Joshua Hampton was a hill farmer. In the 1870s he occupied Pond Farm and Meeches Farm which were sited in what is now Easterton parish.

He kept brief records of what he grew. Here’s an entry for 1877

Extract from Joshua Hampton’s farm records from 1877 Click image to see a larger version

1877
Began drilling wheat on Pond Farm (Picked Field) October 20^th – about 6 acres across the middle at 2 bushels per acre.
Drilled 10 acres of Old Field below, October 30^th and 31^st 2 bushels and 1 peck of sanfoin. ??? of field now 5, 2½ bushels seed

Joshua’s entry continues

Began drilling in wheat in field front of house November 1^st. Finished drilling just below the shord top of Pond Hill November 3^rd. Ploughed in remainder of field November 5 6 and 7.

It is lovely to have a copy of Joshua’s book which gives an insight into the life and ways of a farmer 140 years ago. It is, of course, so very different from today. And we are informed (see comment) that a shord is a gap between two hills.