Local History In my November article, I identified five of the six entrepreneurs behind the local tobacco growing venture in 1619. This month I identify the sixth entrepreneur and outline their story. Sir John Tracy of Toddington completes the list. By far the most illustrious member, his ancestor William was one of the four knights who killed Thomas à Becket in 1171. Sir John had served as a member of parliament for the county since 1597; had been high sheriff in 1609-10 and was created a viscount in 1643. It is likely that he was invited into the venture by John Stratford, a close friend to whom he was related by marriage. However, it was John Stratford who seems to have been the chief instigator of this tobacco growing venture.
Tobacco growing 400 years ago Part Two year lease at £80 per acre but he argued it was only worth £15 per acre for any other crop. Six acres were planted on Thomas Loreng's Haymes estate but in very small parcels; one of which probably lay along Butts Lane in Woodmancote. Three acres were planted somewhere in Bishop's Cleeve and Giles Broadway of Postlip had five small plots. Sir John Tracy planted eight acres at Coneygree Layes, wherever that might have been. It is possible tobacco was also grown near John Stratford‘s house in Farmcote and in the Wickfield between Cleeve and Nottingham Hills, whilst Tobacco Close in Winchcombe could commemorate a folk memory of growing there.
So where was the tobacco grown? I have found it very difficult to answer As we have seen, the motives behind this question. At the time it was reported the venture were to make a profit and that over 100 acres had been planted but it seems this total was made up of many small plots scattered throughout the area and I only know of a very few locations. We know that ten acres of old orchard were rented by John Stratford from John Lygon near Arle Court from a court case when John Lygon refused to accept John Stratford's attempt to pull out of his lease when tobacco growing was declared Sir John Tracy had Toddington Manor built in the 1620s. illegal after just one harvest Today only the ruins of the gate house survive as the rest was demolished and replaced in the 1820s by the present manor house. in 1619. He had taken a four6