In the evening of the 20th March 1692 Nicholas Masters was dying. He lived in
a thatched cottage on the other side of the Lymington Road to his blacksmith's
shop. The blacksmith's was situated on
the island where the cycle shop now stands in Brockenhurst.
At his bedside were two friends and he verbally disposed of his property.
That morning he died, leaving a wife who was to outlive him by almost fifty
years.
Johnathan Masters had already informed the family that he was un-willing to
accept the inheritance as he had a good job as a taylor in Southampton. It was
therefore Nicholas, named after his father, who was to inherit.
The blacksmith's shop had: an anvil and trough, a pair of billows, a fire-maker, a grinding stone and many other small tools. As well as his household goods Nicholas had a horse, a great crimson coat and an old sword to dispose of.
The blacksmith's shop had: an anvil and trough, a pair of billows, a fire-maker, a grinding stone and many other small tools. As well as his household goods Nicholas had a horse, a great crimson coat and an old sword to dispose of.
The family moved elsewhere in the village and their cottage was
compulsorily purchased by the Southampton and Dorchester Railway Company in
1846. When the land was not needed by the railway company the family declined
to buy it back.
The blacksmith's shop was demolished in 1915 having
been in the family since at least the Civil War, two hundred and seventy years.Many thanks to Neil Hotson for this truly interesting piece of Brockenhurst Hampshire history.
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The New Forest by Matthew Conway
Featuring a mixture of history, folklore and stories of interest, this book explores the culture and wildlife of the New Forest. From it deer, which for centuries were hunted exclusively by the Kings of England, to the thousands of trees that were the cornerstone of the English Navy, this fascinating volume illustrates how flora and fauna are interwoven with the forest's heritage, and pays special attention to its wildlife. As well as providing a backdrop of history, this affectionate look at the forest will inspire readers to explore the area themselves. Read more...