A rare picture of Butlers Farm near the 'splash' on Layer Brook called 'Peldon Hole' looking south towards Peldon. Note the pedestrian walkway by the fence on the right indicating the height the water could reach.

The postcard above is the only image I have seen of Butler's Farm in Peldon and even then it is in the background partially masked by trees. The farm was situated down Lodge Lane which originally linked Peldon to the Layer Road which runs between Abberton and Layer de La Haye. In 1936 the lane was stopped up, the farm demolished and the land submerged by Abberton Reservoir.

That there had been a farm in Peldon known as Butler's for centuries is suggested by P.H. Reaney in his Place Names of Essex where he gives the originator of the name as Geoffrey Boteller, a fourteenth century landowner mentioned in the Nonarum Inquisitiones. These were assessments of the agricultural value of each parish made in 1341 (subsequently published in 1807) as a means of financing the wars of Edward III; a ninth of the value of corn, wool and lambs was due to the King. However, with the discovery that the farm once belonged to St. Botolph's Priory and a reference to 'Botolphs Farm in Peldon' in an 1828 will and in a newspaper report in 1866, there is just a possibility the name dates to the priory's ownership rather than to an individual. In the Colchester dialect 'Botolph's' is pronounced 'Buttles'.

Before Abberton Reservoir was built, Peldon and Layer de la Haye shared a land boundary and part of Butler's Farm also extended into Abberton.

It is possible the year Butler's Farm was first granted to St Botolph's Priory, Colchester, is recorded in a document in the National Archives [NA C 143/429/15] which details among other transactions the granting by Thomas Whot and John Hervy of

messuages, land, and rent in Peldon, Abberton, and Layer-de-la-Hay... to the prior and convent of St. Botolph, Colchester, retaining land and rent in the hundred of Winstree, Essex.

Dated 22 Richard II, the year of King Richard II's deposing, the document refers to 22nd June 1398 - 21st June 1399.

No other property in Peldon has been recorded as belonging to St Botolph's Priory so it is likely this does refer to Butler's Farm.

It was quite usual for property to be granted by the monarch or wealthy benefactors to the monasteries from which they received a regular income and no doubt Butler's Farm was one such gift.

Little can be found about either of these local benefactors of St. Botolph's Priory, Thomas Whot or John Hervy, but Mary Hopkirk's Story of Layer de la Haye, probably referring to the same transaction, tells us 28 acres of land in Layer were involved.

In 1399 Richard II licensed Thomas Whot and John Hervy to give the Prior 28 acres. John is the first recorded member of a family which gave its name to Harvey's Farm, and which was to own land in Layer for the next 500 years... These Royal licences were the consequence of the Statute of Mortmain. Edward I, realizing the danger of the increasing wealth of the Church, tried to hinder further gifts, by insisting that the King's permission be obtained first.

Only seven years later in 1406 another document, dating to the reign of Henry IV, records the manors of Layer de la Hay, Peldon and Abberton as belonging to St Botolph's. [British History online: Priory of St Botolph footnote ref: 14 Pat. 7 Hen. IV, pt. 2, m. 25.]

A charter held by the Bodleian library reveals both men, Thomas Whot and John Hervy to have been involved in earlier land transactions in 1377 - 1378 and reveals the former to have been of Layer de la Haye and the latter of Peldon.

Adam Cook of Withermundeforde [Wormingford] grants to Thomas Whot of 'Leyre dil Hay' Thomas Hancepee of  Bergholte Saukevyll, [West Bergholt] and John Hervy of Peldone , 5 acres of land in a field called 'Pyrifeld' in the village of Little Horkeslegh. Dated at Little Horkeslegh, 10 Nov., 1 Rich. II. Charters in the Bodleian Libraries [Ref: Ms.Ch. Essex 61]

Until the Dissolution of the Monasteries, St. Botolph's Priory had been the first and leading Augustinian convent in England. It was established between 1093 and 1100 and Pope Paschal II later confirmed the creation of St Botolph's Priory in a papal bull in August 1116. With this, they became the first and leading Augustinian institution in England.

