History
Sawn Moor
Referred to as Sowen Moore Close in a document dated 1607:
Feoffment
Robert Mirfin of Thurcroft, yeoman, to Anthony Eyre of Laughton, esquire, and
Thomas Levet of Melton on the Hill,
gentleman, and his heirs. A close called Stedfould of about 7 acres, pasture in the manor of Slade Hooton and 2 closes in
the manor of Laughton, viz. Little Stedfould of 4 acres pasture and Sowen Moore Close of 2 acres pasture. To the use of
Robert Mirfin, son and heir of the aforesaid Robert, and of Elinor Brisnley, intended wife of the younger Robert,
for their lives, and then to the use of the heirs of Robert Mirfin in perpetuity.
Source:Sheffield Archives, Marrian Deeds, Reference: Mar D/16.
Middle English sowen, from Old English sãwan - to scatter seed for growing.
Sawn Moor Farm
Sawn Moor Farmhouse on the east side of Sawn Moor Road was listed as a Grade II Farmhouse in 1987. It is mid to late 18th century in coursed, squared sandstone, with a welsh slate roof. A two storey building with attics, 3 bays, of double depth. Wallstone plinth. 20th century additions.
The Barn and attached Cartshed/Granary were also listed as Grade II in 1987. Late 18th and mid 19th century of coursed squared sandstone, with a pantile roof. A 2 storey, 9 bay barn with lower 2 storey, 3 bay cartshed/granary attached to rear right corner.
Sawn Moor Farm, recorded in 1851 as one of six dwellings in Thurcroft, originally within the Parish of Laughton-en-le-Morthen, the farm along with Green Arbour Farm, is situated on the outskirts of Thurcroft village, but unlike Green Arbour which stands on to the main road leading out of Thurcroft, Sawn Moor is tucked down at the end of Sawn Moor Road, a small 'No Through Road' , the farm goes unnoticed except for the odd visitor, the farm is now a quiet peaceful place unlike the days when it was full of hustle and bustle with the day to day workings of a busy farm.
The first census recorded occupation of Sawn Moor Farm was almost one hundred years later in 1841 when the occupants were John Barker from Wales and his family.
In those days farms in and around the area would have been connected only by tracks, Sawn Moor Road still gives the appearance of a lane rather than a road.
By 1851 John Sybary Wheatcroft was living in the farm house with his mother Hannah and farming 146 acres employing 3 men. John was the son of Mallinson Wheatcroft of Braithwell; the Wheatcrofts were also in Wickersley.
John Sybary Wheatcroft was still on the farm in 1861,now with a wife Elizabeth and 2 children. They had two servants living-in.
It is not known when John and his family left the farm, they were there in 1881, but in 1891 the census records William Houfe as the new occupier of Sawn Moor farm, along with his wife Elizabeth and 4 children, he was also employing 2 servants.
William was aged 73, and born 1828 in Beighton, his wife Elizabeth was 63, from Rawcliffe. William's son Arthur was running the farm in 1901, he was 43,and recorded as living alone at the time of the census, except for 3 servants.
Sadly Arthur's wife Emily died 14/12/1903 aged 44 and their daughter died six months later aged six months; they are buried in Laughton Church Yard.
A family by the name of Beech were the next occupants of Sawn Moor Farm, it is recorded that Sarah Beech of Sawn Moor died aged 50 on the 26th of November 1908. Ernest Beech born about 1910 later ran the farm with his wife Jean Beech nee Rogers born about 1910 in Wickersley. Ernest ran the farm up until about 1967 when he retired to live in the South of England with his only daughter Jean.
Around this time, the farm was a well known venue for street parties and village celebrations such as the Coronation in 1953.
It was remembered at this time that people from Thurcroft walked daily to the farm to buy fresh milk. Violet Lovely(Nee Bell) Jim Lovely's wife from Brampton-en-le-Morthen - as a young woman used to go to the farm daily and collect two buckets of milk, which she carried on a yoke around her neck up to the shop fronts to sell.
After Ernest Beech's retirement, a family called Trickett from Kimberworth took over the running of the farm, up until about 1980. Their son renovated Sawn Moor cottage which stands to the side of the farm house, in about 1970/3, up until then the cottage had been derelict for many years. He and his wife and family lived in the cottage until about 1999.
The occupant of Sawn Moor cottage in 1871 was William Welden from Maltby, he was aged 35 and a widower, living with his two sons aged 6 and 3 years of age. Williams occupation was Agricultural Labourer.
Joseph Wood from Bradfield was living in the cottage from 1881 with his family. also living with Joseph and his family was Hugh H Wheatcroft aged 4 months, he was described as a nurse child and most likely the son of John Wheatcroft who was living next door.
It is not known when the Wood's left but by 1901 Joseph Steedman and his family were occupying the cottage.
The occupants of the cottage after this are not known for certain, but it has been suggested that a Mary Crofts married John Henry Drinkle Lovely from Brampton-en-le-Morthen in 1928, Marys parents were living in Sawn Moor cottage at the time.
Occupants have come and gone up until the present time including the Tricketts son, and at one time a Harold Taylor.
Trickett family of Wickersley