354 
MR. T. SOUTHWELL ON FELTWELL DECOY. 
which is represented as hexagonal in form, and furnished with six 
pipes, the whole situated in a plantation 14 acres in extent, and 
communicating by a “dyke” with the Brandon river, from which 
it was not far distant. The form and extent of the pond appears 
thus to have been very much on the scale which Skelton advocated 
in after years. 
The earliest document is an agreement signed by Edward Rolfe, 
and dated “ Octob. ye 4th 1728 ” as follows : “ Whereas I formerly 
Contracted and agreed with Robt. Clough of Hock wold cum Wilton 
in the County of Norf. Esqe for the Purchase of his 200 acres of 
Town Land lying in Feltwell in the County of Norf Between the 
Adventuror Land and the North Banck which has been since conveyed 
by the sd Mr. Clough to Robt. Clough his Sonne And Whereas 
the sd Robt. Clough the Sonne and James Nelthorpe Esqe. have 
entred into Articles to make a Decoy in part of the said 200 acres 
not having been able to pay the consideration money mentioned 
& agreed by me to be paid for the La nd Do hereby Consent and 
agree That the sd Robt. Clough the Sonne & James Nelthorpe 
Esqe shall & may enclose & take in 60 acres in any part of the 
said 200 acres where they think proper and make and continue the 
same a Decoy for wild fowls without making any satisfaction or 
allowance therefore other than what they the sd Mr. Clough & 
Mr. Nelthorpe shall think fitt to pay & allow. Witness my hand 
Edward Rolfe [signed by mark] Witness Jlen Cocksedge.” 
The decoy seems to have been constructed at once, for the next 
document dated 25 June, 1730, is a lease of “a new Decoy,” at 
Feltwell from James Nelthorpe of Lyndford and Robert Clough, 
Junior, to Thomas Rolfe of Feltwell, Waterman for a yearly rental 
of £30 for a term of three years— the Lease provides that should 
Rolfe pay the full rent in the first year and £5 — more “if the year 
prove extraordinary good (one Pound we put into his pocket for to 
repare ye sd Decoy) & three Pounds we lend him at his going in 
the which sd sum of three Pounds if he pay it again then we do 
hereby promise to lend him money to buy three Cows in ye spring.” 
Rolfe is to keep the decoy in repair and to leave it in the same 
state as when he entered upon it; also “ye sd James Nelthorpe & 
Robt Clough to have liberty twenty days after Christmas next to 
draw upon ye sd Thos Rolfe’s Poulterer for their half years Rent & 
so half yearly to ye end of ye lease.” 
