Research Note File: BH Cheapside.doc, St Albans Cheapside Farm - Sandridge Prepared by Chris F. Reynolds 2000 Summary IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a working document recording information being collected for proposed publications on the area of St Albans, Herts. It has been prepared for my own use, to enable exchange of information with fellow historians, and to make it eventually possible to deposit a record of my research in a suitable depository. It will be updated as new information is collected and the date at the bottom of each page indicates when it was last modified. Please remember that this collection of information is copyright, and if material is used full acknowledgement should be made of this document and the original source. Chris Reynolds. 13 March 2000 BH Cheapside.doc
Cheapside Farm John King (60808) was farming Cheapside in 1800, when he was overseer for Sandridge, and continued until his death in September, 1805. He was succeeded by Joseph Beaumont (60588), who was there in 1807 and 1817, when he was stonewarden for Sandridge. He was also People s warden in 1809, overseer in 1810, and stone warden in 1817. Robert Smith (6523) rented the farm in 1819 from John Smith, farming Cheapside and Bernard s Heath jointly in 1843, but had moved residence to Heath Farm by 1841. [SEE HF- SMITH for details] In the 1851 census George Dickinson (40535) was farming Cheapside - which was 228 acres in extent - with 10 men. He continued there until his death in November 1862. His widow Susannah Dickinson (40546) appears to have taken over, as she was a parish overseer in 1864 and stone warden in 1865. While she did not die until 1893 her son Richard Dickinson (40557) farmed Cheapside from about 1870 until shortly before his death in 1897. By this time the size had increased to 302 acres The next tenant was Arthur John Reynolds (264) whose gift ploughing for the new tenant was held in October 1896. He continued there well into the current century. He fought in the Boer War and returned to farm at Cheapside, and also Hammonds End, Harpenden, until at least the 1920 s. He retired to live in Hall Park Gardens where he died in 1959. Summary of information from the CODIL data base # # # # # Early 18th c tithe returns show a John Smith - but no location. An undated return also shows Jonathan Cox for ye Berry 19:00:00: for Cheepside Land 4:00:00: Sandridge Tithe Returns, Northamptonshire Records Office # # # # # 1721: John Smith the Elder, of Beech Hyde, admitted to Leacys Farm, otherwise Cheapside on 3rd November, 1721. 1742: John Smith and Ann his wife - Leacy s otherwise Cheapside, to Henry Gregory, gent, in order to make recovery. 1758: Surrender farm to son John Smith, and Ann Judith Smith, his wife. 1768: Son John dies January 1768, leaving Ann (wife), sons William, John and Richard, and daughters Ann, Rebeca and Elizabeth. 1772: William Smith dies??: John marries Sarah and has son John??: by the time John (junior) is 4 both his parents are dead 1778: On 27th August 1778 John Smith (infant) is admitted to Leacys Farm, otherwise Cheapside, his uncle, Francis Lewin of Bushey Hall, mealman, is guardian. Sandridge Court Book (1742, 1758, 1778), Northamptonshire Records Office Sandridge Court Book (7th February, 1815), Northamptonshire Records Office 13 March 2000 Page 2 BH Cheapside.doc
1817: Conditional surrender by John Smith, Cheapside, City of London, Warehouseman, and Elizabeth his wife. Consideration 1567 17s in 3% Consolidated Bank Annuity, John Clarke of Sandridgebury. Premises Lacey s otherwise Cheapside Farm, occupied by John Smith, afterwards John King, then Joseph Beaumont. Sandridge Court Book (22nd April, 1817), Northamptonshire Records Office 1818: Further loan of 1000 by John Clarke to John Smith and wife. Robert Smith has now taken over from Joseph Beaumont. Sandridge Court Book (26th November, 1818), Northamptonshire Records Office 1822: Death of John Clarke [complex estate, details not noted]. Satisfaction of conditional surrender from John Smith to John Clarke relating to Learys/Cheapside. Conditional surrender by John Smith, late of Cheapside, and Elizabeth his wife to Benjamin Collier(?). Sandridge Court Book (27th June, 1822), Northamptonshire Records Office 1824: Satisfaction of conditional surrender from John Smith to Benjamin Cotton. Sandridge Court Book (14th October, 1824), Northamptonshire Records Office 1827: Mr Robert Smith of Cheapside surrender of lands. [See Robert Smith, Heath Farm] Sandridge Court Book (30th November, 1829), Northamptonshire Records Office 1833: John Smith, of Bedford Row, Middlesex, of Cheapside Farm, occupied by Robert Smith. Morgage to Anna Martina Brown Fowler. etc. Sandridge Court Book (?? 