The market place area of Market Lavington was used for many years by agricultural engineers. Today we feature a photo which dates from the 1890s and it shows White’s Yard.
White’s bought the premises in 1893. Previously it had been the works of James House.
Whites only stayed in Market Lavington for a few years. They moved to Devizes and became the well known firm of T. H. White.
Mowers at White's Yard, Market Lavington in the 1890s - a photo at Market Lavington Museum
The photo shows a wonderful collection of mowers. For agricultural use these were horse drawn, of course, and with no power take off, they had to use the rotation of the wheels to drive the blades. Wheels were made to ensure they didn’t slip during field work.
The more domestic looking mower has been left with a lad and is not hugely different from hand lawnmowers which could be bought today.
As a bonus, we know that the three men were Mr Parsons, Mr Collins and Mr Cooper
The Parsons family had come from Somerset, moving to Wiltshire in the 1880s. Francis Parsons was a foreman agricultural machinist at the time of the 1901 census.
Mr Collins may have been Imber born Simeon who lived in Market Lavington and was described as an engine driver (agricultural)
Mr Cooper may have been John Cooper who was described as an agricultural blacksmith on the 1901 census.
Any further information about these people would be very welcome.
Tags: Agriculture, engineering, farming, Market Lavington, Museum
Market Lavington Museum 
March 29, 2011 at 9:41 pm |
We have it suggested that the lad with the hand mower may have been a Burgess by name.
February 8, 2013 at 6:09 am |
[…] from Market Lavington is the agricultural engineer. T H White, once a Market Lavington firm (click here) still operate in […]