Sowe Fields

I am doing research on my great great grandfather, William Watson. (1828-1912) He was a farmer in the area of Sowe Fields. There were a succession of Watsons, who were farmers in that area. This area is close to Coombe Abbey, so I wondered if he was a tenant farmer, and also, if Coombe Abbey might have any records. Does anybody have any information or might know where to look (other than census information)?

Hi JonPatt welcome to the forum Are either of these references from the Herbert archive any use here and here?

Hi John. Friend of mine had parents who used to work on the estate, and they said the farm side was 3-4 thousand acres all around Coombe so it could be he was a tenant farmer

Helen, Thank you for your reply and for referring me to the Herbert archive. The latter will enable me hopefully to continue my researches. The fact that William, what was mentioned as an executor must mean that he had some standing in the local community. I have yet to do much research into the names mentioned in the world, but I know that both Williams mother and his grandmother were born Mary Hincks Thank you again

Hi Lolipop, Thank you for your reply, you could well be right.I am attempting to source more information on Combe Abbey. Jon

Hi Jonpatt, you may hve this information but if not I hope it helps. Fromnthe Midalnd Daily Telegraph, 1930

Thank you Anne, Sir George was one of William's 8 sons. He and two brothers set up Maypole Dairy which was very successful and earned him his knighthood. This fact has provoked my interest in the family history. Jon