History of North Beer
Fields belonging to North Beer
Census returns for North Beer
Documents relating to North Beer in the public archives
Beer or bere is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “wood” and North Beer is one of several places in Spreyton with Beer in their name – the others being South Beer, Begbeer, Bowbeer and Riders Beer. These farms all bear witness to the fact that Spreyton, which means “settlement in the brushwood”, was still heavily wooded in medieval times. There are no references to the farm in early documents, but like most farms in Spreyton, it probably dates back to the 13th century when the Men of Devon acquired the right to clear the royal hunting forest that covered so much of Devon and carved themselves out farms.
The farm of North Beer was part of the Manor of Spreyton. As a result no doubt of marriages and divisions between different heirs, ownership of the manor and the farms belonging to it had by the late 16th or early 17th century become divided between three different families (one family had a half share; the other two each had a quarter).This meant that the tenants of farms like North Beer had to deal with three landlords, the rents being apportioned according to their shares – although in practice the rents were no doubt collected by a single bailiff, acting on behalf of all the owners.
Chronology
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the big landowners began to dispose of the freeholds of individual farms, usually to the sitting tenants or prosperous yeoman farmers looking to increase their landholdings.In some cases, instead of selling the freehold, they would sell a 1000-year or 2000-year lease – equivalent to a freehold – leaving the owner of the leasehold with an obligation to pay a small annual reserved rent to the previous owner.
1766: It is not clear where Mark Cann actually lived, but it may well have been at North Beer, as in 1766 he is recorded as taking a young female apprentice for “housewifery” called Elizabeth Gidley at North Beer.
In 1842, a survey was done of all the land in Spreyton to calculate a cash value of the tithes until then collected in kind (the tithe apportionment survey). North Beer consisted of 156 acres, a fairly large farm for the time. The Canns and the Heathmans seemed to have had other farms as well. According to the census in 1851, for instance, William Croote Cann was farming 340 acres and employing 10 people. So they were quite prosperous. There were domestic servants at North Beer to help the farmer’s wife, and even at one time a governess. Many of the farmworkers whom they employed were young apprentices who lived in the farmhouse with the family and the domestic servants – there were often 10 or 11 people living in.
The large farmhouse at North Beer probably dates back to the 15th or 16th century, but it has been significantly remodelled and extended over the years. In particular, there is an extension at one end which has clearly long been a separate dwelling as it has its own bread oven. The tithe apportionment also refers to “dwellings” in the plural and the census records two families at North Beer. So this part of the house was probably that occupied by the farm labourers or farm manager shown in the census. There are also still cob farm buildings that may well be several hundred years old. There were signs of an old garden and orchard by Beer Copse, so there may also long ago have been another cottage there.
*************************************************************************
As recorded in the tithe apportionment that took place in that year.
Tithe number | Field name | Acres, Roods, Perches |
257 | Steers Plat | 1.0.23 |
259 | Coombe Ball | 7.1.30 |
260 | Wood | 26.1.16 |
261 | Landray | 4.0.11 |
262 | Landray | 3.1.17 |
263 | Simons Field | 2.1.3 |
264 | Stockey Field | 5.0.27 |
265 | Ball | 5.2.7 |
266 | Copse | 0.3.30 |
267 | Finch Nest | 1.3.26 |
268 | Lower Bale | 3.3.38 |
269 | Brake | 4.3.31 |
270 | North Ball | 3.2.12 |
271 | Colts Close | 0.3.25 |
272 | Mowplot | 0.0.37 |
273 | Garden | 0.2.26 |
274 | Croft | 2.1.6 |
275 | Houses and courts | 1.0.23 |
276 | Orchard | 1.0.34 |
277 | Yearlings Close | 8.0.17 |
278 | Higher Park | 5.0.13 |
279 | Bramble Field | 4.0.18 |
280 | Gidleys Breach | 2.1.16 |
281 | Fords Breach | 3.2.26 |
282 | Beer Copse | 6.2.39 |
283 | Moor | 3.2.15 |
284 | Great Meadow | 4.2.16 |
285 | Little Meadow | 2.0.18 |
286 | Orchard | 0.2.24 |
287 | Gratton | 3.3.13 |
288 | Lower Gratton | 7.3.6 |
289 | Copse | 2.2.19 |
290 | Openpark | 5.2.21 |
291 | Dickeys Close | 3.3.39 |
292 | Orchard | 0.3.8 |
293 | Nursery | 0.1.5 |
294 | Little Openpark | 3.2.33 |
295 | Flat Field | 4.1.11 |
296 | Plantation | 0.3.5 |
297 | Rams Moor | 4.0.24 |
Total | 156.0.38 |
1841 Census
Elizabeth Cann, aged 45, farmer
Agnes Cann, aged 15
Mark Cann, aged 15
George Cann, aged 8
Elizabeth Cann, aged 6
Maria Turner, aged 20, farm servant
Bartholomew Marks, aged 21, agricultural labourer
John Fey, aged 19, apprentice
George Delve, aged 14, agricultural labourer
Robert Bowden, aged 10, agricultural labourer.
