Visitor ~ July 2013
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Visitors: Allen Trafford (my brother), Wife (Lynn) and Daughter (Laura).
Date of Visit: July 2013
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Allen is my brother. We are descended from Thomas Trafford the baker (1767-1843) and Sarah Hall, through their son John Trafford and Maria Walker, through their son John Trafford and Lucy Baggot.
Their travels through Scotland, England and Wales took them to Kirtlington (home of our 7th through 2nd great grandparents); and also to the ruins of the medieval village of Trafford in Northamptonshire (where our family line most likely originates).
The medieval village of Trafford was in existence at the time of the 1086 conquest and appears in William the Conqueror's 1089 Domesday record as "Trapeford". The name derives from the series of fish weirs (traps) that the villagers set in indentations along the banks of the River Cherwell for holding carp. The village was always quite small and was eventually abandoned some time in the 1300's or 1400's, either as a result of "enclosure" (the practice of converting feudal lands over to use for sheep grazing); or possibly as a result of the plague.
The Trafford House Farm, established about 1700, still operates today. The owner, Mr. Neath, was kind enough to come out and chat.
Allen sent me the following photos:
Allen, Lynn and Laura at the bakehouse in Kirtlington.
Allen and Laura at Trafford Bridge in Northampton-shire. The bridge crosses the River Cherwell about 1km west of the site of the medieval village ruins
Foundations of buildings from the medieval village of Trafford can be seen as ruts in the field at present day Trafford House Farm.
The house at Trafford House Farm was built relatively recently (about 1700). Trafford Village was present as early as 1089 and disappeared by the 1400's.
Some evidence of the indentations along the River Cherwell where fish weirs were used to hold carp.
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