St Botolph's remained a small foundation and fund-raising must have been hampered by the existence of the more powerful St John's Abbey a few hundred yards to the south. Its relative poverty means construction would have been a slow process, and the details of the west front indicate a completion date of around 1150. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/colchester-st-botolphs-priory/history/

North West View of the Ruins of St Botolph's Priory, from an engraving by A.K. Glover 1824

The document below, held by Essex Record Office, refers to a licence to alienate Butlers (i.e. remove it) from the possession of the priory in 1536; Butler's is referred to as a 'manor' although possibly not in the sense of 'Manor' with capital 'M' which would have manorial courts and a Lord of the Manor.

Deed: [Licence (Letters Patent) to alienate] of Manor of Blind Knights, Rectory, and water-mill called Layer Mill, all in Layer-de-la-Haye; lands called Coles Land and manor of Butlers in Peldon; and Friday Wood and land called Canon Field in W. Donyland [Berechurch]; all formerly belonging to St. Botolph's Priory, Colchester [ERO D/DU 369/4]

This alienation was the result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries when St Botoph's Priory, with all its possessions, was granted by Henry VIII to Sir Thomas Audley (also spelt Audeley and Awdeley).

Audley built up a substantial estate, being granted St Botolph's on 26th May 1536, two days later the priory of Prittlewell, in April 1542 the priory of Colchester and the abbey of Tilty. He also took the opportunity of buying other properties and lands both before and after the Dissolution. His most prized estate was Walden Abbey, the source of his title, which was granted to him in March 1538 and renamed Audley End in 1616 by Thomas Howard, first earl of Suffolk, in honour of Thomas Audley, his grandfather.

Audley made his will on 19 Apr. 1544, he died on 30th April 1544 and was buried in Saffron Walden; the will was proved on 18 February 1545.

The will lists all the property and land held by Thomas Audley at his death [See the text of the relevant section of his will in Appendix 1]

He leaves to his brother, confusingly also called Thomas Audley

.. all that my messuage, lands and tenements called Butlers in Abberton and Peldon with their appurtenances...

He instructs that upon his brother's death Butlers be left to his brother's son, John Audley.

And I will also that immediately after the decease of my said brother all that my said messuage, lands, tenements, rents, reversions and woods called Butlers in Abberton and Peldon aforesaid... with their appurtenances shall be, come and remain to my nephew, John Audley, youngest son of my said brother and to the heirs and assigns of the same John forever. [The Will of Thomas Audley 1544 National Archives PROB 11/31]

The farm was to remain in the ownership of the Audley family although it was occupied and farmed by tenants.

The next documentary evidence I have found is the will of one of those tenants, Raffe Brykenhedd, a gentleman of East Mersea in 1548.

Item I will that myn Executo[ur]s
shall sell the lease of my p[ar]sonage at messinge And also my lease of my ferme at Peldon called Butlers with stocke of Cattall there that is to saye xxi^ti kyne and fyvescore Ewes  [National Archives PROB 11/32/273]

Butler's also appears in a subsequent tenant's will, that of Thomas Merke of Langenhoe, written on 16th September 1559. [ERO D/ACR 5/28 Registered copy of will of Thomas Merke of Langenhoe]

I give my lease of my farm called Butlers in Peldon, Layer-de-la-Haye and Abberton with the profits of the stock of the farm to my executors until [my son] Thomas is 18...

It is clear both men were tenants of the Audleys since Butlers appears in the will of John 'Awdeley', gentleman of Berechurch, written on 21st July 1588 and proved 20th August the same year.

To my cousin Thomas Awdeley of Berechurch my lands and tenements called Butlers in Peldon and Abberton, on condition that he pay to the children of my brother Thomas Awdeley of Gosbeckes deceased... £40 apiece [NA PROB 11/72/683]

No wife or children are mentioned in his will and it would appear his 'cousin' Thomas was in fact his nephew.

John Audley also directs his nephew

to make my farmer Reynold Wakering a lease of Butlers with the stock and store for 15 years at an annual rent of £36, leaving the stock at the end, i.e. 20 milch beasts and 60 mother ewes, in as good case as he shall now receive them.

