Court of Chancery. They were charged to pull down all enclosures erected since 1485 unless proved to be of benefit to the commonwealth.

Illegal enclosures continued and a number of uprisings and revolts occurred. A general social unrest had occurred as a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. many cottagers had previously relied upon the charitable benevolence of the religious houses. Uprisings were ruthlessly put down and even included executions.

Actions by such groups as the Levellers were eventually pardoned when in 1607 another Commission investigated the complaints of enclosure. A number of actions were seen in the Court of Star Chamber for illegal enclosing and depopulation. This still did not stop the trend.

By the end of the 16th century enclosure was being carried out in several ways. informally by assarting of woodland and waste, or by the lord of the manor collecting all tenancies into

81 his own hands. This may have involved buying out existing tenants or by not issuing new tenancies.

Formalised agreements were being used from the end of the 16th century. Agreements were made over common pasture in the open fields. It is likely that demesne farms were withdrawn from the common system, cancelling a lord's rights to graze the open fields.

It has been claimed that as many as 209 villages still employed open fields in 1700. 93 were subsequently enclosed entirely by informal means and a further 37 by formal agreements. 5 More were then enclosed by a combination of informal and formal methods. Sometimes these agreements over many years.

Enclosure of the open fields and wastes by Chancery Decree remained the prevalent method throughout the 17th century and beyond.

Joint pressures from a rising population, agricultural improvement and wars, increased demands on the countryside throughout the 18th century. Enclosure by Private Act of Parliament peaked in the late 1770s coincident with the American War of Independence.

A body of professional 'enclosers' headed by commissioners were appointed by Parliament to oversee the demise of the open fields, wastes and commons. The bulk of the work was completed by 1820. General Acts of Parliament, passed in the first half of the 19th century, allowed enclosures to proceed without the costs of a Private Act. However, many Private Acts continued to be implemented. Many of these were to tidy up small areas of land that had been bypassed by earlier non-parliamentary enclosures.

POSTSCRIPT

In 1773 a public act was designed to permit a sort of experimental inclosure by agreement. The act 'for the better Cultivation, Improvement and Regulation of the Common Arable Fields, Wastes and Commons of Pasture, in this Kingdom' was promoted and put through the Commons by Sir Richard Sutton and Sir William Dolben.6 The act provided that three­ quarters in number and value of the occupiers in a parish might make rules for the cultivation of common fields and for the ploughing of baulks which were to be in force for six years under the supervision of field reeves; the right of commoners and cottagers were to be saved. Those who did not agree being allotted some sections of common for their sole use.

Attempts at general legislation made in 1796 and 97, by contrast, contained drastic provisions. The 1796 bill intended a majority to compel inclosure, while that of 1797 would permit a minority to withdraw lands from common holdings. Both would disrupt the organisation of communities and therefore failed.

The General Acts of 1801 and of 1836 were more expeditious and equitable, permitting enclosure by two-thirds of the interests by value. However, in the course of time, by 1844, a

5Hollowell S (2000)Enclosure Records for Historians Phillimore, Chichester 6 Thomas PDG (1971) The House of Commons, 1754-90 Oxford

82 good deal of enclosure had taken place in such a way as to dispossess many small proprietors. In the matter of village greens, it had been conducted with total disregard for the general interests of a neighbourhood. Consequently the 1845 act appointed a body of Enclosure Commissioners to deal more drastically with the open lands than the Commissioners in the first half of the 19th century.

In the case of Highleadon, it would appear that enclosure was accommodated by compensation, transferring the tenants rights of common over the open fields, into an average acreage of freehold land associated to each household.

Some 'consolidation' occurred over the course of time (creating some depopulation) possibly through joint agreement, coercion or by purchase. In most cases the freehold ended up with third parties who let the various holdings.

Clearly a combination of 'Daws' and 'Green Farm' occurred late in the 19th century. Similarly we can see that 'Rogers' and 'White House Farm' ceased to be independent agricultural holdings. The 20th century has seen 'Drews Farm' with the land originally farmed under 'Halftimber Farm' and that of 'New Hall Farm' all become absorbed into the holdings of 'New House Farm'.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURE IN THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY

Bills and Acts

The private bill procedure was used not only for those bills that subsequently became private acts, but also for all bills affecting private or local interests. Before 1720, some road and harbour bills, having gone through the private bill procedure, were classified by the King's Printer as private acts, but after that date, although they followed the same procedure in parliament, they were classified and printed as public acts at the end of it.

All the bills of course paid fees, but fees were also payable by parties taking benefit from any act whatever. The method of proceedings was to form a committee of all members in the chamber (Lords) when the motion was put. (See House of Lords Record Office for Committee books.

