While researching the past occupants of my farm at Wickham Market I discovered that it had been farmed by Cornelius Welton a notable agriculturalist of the time. He was the first secretary of the East Suffolk Agricultural Association and as such organised the first Suffolk Show which was held in Wickham Market in 1832. I also discovered that in 1862 he had given a lecture to the Wickham Market Farmers Club on dairy farming. Part of that lecture referred to his visits to his grandparents John and Elizabeth Fisher who lived at Grove Farm, Athelington.  I thought you might enjoy this fascinating glimpse into the life on a local farm over 200 years ago ...

When quite a youngster, twice a year, during the school vacation, (mid-summer and Christmas) I invariably paid a visit to my grandfather and grandmother, Mr and Mrs Fisher of the Grove Farm Athelington. I shall not attempt a narration of all the circumstance, or the anecdotes which I have heard of them during their long career, of their unsophisticated and industrious habits; suffice it to say that for upwards of 50 years Mrs Fisher conducted the business of one of the largest dairies in Suffolk, and she was admitted to be one of the best managers of her own times. During this long period the number of cows varied from 20 to 30.

I cannot forget the regularity, order, and neatness which marked all the operations in her house. The plain and homely diet, the respect paid to her by all, as the grand moving WHEEL in the establishment; invariably the first to rise in the morning, which she did winter and summer alike, having taken pretty good care that none remained long after herself in bed; the wheel was in motion; the maids to scouring the milk trays and pails and herself to skimming the milk till 6 o'clock (milking time) which when done, all sat down to breakfast at the same time in the same room, (not together) She had her own three legged round table, and the servants theirs, on the opposite side: when over, came the busiest time of the day, first with the copper of boiling water, sometimes the churn a-going, cheesemaking, with the eternal talking and scolding together with the clattering of pattens, was quite sufficient to relieve them from all the monotony of a residence and occupation far away from the village or a neighbour.

Thus, things went on till dinnertime, 12 o’clock most punctually. Many and many a time have I seen the dinner smoking upon the table for several minutes before that time, but nothing could ever induce them to sit down till the clock began striking; when sans ceremonis, all set to, same as at breakfast, at their respective tables: the repast over, which generally occupied half an hour, ALL the females were engaged in clearing away, and by 1 o'clock a deathlike stillness reigned throughout the house; mistress and maids repaired to their sleeping rooms for half an hour’s rest, and to dress - “tight up” - was the expression. During this interval my grandfather either dozed in his chair, or smoked his pipe, or in busy times was in attendance upon the business of the farm.

At two o’clock the next act commenced: my grandmother generally to knitting or darning stockings, the maids to sewing or spinning; the latter, long after it was profitable, but the spinning wheels were there, and they fancied no new-fangled notions.

At half past four in winter, and five in summer, the teacups and saucers were brought into play but the maidservants waited until after milking the cows, when fleeting or skimming the milk had to be performed again by the mistress; and by eight o'clock or half-past all were safely in bed as the hens to roost, ready to resume in the morning the same routine as on the previous day.

This then, was their general every-day habit, and whilst business was their prime occupation, they yielded in hospitality; they had their friends and relatives twice or three times a year to dinner, at one o’clock, and to pass the remainder of the day in good Old English style, and then stay the night. This latter was always considered indispensable; dine the following day, and to take leave so soon after as would enable them to reach their respective homes before dark.

To their young friends, a dance was always given at Christmas upon the spacious old cheese chamber, to the delight of all that ever attended upon such an occasion. I now conclude this brief but faithful outline of the way in which they passed happily on during their long career. Envious of none, respected by all who knew them, and I believe by none more than their worthy landlord (Mr Green). She died in 1839 in her 80th year in the house she had long occupied (55 years) my grandfather the year following, in his 78th year.”

By Stephen Ling (Published in Athelington, Horham & Redlingfield News Autumn 2024 issue No 66).

Mike Ager (Published in Athelington, Horham & Redlingfield News Autumn 2009 issue No 7).