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The cross stave is the part of a wheeled plough used to regulate the depth of the furrow. This cross stave was given to Lavinia Smith by George Besley, a wheelwright from East Hendred, Oxfordshire (formerly in Berkshire), whose grandfather, Frederick Besley, had made it.

1 cross stave: wood; good condition

Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28)- 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Horse Furniture // 69. A cross stave (pronounced crawstave) made about 1840 but never used. It was used to regulate the depth of the furrow. Made by George Besley's grandfather.' (Appears to be recorded in Smith's catalogue twice on two separate lists), Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28)- 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Horsese // 15. cross stave pronounced =crawstave = used to regulate the depth of the furrow. Given by Geo. Besley the wheelwright whose grandfather had made it.' (Appears to be recorded in Smith's catalogue twice on two separate lists), Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) page 14 - 'No.69 // [pencil sketch] // Cross Stave - for regulating the depth of a furrow', MERL miscellaneous note – Frederick Besley (born 1821) is recorded in the 1881 census as living with his son Richard Besley (born 1846) and grandson George F. Besley (born 1881) at Harefield Farm, East Hendred. Frederick Besley, wheelwright appears in Kelly’s Directory of Berkshire 1848 in East Hendred. Richard Besley, wheelwright and carpenter appears in Kelly’s Directory of Berkshire 1899 in East Hendred. And George Besley, carpenter appears in Kelly’s Directory of Berkshire 1915 in East Hendred.

1840 - 1840

Plough, Dorset, Cross stave

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)