From 1728, Local bills, for roads, rivers and so forth are not commonly found. If a bill began in the Commons, the original act will show the text of the bill as it was ingrossed, after report stage in the Commons.

Estate Bills: The best drawn settlements gave the life tenant wide powers to lease, exchange or even to sell the settled lands. Estate bills usually began in the House of Lords and there referred to the judges before their introduction in the House.

83 Inclosure Bills: Enclosure of the open-fields and common land by act of parliament began in the eighteenth-century and is the subject of controversy. (Re the Hammonds, John Clare vs George Young). Most anti-inclosure persons have ignored the extent to which the procedure of both Houses, in the eighteenth-century, did to offer protection to parties affected by proposed enclosures and the attempts made to improve the procedure. Both critics and advocates of inclosure have been inclined to exaggerate the parliamentary costs of enclosing by act.

The Lords in 1706 promulgated the standing order that private bills were a preliminary hearing before the judges (which had an important effect on estate bills) to ensure that both parties interests were consulted. At first, all inclosure bills began in the House of Lords (rather as an extension of the estate bills). In 1727, for the first time an Inclosure Petition was offered in the Commons and from 1729 such petitions were offered indifferently to either House.

COMMON LAND

Preamble: Commons are a remnant of the manorial system which from medieval times had been the basis of the country's economy. The manor was the basic unit and was supposed to be self-sufficient. Crops were grown on the better soil and the poor land was 'waste' used for grazing and gathering fuel. The lord of the manor owned the whole of the land but others had rights recognised by the courts. In turn this meant that the lord of the manor could not enclose land without the consent of the commoners or parliamentary authority, hence the unfenced open spaces which we still recognise as the hallmark of a common.

An obligation to provide land for commoner's rights derived from the Statute of Merton of 1235 and was reflected in the variety of courts leet which determined the dates for grazing and rotation of crops. Commons have been described as the lowest rung of the social ladder leading to the occupation of the land.

There had been more than 4.000 individual inclosure acts before a general act was passed in 1845, providing that the lord and former commoners would each receive a freehold parcel of land in compensation for the loss of rights. A final residue was to be left for communal use, including land for a poorhouse or field for fuel, a gravel pit for road making and an area for the 'exercise and recreation of the inhabitants'. However, in the 20 years which followed, over 61,000 acres were enclosed and only 4,000 allotted for recreation or the benefit of the poor.

Restrictions eventually came in to power to limit the situation when a more positive approach to the retention of commons was seen in the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866 and the Commons Act of 1876. Both of which provided important frameworks for managing commons. In the early 1920s there was a major reform of the law of property. This abolished the historic manorial system of copyhold land which had been governed by manorial courts. In future, land was only to be owned freehold or leasehold. Protection was given to common land under sections 193 and 194 of the Law of Property Act 1925.

84 A Royal Commission was set up in 1958 to report on the state of common land, referring to 'this last reserve of uncommitted land in England and Wales'. Registration of all common land was required under the Commons Registration Act 1965.

NB: The above introduction has been extracted from Paul Clayden's "Our Common Land"

Protection of Common Land: In defence of a private bill by an acquisitive Local Authority.

What is the true nature, in law, of common lands. Such land does not, in any degree, belong to the local authority, nor to the public.

Legal Analysis: Rarefied law, but, the consequences are of practical significance. This is critical for the defence of such land, and to the resistance of Private Bills seeking the confiscation of such lands.

The old systems of local government were replaced by the establishment of a new local government authority (1835 Act). This was a matter of public law - the aim being election of democratic control. It was gradually realised by Parliament that, under the workings of the old system, there were 'private rights'. These were usually seen as 'rights of pasture'.

Parliament recognised that a mandate for reform for local government gave no warrant for . confiscation of private rights of property. That realisation is still perfectly valid today and it should be noted with care.

Ancient farming affected by the "Enclosures of Land' Agricultural land today is generally owned by farmers or their landlords. In the early days of English agriculture, the great mass of agricultural land was 'not owned by anybody'. This situation, from the Iron Age, through the Middle Ages lasted, in places, right into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

In that period, agriculture was carried on upon large common fields, also referred to as open fields. Those who farmed, simply had rights to 'use' the land. Such rights were exercised in common with other people in the community. There were no fences and no owners. And, certainly, there was no agricultural development.

The New Age: (The Agricultural Revolution) To undertake agricultural improvement it was necessary to get effective control of the land itself. There had to be ownership. So the old common system had to go.

