Stevens 1894-04-12

Text, letter

Land is to be bought very cheap now. In 1727 Rev. John Loggin of Swalcliffe, Rector of Long Marston, left £200 for the poor of Swalcliffe, Sibford and other parishes. With that £200 + £20 a portion of land (A “Yard land”) was bought as an investment in Sibford Ferris. In 1787 the Enclosure Commissioners awarded to the Trustees the present estate of 20 acres and.about 35 perches with “timber” I suppose. That land was let to one tenant at £40 per annum. When I came here it was let in allotments at £2. 10. per acre. Now we charge only £2. Still it brings net after rates taxes, repairs, roadways and collection are allowed for £24 a year which is 12 per cent on original outlay.