Family Lessons 160: Bowram Farm

My fourth and fifth great-grandfathers were tenant farmers in what is now a suburb of Lancaster, Bowerham. Their farm, ‘Bowram’, is where the University of Cumbria's Lancastrian campus is largely based.

One of the problems with renting property is that the landlord might require one to leave at his convenience, or that his selling the property to another landlord alters one’s position. Bowram Farm seems to have been sold or leased at least four times during my family’s occupation (it appears to have been in their possession from the 1790s until 1860) with no discernible ill effects. I include some of the details of these sales and auctions, below. James was my 5x and George, his son, my 4x great gramps. If this proves too tedious to read, just scroll to the end.

Bowram Sep 1822 To be let by ticket - for a term of years - at the Town-hall, Lancaster, on 5th October 1822 - Boweram, consisting of a dwelling house, suitable outbuildings, and several closes of Land, containing 24a.1r.17p. now occupied by James Airey - further particulars of the Mayor and Bailiffs, or at the Town Clerk's Office, in Lancaster.

Bowram Aug 1829 To be let by Ticket, for a term of years - at the Town-Hall, Lancaster on 25th August and may be entered upon at Candlemas and May-day next - Bowram, consisting of a Dwelling-house, suitable Outbuildings, and several Closes of Land, containing 21a.1r.17p. statute measure, now occupied by James Airey – further particulars apply to the Mayor and Bailiffs, or at the Town-Clerk's Office, in Lancaster.

Bowram Sep 1838 To be let by ticket - at the house of Mr Bagot, the Commercial Inn, Lancaster, on the 18th September - all that Messuage and Farm called "Bowram" - consisting of a Dwelling-house, Barn, Stable, Shippon, and other Outbuildings, together with about 21 acres of Land, Statute Measure; now in the occupation of George Airey, as Tenant thereof - further information of O.T. Roper, Market-Place, Lancaster.

Barton House Estate 10 Sep 1842 To be sold by auction - at the Royal Oak Inn, in Lancaster, on Tuesday, the 13th September instant, at six o'clock in the evening - The following FREEHOLD PROPERTY - BARTON HOUSE ESTATE, situate in the township of Scotforth, within a mile and a half from Lancaster, consisting of FARM HOUSE and suitable outbuildings, orchard, and garden, with several closes of land, containing 58 statute acres, in a ring fence, including two Nursery Grounds, in the several possessions of John Nelson, John Hargreaves, John Webster, Joseph Moss, and George Airey. There are also five cottages on a part of the estate. The above premises present several of the most unrivalled situations for the erection of handsome buildings, from the commanding prospect of the town of Lancaster, the Bay of Morecambe, together with the beautiful mountain scenery of Lancashire and Westmorland. - Thomas Albright, the owner, will shew the premises, or information may be had at the office of B.F. Allen, Land Agent, Preston; or at the office of Pilkington, Walker, and Co. solicitors, Preston; Jonathan Binns, Land Agent, or John Webster, solicitor, Lancaster. 2nd September, 1842.

Nursery Grounds 10 Dec 1842 To be peremptorily sold by auction - at the Royal Oak Inn, in Lancaster, the 29th December at six o'clock - unless previously sold - all those two Nursery Grounds in Scotforth, in the possession of John Hargreaves and John Webster, containing 12a.0r.10p.. A Field adjoining Hargreaves' Nursery, containing 3a.19p. in the possession of John Nelson; and also two other fields adjoining the said Nursery Grounds, in the possession of George Airey and Joseph Moss, containing 6a.16p. This is a most desirable lot. The rental is £80; and it will be sold subject to the payment of £500 to the issue of John Bradshaw deceased, as directed by the will of the Rev. Robert Fletcher, deceased. - Thomas Albright (the owner) will show the premises, or information may be had at the office of B.F. Allen, land agent, Preston; Pilkington and Walker, Preston; Jonathan Binns, Lancaster…

Eventually, the family’s association with Bowram Farm came to a close when the site was acquired in 1873 by Her Majesty’s War Office, with a new barracks for soldiers (above). Important though food production was and still is, the Crimean War had exposed the British military as antiquated and in need of serious reform. Barracks and training grounds were increased and expanded in the hope that fitter men in greater numbers would take the Queen's shilling. Food was important, but defending the empire and the motherland, vital. 

Bible readers will be aware of two Old Testament scriptures with contrary meanings:

Isaiah 2:4: And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Joel 3:10: Beat your ploughshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.

Clearly the times were different and the prophetic utterances were applied in differing ways. Yet one urges the readying for war, the other anticipates peace. Once, Bowram Farm produced food which sustained life; later, it trained soldiers in the art of death. We who look forward to Christ’s return hope for life and joy, but we also expect suffering and iniquity beforehand. Likewise, we are to grow in grace and abosorb food for our souls, yet we are also engaged in a war against evil. We are nourished and battling, feasting yet fighting.

Come, Lord Jesus!

Photo: S Nijamudeen

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