Historical farmer diaries retrieved in Hertfordshire
The 19th Century books will be both displayed in a museum and analysed by university students
Last updated 14th Jun 2024
Diaries and accounts from the operations of a successful 19th century farmer in Hertfordshire have been retrieved and will now be analysed.
The University of Hertfordshire and Three Rivers Museum, who are currently in possession of these books, will be working collaboratively to look into the depth and detail of the accounts.
The archives include meticulously documented farming activities, including annual valuations of a business, livestock inventories, and crop yields.
The project consists of first digitalising the John White archives, followed by work with academics and business students at the University to note best practises and lessons to learn.
Who was John White?
Fabian Hiscock, Chairman of Three Rivers Museum Trust, based in Rickmansworth, told us...
"John White was born in 1813, he was the son of a local farmer and between the two of them, they farmed several hundreds acres of land between Rickmansworth and Chorleywood."
"There are diaries kept every day of the entire period between 1841 and when he had to give up his diary through ill health."
How were these valuable books retrieved?
Fabian Hiscock went on to say...
"In 1970 a local historian made extracts of them and published them in the Journal of the Rickmansworth Historical Society, and even those snippets were so exciting that we knew we had to find these diaries if it was at all possible."
"Two years ago we tracked them down when the family decided to donate the entire collection to Three Rivers Museum Trust."
"The wealth of this collection is just extraordinary, not only what John White recorded in his daily record, but his accounts; for example there is an annual valuation for his entire business every year from 1841 to 1888 and it just lists every one of his animals, every object that was in his barns, his horse tackle all listed and valued."
"So our business and the museum is telling the story of what it was like to live and work around here."
What is the involvement of the University of Hertfordshire in the project?
The project is a collaborative effort involving faculty and students from the University of Hertfordshire's Business School, led by Dr Sue Davis and Dr Derek Ong, where students will actively engage in transcribing and analysing the diaries, gaining hands-on experience in historical research and data analysis.
Dr Sue Davis said: "Our students are using the historical data to analyse crop yields, livestock management, and farming innovations."
"It's an invaluable primary source for learning about the evolution of agricultural practices."
"This is just the beginning. We see enormous potential for further research and educational opportunities stemming from these archives."
The project aims to draw lessons from historical farming adaptations, particularly during periods of harsh weather, to compare with current agricultural practices.
Dr Derek Ong said: "By examining how John White navigated challenges such as the agricultural depression of the 1870s, we hope to identify strategies that could be relevant today, especially in the context of food security and sustainability."
Fabian Hiscock added: "This collection is not just a treasure trove for our local history. It has the potential to provide insights of national importance into agricultural practices and their evolution."
The project is set to continue beyond its initial six-month phase, with plans for further workshops and public exhibitions.