Well End Farm Occupiers

Well End Farm, Well End, by Little Marlow.

Note: occupiers in those days are not often the same as the owners.

1837- a mixed farm with cows and poultry and crops of corn, peas, potatoes, clover, vetch, oats and barley.

1851- Unclear who is the farmer but a cottage at the farm was occupied by agricultural labourer Joseph Smith and his wife Eliza.

1861-84. James Fryer. Wife Catherine. In 1861 James was farming 225 acres and employed 6 men and 4 boys. By 1881 that had risen to 400 acres with 7 men and 6 boys employed. In 1868 James advertises for a steady, sober, married man to join him as a shepherd, with a cottage to be provided for his use.  Fined for failing to inform authorities that he had foot and mouth disease on his farm in 1871. A boy employed by him, Ernest Hayes, charged with stealing money given to him to buy tar with in 1884. Note in early 1880s butcher and cattle dealer David Andrews also farmed 26 acres of land at Well End. David was previously at Abbey Farm, Little Marlow.

1895-1906. William John Rolphe. Late deceased in 1907. Executors sold off his stock. He also had Pigeon House Farm Little Marlow at some point.

1908-1915 Herbert Lane. Wife Ellen. Dairy farm where own butter made. Moved from Benwell dairy farm Bix, near Henley. Advertised 1914 in the Reading Mercury for a carter whose son would work as under carter. Successful applicant would get a cottage and garden to live in. Herbert and Ellen seem to have had great trouble retaining staff both on the farm and in the house as maids. Quiet, rural location may have put some employees off. In 1911 Harry Bogden, probably a milkman, employed at the farm was accused of absconding with 3 shillings 6 pence of Herbert's. He was found guilty but bound over only at the appeal for mercy of Herbert. The theft was put down to Harry having a drinking problem affecting his behaviour [Reading Mercury 27th May 1911, via the British Library and BNA collaboration].

1920 - Charles Lane

Farm occupier listings come from property records, adverts, wills, letters, censuses court cases and more.

Ongoing research more will be added when I can.

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