It is quite likely this John Awdeley was Thomas's nephew, youngest son of brother Thomas. The mention of the tenant farmer, Reynold Wakering, led me to his will which was written on 15th January 1606/7. Wakering lived in Layer de la Haye and from his will it is clear his son, Edward, was farming Butlers. His lease of 15 years specified in the will of John Audley would have run out in 1603 but it is clear the lease had been renewed in the years before Wakering's death.

Wakering leaves his wife their house in Layer de La Haye with all it contains and orders livestock, including some animals from Butlers, to be delivered to her. He makes a monetary bequest to his daughter, Agnes Stead.

I give and bequeath unto my son[n]e Edward Wakeringe all the rest of my goodes as househould stufe ewes[?] sheepe horse hoges haye corne whatsoever deliveringe unto his mother one seame of weate everye yeare for longe as he is farmer of Butlers [ERO D/ACW 4/213]

Butlers has not been found in any subsequent surviving wills of the Audley family or any of their tenants so we now move on to two eighteenth century maps.

On the Chapman and Andre map of 1777, the buildings marked by 'Peldon Hole' appear to be on the wrong side of the lane. It is worth noting that in a nineteenth century newspaper article concerning the bridge at Peldon Hole that the farm is also known by the name of 'Peldon Hole Farm'. Detail from Chapman and Andre.

Again Peldon Hole appears on the map of 1799 this time with the buildings where we know them to have been. Detail from 1799 map. [From www.oldmapsonline.org/en]

The will of William Harvey in 1828 leaves the lease of 'Botolph's Farm' to his three sons, all of whom were Peldon farmers; the farm is by then owned by Matthew Wilson, about whom no biographical detail has been found, and this will is one of only two references found so far to 'Botolph's Farm'. If there were any doubt as to whether this is the same farm as 'Butler's' we find in the auction advertisement the following year, the tenant is a Harvey.

Also I Give and bequeath unto the same Joseph Harvey Benjamin Harvey and
Martin Harvey All that Farm commonly called or known by the name of Botolphs
Farm with the Buildings thereon and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto
belonging and appertaining situate and being in Peldon aforesaid and held by me
under a Lease thereof granted by Mathew Wilson Esquire And all that other Farm
called or known by the Name of the Friday Wood Farm.
The Will of William Harvey 1828 [ERO D/ABW 127/6]

William Harvey also had a lease on Maypole Farm which along with Friday Wood Farm were leased from Sir Henry Smyth, baronet of the Berechurch estate.

The following year Butler's Farm was advertised for sale.

Butler's Farm - A desirable Freehold Estate, situated in the parishes
of Peldon and Aberton, in the county of Essex.
Mr. W W SIMPSON will SELL by AUC-
TION, at the Mart, London, on Tuesday, July 21st, at Twelve,
In One Lot, a compact FREEHOLD ESTATE, known as BUTLER'S
FARM, eligibly situated in the parishes of Peldon and Aberton, near
the excellent market town of Colchester, in the county of Essex. It
comprehends a good farmhouse, suitable agricultural buildings, and
146a 2r 30p of excellent arable and pasture land, including a small
quantity of woodland. The estate is in the occupation of Mr. Harvey,
whose lease expires at Michaelmas next, at a rental of 140l [£140] per annum.
The Morning Herald 29th June 1829

In the 1841 census it is not clear who was leasing the farm. It is likely that the farmer was living elsewhere while the farmhouse was being used to accommodate the workforce.

In 1851 there are two households of agricultural labourers living at Butler's, Henry Pooley's family and Thomas and Elizabeth Cranfield. The following year Elizabeth Cranfield died suddenly from 'dropsy' and the case was reported in the newspaper, describing the farm as an 'off-hand' farm of J Bawtree's.

