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From: Ruth and Barry Myers <>
Subject: [NMB] Farmer of 51 Acres
Date: 2 Oct 99 06:39:27 EST

The occupation of my great-great grandfather, Thomas Hewitt, of West Hills,
Rothbury, is listed in the 1881 Census as a "farmer of 51 acres".

Does this mean that Thomas Hewitt was the owner of the land?
Was 51 acres a very large farm in those days?
Was West Hills the name of a place in Rothbury, or just the name of this
particular farm?

What was the general nature of farming in these times? Was it the story-book
variety with the farmer milking the cows and raking up the haystacks, while
his wife baked bread and apple pies in the kitchen and threw wheat to the hens
at the back door? I get the impression that, with 51 acres of land, there
might have been more to farming than this, at least on this particular farm.

Ruth Myers

Researching names:
Swinhoe, McAdam, Hewitt
Grainger, Boad, Ord, Nicholson

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This thread:

• Re: [NMB] Farmer of 51 Acres by Brian Pears <>

  • [NMB] Farmer of 51 Acres by Ruth and Barry Myers <>