Brimsmore Tree Farm

Brimsmore tree fARM

A small arable farm alongside the Dorchester Road

 

Early information regarding Brimsmore Tree Farm is somewhat scarce. The 1589 Terrier in referring to the boundaries of the 'Middle Field at Kingstone' states "From Marshweeche to Brimsmore Tree and from thence to Picked Weech.... Ashley from Brimsmore Tree up to Snelling Cross near the Windmill and from thence to Torne Way and from Thorne Way to the said Brimsmore Tree".

The 1589 Terrier in referring to the boundaries of the great West Field states "19ac are meadow lying at Brimsmore in Dampiers Meadow and Andrews Meadow, the rest arable lying in Guardons Close at Brimsmore.... In the Field in the same Furlong to Gold Thorne 3ac all bounding upon Brimsmore Moor 6ac lying together bounding upon William King's close next to Brimsmore Way...."

In her will of 1754, spinster Anne Markes wrote "... my Close of Meadow or Pasture called Winterhay lying at or near a Place called Brimsmore Tree ..." and "... one Ground called Little Brimsmore...".

The 1753-1810 Minute Book of the Turnpike Commissioners, under the heading 'The Turnpike Road belonging to Yeovil' noted "From Brimsmore Tree to the Cross Road leading to Thorne, 3f 16p."

The Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, in its edition of 14 February 1827 noted in the death notices "On Monday week, after a short illness, at Brimsmore Tree Farm, near Yeovil, Mr T Dampney, aged 42."

The 1832 Register of Voters noted Joseph Brook; Occupier of Brimsmore Tree Farm.

In its edition of 19 November 1850, the Sherborne Mercury reported the case of 'Crocker v Brook'. The plaintiff was one William Crocker, described as "one of the best known characters of the town" who made regular appearances before the bench. The defendant was Joseph Brook.

The Sherborne Mercury reported as follows "In this case the plaintiff, who is a horse jockey, well known at Yeovil, summoned the defendant, a highly respectable farmer, residing at Brimsmore Tree Farm, near this town, for £4 16s for the keep of a horse during 16 weeks, at 6s per week.... It appeared that Mr Brook had employed Crocker to break in a colt, and in doing so the latter managed to break its knees.  Brook then desired him to sell the colt as soon as its knees were healed. Instead of selling it for cash, Crocker "chopped" it away for a mare " a regular kicker" and £8 " to boot." It transpired that Crocker kept part of the cash back for himself allegedly for the trouble he had taken. The defence attorney, Mr Vining, ridiculed the idea of a large farmer like Mr Brook, living in the immediate neighbourhood, making an agreement with a horse breaker to keep a horse at six shillings a week. The judge agreed and Crocker lost the case."

Joseph Brook retired in 1878 at which time Brimsmore Tree Farm, totalling 70a 2r 4p, was sold to draper and wine merchant Joseph Penny (1821-1904) for £7,850 (around £4.5 million at today's value).

Joseph Brook died on 20 February 1882 in Yeovil. His will was proved by his son Robert Smith Brook, a wholesale stationer of London. His estate was valued at £2,340 18s 10d (around £300,000 at today's value).

The 1881 census recorded Joseph Penny, his wife Mary née Dunn (1822-1896), a visitor and two servants. 60-year-old Joseph gave his occupation as "Wine Merchant & Farmer". Joseph and Mary were still living at the farm at the time of the 1901 census in which Joseph gave his occupation simply as a farmer.

Joseph Penny died at Brimsmore Tree Farm on 20 October 1904. His will was proven the following November and his effects valued at £14,839 6s 8d (around £1.6 million at today's value).

The next tenant was a Mr AL Griffin, but I could find no further information, other than he quit the farm in 1916.

Brimsmore Tree Farm "the estate of Joseph Penny, deceased" was sold in May 1919. The next owner or tenant appears to have been a Mr E Stanley Young, but again I could find no further information.

 

MAP




The Brimsmore Tree Farm lands from the 1842 Yeovil Tithe Map.

Above, is an extract of the 1842 Yeovil Tithe Map with, shaded light green, the parcels of land farmed by Joseph Brook as a tenant of Brimsmore Tree Farm. It is not known if all the parcels formed part of Brimsmore Tree Farm but unlikely. Thorne Lane runs across the centre of the map, while Tintinhull Road runs from bottom right to top left.

The nine coloured diamonds, both on the map above and in the schedule below, indicate the owners (other than John Winter) of the parcels farmed by Joseph Brook.

Owner Parcel Parcel Name Use Area
John Ryall Mayo  u 1332 Great Ashley Pasture 13a 2r 0p
John Ryall Mayo  u 1333 Ashley Mead Meadow 5a 0r 14p
John Ryall Mayo  u 1334 Little Ashley Pasture 4a 1r 30p
John Winter 1356 Lockyer's Ground Pasture 9a 1r 9p
John Winter 1357 Quarry Ground Pasture 10a 3r 15p
John Winter 1358 Brimsmore Tree Ground Meadow 5a 2r 20p
John Winter 1359 Five Acres Arable 4a 1r 20p
John Winter 1360 Middlingwood Pasture 8a 3r 20p
John Winter 1361 Andrews Hill Pasture 7a 3r 7p
John Winter 1362 Cullom's Moor Meadow 5a 3r 10p
John Winter 1388 House, Garden & Orchard Meadow 5a 0r 0p
John Winter 1391 Lower Waldrons Pasture 5a 3r 20p
John Winter 1393 Higher Waldrons Arable 5a 0r 24p
Robert Donn  u 1394 Lower Nobles Nap Pasture 4a 3r 0p
Mary Phelps  u 1395 Linswell Pasture 5a 0r 0p
John Winter 1396 Linswell Pasture 3a 1r 19p
Robert Donn  u 1397 Higher Nobles Nap Pasture 4a 1r 30p
Mary Phelps  u 1410 Brimsmore Tree Pasture 5a 2r 0p
Henry Coward  u 1411 Higher Larkhill Lane Pasture 7a 2r 26p
John Winter 1412 Fir Tree Ground Pasture 3a 3r 7p
John Winter 1414 French Grass Ground Pasture 3a 1r 10p
John Winter 1419 Thorney Bush Arable 5a 2r 0p
Henry Coward  u 1422 Sealey's Mead Meadow 6a 0r 15p
John Winter 1443 Lower Larkhill Lane Pasture 2a 0r 10p

 

For details on historic land measurement (ie acres, roods and perches) click here.

 

GALLERY




Courtesy of Somerset Council

Brimsmore Tree Farm photographed in 1983. Joseph Brook spent his whole career here as the tenant farmer - probably from around the time of his marriage in 1829 until his retirement

 

A report from the 28 July 1849 edition of the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, describing the loss of a hayrick through fire.

 

The notice of sale in the 3 December 1853 edition of the Salisbury and Winchester Journal in which Joseph Brook offered his herd for sale. Of interest is the fact that the sale was "in consequence of his quitting the adjoining farm, on which the dairy is kept." Which adjoining farm is yet to be discovered.

 

... and the 24 December 1853 edition of the Bristol Mercury reported the sale raised a total of £865 10s 0d (in excess of £110,000 at today's value).

 

The notice of sale of Brimsmore Tree Farm from the 30 May 1919 edition of the Western Gazette.

 

Another sale, with acreage now halved to 30 acres, as advertised in the 9 April 1959 edition of Country Life.