Yeovil's Virtual Museum

Thistlemoor

A 16th century field, now part of the trading estate

 

Tistlemoor, also known as Distlemoor and Ditchelmoor, is a dialectic corruption for thistle, so the field name actually means Thistle Moor. The 1842 Tithe Map shows Thistlemoor running south from Little Lyde and the 1846 Tithe Apportionment noted Parcel "870 In Thistlemoor, meadow." This, when combined with two fields slightly further south (Distlemoor and Mark's Mead or Distlemoor) may indicate that the original medieval Ditchelmoor / Thistlemoor ran alongside the River Yeo all the way from London Road (today's Sherborne Road) as far as the stream south of Reckless Lake. The 1589 Terrier indicates the three great fields - west, middle and east - as shown on the map below, "Eastfields from Meadway Gate the lower part of the way, unto Reckless gate and from thence to the great river and up to Yeo. Bridge being Ditchelmore.... "

In 1794 Wyndham Harbin (2) of Newton Surmaville sold Thistlemoor, with several other plots of land, to William Row of Wick, near Sherborne, Dorset (see Indenture below). At the time of the sale, Jane Whiffen was the tenant of Thistlemoor.

In his will of 1828, William Row stated ".... all that Close of Meadow Ground called Thistle Moor containing five acres and a quarter more or less which I purchased of Wyndham Harbin Esquire....". The 1846 Tithe Apportionment noted that Thistlemoor (Parcel 870) was owned by John Tanner Whiteley Pitcher ('natural' son of William Row) and the tenant was John Brook the Younger. The Apportionment recorded that it was used as meadow for growing hay and measured 4a 0r 10p.

Thistlemoor was bounded on the northwest by East Beachams Close (Parcels 872 and 873) and Grubbins (Parcel 874), on the southwest by Thompson's Close (Parcel 869), on the southeast by the River Yeo and on the northeast by Drang (Parcel 871).

Until relatively recently the western end of the former Thistlemoor was used as allotments but today is occupied by buildings of the industrial estate. The railway runs through the middle of the former field and the northern tip of the sewage treatment works occupies the eastern end.

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

 

This map, based on the descriptions in the 1589 Terrier and the 1846 Tithe Map of Yeovil shows the approximate boundaries of the Manors of Kingston and Hendford as well as the manorial three-field system used in Kingston.

 

A map of the great medieval East Field of Kingston Manor showing conjectured locations of several fields based on descriptions in the 1589 Terrier.

 

This map is based on the 1842 Tithe Map with field names chiefly added from the 1846 Tithe Apportionment. Thistlemoor, at centre, is marked Parcel 870.

 

The 1842 Tithe Map superimposed (roughly) over a modern street map. Bearing in mind the relatively primitive surveying equipment of the 1840s they weren't all that far out.

 

The 1927 Ordnance Survey showing the whole of the Pen Mill - Lyde Lane area.

 

A modern aerial photograph 'borrowed' from Google Maps with the approximate boundaries of Thistlemoor (Parcel 870) outlined in red.

 

This Indenture made the tenth Day of October and in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety four Between Wyndham Harbin of Newton Sur Mavil within the Parish of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Esquire of the one Part and William Row of Wick within the Parish of Bradford in the County of Dorset Gentleman of the other part Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the Sum of five shillings of good and lawful Money of Great Britain to the said Wyndham Harbin in hand paid by the said William Row at or before the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged He the said Wyndham Harbin hath bargained and sold And by these Presents doth bargain and sell unto the said William Row his Executors Administrators and Assigns All that Close of Meadow or Pasture Ground called Thistle Moor containing by Estimation five Acres and a quarter (be the same more of less) situate lying and being within the Parish of Yeovil aforesaid and now in the Possession of Jane Whiffen And also all that Piece or Parcel of Arable Land lying upon Lowse in the East Field of Kingston Juxta Yeovil aforesaid containing by Estimation one Acre (be the same more or less) having the Land of Mr Prowse on the East Side and the Land of the said William Row on the West Side And also all that Piece or Parcel of Arable Land lying also upon Lowse under late Jeremiah Hayne's Hedge containing by Estimation half an acre (be the same more or less) And also all that Piece or Parcel of Arable Land lying in a Close called Settlings in the same East Field containing by Estimation half an acre (be the same more or less) having the Land of the late Mr Lockyer on the East Side and the Land of the said Mr Prowse on the West Side And also all those two acres of Arable Land lying towards Lide in Yeovil aforesaid Between the Land of the said Mr Lockyer on the North Side and the Land of the said Mr Prowse on the South Side all which said Pieces or Parcels of Arable Land are now in the possession of the said William Row And all Woods Underwoods Trees Pastures Feedings Commons Ways Paths Passages Waters Watercourses Easements Profits Commodities Hereditaments and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Close Pieces or Parcels of Land and Premises or any of them or any Part or Parcel thereof belonging or in any wise appertaining And the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders yearly and other Rents Issues and Profits thereof To have and to hold the Close of Meadow or Pasture Ground and the several Pieces or Parcels of Arable Land and Premises hereby bargained and sold or mentioned or intended so to be and every Part and parcel thereof with the Appurtenances unto the said William Row his Executors Administrators and Assigns from the day next before the Day of the Date of these Presents for and during and unto the full End and Term of one whole year from thence next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended Yielding and Paying therefore the yearly Rent of one Pepper Corn at the Expiration of the said Term if the same shall be lawfully demanded To the End Intent and Purpose that by Virtue of these Presents and of the Statute made for transferring Uses into Possession the said William Row may be in the actual Possession of the said Premises and thereby be enabled to accept and take a Grant and Release of the Freehold Reversion and Inheritance of the same Premises and of every Part and parcel thereof to the said William Row his Heirs and Assigns for ever in and by one other Indenture already prepared and intended to bear date the day next after the Day of the Date of these Presents and to be made between the said Wyndham Harbin of the one Part and the said William Row of the other Part In Witness whereof the said parties to these Presents have hereunto set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above written

                                                            Wyndham Harbin

 

Transcribed by Bob Osborn

 

The 1794 indenture selling Thistlemoor to William Row by Wyndham Harbin (2).

 

Wyndham Harbin's seal and signature on the indenture dated 10 October 1794.