The result was achieved by 'enclosure'. This was the process which took a large open field, with many users, and produced from it a number of individual 'closes', each with its owner. Those individual properties could be, and were usually required by law to be, physically enclosed by a hedge. hence the expression 'enclosure'. In that way was created, quite late in our history, the patchwork scene of our typical English landscape.

85 Throughout this progression the people of a community needed pasture for their horses, cattle and sheep. The management of a village or town economy was in the hands of an established elite, who traditionally acquired rights of pasture. Such rights existed all over the country.

The existence of such rights was an ordinary feature of the life of any community before the age of motor cars, commercial dairies and supermarkets. When the Enclosure Movement was underway, these rights of pasture were also reorganised and transformed.

For technical reasons, these lands are usually regarded as being legally vested in a local (District) Council. But this is simply the paper title. The Council can have no effective rights in the land, for the reasons already set out. Put briefly, the Council is no more than a Trustee.

To identify the valuable result of this legal analysis it can be expressed in two main points: Firstly, 'rights' belong to individuals. Their rights are 'private property'. Secondly, it is a fundamental principle of English constitutional law that there can be no compulsory acquisition of private property without compensation. The enactment of Private Bills must respect this principle. Arbitrary confiscation would be improper.

In consideration of an acquisitive Council, the predator will argue such lands are public open space, of ancient origin, formerly administered (by an authority) which in modern times would be appropriate for custody by a public authority.

As can now be seen, this picture is totally false. Commons are not 'public' and not simply open space. They were and remain valuable real property, in private ownership. And it would follow that their confiscation would be an infringement of the rights of the private citizen.

Following out the logic of the process, the former rights to use a communal tract of land were converted into the enjoyment of enclosed parcels of land, from which other people were excluded. This is how we get pieces of land (commons) attached to villages and town communities. They represent very ancient rights but they have not always existed in their present form. It is vitally important to take account of their evolution and change in character.

Essentially, the Enclosure process created a pattern of absolute ownership. Valuable rights had been exercised by individuals, for their personal advantage. The horses, cattle and sheep did not belong to the community. They were, of course, the animals of individual owners. And, the rights of pasture were as much private property as were the houses that a community inhabited.

The old common fields belonged to nobody. But the new Enclosure fields did belong to somebody. That was the essential change, and communities were involved in that change. On the surface, it appears to be a right of pasturage, and nothing else. That, however, is an incorrect and erroneous view, which is quite contrary to legal principle. An entitlement to pasture is a right of 'exclusive' pasturage. This means, in law, that nobody else can claim

86 (a) to share the pasturage, or (b) to interfere with it. In the result, therefore, the right of pasturage, which is exclusive, amounts to effective ownership of the land. And the law clearly recognises that practical result.

A Council which puts its claim to unused Common lands, on the grounds that "right holders have no horses, cows or sheep" is advancing an argument that is transparently misconceived. Any such argument requires an alternative owner of the land and there is no such party. Any such claim to dispossess a right-holder is quite false.

These rights can be expressed as pasture. But this is simply a statement of what was the normal mode of enjoyment for 'living commoners'. Such commoners could let out their right for money, and still can. One must remember that the entitlement passes to commoner's progeny or if in the case of an 'appurtenant' right holding when that property changes hands, to the new owner of the appurtenant right.

The rights of such commoners have to be protected. So the ownership of such land does not permit the normal owner's power of sale. But there is nothing in that limitation which, logically, legally or morally, justifies any claim to ownership by a stranger to its customary use.

Parliament may, of course, make a new law. But a new law, authorising the seizure of common land, would be stark confiscation of the property of the subject. Successive Public Acts, from 1835 to 1972, have rejected the option of confiscation.

Aide Memoire a) The Council itself is a bare Trustee and can have no claim to such lands. b) There is no other claimant. c) Common land is not public property d) Apart from sale, Commoners have the same full enjoyment as any other landowner. e) Seizure of common lands would be confiscation of private property. f) The public general law of this country has repeatedly affirmed commoners rights of ownership over their lands.

87 MAPl

A conjectural view of the Saxon estate of Ledene: At Upleadon, the Norman style church is of Saxon origin. The layout of the surrounding area suggests that this was once the location of a Saxon village. Note the names of the two farms toward Highleadon have the medieval title of Middletown commonly given to settlements on estates with two or more settlements. Much of the wider landscape would have been given over to sheep grazing. MAP2

Highleadon (Hyneledene) in the Eighteenth Century: Note a) the format of the tenancies b) their equality and c) the distribution of cottages (and Inn) at Green End. The medieval parish roads and their pattern of layout are clearly indicated. MAP3

Highleadon in the Nineteenth Century (1837)

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