Blake Collection

The collection consists of the deeds and associated documents of Twelve Acre Farm, Eynsham.

The deeds go back to 1654 when the farm was purchased by Stephen Brice of Witney Parke. Martha Brice and Lancellot Grandger added the Tiffens in 1655 and both these properties were sold to William Gibbons in 1692 who also purchased the Rymes from John Brise in 1693. In 1800 the farm was purchased by James Burr and Robert Bourne who added 3½ acres of Worsey Meadow in 1805. Rev. Robert Bourne added Egerly's Close, Claddings Close, Newfield, the several Claddons and enclosure allotments of 5a.3r.24p. at Linton Piece and 18a.1r.15p. in Southfield in 1838, Middle Stockmans Close and 1r.16p. at Fordsham Lane also in 1838, Lower Elms Close in 1857, a further 3a.1r.22p. at Fordsham Lane also in 1857, Dillys Close in 1866 and the Pentecrofts Grounds in 1868. His son Robert continued the enlargement of the farm, the trustee of Robert's marriage settlement purchased Elms Close and Middle Elms Close in 1876, took an assignment of Dilleys Close in 1873 and Robert himself purchased Ambury Green in 1878. In 1879 the farm was sold to John Deane. John's son, Thomas James Deane, added to the farm by purchasing Barn Ground and Long Ground, otherwise Stockmans Close -s, in 1904. At some time too a close called Watts Blake/and also the adjoining Harmstalls Farm, the latter is in Stanton Harcourt parish, may have been added to the farm.

The collection also contains some tenancy agreements and some estate maps relating to the farm.