THE GARDENS : HESTON : CO. MIDDLESEX

FR MID 3

1874-1897

Frederick Gray, the donor's grandfather bought the Gardens in 1874. He leased it for the last three years of his tenure until his son, Ebenezer Gray, was able to take it over. Ebenezer Gray was born at Longford, co. Middlesex about 1860 and lived at The Gardens for almost the whole of his working life. Shortly before his marriage, he tended 11 acres of fruit trees and subsequently expanded this holding to about 100 acres of fruit and vegetables, of which he owned 40 acres. His eldest son, E.F. Gray (the donor) was born at the Gardens in 1889. He was a market gardener there with his brothers until 1926, when he moved to Runnymede Farm, Hayes, co. Middlesex. In 1939 he returned to the Gardens, where his holding gradually contracted until in 1967 it amounted to no more than 11 acres Farm size etc. Probably 20 - 40 acres; brick earth; owner occupier

Farm records relating to the Gardens, Heston, Middlesex

3 series

fonds

Heston, Agriculture

1 BOOKS OF ACCOUNT 2 CATALOGUES 3 LEASES