Reference
X267/8
Title
Letter: Reverend Edward M Rudd, Kemsey, Worcestershire, to Mr Brittain, Cold Harbour, near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
Date free text
6 Feb 1806
Production date
From: 1806 To: 1806
Scope and Content
has heard from his uncle, whose opinion on right of common on common fields not favourable. The Rudd family's right has been much lessened by sale of estate, and they have now a right proportion to number of acres remaining, "and I think he means to say of acres remaining in the common fields". His uncle says that originally in Biggleswade when land cultivated in the three open fields (North, South, and Home or Town fields) each year owners could turn out sheep on the fallow field, about five sheep to each two acres of land owned. "in process of time the owners of many parts of the common field lands for their own convenience and profit enclosed the same from the open fields" and thus debarred themselves from right of common in respect of lands so enclosed. Originally Rudd's ancestors had so much open field land, that they had right of common "Sans number", by the local custom. This descended to writer's father, but on sale of the land, they lost their right. Advises correspondent to settle without court case.
As to New Pasture, his uncle thinks they should have no fears. No common pasture on it. "Time out of mind however, the Fenn Reeves have lopped, topped and cut the willow trees"
Level of description
item