1827-1910 Stocken Farm with Charles Brown and John Forrest
From Lacey Green History
this item is listed in Social Snapshots 1900-1968 inc under date 1910
click Farms for records of other farms
Research by Joan West
click Stocken Farm for other records of the farm
...continued from Stocken Farm with landlord Lord Cavendish
Prior to 1827 Stocken Farm, or Stocking Farm, as it was previously spelt (Stocking meaning a 'clearing') had always been leased out. For many years it was part of the Manor of Princes Risborough, then for a short while owned by Lord George Henry Cavendish, both of whom leased it to tenants.
Charles Brown purchased Stocken Farm Lacey Green at auction in 1827.
Researcher's Note. Charles was to be a significant player in the development of the local area. He not only lived in Lacey Green, but actually farmed himself throughout his long life. He invested in local properties and made generous contributions to school and church. click Charles Brown for his life history
Advertised for sale by auction 10th July 1827, by Messrs Driver at The Hart, Bartholomew Lane, London, opposite the Bank of England
Specification. Freehold Estate (Tithe Free), Situate at Lacey Green in the parish of Princes Risborough, About Five miles from High Wycombe and Two from Risborough.
Stocking Farm containing one hundred and twenty six acres, of very useful Meadow and Arable Land, together with Farm House, Three Barns, Granary, Stables, and other out-buildings.
The whole is in the occupation of Mr James Dell, a Yearly Tenant.
Stocken Farm was purchased by Charles Brown - the first private owner to live there.
Researcher's Speculation. From time to time in its long history Stocken Farmhouse had been updated. Although Charles Brown purchased it in 1827 he is not recorded as living there until the census of 1841. Was some work done to the house during this time?
An extension to a timber framed barn was added in 1830, the date being carved on a beam.
1831 Census. There is nobody recorded at Stocken Farm
1841 Census. Stocken Farm. Charles Brown, 45, farmer, single, with Sarah Brown & Araminta Brown, older sisters, and Francis Powel 18, his niece are living with him.
In 1848 Charles Brown purchased at auction Smallridge Wood, 55 acres, 3 roods. 35 perches. The trees had all been grubbed up and sold by the 1880s. click The Grubbin for more.
1851 census. Stocken Farm. Charles Brown, 55, farmer, 347 acres, including some rented land. 18 labourers.
1861 census. Stocken Farm. Charles Brown, 65, farmer, 210 acres, employing 6 men 4 boys
In 1877, Charles Brown, aged 81, decided to retire. He advertised the farm to let in the Bucks Herald with a sale of the live and dead stock to be held at the farm on 15th October 1877.
Sale Advertisement from the Bucks Herald. The whole of LIVE and DEAD FARMING STOCK
6Horses, 4 Cows, a 2 year old Bull, 60 sheep, 2 pigs, 3 Wagons, 3 carts, 3 Iron Ploughs, Iron Harrows, Scarifiers, Rolls, Horse Hoes, Corn Drills, Turnip Drill, 4-horse-power Gear Work, Threshing Machine by Ransome & Sims, Chaff and Winnowing Machines, Weighing Machines, Turnip Cutters, Sheep Cribs and Troughs, Cow Cribs, Ladders, Cart and Plough Harnesses, Tools of husbandry, Barn Tackle and effects.
In 1878 Charles Brown had still not found a tenant for Stocken Farm so it was advertised again in the Bucks Herald.
September 21st 1878 Advertisement. STOCKINGS FARM, LACEY GREEN. TO BE LET and may be entered on immediately. It comprises about 170 acres of good stock land.
1878 Stocken Farm Sold. When the farm still did not find a tenant, Charles Brown agreed to sell for £8,250, to John Forrest of Grymsdyke. Click John & Evelyn Forrest for their histories
1878 Stocken Farm. Owner John Forrest, who lived at Grymsdye.
Research Note. Stocken Farm had the six underground water tanks, collecting rainwater from the roofs. John Forrest had them connected to tanks at Grymsdyke to take any overflow.
John Forrest had three farms, but his farm bailiffs lived at Stocken Farm
First 1878 (?) living at Stocken Farm was ? Poulton, farm bailiff
1903 at Stocken Farm was John Crook, farm bailiff
1907 at Stocken Farm was William Redding, farm bailiff
1911 at Stocken Farm was James Fletcher, farm bailiff to executors of John Forrest.