In 1854 both Butler's and Layer House Farms advertise a Live and Dead stock auction

by Order of John Bawtree, Esq. in consequence of the Farms being let. [Chelmsford Chronicle 15th September 1854]

The stock includes 27 cart horses and colts, nearly 300 sheep and nearly 50 pigs with a quantity of poultry plus a large assortment of farm implements, including wagons, ploughs, and a threshing machine. The sale was to be over two days

The Bawtrees were a well-known family of farmers, maltsters, brewers and bankers, members of which were Justices of the Peace and Deputies Lieutenant. John Bawtree Senior was particularly known for building a brewery at St. Botolph's and for buying many local public houses between 1767 and 1814. He died in October 1824 at Abberton House, Abberton, the home of his son. This son, John Bawtree Junior, succeeded to his father's brewery business and, retiring in May 1827, sold the brewery, along with 15 inns and public houses in Colchester and neighbouring villages to Adolphus William Hume of Reading. John Bawtree Junior first moved to Abberton House before 1824 and died there in 1873.

An indenture made on 29th June 1867 [ERO Badcocks Farm D/DEl T228] describes Butlers Farm and gives a chain of occupation

Secondly All that messuage or tenement together with all those several pieces or parcels of land containing formerly
by estimation One hundred and forty six acres two roods and thirty perches more or less but by a late admeasurement containing One hundred and fifty four acres and sixteen perches
were the same more or less commonly called or known by the name of Butlers Farm situate lying and being in the several Parishes of Peldon Aburton otherwise Abberton and
Layer de la Haye or in some or one of them in the County of Essex and the appurtenances formerly in the occupation of Carlock afterwards of Theophilus Boughey
and John Harrington or one of them and since of Thomas Withey late of Joseph Harvey and then
or late in the occupation of the said John Bawtree

Unfortunately, not enough detail concerning these occupants is given to enable finding more biographical detail. The earliest occupants listed, Carlock, Boughey and Harrington could well take us back into the early 18th century - the document was written at a time when to establish root of title to a property you had to go back 125 years. Thomas Withey (1764 - 1847) seems to have been a shipwright in West Mersea, Joseph Harvey (1787 - 1863) is son of William Harvey whose will in 1828 left 'Botolph's Farm' to his sons. Joseph also farmed both Harvey's Farm and Ransome's in Peldon.

The indenture names a number of people with the surnames Hume and Oxenham who may have been the descendants and extended family of Adolphus William Hume, whom we have already met, formerly a brewer in Reading, Berkshire, who died in 1862. Adolphus William Hume seems to have left Reading circa 1828 and lived for a very short while in Colchester purchasing the Botolph's brewery and a number of inns from John Bawtree in 1830 - did he in fact purchase other properties in the area?

It is not clear how long the Bawtrees had Butler's. Certainly John Bawtree (senior) owned and lived in Badcocks at his death in 1824 which was a farm adjacent to Butlers (and also eventually submerged by Abberton Reservoir). In his will [NA PROB 11/1692/437] he bequeathed all his property, copyhold and freehold, to his son, John but apart from Badcocks, the properties are not named. The earliest reference I have found to the link between his son John and Butler's was in the 1851 report of Elizabeth Cranfield's death. His son, John, was in possession of Butler's at his death in 1873.

As for Bawtree's tenants, Peldon's electoral rolls list Benjamin Clarke as occupant of Butler's Farm from 1855 to 1869. In the 1861 census he is listed as farming in Peldon, and living at Butler's Farm. The deeds of Pete Tye Farm reveal he was tenant of that farm too. He is described as a farmer of 426 acres employing 14 men and 5 boys, no doubt, the acreage includes the land area of both Butlers and Pete Tye Farm along with other farmland. It is likely Pete Tye Farmhouse was occupied by some of Benjamin's farm labourers.

It is during Benjamin Clarke's tenancy of Butler's we find a second reference to 'St Botolph's' Farm

PELDON.- FATAL WAGON ACCIDENT. - On Mon-
day, Nov. 26. as James Osbourne, labourer, in the em-
ploy of Mr. Clark, of St. Botolph's Farm, Peldon, was
returning from Colchester with a wagon-load of lime,
when in the parish of Layer he fell off the wagon, which
passed over his head, killing him on the spot. Deceased,
who was about 40 years of age, and a very steady man,
leaves a wife and nine children to deplore his untimely
end. [Chelmsford Chronicle 7th December 1866]

On 16th April 1868 Benjamin's son, William Clarke, a farmer in Fingringhoe, was the successful bidder at auction for Pete Tye Farm, bidding £3,375, and Benjamin sold all his Live and Dead stock at Butler's Farm by auction on Thursday 24th September 1868 [Essex Herald 15th September 1868]

By the 1871 census, Benjamin and his wife were farming in Toppesfield and in 1881, in retirement, were living in Layer de La Haye with their son, William, and family.

