The Holford Papers: Avebury 1695-1798

Sir Richard Holford and his descendants were lords of the manor of Avebury for most of the eighteenth century, until the estate descended to Arthur Jones in 1767, and then to General Williamson in 1789. The Holford papers provide a great deal of information on the history of the manor, the parish, and the family. They include the journal of Sir Richard Holford, over two hundred letters written by or to Sir Richard and his heirs, various memoranda on manorial and family affairs, and the accounts of the manorial bailiff, Richard Hickley, which were sent to Anne Williamson when she was in Jamaica. Hickley’s monthly letters to his employer are also included. The topics covered are very varied: farm management and produce, tithe disputes between vicars and parishioners, the bankruptcy of the estate’s farmer, enclosure, the morals of vicars and parishioners, turnpikes and the state of the roads, building work at Avebury Manor, and leisure pursuits, are all covered. More minor matters include politics, the construction of the Kennet and Avon canal, the state of the poor, inn-keeping issues, service with the East India Company, and even advice on keeping the family’s archives. This edition almost amounts to a history of eighteenth-century Avebury in itself. We learn a great deal about the relationships between manorial lords (mostly absentees), their tenants, the wider local community, and neighbouring landlords. These papers offer an invaluable source of information on eighteenth century society and economy.