Spode Josiah – The Kingdom of Spode

It is quite by chance that I came across this document found under the Last Will etc. Dated 1800 it deals with huge farming estate belonging to the Alsager sisters of Congleton. It lists the executors of the Alsager’s and importantly lists in detail all the lands, farm and equipment that were transferred to Josiah Spode ll.
I can find no direct evidence that it was his intention to develop this farm/estate as his home as at the time he was living at Fenton Hall. It was however a part of Spode’s ambition to be known as a Gentleman Farmer by the amount of land he was acquiring around this time. This was prior to him purchasing many different pieces of land when they became available.

All that Messuage farmhouse or tenement situate and being at Penkhull within the said Manor late in the possession of Harvey Boulton deceased. Together with the barns, stables, cowhouses, outbuildings, and other conveniences to the same belonging. This is the introduction to a facinating document that goes on to describe all the lands at that time that belonged to Penkhull Farm. In addition includes all the farm equipment, farm animals, the farm house and whats included.

Infact the lease gives a total insight as to what the farm was all about and its importance to Penkhull in 1831