Emily and William's children

Emily and William's son Arthur William, who had always wanted to be a farmer, farmed Manor Farm, Fraisthorpe (YO15 3QT). Arthur, who never married, died 30 October 1976 (GRO ref: Bridlington 7 0262). His brother Frank, born 17 October 1911 (GRO ref: Bridlington 9d 606a) married Marjorie Nichols (GRO ref: Buckrose 9d 107) lived at Manor House Farm, Fraisthorpe. Frank died on 29 April 1988 (GRO ref: Buckrose 7 195).

In 1968 Auburn, Manor House and Manor Farms were run together as WH Smith and Sons. On Thursday 12 September 1968, at 3-30pm, Jackson-Stops of York auctioned the Fraisthorpe Estate at the Bell Hotel, Great Driffield. The 1037 acres (419.659 hectares) and small village properties, valued at an annual rent of £6167 sold for £189,000. The estate was sold by the son of Rev. James Strickland ¹ , incumbent of Boynton and Carnaby between 1945 and 1950.

Manor Farm, Fraisthorpe - a stock and crop farm

At the time of the National Farm Survey, taken on 10 September 1941, AW SMITH was recorded as the full time farmer-tenant of the Boynton Estate Trustees for the past four years.

The rent for the 334 acres is not recorded. In general the arable land, supplemented by fertilizer, was graded B, whilst the unimproved grass land was graded poor. In giving the farm an overall classification of 'B' the surveyor, WW Gatenly, made the general comment that:

'The main reason for classifying the farm as B is to draw attention to the urgent need for getting some work done to put in order the tile drainage system in many of the fields. The farm was in a very poor condition when taken over by the present tenant 4 years ago,'

Gatenly classified 40% of the farms soil as heavy, 40% medium and 20% was light. In his opinion the farm was moderately well laid out farm but the poor drainage of the heavy soil restricted the natural quality of the soil to being 20% 'good' and 80% 'fair'. However, all acreage was in use and there were no infestations of animals or plants recorded.

During the War 61% of the farm was arable and 39% grass.

In 1940, under government direction, grassland was newly ploughed for wheat; Manor Farm grew 30% more oats than Auburn, possibly for livestock and horse feed or for human consumption; Root fodder and hay provided winter feed and fatten beef; Manor Farm grew 50% more kale than Auburn. Source: TNA: MAF 32/1053/76/24

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The list of livestock would suggest that: milk was on a more commercial basis; there was an equal emphasis on ewes with the prospects of an increasing flock, but with no rough pasture; there were fewer pigs and hens, though Manor Farm had a flock of geese; there was a cycle for cattle rearing; from calf to fattening. Source: TNA MAF 32/1053/76/24

At this moment there is no 1941 map available. However, the field coding on the 1911 inventory are identical to those on the 1968 auction map. The five smallest fields are clustered around the farm house; The two largest field of just over 50 acres each are 31% of the farm. There are no indication of crops to field. Right: A graph showing Manor Farm field sizes in 1911 Source: TNA IR 58/73668/89

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Above: Manor Farm buildings 1911 based on the 1888 map Source: TNA IR/134/05/184

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Above: Composite map of Manor Farm 1941 based on the 1928 edition, showing the land, bounded in green farmed by Manor Farm. Note: On the original map the fields appear to have been merged with Auburn Farm and not marked 76/24. The 1941 boundaries have been taken from the 1968 auction map on the assumption that if the 1941 and 1968 acres were identical so too were the fields. Source: TNA MAF 73/47/146 (top) MAF 73/47/163 (bottom)

All this was managed by four men, over the age of 21 years, with six horses providing the power to the farm. However, another nine were unbroken young horses, including two young heavy horses. There is no record of the machinery used on the farm.

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Right: A modern map showing buildings of Manor Farm In 1941 the house was provided with piped and well water. Ponds supplied water to the fields all year round. There was no electricity. In the 1911 survey the farm house was described as: '4 bedrooms, 2 sitting rooms, kitchen, dairies, old house'. Since the 1911 buildings can be identified on the modern plan, it is believed that many of the 1911 buildings would have been present in 1941, with the exception of changes to accommodate tractors and their associated implements.

The 1968 sale document (ibid NMR) records the 338.864 acre (137.133395 hectares) farm as having a rent of £1939 8 shillings and 2 pence (£1939.41 - equivalent to £24941 in 2005) paid yearly on 06 April. The rent included £64 8 shillings and 2 pence (£64.41 - equivalent to £828 in 2005) of landlords improvement.

In 1966 the farm house was designated a Grade II listed building being of special architectural or historical interest. It comprised of a hall, a living room with modern tiled fireplace, a sitting room with a modern fireplace, a kitchen with a combination range and glazed sink, a laundry and WC. There were five to six bedrooms and a modern bathroom on the first floor. There were mains electricity and water but cesspit drainage. Right: Manor Farm, Fraisthorpe (YO15 3QT) at the time of the 1968 sale

English Heritage describe the house as: Probably late 17th century-early 18th century with later additions and alterations. Pinkish-red brick in English bond, whitewashed to front, with pantile roof.

