Lacey Green Farm

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Research by Joan West. (put 'farm' into Search for other farms) (put 'gone' into Search for other properties no longer here)

LACEY GREEN FARM

The cottages and buildings of Lacey Green Farm have gone, but the land is still there.   It lies on the east side of the New Road, built in 1939 from Lacey Green to Walters Ash, between Slad Lane and the Smalldean crossroads.

THE LAND

The land was in one rectangular block, consisted of 5 closes (fields) known as Pettifer’s, or Home Meadow and orchard, Welch’s Meadow, Welche’s Arable Field and 2 pieces of arable land called Loosley’s Closes in total 28 acres.

BUILDINGS

Field purchased by R M West & Son in 1982(land part of Lacey Green Farm)

There were 4 cottages and a barn, never a farmhouse.  It is possible that the buildings, long abandoned, were cleared when the New Road was constructed. All that now remains are a few trees.(2021)

1796 PURCHASE by THOMAS DELL

In 1796 it was purchased by Thomas Dell (1736-1811).   This was unusual because most of the land here belonged to the Manor of Princes Risborough.    Loosley Row, Lacey Green and Speen were the three Upper Hamlets of the parish of Princes Risborough at that time.    Thomas had first come here when he bought Vine Cottage in 1775 and set up shop.   He then rented Stocken Farm from the Manor, farming it, his own Lacey Green Farm and Speen Farm (also purchased).   He took out loans for everything, all of which he paid off.   In 1811 Thomas Dell left all his property to his widow Ann Dell, to be inherited by their son Thomas Dell Jnr. on Ann’s death (1827).

FROM BAD TO WORSE

Thomas Jnr. was living at Speen Farm.   Things went from bad to worse for Thomas, jnr.   He took out mortgages in 1828, 1830, 1831, and 1834.

Research Note. Dennis Claydon was told by older local residents that it was understood that Thomas Dell had got into debt funding a dispute over land or hedges that culminated in a case in Court. Research has not yet found documentary evidence of this. However the following affidavit does suggest that something was certainly going on. (a copy of the affidavit is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

28th July 1834. Affidavit by Samuel Smith of Speen in the Parish of Princes Risborough in the County of Buckingham labourer maketh Oath and saith that he was born at Speen aforesaid that he is sixty eight years of age and hah lived at Speen aforesaid all his life And this Deponent further saith that he knows the piece of Land at Lacey Green in the Parish of Princes Risborough aforesaid called "Up Green or Roundabout" containing about four acres the property of Thomas Dell of Speen Farm at or adjoining to Speen aforesaid Yeoman and have known the same from the time he was a boy And this deponent further saith that during the whole of such time such piece of land has been successively in the possession of Thomas Dell the Father of the said Thomas Dell, Ann Dell the Mother of the said Thomas Dell and the said Thomas Dell the Son as owners and proprietors thereof And this deponent further saith that he hath been informed and believe that a small portion of the said piece was many years since inclosed from the waste or common land there but this Deponent saith that such piece of land must have been inclosed for a longer period than fifty years since for during the said period of fifty years last the said piece of land hath been of the same shape and size that it is at present And this Deponent further saith the five fields or pieces of land lying together adjoining each other at or near Darvills Hill in the Parish of Princes Risborough aforesaid the Property and in the occupation of Thomas Dell of Speen Farm in the Parish f Princes Risborough aforesaid and containing together about twenty eight acres and also the four cottages or tenements two barns stable and a cart house standing and being on part and at the front thereof next the residence and premises of Mrs Shard and which and which said twenty eight acres of land and premises are distant from Speen aforesaid about one mile and are called or known by the names of Pettifers or Petiffers and Newells and are in a triangular form and bounded at one end and on one side thereof by a road leading from High Wycombe by Walters As to Lacey Green and on the other side by a footpath or way leading from the said Road through lands belonging to the said Mrs Shard to Lacey Green aforesaid And this Deponent further saith that he hath known such pieces of land all his life or so long thereof as can remember and that he distinctly remembers the same together with the said Cottages or Tenements Barns Stable and Cart House to have for upwards of the last thirty eight years been in the successive uninterrupted and peaceable possession of Thomas Dell the Father of the said Thomas Dell of Speen Farm aforesaid Ann Dell the Mother of the said Thomas Dell the Son and the said Thomas Dell the Son as Owner and Proprietor thereof And this Deponent further saith to the best of his recollection and belief such twenty eight acres of Land were formerly divided into a greater number of fields but since the same land came into the possession of the said Thomas Dell the Father some of the hedges have been grubbed up and such twenty eight acres of Land now lie in five fields only two of which are Meadow and the other three are arable And this Deponent further saith that the said five fields Barns Stables and Cart house are now in the occupation of the said Thomas Dell the Son and the said four Cottages or Tenements are in the respective occupation of the tenants of the said Thomas Dell the Son.

Samuel Smith sworn at the Borough of Chepping Wycombe in the County of Buckingham this twenty eighth day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty four before me. John Parker A Master Extraordinary in Chancery

In 1837 the mortgagees foreclosed and all Thomas Dell Jnr’s properties were put up for auction, including Lacey Green Farm.

