Thrale history

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Quadrant shopping precinct is now situated. It is said that the trees which are in the car park are the remains of those which originally formed the spinney and drive to the farmhouse. Because of a well known murder case, details of the house have been recorded. It was in 1880 that Thomas Wheler, a farm labourer was condemned to death for the murder of the farmer at Marshalswick Farm, one Edward Anstee. As a result, Wheeler was the first murderer to be hanged in the City jail in Stanhope Road, which is now the City Highways Depot. Because he was the first person to be executed at the jail special arrangements had to be made for his execution, as rather luridly and fully described in the Herts Advertiser of the time. The paper also describes Marshalswick Farm as being 'a dwelling of red brick with a portico and bow drawing room window projecting beyond the other parts of the building. The back of the house was enclosed in a small court so frequently seen at older farmsteads. The house, very nicely furnished, consisted of drawing room, dining room and kitchen on the ground floor with four bedrooms on the first floor and some other accommodation above'

The story must now return back to the five sons of Richard of Marshalswick, and to that in particular of John, William and Thomas Thrale. With Richard at and Ralph seeking his own fortune elsewhere, the three brothers sought after holdings, and it was in 1699 that Sir Samuel Grimston of Gorhambury leased to William the messuage of Cellbarnes and land of about 120 acres for 21 years at £60 a year, a condition of the lease being that timber trees were excepted, and that the usual course of husbandry should be followed. Upon Sir Samuel's death, the estate passed to Viscount Grimston and William's lease with Grimston's consent was passed to brother John Thrale. For two years this was a happy arrangement, but during 1717 the other brother Thomas said that he would like to take over the lease. John did not wish to agree unless Thomas undertook to provide for William. Thomas agreed at a cost of 2/6 (12½ new pence!) per week. Upon the lease being transferred to Thomas, the latter kept William for three months only and upon John's demands to restore the lease, he absolutely refused. John further complained that Thomas Thrale, William Thrale and Thomas's son Richard had ruined the land by bad husbandry and ignored the covenants, making son liable to a penalty of £800 to Viscount Crimston.⁹ The cropping clauses of the lease are most detailed. The first year should be for fallow or turnips: the second year for wheat, rye or barley: the third year for Lent corn, and the tenant should not soe any barley but upon a

Footnotes

9. Chancery Proceedings C11 855/62.↩︎