Living at Butler's Farm in the 1871 census was Thomas Pilgrim, aged 44, a farmer of 370 acres. He and his wife have a 2 year old son and two servants and he employs 15 men, 7 boys and 1 woman on the farm. Already in Peldon at the time of the 1861 census, Thomas was farming Haxcell's, with 198 acres, and employing 9 men and 5 boys

Thomas Pilgrim was born in Doddinghurst and his wife, Clarissa was a Borrodell from Great Wigborough, they married in Peldon in 1856. Thomas Pilgrim is listed in the electoral rolls for Peldon as tenant of Haxell's and Tracey's nearby between 1853 and 1878, just Tracey's in 1879 and by 1881 is farming land at 'Games Barn' in Peldon. In 1884 he is living in Tolleshunt Knights but still farming land at 'Games Barn'.

Kelly's Trade Directories for Peldon list 'T Pilgrim' as a farmer in both 1874 and 1878. In 1881 he is a Farm Bailiff at Layer Marney Hall and in 1891 he is a farm steward living in Manifold Wick Farm House.

In 1872 Thomas Pilgrim of Butler's Farm advertises that there is a reward for any information concerning a missing roan shorthorned heifer.

The owner of Butler's Farm, John Bawtree died in 1873 and his widow Mary died in 1875 and as a result the farm went on the market. Thomas Pilgrim attended Bawtree's funeral in Peldon.

THE LATE MR JOHN BAWTREE
The remains of the late Mr. John Bawtree, of
Abberton, were interred on Thursday at Peldon, in
which parish the deceased possessed a considerable
amount of landed property. According to Mr.
Bawtree's wish, the obsequies were conducted in as
plain and unostentatious a manner as possible. The
body was conveyed in a hearse from the residence
at Abberton, followed by the mourning coaches,
containing the relatives and friends of the deceased.
The tenants present were Messrs. T Cooper,
Pilgrim, Holland, and Mayes.
The burial service was most impressively read by
the Rev. Carter Hall, rector of Peldon; and the
body was placed in a new brick grave under the east
window of the church. The coffin, which was of
plain unpolished oak, bore the following upon a
brass plate:-

"JOHN BAWTREE
Born 17th May, 1793;
Died 21st Nov., 1873."

The church was crowded with the inhabitants of
Abberton and Peldon, who desired to show a last
tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased.
At the meeting of the committee of the Essex
and Colchester Hospital, on Thursday, the following
resolution was moved by the chairman (Mr. H
Egerton Green) and unanimously adopted:-
"It is with deep regret that the committee have this
day to record upon their minutes the death of their esteemed
friend and colleague, Mr. John Bawtree, one of the oldest
and most liberal supporters of the hospital, who for up-
wards of 30 years has acted as one of the treasurers, and
for a much longer period as a member of the board of
management, greatly contributing by his business qualities
and kindliness of heart to the present beneficial influence
and usefulness of the institution. The committee grate-
fully acknowledge the services rendered to the charity for
so many years by Mr. Bawtree, and sincerely deplore his loss
[Chelmsford Chronicle 5th December 1873]

The grave of John and Mary Bawtree in Peldon Churchyard

A memorial plaque to John and Mary Bawtree inside St Andrew's Church, Abberton

It appears that either side of the 'splash' known as Peldon Hole there were two wooden foot bridges. One was on the land belonging to John Bawtree who was responsible for its maintenance and the other on the side of Butler's Farm which was the responsibility of the Highway Board; the villages of the Lexden and Winstree Hundred which included Peldon, Layer and Abberton, had to contribute towards any costs.