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T-shaped on plan with range set back to left of no special interest. Two storeys, three first-floor windows. Off-centre entrance a 20th century 6-fielded-panel door with divided overlight. Ground floor has two 16-pane sashes. First-floor band of chamfered brick on rubbed modillions, interrupted above door. First floor has 18-pane, 3- light Yorkshire sash, to right, 16-pane sashes, Cogged band below eaves level. Swept roof, brick copings, ridge stack. Gable ends have 3-course, first-floor band and 2-course gable band. To left gable an 8-pane Yorkshire sash, to right gable a casement window, both under triangular pediments of rubbed brick.

Above: Manor Farm, Fraisthorpe 2008

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Manor House Farm, Fraisthorpe

At the time of the National Farm Survey, taken on 20 October 1941 HD MEGGINSON had been the full time farmer-tenant of the Boynton Estate Trustees for an unknown number of years.

The rent for the 163 acres, the smallest of the tree farms, is not recorded. In general the farm was graded B. However, the arable land, though supplemented by some fertilizer, was ' poor' and the pasture 'fair'. The surveyor, WW Gatenly, made the general comment that:

'Under this heading it might be said that the occupier lacks the ability to plan his work properly and that he is easily satisfied by very mediocre crops. [...] From the poor state of the tile drainage systems in many fields on this farm causes large areas to be wet.'

WW Gatenly gave 'old age' and 'personal failings' as additional reason for his B grade. Perhaps it was the War Ag who directed Mr MEGGINSON to retire. This suggests that Frank SMITH took over Manor House Farm shortly after this report and had a lot of work to do.

During the War 55% of the farm was arable and 45% grass. This was the only farm to grow wheat, barley and oats, plus corn. In 1940, under government direction, grassland was newly ploughed for oats; 72% of the land was devoted to cereals and 28% to root vegetables; Source: TNA: MAF 32/1053/76/19

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Above: A 1941 composite map (1928 edition) showing the land, referenced 76/19, farmed by Manor House Farm. Note: The farm is wrongly named Manor Farm. Source: TNA MAF 73/47/146 (top) MAF 73/47/163 (bottom)

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Whilst 20% of the farms soil was classified as heavy, 50% was medium and 30% was light. In the opinion of the surveyor the farm was moderately well laid out farm the natural quality of the soil was 30% 'good', 60% 'fair' and 10% 'bad'. However, all acreage was in use and there were no infestations of animals but there was a heavy infestation of dock.

Given that the fields shown on the 1928/1941 map are identical to the 1968 auction map, it seems reasonable to assume that the field sizes recorded in the 1911 survey are also identical. 56% of the fields were under 10 acre, and were clustered around the farm house. The largest field was 25% of the farm. There are no indication of crops to field. Right: A graph showing Manor House Farm field size in 1911 Source: TNA IR 58/73368/92

All this was managed by three men, over the age of 21 years, and a 'boy' with seven horses providing the power to the farm. However, there were two young horses and one light horse. There is no record of the machinery used on the farm.

Above: Manor House Farm buildings 1911 based on the 1888 map. NB: Incorrectly named Source: TNA IR/134/05/184

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In the 1911 survey the farm house was described as: "Manor House" built of brick and tile, 10 rooms , 6 bedrooms, kitchen, scullery. 2 diaries. Good water supply.

In 1941 the house and buildings were in 'good' condition. The house was provided with piped and well water and the farm buildings with water from the well and roof. Ponds supplied water to the fields all year round. There was no electricity. Roads, fences and ditches were in 'fair' condition. Since the 1911 buildings can be identified on the modern plan, it is believed that many of the 1911 buildings would have been present in 1941, with the exception of changes to accommodate tractors and their associated implements. Left: Map showing buildings of Manor House Farm

The 1968 sale document (ibid NMR) records the 165.077 acre (66.8042918 hectares) farm as having a rent of £928 (equivalent to £11,934 in 2005) paid yearly on 06 April.

In 1968 the farm house was described as having a premier position in the village, being an attractive property of 'early origin' built in mellow brick and quoins under a pantile roof. The accommodation comprised of a porch entrance to a hall, a living room with a combination range, a dining room with tiled fireplace, a sitting room with a marble fireplace, an office, a kitchen with enamelled sink. On the first floor there were five bedrooms, a modern bathroom and WC. Right: Manor House Farm, Fraisthorpe (YO15 3QT) at the time of the 1968 sale

Frank and Marjorie retired to a bungalow close to Manor House Farm (The Poplars?).

RT Jackson and Sons

In 2012 Auburn Farm and Manor Farm remain in William's family as RT Jackson and Sons.

With special thanks to Diane Witt, great niece of Emily and William Smith, for her information, comments, corrections and use of family photographs.

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William Strickland The Fraisthorpe Estate was held, until 1950 by Boynton Estate. In1542 the estate was purchased by William Strickland (known as the Navigator) upon his return from a voyage to the New World with Sebastian Cabot. The Strickland arms, granted in 1550, incorporate 'a Turkey Cock, plumed in pride proper'. It is reputed that this crest was granted because Strickland introduced six turkeys to the United Kingdom. In 1558 Strickland was elected Puritan Member of Parliament for Scarborough. He rose to prominence in 1571 and died on 08 December 1598.

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass	Version A.3 Updated 14 July 2019