In a separate dwelling, probably the extension to the farmhouse
William Dicker, aged 50, agricultural labourer, with his wife Mary and children.
1851 census
William Croote Cann, aged 66, farmer of 340 acres employing 10 labourers
Elizabeth Cann, aged 57
George Cann, aged 17
Elizabeth Cann, aged 11
Agnes Cann Heathman (grand-daughter), ab ged 2
Mary Baker, aged 56, general servant
Elizabeth Dicker, aged 19, general servant
William Laing, aged 23, farm servant
George Laing, aged 19, farm servant
Henry Horwill, aged 18, farm servant
James Madders, farm servant
1861 census
George Cann, aged 27, farmer of 221 acres, employing 3 labourers and 3 boys
Mary Cann, aged 27
William Cann, aged 2
Catherine Cann, aged 10 months
Catherine Ellis (visitor), aged 55, farmer’s widow
John Ellis (visitor), aged 23, farmer
Eliza Emmens, aged 15, farm servant
Emma Emmens, aged 13, farm servant
John Watt, aged 14, farm servant
William White, aged 15, farm servant
Edward Crocker, aged 10, farm servant
In a separate dwelling
William Dicker, aged 71, agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary.
1871 census
John Heathman, aged 54, farmer of200acres employing 6 men
Elizabeth Heathman, aged 36
Blanche E. Heathman, aged 11
Ada S.C. Heathman, aged 6
Catherine M. L. Cann (niece), aged 10
Selina York, aged 33, governess
Elizabeth Cann, aged 16, housemaid
Mary Sanders, aged 12
George Westaway, aged 45, farm servant (indoor)
Elizabeth Huckey (visitor), aged 65.
In a separate dwelling
Henry Westaway, aged 70, agricultural labourer, and his wife Ann.
1881 census
John Heathman, aged 64, farmer of 70 acres
Elizabeth Heathman, aged 46
Blanch E. Heathman, aged 21
Ada S.C. Heathman, aged 16
Susan Ann Martyin, aged 21, domestic servant
George Westaway, aged 55, farm servant
1891 census
John Heathman, aged 74, retired farmer
Elizabeth Heathman, aged 55
Blanche E. Heathman, aged 31
Ada S. G. Heathman, aged 25
Mary Ann Yeo, aged 27, general domestic servant
In a separate dwelling
Emmanuel Wilson, aged 55, agricultural labourer, with wife Rosella, son Frederick 17 and grandson Frank 8.
1901 census
Elizabeth Heathman, aged, widow living on her own means, with her 2 daughters and one servant. Emmanuel Wilson is still in the other dwelling.
1911 census
Blanche Heathman (head of household), aged 51, private means
Elizabeth Heathman (mother), aged 76, private means
Ada Heathman, aged 46, private means
Wilmot Lang, aged 15, general servant (domestic)
In a separate dwelling
Sidney Towell, aged 36, farm bailiff and his wife and two children.
