David Wilkie, Southfield Farm, (1851 Census)

[Matt62]

I've attached an image from the 1851 census concerning my ancestor David Wilkie. I'm curious to know what kind of farmer he was (I assume a tenant farmer?) and if anyone can find some more information on the farm?

I found Southfield mentioned in a newspaper from the period, which I have also attached. It looks to have been quite small, from what I can tell. 

What exactly is the "bothy" in this census record? Would David have owned the bothy or merely overseen the agricultural labourers who lived in it? Did they work for him?

Also, how many acres does it say David has? I can't read it!

Moderator comment , image cropped - copyright.

[Skoosh]

THe bothy on a farm is where the single men lived, married would generally be in a farm cottage.

Skoosh.

[Br1gau]

Hi Matt,

A four bedroom house in 1843, when crofting families were living in one room would have been most luxurious!

Can't find any images on line but you may find these links of interest:

NNWof Leuchars & W of Motray Water
http://maps.nls.uk/view/82879860

W of the large ‘E’ in LEUCHARS
http://maps.nls.uk/view/74426823

Site of bronze age burial ground
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/33239/details/brackmont+mill/&biblio=more

Recent house prices at Southfield Farm (click on marker between Leuchars & Lucklaw Hill)
http://www.primelocation.com/house-prices/map/leuchars/street/?sold_price_types=&sold_price_years=

brigau

[Rosinish]

Farmer of 170 acres employing 5 Labs

Annie

[Matt62]

Farmer of 170 acres employing 5 Labs

Annie

Hi Ammack 

Thank you!

I thought it read 170 acres too but asked the question because it conflicts with how the farm was described 20 years earlier in 1831 and so I wasn't sure if I was reading it properly.

I've attached the 1831 newspaper cutting in question. It describes it as a "small farm", "extending to 70 a. 2. r. 30 p. 26 dec. parts imperial, or thereby".

Could the farm have simply expanded in 20 years or is the 1851 description a sort of 'typo' I wonder?

[Matt62]

THe bothy on a farm is where the single men lived, married would generally be in a farm cottage.

Skoosh.

Thanks, I had never heard of a bothy before, useful info!

[Matt62]

Hi Matt,

A four bedroom house in 1843, when crofting families were living in one room would have been most luxurious!

Can't find any images on line but you may find these links of interest:

NNWof Leuchars & W of Motray Water
http://maps.nls.uk/view/82879860

W of the large ‘E’ in LEUCHARS
http://maps.nls.uk/view/74426823

Site of bronze age burial ground
http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/33239/details/brackmont+mill/&biblio=more

Recent house prices at Southfield Farm (click on marker between Leuchars & Lucklaw Hill)
http://www.primelocation.com/house-prices/map/leuchars/street/?sold_price_types=&sold_price_years=

brigau

Hi Brigau,

Thank you very much for the links! 

Yes, when you put it like that (and in that context) it does seem pretty big for the time. His son married a merchant with the suffix "esq" while his daughter married a man with the surname Stenhouse who was an estate manager and lived in a house called "Comerton Mansion House", so they do appear to have been relatively well-to-do.

The reason I wasn't sure is that the farm appears to have been under "let" to my Wilkie ancestors rather than a "sold" property.

[Rosinish]

I thought it read 170 acres too but asked the question because it conflicts with how the farm was described 20 years earlier in 1831 and so I wasn't sure if I was reading it properly.
Could the farm have simply expanded in 20 years or is the 1851 description a sort of 'typo' I wonder?

To be honest I couldn't say for sure but the 1 in front of the 70 is quite prominent to me. I have no idea of size regarding what an acre would cover but it may well be a typo.

Could have been simply when asked the size he was going to say 100..........got the 1 out then changed it to 70 but the enumerator would have heard 1   70  or............

maybe they bought extra land over that period

Maybe you could write/email Fife Council & see if they can help 

Annie

[Br1gau]

Hi Matt & Annie,

Just an observation: The1834 advert posted above is for the lease of the house with possible accommodation for a cow.  It looks as if the acreage was leased under a separate agreement.

The 1831 advert, I think, is for a different Southfield.  When looking for maps and references yesterday I came across two; one is at Auchtermuchty, not to be confused with the one at Leuchars.

Have you have come across this reference Matt?
FORD, LUCY: dau of (Allan) Ford, servant on farm of Southfield, res Ceres, v John Wilkie, residing Southfield [Leuchars]; male,b 11 July 1849; 4/26; P 603 (307)
www.fifefhs.org/.../Cupar-Sheriff-Court-Aliment-Decrees-1830-1854.pd...
Cupar Sheriff Court Aliment Decrees, 1830 - 1854

The child was christened Robert Wilkie.  He can be found in 1851 living with Lucy & Lucy's sister in Ceres.  In 1853 Lucy married Thomas Wallace so in 1861 Robert can be found, still in Ceres, but recorded as Robert W Wallace.