I have had an enquiry from Yorkshire from Barry Wood, the owner and restorer of an Aveling & Porter traction engine. This engine was bought new in 1872 by Mr R B Mugleston who was living at Copthall Green, near Waltham Abbey. Soon after, he took the tenancy of Littlebury farm at Stanford Rivers, as well as Stondon Hall farm. His tenancies expired in 1883 and all the stock, including the machinery, was sold by auction on 27 September. By 1905 the engine had been modified and was working in a gold mine in Rutherglen, Victoria, Australia.
Barry would welcome any information on Mr Mugleston or the purchaser of the engine. His five sons followed their father’s occupation in the area, working (amongst others) Grays Farm, Marden Ash, and Waters Farm, Stapleford Abbots.