Northampton Mercury 18 April 1840

Steeple Chase Match for One Hundred Guineas aside.

The pleasant village of Castlethorpe was all bustle and confusion on Wednesday last, and unless we are greatly mistaken it is long since it was honoured with such a host of visitors. Steeple chasing has now become so general that it will excite no surprise that even a match of this magnitude should have taken place at a spot so comparatively secluded. The match originated over a glass of wine, Mr. Dring, a gentleman connected with the London and Birmingham Railway, agreeing to run his mare, Jenny Jones, four years old, against Mr. Wesley's The Queen, aged, Mr. W. giving Mr. D.'s mare seven lbs. So far as age, &c. &c. Mr. Wesley had decidedly the best of the bargain. The day was delightfully fine, and we were most hospitably received by Mr. Joseph Bull, of Castlethorpe, who very kindly pointed out the ground to us, and rendered all possible assistance. It was mutually agreed between the parties that Mr. Bull should select the line, and a man more fitted for the task, both as regarded the spectators and the contending parties, could not have been found. The line chosen was within a few fields of the railway, and within two miles of Wolverton station, starting from a field of wheat, in the occupation of Mr. Bull, descending gradually to the brook, a fair sporting jump, leaving a red flag placed in the opposite meadows to the right, into the parish of Haversham, along the meadows in the possession of Mr. Greaves, up a large wheat field to the common road leading to Wolverton station, over the road and a stone wall to a flag in a grass field, and over a fair sporting country for three quarters of a mile to another flag, one field from Haversham wood; from thence, down a large grass field, over a small brook, to Hanslope Park, in the middle of which stood the extreme flag. This was to be turned to the left, and the object then was to make the best way back again, without infringing the laws of steeple chasing. The two winning flags were placed in a large grass field belonging to Mr. Bull, and within one field of the start, the road only dividing them. The line, we should say, was a good four miles, and included thirty-three fences. After partaking of an excellent lunch at the house of Mr. Bull, who regaled his friends with everything heart could wish for, we set out to see the

START,

which was to take place precisely at two o'clock. The time however taken up in showing the ground, and the absence of Jenny Jones when wanted, brought it to half-past three before the word " Off," was given. "The Queen" is known to most of our sporting readers. " Jenny Jones," although she has had the honour of exhibiting with the Duke of Grafton's hounds, never before appeared in public as a steeple chaser. But for ought we see to the contrary, she may one day have James Mason on her back. The exceeding fineness of the day drew together a considerable number of spectators. For several fields round the trees were full of men and boys, and the lasses came out in their holiday attire in numbers. The railroad lads threw aside pickaxe and shovel, and all seemed bent upon a holiday. The race is easily described. Both mares started together, and took their fences well. The Queen showed the way the whole distance, but as far as our opinion goes she did not make the running strong enough. The fencing throughout was good, but there was nothing to alarm any fair sportsman. They had the choice of a " rum 'un" or a gate, but the gate suited the best. In the race the two mares jumped three gates admirably. Mr. Wesley rode his own, and Mr. Leabird the other. Within a quarter of a mile from home it was " Lombard-street to a China orange" on The Queen. Jenny was evidently beaten, but, alas! at the last fence but one The Queen, in trying to get out of the road, pitched on her head, and stretched Mr. Wesley upon his mother earth. Shouts rent the air from the friends of Jenny Jones, but many were grieved to see so good a young sportsman as Mr. Wesley meet with so decided a piece of ill-luck. He would else have won in a canter. After the accident be remounted, but before he was well in his saddle Leabird had passed through the winning flags. Jenny Jones was however terribly beaten. After weighing, &c. a party of about forty adjourned to the Pea Hen, occupied by Mr. Soden, at Castlethorpe, where a most epicurean table was spread. The champagne was Moet's primest, and the port as good as if it had been picked from the cellars of the George itself.

NEWPORT PAGNELL MARKET.

Mr. Bull, of Castlethorpe, was appointed the future chairman of the market table.

NEWPORT PAGNELL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

15s. to Wm. Goastlow, 27 years on Mr. Trower's, Castlethorpe; 10s. to Ephraim Meadows, 26 years with Mr. Bull, of Castlethorpe.

LET WHO WILL MASTER AT HOME, MANURE IS MASTER IN THE FIELD.
To the Editor of the Northampton Mercury.

