27 
EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES, 
From 1798 TO 1900. 
Ar a meeting of agriculturalists, held December 17th, 1798 (being 1798 
Smithfield great market day), ‘‘ The Smithfield Cattle and Sheep 
Society ” was founded by mutual consent. Present, Francis, Duke of 
Bedford, in the chair, Mr. J. Wilkes, of Measham, the original proposer, 
and 27 others, including Lord Somerville, John Bennet, the Earl of 
Winchelsea, John Westcar, Richard Astley, John Ellman, Arthur 
Young, etc. Subscription, ros. 6d. each. 
Eight other names were added later in the day, including Sir 
Joseph Banks. 
A Committee was appointed, who decided to offer premiums for the 
best beast above a stated weight, and fed on grass, hay, turnips, or 
cabbages ; also for the best beast fed on corn or oil cake ; for the best 
sheep fed on hay, grass, turnips, or cabbages; and for the best 
sheep fed on corn or cake. 
Arthur Young, Esq., was requested to receive subscriptions. 
The first Committee, formed on December 17th, consisted of the 
Duke of Bedford, Earl Winchelsea, Lord Somerville, and nine others. 
And at their first meeting Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., and ten others 
were nominated in addition. 
The first show was held at Wootton’s Livery Stables (the Dolphin 1799 
Yard), Smithfield. The three days’ admission money to this show 
amounted to £40 3s. 
The first dinner of the subscribers took place at the Crown and 
Anchor Tavern, on the Friday previous to the Christmas market. 
The tollowing account is given of some of the animals :— 
‘The largest sheep were of the true old Gloucester breed, bred by 
Mr. Haines and grazed by Mr. Poulton—6 feet 5% inches girth, 27 
inches across the back, 22 inches over the shoulders, and only 26 
inches high,” considered to be the first sheep that ever stood on 
Smithfield stones, 
A Hereford bullock, fed by Mr. Grace, of Buckinghamshire, 7 feet 
high, weighed upwards of 260 stone, and measured in girth 12 feet 
4 inches, 
Mr. Westcar’s first prize bullock, which sold for 100 guineas, was 
8 feet 11 inches long, 6 feet 7 inches high, and 10 feet 4 inches girth ; 
weighed nearly 300 stone. 
