Spoonman's Farm
Spoonmans Farm –” abuts Town Land to the West to the common highway to the north on Mr Suggetts land to the Wast on lands late TARVERS to the south now in the occupation of James Dalton”
1327 – Adam Sponman – Thorney
1466- will of Thos. Degos of Thorny Hamlet to son john … and a close (field) called Sponmays {ECA}
In his will dated 27th February 1586 James Rivett gave land that was situated North East of Spoonmans farm and became known as Spoonmans. The area amounted to 20 acres 2 rods 3 perches and included a barn, it yielded in the early years £4.13s.4p for the poor.
By 1828 the land was being let for a period of 11 years at £40 a year. In modern times much of the land has been lost by the construction of the Stowmarket bypass, part of the remaining fields is now given over to allotments. { “Alms and Legacies – a History of the Stowmarket Charities” by Sue Cowling and Steve Williams, 2012.}
According to Rev Hollingsworth in his History of Stowmarket (p206), in the mid 17th century ‘a certain portion of Spoonman’s land so purchased , was appropriated by High Sheriff Blackerby ot the support of the free school in the parish for the teaching “poor children to read”. The residue is at the disposal of the inhabitants.’
1716 – a field called Spoonmans. A tenement, barn, 4 pieces of land containing 7 acres abutting a land leading to Mr Jacobs to the West (Sheepcote Hall). Mr Wells land to the east and late Tarver’s to the south (now in occupation of Robert Osbourn)
From 1716 Terrier for Stowmarket ‘ A tenement barn & four piece of land lyeing in Stowupland containing seven acres …now in the occupation of Robert Osbourn Senior at the yearly rent of six pounds ten shillings’.
‘In monies Forty Five Pounds …applyed to the purchase of a Field called Spoonmans’
Addition to the above dated June 1725, ‘a field called Spoonmans… now occ James Dalton at yearly rent £6… purchased with £45 & £60 raised by parishioners … to complete purchase’
1837 – Tarvers late John Freeman clerk to late Edmund Freeman and now occ Richard Freeman
Possibly from a Bryant’s map of Suffolk 1824/5 – Sponmans barn is named as Goodmans barn {ECA)
1840 Tithe map shows Spoonmans yards etc 19a 3r 26p. ( no 569) but no house. Owner Stowmarket Feoffee, occ Stephen Freeman.
1855 the Poor Rate Book recorded that Spoonmans field was bought by parishes of Stowmarket
1855 – Land & barn – Spoonmans barn, owner Stowmarket feoffees, occupier Spencer Freeman (he also owned part of the land)
1867 Ipswich Journal 5th Oct 1867
Advert for sale of live and dead farming stock of Spencer Freeman Esq, Spoonmans Farm
1891 – occupation Elector’s list – James Goddard {ECA)
In 1890 a meeting was held to discuss the allocation of allotments on Spoonman’s, it was reported in the Bury Free Press of 4th Oct 1890
STOWUPLAND. Allotments. A meeting of the Charity Trust was held the Board School on Thursday evening, 25th ult. Present—Messrs. T. Carter (hon. sec.), G. J. Gostling, H. F. Harwood, F. Howard, H. Potter, and F. Robinson.
A notice convening the meeting had the effect of securing large attendance labourers. The object of the meeting was to receive applications for allotments upon Spoonman’s Charity land, consisting of about 19 acres, which had been hired from the Stowmarket Feoffees, for this purpose. There were twelve applicants for one acre and five for half acres plots. A large sketch of the land was made upon the black board and divided into the required quantities. The land was then balloted for, the applicants for the three fields being divided into three companies, so as to ensure the land being conveniently near to the men. The price per acre for this land is 50s. inclusive, that high price being necessary in consequence of public competition for the land, which was let by tender.
The Stowupland Trustees are be congratulated and commended lor the bold manner in which they have endeavoured to carry out the Allotments Act of 1882. as about 67 acres of land have been to let. All the charity lands in the parish belonging to Stowupland, Stonham, and Stowmarket have been appropriated, and every want of the labouring population of the parish satisfied as to allotments. It should be mentioned that all the previously allotted land has been let at 30s. per acre Inclusive.
1980 – application for planning consent for conversion of barn to dwelling by Trustees of Stowmarket Charities for Spoonmans farm. (Ena noted the barn was a timber framed building with a slate roof in poor condition.
1986 application for erection of timber framed house by Mr and Mrs Fennell at Spoonmans Farm {ECA}