From 1691 each parish was obliged to elect someone to be in charge of their roads and bridges this person was known as a 'waywarden'. By the 1860s each village would send its representative or 'waywarden' to the Highway Board meetings.

In March 1875 the state of the 'bridge' at Peldon Hole was a subject of concern at the Lexden and Winstree Hundred Highway Board. This was a general meeting of the waywardens from the hundred's parishes and the board's officers and surveyors.

The Clerk was directed to write to the executors of
the late Mr Bawtree, requesting them to repair
the footbridge at Peldon Hole farm [Chelmsford Chronicle 5th March 1875]

In May at a further meeting of the waywardens Thomas Pilgrim, tenant of Butler's, represented Peldon on the board. There was a special report by the surveyor.

...As to
Peldon Hole Bridge on the road from Layer-de-la-Hay to
Peldon, he said there was not much traffic, and it
would require a wrought-iron girder bridge 30ft wide 15ft
span, and 3ft 6 in above the stream at low water; the ap-
proaches would cost a large amount as the road was so flat
there. It would, he thought, be sufficient to put some posts
at the footbridge painted to show the depth of water, and
also painting the guide-posts and rails at footbridge, at a cost
of 30s

It was proposed and seconded that

the recommendation of the Bridge Committee as to Peldon
Hole or Butler's Brook be adopted

After a debate where one member expressed his view that wooden bridges were getting out of date; they were everywhere being superseded by brick ones the report was adopted. [Essex Standard 12th May 1875]

On 21st May the Surveyor further reported

I have inspected together with the Waywarden, the foot
bridge in the parish of Peldon, near Peldon Hole Farm, and
find it to be in a bad state of repair. I have instructed Mr
Harrison to give me a price for the work, and, should his
tender be a fair and reasonable one, the work will then be done
immediately. The Trustees of the late Mr Bawtree have put
the other footbridge, situate on the opposite side of the road
into a fair state of repair. [Essex Standard 21st May 1875]

Peldon Foot Bridge
The SURVEYOR reported that he had accepted the tender
of Mr Harrison, of Abberton, for the necessary repairs to
the footbridge at Peldon Hole Farm, Peldon, the amount
of the tender being £3 [Essex Standard 9th July 1875]

In the June of 1877 the auction of the Abberton House Estate was advertised. At this point the estate particulars included Haxell's and Tracey's Farms in Peldon, but by the auction in September the two farms and land were not included.

Abberton House Estate was auctioned in 8 lots, totalling 581 acres. Included in the estate along with

the attractive moderate-sized Mansion [were] three compact occupations known as Badcock's, Layer House, and Butler's Farm, with good Farmhouses and most superior Homesteads
[Bury Suffolk Standard 11th September 1877]

Butler's Farm was Lot 5 with 168 acres 1 rood 33 perches and was offered with possession.

The sale catalogue of 1877 is held by the Essex Record Office

The Abberton House Estate comprising Abberton House and grounds of 50 acres in Abberton; Badcock's Farm, 119 acres in Abberton; Layer House Farm, 217 acres of land in Abberton and Peldon; Butler's Farm, 168 acres of land in Abberton and Peldon; small cottage and pasture of 6 acres in Peldon; 11 acres of arable land in Peldon [ERO SALE/B4705]

It would appear that Augustus Smith of Upper Norwood, Surrey, was the successful bidder although remained an absentee landlord and at the same auction bought Lot 8, a property in Queen Street, Colchester, from the Bawtree family.

In the Essex Herald, Augustus Smith was summoned by the justices of the County Petty Session of 7th June 1879, for non-payment of Poor Rate in respect of Butler's Farm

COLCHESTER
COUNTY PETTY SESSION, JUNE 7
Augustus Smith of Upper Norwood, was sum-
moned for non-payment of a poor-rate in respect of
Butler's Farm, Peldon, amounting to £1 9s 0d - Defend-
ant did not appear, and an order for payment of the rate
and costs was made. [Essex Herald 10th June 1879]

The 1881 OS map of Peldon [detail] showing Butler's Farm and to the north of it Butler's Grove
Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland maps.nls.uk

In the 1881 census James Michael Polak, aged 44 and unmarried, is living at Butlers Farm, with 180 acres, and employing 11 men and 2 boys. He has a cook, Eliza Cudmore from Mersea, a housemaid, Deborah Mortlock from Peldon and a groom, William King from Colchester. James Michael Polak was born circa 1837 in Pontypool, Monmouthshire, to a Polish family and it appears had worked as a wine merchant.