**************************************************************************
Declaration of 20.4.1745between (1) John Trend of Chagford, gent., and his wife Agnes; and (2) Henry Hooper, gent., and William Ellis, yeoman, both of Chagford. The parties agreed that the Trends would, in the Court of Common Pleas, levy and execute a fine unto Henry Hooper and William Ellis, upon a number of properties in Chagford and Spreyton, including:
The premises comprised in the fine to be for the use of John Trend and his heirs.
Devon Record Office: Lambert estate papers.
This document indicates that the Trends of Chagford had acquired, probably from the Kellys of Kelly, 16th century owners of the Manor of Spreyton, a half share in the freehold of various properties belonging to the Manor. It seems probable that Mark Cann then acquired their half-share of North Beer.
Final agreement of Easterin the 18th year of GeorgeII (c.1745). John Trend gentleman and his wife Agnes, agree that lands in Bowbeer, North Beer, Coffins, Deerparks and Bush are to go to to Henry Hooperand William Ellis who have paid £200.
DRO ref: DD34204
Note describing an indenture of 30.10.1751 between Richard Hole of North Tawton and Mark Cann of Spreyton conveying to Mark Risdons Tenement;a quarter of North Beer,previously occupied by John Trend and then by Mark Cann; and a quarter of Huddishill.
DRO ref: DD34207
This presumably refers to the 2000-year lease granted by Richard Hore to Mark Cann rather than the conveyance of the actual freehold, as a 1757 document (see below) indicates that Richard Hole still owned the freehold. Note, however, that the 1800 document below gives the date of the granting of the lease as 1758; presumably on one of these the date has been miscopied.
Lease and release of 16 and 17 October 1755 (2 items). The first document is a 1-year lease granted by Arthur Kelly to Agnes Hore for 5s and a peppercorn rent (for technical reasons, it was normal to grant a notional 1-year lease when conveying property). In the second indenture, Arthur Kelly of Kelly conveys to Agnes Hore of South Tawton for £99 his fourth share of that one messuage and tenement called Coffins and the Deer Parks, and a fourth share of North Beere, both late in the possession of Thomas Hore Esq., deceased. The conveyance is subject inter alia to:
DRO: Lambert estate papers
The fact that Mark Cann junior was one of the “lives” on the lease of North Beer indicates that although the Hores had held the formal tenancy, they were effectively subletting North Beer to Mark Cann senior.
Indenture of 5.10.1757between (1) Richard Hore of North Tawton and his wife Julianna; (2) Thomas Hole of North Tawton; and (3) John Battishill of Drewsteignton. It affirms John Battishill’s right to a quarter of Horracombe, and lists other properties the freehold of whichof which Richard Hole still possesses, including in fee simple, including a quarter share of North Beer of which he is seized in fee simple (freehold).
Devon Record Office ref: 2914 A/PF 20.
Will of Mark Cann of Spreyton, dated 1775, proved 1776
Bequeaths inter alia:
Devon Record Office.
Will of Rev Richard Hole dated 1793 bequeaths inter alia his interest in North Beer to his son Richard.
National Archives: PCC wills.
Lease and release of 14/15.10.1800 whereby John Lambert Gorwyn of Cheriton Bishop, gent., conveys to George Cann of Falkedon, gent., the following properties subject to a 2000 year lease granted on 30.10.1758 by Richard Hole of South Tawton, Clerk (now deceased) to Mark Cann of Spreyton, gent. (now deceased) at a total reserved yearly rent of £9 (to become payable to GC):
DRO: Lambert estate papers
This indicates that the technical freehold of one fourth of North Beer was never acquired by the Canns. The heirs of George Cann of Falkedon (who was from the Fuidge Canns), namely George Lambert Gorwyn of Falkedon(1763-1837) and George Lambert Gorwyn of Coffins (1818-1885) were still collecting the £9 annual rent from John Heathman in the second part of the 19th century.
Will of George Cann of Bush in Spreyton, gentleman (died July 1832)
Bequeaths inter alia:
Inland Revenue Wills, DRO.
Will of William Croote Cann of North Beer, yeoman (died February 1854)
Bequeaths inter alia: