Letters to and from John Bourne of Dalby receiver of the Croft and Holbeach estates

Much valuable information about detailed farming policy as to leaseholds, housebuilding, ploughing, etc.

19. Embankment charges etc., in Croft, 1746.

22. Proposals for further enclosure of 190 acres near the meals, 1747.

24. Query about effects of "the Distemper which has raged so greatly in Lincs." Oct. 1747.

32. Wm. Hairby wishes to plough the warren for 4 years, oats, turnip or cole seed (fed off with sheep) and then grains (1758).

33-4 Proposed new house on the Holbeach estate, with plans, 1757 [carpenter, Wm. Nichols].

37. Wm. Drake recommends John Bourne as receiver of Bridewell and Bethlem hospitals in the room of Mr. Harwood deceased, 1758.

43 Proposed enclosure of 150 acres at Croft, January 1764. Mr. Hairby's shepherd foresaw the storm and saved all his sheep.

45 Tenants at Holbeach and Croft wishing to plough, 1764.

48 Request for Mr. Drake's assistance in forwarding a proposed bill to widen the road from Boston to Wainfleet, Burgh and the Partney turnpike, because "this is the direct road to London from Croft by which the cattle fed on your estate always goe".

Some of tenants are afraid of tolls but Bourne thinks these are outweighed by the prospect of moving sheep to Smithfield and of shipping wool from Boston to both northern and southern markets at all seasons, 1766.

51 Proposed enclosure of 500 acres of saltmarsh at Holbeach, 1767.

52 Storm damage to sea banks at Croft, March, 1767.

61 William Harby about his lease: I've made an Enquiry of all the old Standards: they all say the warren always belonged to the farm --- I voted for Mr. Drake when Lord B. Berties put up the same time altho' I Liv'd under the D. of Ancaster --- Mr. Bourne never was my friend for no other reason than me setting up breeding tups against him, 1769.

65 Hemstock, outgoing tenant at Holbeach complains of £15 for repairs to fences etc.

66-69 New sea banks at Holbeach, 1772.

84 J. Bourne. One of my young brothers made a settlement in America within the province of West Florida from which he has been lately dispossessed by a party from the American Army. That part of the province where his plantation was is at present in such a convulsed state as to prevent any sufferers from persevering in their cultivation He is here totally out of employ and I wish to be able to procure him a Lieutenancy in his Majesty's service. 19 Sept. 1778.

87 --- I do not knew new things are in the South but you would be amazed to see what distress impends upon Trade & Business in Lincolnshire ---- Wool the support of Country Business is fallen from 25 to 30 per cent Horses & Sheep full as much --- At present Fatt beasts are most valuable. Nov. 1778.

93 Course of husbandry very important (Holbeach); rabbit warren to be broken up, 1779. Writer: Nathaniel Kent of Ripon Hall, Norfolk. [D.N.B. 1737-1810, well known land valuer etc?].

100 Unless some expedient is hitt upon to keep up the price of Wool our County is ruined, 4 December, 1779.

101 He has directed the freeholders according to Mrs. Drake's instructions to vote for sir J. Thorold and Mr. Vyner at the ensuing election, 3 December, 1760.

103. M. Kent (Holbeach farm) You seem to feel a tenderness at breaking up so much pasture - if it were good pasture or in any considerable degree capable of improvement I should have been cautious how I had recommended it -- but I am clear that the plough alone can pay the rent --- and & all future improvement upon it must arise from getting the land into better heart by the turnip system of husbandry which will carry double the stock - & you must be sensible that this stock alone which gives improvement to land, 8 March, 1779.

107 Wool has fallen 50% in the last few years & since that Dutch Warrs 'tis not to be sold. -- Nothing but Peace can prevent impending Ruin, 12 February, 1781.

108 W. Drake refuses to allow ploughing "Tho' Corn is now at a high price it may be the reverse next year & Grazing most beneficial", 26 Feb. 1781.

111 J.B. hopes Mr. Drake will meet the committee on the wool business at the St. Albans Tavern. If a markitt cannott be had for long wool property in this county must inevitably fall very considerably. 17 December, 1781.

112 William Hairby arrested for debt, Feb. 1782.

117 Lincoln petition about wool with a note from Norwich, 30 December, 1782 that Holbeach and Long Sutton wool sells at 20% more than last year.

122 The peace makes it easier to let Hairby's farm, and wool has increased in price, 5 March, 1783.

126. Henry Bourne (brother of John) applies to Mr. Tyrwhitt (son of William Drake) for the agency of his lands, Mr. Carlton being now dead (v. supra 1/3 & 1/4) Post already filled, 14 April, 1783.

127 Lord Monson has appointed Henry Bourne his receiver at Carlton and he also has become the Christ's Hospital receiver, 2 June, 1783.

132 Henry Bourne seeks recommendation to succeed Mr. George Allit as agent for Lady Knollys, 28 April, 1785.

139 Encloses the resolutions of the Lincoln meeting (against the wool bill) -- it cannot be in better hands than Sir Joseph Banks' who is perfectly master of the matter & is indefatigable in rendering this county every service in his Power, 28 October, 1786.

141 'A publick bathing Tavern called Skegness is situate immediately north of that part of your estate called Hairby Warren" -- some one wishes to erect a dwelling near there which will injure Mr. Drake, 27 January, 1787.

147 William Drake asking for Mr. Kent's advice, 27 March, 1788.

152 The wool bill: encloses resolutions of Lincolnshire committee meeting [held at Sir John Thorold's house, Cavendish Square] 7 April, 1788.

[John Bourne senior died on 20 September, 1788 and was succeeded as agent by his 21 years old son John who was to be assisted at first by his uncle Henry Bourne].

154-176 Henry Bourne & John Bourne, N. Kent and others; letters on the same topics, 1788-93.

156 Sir J. Banks supporting the application of Henry and John Banks, for the stewardship, 15 October, 1788.

162 Mr. Kent, Worcester 14 November, 1788; a new valuation, the fences.

163. More credit is usually given in Lincolnshire to pasture farmers than to those on arable.

177-179 Letters to Thomas D. Tyrwhitt-Drake, 1802

177-178 His brother, regarding the Holbeach estates, Brocket races.

179 Peter Stitt, the Holbeach estate, 24 October, 1802.