The same year his farm is reported in the Essex Herald of 23rd August as having cases of swine fever (and then again in 1887 and 1888). In 1883 and 1884 he is listed in the electoral rolls as James Michael Polak and Butler's as a freehold farm.

In 1886 Polak is listed in Kelly's Trade Directory as being at Butler's Farm but by 1891 he is resident in a hotel in Brighton living on his own means.

An 1889 sale catalogue held at the Essex Record Office [ERO B5066] advertises Butler's Farm for sale comprising 182 acres in Abberton and Peldon, 2 cottages and a plan.

In the Essex Standard of 24th August 1889, Butler's Farmhouse is described in the auction particulars as a 'newly-erected Gentleman's Residence' and the two cottages too are newly-built. James Polak, it tells us, has been living there for 9 years. The sale is due to him leaving the neighbourhood.

PELDON AND ABBERTON
Five Miles from the Garrison and Market Town
of Colchester
A Highly Valuable
FREEHOLD LANDED ESTATE,
Known as
"BUTLERS FARM"
Comprising
NEWLY-ERECTED GENTLEMAN'S
RESIDENCE
With Conservatory, Stabling, Coach Houses,
Dog Kennels; excellent Flower, Fruit, and
Kitchen Gardens;
TWO NEWLY-BUILT COTTAGES;
A well-built Homestead, with enclosed Yards;
and
182 Acres 1 Rood 37 Poles
OF FERTILE ARABLE AND MEADOW
LAND,
In a high state of cultivation; the whole Estate
having been put into first-class condition regard-
less of cost.
MESSRS. FENN AND CO.
Are favoured with instructions from James M
Polak, Esq. (the Owner and Occupier for the
last nine years), who is leaving the neighbour-
hood, to SELL by AUCTION, at the Three
Cups Hotel, Colchester, on Saturday, August
31st, 1889, at Four o'clcok in the Afternoon
precisely, in One Lot,
The above very VALUABLE PROPERTY.
[Essex Weekly news 16th August 1889]

One can only presume the 'newly-erected gentleman's residence' replaced an older building - we have no way of knowing how old, but as we have seen, there had been a farmhouse there for centuries and it could well have been a very old building.

The farm remained unsold.

In the 1891 census the farmhouse is uninhabited but George H Harvey aged 23, an agricultural labourer and his wife Alice and daughter Florence are living in rooms over the coach house.

James Polak was to die on 1st January 1893 and the same year Butler's Farm was put up for auction again, this time by his executors in London. Once more the farm remained unsold.

PELDON
BUTLER'S FARM OFFERED. -PUT UP TO AUCTION BUT
NOT SOLD. - At the Three Cups Hotel, Colchester, on
Saturday, Messrs. FENN and Co. offered for sale
Butler's Farm, comprising residence, stabling, coach-
house, &., in the parishes of Peldon and Abberton, by
direction of the Trustees, Executors, and Securities
Insurance Corporation, Limited, executors and
trustees of the will of the late Mr. J M Polak. The
property was withdrawn at £1,200.
[Essex Standard 2nd September 1893]

In the Essex Standard of 12th January 1895 there is another attempt - successful this time it would appear - to auction Butler's Farm on behalf of the late J.M. Polak.

The next occupant is John Dellor who we first come across advertising a sale of his pea crop.

5 ½ ACRES OF PEAS (Telegraph) ready for picking
in a few days, on 6 acre field adjoining Barn,
Butler's Farm, Peldon. The property of Mr Dellor [Essex Standard 20th June 1896]

In a court case of 1896 before the Lexden and Winstree Justices, Dellor's foreman, George Moss, was accused of and admitted stealing the monies of John Dellor, a butcher of Holloway, London......