Sir,—ln traversing the fine grazing county of Buckingham, I find some of the best farming and grazing I ever saw. Amongst the best farmers have found is Mr. Joseph Bull, of Castlethorpe, who produces excessive large crops of corn and Swede turnips; his land clean and ploughed deep. He rents his farm of Lord Carrington.

EXTRAORDINARY PROMISING CROPS OF SWEDE TURNIPS.

To the Editor of the Northampton Mercury.

Sir,—l beg to inform you that in the neighbourhood of Castlethorpe. Bucks, there are many crops of Swede turnips which look much better and forwarder than I ever before saw Swedes early in the year. Mr. Bull, of Castlethorpe. has wonderful piece, drilled two feet apart from row to row, and set out 10 inches from turnip to turnip the row. The tops covered the ground all over a fortnight back, and bid fair for 40 tons per acre. Mr. Greaves, an opulent farmer, farming fine estate of his own, about 800 acres, Haversham, has fine piece of Swedes, equally good as Mr. Bull's; they are drilled 27 inches from row to row, and are10 inches from turnip to turnip in the row, and the tops covered the ground all over a fortnight back. The crops of corn belonging to these gentlemen are exceedingly heavy, but upon their newly broken up land their wheat crops are mildewed. Mr. Greaves feeds many fine Hereford oxen of the best quality, and he has superior breed sheep, crossed between the Leicester, Cotswold, and the Southdown : they have plenty of lean flesh and site. Mr. Greaves' farmyard buildings are all spouted round, to prevent the droppings of the eaves carrying away the strength or essence of the manure, the shape of black water, into the river to pollute the water and to manure the sea, like the sewage of London —a monstrous thing, in the middle of the 19th century, are laying hundreds of thousands of pounds out yearly in foreign guano and fertilizers manure our soil. Mr. Greaves is not only first-rate farmer but first-rate grazier. Mr. Scrivener, of Great Linford, has extraordinary fine piece of Swedes; he also a first-rate farmer, growing exceedingly heavy crops of corn. There are also many other good crops of Swede turnips in this neighbourhood, too numerous to mention. At Weston Underwood found a superior crop of Swedes, and also a wonderful prop, of spring beans, belonging to Mr. Whitworth. is plain the farmers in this neighbourhood are trying to excel each other in the growth of Swede turnips, much so that they are not to be beat in England—nay, they may safely challenge the whole kingdom. After great green crops naturally follows large white ones. Buckinghamshire, 50 years back, was considered famous for grazing first-rate oxen and sheep; now there are many men to be found second none in farming, and their Swede turnips will prove what I assert, coupled with crops of corn, more than can stand upon the ground. S. A.
Castlethorpe, 9th August, 1852.

MARRIED. On the 28^th ult., at Castlethorpe, by the Rev. M. A. Nicholson, the vicar, Mr. John White, wine-merchant, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, to Eliza Louisa, only daughter of Mr. Joseph Bull, of the above place.

Hanslope

Frightful Suicide.—On Friday last the town of Hanslope was shocked by the discovery that Mr. Joseph Masters Bull, farmer, of that place, had committed suicide by cutting his throat in barn on his own farm, and within view of his residence. In the morning of that day he went out at eight o'clock before breakfast, and returned again at nine. He went out again and returned home at twelve, having been, during the interval, at the Watts's Arms, with his father, Mr. Bull, of Castlethorpe. He did not take any dinner, saying the smell was enough for him, and after going up-stairs for a short time, he went out again. It appears, too, that be had not taken any breakfast, at least he had none at home. About half-past three William Amos, a man who was at work on the farm, was going through the barn, near the house, to tie up the cows, when he saw his master lying on the ground, with a pool of blood near him. With the assistance of another man, named Hillyer, the body was conveyed into the house, when it was ascertained that death been occasioned by a terrific wound in the throat, extending from the left to the right angle of the lower jaw, and dividing all the principal vessels. Mr. Heygate, the surgeon, stated that nothing could have saved the unfortunate man, even though assistance had been immediately at hand. A razor, covered with blood, was found at his feet, and the case, from which it had been taken, in his pocket. He had given the case of razors three weeks back to F. Thompson, a schoolmaster, to send it to Northampton, to get the instruments ground, and they were returned shortly after. On the 22nd December, he and his father were thrown from a gig, by which deceased's hands were a good deal hurt, and complained of having been much shaken. He did not, however, have recourse to medical advice. Whether the accident may have been remotely connected with the melancholy catastrophe must be mere matter of conjecture. At the inquest, which was held on Saturday morning, at the Globe, Hanslope, before John Worley, Esq., Mr. Thomas Higgins, a farmer, of Hanslope, stated that he saw deceased at the Watts's Arms on Thursday, but he threw no light on the state of his mind, and he could not, he said, of his own knowledge, assign any cause for the dreadful act. Robert Allen, carpenter, who had been employed by deceased, said he had complained on Thursday of a headache, which, he said, was not like a common headache, and he put his hand to his head in a way which the witness described. He thought he had erysipelas, but Mr. Heygate stated that there was no traces of that complaint, and that he should infer, from the witness's description, that the headache arose from the stomach. Mr. Heygate had not attended him for any serious illness for years, nor on account of the accident. Allen was with him at the Watts's Arms at twelve o'clock, and he described him as appearing then to be very dull and low. He had glass of gin and water there. His man Hillyer had not observed anything unusual his manner. There was no further evidence as to the state of his mind, and the jury returned a verdict that “Deceased destroyed himself in fit of Temporary Insanity." He was but 27 years of age, and has left a wife and three children.

