Yeovil's Virtual Museum, the A-to-Z of Yeovil's History

Carent's Farm

A small dairy farm in Yeovil Marsh

Carent's Farm was a small dairy farm in Yeovil Marsh named for the Carent family who owned it. The 1589 Terrier noted in the West Field "Mr Compton's, late Mr Carrents." The Carent family held land in Marsh and Kingston in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In 1406 William Carent left 12d (around £45 at today's value) to each priest in the church of Yeovil, "and a cow for a lamp in ye same."

The 1846 Tithe Apportionment recorded that Carent's Farm was owned by George Bullock and was let to William Symes. William Symes also farmed Lower Carent's Farm.

William Symes (b1797, Dorset), his wife Maria and children Ann, Anna and William were listed in the 1841 census at Marsh (although it is not possible to determine if he lived at Carent's Farm or Lower Carent's farm), William giving his occupation as a farmer. By the time of the 1851 census, Ann had died and 54-year-old William was living at Marsh with 28-year-old Ann and 20-year-old William. He gave his occupation as 'Farmer of 250 acres Employing 8 men'.

A couple of later owners/tenants are known from newspaper cuttings, etc. - William Marsh (1897) and HWE Hannam (1899).

During the summer of 1919 a number of small farms in Yeovil Marsh, including Carent's Farm, at the time owned by the Messiter family, were sold by auction. At the time of the 1919 sale, the total acreage of Carent's Farm was 53a 0r 11p and is shown shaded yellow on the plan below.

The sale particulars described the farm as follows: "The attractive and well know Dairy Farm called Carent's Farm, Yeovil Marsh... comprising a picturesque superior Farm House substantially erected of Stone with tiled and slated roof and containing the following well planned accommodation-

First Floor - Five good Bedrooms, Boxroom, landing and stairs.

Ground Floor - Entrance Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Larder, Large Store Room, Back passage, Back Kitchen with open fireplace and pump with sink. Detached from House is an excellent Dairy with cheese room over and wash house adjoining. E.C. Good Flower and Kitchen gardens.

The Farm Buildings - are conveniently arranged round the yards and are principally constructed of Stone, Brick and Tile, and comprise the following :- Granary fitted with 6 bins; 2 Ranges of 3 piggeries; 3 bay Implement Shed; Loose Box; 4 stall Stable with loft over; Stone floored Barn; Cider Cellar with loft over; Wood floored Barn; Open Wagon House and Modern Cowstall for 31 with forebay. There is also a useful stone and slate Implement House in Orchard.

Near the homestead are Four Productive Orchards extending to over 9¾ acres, well stocked with trees in full bearing. The remainder of the farm comprises convenient enclosures of rich, well watered meadow land lying close to the house and very suitable for dairying or stock raising.

The whole extends to an area of 53a 0r 11p."

For details on historic land measurement (ie acres, roods and perches) click here.