Mrs Wyatt, daughter of George & Annie Floyd said that John Crook was condidered a superior type. He had two daughters - Edith walked with a stick and was a supplimentary teacher at Lacey Green School. Mr and Mrs Redding had a daughter Connie who impaled her leg on the fence at the school, also a son, Jack. John Forrest had a well dug at Grymsdyke, first to 303 feet, then later 48 feet further. He laid the pipe-line connecting the water tanks at Stocken Farm to those at Grymsdyke. His gardener Mason lived opposite Grymsdyke in one of Grymsdyke Cottages. The under-gardener George Floyd (Mrs Wyatt's father) lived at Lane Farm, ( one of John Forrest's farms) in church Lane for 16 years. (click Farms for list of other farms)
In 1885 John Forrest built a pair of semi-detached houses in the front meadow of Stocken Farm. They were back to back, sideways on to the Main Road in Lacey Green. They were called Graham Cottages.
John Forrest died in March 1910 in Cheltenham
1911, 22nd June. A programme of Festivities was held in Home Field at Stocken Farm to commemorate the Coronation of King George V. with permission of the executors of John Forrest.
This item is listed in Social Snapshots 1900-1968 inc
The following is the programme of celebrations at Stocken Farm 22nd June 1911. (click Celebrations for other similar events)
12.30pm Cricket Match. Winner Cricket Ball value of 5 shillings (25p)
12.45pm Assembly of Children of Lacey Green School. Procession to “The Mill” headed by the Naphill Band
“Flag of Britain” sung by Lacey Green School. "Three cheers” for the King.
Return to Stocken Farm
Band will play GOD SAVE THE KING
2.30pm Morris Dances and Maypole Dances by Children of Speen, Loosley Row and Lacey Green schools
3.00pm Children’s tea - Free to Parishioners, Visitors 6d.
4.00pm Adult’s tea - Free to Parishioners, Visitors 1/3d
Sports |
1.30pm |
Children’s Races |
Prizes | ||||
| Three Legged Race, boys under 14 | 1/6d | 1/-d | 6d | ||||
| Three Legged Race, girls under 14 | 1/6d | 1/- | 6d | ||||
| Egg and Spoon Race, women | 2/- | 1/6 | 1/- | ||||
| Egg and Spoon Race, boys under 14 | 1/- | 9d | 6d | ||||
| Egg and Spoon Race, girls under 14 | 1/- | 9d | 6d | ||||
| 3.00pm | Half mile Handicap, Men | 4/- | 2/6 | 1/6 | |||
| Old Folk`s Race, Men 60-70 | 2/6 | 1/6 | 1/- | ||||
| Old Folk’s Race, Women 60-70 | 2/6 | 1/6 | 1/- | ||||
| Stone Picking Race, Men | 2/- | 1/6 | 1/- | ||||
| Stone Picking Race, Women | 2/- | 1/6 | 1/- | ||||
| Slow Cycle Race, Women | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
| Slow Cycle Race, Men | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
| High Jump, Open | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
| Needle Race, Girls under 14 | 1/- | 9d | 6d | ||||
| Boot and Coat Race, Boys under 14 | 1/- | 9d | 6d | ||||
| Skipping Race, Girls under 14 | 1/- | 9d | 6d | ||||
| Sack Race, Boys under 16 | 1/- | 1/6 | 1/- | ||||
| Hurdle Race 150 yards Men | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
| Stilt Race, Boys under 16 | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
| Old Folk’s Race, over 70 men | First in 1/6d, last in 1/0-d | ||||||
| Old Folk’s Race over 70 women | First in 1/6d, last in 1/0-d | ||||||
| 100 yards Handicap, Women | 2/- | 1/6d | 1/-d | ||||
| Hat Trimming Competition, Men | 2/- | 1/6d | 1/-d | ||||
| Obstacle Race, Men | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
| Obstacle Race, Boys under 16 | 2/- | 1/6d | 1/-d | ||||
| Tug of War, team of 11 a side | Winners 1/- each | ||||||
| Cock Fighting | 3/- | 2/- | 1/- | ||||
No competitor may win more than two 1st prizes and one more (this will be a third prize).
6.00pm Speeches from Waggon
7.30pm Distribution of prizes, medals and mugs by Mrs W. Robson. The Naphill Band will play at
intervals
9.00pm GOD SAVE THE KING
For details of the celebration click 1911 Coronation Celebrations.
September 1911 STOCKEN FARM SOLD
September 1911. Conveyance. William Saunders purchased Stocken Farm, now including ‘Graham’ Cottages, for £3,400, from the executors of John Forrest.
Research Note. In 1878 John Forrest had paid £8,250 for Stocken Farm, added 2 houses, and sold losing £4850, 33 yrs later)
to continue the history of Stocken Farm click Stocken Farm with William Saunders