Castlethorpe.—On Wednesday night, between 10 and 11 o'clock, fire broke out on the farm premises of Mr. Bull, of Castlethorpe, which destroyed rick of wheat, two ricks of beans, one of hay, one of barley, and one of oats, besides large barn containing a great quantity of barley. A brisk west wind was blowing at the time, and carried the fire, which commenced at the west end of the premises, directly across the yard, and became evident, in a short time, that all endeavours to check the progress of the flames would be unavailable. The engines were fetched from Stony Stratford, but were useless from the want of water. The fire, however, had gained too complete mastery to admit of their being of any service. Mr. Bull, we believe, was insured.

HANSLOPE, Bucks.
LIVE AND DEAD FARMING STOCK,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
By Mr. DURHAM,

On Thursday the 28th day of September, 1854 (by direction of the Administratrix of the late Mr. Joseph Masters Bull), on the Premises, situate near Long-street, COMPRISING 37 store Ewes, 15 superior fat ditto, 38 Shearhogs and Theaves, 46 Wether and Ewe Lambs, 2 half-bred Tups, 7 fat Heifers, 6 capital Agricultural Horses and Mares, superior colt Foal, Poultry, &c. Ransome's and Howard's ploughs and harrows, sheet and other harrows, narrow-wheel waggons, Scotch and other carts, roll, turnip cutter, Gardner; sheep troughs, cow cribs, &c, thiller and trace harness, saddles and bridles, &c, quantity of fire-wood, hurdles, stakes, &c.
The Sale will commence at Eleven o'clock for Twelve. Catalogues may be had at the inns in the neighbourhood; of Mr. James Barford, Hanslope; Mr. Bull, Castlethorpe; Messrs. Freeman & Son, Market-square, Northampton; or at the Office of the Auctioneer, Stony Stratford.

Married: On Thursday, the 5^th inst., at Hanslope, Buckinghamshire, by the Rev. M. A. Nicholson, Jane, wife of the late Joseph Masters Bull, Esq. of Castlethorpe, to David Owen, Esq., of Conway, North Wales.

Hanslope.—Barnwell's charity has been distributed this week, amongst upwards of 300 applicants, those necessary articles—a good supply of coals and calico. Owing to the everlasting petty differences between certain gentlemen, the poor' were nearly losing the benefit of baring the coals carted gratis this year, four of the farmers refusing to fetch any but the kind voluntary aid of Messrs. Trowers and Bull, of Castlethorpe, they got them as usual free of charge. This charity, by judicious management, has been doubled in value to the poor for the last few years. The land has been let out. into 150 allotments, at moderate rents, much to the benefit and satisfaction the poor industrious occupiers, and, to their honour let it be told, the whole arrears of rent for the twelve years occupation do not amount to a sovereign. There are now about 100 acres of land belonging this charity and the Watts estate under Spade cultivation in this parish, the effects of which are very evident to every unprejudiced person. Instead of 50 or able-bodied men, called surplus labourers, crouching before the relieving officer this time of year, as formerly, begging for little temporary relief or ticket for the Workhouse, most of them are armed against winter with a good store of corn and potatoes, and good thriving pig in the sty. Nor is this only benefit derived from the allotment system; a great deal might be said in favour of the morals of the poor under it, but enough for the present. What have its opponents got to say against it?— From a Correspondent.

