Sileby History
Its people and places. A community through time.
Quebec Farm
An interesting and important post enclosure farm built by the largest landholder in the parish.
'Double click' on the photograph for larger pictures and more notes.
After the enclosure of Sileby's open fields in 1759-60 William Pochin of Barkby became the largest landowner in the parish. He decided to build a new farm away from the village centre in the midst of his newly allotted fields. The result is the Quebec Farm that we see today. The complex is built around a central courtyard with the house making up the south and southeast side of the yard and barns and farm buildings taking the other three sides.
The farm was occupied by tenant farmers up until it was sold to the Astill family in 1920. This family still own and manage the farm today.
Incidentally, the name Quebec comes from the great British military victory in 1759. It is one of a number of farm names in the vicinity reflecting military successes under the Hanoverian kings.