Blyford Estate

The Blyford series JH/BLY primarily covers the period between 1944 and 1989. It contains maps, general papers, deeds, invoices, records and correspondence which relate to the development, management and farming operations of Blyford Estate which was subdivided into tenant farms. Separate files exist for the individual farms and properties on the estate. Also included are files on crops, dairying, shooting, employees, financial and legal records, and land agencies. John Hill's contributions to the local community around Blyford are covered in JH/COM.

John Hill bought the small Blyford Hall Estate of about 670 acres in 1944. This comprised the four farms of Blyford Hall Farm, Ivy Farm, Walnut Tree Farm, and Suttons Farm, and also Blyford Wood. Soon afterwards Hill bought the Watermill Farm at Wenhaston and its neighbouring land which comprised 300 acres and a further three mixed farms. Substantial further puchases of Henham land were made in the 1950s. The properties were mainly leased out to tenant farmers. The Blyford Estate is today still farmed by members of the Hill family.

• JH/BLY/1 Associations, councils, agricultural bodies etc. 1934, 1952-1989
• JH/BLY/2 Buildings, maintenance, equipment, and services 1840, 1946-1999
• JH/BLY/3 Crops 1937, 1945, 1951-1956, 1962-1973, 1981-1990
• JH/BLY/4 Livestock 1947-1963, 1971-1972, 1984-1989
• JH/BLY/5 Dairying at Heath Farm 1948-1974, 1981
• JH/BLY/6 Dairying at Blyford Hall Farm 1969-1990
• JH/BLY/7 Land management 1946-2000
• JH/BLY/8 Employees 1946-1998
• JH/BLY/9 Blyford Hall Farm 1942-1984
• JH/BLY/10 Brook Farm and Sotherton Hall: proposed sale 1944, 1951-1954
• JH/BLY/11 Brook Farm: building and alterations 1952-1957
• JH/BLY/12 Church Farm 1952-1956, 1964-1976
• JH/BLY/13 Harper's Farm 1948-1950, 1976-1994
• JH/BLY/14 Heath Farm 1946-1965, 1980, 1989
• JH/BLY/15 Hill Farm 1942-1959, 1965-1969
• JH/BLY/16 Ivy Farm 1776, 1945-1955, 1964-1983
• JH/BLY/17 Littlemoor Farm: correspondence with A.W. Leech 1946, 1951-1969, 1976-1978, 1985
• JH/BLY/18 Low Farm 1947-1959, 1997
• JH/BLY/19 Lyons Farm 1954-1987
• JH/BLY/20 Sotherton Hall 1946, 1951-1974, 1983
• JH/BLY/21 Union Farm 1940, 1952-1974, 1985-1995
• JH/BLY/22 Walnut Tree Farm 1945-1953, 1969, 1983
• JH/BLY/23 Watermill farm 1945-1994
• JH/BLY/24 White House Farm, Frostenden 1981?
• JH/BLY/25 Purchase of Henham land: Union Farm, Low Farm, Brook Farm, Sotherton Hall, Littlemoor Farm, Church Farm and Lyons Farm 1950-1955
• JH/BLY/26 Cottages and other properties 1935, 1943-1996
• JH/BLY/27 Rents 1949-1952, 1964, 1974-1982 oversize
• JH/BLY/28 Property sales and rentals: agents' literature 1986-1988, 1994
• JH/BLY/29 Manorial history 1699, 1759, 1777, 1787, 1797, 1847, 1955, 1967-1988
• JH/BLY/30 Security 1957, 1969-1970, 1983
• JH/BLY/31 Farm safety 1983-1986
• JH/BLY/32 Contracts and quotations 1951, 1963, 1984-1989
• JH/BLY/33 Diaries 1980-1989
• JH/BLY/34 Appraisal 1957-1961, 1987-1988
• JH/BLY/35 Schedules 1968-1988
• JH/BLY/36 Returns on agricultural land use 1946-1955
• JH/BLY/37 Rates and valuations 1946-1988
• JH/BLY/38 Tithes 1948, 1956
• JH/BLY/39 Tax 1947-1959, 1985-1986, 1992-1994
• JH/BLY/40 Town and Country Planning 1948-1955
• JH/BLY/41 Southwold railway 1953, 1960-1968, 1979
• JH/BLY/42 Transport licences 1949-1954, 1969-1986
• JH/BLY/43 Insurance 1945-1955, 1965-1985
• JH/BLY/44 McKenna & Co 1958-1978, 1983
• JH/BLY/45 Land agents 1944-1968, 1997
• JH/BLY/46 General 1948-1967, 1976-1989, 1998
• JH/BLY/47 Blyford Estate ownership and organisation 1959, 1967-1989, 1996-1997
• JH/BLY/48 Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Ltd 1972-1988
• JH/BLY/49 Eastern Counties Farmers Limited 1950-1986
• JH/BLY/50 Invoices 1943-1990
• JH/BLY/51 Lovewell, Blake and Co. 1956-1961, 1973-1987
• JH/BLY/52 Accounts 1945-1994
• JH/BLY/54 Barclays Bank Ltd - correspondence 1953-1962, 1968, 1971-1989
• JH/BLY/55 Maps 1968, 1981
• JH/BLY/56 Computer courses and products 1980
• JH/BLY/57 Shooting 1913-1914, 1920-1940, 1947-2000
• JH/BLY/58 Dogs 1947-1951, 1959-1988, 1995-1997

Other than where a specific access restriction is noted, the collection is open for consultation in the Archives Department during its advertised opening hours.

Reproductions can be supplied in hard copy or digital format subject to physical condition and the terms of deposit. A charge is made for this service. Copyright restrictions may apply and the advice of the Archives department should be sought for any use of reproductions other than personal research

Blyford Estate retains documentation relating to this collection as it is still an operating company. Future deposits to this series may also be expected.