Curdale Farm
The name ‘Curdale’, inits various spellings, is one of the earliest recorded names in the history of Cleobury Mortimer.
S.F.F. Auchmuty, in his ‘History of Cleobury Mortimer’, mentions that John de Curdewalle was a witness to a deed relating to John de Malleye (Mawley) in the reign of Henry III (1216-72). We also know that William de Curdewall was Vicar of Cleobury Mortimer from 1349 – 1362. There is nothing to show whether he was a member of the main family of the district, or whether this was his birthplace..
A survey made in the 23rd year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign (1592) records the following ‘townships’ of the manor – the borough of Cleobury Mortimer, Baron’s Land (Barnsland), The Lee, Curdell,, Bransley, Mawley. We do not know whether these were freeholdings, or whether the land was held possibly for knight’s service to the Lords of the Manor, the Mortimers.. It has been said, though with what accuracy we do not know, that Curdale was the home of the steward of the Mortimers.
If Curdale remained in the ownership of the Mortimers, it would become Crown land under Edward IV. Mawley was sold by the Crown in 1535, and it is possible that Curdale was sold about the same time. We do not know to whom, but we do know that in 1581 Richard Wyer. In his will left all to his wife, but if she remarried her son Richard was to have half Curdale, Barnsland and Northall. Presumably he was a considerable land owner. His tenant at Curdale was Richard Uncle. Richard Wyer, of the Lee, presumably his son, left Curdale to be divided between the children of John Wyer of Curdale, his brother.
This is all we know of the early history of the occupiers and owners. The house itself is of considerable interest,
Mrs Madge Moran,F.S.A., an expert on early buildings was asked to visit. She brought a friend and her findings were as follows:- “The site was very old, and the oldest feature was moulded stonework in cellar 2, which may be the remains of a fireplace. This suggests that the early house was stone-built – but there is no indication of its size.
“The present super structure is basically of hall and crossing plan. The hall is two-bayed and so is the cross wing. These have a roof of about 1600 and though separately framed are of one build. Timbers are all of primary use, and the attics were intended for use.
“The question is whether the western bay is earlier or later. The joists in the cellar are shouldered soffit-tenoned and could be of about 1550 or later.
“I’m inclined to think the West bay was added later, but I may be wrong. There are re-used timbers in the roof. The Framing at the back does not reach ground level – but the site is steeply sloping.
“The medieval house was built on bed-rock, which is shown in the cellars.”
The house, then, was obviously of some importance, and this is reflected in the quality of the later owners. In 1808 Thomas Compson, who was a major landowner in the district left Curdale and the Gurch to his son James. The Gurch was a parcel of land on the Common Road, by Holly Waste. In the deeds relating to the transfer of the property it is stated that the two parcels of land had been one unit for all of living memory.
In 1824 James left the holding to his son, Thomas, and his tenant was William Cock. George, son of James succeeded, and he left it to his nephew, George James. In his will of 2nd February 1860 he left Curdale to his wife, Sarah, who later married Cecil Parsons.
Sarah and Cecil sold the property to Beriah Botfield on 29th September, 1860. The tenant at that time was Thomas Beddoe. The farm consisted of 229 acres, 2 roods and 36 perches.
Beriah Botfield was a brother of Thomas Botfield, who was a mine-owner, paper maker and had other interests. He lived at Hopton Court. Beriah was wealthy in his own right. He lived at Norton Hall, near Daventry. He died in 1863, and his property passed to his widow who died in 1911, when it passed to Lord Alexander Thynne, youngest son of the fourth Marquess of Bath, who was killed in action in 1918. At this point his unmarried sister Beatrice inherited. Curdale, with several other properties were sold in 1919, and it was bought by Mr Richard Evans.. He was succeeded by his son, also Richard, who formed a company including his wife and children. On his death the farm continues in the ownership of the company. It has now extended to quite a considerable acreage.