Highly important SALE of Valuable FARMING STOCK,
CASTLETHORPE, near Stony Stratford, Bucks.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
By J. H. W. BULL,

On Tuesday, the 31st day of March, 1863 (without reserve), by order of the Executors of the late Mr. Joseph Bull, of Castlethorpe, the following Valuable FARMING STOCK CONSISTING of 89 Head of first-class Hereford, Devon, and Welch Oxen, 240 superior Cotswold and Half-bred Sheep, with their Lambs; 3 Fat Pigs, 2 Cart Colts, a capital Roan Cob, 5 years old, quiet in harness; modern-built Pony Carriage, and a neat Dennett Gig, in good preservation.
Castlethorpe is three miles from Stony Stratford, five from Newport Pagnell, 12 from Northampton, and three from the Wolverton Station on the North-Western Railway.
The Auctioneer begs to call the attention of Farmers and Graziers to the above important Sale; the Oxen are kindly sorted, well descended, fresh and healthy; the Sheep are of large size and heavy woolled.
Catalogues may be had one week prior to the Sale, the place of Sale; Inns the neighbourhood; and at the Auctioneers' Estate and General Agency Office, Shipston-on-Stour.
Sale to commence at Eleven for Twelve o'clock precisely

NOTICE TO DEBTORS AND CREDITORS.

ALL persons Indebted the Estate of Mr. JOSEPH BULL, late of CASTLETHORPE, in the County of, Buckingham, deceased, are requested to pay the amount of  their respective debts to the Executors ; and persons having any Claim or Demand on the said Estate, are requested to forward particulars thereof to us, the undersigned, in order that it may be examined, and, if found correct, discharged, Executors
WILLIAM BULL, Shipston-on-Stour,
THOMAS AMOS, Castlethorpe,

GRASS KEEPING
CASTLETHORPE, near Stony Stratford, Bucks.
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
By J. H. W. BULL,
On Tuesday, the 28th day of April, 1863,

THE BITE of 224 Acres of rich old PASTURE LAND, from the day of Sale until Michaelmas next, the Castlethorpe Farm, late in the occupation of Mr. Joseph Bull, deceased.
Sale to commence at Two o'clock.
The above Keeping will sold in convenient lots, is on rich Feeding Land, well fenced and watered. An efficient Shepherd will be found to attend the Stock; and Credit given on the usual conditions.

GROWING CROPS of CORN and GRASS KEEPING.
CASTLETHORPE, near Stony Stratford, Bucks.
TO SOLD BY AUCTION, J. H. W. BULL,
On Thursday, the 30th day of July, 1863, by order of Executors of the late Mr. Joseph Bull,

124 ACRES of Superior GROWING CROPS of CORN, with use of Barns and Yards to Spend the Straw. Also the BITE of 238 Acres of Rich Old PASTURE LAND, in Twelve Lots, from the 29th day of September next until the Fifth day of April, 1864. Credit will be given on the usual conditions. The above will appear in Catalogues one week prior the Sale, to be had at the Place of Sale; the principal Inns in the Neighbourhood; and at the Office of the Auctioneer, Shipston-on-Stour.
Sale to commence at Two o'clock precisely.

CASTLETHORPE, near Stony Stratford, Bucks.
 J. H. W. BULL
Is Instructed by the Executors of the Late Mr. Joseph Bull,
To SELL BY AUCTION,
(Without reserve,) on Monday, the 17th day of August, 8, 1863,

8 Fresh active CART HORSES, 2 Dairy COWS (in full profit), Fat CALF, Trace and Thillers' HARNESS, the whole the useful FARMING IMPLEMENTS, which comprise a general assortment, and numerous other Effects.
Catalogues of the above may be had, one week prior to the Sale, at the principal Inns in the Neighbourhood ; the Place of Sale; and at the Offices of the Auctioneer, Moreton-in-the-Marsh and Shipston-on-Stour. The above Horses are young, fresh, active, and good workers ; the Cows are good milkers; the Implements, comprising general assortment, are very useful; the whole worthy the attention of purchasers, and will be sold without reserve.

DEATHS. On the 12^th instant, at Leighton Buzzard, Eliza Louisa wife of Mr. John White, and daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Bull, of Castlethorpe, aged 34 years.