1833), Northamptonshire Records Office 1837: John Smith, Inner Temple, London, Esq., & Elizabeth his wife, on 11th August 1836. Agreement with Richard Poole about Leary s Farm, otherwide Cheapside. Former tenants John Smith, John King, Joseph Beaumont and Robert Smith. Henry Davis Poole, 2nd son of Richard Poole, admitted. Sandridge Court Book (16th June, 1837), Northamptonshire Records Office 1842: John Smith, late of Inner Temple, London, now of Milton, Cambridgeshire, and Susan his wife, admitted John George Shaw Lafevre to Cheapside Farm. Robert Smith (of 10th part) was tenant. [Unscramble from complex original if needed.] Sandridge Court Book (14th October, 1842), Northamptonshire Records Office 1846: A Rate and assessment made Feb y 26 th 1846 by the churchwardens & other inhabitants of the Parish of Sandridge for the expenditure of the Churchwardens at two pence in the Pound. Rateable Rate Value 41 Smith, Tho s 1 Cheapside 127..15..9 1..0..3½ Church Rate for Sandridge, 1846 [HRO] 1865-10-14 Cheapside Farm Auctioned ST. ALBAN S HERTS A VALUABLE FREEHOLD FARM OF ABOUT 107 ACRES In the Parish of St. Michael, about a mile from the town, and a mile-and-a-half from the Railway station, very near the new line now in course of formation by the Midland Company, in a beautiful country, only 23 miles from London, on a main turnpike road, possessing important frontage of nearly a mile, and adjoining the estates of Earl Spencer, Earl Verulam, and Heyman 1 Thomas Smith was Robert Smith s son and he also farmed Street (Pound) Farm. 13 March 2000 Page 3 BH Cheapside.doc
1881 census Toulmin, Esq. It affords a fine opportunity for the erection of a mansion, or for subdivision into building or accommodation lots. MESSRS DEBENHAM, TEWSON, & FARMER Are instructed by the executors under the will of the late Mr. Robert Smith, to Sell by Auction, at the Guildhall Coffee House, on Tuesday, October 24th, 1865, at one punctually. The valuable FREEHOLD FARM, (land tax redeemed,) known as Cheapside, in the parish of St Michael, situate on the turnpike road from St. Alban s to Luton, and comprising about 106a. 3r. 19p., of sound and very fertile arable land, having a dry subsoil, and from the great advantage of its position, and the healthy and popular character of the neighbourhood, being exceedingly eligible for the erection of a first-class mansion, or for division into building or accommodation plots. The estate was occupied by the late proprietor for upwards of 30 years, is now in hand, and will be sold with possession. Particulars, now ready, of Messrs. Thompson and Debenham, solicitors, St. Alban s, and Salter s-hall, E.C.; and of the auctioneers, 80, Cheapside. Dwelling: Sleep Side Farm Census Place: Sandridge, Hertford, England Source: FHL Film 1341347 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 1430 Folio 93 Page 6 Marr Age Sex Birthplace Richard DICKINSON M 43 M Sandridge Rel: Head Occ: Farmer 302 Acres Employing 8 Men & 3 Boys Sophia DICKINSON M 35 F Luton, Bedford Rel: Wife Joseph DANCER M 65 M Luton, Bedford Rel: Father In Law Occ: Farmer 40 Acres 2 Men Louisa DANCER M 63 F Harpenden Rel: Mother In Law Kate BOND U 7 F Hertford Rel: Cousin Lizzie THRUSSEL U 17 F Bendidge Rel: Servant Occ: General Servant George GRAVESTOCK U 17 M Redbourn Rel: Servant Occ: Farm Servant Arther WINCH U 17 M H Hempstead Rel: Servant Occ: Farm Servant 1890-05-24 Breaking Hedges Case before the St Albans Divisional Sessions. Following complaints that one of Mr Richard Dickinson s hedges on Cheapside Farm had been damaged (for firewood), P.C. Birch kept watch in Soot House-lane, and on 12th inst. saw three women pulling pieces out of the hedge. He arrested Polly Molt. James Howard, Marlborough Road, was working nearby, in one of Mr. Reynolds fields, said she had been picking up wood - but had not broken any from the hedge. Mr. Dickinson asked that the courst should be lenient, and a fine of 1s was given. 1891-01-03* Cheapside Farm - poultry FOR SALE. - Four good HEN TURKEYS fit for stock; also a few good GEESE. - Apply at, St Albans. 1891-01-24* Sale of Hay and Straw Advertised sale on 7th February includes Mr R. Dickinson, Cheapside and Mr Woollatt, Beech Hyde. 1891-03-07 Ploughman, Cheapside WANTED, STOCKMAN and PLOUGHMAN: good cottages and 13 March 2000 Page 4 BH Cheapside.doc
