THE MINSTER LOVELL ESTATE 125 



The farmhouse and 44^ acres of land were sold 

 off, and the remaining 252^ acres were divided into 

 80 small holdings as follows : 



34 holdings of 4 acres. 

 16 3 acres. 

 30 2 acres. 



7,380 was spent on cottages, one being erected 

 on each holding. Road-making and fencing cost 

 3,000. A sum of 1,538 was advanced to the 

 purchasers, who wanted capital to start, at the rate 

 of 15 to a 2-acre lot, 22 10s. to a 3-acre lot, 

 and 30 on a 4-acre lot. 



The houses are of the bungalow type, built of 

 stone, and are all of the same pattern. The 

 entrance is into the kitchen in the middle ; on 

 either side is a bedroom, and a back kitchen and 

 outhouse at the back. Some of the holdings have 

 a stable as well, and all have pigsties. 



The original settlers were all men from large 

 towns, mechanics, weavers, tradesmen, tailors. 

 The land had been ploughed by the company 

 ready for them to make a start, but they were all 

 unacquainted with any method of cultivation, and 

 soon found out the impossibility of the situation. 

 In the course of a few years they were obliged to 

 return to their former homes. Other people were 

 afraid of the venture after this example, and for 

 some time many of the holdings were empty. The 

 estate had been mortgaged for 5,000, and the in- 

 terest on this got in arrears. Eventually, in 1850, 



