The Firs or Fir Tree Farm, Saxham Street.
From the 1839/40 Tithe Map, house 83, fields comprising 85a 1r 3p – tm 61/66/, 72 (Day May-be), 75/86 (76 Ham’s Croft: 80 Russells), 94 (Wallers Field, see Town Farm), 103/4 (Cooke’s Down), 106. 141/2. (141 Rushey Ley).
Owner Rev George Turner, Occupier John Stedman. In 1911 Mr Stedman, a tenant of Fir Tree Farm paid £1 3s 4d quit rent.
Fir Tree Farm in Saxham Street should not be confused with Fir Tree Cottage (possibly aka Conifers) at the south west end of Main Road. Below is the 1939 census return for Fir Tree Cottage showing the occupants as Phyllis Burch and Thomas Burch.
In 1976 the farmhouse was offered for sale with a range of ‘useful outbuildings’ and grounds extending to about 4.3 acres’, for £24,500.
In the document designating ‘Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Town and Country Planning Act, 1947: Section 30) Firs was listed as a Grade III property, dating ‘from the early 17C. One storey and attic, 3 gable and dormer w(s).,Timber framed, plastered, thatch, 4w(s), sashes and casements. Modern door and porch.’
1983, occupiers Peter Andrews & wife. From the voters list Nicolas C.Robinson (wife Alison)
By 1960 the occupiers were Arthue & Eileen Rose (possibly since 1949).
In 1937 Geo Meakings is named as a farmer & rate collector.
Kellys Directories of 1912 and 1916: Geo Meakings farmer , The Firs.
1911
From records Ena Carter found in the Manor of Fleed Hall with Waltham’s Hall, ‘Mr Stedman, tenant of Fir Tree Farm, pays £1 3s 4d a year for Quit rents for “All those two pieces of land called BADGOONS & containing be estimation 10 acres & by the parish survey 14a 2r 5p lying & being Earl Stonahm & holden of the said Manor by copy of court Roll”.
1901 census gives Kate Stedman (26) at the Fors with a domestic sevant Harriet Wilden.
19th century
1896 (Whites) wxors of George Stedman. 1885 & 1891/2 Mrs George Stedman. 1855, 1864 &74 George Stedman, as well as at the Firs also farmes at Leys in Earl Stonham – then known as Shepherds)
1881 census gives George Stedman as a farmer of 135 acres, with his wife Martha Stedman (35) and children, George (9), Kate (6). Also living there was Annie Catchpole (15) who was a domestic servant.
1855 Rate Book, George Stedman H&F (Rev G. Turner is owner.
1851 Census – Geo Stedman, Saxham Street, age 36. farmer of 110 acres employing 4 men and 2 boys
1846(P.O) Mrs Rachel Stedman (d. 29 the November 1857 aged 80).
1844 Whites – John Stedman
Ipswich Journal 20th July 1844 – Sale of Property of John Stedman deceased.
Most of what we know in 2024 comes from material collected by Ena Carter and kindly donated by her family to SLHG Archives in 2022.