garden. Apply R. Dickinson, Cheapside-farm, St Albans. 1891-12-19 Meat for Christmas E. Butler, Butcher, St Peter s Street, St Albans, had for sale at Xmas many prize animals, including those by J. Blundell Maple, H. B. Cox of Pound Farm, R. Dickinson of Cheapside, Mr Byles, Mr Boome, Mrs Betts, Charles Dickinson and Mr Dell. 1896-10-16! Gift Ploughing, Cheapside GIFT Ploughing at Cheapside Farm... when A J Reynolds took the tenancy - with list of farmers sending ploughing teams. Hertfordshire Standard [Rose Mary Martin Scrapbook] 1897-11-27 Cheapside Farm Destructive Fire - with sketch - Tenant A J Reynolds, landlord Earl Spencer. 1897-11! Cheapside Farm Another, much shorter, account of the fire [Jacob Reynolds Scrapbook - loose cuttings] 1899-04-01 Parish Council Elections For Ward, Messrs A. J. Reynolds, W. Pyne, C. Butcher and F. Streeton [sic] were nominated. The last gentleman demanded a poll, but within the prescribed time Mr A. J. Reynolds notified his wish to retire, and the parish was thereby spared the expense of a contest 1899-07-01 Union Inmates at Cheapside. Mr and Mrs Arthur Jeffries, of Cheapside,, gave an entertainment for 120 inmates of the St Albans Union, together with many notable guests (listed) including Mr. J Reynolds and family. Tea was served to the inmates in a commodious barn, which was charmingly decorated for the occasion, the use of this place being kindly granted by Mr. Reynolds. 1899-07-29* Theft at Cheapside Henry Hughes, Sandridge had worked on Mr Reynolds Cheapside farm for about a year, stole a small amount of barley. Another employee, William Blain, gave evidence. As it was a first offence, Hughes was bound over for 1 year. 1899-08-05* Sale of Hay Advert for auction of ricks of hay owned by H B Cox, J H Smith, A J Reynolds, J Boyes. 1899-08-19 Rick Fire, Cheapside RICK FIRES NEAR ST ALBANS HEAVY DAMAGE SUSTAINED Farmers whose occupations skirt the lines of railway, at the time of the ripening of their crops, are placed in danger of losses more or less severe by reason of the frequent fires which occur, and which are largely attributed to sparks from passing engines. Several cases of destruction of crops in this way have been recorded of late, and one needs only to travel a very short distance to observe large ricks of charred stubble as the result of falling sparks from passing locomotives. Between St Albans and Luton many of these black patches are to be seen in the fields alongside the railway. Damage of a more serious nature has also been done, for reports have been received of two rather serious rick fires. The first of these occurred upon, in the occupation of Mr. A. J. Reynolds. At 12.30 on Sunday it was discovered that three stacks of wheat straw and two of winter oats had been ignited, presumably by a spark from a passing engine. The fire rapidly got firm hold of the stacks, and in the absence of a plentiful supply of water, attempts to save them were looked upon as futile; and they were therefore allowed to burn out; doing damage to the extent of 23, which is covered by insurance in the Law and Union and Crown Offices. On the same day 1908: In 1908 Mr. A. J. Reynolds proviced facilities for potato experiments [for the County Council] at Cheapside Farm, which included variety tests, comparisons of dung and mixtures of chemical fertilizers, and a comparison of local seed with that from Irish, Scotish and 13 March 2000 Page 5 BH Cheapside.doc
German Sources. Ten tons of London dung per acre cost 50s, and gave an increase of 1 ton of potatoes but as these were only worth 2 per ton there was a loss of 10s. The smallest loss was 1s per acre where 49s was spent on complete artificials and the extra yield was 24cwt. These losses do not allow for any benefits in following years. 2 1916-04-15 Tribunal - Cheapside ENGINE DRIVER AND THATCHER Mr A J Reynolds, Sandridge, (Board of Agriculture Representative at the Tribunal) applied for absolute exemption for an agricultural engine driver and thatcher, aged 36, married. In reply to questions, Mr Reynolds said that he had ten men for 300 acres, but three of them were very old men, and the seven included two cowmen. All his single men - three - had gone to the Army. He was likely to appeal for another ploughman. He had not applied for any of his employees before. Mr Nots[?] said the man s work was a certified occupation. Mr Gape said the question to decide was whether this man, in his certified occupation, would be more useful to his country than in the trenches. Conditional exemption was granted. 2 H. W. Gardner, A Survey of the Agriculture of Hertfordshire, Royal Agricultural Society of England County Agricultural Surveys, 1967. (Chapter 12, County Experimental Work, page 148.) 13 March 2000 Page 6 BH Cheapside.doc