SALE ADVERTISEMENT 29^TH SEPTEMBER 1837

Sale under power of sale by mortgagee of Thomas Dell, Jnr., who is quitting the farm.

SCHEDULE 28 acres of rich arable, orchard and meadow land with barn, stabling and other outbuildings, together with four brick-built and tiled cottages, in the occupation of John Janes, Joseph Addaway, James Stone and Thomas Ives. (a copy of this advertisement is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

1841 CENSUS of the 4 cottages

Thomas Ives 70, John Janes 30 and wife Rhoda, Isiah ? 95, Phebe Hawes 17, Richard Tilby 18.

1851 CENSUS of the four cottages

Jacob Janes 50 and wife, Hannah.  3 cottages adjoining unoccupied.

A LETTER FULL OF CLUES and QUESTIONS

In 2000 Dennis Claydon, via the Parish Council, received a letter from Stuart Martin of New Zealand enclosing a letter dated 11^th Nov.1845, referring to Charles Brown of Stocken Farm and Lacey Green Farm.  Mr Martin's was curious  He knew of no British ties. It was given to him by his Indian born grandfather who later emigrated to New Zealand.

The Letter Reads. “On the 6^th September last we wrote to you, to say that unless the business was forthwith brought to a close Mr Brown (Charles Brown) would lose the season for sowing, etc. and if such were the case it would be owing to the vendors delay and they would have to make Mr. Brown compensation for the loss he might sustain. Mr Brown has just been with us and informed us that since Michaelmas last the lands and premises have been wholly neglected and unproductive, and that the late tenant Mr Douglas is carrying away the wheat, straw and chaff therefrom and not bringing back manure in return, which is contrary to the rules of good husbandry and that the gates, fences, etc. are being destroyed and taken away without check or hindrance on the part of the vendors.

Now if the vendors contemplate Mr Brown paying interest under his contract they must of course in discharge of their duty so long as he is out of possession, properly cultivate and manage the estate themselves so as to promote and secure to him the due and proper benefit thereof.   And it is also their duty to see that their tenant does what he ought to do in reference to his late tenancy and according to the rules of good husbandry and the custom of the County.

With respect however to the vendors themselves entering upon the cultivation and management of the estate, we would suggest that Mr. Brown be at liberty immediately to enter thereon for that purpose.  And if eventually the contract be put an end to, that in such case the vendors should repay to Mr. Brown all monies which he shall have spent on it.

We shall be glad to hear from you in reply to this letter, and to the suggestion with the least possible delay---and remain Sir,       Your obedient servant        Parker and Sons,    High Wycombe” ( a copy of this letter is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

CONCLUSION

Mr Charles Brown could not have bought Lacey Green Farm, as the farm was sold again in 1858, once again by direction of the mortgagee.  (Mr Brown continued to farm and buy other property for another 30 years.)  

SALE ADVERTISEMENT for LACEY GREEN FARM in the Bucks Herald

To be sold by Auction on Friday 10^th December 1858 at The Red Lion Hotel, High Wycombe. By direction of the mortgagee under power of sale.

A compact and Desirable Freehold & Tithe-free Estate situate at Lacey Green, known as Lacey Green Farm.

THREE ENCLOSURES (formerly Five) of capital meadow and arable land known as Pettifer’s or Home Meadow and orchard, Welch’s meadow, Welch’s Arable Field and two pieces of arable land called Loosley’s Closes, containing together about 28 acres, now in the occupation of Mr. Willett (farm manager of Grymsdyke Estate)

Also FOUR BRICK and TILED TENEMENTS with woodhouses and gardens adjoining, and a detached Garden, in the several occupations of Jacob Janes (late Robert Rixon), Mary Gomme, and James Horwood.

TIMBER The timber to be taken by valuation

Particulars may be had at the Cross Keys, Princes Risborough, the place of sale, of Messrs Nash and Reynolds, Solicitors, and at the office of the Auctioneer, High Wycombe. ( a copy of this advertisement is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall)

CONCLUSION, bearing in mind that Lacey Green Farm was sold by power of the mortgagee.

1858 was the year of the death of Sarah Shard the owner of the Grymsdyke Estate. At the time of the sale in 1858 the farmer occupying Lacey Green Farm was Mr Willett, the farm manager of the Grymsdyke Estate. As Mr Willett continues to farm the land it seems that it had been owned by Sarah Shard and sold on her death. It is interesting to note that it is sold by power of the mortgagee..   This land adjoined the land of Grymsdyke.

1861 CENSUS    Abraham Willett 56 farm manager Grymsdyke Estate.   Owners Executors of Sarah Shard.

1871 CENSUS    Abraham Willett 66 farm manager Grymsdyke Estate.  Owner W A Thomas

1871 CENSUS    The four cottages no longer appear on the census

1881 CENSUS Thomas Poulton, 37, farm manager 197 acres Grymsdyke Estate.  Owner John Forrest

1891 CENSUS Thomas Poulton 48, farm manager Grymsdyke Estate

1910  DEATH of JOHN FORREST.   The executors put the Estate up for sale.

Further research will include :----

LATER R.M.WEST AND SON BOUGHT FROM GRYMSDYKE ESTATE when Robert King sold up