Above: This 1890 map (click to enlarge) shows that Nook Farmhouse was relatively large, compared to other nearby farms, such as Bunsal and Errwood.

Above: This charming photo – which probably dates to the early 1990s – shows a well-dressed group posing outside Nook Farmhouse (with one in the doorway). From the census returns, I would guess that they are the Joules family, although the chap in the Panama hat doesn’t look like the typical Derbyshire farmer!

Nook Farm

Lying close the the Buxton to Whaley Bridge ‘Long Hill’ road, Nook Farm was one of the largest farms on the Errwood Estate, stretching to some 240 acres. I haven’t yet tried to search for the ruins, so I’m not sure whether anything remains of the farm buildings.

The earliest census records from 1861 show that Thomas Dunn was the farmer, with his wife Naomi. And that they employed three servants who worked on the farm and in the house. Their son, George, took over the farm sometime between the 1881 and 1891 censuses.

By the time of the next census in 1901, the farmer was Joseph Joule. He and his wife Grace lived here with their four sons, three daughters, and Grace’s mother.

I would guess that the top photo shows the Joules family; possibly Joseph and his wife Grace sitting, with Grace’s mother, Sarah, standing, and one of their sons and daughters. Grace appears to be laughing at something. 

Page update

Click here to read about the untimely death of Mr. Dunn of Nook Farm in a tragic horse and trap accident outside Longhill Farm in 1884.

SurnameFirst nameBornRelationshipOccupationBirthplace
1861 Census
Dunn Thomas c1818 Head Farmer of 240 acres Fernilee
Dunn Naomi c1826 Wife Tissington
Redfern Hannah c1839 Visitor Fenny Bentley
Palfreyman Sarah A c1839 Boarder Moneyash
Redfern Thomas c1841 Servant Agric. labourer Fenny Bentley
Wardle Joe c1846 Servant Shepherd boy Derbys
Cocker Hannah c1812 Servant Domestic servant Longnor
Redfern John c1799 Visitor Farmer & inkeeper Fenny Bentley
1871 Census
Dunn Thomas c1818 Head Farmer of 200 acres Fernilee
Dunn Naomi c1826 Wife Tissington
Dunn George c1862 Son Fernilee
Dunn Thomas c1864 Son Fernilee
Dunn Sarah c1866 Daughter Fernilee
Dunn Richard c1869 Son Fernilee
Hardy William c1831 Servant Denton
Gould Mary c1857 Servant Monyash
Blackwell Sarah P c1852 Servant Monyash
1881 Census
Dunn Thomas c1818 Head Farmer of 235 acres Fernilee
Dunn Naomi c1826 Wife Tissington
Dunn George c1862 Son Fernilee
Dunn Thomas c1864 Son Fernilee
Dunn Sarah c1866 Daughter Fernilee
Dunn Richard c1869 Son Fernilee
Hardy William c1831 Servant Denton
1891 Census
Dunn George c1862 Head Farmer Fernilee
Dunn Annie c1862 Wife Peak Forest
Dunn Sarah c1889 Daughter Fenilee
Dunn Annie c1891 Daughter Fernilee
Lomas Harriet Alice c1857 Nurse Domestic nurse Burbage
Bridden Job c1874 Servant Domestic servant Matlock
Wood Emma c1874 Servant Domestic servant Derbyshire
1901 Census
Joule Joseph c1857 Head Farmer Coombs
Joule Grace Elizabeth c1862 Wife Coombs
Joule Elias c1884 Son Coombs
Joule Joseph P c1885 Son Coombs
Joule Florence c1887 Daughter Dairy work Coombs
Joule Alice Miriam c1890 Daughter Dairy work Coombs
Joule Horace E c1893 Son Coombs
Joule Sydney c1896 Son Coombs
Joule Sarah Phylis c1898 Daughter Coombs
Ollernshaw Sarah Phylis c1836 Mother in law Coombs
1911 Census
Joule Joseph c1857 Head Farmer Coombs
Joule Grace Elizabeth c1862 Wife Coombs
Joule Florence c1887 Daughter Dairy work Coombs
Joule Alice Miriam c1890 Daughter Dairy work Coombs
Joule Horace Edward c1893 Son Farm work Coombs
Joule Sydney c1896 Son Farm work Coombs
Joule Sarah Phylis c1898 Daughter Coombs