Poplar Farm, Saxham Street
An enlarged detail showing a house and farmyard taken from a 19th century map found in the deeds of Poplar Farm. Also previously known as Kents Farm or Spyvees Farm and not to be confused with Walnut Tree Farm.
It is unclear when this area of farmland became known as Poplar Farm
In the document designating ‘Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Town and Country Planning Act, 1947: Section 30) Poplar Farmhouse and Barn is listed as Grade III dating ‘from the 16thC. Two storeys, timber framed, plastered, thatch. 3 w (s)., casements. Modern door.’
The mid-20th century owners of Poplar farm (Nunn) shared a memory that in the 1600s the land was owned by a Lancashire Mill owner who kept a mistress in Saxham Street. When he travelled to London on business he would stop to spend a few days in Saxham Street.
By 1835 according to deeds held by Poplar Farm a group of fields known as “Kents” (20 acres), “ Bricetts and Pages” in Stowupland and and a small area in Mendlesham brought together as a farm called Kents Farm.
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At the time of the tithe apportionments, 1839/40 the owner was George Faulkner of Wood Green, Tottenham and the occupier was William Packard.
In the 1851 census Robert Steggall is named as the occupier, a farmer of 72 acres employing 3 men and 1 boy.
By 1855 Robert Spyvee is associated with the farm hence Spyvees Farm. ( John Whistlecraft from Bacton Hall is also involved).
Kellys 1891/2 names Robert Spyvee as a farmer in Saxon {sic} Street.
By 1896 Robert and his wife Mary Ann had died. As can be seen they are buried in Stowupland Churchyard.
In 1896, on Friday September 25th an Auction was held at the farm by direction of the executors of Mr Robert Cocksedge Spyvee. (Click here to read Poplar Farm Sale details 1886)
In 1917 Major Baker, a son of Edgar Baker is the occupier.
By the 1930s the Nunn family have moved in.
ECA denotes that the research was carried out by local recorder and historian Ena Carter or her friends that formed an archives which is now part of Stowupland Local History Group Archives.NL denotes the research was carried out by Neil Langridge.SW denotes research carried out and/or uploaded by Sandra Walker and that the item is part of Stowupland Local History Group’s Archives |
